Today is Seriana’s birthday.

The other day, Elena also received a lot of presents for her birthday, but Seriana is the lady of the domain, the highest-ranking woman in the territory.

The amount she received is probably about 50% more than what Elena got.

Just like with Elena, I thought I’d have the gifts brought to my room, but since Elena’s stuff is still there, we decided to place Seriana’s in her office and sort through it all today and tomorrow.

We’ll keep the necessary items in her room, and the rest will be handed down to the servants or sent to the mansion’s storage.

By the way, the sorting is being done by Seriana’s group—Elena and Teresa are opening the packages and checking the contents, creating a simple list.

Then Fiora compiles those into an inventory… a beautifully organized division of labor.

And during that time, what am I doing…?

“Ouch…! Owowowow…”

“Don’t move!”

Still weak to foot reflexology, Seriana writhes in agony as I continue to grind away, ignoring her protests.

Technically, this is a birthday present for her—it’s not meant to hurt or torment her—so I do feel a bit bad, but it’s effective, and I hope she just endures it.

“…It still hurts as much as ever.”

Watching the treatment while checking Seriana’s gift list, Fiora looked both exasperated and somewhat impressed by Seriana’s reaction.

From an outsider’s perspective, it probably just looks like a weak guy poking at her with a stick.

For someone like Fiora, who’s never experienced a foot massage, it must look like a strange sight.

Hmm…

“Later, should I do you and Teresa too, Fio?”

While continuing to massage the squirming Seriana, I invited Fiora and Teresa, who had just brought another list, to try it too.

It’s quite painful, but definitely effective.

I gave Elena the same massage recently, and while she struggled during it, the next morning she thanked me, saying she felt refreshed.

These two have been present for the sessions, but they’ve never actually received it themselves.

They’re just as busy as Seriana and Elena—maybe they’ve built up fatigue too.

Why not take this chance to refresh?

“I’ll pass… The usual is enough for me.”

“Me too. If the princess got injured, that’d be terrible.”

But the two of them refused.

Well… if normally composed Seriana is reacting like this, it’s understandable to want to avoid it.

No point in forcing them.

◇

Anyway, once the flailing Seriana’s foot massage was over, she quietly accepted the rest of the treatment.

She’s now leaning her upper body against me, who’s sitting on the bed, in a relaxed state.

Starting with her eyes, then her neck and shoulders, I’m laying hands while activating 【Mira’s Blessing】 in that order.

She’s been mostly doing desk work lately, so the fatigue must’ve built up around there.

They say steamed towels help too, but surely my hands are more effective!

Meanwhile, the three who were checking and compiling the inventory earlier have finished their tasks and are now resting here in the bedroom.

Elena is brewing tea, filling the room with a pleasant aroma—perfect for relaxing.

“That was awful…”

Now that she seems to have caught her breath, Seriana muttered in a tired voice.

“But it works every time, doesn’t it?”

“…As annoying as that is.”

What kind of thing is that to say, you…?

“More importantly, sorry about that—having you all check my stuff.”

“It’s fine. Would you like some tea instead?”

“…Sera?”

Seriana didn’t respond to Elena’s offer, instead calling my name.

“In a little while.”

If I stop midway, I’ll lose the sense of pressure.

Let’s wait until I’m finished.

“…In that case, it can’t be helped… Then, could you tell me what was in the packages you checked?”

But it seems Seriana doesn’t plan to just wait quietly.

She began asking the three of them about the contents of the gifts they were just sorting.

“The gifts were mostly the same as mine. There were several dresses with new designs. Also, some cushions. While the designs were plain, they’re the same type you usually use. Those are getting popular too.”

Elena said this with amusement.

“They’re quite comfortable. I even ordered a few for home and for my lab.”

The presents were mostly as expected… but there were cushions too, huh?

Elena’s house didn’t receive any because Alec went to order them, but Seriana hadn’t ordered any.

Still, she continues to use mine without asking in her own room, and maybe she’ll start using them in Liesel’s office now?

Come to think of it, I only ordered those cushions on a whim, but they might turn out to be a hit.

“Good. Some small variations aside, it’s pretty much like every year. Sera, are you done?”

While patting the hand I had over her eyes, Seriana began to raise herself.

“I think you should continue a bit more… but oh well. Good job. You look refreshed.”

“Yes. I feel a lot better… If only it didn’t hurt, I’d have no complaints.”

She said while moving her feet slightly.

Must’ve really hurt, huh?

“You’ve saved me again this year. Thank you, Sera.”

Seriana, now sitting on the bed and facing me, has a much softer expression, even if her skin tone is hard to tell.

All in all, she must’ve been more tense than I thought, managing the territory and all.

“Yeah. You’re welcome.”

I couldn’t prepare a custom stretch mat this time, but I do feel like my application of 【Mira’s Blessing】 has improved year by year, so as a birthday gift, this should be pretty decent.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Sera ・ Blessing ・【Hideout】+1 【Prayer】 【Mira’s Blessing】 【Wind’s Garment】 Blessed Items ・【Floating Orb】+1 【Shadow Sword】+1 【Scarlet Bee Needle】 【Fairy’s Eye】 【Dragon’s Lung】 【Amber Sword】 【Danrem’s Thread】 【Serpent’s Tail】 【Ankle Bracelet】 【Amber Shield】 【Purple Wings】 【Red Sword】 【Monkey’s Arm】 ・ 8 cards

Seriana ・【Area Identification】・【】・0 cards

Elena ・【】・【Green Fang】 【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec ・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】 【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・10 cards