The Life of Maria Lewellin - Chapter 31

“Right? “

I’ve been secretly preparing Ains’ birthday present for some time now.

You must be wondering what it is.

It’s pants!

Handmade sleeping pants.

Here, men also wear tunic-like clothes when sleeping. To put it simply, it looks like a long dress, but it wasn’t as grand as I thought it was because the material was simple and the design is just straight.

When I asked Marilyn, she told me that even men in the royal family sleep in such pajamas or silk gowns.

So, I thought this would be perfect since tunic pajamas have wide bottoms, and it’s a hassle when they go up to their calves and thighs when they struggle a little bit when they sleep.

When I made a T-shirt for me last time, I thought, ‘If Ains wear this too, will it suit him well?’ I once laughed while just imagining it alone.

His daily formal attire was perfect, but I think he’ll look good in ordinary T-shirts or jeans too. His hair is black, so there won’t be much of a difference in modern person.

I didn’t just think about it, I decided to put it into practice.

Marilyn helped me with the sizes. She wondered why I was asking, but I was able to get the information I wanted in the end. It was the result of persistent asking because of a birthday present.

From that day on, I started making handmade pants. Red is a symbol of good luck, so I chose a luxurious wine-colored silk fabric, drew a pattern and cut it with scissors.

And as I started sewing, I realized another eternal truth.

‘Practice makes perfect.’

When I first made pants for myself, I often poked my fingers with a needle or drew a line to make it bleed, but the quality of the pants that I was planning to give as a gift was pretty good. It takes a long time to make it with more care though.

Again, holding onto my mind and focusing on sewing.

My work finally came to an end by tying the thread tightly for the last time.

“Done!”

My shoulders flinched as I raised my arms up in excitement. I really worked hard.

“What do you say, Ruri?”

[Pretty!]

“Really? “

[Yes!]

A happy smile came out of my mouth. I wanted to show it off to someone as soon as I finished the work with my heart and soul.

I pulled the string on the bed without worrying. The door opened and Linda came into the bedroom room.

“Did you call?”

I smiled brightly and beckoned Linda who’s standing by the door.

Recently, Linda has responded well to my call. I used to call for Chloe and other maids all time, but after a few days of lavishing her wifh praise, she has changed since then.

“Ta-da! How is it?”

I held the top of the pants with both hands and lifted it up to the fullest.

After a brief silence Linda answered, with her lips flapping.

“…oh, you’ve finally made it.”

“Yes. How is it? “

“Good job.”

I didn’t really care whether it was an insincere answer.

That’s how excited I was.

“I think I did a good job, too.”

I can’t erase the signs of hand sewing, but I couldn’t see any sewing lines from a distance so not that bad.

“Do you think it’ll be very comfortable to wear?”

“Yes.”

I swept the pajama pants with my palm over and over again. After savoring the smooth texture, I asked Linda to do me a favor.

“Give me a big gift box and a string.”

“Yes. “

Linda turned back, answering coolly. But she soon hesitated and looked at me again.

“Excuse me, Miss Maria.”

“Hmm? “

“Excuse me, but…. are you thinking of giving it as a gift?”

“Yeah.”

‘Why else would I make it?’

However, Linda’s expression turned rather serious. There was also a hint of doubt.

“Can you tell me who it is for?”

My eyes narrowed as I smiled broadly.

Who, of course–

“I’ll give it to the Crown Prince.”

In training area dedicated only to the Crown Prince located on the side of the Crown Prince’s Palace, Ains breathed wildly and wiped the sweat on his chin with the back of his hand.

There was not even a single cloud in the sky. The sun was blazing, but Ains is still busy training his swordsmanship.

*-shiiing*

Every time the two men moved, the sound of the iron blade clashing into each other echoes in the entire place.

After swinging the sword for a while, he was given a short break.

As he walked out wiping his sweat with a towel, he noticed an unexpected face.

Ains approached him with a faster pace. Tyr, standing at the entrance, brought out a small leather container.

“Drink, your Majesty.”

Ains gulped down the water. It contains precious ice in it and he felt the cool water flowing down his throat, quenching his thirst at once.

Tyr spoke to him with a good grace, after receiving the now empty leather container.

“It seems like a lie that it rained all day yesterday.”

“Yeah.”

Ains threw a question following a brief reply.

“What brings you here?”

He knew that Tyr hated using his body in any physical activity right from the beginning. He never even went near the training area after only completing basic courses in swordsmanship, that’s why something must’ve happen to make him come here.

An idea flashed through his mind at the moment.

‘Did something happen to my father?’

Contrary to expectations, however, good news came.

“Sir Gerrard is here.”

The corridor was filled with busy footsteps. The maids, who recognized the crown prince from afar, bowed their heads quickly.

A magnificent door with a splendid carved design opened wide on both sides.

In the living room, there was a man in front of the window, with a solid frame that’s very visible in his clothes.

The blowing wind scattered his platinum blonde hair.

There was a smile around the mouth of the man looking back.

“Heey. “

Ains’ face instantly became filled with joy.

The two hugged each other vigorously, stretching their arms as if they’ve not seen each other for ages.

Before long, Ains’ eyes turned to the side.

The table was littered with various objects. Some of them were hidden in a large box, and others were in full display and could be identified as soon as they were seen, such as colorful pottery and daggers with precious stones on it’s handle.

“What’s all of this?”

“What do you mean, it’s my brother’s birthday present. I’ve put a little effort into it again this time.”

(t/n: he called him hyungnim… So Ains’ is older? I’m not sure though…)

Ains smiled as he looked at man in front of him shrugging his shoulders.

Gerard never came empty-handed every time he visited the Imperial Palace.

Then Ains asked the question.

“Why are you so late?”

Gerard was originally scheduled to arrive much earlier. But when he did not came, a letter from him suddenly arrived at the palace of the Crown Prince. The report said that something urgent came up and that he would not arrive until about 10 days later.

He’s not the kind of guy who would lost his way, so he decided to not worry about him at first, thinking he’ll come on his own. But it will be Ains birthday in two days so he was starting to worry, but he was glad that he came at the right time.

Gerard laughed as if he recalled something with his fingertips.

“I have a girl I like.”

Then, he saw Ains’ facial expression and asked deftly.

“What’s wrong with your expression?”

“It’s because you’re starting again.”

“What do you mean I’m starting again? You’re making me sad.”

Unlike his words, Gerard’s face was full of smiles.

The reason why they can treat each other so freely and comfortably was because they are cousins.

Ains’ mother and Gerard’s mother were sisters from the royal family of kingdom of Brittany, another great power on the continent.

Ains’ mother married into the Larson Empire, and Gerard’s mother made marriage vows with a prominent nobleman of her own country.

The two sisters had a special relationship since they were young. Their good relationship continued well with their children.

Even though Ains is the prince of another country, Gerrard would still often come three or four times a year to see his cousin.

“Is everyone doing well?”

“Yeah. My father is still stuck with my mother’s words, and she adores him very much. My brother’s busy with the family business, and I’m busy wandering around.”

Ains burst into laughter at the humorous reply.

“What about Daisy?”

“Our youngest still loves her brother very much.”

Daisy is Gerard’s sister, who’s born much later.

Although it was an unscheduled birth, their youngest was so lovely that she was loved by the whole family.

“It’s great that you’re loved.”

“Of course. By the way, the Larson Empire is still full of beauty everywhere I look.”

“I’m afraid so.”

“There’s this smart girl.”

“…..”

Ains hesitated and looked at Gerard.

Apart from their intimacy, their tendencies were quite different.

Unlike Ains, who’s annoyed at every eye who look at him with envy, Gerard enjoys the attention of the people pouring towards him.

He has a good family, he’s handsome, and he’s good at talking as well so it’ll be strange if he’s not popular.

Gerard also enjoyed wandering around with the pretext of helping the family business.

He doesn’t even hesitate to pretend to be a commoner because he hated how troublesome it is if others discovered his real identity, but it was something that Ains could not even think of.

I think this opponent is special because he’s talking like that.

“Don’t you want to know? Go ahead and ask.”

Gerard was smiling suggestively.

Ains let out a silent sigh then asked the question he wanted.

“What kind of person is she?”

Gerard replied, as if he had been waiting.

“Very bold and brave. But….”

“But? “

“She’s a very pretty girl with a bright smile.”

I took a walk with Glick today, as well. After spending enough time with him until he’s satisfied, I took him back to his room and now, I’m at the hall, currently walking my way back.

“Ugh, I’m tired.”

I stretched out my arms and legs.

I’m not tired because of Glick. Actually, I’m still running whenever I took Glick into his walking area. Of course, wearing my own short-sleeved shirt and pants.

The effect of my exercise was great. The fat on my sides that I gained for eating nonstop has disappeared and my wrist has also become thinner.

But to be honest, it seems like it’s because of dance practice rather than running, but it was fortunate that I lost weight smoothly anyway.

‘Maybe I should go out in the square in the afternoon…? It’s been a long time.’

I was at the end of the hall, and I was about to turn in the corner when I saw someone coming down from the stairs on the second floor.

My eyes suddenly widened when I realized that the face of the guy looks extremely familiar.

That free-spirited clothing…dark skin, and bright hair that stands out from a distance…

It’s Gerard.