Chapter 972 A Lonely 20th Birthday

"A-A date!?"

Rafine was stunned.

She had already imagined all the things Nolan might ask her to do.

But a date?

Seeing her confusion, Nolan gave a slight nod before bringing his face closer to hers.

Rafine instinctively moved backward, but Nolan placed a hand around her waist.

The hairs on the back of Rafine's neck stood on end. She wanted to push him away, but she couldn't. For some reason, her body felt weak.

Their faces were only half a span apart. Rafine could even smell the wine on Nolan's breath.

"I'm serious, Young Lady Rafine. I'm not asking for money, power, or anything like that."

His warm breath brushed against Rafine's earlobe, making her heart race.

"I just want to go on a date with you. So think it over before you give me your answer."

He removed his hand from Rafine's waist and stepped back.

Rafine stood there dazed, as if she still couldn't believe what had just happened.

This man had teased her again and again, even going so far as to touch her.

If it had been someone else… if it had been someone else…

Rafine frowned. She ran through the scenario over and over in her mind but still couldn't find a reasonable explanation.

Who is this man, exactly? Why am I so comfortable around him? Why don't I feel afraid that he might do something bad to me?

Rafine couldn't understand herself at all. It felt as if the person standing in front of her was someone she knew and trusted.

Otherwise, why hadn't her body reacted to his touch just now?

Yet, she didn't remember him. The name "Nolan" was completely unfamiliar to her.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Rafine's gaze sharpened as she looked at Nolan.

"You're way too full of yourself. Do you really think you're good enough to go on a date with me?"

Nolan wasn't angry. He leaned back against the railing and replied, "Of course I'm confident. I'm handsome and tall, and I have money—even if it's not much. Doesn't someone like me deserve a chance to ask a woman as beautiful as you out on a date?"

"Pfft!"

Rafine almost choked. She hadn't expected Nolan to be such a narcissist.

"You jerk…" she muttered in annoyance.

Once again, she wasn't angry at his insolent words. Instead, an indescribable feeling of happiness suddenly welled up inside her.

Snorting coldly, she turned her face away and said with a pout, "Fine, I'll agree to your request. But you have to tell me how to do it. If your method doesn't satisfy me, just consider the deal off."

Nolan didn't mind. He picked up his half-empty wine glass and took a sip.

"The method is actually very simple. All it takes is a few pipes."

Rafine's scowl turned into a look of surprise.

"Pipes?"

Nolan tapped his forehead. He had just remembered that pipes were also a novelty in this world.

It seems I'll have to introduce a lot of basic things to this world, he muttered.

Back then, he had been too focused on inventions that could make him quick profits.

That was because he needed a lot of capital to rapidly expand the Blue Moon Trading House within just a few years.

"In short…"

Nolan then explained how the pipes worked.

Rafine was skeptical at first, but the more she listened, the more surprised she became.

"So you're saying those pipes can bring water from underground to the surface and be used for all kinds of things? Without even using magic?"

Nolan nodded slightly.

"That's right. Not a single bit of magic. It's all based on science and the laws of physics."

Admiration shone in Rafine's beautiful eyes.

"You're actually pretty smart. So why are you such a pain?" Rafine asked playfully.

Nolan rolled his eyes.

"Just because it's you," he replied softly.

Rafine heard him clearly.

Her mocking expression froze. A moment later, a blush spread across her cheeks.

"W-What's wrong with you? You're so irritating," she huffed.

Nolan chuckled.

"I've already explained it. And as promised, you have to go on a date with me."

Rafine turned her face away.

"I know that."

"Everyone, thank you for coming to my birthday party."

Elina's voice came from inside.

Rafine was startled, then grabbed Nolan's wrist.

"Let's go inside."

Before Nolan could answer, she pulled him inside.

Elina stood at the center of the hall, drawing everyone's attention. Tonight, she looked absolutely stunning in a light blue dress with a flared skirt.

Her white hair was tied up in a crown-style bun, with a flower-petal-shaped hairpin pinned atop it.

She looked at everyone with a sweet, captivating smile.

"Time really flies. When I was little, I was just a helpless, crybaby girl. My brother—"

Nolan froze at the word "brother."

His heart raced as a flicker of hope appeared in his purple eyes.

But in the very next moment, that hope was crushed when Elina shook her head and continued.

"I mean, my sister, Seira Lorian, was always by my side, comforting and helping me. I'm really grateful to her. Unfortunately, she couldn't make it because she has a lot of work piling up at the imperial palace."

Nolan's expression returned to its usual blankness. He had expected this, but seeing it happen firsthand still hurt.

Noticing something was off with Nolan, Rafine asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Nolan shook his head.

"I'm fine."

But Rafine didn't think so. She was sure she had sensed a change in Nolan's mood, but she was too shy to ask about it further.

After the opening remarks, the nobles began stepping forward to present their gifts.

"I'll go ahead," Rafine said.

Nolan didn't say anything. After Rafine left, he found a secluded spot in the corner.

He took a piece of cake from the table and ate it.

Once the gift-giving was over, the other activities began, such as dancing, toasting, and casual conversation.

From the beginning, Nolan hadn't taken part in any of them. He felt it wouldn't be appropriate for him to join in.

"Brother Nolan!"

A sweet voice came from beside him.

He turned and saw Alicia approaching with two other girls. Nolan recognized them both—Masha and Eliza.

When he met the innocent gazes of the two girls, Nolan felt as if an invisible hand were squeezing his chest.

He quickly composed himself and asked gently, "Are they your friends?"

"Mhm!" Alicia hopped up and down excitedly. "I'll introduce you! The one with red hair is Masha! She's the second daughter of the Austin family!"

"Hello, handsome big brother! My name is Masha! Nice to meet you!"

Masha held out her hand, looking adorable and innocent as she excitedly introduced herself.

Nolan shook her hand.

"My name is Nolan. You can call me Brother Nolan."

"Hehehe! I finally get to meet you, Brother Nolan!"

Masha suddenly wrapped her arms around his right leg.

Nolan was caught off guard by her sudden behavior.

Alicia and Eliza were surprised as well.

"M-Masha, what are you doing!? That's rude!"

Alicia hurriedly pulled her away.

Masha puffed out her cheeks.

"What's the big deal? Am I not allowed to hug him?" she asked innocently.

Nolan couldn't hold back his laughter. He was reminded of the first time he had met Masha.

Back then, the little girl had gotten lost in the crowd of people panicking over the appearance of a catastrophic-level dragon monster in the imperial palace square.

Perhaps the bond they had built made the girl feel at ease around him.

"That's not allowed! You're being rude, you know?"

Alicia straightened up and lectured Masha.

Nolan's gaze fell on Eliza, who was shyly looking at him.

"Nolan. You can call me Big Brother Nolan."

He held out his hand.

Eliza hesitated for a moment before finally shaking his hand.

"M-My name is… Eliza."

A strange sense of familiarity washed over Eliza. She felt like she had met the man in front of her before, but she couldn't remember when.

"Oh, they've started cutting the cake!" Masha exclaimed. "Let's go!"

She pulled Alicia and Eliza toward the center of the hall.

Nolan didn't stop them. He looked up and watched Elina cut the cake while making a wish.

A mixture of happiness and sadness was clearly visible on his face.

"Today is my twentieth birthday too. But…"

He pressed a hand against his chest.

"No one's wished me a happy birthday. Tsk… That's so sad…"