Itara Palace Garden
There was still plenty of time before Ashytara arrived, so Ludenberg Lavante and the maids had gathered in a tight cluster in the garden of Itara Palace, debating what gift to give her.
"Can you tell me, even roughly, what Tara likes?"
"Could we know what kind of gift you're thinking of?"
"Maybe something simple like jewelry... but is that too much?"
"No!"
The maids shook their heads.
"She'll love it. Especially if it's from you, Lord Ludenberg."
"You think so? Then the question is what kind of jewelry... Do you know if there's anything Tara dislikes?"
"Well, Her Highness the princess doesn't really like jewelry to begin with. She doesn't wear any unless it's a really important event. Especially since she started dreaming of becoming a knight—she hasn't even worn a single hairpin."
"What? Then maybe we shouldn't give her jewelry at all?"
Ludenberg asked the maids in confusion, but they shook their heads again.
"No, this time she'll really like it."
"That doesn't add up."
"It's true. Trust us just once."
"Fine. Then... money doesn't matter, so tell me the most famous jewelry shop in Solemnute."
"Famous jewelry shops... There are a few, but given Her Highness's personality, she wouldn't like anything with overly flashy gems. So the best candidate is..."
"Is?"
"Solium Merhen! It's a jewelry shop full of artisans with incredible craftsmanship. Crown Princess Sione often commissions her pieces there for public events."
"Ah."
At the maids' words, Ludenberg decided without hesitation to have Ashytara's jewelry made at Solium Merhen. Sione was surprisingly fond of jewelry and adornments, so if even she frequented the place, its quality was guaranteed.
"Good. I'll stop by there soon, so keep it secret from Tara for now. Make sure she doesn't find out."
"Yes!"
"And on her birthday, prepare foods she likes as much as possible. Meat dishes."
Ludenberg recalled from their last visit to the Garden of Rest that Ashytara's tastes hadn't changed much since childhood. Her love for meat had always been consistent.
"We were already planning to tell the imperial chefs."
"Right. So when's Tara coming? This might need a separate day... I'll go to the shop tomorrow and place the order. How fast is their craftsmanship?"
"Yes. As we mentioned, they have many master artisans, so they can easily finish by Her Highness's birthday."
"That works. Got it."
"Oh, but Lord Ludenberg."
"Yeah?"
"What kind of jewelry are you planning?"
"I'll see when I get there. Anyway, thanks. I almost forgot her birthday, but you saved me."
"We're glad we could help. And if it's all right..."
"Hm?"
"Could you reply to the letters Her Highness sent you over the past five years? She's been really upset about that."
"Ah."
Ludenberg suddenly remembered the letters from Ashytara that he had brought to Solemnute Adem. And now was the perfect time to finally reply.
He nodded to the maids.
Ashytara Solenute was engraving names onto the walls of the Sun Tower.
The walls of the Sun Tower were made of a golden metal called solium, a unique alloy forged by infusing Solem's divine power under sunlight. Only Solem's priests could etch into it, so from ancient times, managing the tower had been the duty of the imperial family.
This time was no different. Ashytara solemnly burned flames at her fingertips to carve the names of those lost in the recent Salvation Cult raid onto the Sun Tower's walls.
Names began to appear on the blank sections of the tower's walls. So that no one would be forgotten. With prayers, with hopes. Meticulously, letter by letter, channeling divine power through her fingertips.
Ashytara engraved their names into the Sun Tower.
Once all the names for the day were done, the once-empty walls were filled with small inscriptions. An inevitable sorrow settled in, and Ashytara mourned them with a melancholic expression.
May Solem guide you to the light.
"Tara, are you done?"
"Yeah. All finished, sis."
"Then let's go."
"Okay."
The two descended the Sun Tower in silence. By the time they emerged, dusk had already fallen.
"Sorry."
Ashytara looked at Sione Solenute in surprise at the sudden apology.
"For what?"
"Your birthday's soon, but we can't even have a party."
"Ah."
Come to think of it, she'd forgotten.
"It's unavoidable. Especially now."
"Still..."
"I'm really fine, sis. I'd rather worry about the injured and the fallen than my birthday."
Sione nodded silently, then ruffled Ashytara's hair.
"Hey, my hair's getting messed up!"
"I'm just proud. So proud. You're not like those other flighty noble girls."
"..."
As Ashytara fell quiet, Sione grinned mischievously and changed the subject.
"Oh, right. How far have things progressed with Ludenberg?"
"Progressed how?"
Ashytara turned away, her face slightly flushed.
"You like him. Not just as a friend, but as a man."
"...Is it that obvious?"
Ashytara asked cautiously. Sione looked at her as if she'd asked something ridiculous.
"Considering what you did at Solemnute Adem... probably no one missed it. And the way you look at Ludenberg isn't light at all."
"Ugh."
"That kid wandered for a long time. Five years. With most people turning their backs, the wound must be deep."
"He must have felt like his life was denied. Lude always wanted to be a Terra knight."
"If not for that, you two would've been engaged by now."
Sione said to Ashytara with a hint of regret.
"Engaged?"
"Ah, you didn't know. Father—His Majesty—always said it. Ludenberg opened you up, changed you, and you two get along so well, so why not just get engaged."
"Oh..."
"Anyway, you've come this far with your efforts, so if you're going to grab him, do it for real. I support you both."
"I'll try, sis."
"But it still seems a long way off. He seems too hung up on the word 'friend.' Probably from not having normal relationships for five years."
"Ludenberg was too nice to people. He saw everyone around him as friends. When they vanished overnight... it's understandable he'd cling to 'friend.' It'll take time for him to see me romantically."
Ashytara spoke plainly of her feelings. Sione nodded.
"Once he gets past that 'friend' barrier, a lot will change. I've always hoped for that day, Tara."
"Me too."
"Be careful. If Ludenberg starts reverting to his old self... plenty of girls will come after him."
"I know. If any do, I won't let them off easy."
Ashytara's eyes turned cold.
"Please, just don't start a bloodbath. You were brutal hitting Mion last time."
"That bitch was the one who made Lude like that."
"Right. Good job. The Altis family needed their noses put in place. The Asta family too. With all these complications, my head hurts."
Sione pressed her temple briefly, then continued.
"Oh, you're going to Lavante Duchy this time?"
"Yeah. I asked Lude to come with."
"Learn well from Duke Leonard. This incident must've made you feel your shortcomings."
"That's the plan. I need to refine my swordsmanship, sharpen my senses through spars... it'll probably hurt like hell."
"That's par for the course. But it's a chance to get closer to Ludenberg, so give it your all."
"Obviously."
The sisters continued chatting about trifles as they returned to the palace.
As soon as Ashytara returned to the palace, she went looking for Ludenberg Lavante. But he was nowhere to be found—apparently off somewhere.
"Where's Lude?"
"He said he had some business and stepped out."
"Business? What kind?"
"He didn't say, so we're not sure. But he seemed in a hurry."
"Got it."
Her face, bright just moments ago, darkened instantly. The maids flinched guiltily, but Ashytara missed it, sighing instead.
"I wanted to eat together..."
Disheartened, she changed into simple clothes and picked at the late meal the maids brought.
By the time she finished, Ludenberg returned.
"Your Highness. Lord Ludenberg is back."
"Lude?"
Watching her face light up in an instant, the maids reconfirmed they'd been right to suggest jewelry as his gift to Ashytara. With how obviously she adored him, imagine her joy at receiving jewelry from him. She'd probably wear it everywhere, all the time.
The maids, who had always wanted to adorn Ashytara with various pieces, felt grateful to Ludenberg.