A Small Space, A Growing Faith
The elf master harpist and lutenist who even bowed her head in admiration—Raena de Bert, the Blue Dawn. Back when she traveled with those three girls, her name was everywhere. And she was the real deal.
She sold out the Royal Court Music Hall in consecutive shows, swept every banquet hall across the nation, and with her legendary solo recital Starry Night, she drew an unprecedented record crowd that's still talked about like myth today. Her drawing power was insane—announce a performance, and people lined up overnight; merchants and nobles went berserk scrambling for tickets.
And her fame didn't stop at the stage. Even on the battlefield, her name rang out. When a massive monster horde hit the border, she rushed to the front lines and sang herself. The moment her harp and voice spread, the demoralized soldiers rose as one, and the surrounded knights found the strength to punch through the encirclement in what felt like a miracle. That story still makes the rounds at every border guard's drinking session, spreading nationwide like the best bar snack ever.
To think I got to see someone like that with my own eyes. And she even bought me bread. This went beyond honor—it felt like a dream, enough to make me faint on the spot.
"What're you thinking about?"
Estel's voice snapped me back. We'd already made it home, walking side by side, my arms loaded with heavy bread bags. I'd shamelessly grabbed a ton, and Raena covered it all.
"My, you're eating all that? Hope it doesn't go bad before you finish."
"Of course. I'm a bread fiend..."
"Ho ho, you're a fun one."
Raena's smile and beautiful voice as she looked at me curiously still echoed in my ears. Ahh... I felt like I was falling in love. Pure bliss.
"Estel, I'm becoming a Raena fan starting today."
"...Huh?"
Estel scrunched her face.
"What kinda nonsense is that? Just 'cause she bought you bread?"
"Nah, she's just gorgeous. In person... it was breathtaking."
"Tch, how pretty could she be? Why didn't you call me? I wanted to see her too!"
"You were busy crushing on that street kid."
"Is he on Raena's level? Ahh, Raena! I wanted to see you too!"
Estel wailed dramatically at the sky. I chuckled and picked up the pace. The bread bags were heavy, but chatting with a stunning celebrity had my steps feather-light. By the time I was fantasizing about a honeymoon with Raena, we'd reached Belldia's atelier—our crash pad while prepping for the Akwi Festival.
The cramped room behind the workshop, once a storage shed, was a perfect temp spot for us. Best part? Saved money. Herumont during the festival would be peak prices—lodging especially. We had to hoard every coin till then. Who knew how much it'd cost... Peak season meant everything jacked up. Terrifying for poor bard wannabes like us. Time to pinch pennies.
"Belldia, we're back!"
Early evening, lights leaked from the atelier. Opening the living room door hit us with a whiff of booze, and there was Belldia, already deep into a solo drinking party.
"Where've you been? I'm on glass ten, kiddo."
"Already drinking?"
"Sit, join me. Gotta down one after work to power through tomorrow."
Flushed Belldia shoved glasses our way. Estel and I set down the bread and sat.
"To our new family—cheers!"
"We did that toast the day before yesterday."
"Do it again! Again! Wahahaha!"
I was Belldia's drinking buddy; Estel tapped out after two, just chatting. Belldia rambled on excitedly. Must've been leftover energy from sewing all day—still buzzing at night.
"People lined up to try my clothes! Lined up! Seru, get this—a noble kid proposed! Totally smitten! Hahaha!"
"Third time hearing that one."
"Really? Pretend it's the first. Won't remember anyway. Cheers!"
"That doesn't even make sense."
"Dunno..."
Belldia slumped over the table, spinning her glass, then her head dropped with a thud.
"Zzz... zzz..."
Out like a light.
"...She's asleep."
"Phew, tough day for her."
"Let's clean up and crash. I'll handle it—Estel, go change and rest."
"You sure you don't need help?"
"Nah, got it."
Estel hesitated, then smiled gratefully and headed to her room. Soon after, I cleared the table, helped Belldia to bed, and tucked her in. Staring at her sleeping face:
"Night. See you tomorrow."
"Mmm... Seru, you bastard... You know I like you a ton, right? Be my husband...?"
"Huh?"
"Snooore... zzz..."
Sleep-talking. I smirked, shut the door quietly, and stepped out.
"Yawwwn."
Stretching big, I headed to my room. Night had deepened; the atelier silent. Moonlight filtered through the hallway window slits.
In the night lost without a handful of light,
Quietly hearing the small ember calling me...
"...Hm?"
A faint song drifted from the courtyard. I moved silently toward it.
The atelier's tiny yard under moonlight. Someone stood alone, eyes closed, singing intently.
"La la la, la la... Haah... Again... Again...!"
It was Estel. Moonlight gently kissed her golden twin tails. Practicing her Akwi Festival piece solo under the night sky.
Her serious expression felt strangely new. I watched quietly. Bathed in moonlight, she looked far more mature than usual. Right now, she wasn't the chatty prankster—just a true bard ready to shine onstage.
Voice, expression, looks, lute play—flawless.
I almost let a talent like that slip away.
There was something mystical about Estel, hard to pin down. Guide it right, and she'd be a star like Raena, moving hearts everywhere.
The thought hit me. And it was my job from here on.
"Eek! Who's there?!"
Spotting me, Estel froze mid-note, eyes wide.
"If you're a thief, I got no money! My master takes every coin I earn!"
I shook my head, stepping into the moonlight.
"It's me."
"Oh, it's you?"
"Shouldn't you be asleep?"
"Eek, you scared me! Just... practicing a bit more."
"You practice daily. Sleep when you're supposed to."
"But... I'm worried."
"About what?"
"If I can do well at the Akwi Festival. First competition—super nervous..."
"Just sing like at the party. You'll nail it."
"Easier said! I get crazy tense."
Her shoulders slumped, fists weakly clenched—real anxiety about the road ahead shadowing her lively face.
Hm... Did I push her too hard?
Estel Briano. The quirky, bouncy girl. Not long ago, she knew barely five songs—a total novice. But I saw her gift. Her voice had power: stirring emotions, inspiring allies.
No need to worry big. She'd shine. That talent promised it.
I smiled easy at her.
"Even if you flop, it's fine. No matter what anyone says, you're already killing it."
"...Yeah?"
Estel stared blankly, then beamed softly.
"Thanks. One more practice, then bed!"
Under the moon, she turned and sang again. Shoulders straightened, voice strengthened.
Forgotten song caught on the tip of a bent needle,
Dreams flow in the stopped clock...
I backed away quietly, listening intently. Clear, deep voice; straightforward delivery; flawless lute. If talent like that didn't shine, what would?
I vowed inwardly: I'll make you the star of the Akwi Festival.
That was my role.
One song became two, two became three. Practice under the moon stretched past midnight.
"Ahem."
Finishing her last, Estel cleared her throat and slipped inside. The atelier lay in deep night's hush; magic lamps dimmed to eco-mode.
"Can't strain my voice. Seru'll scold me for practicing late."
Rubbing her throat, she headed down the hall. Midway, light leaked from a door crack—Belldia's office, Seru's temp workspace when she was out.
"Who's up? Everyone should be asleep..."
Curious Estel peeked in. There, slumped asleep at the desk under candlelight: Seru. She smiled unwittingly.
"Tells me to sleep early... Aigoo..."
Piles of docs and books crammed the desk—Akwi Festival materials everywhere. Even Seru's personal notes: handwritten stage movement plans, detailed calendars, prelim outfit concepts, even a "post-prelim fallback if we flop" plan...
How meticulously he prepped, how much time he poured into her—it hit her at once.
"Seru..."
Throat tight with emotion, she swallowed. He wasn't just helping—he was all in, to the end, on this journey.
Stoic and naggy on the surface, but quietly, more thoughtfully than anyone, he had her back. For her, Estel.
"Thank you. Really, truly..."
Whispering, she gazed at him. Face relaxed in sleep over the desk, feather quill still in hand. Not quite done.
Carefully, she eased the pen away, fetched a thin blanket from her room, and draped it over his shoulders. Lingering, she studied his sleeping face: firm jaw, tired eyes, peaceful unlike daytime.
After a while, she blinked.
"Up close... he's pretty handsome. Way hotter than that bard today?"
Playful fancy: if he tried seducing her, she might just fall for it—giggling at the silliness.
"Pfft, what am I thinking."
Straightening, she exhaled relieved.
"Thanks, Seru."
She slipped out quietly. The hall felt warmer, cozier. Back in bed, under covers, eyes shut. Walking this path with him felt solid, joyful.
"I'll do my best."
With that, Estel drifted off happily.
Time flew—and soon, the Akwi Festival loomed.