Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Light (7)
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Father had been coming home late these past few days, swamped with work.
Unfortunately, it seemed that being a Blue Guard Knight of Prius meant taking vacation like this.
"Welcome home."
I greeted him alongside Shuren. He managed a weary smile.
"Yeah, Lib. You haven't peeked at your presents already, have you?"
"I've been holding back."
In truth, if he'd come home any later, I might have snuck a peek at one or two of the smaller boxes.
"Well, my gift isn't among them, anyway..."
"Welcome back. You're late again today."
Mother emerged from the kitchen to greet Father.
He handed his coat and sword to the head butler, then exchanged a light embrace with Mother.
"At least now I can rest starting tomorrow. The knight academy's schedule is light because of the festival."
"That's a relief. You'll be off until the last day of the festival, right?"
"If nothing comes up."
"Good."
Mother, her spirits lifted by Father's words, headed back to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Shuren left at the head butler's call to run an errand, and the maids and servants began gathering in the dining room one by one.
The kitchen and dining room grew bustling.
Today, we'd deliberately delayed dinner to eat together with Father.
As the savory aroma wafted from the dining room, Father walked over to the pile of presents stacked in one corner of the entryway.
He marveled anew at the lavish heaps.
"It's impressive again this year. I have no idea how to repay them all."
"Mother said the knights sent a lot."
In truth, they were less gifts for me and more for Father, the Blue Guard Knight.
Let's get along well from now on, please take care of me... something like that.
"You're right. I mustn't forget to thank them later."
"Yes. But your gift isn't here?"
I didn't miss what he'd said earlier and asked again.
Father chuckled softly.
"Right. It's too extraordinary to be among these. It'll arrive tomorrow."
His expression was so meaningful that I grew intensely curious about what it could be.
Arriving tomorrow? Something not available in Prion? Where on earth would that be?
Prion was one of the greatest cities, teeming with all sorts of people and goods—you could find anything there.
Weddin, the merchant's son, would gruffly vouch for that.
"What is it? Can't you give me just a hint?"
Unable to contain my impatience, I scurried alongside Father as he headed to the dining room.
He seemed amused by my reaction.
"Hm, it's something very precious. One of a kind in the whole world."
"Be more specific."
"I've been planning to give it to you for a long time. A very long time."
"Then it's the same as Mother's gift."
Mother suddenly inserted herself between us.
She, too, found my impatience entertaining. I looked up at her and tilted my head.
"The same as your gift, Mother?"
"It means it's that precious and valuable."
It was a riddle of an answer.
Even more baffled, I watched as Mother pulled a basket down from a chair.
Father gave a wry smile.
"Priscilla, you're giving it to him now?"
"Yes. I wanted him to wear it tomorrow..."
Mother lifted a beige outfit from the basket.
"Wow."
An autumn coat meticulously embroidered with traditional Sernia patterns.
Come to think of it, I'd seen Mother sewing something bit by bit in her spare time. So this was it.
"Try it on."
I slipped the coat over my thin clothes. It fit perfectly, enveloping me in warm, soft comfort.
"How is it?"
"It's warm..."
Overwhelmed, I admired the coat from every angle.
The long sleeves and hem featured intricate, interwoven leaf motifs. The lining was thick, and the finish impeccable.
"I'm glad you like it. I put a lot of work into it over a long time."
"Thank you, Mother."
I threw my arms around her. She smiled warmly, stroking my back.
"I'll make you another when you grow a bit more and this one doesn't fit."
"What about me?"
"Oh..."
Father grumbled playfully, and Mother giggled, looking up at him.
"When I have time, sir knight. Now, both of you, sit down. It's late—we should eat soon."
Mother went to help with dinner preparations, leaving Father and me to sit across from each other at the table.
"Father."
As dishes were brought out one by one, I cautiously broached the topic, averting my eyes from the table.
"Hm? What?"
Through the lobby beyond Father's shoulder, the scene was clear at a glance.
"With so many presents, won't it take forever to open them all at once tomorrow...?"
"Hm?"
Father turned to me, puzzled, then burst into laughter as understanding dawned.
"Ah, yeah. It would."
"And, sorting through them all at once would be such a hassle..."
I scratched my reddening face. But really, I just wanted to bring a bit of tomorrow's joy forward to today.
Father laughed for a good while before finally nodding.
"Alright, I get it. Staring at that huge pile and holding back must be torture enough. Go grab one."
"Really?"
I perked up instantly. My feet were already itching to move.
"Just one. We'll open the rest together tomorrow."
"Yes!"
I bolted from the dining room straight to the stack of presents in the entryway.
I felt Father's gaze on my back, but now wasn't the time to worry about that.
Standing before the towering pile, I pondered carefully what to pick.
Which one would best satisfy my curiosity?
My eyes kept drifting to the large box at the very back. If it wasn't a book, what could something so big and square be?
"What're you doing?"
Shuren, back from his errand, poked his head in.
I was struggling to pull out a box buried at the bottom. The box itself wasn't heavy, but everything stacked on top was.
"Bro, help me get this one out. Father said I can open just one."
"Pulling the puppy eyes, huh."
Shuren chuckled as he extracted the box for me. I hid my flushed face behind it and scurried back to the dining room.
"Good. Let's see what it is."
Father began unwrapping it.
I watched eagerly as the contents slowly revealed themselves.
"Oh, a game."
No wonder it was so big and light for a book—it was a boxed table game.
Father handed me the game box.
"Dileina... Siege."
It was entirely different from the Berry War game.
I dove right in, engrossed in reading the description on the box.
Two or more players each controlled pieces to defeat the evil demons gathered in the imperial capital Dileina and save the city.
I was already tired of playing Berry War with Shuren—this new game was perfect timing!
"Must be from Merian and Collin. They're swamped right now, so I'm grateful. I'll have to thank them properly tomorrow."
"Yes, Father."
I was so absorbed in the game that I fumbled to open the box.
Pieces and components rattled inside.
From the illustrations, it looked like Dileina's walls, interiors, palace, and annexes were all rendered in 3D.
"Lib, take the game to your room. You can play tomorrow."
"Ah, yes."
I froze at his words.
I was dying to see what the little pieces looked like, but Father was right. I could play to my heart's content tomorrow anyway.
"I'll put it away quick and come right back."
Dinner was almost ready, so I needed to hurry.
I hugged the box tight and dashed up to my room.
Once inside, I scanned around for where to put the game box.
Somewhere close since I'd play it soon. Gotta show Bro, too...
Cough.
A sudden cough startled me into clapping a hand over my mouth.
My condition was as stable as ever.
Sure, I'd run up the stairs and was a bit winded, but it wasn't taxing.
Puzzled, I steadied my breathing.
I controlled the mana that wavered with each cough, drawing it back in.
Cough.
Another cough.
I clutched the game box tighter, trying to stifle it.
The coughs continued—two, three more. No, four, five...
The harsh spasms kept disrupting my control. And they were loud.
I clamped my hand over my mouth, desperate for no one to hear, but the coughs tearing through me wouldn't stop.
I could no longer hold the game box and set it down on the floor.
Just rest a moment. It'll be fine.
It had to be.
I hadn't even reached my bed, just a few steps away, before collapsing to the floor in the middle of the room.
Even with my usual control, the coughs persisted. Pain throbbed in my chest.
Seizures like this had no trigger or cause.
There was no coping or defense beyond mana control. It was a symptom I'd carry for life, long or short.
Being rendered helpless so suddenly was endlessly frustrating...
Strength drained from my body. Short of breath, my vision swam.
I lay on the floor, wheezing raggedly.
The room's lamps and decorations, usually warm and comforting, now spun dizzily before my eyes.
I curled up and closed them.
"Lib."
Father's voice.
I barely pried my eyes open to find him already there, scooping me into his arms.
I rested my head limply on his shoulder.
Familiar, comforting warmth.
I kept coughing, hacking up blood as it scraped my insides raw.
Each time, Father rubbed my back helplessly.
"We need to go to the medical center. You feel feverish."
He pressed a hand to my forehead.
I shook my head, but too weak to move much.
"No..."
"Lib?"
I forced out the breath.
Every nerve focused, I gripped Father's clothes and pushed weakly—a firm refusal.
"I'm not going to the medical center. I'll be fine... just need to rest a bit... It'll pass soon."
"But..."
"Tomorrow's... my birthday... If I go to the medical center... it can't happen."
With that, I coughed violently again, retching.
My insides felt shredded.
The constant agony made even mana control impossible. Maintaining consciousness was a struggle.
Still, the medical center was the one thing I refused.
Admission would ruin everything prepared for tomorrow.
The birthday party, the guests, the presents, my friends...
I'd been looking forward to it so much—I couldn't lose it to something like this.
I regulated my labored breaths. I had to show him I'd be okay somehow.
"Alright, I understand."
Father's face was conflicted as he lifted me into his arms.
"No medical center for now. But if it worsens, we're going straight there."
He carried me to the bed and laid me down. I nodded faintly from within his embrace.
Don't worry. I'll be fine soon.
I didn't voice it, but I smiled to convey the thought.
Father gently stroked my forehead with his large hand, and beneath it, I closed my eyes, struggling to steady my breathing.
That was all I could do.