Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The Eve of the Festival (1)
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"Happy birthday, Lib!"
"Ah... Thanks..."
My voice was muffled, buried in a large vase overflowing with yellow flowers.
Clemence, who had thrust the vase into my arms out of nowhere, beamed even brighter than the blooms.
"I grew these myself. They're yellow armel flowers—the longest-blooming ones in our garden, filling the air with their fresh fragrance. And Wedin prepared this vase."
"To be precise, his parents got it for us."
Wedin scratched his head, looking a bit shy.
"Something about a spell that makes the flowers' scent last longer and keeps them from wilting right away."
"Yeah, thanks, Wedin."
"Glad you like it..."
There was no way I wouldn't love gifts from my friends.
The fragrant yellow flowers Clemence had nurtured herself and the enchanted vase from Wedin—they were both special.
I handed the flower-filled vase to a passing maid and asked her to take it to my room.
"What about the other presents? Opened them yet?"
Clemence looked just as excited as I was.
I shook my head. We'd decided to open them together after lunch.
On the morning of my birthday, I woke up right on time.
I'd had a fever last night and spent the night tossing and turning, but by morning, I felt much better.
I changed into fresh new clothes and slipped on the coat Mother had made for me.
As I walked down the hall to the entrance, the maids I passed wished me a happy birthday, and each one lifted my spirits even more.
I greeted Mother and Father, who were busy preparing the garden party, and got birthday wishes from the head butler and Shuren too.
Everyone knew I'd been under the weather all night, but no one mentioned it. Thanks to that, I felt even better than I actually was.
Clemence and Wedin arrived much earlier than the other guests.
Until lunchtime, we roamed the garden, soaking in the warm morning sun.
As noon approached, delicious aromas began wafting from the party area as dishes were set out one by one.
Guest carriages pulled up along the road, and the garden grew lively with arrivals.
I stood beside Father at the front gate, welcoming everyone to the party.
There were close neighbors and mostly folks from Father's knight order he was friendly with.
The White Guard Knight couple—Clemence's grandparents—along with Merian and Collin, Father's vice officer Erner, and Railin and Joel, now full-fledged knights.
Father's instructor colleagues and disciples, plus the holy mages and nurses from Erban Medical Center, all graciously joined the celebration.
Grain wished me a happy birthday and gave me a light hug, but then he paused, sensing something off, and pressed a hand to my forehead.
The energy from his touch snapped my slightly fuzzy mind into sharp focus.
"Hmm, you've got a fever."
"Yeah, I was a bit sick last night."
Holy mages couldn't be fooled, it seemed. Father gave a wry smile.
"I'm fine now."
I forced a grin. Grain smiled back with a "Good," and ruffled my hair.
Once he headed into the party area, I let out a sigh of relief.
I'd been worried he might insist on dragging me to the medical center right then.
"Hey, Lib! Happy birthday."
Airan, in her gray robe, greeted me and handed over a gift Luwen had prepared in advance.
It was a short black wand.
"Senior Luwen asked me to give you this. It may look simple, but it's made from incredibly rare materials.
The black shaft comes from volcanic ebony trees that only grow in the northern Alias region, and the mana core inside was custom-crafted for smooth mana control.
They engraved control-guidance circuits into it and layered..."
"Ahem, Airan. Thanks for coming all this way."
Father smoothly interrupted her explanation with a cough and greeting.
Airan's red fox ears shot straight up in surprise.
"Ah! Y-yes, of course. Senior asked me to. Lib, do you like the gift?"
"Yeah, I love it. Thank you, Airan sis."
"Make sure to thank Senior later too. He'll be thrilled."
I gripped the wand she'd handed me with both hands.
It was perfectly sized for me, fitting snugly in my palm like it was made to order. It was almost weightless.
Even without her detailed rundown, I could tell it was masterfully crafted.
I'd hardly ever used a wand before, but one this perfect? I might actually give it a try. Especially since I was learning kingdom-style magic now.
The garden buzzed with chatter and laughter as guests mingled.
Everyone who passed by wished me a happy birthday. I'd already heard it dozens of times that day, but it never got old.
After lunch, with everyone watching, Father, Mother, and I planted the Birthday Tree.
Right next to last year's red pine.
The pine hadn't grown as much as I'd hoped, but I wished this year's white grapevine would thrive even more.
"May you always be healthy."
"May luck follow you in all things."
Father and Mother scooped dirt over the sapling, infusing each shovelful with their blessings.
Their words felt so earnest and loving, like they were meant just for me.
Next up: opening presents.
I received a few more from the guests.
Grain gave me books on holy magic and regular magic, plus a small rubyol orb.
The rubyol orb was a red gem infused with a bit of holy power—a holy tool that brought warmth and calm.
I lent it to Wedin when he said he wanted to see it, and he couldn't stop staring.
He'd probably love getting one for his own birthday.
Shuren presented a dainty sword tailored to my size, whipping it out with a theatrical "Ta-da!" like it was his first time seeing it.
I laughed heartily and didn't forget to thank him.
The sword and sheath were meticulously crafted. The gently curved blade was light enough that even I could handle it without strain.
He'd special-ordered it from the knight academy's smithy, he said.
"Wooow!"
As Clemence, Wedin, Shuren, and I sat in the entryway opening gifts one by one, cheers erupted from outside.
We rushed to the garden.
The main birthday events had wrapped up with the tree-planting, so some guests had headed home, but most were still enjoying the food, drinks, and beautiful garden.
Now they were gathered near the front gate, buzzing with excitement.
"Lib, look at that!"
A young foal was being led in by Father.
I hurried over, eyes wide.
"Happy birthday, Lib."
"Father, this is..."
"Your birthday present, of course."
Father clearly relished my shock.
And how could I not be stunned? I'd never dreamed of getting a foal as a gift...
I approached the pale brown foal cautiously.
It blinked at me with kind, large eyes.
I didn't know much about horses, but I could sense it was healthy and gentle.
"Rania is Grisia's foal. You might remember her. Grisia's been my friend since we were young."
"I do. Is this one's name Rania?"
"That's right. With Grisia's bloodline, she'll grow into a fine horse."
I reached out carefully and stroked Rania's cheek.
Father's old companion Grisia was back at the family home in Meribel.
Of course, the Prion mansion had stables too, but Father, who worked mainly with the Blue Guard, didn't ride often.
Yet here was Grisia's foal, brought all this way for me.
I was so moved I couldn't find words.
"Want to take her for a spin?"
Father asked with a grin, and I looked up eagerly.
"Can I?"
"I'll hold her steady."
Father lifted me onto Rania's back. No saddle yet.
Her soft, warm brown mane brushed between my fingers. I could feel her every breath through my whole body.
"To the stables."
As Father led her by the reins, my body swayed along atop her.
I grabbed her mane with a "Whoa!" It felt wobbly at first, but I steadied quickly.
"I'll teach you proper riding later."
Father smiled.
"But us Luar folk bond with animals fast. Riding bareback's tradition. Once you connect with the horse, you don't need saddle or reins."
"Rania's going to live here with us from now on?"
"Of course. Don't forget to take good care of her, alright?"
"Yeah, I will. Thank you, Father."
I stroked her soft mane, thrilled at my new friend.
The next few hours flew by in the stables.
I introduced Rania to Clemence, Wedin, and Shuren, and learned horse care from the stablehand.
I fed the long-traveled little foal myself and brushed her mane with a fine currycomb.
Shuren, who'd studied riding and horse management at knight school, offered some tips too.
Only in the late afternoon did we head back inside.
After dinner, most guests left, and I saw them off one by one with Father.
Clemence and Wedin stuck around, though.
Clemence even politely farewelled her own grandfather, the White Guard Knight, like it was her house.
He chuckled awkwardly, said to play nice and see her tomorrow, then left.
We gathered in my room, munching fruit and snacks while playing with one of my new board games.
I beat Wedin handily in the first round and claimed my bet: two pieces of candy.
He grumbled that I'd read the rules beforehand, so it wasn't fair, and Clemence took my place.
"Huh, like this?"
"Wait, no, not..."
"Not?"
Clemence asked innocently, and Wedin scowled fiercely.
Caught off-guard by her unexpected strategy—or sheer luck—Wedin was getting crushed.
I munched candy on the sidelines, watching, and couldn't hold back my laughter.
"...I lost."
"Huh? What was that, Wedin?"
Clemence asked in pure bewilderment, and Wedin flopped dramatically onto the floor in despair.
"I lost! Fine if it's you, Lib, but why can't I even beat Clemence?!"
"Oh, did I win?"
Her eyes went wide as she realized it, drawing an even louder groan from Wedin.
Clemence smiled brightly at her victory and started packing up the game.
"I'm no good at these. Too complicated, maybe."
"Better quit while you're ahead, Clemence."
I said, stifling a laugh.
"Any longer, and Wedin might cry and run home."
"Shut up."
His tongue was as sharp as ever.
Surprisingly, Clemence had little grasp of the game but a sky-high win rate. Dumb luck? Killer instinct?
Poor Wedin was today's sacrificial lamb.