Kays Translations

Chapter 24: The Saint’s Tears

At the far end of the great hall stood a single table like a raised dais. Colorful flowers and countless presents surrounded the splendid seat prepared there.

While the people gathered in the hall chatted over their glasses, the guest of honor appeared.

To Ren, Licia Clausel seemed to shine.

Her silver hair, touched with the violet hue of amethyst, looked striking against her deep crimson dress. Her fairy-like beauty had not changed, yet tonight she resembled a noble princess.

“Come, Licia.”

Lessard took his daughter’s hand and led her forward. Licia carried herself with dignity, but a lovely smile remained on her face as everyone applauded.

Her eyes suddenly met Ren’s.

Does it suit me?

She asked the question with nothing but the movement of her lips. Ren answered in the same fashion.

It suits you.

Licia’s lips moved once more.

It suits you too, Ren.

Before long, she took her seat. Everyone raised a fresh glass, and Lessard, the head of House Clausel, began his address.

He spoke of how much House Clausel owed to Ren, announced that Licia had turned eleven that day, and thanked everyone from the bottom of his heart for gathering that evening. Standing beside his daughter, he concluded with a toast.

“My lady, congratulations.”

The butler stepped forward on behalf of the servants. He was a middle-aged man, and after he offered his congratulations, the other servants followed suit.

Licia happily accepted their gifts, which appeared to be several pieces of clothing and accessories.

“They’re lovely. Did all of you choose them?”

“Of course, my lady. We even contacted merchants in Eupheim. Every one of these items arrived only a few days ago.”

Amazing.

Eupheim, the City of Water and White Crown, was the great city ruled by Marquis Ignat. If even members of the imperial family visited it regularly, its merchants surely carried treasures capable of charming any noblewoman.

A bead of sweat ran down Ren’s neck.

As expected of a saint. Even her presents were extraordinary.

“My lady, the knights have prepared a gift as well.”

Weiss, who had been nearby only moments before, was already standing beside Licia. He lifted a package placed near her seat and presented it to her.

“A complete set of the training equipment you have wanted for some time. I ordered it from a shop in the Imperial Capital that served me during my days in the Imperial Guard.”

“Really? Thank you!”

Ren could tell that her delight was sincere, although few noble daughters would have been so pleased to receive training equipment.

His days in the Imperial Guard…?

The Imperial Guard stood at the summit of Leomel’s knighthood. Apart from generals, only the Guard’s captains and the personal protectors of the imperial family ranked higher.

Ren had never imagined that Weiss had once held such an eminent position. He stared in astonishment.

Still, his own turn should have been next. Pretending not to notice his mounting tension, Ren started toward Licia one measured step at a time.

“I believe I am next.”

Lessard stepped forward instead and began presenting the gift he had prepared.

Ren stopped in his tracks.

One of the knights who had been watching him leaned closer.

“My apologies. We did not anticipate this.”

“Does Lord Lessard think I haven’t prepared anything?”

“No. I suspect he is behaving this way precisely because he is certain you have. Look at him.”

When Ren did, Lessard glanced at him and smiled in secret.

So that’s what this is.

Oddly enough, understanding Lessard’s intention calmed him. Flinching too much would hardly be manly, so Ren slapped his cheeks and gathered his resolve.

He could not see what Lessard had given Licia, but whoever presented whatever gift would not change what Ren had to do. Better, perhaps, that he had not seen an item intimidating enough to shake his confidence.

All right.

The tap of Ren’s shoes rang through the hall. Although conversation filled the room, somehow only his footsteps seemed to echo.

Hearing them, Lessard moved away from Licia. Knights and servants opened a path, guiding the two toward one another. Licia left her seat and came around the table.

They faced each other at the center of the great hall.

Both smiled shyly, and more than ten seconds passed before either managed to speak. Ren finally forced out the words.

“Happy birthday. And… your dress looks wonderful on you.”

Licia tilted her head in embarrassment.

“You already told me that.”

“I thought it would be better to say it aloud.”

For a moment Ren worried that the remark had been unnecessary, but Licia answered softly.

“Thank you. I’m glad.”

There was an unfamiliar warmth in her voice. The exchange left both of them silent, yet the quiet between them was not gloomy. They almost seemed to enjoy it.

“I also prepared a present for you.”

Licia blinked several times.

“For me?”

“You’re the only person I could be giving one to here, Lady Licia.”

“Is that really all right? I’ve caused you so much trouble.”

“I don’t think of it that way, so please don’t worry.”

An unusual awkwardness settled between them, but Licia’s expression sparkled. She hesitated over whether she truly deserved to accept it, yet the joy of receiving something from Ren was impossible to hide.

She had been delighted by the clothes he had once bought her. A birthday present felt even more special. Her heart beat so hard that she feared Ren might notice.

“Will you accept it?”

“Yes!”

Licia nodded eagerly.

Please let her like it, Ren repeated to himself.

His hand reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and found the wrapped box. He drew it out carefully with both hands so he would not crush it, then held it toward the girl before him, more radiant than any flower.

“Happy birthday.”

The words were ordinary, but sincere. He placed the box in her hands.

Licia first hugged it to her chest. Then she drew it away, stared at it, and lifted her shining eyes to Ren.

“Thank you. May I open it?”

“Of course. I hope you like it.”

“What are you saying? Even if the box itself were the only present, I think I would be happier with it than with anything else.”

“I’m grateful for the thought, but that would be rude to everyone else.”

Licia was half serious and half joking. She only wanted to ease Ren’s tension and show him how happy she was. The knights and servants laughed rather than taking offense, and Lessard watched with obvious curiosity.

“I wonder what it is.”

As Licia untied the ribbon, she immediately recognized the wrapping of one of her favorite shops. Did that mean the contents had come from there?

Her heart danced as she lifted the lid.

The glittering feather ornament inside reflected the chandelier’s light with a pure, restrained brilliance.

Licia lost her voice. She had never seen such an item in person, yet she knew at once what it was.

A single tear slid down her cheek, beautiful as a jewel.

“What am I supposed to do?”

She wiped it away with one fingertip.

“I’m so happy I feel as though I might die.”

More tears spilled from her jade eyes and dampened the fingers against her snow-white skin. Her lightly rouged lips curved into a smile.

The saint known as Licia Clausel was nowhere to be seen. There was only one girl, overcome with happiness at the gift she had received.

　

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