“Wow, Valter is quite knowledgeable. How do you know such a place?”

“I bothered those famous knights known for their love affairs a bit. After running 30 laps around the training ground, they quickly told me.”

“You’re probably keeping this as an excuse for later use, Valter. It’s so typical of you to be sly.”

“Sione, it’s not like that…!!”

“Quiet. The fireworks are starting.”

A thin streak of fireworks, delicate like flower stems, soared high as if touching the night sky.
I stood there, my mouth agape, staring at the thin column of fire piercing through the air, making a swooshing sound, as if heralding the beginning of the fireworks. Soon, a dazzling array of colorful flower-shaped fireworks burst into the sky, capturing my attention. As I watched the grand display of massive fireworks covering the sky, memories of fireworks from my past life resurfaced. The small, modest fireworks that faintly appeared from the high stone tower, seemingly isolated from the world and eternally confined. They were the almost sole means for me, in my imprisoned state, to feel the outside world, visible only once a year on the Empire’s founding day.

“There must have been moments of happiness while watching those fireworks.”

Looking at the fleeting small fireworks blooming and disappearing in an instant, I recalled the times I had thought about wanting to go outside someday.

To shed the weight and pretense of nobility, and to mingle among ordinary people as an individual, laughing and enjoying the festival—that hope alone gave me great strength to endure each day, and I eagerly awaited the founding day every year, drawing a golden line on the wall.

However, as puberty passed and I approached adulthood, I stopped marking the dates on the stone wall and started going to bed early on the founding day.

Could I cross beyond that stone wall at least once?

I realized that such a small hope was nothing more than a futile dream.

Since then, I had lived completely forgetting about festivals or fireworks, thinking they had no connection to me.

Now, reborn, I found myself watching fireworks much more splendid than the Empire’s, right up close, and my heart couldn’t help but be moved.

Trying not to cry, I bit my lips, and Raven draped his cloak over me.

“The night is getting colder. It seems a bit chilly. Cover up with this. It would be a big problem if you catch a cold.”

“… I’m fine. Aren’t you cold? No matter how robust your health is, you can’t escape the cold.”

“I’m sturdy, so I’m okay. I’ve never been sick with anything like a cold.”

Raven’s simple response shifted his gaze back to the sky.

Boom, bang.

A thunderous burst of cracking sounds, like popping champagne, echoed in all directions.

I smiled contentedly, watching the smiles spreading across the faces of the three people.

It seemed like tears were about to fall, but even that was a happy night.

A few days later, I received a gift box from the Fernan family.

Inside the box, containing nonchalant jewelry, was a letter presumed to be written by Cain himself.

Starting with simple greetings, the conclusion of the letter suggested whether it would be acceptable for him to visit the Rose Palace, composed in quite polite language.
“Si-one, take a look at this. Cain sent a letter, asking if it’s okay to visit. It’s written here.”

“Really? I’ll take a look at it too.”

Having received the letter, Sione carefully read through its contents.

Then, with a nod as if relieved, she said, “It seems like a fortunate turn of events. It might be better this way. It could be burdensome if we were to send an invitation first. If the Fernan family comes to us first, it won’t look bad, and unnecessary rumors can be minimized.”

“I think the same. Then, I’ll send a reply granting permission.”

“How would you like to handle the letter? Should I transcribe it like before?”

“No, this time I’ll write it myself. Bring me some paper, a pen, and my seal.”

Sione nodded, placing the requested items on the desk.

Although it was my first time writing a letter, after dedicating about half an hour, the script turned out decent enough to read.

“From now on, I’ll personally review any important letters that come to me. It might be a bit amateurish, but I should be able to write short replies.”

“That’s a wonderful idea. You’ve grown so much already; it’s truly touching.”

“It’s nothing. I still have a lot of help from those around me.”

“Assisting and following Lady Bella is our duty. Just hearing you say that is incredibly heartwarming.”

Afterwards, I briefly explained to Sione and Rosa the overall operation of the Rose Palace.

Even though both of them were reliable, as the palace was under my responsibility, I thought it was important to assess the current situation.

“Phew, it’s been a while since I’ve used my brain, and I feel tired. How about eating something?”

Thanks to Elga’s potions, the frequency of seeking snacks outside of tea time had significantly decreased recently. However, having some in reserve for times when my energy was low proved to be helpful.

Taking out the box hidden under the bed, filled with snacks, I absentmindedly enjoyed munching on them, and a smile naturally formed on my lips.

“Wow, it’s really delicious! Sione’s homemade snacks are truly the best.”

It was a bit regrettable that none of the snacks I made went into my mouth because they all ended up in someone else’s. However, even if I had tasted them, it would probably have been challenging to surpass this flavor.

After enjoying a generous portion of Sione’s snacks and washing it down with a potion as a nightcap, the fatigue I had felt just moments ago quickly disappeared.

Having sufficiently replenished my energy, I quickly moved my steps for the lessons with Sione.

As the days passed in a hectic manner, around a week later, Cain visited the Rose Palace.

He came holding an enormous bouquet of flowers in his hands.