While I busied myself with getting the Platinum Feather processed and finally tackled the long-neglected cleaning of the Old Wing, my daily life blurred into a frantic rhythm once more.
Before I knew it, day after day slipped by.
Eventually, it was only a few days before Licia’s birthday party.
I received word from the shop owner who had sold me my clothes that the hair ornament was finally finished.
"Thank you for coming. I nearly lost my composure from the shock of it all... though a part of me felt that if it were Master Ren, such a feat was only natural," the shop owner said with a smile as I stepped into his store.
"Master Ren, your luck never ceases to amaze me."
"Ahaha... yeah. I was quite shocked myself."
"Surely, you must have the protection of the primary deity. Now then, as for the item you commissioned..."
The owner placed a small wooden box on the counter between us.
"Regarding the Platinum Feather—back when I was apprenticing in the Imperial Capital, I heard stories of children occasionally stumbling upon them. Given that, finding one isn't entirely impossible, but the fact that it was none other than Master Ren who found it makes me feel a certain sense of destiny."
He slid the wooden box toward me.
"Besides, it gave me a rare chance to enjoy my true calling."
"Wait, your true calling? Isn't it making clothes?"
"Actually, my specialty is jewelry making. I only learned tailoring so I could inherit this shop, but my heart has always belonged to my original trade."
That explained why he had been so willing to accept the request.
The production cost hadn't been cheap, but hearing that this was his specialty only heightened my expectations.
I’m glad I took down those Steel-Eating Gargoyles, I thought.
The price tag had been steep enough to justify that sentiment. However, given the rarity of the materials, I had been prepared for a high cost. As long as I had enough to cover it, it was a bargain.
At this point, I didn't care about the details as long as Licia was happy with the result.
"Now, Master Ren. Please, have a look."
The owner urged me to inspect the ornament.
Despite the suddenness of my request, he had finished it in about a week. Looking closely, I could see that he had applied makeup to hide the dark circles under his eyes, but his fatigue was still visible.
Thinking it would be tactless to mention it, I simply accepted his kindness and gave a quiet bow. I reached for the lid of the wooden box and opened it slowly.
From beneath the lid, the ornament gradually revealed itself.
It possessed a brilliance truly worthy of adorning the hair of Saint Licia.
My busy days continued after that.
Night after night, I spent my time in the Main Building's Kitchen, where the attendants taught me the proper etiquette for the party. I worked hard to ensure I wouldn't bring shame to my lord, Lezard.
This continued until the very night before the event.
"By the way, Master Ren, there is something I’ve been meaning to ask," said the attendant who was giving me my final pointers. "I didn't want to interrupt earlier, but why were you asking the Butler for instructions on how to welcome guests?"
"For tomorrow’s party, of course. I’m a member of the Ashton family, so I thought I should learn in case I’m needed to help out."
I hadn't been officially tasked with it, but I figured I should be prepared if the staff were shorthanded. It was just a precaution.
However...
"Oh dear," the attendant said, tilting her head and pressing a hand to her cheek. "Did no one tell you? For the Young Lady’s birthday party here in Clausel, we don't invite any guests from the outside."
"Wait... what?"
"If it were held in a town near the Imperial Capital, guests would certainly be invited. But Clausel is quite far from the major cities and territories..."
Occasionally, merchants who happened to be in town might stop by to offer their greetings, but that usually happened during the day. By the time the evening party began, it was strictly a private affair.
In other words, it wasn't a grand social ball filled with nobles. It was a private celebration for those living in the manor.
"Well, in any case, it was all a very good experience..."
"I enjoyed it as well. You were very eager, Master Ren, which made you a joy to teach."
Learning the skills wasn't a waste, even if I felt a bit deflated. I bowed deeply to the attendant.
Now that I think about it, no one else seemed to be preparing for that kind of work.
Suddenly, everything made sense. I had wondered why the Great Hall hadn't been decorated more ostentatiously and why there seemed to be no preparations for a large influx of visitors.
"I’m glad I could be of service. That’s all for today, then. Did you have any other questions?"
"No, I’m good. Thank you again for everything."
The attendant left with a smile, and I decided it was time to head back to the Old Wing.
I let out a long breath and stretched my stiff limbs before following her out of the kitchen.
"Man... I'm beat..."
Between the etiquette lessons, managing the Old Wing, preparing the gift for Licia, and my Imperial Swordsmanship training with Weiss, I had been running on fumes. I felt like I could fall asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.
Sword styles, huh...
I was being trained in the Imperial style now, but I knew it would be good to experience other schools as well—especially for Licia's sake. Since getting stronger was my primary goal, I welcomed the opportunity.
The only question was when such an opportunity would arise.
As someone who knows just how terrifying that power can be, I’d love to learn the Strong Sword Arts.
That would require finding a master of the style, and since they were rare to begin with, it seemed unlikely. There had to be practitioners other than the characters I remembered from the game, but without a connection, it felt out of reach.
Besides, I didn't even know if I had the aptitude for it.
As I was lost in thought, the very girl who had been on my mind appeared in my path.
She’s totally watching me.
Licia was peeking out from around a corner, her eyes narrowed as she observed me. I couldn't exactly ignore her; she was blocking the hallway to the Old Wing.
"Um, Lady Licia?"
She ducked back as I approached, but by the time I reached the corner, she was leaning casually against the wall.
"Oh, Ren. What a coincidence."
"It’s not a coincidence if you were just staring at me."
"No, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"If you say so..."
Her behavior was suspicious, but if she wasn't going to talk, I wasn't going to push it. Just as I started to move past her, she spoke up.
"Hey. Why have you been spending so much time in the kitchen lately?"
Apparently, she was just curious about what I had been up to. I didn't have any reason to hide it, so I told her the truth—that I had been practicing etiquette and that I’d felt a bit silly after finding out there were no outside guests.
"Honestly! If that was the case, I could have taught you!"
Licia pouted her lips cutely, and I could only offer a sheepish, wry smile.
"Just curious, were you waiting here to ask me that?"
Licia nodded immediately.
"Because even when I wanted to talk before bed, I couldn't find you anywhere."
She looked up at me with a slight pout, and while she looked adorable, I didn't miss the faint trace of loneliness in her eyes.
What should I do?
Tomorrow was her birthday, so she really needed to get some sleep. But telling her to just go to bed felt a bit cold.
"If you'd like, would you like to see what I’ve learned?"
"What do you mean?"
"Along with the etiquette, the attendant taught me how to brew tea. Though, I have zero confidence that you'll actually like it."
"I... I'm really happy you invited me, but I didn't expect you to be so proudly unconfident."
Licia let out a small laugh at my bluntness.
"Well, I've only been at it for a few days, so..."
"Fine, fine. But I'm looking forward to it."
I headed back to the kitchen with Licia in tow.
To my secret relief, the tea I brewed was actually well-received.
"It's good. Though... maybe just a tiny bit bitter."
Despite her critique, Licia was smiling. She didn't say it aloud, but as she drained the last of the cup, she felt a quiet pang of regret that the moment had to end.