A single table had been set upon a raised dais at the far end of the Great Hall. It was a splendid sight, framed by an array of vibrant flowers and a mountain of gifts. As the gathered guests chatted over their drinks, the star of the evening finally made her appearance.
To Ren’s eyes, Licia Clausel was radiant. Her crimson dress was a stunning contrast to her silver hair, which carried a subtle, shimmering tint of amethyst. Her features, always delicate and ethereal, now bore the regal grace of a true princess.
"Come, Licia."
Her father, Lezard, took her hand and led her forward. She met the crowd's applause with a dignified yet charming smile. Suddenly, her gaze locked with Ren’s.
'Does it suit me?' she asked, her lips moving without a sound.
Ren mouthed back his reply: 'It suits you perfectly.'
Licia’s smile widened. 'You look good too, Ren,' she mouthed in return.
Eventually, she took her seat at the head table. Everyone raised a fresh glass as the Baron stood beside his daughter to address the room. He spoke of how the House of Clausel owed its current prosperity to Ren, celebrated Licia’s eleventh birthday, and offered his sincere gratitude to everyone who had gathered for the occasion.
"Cheers!" he toasted, signaling the start of the night’s festivities.
"Young Lady, our warmest congratulations," the butler said, stepping forward first to represent the servants. Following his lead, the other household staff offered their own well-wishes.
Licia accepted their gifts with genuine delight. The items the butler presented appeared to be a collection of fine accessories.
"How lovely! Did you all choose these together?"
"Indeed, my lady. We even contacted merchants in Eupeheim. These are the finest pieces they had, and they only arrived a few days ago."
Ren felt a bead of sweat roll down his neck. Eupeheim was a massive trade hub ruled by Marquis Ignat, a place frequented even by the Imperial Family. Anything sourced from there was bound to be a masterpiece.
As expected of a Saint, he thought. Even the staff’s gifts are on another level.
"Young Lady, the knights have prepared a gift as well."
Before Ren realized it, Weiss had moved from his side to stand before Licia. He picked up a large package he had staged near the table and presented it to her.
"It is the full set of training equipment you have been asking for. I had it specially ordered from a shop in the Imperial Capital that I frequented during my years as a Royal Guard."
"Really?! Thank you so much!"
Licia’s joy was unmistakable, though Ren couldn't help but think it was rare to see a noble girl get so excited over training gear. More importantly, his mind snagged on a single detail.
Wait, his years as a Royal Guard?
The Royal Guards were the absolute pinnacle of the Leomel Empire’s knighthood. Aside from the high-ranking generals, the only ones who outranked them were the Captain of the Personal Guard or the elite few assigned to protect the Imperial Family members individually. Ren stood there, stunned to realize he had been mentored by someone of such incredible prestige.
He shook himself out of his daze. It was almost his turn. According to the plan, he was supposed to present his gift next. Ignoring his spiraling nerves, he began to step forward toward Licia, one foot at a time.
"And now, my own gift," Lezard announced.
The Baron cut in, presenting his own prepared gift to his daughter. Ren stopped dead in his tracks. One of the nearby knights, noticing Ren’s confusion, leaned in to whisper.
"My apologies. This wasn't part of the schedule."
"Does Lord Lezard think I didn't bring anything?" Ren whispered back.
"No, quite the opposite. He’s likely doing this precisely because he knows you have one. Just look at him."
Ren looked up and saw Lezard glance his way with a mischievous, knowing smirk. Seeing that, Ren’s nerves suddenly settled into a strange calm.
Fine then, he thought.
He decided it wasn't manly to let himself be rattled. He gave his cheeks a sharp thwack with both hands to steel his resolve. He couldn't see what the Baron had given her, but it didn't matter. No matter how grand the other gifts were, his task remained the same.
Ren took a step, the sound of his boots echoing clearly through the hall.
As if on cue, the chatter in the Great Hall died down until Ren’s footsteps were the only sound remaining. Lezard stepped back from Licia's side, and the knights and servants parted to create a clear path between the two youths.
Licia stood up and walked around the table to meet him in the center of the room. For a dozen long seconds, they simply stood there, facing one another with shy smiles.
Ren was the first to speak.
"Happy birthday. And... you really do look beautiful."
Licia tilted her head bashfully, a flush creeping onto her cheeks. "You already told me that."
"I know. But I thought it was important to say it out loud."
Licia’s expression softened. "Thank you. I'm so happy you did." Her voice carried a warmth that felt different from their usual conversations.
A comfortable silence settled between them. They seemed to be lost in their own world, oblivious to the eyes of the entire manor watching them.
"Um, well... I have a gift for you too," Ren said.
Licia blinked in surprise. "For me?"
"Of course. Who else would I be giving a gift to right now?"
"Is it really okay? I’ve caused you so much trouble lately..."
"I don't look at it that way. Please, don't worry about it."
An awkward, self-conscious energy hummed between them, but Licia’s eyes were sparkling. She was clearly moved by the fact that he had prepared something specifically for her. She had been thrilled when he gave her those clothes before, but this—her birthday—felt infinitely more significant. She hoped he couldn't hear how fast her heart was drumming against her ribs.
"Will you accept it?"
"Yes! Of course!"
Ren offered a silent prayer that she would like it. He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and carefully withdrew the wrapped box, holding it with both hands as if it were made of glass.
"Happy birthday, Licia."
He handed her the gift. Licia took the box and hugged it to her chest for a brief moment before pulling it back to stare at it. She looked up at Ren, her eyes burning with intensity.
"Thank you. May I... may I open it now?"
"Please do. I just hope it's to your liking."
"Oh, stop it. Even if this box were empty, I’d still cherish it more than anything else I’ve received today."
Ren let out a small, awkward laugh. "I appreciate the sentiment, but that’s a bit rude to everyone else."
Licia smiled, her joke having served its purpose of easing his tension. The knights and servants laughed softly, and even Lezard watched with an expectant grin, curious to see what the boy had chosen.
"I wonder what it could be..." Licia murmured, her fingers working at the ribbon. She recognized the wrapping immediately; it was from a boutique she frequented.
With her heart racing, she lifted the lid.
The chandelier light caught the brilliant Platinum Feather Hair Ornament inside, sending a soft, pure reflection dancing across her face.
Licia went perfectly still. Though she had never seen anything like it before, she knew instinctively what it was. A moment later, a single tear escaped and traced a path down her cheek, shimmering like a fallen jewel.
"What am I supposed to do?" she whispered, wiping the moisture away with a trembling fingertip. "I’m so happy, I feel like I might die."
Tears continued to overflow from her amethyst eyes, wetting her pale skin. Her lips curled into a radiant, tearful smile. In that moment, the "Saint" of House Clausel was nowhere to be found. There was only a young girl, overwhelmed with joy by a single gift.