Ren felt a surge of genuine satisfaction at Licia’s declaration that she was so happy she might die. She undoubtedly loved the gift; every nuance of her reaction, witnessed from mere inches away, was proof enough.
"It would be a problem if you actually died, so perhaps I should have prepared something else?"
He felt the joke was a bit unmanly, but the quip slipped out because he was relieved she was happy. Having finally found some breathing room, he likely let the nonsense escape just to mask his own embarrassment.
"No, absolutely not. I’m never, ever giving it back."
As the onlookers listened to their exchange, their curiosity regarding the gift reached a fever pitch. However, not a single person was boorish enough to interrupt. They continued to watch the pair in silence—until Licia spoke again.
"Hey, Ren... would you mind putting it in for me?"
The atmosphere shifted with that single request. Ren hesitated, wondering if it was appropriate for him to touch her hair in front of so many witnesses. But since the birthday girl herself had asked, he decided to grant her wish.
Ren carefully lifted the ornament from its box and brought it toward her hair.
(Something like this, I suppose...)
Licia’s hair was so well-maintained and neat that there was no need for him to even run his fingers through it. He only had to focus on the positioning as he secured the ornament adorned with the Platinum Feather.
As the piece finally settled against her silken locks, it came into full view of everyone in the hall. It was the decisive moment that sparked a wave of collective astonishment.
"Wh—!?"
Lezard was the first to gape in shock.
"W-Weiss! Is that not a Platinum Feather?! Where on earth did Ren find such a thing!?"
"I... I do not know! An item like that is rare even in the Imperial Capital. It should be impossible for one to be in this town—wait, young master. Is that why you went to the Adventurer Guild that day...?"
Finally, Weiss put the pieces together. He remembered the day Ren had come to him, troubled over what to get Licia for her birthday, and how the boy had headed straight for the guild afterward. This meant Ren had been hunting for a Platinum Feather ever since.
"So he didn't buy it... he found it himself," Lezard murmured, his amazement deepening.
Unaware of their shock, Licia turned to Ren. "Does it... look alright on me?" she asked bashfully.
"Yes. It suits you perfectly," Ren answered without a second's hesitation.
Standing there under the spotlight, Licia looked more radiant than ever. The Platinum Feather was nestled just behind her ear, catching and reflecting the light from the chandeliers with every graceful step she took.
"Father! Look! Ren gave me such a wonderful gift!"
"Oh... yes. It does suit you. No... it truly is a magnificent piece... to think he'd give you something of that caliber..." Lezard continued to marvel at the unexpected tribute.
Oblivious to his deeper concerns, Licia’s spirits soared at the compliment. she began parading the ornament before the servants as well. Every time she was praised, she stole a glance back at Ren, her smile as brilliant as a polished gemstone.
Afterward, Ren was thoroughly interrogated by Lezard and Weiss. They demanded to know how he had obtained it, to which Ren simply replied that he had been lucky.
In this world, the only known lore regarding the Platinum Feather was that one might find it if they were exceptionally fortunate. Perhaps that was why the two didn't press him further, allowing Ren to avoid explaining that he possessed specific knowledge of how to acquire it.
Eventually, the festivities moved from the Great Hall of the Main Building to the Old Wing. The two now stood together on the balcony.
"It feels like a dream, being able to spend a birthday like this," Licia’s voice drifted through the night air.
The official party had ended, but at Licia’s suggestion, they had set up this space for a private after-party.
"Your father and the others were certainly surprised," Ren noted.
"Of course they were. You gave me something so wonderful and rare; it's only natural Father would be curious."
Licia reached for a cup of the tea Ren had brewed. The old balcony was spotless thanks to his maintenance, and since he had brought out a fresh table, the setting had the refined air of a small, intimate gala. The Platinum Feather swayed in her hair as she laughed.
"By the way, Lady Licia."
"Yes? What is it?" She smiled up at him, the star-filled sky stretching out behind her.
"Before we came out here, I believe you mentioned you had an errand to run with me."
Just as the party was winding down, the guest of honor had pulled him aside. When she invited him to the Old Wing, she had mentioned there was one thing she needed to do.
"......Right." Licia nodded, confirming his suspicion. She reached down and picked up an object resting at her feet. "H-Here!"
She placed it on the table and slid it toward him. She had stopped by her room to retrieve it before they came here. It was wrapped in pure white silk, its contents still a mystery.
"It took a while, but I made sure to choose carefully because of that...!"
Ren had never expected to receive a gift from the birthday girl herself. Startled, he looked at her. "May I open it?"
Licia’s cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, visible even in the dim light of the balcony.
(She looks just like I did earlier.)
Watching her nervous fidgeting, Ren was reminded of his own earlier embarrassment. She gave a silent nod and looked down. He felt he needed to see the gift quickly so he could give her his reaction and put her at ease. Ren reached for the silk, noting the high quality of the fabric, and unwrapped the bundle.
When the contents were revealed, his eyes widened.
(Is this...?)
He was reminded of the dagger he had received from Weiss on the night of his camping lessons—the one with the flint-bottomed handle. He had lost that blade during the struggle with Jelququ after lending it to Licia.
"—This is the replacement for the dagger you said you’d return, isn't it?"
Licia gave another silent nod.
Ren picked up the weapon. It sat in a stark white sheath. The hilt was also white, but the exquisite gold filigree decorating the handle and the tip of the scabbard made it clear this was a masterpiece. He could already imagine how sharp he would look with it at his side.
"This looks incredibly expensive. You really didn't have to—"
"Do you... hate it?" Licia interrupted. Her voice was thin and anxious, her eyes shimmering with tears that looked ready to fall.
Realizing his blunder, Ren corrected himself immediately. "No, I'm sorry. I'm very happy."
"......Truly?"
"I wouldn't lie to you. To be honest, I was just thinking about how cool I'd look wearing it."
The anxiety vanished from Licia’s face, replaced by a soft giggle.
"I just didn't expect it to be such a high-quality replacement. My surprise just got ahead of my gratitude."
"—Well, because..." Licia turned away, resting her chin in her hand. Her profile was pulled into a pout to hide her shyness, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her. "......I wanted to celebrate your birthday, too."
Ren’s birthday had been in the spring. He had celebrated it in his home village, and the next wasn't until the following year. When Licia had discovered this, she had been distraught in the privacy of her room. Then she remembered the lost dagger and decided to use the replacement as a formal birthday gift.
"I couldn't wait until next year! So I decided I'd give it to you today instead—"
"Pfft... haha..."
"Ugh, really! Why are you laughing!?"
As Ren chuckled at her sheer earnestness, Licia leaned across the table in protest. But Ren didn't stop. His laughter lacked its usual guarded, mature edge; it was the honest, open sound of a boy his age. Licia found herself momentarily captivated by the sight.
"I'm sorry. I just realized we've both been nervous all day. It’s a bit funny."
"W-What! Is it wrong for me to be nervous!?"
"No, it's not that. I just realized we’re surprisingly alike. That realization just made me smile."
Licia couldn't find a retort. Deep down, the idea of being "alike" filled her with a quiet joy, and she was too busy staring at the rare sight of Ren’s genuine smile to argue.
However, the embarrassment eventually caught up to her. Realizing she had been found out, her shame reached its limit. She covered her face with both hands.
"I don't care! I wasn't nervous at all!" She slumped her upper body onto the table, kicking her legs back and forth in a frantic attempt to hide her burning face.
Eventually, her legs went still. She had heard the words Ren murmured after thanking her for the blade.
"I look forward to our future together."
He had meant nothing complicated by it; he was simply stating a fact. But Licia slowly lifted her head.
"Our future...?"
She peered up at him from her slumped position, her eyes suddenly brimming with large tears. When Ren noticed them and tried to ask what was wrong, they began to spill over, tracing paths down her cheeks.
"I’ve got your word now."
"My word? Wait, why are you crying!?"
There wasn't a trace of sadness on her face. Instead, she looked radiantly, undeniably happy.
"It's a secret. Since you laughed at me for being nervous, I’m definitely, definitely not telling you."
Licia was simply happy. That was all. To hear the words "our future" from Ren—the same boy who had tried so hard to keep his distance a year ago—sent a rush of indescribable joy through her. But as she said, it was a secret. It was her little revenge for being laughed at... and besides, seeing Ren so flustered as he fussed over her made her want to bask in his kindness just a little while longer.