CH 15

I realized that it’s a good thing we went to a balcony first. As midnight neared, the balconies became crowded just as much as the hall earlier.

My family held each other’s hands as we looked up into the sky, each commenting how great it was that we got a good spot in advance.

The long-awaited Irene star was about to shine brightly now. It was a star that I often saw when I was young, but it felt more special now because it was my coming-of-age ceremony.

However, as time passed by, I could feel that the star was a little different compared to how I saw it every year before.

Before, no matter how brightly it shone, the moon had still been brighter. Even so, it looked as if it was especially dazzling tonight.

But perhaps it’s not just my own imagination.

Just by hearing the bustling excitement around me, it’s clear that other people had also noticed that the Irene star was shining very brightly tonight.

“By chance, is it because the Saintess has been found?”

“Oh my, I think you’re right, Madam. It’s a truly special day.”

A person’s coming-of-age ceremony, as held by the imperial family, was once in a lifetime.

And thanks to the Irene star, which was emitting a far more brilliant light than usual, the palace was filled with merry remarks.

“Rin, I wish for your blessing, under the star of your namesake.”

“I love you, Rin.”

“Me as well.”

Receiving my family’s blessings, I closed my eyes gently.

I clasped my hands tightly and followed the proceedings of the coming-of-age ceremony. Of course, it’s not just me, but everyone here who’s about to become an adult were praying.

With the bright star in my mind, I prayed for my family.

Please, I wish that no one will get hurt.

I wish that everyone will live long, long lives in good health.

I wish that we could stay together for many years to come.

And, especially, I wish for Brother and Dad to have the greatest of fortune.

Please always let them be on the side of luck, please save them from any danger that they might face.

At that time, a gentle energy seemed to surround me. That feeling of fullness would rise from the tip of my toes, going upwards to embrace me. It was both an unfamiliar, but familiar sensation.

Right. It was the same feeling of fullness that I had while I was still a guide.

From the crown of my head, I felt like a divine power that was slowly pouring out. It was cold, but not biting like a glacier’s frost. This refreshing energy went down my body and to my toes.

It was as if god had made their presence known, even if I didn’t believe in that god.

Was this what it felt like to receive god’s blessing, which Mom had always spoken about?

It was a truly strange sensation.

When I opened my eyes once more, I saw my family watching me dearly.

Then, Mom stepped forward first and pulled me into her arms.

“May the blessing of the Almighty Asteras be with you.”

“Rin, I pray that your life will be filled with blessings.”

“My daughter, you know that this Dad of yours loves you the most, right? But God will love you a lot, too. I can yield the top spot and let God love you more. I wish for you to receive the most blessings in the world.”

Pushing the strange sensation to the back of my mind, I quietly replied to them.

“Thank you very much. I love you.”

Throughout my life here, I always listened to them say how much they loved me, but I had never said it back before.

So, my family looked at me with wide eyes for a moment, before they all hugged me with the brightest of smiles.

Before this, I wasn’t expecting very much out of my coming-of-age ceremony, but I had a feeling that I would never forget what happened tonight.

Mom said we should return home before the other attendees would gather once more, so we headed back to the still-crowded hall.

As we were about to leave the banquet hall, a palace attendant standing next to the doorkeeper approached us and held out a small box.

“Her Majesty the Empress bestows upon all who came of age today this gift.”

“Oh my… As expected of Her Majesty’s kindness. She even spent this much.”

Delighted, Mom covered her mouth with her hands. After I received the box from the palace attendant, I thanked him and did a light curtsy.

“Please express my humble gratitude towards Her Majesty the Empress.”

It’s doubtful that the words of a baron’s daughter would ever be conveyed to the empress, but still, it was the proper courteous response.

The palace attendant nodded after I curtsied.

We walked through the quiet hallways on our way towards the place where the carriages were lined up.

However, someone quickly passed by us. A familiar body scent touched the tip of my nose, but soon disappeared.

Ciel passed by, and I couldn’t help but stare.

Then, he suddenly turned around.

My eyes were directed at him, and so I blinked slowly as I was surprised.

Briefly, my gaze met in the air with his deep blue eyes.

In the past, when our eyes would meet, there was a time when my heart would pound so heavily that it felt like it was going to explode.

That heart of mine made me sometimes wonder whether it had any problems at all because of how loudly it would beat.

However, that heart was already dead, and now, I could no longer hear the same frantic rhythm.

The only thing I felt now was just a little bit of curiosity.

Why was a duke like him wandering in a hallway? Shouldn’t he be with the crown prince right now? And with the saintess, Seo-yoon?

t/n: hiya~ just a quick announcement!

the author released an r19 version of this novel! moving forward, i plan to translate the, ahem, spicy scenes as well oho~

but! i skimmed through the first volume just to see if i’ll need to revise any of the past chapters i already translated, however it seems like there won’t be any nosebleed-inducing chapters just yet (there weren’t any in that first volume, sad to say). so, until they appear, i’ll keep the novel tagged as r15