Chapter 76
Of course, there would be plenty of people who liked it.
If it were the maids or visitors from other families, they would be happy with a simple gift.
But to the head of the house, Lord Abelus, and the people of Ignitus, such things held no real meaning.
Io looked a little disappointed, but soon suggested another idea.
“How about writing letters to thank everyone in the family?”
“Ugh, no. That’ll only bring back bad memories.”
Even now, my stomach churned whenever I remembered how my carefully written love letter had been read aloud in front of my entire family.
Catching my meaning, Io chuckled softly.
Then, with tact, he changed the subject.
“What about baking sweets and giving them as gifts?”
“The lord doesn’t like sweet things. More than that, I want to give something only I can give. Just give me a moment to think.”
If it’s something only I can do… then it has to be my divine power.
I opened my right hand and conjured a small flame.
“Ah!”
The sight of the red flame sparked a brilliant idea.
The moment when I had been happiest looking at this light…
Yes, I would recreate that.
Once I knew what to do, the plan came together smoothly.
After I had prepared to some extent, I went around the estate, asking everyone for a favor.
“Everyone, on Friday night, don’t go anywhere. You have to be here, all right?”
The aides in the office all nodded, though they were clearly curious.
“Friday night? Understood. Is there something special happening that day?”
“I’ll tell you then! Oh, and could you let Lord Abelus know as soon as he returns from the arena?”
“Yes, my lady.”
As I was leaving the office, I ran into Ankus coming in.
“Anku, make sure you’re home Friday night! You can’t go out meeting people or anything.”
“I already have a prior engagement on Friday.”
“Really? That’s too bad, I prepared something…”
Just as I was thinking it was a pity, Ankus suddenly said,
“I’ll cancel it, my lady. Don’t worry.”
Huh? That wasn’t really necessary.
“Thank you!”
But I didn’t insist further and simply left with a smile.
Soon I exited the main building and went to Felix, who oversaw the servants of the annex.
“Felix, can you bring all the annex servants to the main building Friday night?”
“With the exception of the guards, that’s possible.”
I would’ve liked even the guards to see it.
I hadn’t considered the ones who couldn’t leave their posts.
Well, that was fine. I only needed to make a small adjustment to the plan.
‘If I raise it a little higher, they’ll be able to see from the annex too.’
So I slightly revised my instructions.
“Then, Felix, could you lock the annex gate briefly that evening? Just so it’s safe even if the guards are distracted for a moment.”
“Yes, I’ll do so.”
“And when Velikia and Velikus return, let them know too!”
“Yes, my lady.”
Felix answered reliably.
He seemed curious but didn’t ask questions—his loyalty kept him silent.
That attitude pleased me greatly.
Now, only one person was left.
I turned my steps back to the main building.
I stopped in front of the lord’s office.
Logically, it would’ve been more efficient to see him first before going to the annex, but I had left this visit for last because I was nervous.
“Phew.”
I took a deep breath and knocked.
It was Gordio who came out.
“Welcome, my lady. What brings you here?”
“Could you tell the lord I’ve come to ask him a favor?”
But before Gordio could relay my words, the lord himself answered from within.
“Come in, Calidora.”
“Yes, sir!”
I walked in as properly as I could, standing before the desk where he sat.
“What is this favor?”
“I’ve prepared something for the family. I’d like everyone to see it, so please be in the courtyard Friday evening.”
Of course, I already knew he would be free then.
I had asked his aides about his schedule before choosing the date.
As expected, he readily agreed.
“If that’s all, then so be it.”
“Yes! That’s all.”
Then, to my surprise, a faint smile touched his lips—as if he was genuinely looking forward to what I had prepared.
The lord almost never revealed his emotions.
Which meant he must be anticipating it far more than he showed.
That thought made my shoulders feel heavier.
As I bowed and turned to leave, I noticed how much sterner the atmosphere in the office felt than usual.
The lord despised wastefulness and pretense; his office reflected that spartan philosophy.
Suddenly, a worry struck me.
Would my gift satisfy him?
It wasn’t practical—it might even disappoint him for being frivolous.
“Um, my lord.”
I hesitated, then spoke again.
“What is it?”
“It might not be that impressive of a gift. It’s just…”
So that he wouldn’t be disappointed, I gave him a little hint.
“Something pretty and shining.”
Right after I said it, I realized how childish it sounded.
‘Ugh, I really said it like that?!’
My face burned.
But the lord only looked at me gently and said,
“I like things that are pretty and shining. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.”
My eyes went wide in shock.
Yes, he was only repeating my words, but still—that was absolutely not something he would normally say!
Even Gordio looked stunned.
I exchanged a quick, amazed glance with him before leaving the office.
‘…After he said that much, I have to make it a success.’
My determination blazed even brighter.
Time passed, and Friday night arrived.
The retainers of Ignitus headed toward the courtyard without even removing their uniforms.
What in the world had the young lady prepared?
Speculation had been so rampant that there was nothing left to discuss in the office.
So they went outside, almost as if it were a routine duty.
“Young master?”
At the entrance stood Abelus, fresh from the arena, still in his battle attire.
“Is this the right place to go?”
“The lady said it’ll be visible from anywhere outside. Let’s wait here.”
“Oh? Everyone’s already out.”
Soon, a group from the annex joined them, led by Velikia and Velikus.
“The lady summoned you too, young master?” Velikia asked.
Abelus nodded.
“We thought it was just us… huh?!”
Velikus gasped mid-sentence.
His eyes were fixed on the head of the house and his closest aides, who had also come.
Everyone bowed deeply in one direction.
“T-The lord himself is here too…”
“Just what sort of spectacle is the lady going to show us?”
The murmurs spread in hushed voices.
It was a clear night.
No mist, no clouds—only the occasional breeze brushing against their clothes.
“…Look!”
Someone suddenly pointed skyward.
A bright red star shone in the night sky.
So bright it seemed to swallow the moonlight near the horizon.
“The morning star?”
Someone guessed from the crimson glow.
“No. The morning star doesn’t shine like that.”
Then, before their astonished eyes, the star seemed to spin—
And suddenly burst apart with a radiant explosion.
Boom.
The sound reached them faintly, softened by the high altitude.
It was less a roar than a round of applause.
The shattered starlight scattered across the night sky.
Only a few sharp-eyed ones realized those fragments were actually small flames, each burning on its own.
“The power of fire…”
The blazing red lights illuminated every corner of Ardentluna.
Those about to fall asleep, and those still awake, all came outside to gaze upward.
The firework-like blooms etched rings of light in their eyes before fading away in the sky.
