CHAPTER 19
. A Stir at the Birthday Festival (2)
I gazed at him quietly from within Lethe’s embrace.
“I’m not even as tall as a sunflower. How could I possibly blend into the color scheme of the banquet hall?”
What an utterly ridiculous accusation.
But before I could say anything, the other demons cried out,
“We have committed an unforgivable sin, Your Highness!”
“How could we make such a foolish mistake? Please forgive us!”
“Replace all the decorations immediately! Bring new design plans!”
“Overnight work starts now!”
“Uraaahhh!”
After that, lights stayed on all night at the Hades Palace.
Even until the day before Elysion’s birthday celebration.
“I feel like we’re working these people to death.”
I sighed as I gazed at the main palace from the balcony of the Persen Palace.
What if someone collapses from exhaustion?
Well, demons are sturdier than humans, but still.
“Next year, we’re definitely keeping it small—with only close friends…”
I paused mid-sigh.
When I thought of “close friends,” only demons came to mind.
The Epikus sisters. Ares. The attendants of Persen Palace.
And the Demon King.
“Why doesn’t anyone from the Holy Kingdom come to mind?”
I really couldn’t defend myself if someone accused me of betraying my homeland.
I had no complaints about my mission to save lives.
“Even now, I still believe it’s a noble duty.”
It was just too heavy a burden for one person to carry, and I had too few happy memories from the Holy Kingdom.
Still, if there was one thing I couldn’t let go of…
It was the promise I made to that boy—Kallion.
The boy who said he’d wait for me, crying as we said goodbye.
“…I wonder if he’s doing well.”
I murmured quietly, gazing into the dark night sky.
The journey from the Holy Kingdom of Halkion to Tartarus was grueling.
High mountains and hills stretched endlessly, and the royal envoy could only rest at nightfall.
Despite being an official delegation, the royal guards were lackluster at best.
Some even deserted before they reached the border.
But the blond boy, highest in rank among them, paid no mind to such disrespect.
He simply kept staring in the direction of Kore, the capital of the demons.
“Prince Deucalion?”
A girl called out to him cautiously.
She had long, trailing black hair and approached from behind.
Hearing that awkward title, the boy blinked his ocean-blue eyes.
The two of them looked to be about the same age—young teens.
“Ah. The 14th Grand Saintess.”
“You’re not asleep? The night air is chilly.”
“Well—hmm. I think I saw something strange…”
“Strange? A monster?”
“…No, maybe it was just my imagination.”
The boy turned again to face Kore.
The closer they got to the demon capital, the more he kept hearing a strange sound.
The voice of someone said to be long dead.
“There’s no mistaking it. That’s her voice.”
The boy clutched at the fabric near his heart.
He had once begged her not to go to the battlefield, to please come back.
And what returned was news of her death.
“You’re alive… 13th Grand Saintess.”
‘Kallion’ whispered in awe, his eyes shining in the darkness.
Eventually, the day of Elysion’s birthday came.
All the previous chaos?
I owed my past self an apology for calling that chaos.
“Wow. No matter what I imagined, today is truly beyond yesterday.”
The sun hadn’t even risen, and yet they woke this poor child up without mercy.
“Princess, happy birthday! But you need to open your eyes!”
“Uuuugh…”
“Just a little earlier, just for today!”
…Does Lethe not understand what “a little earlier” means?
How is this just a little?
But Lethe dunked me in water mixed with perfume like she was washing fruit and pulled me right back out.
I was dragged along through every part of the process like a rag doll.
Meanwhile, Lethe seemed to have a thousand arms, handling everything.
She directed the maids with military precision.
“For the first envoy greeting, bring the gold dress and the enamel brooch with the royal crest.”
“Yes, Lady!”
“The shoes too, in order! Start with the black satin ones with pearls!”
“Lady, are we going with the forget-me-not dress for the ball? Will she wear a crown then too?”
“No. It’s heavy. Use the silver tiara with sapphires and pearls.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“Ugh, I thought I finished confirming everything yesterday!”
Seeing all this, I decided not to complain.
“Lethe looks really pretty today, but she’s so busy I don’t even have time to compliment her.”
She wore a rose-colored dress that revealed her elegant neckline, with a family-crest enamel choker. Her hair was stylishly pinned up.
If she wasn’t busy fussing over me, Lethe would’ve been the star of the show.
Just then, there was a light knock at the door.
“Lethe, are you finished here? The envoy will be arriving soon.”
“Oh no, is it already that time?! Where has my mind gone?!”
Minte had come in, dressed in a knight’s uniform embroidered with golden thread over black fabric.
Her hair was tied high, and a decorative sword hung from her left hip.
“Just watching Minte and Lethe is a treat for the eyes.”
Ares entered as well, his usual bored expression intact.
“Wow, Ares! You look so cool!”
“…Hmph.”
Ares wore a formal outfit similar to a knight’s uniform, but in a deep forest green representing his family, with gold embroidery on the edges.
With his hair neatly combed and no scratches on his face for once, he looked radiant.
His haughty expression, strangely enough, looked regal today.
But the moment he saw me, Ares sharply turned his head away again.
“If only I could bottle that pouty face and keep it forever.”
Was he still sulking because I said I didn’t want to dance?
Then Minte smiled gently.
And instantly, the room’s atmosphere turned icy cold.
“…Young master.”
“Yes, Master.”
“When Her Highness offers a compliment, proper etiquette dictates you return the favor, does it not?”
“…Yes, yes, Master. I am most honored by your praise, Your Highness. You look truly, exceedingly beautiful today.”
“You should just take up acting, Ares.”
“Hmph.”
…Ugh, I’m already nervous enough, and he’s not helping.
Once I was ready, I was carried by Minte to the Hades Palace.
The sky was cloudless, and the crisp winter air filled my lungs.
Even in this weather, magically conjured flowers adorned the grounds.
The birds singing sweet notes were also magical creations.
In the central garden of Hades Palace, an outdoor reception was set up for the envoys.
And at the highest seat sat the Demon King, waiting.
“Ugh, I hate to admit it, but every time I see him, I’m struck by how good-looking he is.”
The Demon King wore formal robes made of lustrous black fabric, trimmed with gold.
A sharp contrast to me, who had far more gold than black.
“Elysion. I’m sorry I couldn’t come pick you up myself.”
He gently lifted me from Minte’s arms and soothed me with a soft voice.
Strangely, the irritation I’d felt toward Ares disappeared completely.
“Happy birthday.”
“Mmm.”
“To the most beautiful daughter in the world.”
I felt my ears flush red from the compliment.
I was happy, embarrassed, and suddenly wanted to cry.
Unable to look him in the eye, I murmured as I buried my face in his chest.
“Th-thank you…”
Ugh. How long do I have to keep speaking with this childish lisp?
But everyone, including the Demon King, was smiling proudly, so…
“This is probably good enough, right?”
As the Demon King carried me forward, music began playing, and flowers fell from the sky.
One by one, the envoys began entering the garden.
“Wow. It’s my first time watching everything from the highest seat like this.”
Everything was so new, I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
The unique clothing of each envoy, the way they greeted me in accented continental speech—it was all so fascinating.
“Oh, so this is…”
“The future Erebus, I presume.”
“Blessed birthday, Princess Elysion.”
So many people had come, and Lethe, Minte, and everyone at the palace had made this event possible.
“I feel bad for throwing a tantrum just because I was sleepy.”
In all my life, I had never been celebrated like this before.
Honestly, I was overwhelmed with gratitude.
“Envoy from the Holy Kingdom of Halkion, entering!”
Until someone announced the arrival of people from my homeland.
