Episode 320
Viviana, wearing white gloves that reached up to her elbows, clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
The little guests quieted down, their toes wiggling in anticipation. The boisterous laughter of the warriors and the pianist’s melody all came to a halt. Only the occasional chirping of birds filled the peaceful air.
“Let us now begin the ceremony. It is an honor to witness the start of this beautiful couple’s journey together.”
“The honor is ours as well!”
“Philia, congratulations on becoming a member of the tribe!”
“So, does that mean you’re part of Bariel’s family now? Congratulations!”
As the warriors raised their glasses, Beric joined in, lifting his cup with a hearty cheer. Viviana nodded in agreement, gently tilting her glass, and Ian passed a cup filled to the brim with milk to one of the little guests sitting beside him.
“To the warriors gathered here, and especially to Philia’s beautiful son, I offer my heartfelt congratulations. Philia and Nersarn, please swear your vows before all of us.”
At Viviana’s gesture, the pianist rolled up his sleeves and began playing a warm, gentle tune. Whistles and murmurs of admiration broke out here and there.
Philia and Nersarn faced each other, and the man carefully lifted the veil from his beloved’s face. His hands trembled noticeably from nerves.
“Nersarn, is the veil that heavy?”
“Hahaha! This is maddening. Kakanthir should have seen this.”
Normally, Nersarn would have narrowed his eyes and told himself to compose, but today he had completely forgotten all that.
Because today, before anything else, he was Philia’s lover. Everyone was witnessing just how foolish love can make a person.
“Nersarn.”
Philia smiled shyly and extended her hand. He slipped an old ring onto her finger—faded, with no gemstones.
Hale, curious, tilted his head toward Ian and asked quietly, “Is that the ring?”
It seemed too modest for the mother of the Imperial Magic Department’s minister. Jin, too, perked up, intrigued.
“I heard Nersarn has worn it since he was very young. His grandfather made it for him. They said once they return to Hielo, Kakanthir will present a proper ring. This trip here was so sudden.”
Ah, that’s right. They were people who had fallen from the sky amid the civil war.
Though humble, Philia seemed perfectly content, repeatedly pressing her lips to the ring. She radiated pure happiness.
Viviana unfolded the marriage declaration.
“From this moment, Philia and Nersarn vow to be each other’s one and only love. If anyone opposes, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
“Even if I speak now, I’ll be silenced forever, I think.”
“No objections! I’m fully in favor!”
“Me too! Me too!”
But there was one person who remained silent. All eyes turned to Ian. The pianist tapped a key rapidly, urging him to respond.
Ian raised both hands lightly and smiled.
“If my mother is happy, then of course I approve.”
“See? I’m so happy.”
Philia beamed, showing off the ring, and Viviana raised her glass to announce:
“Very well. We have witnessed the union of Philia and Nersarn. We are their sacred witnesses and lifelong friends who will stand by their side. Let us all raise a toast.”
“To the happy couple!”
“Ah! They’re going to kiss! Kiss!”
“Oh dear, cover the children’s eyes.”
“No way! They just said to watch!”
Clink! Clang!
Glasses collided, and the previously hushed excitement erupted. The warriors, genuinely enjoying teasing Nersarn, kept up their jokes, while Beric climbed onto a chair, shaking a bottle of liquor.
“I’ll sing a song! Can’t miss a day like this!”
“Go for it! Yeah!”
Boom! Boom!
Stomping his feet to the beat, the warriors clapped along. Beric’s loud, off-key singing had everyone bursting into laughter.
“…Get that guy off the stage.”
“This is a mess. Where does he get the confidence?”
“Ah, let him be! The second half’s better!”
“Pianist, just ignore him and keep playing.”
The pianist hammered the keys with all his might, trying to drown out Beric’s voice. One by one, the warriors began dancing and circling around the tables. Children spun around Philia, cheering.
Philia awkwardly swayed the hem of her dress but never stopped smiling.
“Ian, and you there, little guest—if you want to dance, go ahead. It’s a wonderful day.”
Romandro, who had been dancing with Viviana, nudged Ian’s shoulder.
Ian looked momentarily flustered. Jin, carefree and playing with the children, felt a twinge of envy—just a tiny bit. Did his expression show beneath his mask? He fidgeted nervously.
With a soft smile, Ian stood up. Hale froze, shocked. Ian, dancing? Really?
“Pianist, I’ll play a piece now. You can take a break.”
Of course. Ian wouldn’t do something like that.
Ian asked the pianist to hand over the keys and sat down himself. Slowly, he recalled the music and moved his fingers.
The melody was like a gentle spring breeze.
Soft and soothing, it made heads tilt naturally.
“Ian can play the piano too?”
“He’s excellent. Wow, this is beautiful.”
Philia tilted her head, then remembered the days Ian spent in Bratz receiving formal education. That must be where he learned.
“Come here, Jin.”
Philia beckoned to Jin, who was sitting alone. It was an invitation to join the dance.
Jin hesitated, fingers twitching. He knew the formal dances of high society but had never learned how to mingle naturally like this.
One of the neighborhood kids ran over and grabbed Jin’s arm.
“Huh? Hey, come on!”
“What are you doing? When we play, you have to join us.”
Surrounded by children his own age, Jin naturally blended in. He laughed heartily at their silly antics and soon took Philia’s hand, spinning and enjoying the music.
When Beric barged in, the warriors pulled him away, urging him to drink instead. Ian watched the scene from nearby.
The child wouldn’t realize—
“Ahahaha!”
For the first time, he was laughing out loud.
And Ian wouldn’t realize either—
“Look at Ian.”
“Wow, he’s really laughing like that.”
He was wearing a rare, genuine smile.
Tap tap tap!
Screech!
A carriage sped through the evening streets.
Behind the driver’s seat fluttered a flag marking the Imperial Magic Department. Though the sun had set over the residential area, a faint light shone distinctly in the distance.
“Is it that way?”
“Seems so. Pull up close and let us down.”
The driver tightened the reins at the wizard’s request. Two or three carriages were already parked in front of Romandro’s mansion.
The wizard, cloaked in black robes, cautiously looked around and rang the doorbell.
Ding-dong—
Thump! Thump thump!
“Is anyone home?”
Laughter and chatter from the garden suggested no one had gone to bed yet.
The door opened.
Beric, clearly tipsy, sniffed the air.
“What’s this? Who’s here?”
“Ian and Romandro are here, right? We’re from the Magic Department. Please come quickly.”
“Wait, Ian! Romaaan!”
Beric shouted, and Ian, drinking at the table, turned his head. Romandro, sitting beside him, looked half out of it. Unlike the lightly intoxicated Ian, Romandro seemed almost dazed.
“People from the Magic Department have arrived.”
“What’s going on?”
“Ian, Romandro, sorry to bother you during your leave.”
Unlike usual, Ian wore only a light shirt with his sleeves rolled up, clearly enjoying his time off. He took the letter the wizard handed him.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a message from the Prime Minister. I was ordered to deliver it personally. I don’t know the details.”
“Do I need to return to the palace now?”
“No. But there’s an early meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning. His Highness the Crown Prince is unwell and has canceled all today’s appointments.”
Romandro glanced sideways at the wizard. The Crown Prince was currently playing board games with the neighborhood kids, he thought.
Ian fingered the thickness of the letter and muttered,
“So, the vacation’s over by tomorrow morning.”
“Apologies. It’s your first since your appointment.”
“Enough. No need to apologize. Take care on your way back.”
“Yes, Ian. I’ll prepare for the meeting in advance. See you at the palace.”
Squeak.
Thud!
Ian had taken two days off, but wouldn’t even get to finish them. Romandro grumbled that he should have eaten less if he’d known.
Ian tore open the envelope and scanned its contents.
“Why the urgency, Ian?”
“The Prime Minister must have a good reason to contact me.”
Ian leaned against the wall, muttering to himself. He realized this was going to be a bit of a headache.
“It seems there’s been a disruption in the Clifford delegation’s return schedule.”
“What? Clifford? Did they get word from over there?”
“No, actually. The nearby guards sent an urgent report. There was a disturbance outside the territory late at night, and upon investigation, they found clear signs of bandits. The location and timing match Clifford’s expected return.”
“So! Prince Noah ran into bandits?”
Romandro gasped, clutching his cheeks in shock. This was serious—guests of honor encountering bandits within Bariel’s lands on their way home!
But Ian shook his head. If that were the case, it would be almost a relief. They’d just have to clean up the mess without any questions.
“It’s clear Clifford was attacked, but the problem is that the party involved denies it. They sent word that they’re proceeding toward the border without any issues.”
“W-what does that mean?”
“Exactly.”
Romandro tilted his head, confused. The evidence seemed solid, yet they were outright denying it.
From Clifford’s perspective, it would have been more advantageous to raise some personal grievance against Bariel. With the alliance talks coming up, what better strategy to gain the upper hand?
“I just don’t get it.”
“His Majesty seems to think the same, which is why he’s calling a meeting.”
Ian smiled faintly as he folded the letter neatly.
He said nothing more, but Romandro could tell. This was the superior he’d served all along. Narrowing his eyes, he studied Ian’s face.
“What’s going on, Ian?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why do I get the feeling you already know everything? Hmm?”
“Maybe you’ve had a bit too much to drink.”
“No, I haven’t! Come on, tell me what you’re thinking.”
Ian slipped the paper into his pocket and patted Romandro’s shoulder. Then, glancing off into the distance, he nodded toward the small guests laughing and chatting with kids their own age. His sigh carried an unspoken order.
“It’s time to send the children home. Let’s ask Hale to escort our little guests.”
Xiaoxi was here, but the sun was setting.
Philia, caught up in the mood, waved her hand, and Ian waved back. He could feel the gaze of the masked child fixed on him.
“…Night is falling. It’s time to go now.”