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Chapter 72
The sound of metal grinding through rock had repeated for long enough that Link had stopped considering it noise.
Now it was music.
Terrible music, capable of waking anyone within several kilometers, but music nonetheless.
Excadrill drove its three joined blades into the quarry wall. The lagmite housed inside its chest emitted an ochre glow, and the automaton advanced while large chunks of stone were expelled to either side.
—Slowly —Link ordered.
The blue eyes blinked.
The drill slowed.
A crack ran across the wall but did not spread to the ceiling.
—Better.
Luci floated over Excadrill's metallic head. The other four lights were spread throughout the tunnel, illuminating the sections that were still submerged in darkness.
Link struck one of the walls with his knuckles.
Listened.
Dense stone.
Farther ahead, the vibration changed.
Iron.
He could also distinguish some copper, though in such a low concentration that extracting it would barely justify the effort.
At least there was no water underneath.
—Continue.
Excadrill lowered its head and resumed drilling.
Link stepped aside while two kagunes gathered the loosened stones. Two others sorted them according to composition, while the remaining pair loaded them into large reinforced crates.
He had not displayed all six during the first few days.
Now he could move them without the tips opening, without accidentally marking every living surface they touched, and without instinct trying to search for mana where it should not.
The curse was still there.
Dormant.
Learning to restrain it had not made it disappear.
But it obeyed.
For now, that was enough.
A snort shook the quarry entrance.
Link turned his head.
Pepa waited outside.
The Wagpig had left behind any trace of infancy. Her body, covered in large dark plates, had reached nearly the height of a small house. Her thick legs sank several centimeters into the earth, and the harness around her torso had required reinforcement three times over the past few days.
Behind her stood the mining wagon.
Its wheels were nearly as tall as Link. The platform carried several crates of ore, tools, chunks of stone, and a small mountain of lumber intended to reinforce the tunnel.
Pepa snorted again.
Hot air entered the quarry and raised a cloud of dust.
—I'm coming.
The Wagpig struck one foot against the ground.
—It hasn't even been five minutes.
Another stomp.
—You're far too impatient for someone who spends half the day eating mana.
Pepa lowered her head.
The plates around her neck closed over the sides of her face.
It was not an expression of remorse.
It was instinctive submission.
She could pull a wagon loaded with several tons of stone, split a mature tree merely by leaning against it, and eat an entire door without suffering indigestion.
Even so, whenever Link raised his voice slightly, her body remembered something her animal mind did not need to understand.
The creature standing in front of her was worse.
Much worse.
Link walked over and placed his palm against one of her plates.
—You don't need to crouch every time I speak to you.
Pepa did not move.
—Only when you misbehave.
One ear tilted.
—That was a joke.
The Wagpig slowly raised her head.
Link allowed a moderate stream of mana to pass from his palm. The energy traveled across the plates around Pepa's neck and down her body, briefly illuminating the seams in her armor.
She closed her eyes.
The wagon creaked as her legs relaxed.
—Don't fall asleep.
Pepa opened one eye.
—You can rest afterward.
Movement came from the quarry.
Excadrill backed out, dragging another block.
The blades separated.
The automaton dropped the stone in front of Link.
A reddish vein ran through its center.
—Good job.
Excadrill raised one claw.
The metallic thumb had not been designed for the gesture, but it had learned to imitate Charizard.
Luci happily circled its head.
—We're done for today.
The automaton's eyes partially dimmed.
Link loaded the last block onto the wagon, secured the crates, and checked Pepa's harness.
The Wagpig started pulling before receiving the order.
The wagon moved with a squeal.
—Wait!
Pepa stopped.
Link picked up his backpack, stored the tools, and placed Excadrill on the rear of the vehicle.
—Now.
The Wagpig began the return trip.
She did not move as quickly as an Earth Dragon, but neither did she appear to notice the weight. Every step made the road vibrate and left a deep footprint in the dirt.
Link walked alongside her.
He had spent most of those past two days outside the manor.
In the mornings, he extracted ore.
Afterward, he sold part of it in Arlam or to merchants visiting the domain. The rest ended up inside his workshop, slowly becoming plates, screws, gears, and components for projects that still existed only on stained sheets of paper.
When he was not at the quarry, he repaired the gardens, fed the Wolgarms, supervised Pepa, trained the curse, or studied with Beatrice.
At night, he tried to sleep.
That was what he was worst at.
The nightmares continued appearing, though they no longer dragged him onto the roof. The few times Rem slept with him, he managed to rest for several uninterrupted hours.
On nights when he insisted on sleeping alone, Link ended up sitting in front of a window, waiting for sunrise.
He had not counted how many hours he had slept during the last two days.
Rem almost certainly had.
Pepa turned onto the road leading to Arlam.
The small trading post stood beside the plaza. Two men waited in front of a reinforced scale, though both stepped backward when the enormous Wagpig appeared between the trees.
—She doesn't bite —Link warned.
Pepa opened her mouth.
A row of enormous fangs appeared.
The men took another step back.
—That didn't help —one muttered.
—She's only yawning.
The Wagpig closed her mouth and watched the merchants.
Neither maintained eye contact for very long.
Link separated the crates he intended to sell.
Common iron.
Low-concentration copper.
Two blocks of mineral coal.
Nothing extraordinary, but enough to fill a bag with coins and reduce a small part of the amount Roswaal continued adding to his debt.
The merchant inspected the stones.
—The quality improved.
—Excadrill found another vein.
The man looked at the automaton.
—Excadrill?
—The miner.
—I thought it was called Drill.
—Subaru tried changing its name.
—Drill would be easier.
—No.
The negotiation lasted less than usual.
Link accepted a reasonable amount, stored the coins, and reserved part for wages, tools, and maintenance.
The debt went last.
As always.
Pepa received another stream of mana before they began the return trip. The Wagpig made a satisfied sound and started pulling the wagon without waiting.
Link climbed onto the platform.
He could have used Charizard and returned in minutes.
But the ore needed transportation.
And for some reason, riding atop a crate while a Mabeast the size of a house dragged several tons of stone had begun to feel like a perfectly ordinary way to end his morning.
The manor was at war.
Link understood that before crossing the entrance.
Subaru came running down one of the corridors with several strips of fabric hidden beneath his shirt.
Emilia followed him carrying an open box from which flowers, folded papers, and something resembling part of a crown protruded.
Puck flew behind them, attempting to keep a long red ribbon from dragging across the floor.
—Faster! —Subaru shouted.
—I'm trying not to drop anything!
—That too, but faster!
—Subaru, I can't do both things better just because you repeat it.
Beatrice emerged through a side door.
Subaru changed direction to avoid her.
The girl extended one leg.
He tripped.
The fabric went flying.
Emilia collided with his back.
The box tilted.
Puck caught the flowers with magic before they touched the floor.
Beatrice looked at the disaster.
—You are even more incompetent when trying to hide something, I suppose.
Link remained at the entrance.
His backpack hung from one shoulder, a bag of coins rested in one hand, and enough dust covered his clothes to leave a mark whenever he breathed.
—What are you doing?
All four froze.
Subaru remained face-down.
A blue ribbon hung from one ear.
—Nothing.
Link looked at Emilia.
—Nothing?
She hugged the box to her chest.
—It's a secret.
—That isn't the same thing as nothing.
—Emilia-tan!
—Sorry. He pressured me.
Link looked at the ribbons.
Blue.
Red.
Flowers.
Decorative paper.
Beatrice sighed.
—Betty doesn't understand why they're trying. He'll find out anyway.
—Find out what?
Ram spoke from the other end of the corridor.
—Tomorrow we will celebrate Rem's birthday.
She carried a folder under one arm and wore an expression so calm it seemed completely unrelated to the chaos.
Subaru raised his head.
—Nee-sama!
—Barusu was taking too long.
—THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO INCLUDE HIM WITHOUT SAYING IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HALLWAY!
—Then you should have avoided falling.
Link looked at Ram.
Then at the blue ribbons.
Then back at Ram.
—Rem's birthday?
—That is what Ram said.
—Tomorrow?
—The gardener retains the ability to understand simple words.
Link took one second.
—When is your birthday?
Ram looked at him.
Subaru stopped trying to stand.
Emilia blinked.
Puck hid behind his daughter.
—Tomorrow —Ram answered.
—Then it's both your birthdays.
—Ram does not need a celebration.
—I didn't ask whether you needed one.
Ram narrowed her eye.
—Rem spent too many years believing her existence was inferior. Ram will not allow her to feel like a secondary part of something that should belong to her.
Link did not respond immediately.
That, he could understand.
He could also recognize the exact way Ram was using a truth to disappear behind it.
—Then give her something that belongs only to her —he said—. A surprise only for Rem. A moment just for her. Whatever you want.
Ram did not look away.
—But don't turn your birthday into the price.
—Ram does not consider it a price.
—Of course not. I don't consider staying awake for three nights while finishing something a price either.
—Those are different situations.
—Different enough that you can recognize the stupidity when someone else does it.
Subaru covered his mouth with one hand.
Puck murmured:
—That hurt.
Ram looked toward him.
The spirit disappeared behind Emilia's hair.
Link continued:
—I'm not celebrating Rem's birth by pretending you weren't born at the same time.
—That is not your decision.
—You're right about that.
He pointed toward Subaru, Emilia, Puck, and Beatrice.
—It's up to everyone who wants to celebrate you both.
Subaru raised one hand.
—The planning committee votes for both.
—Me too —Emilia added.
Puck emerged from hiding.
—Two cakes mean two chances to steal frosting.
Beatrice crossed her arms.
—Betty does not participate in ridiculous voting.
—That sounds like an abstention —Subaru said.
—It sounds like you should shut up.
Everyone looked at Ram.
She closed her eyes.
For an instant, she looked tired.
Not physically.
Tired of arguing against too many people who had decided not to accept her retreat.
—Rem will have her surprise —she finally said.
—Yes.
—Nothing you do will reduce her celebration.
—Yes.
—Ram will not wear any ridiculous crown.
Subaru hid something behind his back.
—That can be negotiated.
—No.
—Understood.
Ram looked back at Link.
—And the gardener will bathe before going anywhere near the decorations.
—Deal.
She tried to pass him.
Link remembered something.
—Wait.
Ram stopped without turning.
—How old will you be?
Subaru made a strange sound.
Emilia tilted her head.
Ram looked over her shoulder.
—Eighteen.
Link relaxed his shoulders.
—Ah.
—Tomorrow.
The relaxation vanished.
—What do you mean tomorrow?
—Today we are seventeen.
The world remained still.
Link looked at Ram.
Then Subaru.
Then Ram again.
—Seventeen?
—Yes.
—Both of you?
Ram examined him as if she were unsure whether he still possessed a brain.
—We are twins.
—I know you're twins. THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM!
Subaru began laughing.
Not discreetly.
He bent over and struck the floor.
—He didn't know! He really didn't know!
Link pointed at him.
—You didn't tell me either.
—YOU NEVER ASKED!
—YOU KNEW MY AGE!
—I THOUGHT YOU KNEW YOUR OWN GIRLFRIEND'S AGE!
—I THOUGHT THEY WERE EIGHTEEN!
Emilia raised one hand.
—Is there a big difference?
Link opened his mouth.
Closed it.
He could not explain that crisis without explaining far too many other things.
—Where I come from... it sounds worse than I'd like.
Ram raised an eyebrow.
—The gardener is twenty-one, not fifty.
—It doesn't help when you say it like that.
—Link?
Rem's voice came from the side corridor.
Everyone turned.
She had appeared carrying a basket of clean clothes. Luci floated beside her head. The other four lesser spirits followed in a line.
Rem looked at the scattered ribbons.
At Subaru on the floor.
At Emilia hugging flowers.
At Link covered in dust and undergoing a moral crisis.
—Did something happen?
—Nothing —everyone answered.
Rem blinked.
Link looked at her.
Seventeen.
His mind replayed too many moments with completely unnecessary speed.
The nights sharing a bed.
The kisses.
Rem touching his horns.
The deliberate way she had learned to approach him.
None of it had been forced.
Nothing had happened without consent.
That did not stop his conscience from deciding to hit him with a chair.
Rem approached.
—Link is pale.
He took half a step back.
She stopped.
—Why are you moving away?
—I'm not.
—You did.
—I need a bath.
Rem looked down at his clothes.
—That is true.
Ram walked beside her sister.
—The gardener just discovered our age.
Rem looked at Link again.
Her blue eyes opened slightly wider.
Then something resembling amusement appeared in them.
—Ah.
—Don't say "ah" like that.
—How should Rem say it?
—I don't know. With concern.
—Rem is not concerned.
—Well, I am.
—Tomorrow I turn eighteen.
—That doesn't change the last few days.
Rem held the basket in one hand and used the other to take Link's fingers.
—Do you regret it?
The answer came immediately.
—No.
—Then you can breathe.
—It isn't that simple.
—For Rem it is.
Link looked at their joined hands.
—I should have asked.
—Rem could have told you.
—That doesn't improve my situation.
—Then both of us made a mistake.
—You didn't do anything.
—Link is deciding for Rem again.
He raised his head.
Rem was smiling.
Not provocatively.
Simply with certainty.
—Rem knew her own age —she continued—. She also knew Link's. And she chose to be with him.
The guilt did not disappear.
But some of its strength did.
Ram walked away with the folder.
—Tomorrow he will no longer have even that excuse.
Link covered his face.
Subaru started laughing again.
Rem gently squeezed his hand before releasing it.
—First you need a bath.
—Yes.
—Then food.
—Yes.
—And afterward Rem would like to know why there are ribbons on the floor.
Everyone froze.
Luci circled Rem.
One of the other lights entered the basket and lifted a stocking.
Rem looked at the spirit.
The light flew toward the stairs.
Another took a handkerchief.
The third pushed a shirt.
The fourth briefly lit one corner of the basket without actually burning it.
—Wait!
Rem ran after them.
Luci followed the group.
Subaru watched them disappear.
—Was that intentional?
Link looked at the five spirits fleeing with stolen clothing.
—I just told them to distract her.
—They're efficient —Emilia said.
An undershirt fell from the upper floor.
Puck caught it before it reached the ground.
—In their own way.
Link picked up the bag of coins.
—I need to buy several things.
Ram returned and handed him a folded sheet.
—Measurements.
Link took it.
—For both?
—Do not read it aloud.
—I wasn't going to.
—Barusu would.
Subaru approached.
—What are we buying?
Link placed the paper inside the backpack.
—I'm buying the gifts.
—With what money?
He shook the bag.
The coins jingled.
Subaru's eyes widened.
—Mining works.
—Sometimes.
—THEN LET'S GO!
—You're staying here to prepare.
—But I'm the celebration expert.
—Exactly.
Subaru looked at the hallway ruined by ribbons, flowers, and fleeing clothing.
—Good point.
Link left through the main door.
He ran.
Crossed the garden, jumped over the outer fence, and accelerated down the road toward Arlam.
Wind struck his face.
The trees became green blurs.
Each footstep sank slightly into the road.
He had already covered more than half the distance when a shadow crossed above him.
Link looked up.
Charizard was calmly flying in the opposite direction, carrying an empty crate in its claws.
The automaton turned its head.
Watched him running.
Raised its thumb.
Link stopped.
Earth erupted in front of his feet.
He remained motionless for several seconds.
—I have a flying mount.
Charizard continued moving away.
—I have a flying mount —he repeated.
A farmer in a nearby field looked at him.
Link started running again.
—I'm already halfway there.
Petra was repairing a sleeve when Link entered the house out of breath.
The girl raised her head.
Her mother, sitting beside a table covered with fabric, almost dropped a needle.
—I need two dresses.
Petra looked through the window.
—Where is Charizard?
Link rested both hands on his knees.
—Doesn't matter.
—You came running.
—I need two dresses.
—You own something that flies.
—Petra.
—And Pepa pulls a wagon.
—PETRA!
The girl hid a smile.
—For when?
—Tonight.
The smile disappeared.
Her mother lowered the needle.
—Impossible.
Link dropped the bag onto the table.
Coins spilled out.
—Now?
The woman looked at the money.
Petra approached.
—Still almost impossible.
—I need it to be only almost.
He handed over the sheet with the measurements.
Petra's mother examined it.
—Twins.
—Yes.
—They are not exactly identical.
—No.
—That makes the fitting harder.
—I can pay more.
—Money does not sew by itself.
One kagune appeared.
It picked up a spool.
Another took a pair of scissors.
The remaining four held fabric, needles, and a box of buttons.
—I have extra hands.
Petra pointed at him.
—You don't know how to sew.
—I can hold things.
—That, yes.
The woman studied the measurements.
Then looked toward two large trunks against the wall.
—A merchant left several dresses here before departing for the capital. We were supposed to finish some adjustments when he returned.
—Are there two that could work?
—Maybe.
She opened the first trunk.
Inside lay folded fabrics and almost-finished garments.
Petra knelt beside her.
Together they pulled out a dark-red dress and another in deep blue.
They were not identical.
The red one had firmer lines, fitted sleeves, and an elegant skirt that fell without excessive decoration.
The blue one had a softer drape, white details along the collar, and a silver ribbon around the waist.
Link looked at them.
—Those.
—They still need adjustments.
—Do them.
—Materials and urgent work will cost—
—Yes.
—I haven't even said the amount.
—Doesn't matter.
Petra looked up.
—Roswaal-sama is going to continue charging your debt.
—Roswaal can wait.
—You always say that.
—And he's still waiting.
Petra's mother examined the measurements again.
—We'll need several hours.
—You have until the afternoon.
—Petra will need to help.
—I'll pay her.
The girl frowned.
—I don't need—
—Your time has value.
Petra fell silent.
She had heard that phrase before.
She took the blue dress.
—I'll fold the seams on the skirt.
—I'll get everything else.
—What is everything else?
Link looked around.
—Anything you can buy for a party without making it look like we're planning a wedding.
Petra's mother looked at him.
—That is worryingly specific.
—People at the manor have moderation problems.
Petra raised one eyebrow.
—You erased a mountain.
—That's why I recognize the problem.
Link returned to the manor three hours later.
This time he used Charizard.
The automaton carried several boxes strapped to its torso and two large packages between its claws. Link rode on its back carrying bags of fruit, candles, ribbons, and an amount of sweets Beatrice absolutely could not discover before the proper moment.
They landed behind the workshop.
Ram was waiting.
—You took too long.
—You ordered two dresses made in a single afternoon.
—The gardener was the one who decided to do that.
—Because you were trying to celebrate only Rem.
—Ram still considers that a good idea.
Link handed over the two main boxes.
Ram took the red one.
She read the small card tied to the ribbon.
Her name had been written in Petra's corrected handwriting.
—You did not need to buy this.
—Yes.
—No.
—Then don't wear it.
Ram looked at him.
—But it's yours.
—That argument makes no sense.
—That's what everyone says when they want to keep something.
She said nothing.
Link handed her the blue box.
—Hide it somewhere Rem won't find it.
—Rem already suspects something.
—The spirits are still distracting her.
A noise came from inside the manor.
Something fell.
Then Rem shouted:
—Luci, return that immediately!
A tiny light flew out a window carrying one of the ribbons from Rem's uniform.
The other four followed.
Ram observed the chase.
—They cannot keep that up for long.
—They don't need to.
Link put down the purchases.
—I'll take her to Arlam.
—With what excuse?
—A date.
Ram tilted her head slightly.
—The gardener is still having a crisis over her age.
—I don't need you reminding me.
—Distracting her will be difficult if you cannot look at her.
—I can look at her.
Rem appeared through the rear door.
Link looked away too quickly.
Ram observed his reaction.
—Clearly.
Rem's hair was slightly disordered, and she held one of the spirits between both hands. The small light tried to escape.
—The spirits are behaving strangely.
—They're spirits —Link replied—. That's normal.
Luci hid behind his head.
Rem looked at the boxes.
Ram covered them with a blanket.
—What's in there?
—The gardener's belongings.
—Minerals —Link added.
Ram looked at him.
—Minerals inside decorated boxes?
—Elegant minerals.
Rem narrowed her eyes.
Link walked toward her.
—Come with me to Arlam.
—Now?
—Yes.
—Rem still has work.
Ram intervened.
—Ram will handle it.
Rem looked at her sister.
Then Link.
Then the hidden boxes.
—You're preparing something.
—No —Link said.
—Yes —Emilia said from a window.
Subaru appeared behind her and pulled her away.
—EMILIA-TAN!
—SORRY!
Rem crossed her arms.
—Link.
—I can't tell you.
—Then you are preparing something.
—Possibly.
—And you want to get Rem away?
—I want to take you to Arlam.
She held his gaze for several seconds.
Then her expression softened.
—Is it a date?
—Yes.
Rem released the spirit.
—Then Rem accepts.
The light escaped.
Link blinked.
—That easily?
—Rem does not need to know the reason if Link wishes to spend time with her.
Ram picked up the boxes.
—Leave before Rem changes her mind.
—Rem will not.
Link looked at his own clothes.
He had managed to remove most of the dust, but he still wore his work shirt.
Rem examined him.
—First, you will change.
—We can go like this.
—It is a date.
—Five seconds ago you didn't know it was one.
—Now Rem does.
She took his hand and led him toward the manor.
Ram waited until they disappeared.
Then removed the blanket.
She opened her box.
Only slightly.
Red fabric appeared between the paper.
Ram touched it with two fingers.
Closed the box immediately.
—Annoying —she murmured.
She did not return the gift.
Walking to Arlam would have been slower.
So they went on Charizard.
Link sat in front. Rem occupied the seat behind him and wrapped both arms around his waist.
It was not strictly necessary.
The seat had straps.
She chose to ignore them.
Charizard took off.
Rem pressed herself against Link's back as the automaton gained altitude.
—You can use the strap —he said.
—Rem is safe like this.
—The strap is safer.
—It does not hug.
Link stopped arguing.
The flight lasted only a few minutes.
Charizard descended beside the Arlam plaza, where several children were pretending not to wait for them.
They were terrible at it.
Petra had half her body hidden behind a barrel.
Meina held flowers far too large to conceal.
Lucas kept both hands behind his back, though something with legs was trying to escape between his fingers.
Link climbed down.
Rem followed.
Her arms remained around him for a moment longer than necessary.
—We're here —he murmured.
—Rem knows.
—Then you can release me.
Rem rested her chin on his shoulder.
—Link was the one who said it was a date.
—That doesn't mean you need to kill me in front of children.
—You do not appear to be dying.
Petra stepped out from behind the barrel.
—Not yet.
Rem moved away.
Link looked at the girl.
—How long have you been standing there?
—Since before you landed.
—You heard nothing.
—Charizard doesn't make that much noise when it lands.
Rem hid a smile.
Link decided to pretend nothing had happened.
—Did you finish?
Petra nodded.
Rem caught the word.
—Finish what?
—Nothing.
—Link lies worse when he is nervous.
—Wait here.
He approached Petra.
The girl discreetly handed him a small key.
—The dresses are in the boxes. Mom corrected everything.
—Thank you.
—The blue stitching required more work.
—Why?
Petra looked at Rem.
Then Link.
—The measurements were not the same.
—They're twins, not copies.
—That's what Mom said.
—She's right.
Rem approached.
—What are you talking about?
Petra hid the key.
—Sewing.
—For whom?
—A client.
Rem looked at both of them.
Link took her hand.
—Come on.
—Where?
—Over there.
—That description is not helpful.
The children began moving.
All at once.
None discreetly.
Link led Rem into the center of the plaza.
She noticed the looks.
The hidden objects.
Petra's guilty smile.
—Link.
—This isn't the manor surprise.
—Then you admit there is one.
—Too late to deny it.
The children formed a line in front of her.
Petra stood at the center.
They looked at one another.
Lucas lost control of what he had hidden. A shiny beetle escaped his hands and crawled along his arm.
Petra closed her eyes.
—We told him not to bring that.
—It's pretty!
—It's an insect!
—Insects can be gifts too!
Rem looked at the small group, still not understanding.
Petra inhaled.
—Now.
Everyone raised their presents.
—Happy early birthday, Rem-rin!
Rem remained motionless.
Meina offered her the flowers.
Another child held out a handkerchief with uneven embroidery.
There was a small clay pot, fruit, vegetables, bread, a ribbon, a carved figure resembling a Wolgarm with legs that were far too short, and, despite every warning, a beetle.
—It is not Rem's birthday yet —she said weakly.
—That's why it's early —Petra answered.
—Tomorrow you might be busy at the manor —Meina added.
—And we wanted to do it ourselves —said another child.
Lucas raised the beetle.
—His name is Blue.
—He's green —Link pointed out.
—Blue is the name.
Rem continued looking at them.
Her hands closed around her skirt.
—You did not have to prepare anything.
The children exchanged glances.
Petra answered:
—We wanted to.
The word was enough.
Rem lowered herself to her knees so she was at their height.
She accepted the flowers.
Then the handkerchief.
The little clay pot.
Every present was accepted with both hands.
She listened to the explanations even when they made no sense.
She thanked them for the bread.
Promised to use the vegetables.
Said the Wolgarm figure was lovely even though it resembled a potato with teeth.
Finally, she reached Lucas.
The boy held out the beetle.
Rem looked at it.
—It is very pretty.
Lucas smiled.
—Will you keep him?
—Blue needs to live in the forest.
The smile fell.
Rem gently touched the boy's head.
—But Rem will remember that Lucas wanted to give him to her.
He looked at the insect.
Then nodded.
—Then I'll release him.
He ran toward the trees.
The other children gathered around Rem.
They all spoke at once.
Asked which present she liked most.
Whether she would use the handkerchief.
Whether she would cook the vegetables.
Whether the figure really looked like a Wolgarm.
Rem answered as best she could.
Link stepped away a few paces.
Petra stood beside him.
—She's crying.
Rem had not shed any tears.
But her eyes were shining.
—Not yet.
—She will when nobody is looking.
—Probably.
Petra crossed her arms.
—You bought something too.
—Two things.
—The red dress came out better than I expected.
Link looked at her.
—Which one did you like more?
—The red one.
—Why?
—It was harder.
A seamstress's answer.
Link smiled.
—Keep practicing.
—Yes.
—The next commission won't be urgent.
—I hope so.
—I'm not promising anything.
Petra sighed.
Rem approached carrying presents.
Link took half.
—I can carry them.
—Rem can too.
—I know.
—You are avoiding looking at me again.
—No.
—Yes.
They walked to a quiet area beside the stream.
The children remained behind preparing some food with the adults.
Rem sat on the grass.
Link put the presents aside.
For several minutes, they listened only to the water.
—Thank you —she said.
—The gifts were theirs.
—The invitation was Link's.
—The conspiracy was Petra's.
—The distraction came from the spirits.
—Then you should thank everyone.
Rem rested her head against his shoulder.
—Rem can start with you.
Link looked toward the stream.
—I still feel strange.
—Because of the age.
—Yes.
—Does Link believe Rem cannot choose for herself?
—No.
—Does he believe he deceived her?
—No.
—Did he force Rem to return his feelings?
—No.
—Then?
Link remained silent.
—I should have known.
—That is different.
—I'm twenty-one.
—And Rem is seventeen for a few more hours.
—Don't say it like that.
She raised her head.
—Tomorrow Rem will be eighteen.
—I know.
—The difference will not change.
—I know that too.
—Then Link is punishing himself for not asking something Rem did not believe necessary to mention either.
—When you put it that way, it sounds stupid.
—A little.
Link looked at her.
Rem smiled gently.
—I'm not trying to treat you like a child.
—Rem knows.
—And I don't want to ignore—
—Rem knows that too.
She took his hand.
Intertwined their fingers.
—You do not need to decide today what you would have done had you known earlier. It already happened. Rem chose to be with Link while knowing both of their ages.
—What if I say we should wait a few hours before kissing again?
Rem considered the proposal.
—Rem would think Link is running away.
—That isn't a no.
—Nor is it a yes.
—You're evil.
—Slightly.
Link laughed.
The tension eased.
Rem rested her head against his shoulder again.
—You may continue holding Rem's hand.
—Thank you for the permission.
—And hug her.
—Very generous.
—The rest can wait until after midnight.
Link choked on his own breath.
Rem closed her eyes.
Her expression was far too innocent.
—You said that on purpose.
—Rem does not know what you mean.
—Of course you do.
—Perhaps Link is imagining improper things.
—YOU STARTED IT!
Rem's laughter mixed with the water.
Link decided arguing would only worsen his situation.
When they returned, the manor was dark.
Not normal darkness.
Every lamp on the first floor had been extinguished.
Rem climbed down from Charizard and looked at the windows.
—This is suspicious.
—Maybe everyone is asleep.
—It is not that late.
—Maybe there was a blackout.
—What is that?
—A lagmite failure.
—Lagmites do not work that way.
Link opened the main entrance.
The foyer was empty.
Luci appeared from one corner.
Her golden light floated in front of Rem and began moving.
—Looks like we're supposed to follow her —Link said.
—It seems Link already knew she would appear.
—Coincidence.
Rem squeezed his hand.
—Rem will collect payment for all these lies later.
—As long as the payments are reasonable.
She did not answer.
The smile was enough.
Luci led them to the grand hall.
The door was closed.
The other four lights waited around the frame.
Blue.
Red.
Green.
White.
When Rem approached, all five began circling.
Link looked at the small clock sitting on a nearby table.
Only seconds remained.
Ram had chosen to wait until the exact change of day.
Rem noticed too.
—What time is it?
—Almost midnight.
She turned toward him.
—Link.
—Wait.
Noise came from inside.
Subaru whispering far too loudly.
Someone hitting him.
Puck laughing.
Beatrice ordering silence.
The clock advanced.
A small sound marked the change.
Link opened the door.
The hall lights came on at once.
—Happy birthday!
Red and blue flowers covered the tables.
The ribbons that had earlier been scattered everywhere formed arches across the walls.
Two places had been prepared in front of a long table.
Two names.
Ram.
Rem.
Emilia held a flower crown in each hand.
Subaru wore a ridiculous hat and had another hidden behind his back.
Puck floated beside a cake divided into two halves.
Beatrice stood suspiciously close to a mountain of sweets.
Roswaal slowly applauded from the rear.
Ram remained beside the table.
She wore no crown.
Yet.
Rem remained at the entrance.
She looked at her own name.
Then at her sister's.
—Nee-sama...
Ram looked away.
—The gardener proved impossible to convince.
—It wasn't only me.
Subaru raised both hands.
—THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY DECIDED THAT BOTH TWINS DESERVE TO BE CELEBRATED!
—Betty did not vote.
—BY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY!
Rem walked toward her sister.
Ram waited.
—You wanted it to be only for Rem.
—It was a reasonable idea.
—No.
—Rem does not need to argue today.
—Neither does nee-sama.
Ram sighed.
—The gardener is spreading bad habits.
Rem took her hand.
—Thank you for wanting to celebrate Rem.
Ram's gaze softened.
Only slightly.
—Naturally.
—But Rem wants to celebrate nee-sama.
Ram looked down at their joined fingers.
—You are stubborn.
—She learned from nee-sama.
Subaru appeared behind Ram and placed a crown over her head.
The silence was immediate.
Ram slowly turned.
Subaru was already hiding behind Emilia.
—It was Puck's idea.
—Traitor! —the spirit protested.
Ram touched the flowers.
Then looked toward Rem.
Her sister was already wearing the second crown.
She did not remove her own.
The celebration began.
Emilia gave them two small hair ornaments she had made with Puck. They were not perfect. One flower was slightly crooked and the ribbon on the other was longer.
Ram said they were acceptable.
Emilia understood the compliment.
Subaru gave them two hand-carved stamps.
One displayed a red horn.
The other a blue one.
He had used potatoes for his first attempts, and Beatrice had forbidden him from giving them away after they began rotting.
The final versions were made of wood.
Beatrice gave them a small book.
—It is for recording presents, I suppose. That way Barusu cannot invent absurd numbers the next time he organizes something.
—IT WAS AN ARTISTIC BUDGET!
Roswaal announced that both of them would have the entire day off.
Ram answered that it would merely increase the workload afterward.
Roswaal added that nobody would be allowed to order them to perform any duties.
Rem looked at Link.
He raised both hands.
—Me neither.
—That includes you —she said.
—It isn't my birthday.
—Rem can ask for it as a birthday wish.
—That is abuse of tradition.
—She hasn't blown out the candles yet.
—I withdraw my complaint.
The cakes were cut.
One was fruit-based for Ram, the other sweet cream for Rem. Puck stole a piece before it reached the plates.
Beatrice denied eating three portions.
The cream stains on her cheek did not help.
Link waited until everyone else had finished giving their presents.
Then he placed two boxes on the table.
Ram immediately recognized hers.
Rem looked at the blue ribbon.
—Elegant minerals?
Link coughed.
—That was improvised.
—Rem guessed.
—Open them.
The twins removed the ribbons.
Ram lifted her lid first.
The red fabric appeared.
Rem uncovered the blue dress.
Neither spoke.
Emilia approached.
—They're beautiful.
—They were fitted specifically for you —Link said—. Petra and her mother did the alterations.
Ram touched one sleeve.
—You spent the mining money.
—Part of it.
—How much?
—Doesn't matter.
—Then it was too much.
—Enough.
Rem held the blue fabric against her body.
—Did Link choose them?
—Yes.
—They aren't the same.
—Neither are you.
Ram looked up.
Link continued before thinking too much.
—You're twins. Not copies.
Rem closed her fingers over the dress.
Ram lowered her gaze again.
—The gardener prepared a tolerable phrase.
—Petra said something similar.
—Then it wasn't yours.
—The important part was.
Emilia took both sisters by the arms.
—You have to try them on.
—Now —Puck added.
—Obviously —Subaru said.
Ram looked at everyone.
—Ram will not participate in a fashion show.
—We only want to see them —Emilia explained.
—That is a fashion show with fewer steps.
Rem looked at Link.
—Rem wants to wear it.
Ram lost the vote without anyone needing to count.
The sisters withdrew with Emilia.
Beatrice claimed she had no interest but followed them to prevent Emilia from making mistakes with the clasps.
Link remained beside Subaru.
—Do you think they liked them?
Subaru looked at him.
—Rem almost cried.
—She didn't cry.
—That's why I said almost.
—Ram didn't react.
—She didn't remove the crown.
Link looked toward the door.
Subaru patted him on the back.
—Trust me. You survived.
—They still have to come out.
—That sounds like a different kind of concern.
—Shut up.
The door opened again.
Emilia came out first.
She was smiling too much.
Then Ram appeared.
The dark-red dress followed elegant, firm lines. The skirt fell to her ankles, with black details near the hem. The fitted sleeves and high collar suited her upright posture.
She did not look as though she were wearing a costume.
She looked like someone who should always have owned something like it.
Ram stopped.
—You can stop staring.
—It looks really good on you —Link said.
She raised an eyebrow.
—The gardener should remember which sister is his partner.
—I can recognize that you look good without falling in love with you.
—Rem will decide whether that is true.
The person in question appeared behind her.
Link forgot the answer he had intended to give.
The blue dress gently followed Rem's figure before opening into a skirt decorated with fine silver lines. White details framed her shoulders, and the ribbon around the waist matched her hair.
Rem walked to the center of the room.
Stopped in front of Link.
—Well?
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Subaru leaned toward Puck.
—He died.
—He's still breathing —the spirit replied.
—Barely.
Rem slowly turned.
The skirt opened around her legs.
When she faced him again, a faint blush colored her cheeks.
—Do you like it?
—Yes.
—You only said one word.
—I'm trying to preserve my dignity.
—There does not seem to be much left.
Ram sat.
—Rem, turn around again. Perhaps the gardener will forget how to close his mouth.
—Nee-sama.
Rem did not turn again.
Instead, she approached Link.
Took his arm and leaned against him with a soft, deliberate, and entirely unnecessary amount of pressure.
Link became rigid.
Rem looked up.
—Now I'm eighteen.
He produced a strangled noise.
Subaru turned around to laugh.
Emilia covered her mouth.
Puck made no attempt to hide it.
Ram picked up a glass.
—Ram hopes not to become an aunt before breakfast.
Link choked without having drunk anything.
—WHY DO YOU SAY THINGS LIKE THAT?!
Rem did not move away.
—Nee-sama thinks too far ahead.
—Ram knows her sister.
—THAT WASN'T A DENIAL! —Link protested.
Rem slid her hand along his arm.
—Link becomes flustered very easily.
—You're conspiring against me.
—Birthday girl —Ram said—. She has permission.
—IT'S TWO AGAINST ONE!
Subaru raised one hand.
—I support my Latino brother in this crisis.
—Nobody invited you.
—Then I withdraw my support.
Rem finally stepped away.
She walked toward her sister with a cadence only slightly more pronounced than usual.
Link followed her with his eyes.
Only when Ram smiled did he realize Rem had done it deliberately.
—She learns worse things every day —he murmured.
Puck landed on his shoulder.
—She's in love.
—That doesn't make it less dangerous.
Music began shortly afterward.
There was no grand dance.
Subaru taught a simple sequence of steps he claimed to remember from some celebration. Roswaal pointed out that it looked invented.
Subaru admitted half of it was.
Emilia danced with Puck floating above her hands.
Beatrice refused until Luci began circling around her.
Ram watched from a chair.
Rem took Link's hand.
—Will you dance?
—Not well.
—Neither does Rem.
—That isn't true.
—Then you can follow her.
They needed no more space than the small circle in front of the table.
Link placed one hand on her waist.
Rem rested hers on his shoulder.
They began slowly.
There was no actual choreography.
Only short steps and the need to avoid one another's feet.
—You stepped on my shoe —Link murmured.
—It was a warning.
—For what?
—All of today's lies.
—They were necessary.
—Rem will decide that.
—How many warnings remain?
—Ten.
—That sounds familiar.
Rem smiled.
—Rem keeps her promises.
—We never agreed on ten.
—Then there can be more.
Link accepted that he had lost that argument.
They continued moving while the celebration filled the room.
For the first time in several days, he did not think about the quarry.
Nor the curse.
Nor the miasma accumulating inside his body.
Nor the collar forgotten beneath plans and tools.
Only the woman in blue watching him as though that night were enough.
Ram removed the crown when she entered her room.
She placed it carefully on the table.
She did not throw it away.
Rem closed the door behind them.
She still wore the blue dress.
Ram remained in red.
For several seconds, they looked at their reflections in the mirror.
Two different colors.
Two different dresses.
Two different crowns on the table.
—It suits you —Rem said.
Ram adjusted one sleeve.
—Naturally.
—Nee-sama was happy.
—Ram tolerated the celebration.
—She was happy.
—Rem appears to have developed the bad habit of contradicting her.
Rem walked to her sister.
Sat beside her in front of the mirror.
—Why did you want them to celebrate only Rem?
Ram did not answer immediately.
—Because you deserved it.
—Nee-sama does too.
—Ram does not need—
—Rem did not ask whether you needed it.
Ram turned her head.
The sentence belonged to Link.
Rem knew it.
She did not apologize.
—Ram wanted Rem to have something of her own —Ram said—. Without comparisons. Without anyone looking at her sister first.
Rem lowered her gaze toward her hands.
—She did.
—Then it worked.
—Rem also wanted nee-sama there.
—Ram was there.
—As a guest.
—That is enough.
Rem slowly shook her head.
—Not for Rem.
Ram remained silent.
Rem took her hand.
—For a long time, Rem thought everything good about her birth belonged to nee-sama. Then she thought everything bad belonged to Rem.
Ram's fingers tensed.
—That was stupid.
—Yes.
—Ram never thought that.
—Rem knows now.
She raised their joined hands.
—Today they did not celebrate the prodigy and her sister. Nor the perfect maid and the one who needs help.
Ram watched her.
—They celebrated Ram and Rem.
The room remained quiet.
Ram looked at her dress.
Then at her sister's blue one.
—The gardener spent too much money.
—Yes.
—And Barusu turned the hall into a disaster.
—Yes.
—Emilia-sama placed several flowers incorrectly.
—Rem fixed them before we entered.
—Betty stole sweets.
—Five.
—Seven.
Rem smiled.
Ram rested her head against hers.
The gesture lasted only a short while.
Enough.
—Ram was happy —she admitted.
Rem's smile trembled.
—Rem was too.
She removed something hidden inside her sleeve.
A small ribbon.
Half red.
Half blue.
The embroidery was not perfect.
Petra had taught her several stitches, but Rem had finished it herself.
—This is for nee-sama.
Ram accepted it.
—Rem also prepared a present.
—Of course.
—Ram thought nobody would remember the birthday.
—Nee-sama always remembers Rem's.
—And Rem always remembers nee-sama's.
Ram held the ribbon between her fingers.
—You should keep it.
—It is yours.
—It does not match the dress.
—You can use it tomorrow.
—Ram will decide.
She did not return it.
Rem leaned against her shoulder.
The two remained in front of the mirror without speaking.
They did not need to.
The celebration had ended by the time they returned to the hall.
Subaru was sleeping with his head on a table.
Puck rested on his hair.
Beatrice had disappeared along with a bag of sweets.
Emilia helped collect plates.
Roswaal had withdrawn.
Link stood beside a window, looking toward the courtyard.
Pepa slept outside.
Even lying down, her body rose above the height of the fence. The mining wagon stood to one side, still loaded with the materials Link had decided to keep.
Rem approached.
Link looked back.
The twins were still wearing the dresses.
Ram wore the red-and-blue ribbon around her wrist.
He noticed.
Did not ask.
—Did the secret conversation end?
—It was not secret —Ram replied.
—Only private —Rem added.
—Meaning you won't tell me.
—The gardener learns.
Link leaned his back against the wall.
—I'm glad you liked them.
Ram examined her dress.
—It is acceptable.
Rem positioned herself beside him.
—Rem loves hers.
—A more useful reaction.
—Do not become accustomed to it —Ram said.
Link looked outside.
Then at both of them.
—When morning comes, I have another surprise.
Ram closed her eyes.
—No.
—You don't even know what it is.
—Precisely.
Rem leaned toward him.
—Another one?
—Yes.
—For both of us?
—For both.
Ram crossed her arms.
—How much did it cost?
—You do not ask the price of a gift.
—Then too much.
—Not necessarily.
—Does it include another creature?
Link looked at Pepa.
The Wagpig snorted in her sleep.
One wheel of the mining wagon moved.
—No.
Ram followed his gaze.
—You hesitated.
—It does not include another creature.
—An explosion?
—Not that either.
Rem took his hand.
—We'll wait.
—There isn't much left until sunrise —Link said.
Ram started toward the door.
—Then the gardener should sleep before presenting a surprise while hallucinating.
—I was planning to check the quarry—
Rem tightened her hand.
Link corrected himself.
—I was planning to sleep.
—Excellent decision —Ram said.
—You didn't have to sound so surprised.
Ram left the hall.
Rem gently pulled Link in the same direction.
Before following her, he looked once more at the decorations.
Two names remained written over the table.
Ram.
Rem.
Neither was larger.
Neither had been placed behind the other.
Link extinguished the final lamp.
And for that night, neither one had to disappear for the other to be celebrated.