Today is the King's birthday — a celebration held throughout the kingdom, and with it, a grand festival.
And here I am, standing in a hooded cloak that looks so weird.
"We bought glasses and eye lenses of different colours so that nobody recognises you," Tindra said, beaming with excitement.
"You should change your hairstyle a bit," Noomi suggested.
"I should just stay at home…" I sighed in defeat.
"Don't be so frustrated over something as simple as this! You'll get to enjoy the festival and fireworks — think of it!" Tindra exclaimed.
"Right, right…"
After half an hour, I was ready in the disguise Noomi and Tindra had decorated for me. I wonder how weird I look right now.
"Are you leaving, guys?" Shimi asked as she entered the room.
"Yes — would you like to join us?" Noomi offered.
"I'm afraid she can't," Master Obrone said, entering behind her.
"Well then, we're leaving, Master Obrone." I waved as the portal to the capital opened.
"Sure, off you go." He waved back as we disappeared in the glowing light.
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We appeared in the park in just a few seconds — the same place where we often met.
"I'm an amateur at teleportation magic, but I'm glad it worked," Noomi said with relief.
As we entered the festival area, crowds gathered, waiting for the banquet and festivities to begin. Tindra had to leave us to attend the royal banquet with her father.
Now, there were only two of us.
"Hey, what's the reason behind this huge celebration — even foreign merchants are coming?" I asked.
"As far as I know, it's because our kingdom signed a treaty with the Kingdom of Ozlanor," Noomi replied. "They'll be displaying a relic that symbolizes the friendship between the two kingdoms."
"I see. So that's why a birthday celebration is this big. Saves on expenses, I guess."
"Yeah — getting two birds with one stone."
Within an hour, the festival began. The citizens chanted, "May our kingdom be blessed with prosperity and glory!"
I suppose both kings had already displayed the relic of friendship.
"I bet Tindra's enjoying the luxurious food — and probably dancing with some guys," Noomi said.
"Perhaps she's enjoying herself more there."
We roamed through the festival — stalls, performances, merchants — everything felt lively. Foreign traders were selling rare goods: medicinal herbs, mana fragments, jewelry, decorations, utensils. Everything sparkled under the lanterns.
Suddenly, Noomi shook me. "Isn't that Freja Asher with that Rein guy?"
I turned to look. Sure enough, Rein and Freja stood at a food stall, buying chicken lollipops. Rein's expression was pure disgust — as if he were locked in a cage.
He'd left the house early this morning for something urgent… and now he's here....Couldn't he make a normal face for once? He's with a beauty — what a waste of a chance.
"Are they dating or something?" Noomi asked, curious.
"Can't you see the expression on his face? Who looks like that when they're with their girlfriend?"
"But his face is always like that."
"Right…"
"I've always seen her with him. It would make sense if they were."
Indeed.
"Tindra should be here by now. Let's go check on her."
We made our way toward the Royal Palace.
"I can feel her aura inside," I said.
"Let's sneak in and give her a hint to come outside," Noomi suggested.
As I was about to agree, I hesitated. "I probably shouldn't go. What if my father or brother recognize my aura?"
"Well… you're right," Noomi sighed. "I'll go alone then. It might take a while — you can keep exploring until I'm back."
"Fine by me."
Noomi slipped inside the palace using some secret method I didn't understand. With so many guards around, I wasn't sure how she'd stay hidden — but she said she was experienced, so I trusted her.
I wandered around the area near the palace so they could find me easily later. But after circling the same street for the fifth time, boredom hit me hard.
Then I noticed a huge library — the Solveig Library, owned by the Solveig family, who were also attending the banquet. It was open even today.
I might as well sit there instead of walking around like an idiot.
Inside, the library was spacious and airy. I sensed the presence of the librarian, though I couldn't see him right away. He didn't have any noticeable mana — clearly not a mage.
I began browsing the shelves, scanning titles until one caught my eye: "Legend of Dragons." I've always been interested in dragons — one even haunts my nightmares every night.
As I reached for the book, a few others tumbled down. I knelt to pick them up in a hurry.
Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning around, I saw an old man with long black hair smiling kindly.
"Dear, don't trouble yourself. I'll fix it," he said gently.
"I'm sorry these fell. Let me pick them up."
"Then let me help you," he insisted.
We gathered the books together and stood up.
"Mister, you didn't have to do that. It was my fault."
"It's not a big deal, dear. I appreciate that you even tried to pick them up. Some people wouldn't bother." He smiled faintly. "By the way, would you like a membership card? That way, you can borrow the book you want."
Did he just read my mind? I was literally thinking about that a second ago.
"Yes, please."
He gestured for me to follow him to the counter. I did — relieved and excited that I could finally borrow any book I wanted from now on.
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