Garen, Solestin, and Taras rode in the same carriage. The road to Asnel territory wasn’t rough, so they could spend time in the carriage comfortably drinking tea.

When they moved for Louelle’s sake, they usually moved separately, but this time was different. In front of them, a carriage bearing the imperial crest moved along.

Chaos erupted when Kaisiel Ruran Karna said he’d personally attend Louelle’s coming-of-age ceremony this time. He said what was so significant about going to his niece’s coming-of-age ceremony, but the Emperor personally going was extraordinary.

For that reason, Garen, Solestin, and Taras, who’d planned to go to Louelle’s birthday, ended up accompanying him as well.

“What gift are you giving Louelle?”

Garen asked Solestin. He picked up his glasses and carefully pulled out documents.

“I’m giving her a building.”

“Me too?”

“Me as well.”

Taras also prepared a building as a gift for Louelle. They’d all thought the same thing—wouldn’t a building that generated monthly rent, something that could create more cash flow in the territory, be good for Louelle?

They eyed each other.

“What kind of building?”

“What kind of building is it?”

“Where is the building located?”

The same words came from all of them. Garen smiled slightly and spoke to them proudly.

“A prime building in the capital, naturally!”

Since he harbored ambitions of someday marrying off Louelle’s children and grandchildren, he didn’t find it wasteful at all. It was like investing with the distant future in mind.

“Mine is naturally also in a bustling district in the capital.”

Solestin said that was obviously a necessary virtue, sending a look that questioned whether this was something to brag about.

“Similar to mine then.”

But their expressions were subtle. The buildings were actually in similar locations.

They quickly exchanged addresses.

“It’s right next door?”

“The next block over.”

“Very close indeed.”

The three thought this worked out well instead. Thinking it would be convenient for Louelle to manage since the buildings were close together.

“What gift did His Majesty bring, I wonder?”

Even when they asked Kaisiel, he wouldn’t tell them.

“Whatever it is, it won’t be more impressive than ours.”

Garen spoke matter-of-factly. The carriage carrying them headed toward Louelle’s coming-of-age ceremony venue.

* * *

The morning of the coming-of-age ceremony was extremely busy. I woke at dawn, received a massage from Marlene, and finished bathing after pouring milk into the tub.

I sprayed perfume on my body to smell pleasant. The castle was in an uproar because His Majesty the Emperor suddenly said he’d attend the coming-of-age ceremony too.

I’d anticipated my godfathers coming and prepared nice rooms, but with the Emperor coming, the story changed.

“His Majesty is coming, so it’ll truly be a special coming-of-age ceremony.”

Marlene’s eyes sparkled. I quickly shook my head.

“He’s not just coming for no reason.”

It didn’t seem like His Majesty would come just because he wanted to see his niece. If he’d wanted to see me, he would have summoned me to the capital.

There had to be a reason for him coming all the way here.

“You think so?”

“Of course! And well, it’s not a bad thing for me either.”

Marlene tightened my waist more. Before putting on the dress, I wore undergarments to make my waist look slender. Though not a corset, something similar wrapped around my waist.

My waist became even thinner. I wore the dress on top and styled my hair. I added waves to curl the ends and applied oil.

I stared at my shimmering hair for a while, pleased with it.

“Now we just need accessories.”

I nodded at the earrings and necklace I’d specially ordered from the workshop. Since I liked everything, I agonized quite a while over what to wear.

With earrings and hair ornaments, it was perfect. I’d started at dawn and finished styling by lunchtime.

It was truly a long journey. The coming-of-age ceremony party was in the evening, but I had to greet guests starting now.

I in particular had to show my godfathers a good appearance. Of course I’d show His Majesty too, but since we weren’t as close as my godfathers yet, I didn’t worry much about it.

“Louelle, are you ready?”

Father knocked on the door and asked.

“Yes, Father!”

I stood and went out. Father’s eyes widened.

“You’re truly beautiful.”

“It’s the same face you always see.”

“Today you’re truly different.”

Father lightly touched my hair.

“Your godfathers will be moved when they see you.”

Father smiled and took my hand, going downstairs.

* * *

Garen recalled Roselia, his first love. Though he loved his current wife too, Roselia was a painful love. The painful child he’d sent away unable to do anything—Louelle, born from such a woman, was truly special.

His current wife understood this aspect of him. Because she too had the pain of having to part from someone she loved.

So when he said he’d give a building for this coming-of-age ceremony, his wife understood. He also allowed his wife to prepare something for the child of the man who remained as a shadow in her heart.

“Godfathers, you came?”

When Louelle walked over, Garen was caught in old memories. It felt similar to when he first saw Roselia.

“Roselia?”

Solestin stared at Louelle in surprise.

“Sister?”

Taras was the same.

“No, it’s me, Louelle!”

Louelle told them. The three quickly came to their senses and stared at Louelle. A healthy girl, different from Roselia, stood looking at them.

“Louelle, you’re truly beautiful.”

Garen cleared his throat and wiped away tears that had emerged. Solestin and Taras were also caught in strange emotions.

“My niece is truly beautiful.”

Kaisiel, who’d been behind them, approached Louelle.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

When Louelle greeted him, Kaisiel raised his hand. It meant formal greetings could be skipped.

“Congratulations on reaching adulthood.”

Louelle smiled broadly.

“Thank you.”

“This is a gift from me.”

The Emperor’s gift looked like documents. Not knowing what it was, Louelle looked at Kaisiel. He stroked Louelle’s head and spoke.

“Look at it later. It will be helpful.”

Louelle handed the documents to Marlene.

“What on earth is that?”

Taras asked.

“It’s a secret.”

Kaisiel didn’t tell the godfathers.

“Louelle, look at it alone.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Marlene quickly headed to Louelle’s room. Of course, so only Louelle would see the documents.

Liliet and Caslan came too. Caslan quickly bowed in greeting upon seeing Louelle’s godfathers. Liliet didn’t know what to do meeting them.

Naturally, since they were all high-ranking people. Because the Emperor attended, the coming-of-age ceremony was prepared even more grandly.

“I thank everyone who attended my coming-of-age ceremony.”

I smiled and greeted them. Everyone else’s gifts had arrived, but Fazel hadn’t sent a gift yet.

It couldn’t be that he forgot my coming-of-age ceremony. Why wouldn’t he send a gift?

I wished he’d at least send a letter. Could it be he thought even gifts would be cursed?

I was sad but didn’t show it. The ball began. I conversed with guests.

Father suddenly took the megaphone and spoke to the people.

“From now on, Louelle is the master of this territory. Louelle will inherit the Count’s title and govern the territory.”

I was greatly surprised.

“Father?”

“You’ll finish the Academy soon, so it’s time to inherit the territory. I’ll work as proxy for half a year.”

Though surprised, I understood. Father always wanted to tend Mother’s grave. But now that I’d reached adulthood, he seemed to want to reduce work and do that.

“Understood.”

I accepted Father’s decision. It wasn’t like Father wouldn’t help with work at all.

“Congratulations!”

People’s applause poured out.

“Now it’s not Lady Louelle but Count Asnel.”

Master Trean spoke with a smile. Fazel’s sibling was held in his arms.

“Ah, Count.”

I smiled brightly.

“Please call me Louelle.”

“Ah, shall I then?”

Master Trean is easy-going about these things. 

“Fazel asked me to tell you. He said to come to the place where you met at your first birthday party?”

Hearing those words, my heart ached. Fazel.

Though he couldn’t come, he hadn’t forgotten me. I suppressed my surging emotions and nodded.

What had he prepared? As the party was ending, I carefully went out.

Taking my guard knight, I headed to the clearing where I’d first given Fazel a gift. I’d shown Fazel a small inscription there.

It was an insignificant gift. But Fazel had been moved seeing it.

What had he done there? I walked slowly with my guard knight.

I arrived when my pounding heart was racing out of control. Stars twinkled in the dark sky.

As I entered, light suddenly shone from the ground.

Magic? Light rose between the trees, creating a beautiful scene.

A person’s form appeared in the air. There stood Fazel, more grown than before.

“If you’re seeing this, you must have arrived, Louelle.”

It seemed like he was speaking before me.

“Even though I became a Sword Master, my heart aches that I can’t protect you.”

His eyes looked sad.

“But I’m glad I can do what you want. Louelle, congratulations on becoming an adult. Let’s meet again.”

I slowly approached where his form was. But before my hand could reach, his form disappeared.

The name Louelle was carved in the air.

“Let’s meet again.”

We can meet! Cheer up, Louelle!

I shouted to myself.

* * *

Esran was meeting Kaisiel privately. Kaisiel gave Esran his attention.

“What are you curious about?”

“What you’re giving Louelle. Are they documents related to the Zieten ducal family by any chance?”

Kaisiel smiled brightly.

“As expected, the Count is quick-witted.”

“Why give that to my daughter?”

“Because it’s what Louelle is searching for.”

Hearing the Emperor’s words, Esran’s eyes narrowed.

“Did you know about the ducal family’s curse by any chance?”

“I only knew from documents. I didn’t think it would actually activate.”

Kaisiel picked up his teacup.

“I believe in Louelle.”

“Your Majesty.”

“I don’t wish for them to have an unhappy love.”

He didn’t know whether the documents that went to Louelle would be a clue or not. Because the future was unknowable.

But since it could be a stepping stone toward the future, he willingly decided to give it to that child.

* * *

When the guests had fallen asleep, I took out the documents the Emperor gave me. What gift had the Emperor given?

My godfathers said they’d give buildings. With a pounding heart, I unfolded the documents.

“Ancient language?”

The documents were in ancient language. With curiosity, I decoded the documents all night until dawn.

“My goodness.”

I understood why the Emperor told me to look at it alone. The documents contained the truth about the Zieten ducal family.

“This can’t be!”

To think the curse manifested like this! My head spun.

“Haha.”

I had to reorganize what I knew.

* * *

Because I’d stayed up all night, my appearance wasn’t good. But I had to greet him.

I bowed my head to His Majesty the Emperor who came out for breakfast.

“Did you sleep well?”

“I slept well.”

“Thank you so much.”

I raised my head to His Majesty and expressed gratitude.

“You received the gift well, I see.”

“It was the best gift.”

Now that the mystery was solved, maybe I could resolve the problem. Looking at Kaisiel, I shed tears.

“Thank you so much.”

I’d searched desperately. But I couldn’t find it.

Yet the Emperor gave it to me. He threw me hope.

“Previously you asked if there was something you wanted from me.”

He smiled.

“This is repayment for those words.”

Who would have thought he’d move for my sake? 

The day after the coming-of-age ceremony was held, I received the best gift.