TYHL 148

~Chapter 148~

Ch.15

Presentation Day!

I woke up in high spirits.

‘I’ll finally see Dad today!’

Sortier and I, both buzzing with excitement, ate breakfast, greeted Professor Yuliophe at the library, and then headed to the grand banquet hall.

The presentation was to be held here, in a party format.

“There are so many people outside!”

“I know! My mom and dad said they’d come as soon as the academy gates opened— Oh! Dad! Mom!”

Sortier dashed off.

Count Camellan, who was waiting by the hall entrance, picked Sortier up with a bright smile.

“Oh, Titi! I missed you so much!”

What a heartwarming scene.

But… where was my dad?

‘No way… did he not come back from his trip? He promised he’d be here for the closing ceremony…’

I tapped the floor with my shoe.

I’d even put on my prettiest shoes today…

‘Well, if he’s busy, there’s nothing I can do!’

After all, I was used to not having my parents at events like this.

‘Seriously. Who even invented observation days like this?!’

My heart, which had been quietly hoping, shrank like a popped balloon.

‘It’s a cruel tradition, assuming every child has parents with time and money to come see them!’

With a pout and a critical spirit, I entered the banquet hall alone.

Unlike the busy outdoors, the inside was still pretty empty.

‘Looks like Khalid isn’t here yet either…’

Maybe I should look around?

“Geez, it’s really the last day.”

I heard a familiar grumble.

“Why didn’t the princess show up? My dad told me I had to get close to her and set up a private meeting with the Duke…”

It was Haven, playing ball with his friends in one corner of the hall.

“Whatever, if the princess didn’t come, what can you do?”

“Still, my dad’s going to nag at me. You know, that purple stone? I think he’s planning to sell it!”

“Purple stone? What’s that?”

“I don’t know. All the northern knights wear them? That’s why purple gems are super popular in the capital and south lately. But the ones the northern knights use feel kind of different.”

Well, that’s because those are mana stones…

I blinked.

“My brother wants that ornament too. They say you get crazy strong with it.”

“Wow, so the rumors are true.”

Hmm.

‘What exactly were the knight seniors doing in the capital and south?’

I thought about it seriously.

Sure, the Zebert knights were admired by everyone, but… I never thought their gems would start a trend.

‘Wait, could this be our shop’s big break?’

My mental calculator started whirring.

Asha! We’re going to get rich!

While my head was full of business dreams, Haven kept grumbling.

“Why register and never show up? They say she’s got a stuck-up personality. Guess it’s true.”

I touched my nose. Maybe a little soft, but not exactly high-bridged…

“Lu!”

Someone called out, and when I turned, Zerdin was coming over.

Today, he’d actually tamed his usually fluffy hair—probably since he’d be meeting his parents.

Kind of like how I wore my nicest shoes.

“Hi, Zerdin.”

“What? Commoners?”

As usual, Haven spotted us and picked a fight.

“You’re wearing pretty fancy shoes today, huh? They almost look real!”

“They are real.”

I stretched out my foot and showed off. There was a little gem set in the strap.

This was pair number 64 from my birthday presents! So what!

“Ha! As if! Let me see! I’ll check if they’re the real thing or not!”

“Go ahead! Get down on the floor and check every inch!”

“Why do I feel insulted?”

I’d gotten used to this kind of bickering.

“H-Haven, don’t pick fights,” Zerdin gently intervened. He used to barely be able to look Haven in the eye…

Haven still grumbled, but didn’t say anything truly mean.

‘Wow, the power of a 99-point penalty.’

Haven had almost reached 100 penalty points for teasing Zerdin, but Zerdin gave him one last chance.

Professor Yuliophe said if Haven sincerely apologized and Zerdin accepted, he’d get one point deducted.

‘Maybe it was a forced apology, but at least he learned something.’

“Fine! You commoners just help each other! See if you can survive together!”

“He even gives us good luck now,” I joked.

His “commoner” talk was still far from gone, though.

“No, but—!”

“Haven, that’s enough.”

Suddenly, a large shadow fell behind Haven.

“Ah, Father!”

My eyes widened slightly.

A stern-faced middle-aged man was staring at us, his brow deeply furrowed.

‘Whoa, Count Abelus himself.’

Zerdin quietly stepped back.

“I see you’ve been well. But…”

A cold gaze swept over Zerdin and me.

“What are you doing among these sorts?”

These sorts…

Very Count Abelus choice of words…

“There’s a gathering of nobles over there. Go join them.”

“Yes, sir…”

“Ugh. The academy is filled with commoners now. The smell is everywhere… tch.”

So that’s where Haven got his habit.

“Move. Don’t get in the way.”

He waved us off irritably, as if chasing away flies.

I was thinking how annoying he was as I stepped back—

The entrance suddenly became much noisier.

What’s happening? I started to turn my head.

“Whoa! What—?”

My body suddenly lifted into the air.

“Dad said.”

Oh—this voice!

“Eat well.”

“…!”

“And sleep well.”

He spun me around once in the air.

My entire vision filled with deep purple eyes!

“Ah…!”

“If anyone bullies you, write down their names.”

“D-Dad—!”

It’s Dad!

Ruby’s dad was here!

Unable to hold back, I threw my arms around his thick neck. Dad laughed softly and pressed my back with his big hand.

“When did you get here? Was your trip okay? What time did you arrive? How did you get here? Where did you go? Why?”

I thought he wouldn’t come, or would be late! Overcome with relief and joy, I fired off questions one after another. Dad gently tapped my lips.

“One at a time. Dad only has one mouth.”

“I only have one too, but you always ask me a ton of questions!”

“Hah, that’s true.”

He looked me over closely and gave a small smile.

“It was worth sending you to school.”

I was so, so happy!

“Aww, Dad…”

“You’re even more spoiled now. But I really think sending you to camp was the right decision.”

I hugged Dad’s neck again.

All the noise in the banquet hall faded away. Everyone was staring at us in shock, but I was so happy to see Dad that I didn’t notice at all.

Not until I heard the Count’s disbelieving voice.

“The Duke of Zebert… is your… dad…?”

Only then did I realize how unnaturally quiet it had gotten, and pulled back a little.

‘Oops, I was so excited, I made a scene.’

I glanced around and saw Zerdin’s surprised face.

And Haven’s, even more stunned.