Characters in this chapter:
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Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge
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Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier
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Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall, Percival’s mother
“It’s Percival’s birthday……”
At the beginning of the fourth month, a package arrived from Vanderwall.
Inside the box was a card wishing him a happy birthday and a beautifully embroidered sword belt. It must have been stitched by Madam Adeline.
And, although it was Percival’s birthday gift, for some reason it also contained an item addressed to me. The collar of a carefully tailored shirt was embroidered with a delicate ivy pattern. At first glance, the design looks luxurious, but it is embroidered with white thread, so it can be worn for everyday use.
If I wore this shirt, I would probably look like a nobleman’s son……or rather, I was a nobleman’s son until this time last year. I never had a single piece of fine clothing like this, though!
But, I see……it’s Percival’s birthday.
I remember that on your fiancé’s or lover’s birthday, you give them a gift to show your appreciation for their kindness? If that’s the case, I’ll have to get him something too. Percival has done so much for me.
I wonder what’s something special that is suitable for him……? For now, if I go to Oriens, I might be able to meet that old nomad Oba-san. Maybe there will be some more bargains.
Once I’ve decide to do that, the first thing I need to do is raise some funds.
“……Yoshi! Magical beasts.”
“Sapphiras, wait.”
Before I could say that I was going to hunt magical beasts, Percival grabbed me by the shoulder and stopped me.
“You’re not going on a magical beast hunt now, are you?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be quick and be back in time for dinner.”
If I can get a few magical beast wolves or magical beast snakes, I can come back right away. Even if I can’t make a ruin-class item with that much material, I can definitely buy an item that can be used as a small amulet. Percival is a swordsman, so I think it would be better for him to have a magical tool that increases his magic defence.
“I don’t know why you suddenly decided to go hunting for magical beasts, but there’s no need to go now. If you insist on going, I’ll go with you.”
“Eh? No, it would be no good if Percival, the recipient of the gift, came along on the hunt to obtain the gift.
“……Speaking of which, when was Saphiras born? Mother wrote to me that she wanted to celebrate.”
“Eh? My birthday?”
Huh, when is my birthday? When I was Fortis, it was the ninth month. The whole family celebrated it with me until I left home.
When is it for Sapphiras? I think it was probably when he underwent the magic appraisal, but I don’t remember when that was at all.
It’s not usually possible to be born into a noble family and not know your birthday. If a child is born, it will definitely report to the temple, and it will surely be celebrated every year. I don’t know how it was before I was 5 years old, but since I was pushed into the detached house, of course I didn’t receive any celebrations. In the first place, for Perfectio, I was an existence that shouldn’t have been born. It’s possible that he was cursed. If it wasn’t for the Goddess’ luck, I don’t know what would have happened.
I guess you can find out my birth month at the temple, but as a commoner, my records would have long since been erased. Well, if you know your birth year, it doesn’t really matter if you don’t know the month.
“I’m sorry. I don’t really know.”
“……I see.”
Percival didn’t need to make such an apologetic face. Even if I don’t know my birthday, I live happily every day.
There’s a strange air about it, but at times like this, all I have to do is change the subject.
“That’s right, Percival. How about going out to the bazaar on our next rest day?”
It’s not a bad idea to get out of the academy once in a while.
“The bazaar? That would be nice.”
Percival’s gloomy expression relaxes.
Uu……his smile is as dazzling as ever……
I’m getting used to it, though. He’s still a handsome boy……or rather, he’s gotten taller and taller lately, and his body feels like a young man. No matter how hard I try to grow taller, I can’t catch up at all. I’m sure it’s different from the foundation of the body. But it’s not like I’m giving up! I’m still growing too!……Surely, maybe……
And today’s a rest day.
I’m strolling around the bazaar with Percival. Even if we don’t have a purpose, it’s fun to see all the different things in the bazaar.
Laetus is as busy as ever. Last time I was here, I lost Percival and was approached by a strange man. Maybe that’s why, but he’s holding my hand more firmly than before.
“……something smells nice.”
The fragrant smell of something cooking wafts to my nose. This is definitely meat.
Looking around for the source of the smell, I found a skewer stall.
“Do you want some?”
“Of course!”
It’s impossible not to eat when it smells so good.
Starting with a meat skewer dripping with fat, I eat street food after another. Finely chopped vegetables and thinly sliced meat are mixed with wheat flour dissolved in water and baked flat, dried rare fruits from the distant southern islands, broiled corn, and everything from the unusual to the street stall staples. I ate one after another.
“……Sapphiras, If you eat too much, it will affect your dinner.”
When I peered into the stall to see if there was anything else that looked good, Percival stopped me.
It’s true that I might have gotten a little carried away and ate a bit too much. There were still more stalls that caught my attention, but that’s for next time. But the next time I come back, I’m sure there will be other stalls selling exotic foods.
There seems to be no end in sight to my food stall challenge.
“I heard there’s a stall down the road that sells some strange things.They also sell things that came out of the ruins. Shall we go?”
“The ruins? I’ll definitely go!”
The shop was located in a quiet corner at the back of the bazaar.
In the small shop, there are more goods than I expected. Some of them are a bit dodgy, but that’s the charm. It’s all small things, but I’m pretty sure most of it came from the ruins.
“Hehhh, that’s amazing!”
Something glints on a shelf lined with various miscellaneous items. I picked it up and found it to be a clear blue stone with two chains connected to it. The stone is encased in intricate and delicate silverwork.
“??”
It looked like some kind of accessory, but as I tilted my head at the two chains, the shopkeeper called out to me.
“It’s a pendant from the ruins. Pass it here for a moment?”
“Yeah.”
“See, if you do this, the stone will split in two.”
The shopkeeper fiddled with the stone I passed over and easily split the pendant in two.
I see, I understand why there are two chains attached. The intricacies of the silversmithing was to link the stones together. But at first glance, it doesn’t look as if it’s going to split in two, as expected of something that came out of the ruins.
“How is it, isn’t it interesting?”
“Yes. It’s quite a brilliant contraption.”
“Well, there’s a lot to see, so take your time.”
I gaze at the mysterious pendant. I was quite curious about it, but considering the exquisite craftsmanship and the beauty of the stone, the price must be quite high. I put it back on the shelf and picked up all the other items that caught my attention.
I have no idea what’s written in it, but it’s a mysterious book with an extravagantly gorgeous binding, and the more I find these things that I don’t understand, the more fascinating it looks. There were also magical tools and useless-looking junk.
I looked at this and that, but in the end I left the shop without buying anything.
There were a few things I was interested in, but I didn’t feel like I could afford them. The price is probably too much for me right now, although the shopkeeper said I could negotiate the price.
I was hoping to find a gift for Percival……but I can’t seem to find anything affordable.
After that, we enjoyed the bazaar enough by cooling down various restaurants, and then we went back to the academy and had dinner in the cafeteria.
As expected, I ate too much at the food stalls and didn’t eat much.
Percival looked at me like a troubled child, but I had no choice. I couldn’t resist the temptation of the food stalls.
“Sapphiras, here.”
Percival, who had walked me to my room as usual, took something out of the concealment of his uniform.
“This is from that shop…….”
In Percival’s palm is one of the strangely crafted pendants we saw in the bazaar.
“Even though we’re engaged, I haven’t given Sapphiras anything so far. I know it’s a little late, but I want you to receive it.”
“Eh? I got a ring though.”
On the middle finger of my left hand is the token of our sworn friendship..
“The ring is a sign of friendship and came from the Belisario family rather than from me. It is a token of companionship from me to my fiancée, Sapphiras.”
“Pa-partner1it is the same word as companion in the raws but partnership sounds very business so I went with companionship……”
It’s true that you’re going to be my partner, but I’m embarrassed when you say that again.
We-well, I get a kiss on my forehead in the morning and at night. Other than that, we maintain the same sense of distance as before. That’s why I don’t usually think of Percival as my future spouse.
“Would you let me do something a bit more fiancé-like?”
When he looks straight into my eyes without hesitation, I can’t say anything. I’m not sure if I can say no after being told so sincerely. No, I can’t. Anyone who could refuse would surely be someone without a heart.
“……Yes. I understand how Percival feels.”
“May I hang it around your neck?”
When I nodded, Percival put the blue stone pendant around my neck. The stone repels the light and shines brightly.
While staring at the stone that was halved, I wondered what happened to the other half.
“Sapphiras.”
As if he had read my mind, Percival pulls out a thin chain from his collar. At the end of the chain, a piece of stone is swinging.
……I see. That’s right. It’s not normal to buy just one of the two jewellery that makes one.
It was strange that the serious Percival was wearing the same pendant as me, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
But if Percival gave me a gift as my fiancé, I should give him something too. After all, it is also Percival’s birthday. And so, it is hunting magical beasts to raise money for gifts after all……
“There’s no need to hunt magical beasts.”
“Eh? Did I maybe say that out loud?”
“It’s on your face.”
My goodness. No matter what, what I’m thinking immediately appears on my face.
Anyway. Percival seems to be against hunting magical beasts. Then it can’t be helped, can it? I don’t think Percival would be happy to be given a gift in a way he doesn’t want.
“I’m glad you want to give me something, but it doesn’t have to be something tangible.”
Well, Percival has a point. It doesn’t have to be a gift to show your sincerity and feelings.
“……If Sapphiras will allow it, could you grant me one wish?”
“What, what? Anything you want, don’t hesitate to ask! I’ll do anything I can.”
“Really?”
“Of course! Magicians always mean what they say!”
“Then, a kiss on the mouth……”
This is a rare wish from Percival. Come on, come on, anything…say……?
Ha? A kiss on the mouth?
Percival’s handsome face draws near. what? Is it the usual? A kiss on the forehead?
As I think it’s closer than usual for that, our lips softly touch each other.
……Mn? Mmnn?
Where did he kiss now? Lips? Eh? Could it be, on the lips?
When I was secretly confused, he hugged me tightly, as if to catch up with you. Deeper, our lips overlapped.
I don’t know how long we stayed like that. Was it a moment or was it longer?
Eventually, the warmth gently leaves.
“Good night, Sapphiras……I’ll come back for you tomorrow.”
Percival walked out of the room after leaving those words in my ear, who was stiff with confusion.
The sound of the door slamming shut brought me back to my senses.
A warm, soft feeling lingered on my lips as I was left alone. The moment I became conscious of it, heat gathered in my face.
“U-u-uwah……!”
I roll on the floor unbearably.
Certainly, I said anything? But! But ……! Surprises are unfair! I need to be prepared too!
That night, I rolled around on the floor in embarrassment and awkwardness, and before I knew it, it was morning.
It’s my second time in my life, but I’m amazed that I have absolutely no tolerance for love. For this alone, even the magic that I am good at is completely useless.
Completely exhausted, I rolled on the floor and looked out the window at the sky which was beginning to whiten, and sighed deeply.
melon: This chapter is longgg……but worth it 🥵🙈😘
