I stood with my lips tightly pressed together. Samuel, who had been sipping his wine, glanced at my complexion and asked.
"Do you have something to say to him? Shall I fetch him?"
I, who had been clenching my teeth, quietly steadied my breathing and composed my expression.
"No need. He'll appear when his business is finished."
I replied impassively and glanced toward the window. Though I had only danced a couple of times, the night had grown deep.
'Should I return?'
Having achieved my purpose, there was no need to remain in the banquet hall.
Moreover, from the very first day, I had left at my own discretion. I had shown through my actions that I had no intention of observing the etiquette of high society.
Therefore, no one would try to detain me on the pretext that the guest of honor must remain until the end on the final day.
'Indeed, it's better to leave now.'
Thinking I should bid farewell to Heinri, I looked around. The attendant who had been stationed at the entrance, guiding guests, struck his staff to draw attention.
"Instead of fireworks today, something special has been prepared! Those who are interested, please look toward the garden in front of the banquet hall!"
It was an announcement for a modest event scheduled for around midnight, when the banquet would be at its peak. Like yesterday's fireworks, it was prepared to liven the festivities, and I could see the attendees making interested expressions.
'An event or whatever, I don't care. It's the perfect timing to slip out of the banquet hall.'
Coincidentally, Heinri, having heard the announcement, approached me.
"If it's the garden, one could watch from the balcony or go outside. Which would be more comfortable for you?"
"Ah, I was just about to retire."
"Still, won't you see what has been prepared before you go?"
"I'll look on my way out."
"If that is your wish."
Instead of urging me to stay, Heinri offered to escort me as my partner. So, as there were eyes watching, I decided to accept his offer only as far as the entrance.
"I shall escort you to the palace..."
"You, Captain, must attend to that group of priests. Isn't today the last day?"
When I gestured with my chin toward the priests, Samuel pressed his lips together tightly.
Was there anyone who didn't know that the purpose of their visit was to attend the congratulatory banquet? They would return once the banquet ended.
'He muttered that he only had to endure one more day; it seems he finds it quite bothersome.'
Coincidentally, I saw one priest causing a dispute due to excessive proselytizing. In the end, Samuel reluctantly bowed to me and turned away.
"That fellow also has his share of troubles."
Heinri clicked his tongue sympathetically and extended his hand to me. Everyone was heading to view the garden, and thanks to that, I too could naturally blend into the crowd and leave.
"If it were fireworks, they would have been visible from your palace as well. I wonder why they changed it so suddenly."
"If it's fireworks, I've seen plenty before I died, so I'm not particularly curious."
I replied indifferently and quickened my pace. Stepping outside, the cold night air enveloped my body.
I could hear the voices of those who had come out first murmuring in puzzlement.
"There's nothing here."
"What is it? Should we wait?"
The banquet hall was built higher than the garden, requiring quite a few steps to reach. Thanks to this, standing at the entrance, the garden was visible at a glance. As people said, the garden was pitch dark.
Normally, lights would have been lit along the path, but for some reason, not a single light was visible.
But...
'Xenon?'
Others probably couldn't see due to the darkness, but to my eyes, he was clearly visible. He was hunched over, moving behind the low garden shrubs.
"Forgive me, but I must excuse myself, Your Highness."
Letting go of Heinri's hand, I gathered the hem of my dress and descended the steps. I could feel puzzled gazes following me from behind, but I was more interested in Xenon's actions.
What on earth was Xenon doing? He didn't even notice my presence until I was right beside him.
"Xenon."
He, who had been crouched awkwardly, engrossed in something, jerked his head up at my call.
"Huh? Lady Anelli! I was just about to come and call for you. It worked!"
Facing his beaming smile, I felt a bit unfairly aggrieved that I had been concerned about him all evening when he hadn't been visible in the banquet hall.
"...What are you doing?"
I asked in a stiff tone and lowered my gaze. The hem of Xenon's cloak was dirty. It was proof that he had been wandering the garden for quite some time.
"Ah, I was preparing a magic display to replace the fireworks."
"Why are you handling this?"
"There wasn't a single mage who knew how to perform this magic. So I had no choice but to prepare it alone."
At his nonchalant reply, my brow furrowed involuntarily.
"No, you are a guest. If you just sat still, they would entertain you. Why volunteer for work? Did someone threaten you?"
If that were the case, I was fully prepared to grab that person by the collar and throw them to the Dullahan as food.
At my question, filled with displeasure, Xenon waved his hands in surprise.
"That's not it. I offered to do it. Have you forgotten why I came as a guest? As the representative of the Magic Tower, I must give a gift to the guest of honor of the banquet. I heard everyone else has already given theirs."
At his unexpected words, I forgot my anger and stared at him blankly.
Of course, as Xenon said, countless gifts from many people were piled up in the detached palace. There were even sacred items sent from the Temple.
But Xenon should know perfectly well that I am not the type to care about such things.
"Fortunately, the garden is well-maintained, so I think it will suit my magic well."
He glanced around the dark garden and stood up. Then he lightly flicked his fingers. The figure of Xenon before me vanished in an instant.
"Since you are the guest of honor, Lady Anelli, I shall conceal myself for a moment. I do hope you like it."
From the direction of Xenon's voice, a light sparkled and shot up.
'Fireflies?'
One small, round firefly, likely created by magic, whirled up into the air. Since the surroundings were so dark, it wasn't difficult to follow its trajectory.
As if entranced, I followed the yellow light with my gaze, when suddenly the firefly multiplied into two.
The two fireflies flew about, drawing random curves. Then this time, they became four.
"What on earth is this..."
The increasing number of fireflies began to illuminate the garden. Some on the low shrubs, some on the closely trimmed grass, and others floating in the air.
As I gazed, mesmerized, at the dreamlike spectacle, Xenon's voice, tinged with laughter, came from nearby.
"Though it is a place you will leave, I wanted to create a wonderful memory for you. This place isn't only filled with things you dislike."
Where the fireflies landed, flower buds grew. Countless flowers made of dazzling, shimmering, translucent light.
They bloomed profusely, covering the entire garden.
"And on a personal note... I also wanted to commemorate yesterday."
I stared blankly at the flower blooming at my feet, then looked to the side. Though his form was still invisible, Xenon was definitely beside me.
"Having commemorated it so spectacularly, you won't treat it as if it never happened, will you?"
'If it's about yesterday...'
As I blankly pondered his awkward words, I slowly narrowed my brow.
"I can't see you, but it's unfair for only you to watch my reaction."
"But these flowers were all bloomed for you, Lady Anelli, so there's no helping it. If I were included, it would ruin the picture."
It was truly a ridiculous excuse. Pouting, I pursed my lips and subtly raised my hand. A couple of fireflies that had been hovering right before my eyes obediently landed on my palm.
There was no tactile sensation, but I felt a warm energy.
"More importantly, look at their dumbfounded expressions."
Xenon urged me from beside me. Only then did I remember that this was the garden in front of the banquet hall.
Lifting my head, I saw the crowd gathered at the banquet hall entrance. They were staring at me with utterly astonished faces. I could clearly see their expressions, flushed with excitement and admiration.
"The final memory of Lady Anelli that will be remembered from now on will be this very image. No one will be able to call you undead anymore, right?"
I could tell just from his voice. Xenon right now was surely puffing out his chest and holding his head high triumphantly.
With that very expression he showed when occasionally boasting about his magical prowess.
"...I see."
A stiff and indifferent mutter escaped me, even to my own ears.
'Whether they see me as undead or not doesn't really matter.'
If they regard me as undead and fear me, it's convenient for me. I even thought it was a good thing.
If they are too afraid, they won't dare to try to use me or consume me as entertainment.
'It really doesn't matter.'
I stared fixedly at the crowd, then lowered my gaze. The place where I stood had now become a perfect flower garden. The profusely blooming flowers swayed gently.
A wind I hadn't even noticed blowing now felt tangible on my skin. That not-so-strong force shook the ground beneath my feet and muddled my mind. A dizziness surged from the scent of flowers that shouldn't even have a scent.
'I was always fine.'
Is it the fully bloomed flowers that are swaying, or is it...?
"Um... I was expecting a more dramatic reaction. Is it not to your liking?"
Having seen some emotion in my expression, Xenon asked cautiously.
If you're going to be smug, you should push through shamelessly to the end. What's the point of losing your nerve so quickly?
What a ridiculous man.
For some reason, the corners of my mouth kept wanting to twist, so I pressed my lips together firmly.
"It's not to my liking."
I bent down and grabbed a swaying flower. The flower couldn't maintain its form and crumbled into a halo of light in my hand.
Even its breaking form could be so beautiful.
"To think I have to share this spectacle with others."
I genuinely regretted it. That I had to show this beautiful sight to those people.
"I want to see it alone."
It was a mutter almost like a soliloquy, but Xenon managed to hear it and reacted.
"Does that mean you like it that much?"
His question held a hint of faint relief.
"Yes."
I straightened my back, which I had bent for a moment.
"The person who received such a gift will be the only one in the world."
I said, looking toward where Xenon must be standing.
'My expression right now must be a bit strange.'
Those standing far away might not know, but Xenon would be seeing my expression clearly. I don't want to look pathetic.
"And the person who can give such a gift must also be the only one in the world."
I composed myself, tracing an arc with my trembling lips. Holding back the rising tears, my throat felt slightly choked.
The only consolation was that I was standing composedly, not collapsing into tears.
Even so.
"Thank you, Xenon. For making the final banquet a good memory."
A single tear tracing across my cheek was, ultimately, something I couldn't stop.