—Baptism Hall—
A flower crown rests atop my head, woven with pale blossoms, white and soft cream petals, threaded lightly with gold.
My dress falls in elegant layers of ivory and soft gold, the fabric light and flowing. Fine embroidery traces along the edges like quiet sunlight, subtle enough not to overpower.
'I don't actually know what happens during Lady Velora's birthday, but I do know it's something that I need to be expecting.'
'Especially in a very serious day.'
I start to scan my surrounding and notice there're other nobles with flower crowns like me.
'Huh I thought I'll be alone but it seems like other nobles are just about to celebrate theirs the same as me?'
As I get closer on my right side, Lucien stands composed, his presence heavy without needing to say a word. Rey remains a step behind, arms crossed, eyes sharp and sees me, his eyes turns soft.
The maids and knights wait outside.
'I guess Ethan will come in later.'
At the front stands the priest.
"We greet the High Priest, Cassien." Each noble bow downs.
'Cassien? The Spirit Oracle?'
'…Crap.'
'Why didn't it ring a bell when they said the High Priest would be the one baptizing us?'
'And out of all people—'
'Why does it have to be him?'
'The one I called a pervert.'
Cassien looks at me smiling.
'HE REMEMBERS.'
I sweat tremendously.
—Few minutes later—
The first noble steps close.
At the front of the hall, seated upon a raised, throne-like chair, is Cassien.
He simply watches.
Below him, the archbishop steps forward, carrying the ceremonial cup and hands it over to the noble.
"Drink."
"And let your existence be witnessed."
'So Cassien isn't going to do anything but watch huh.'
The noble lifts the cup and begins to drink.
A faint glow begins to form at his chest, spreading outward like something waking up.
White with a mix of gold dust scatters around him.
'White-gold...?'
"Congratulations a wind element." the archbishop announces.
Cassien claps followed by everyone.
'So that's what wind element looks like.'
—Few minutes later—
"Next is Lady Velora Rosethorne."
'It's finally my turn.'
"Happy Birthday." The archbishop pats my shoulder.
I bow down and stand idly in the middle.
The archbishop steps forward, carrying the ceremonial cup.
Hands it over to me.
"Drink."
"And let your existence be witnessed."
'So this is the holy water and all I have to do is drink it.'
I take a sip.
'It taste awful... I thought it'll taste like very glory...'
My expression stays calm.
'…I'm dying inside.'
I take another sip.
My expression starts to crack.
'Slowly.'
'Very slowly.'
My face begins to twitch with irritation.
'Why is it so bitter!?'
'Who made this!?'
'Is this even drinkable!?'
Struggling to remain composed.
—Few minutes later—
'I finish it...'
"It appears my lady prefers to take her time."
A small chuckle can be heard across me.
"pfft."
'This High priest be having fun huh.'
'Now we're just going to wait.'
—Few minutes later—
'Is it supposed to take its time....'
"..."
The archbishop clears his throat.
"My lady… you did consume the entirety of the holy water, correct?"
A faint murmur spreads among the nobles.
'…Why does that sound like an accusation.'
"Yes."
"…Perhaps…"
A brief hesitation.
The archbishop slowly clasps his hands, smiling
"…the blessing was… delayed."
'Delayed? Does that ever happen?'
—Few minutes later—
'My tummy is rumbling... I think I have an upset stomach.'
Velora's tummy rumbles.
"…"
Silence...
The sound echoes the room.
Cassien lowers his gaze slightly, one hand rising to cover his lips.
His shoulders tremble, A faint curve tugs at the corner of his mouth.
"pfft..."
'…He's laughing again...'
press a hand to my stomach, silently dying from embarrassment.
'My dignity...'
The archbishop stiffens, his expression tightens, jaw clenched as he forces composure back into place.
"…Maintain decorum." he says quietly, voice strained.
A few nobles look away.
Others pretend not to hear.
While Rey covers his mouth, holding his laughter.
The hall returns to silence—
Suddenly a faint glow begins to form at my chest, spreading outward like something waking up.
violet dust scatters around me.
"Finally!" The archbishop rejoice.
"Dark Element! Congratulations."
'Yay... nothing new... The ability Velora had is also a dark element.'
Suddenly a faint white also appeared.
'Huh did nobody see that light element?'
'Did that came from me?'
'Did I just get two?'
'Is it because this isn't my body so I get another one?'
I suddenly felt a sharp gaze. I look up.
'The Oracle, did it came from him? Wait no...'
'He's staring right at me.'
Cassien shifts slightly, resting his chin against his hand as he settles into a more relaxed position.
His gaze locks onto mine.
'He noticed.'
'So it really did come from me...'
Terrified I hold myself up with grace and smile gently and bow.
Cassien smiles back at me and shifts, his gaze turning sharp.
'He's really making me like a suspicious guy...'
—Few minutes later, Inside the Baptism Hall—
"Congrats Velly! You got the same element as Lu!!"
"Thank you, Rey."
As we're about to step outside the Baptism hall, I look for Ethan to be ready.
"Where's Ethan?"
"Why're you looking for him?" Rey crosses his arms.
"He's on the other building." Duke Lucien interferes.
"Where?"
"Huh? You're thinking of coming all the way from him Velly?"
While Rey's yapping about how much he hates Ethan, I look at Duke Lucien.
"Older brother, where is he?" In pure determination in my eyes.
Duke Lucien seems to signal the knight.
The knight suddenly accompany me.
"I'll lead you my lady."
—Other building—
"This way, my lady."
The knight point at a door identical as the one I came through yet there's no one guarding the door.
I peek through the door, slowly opening it. I see Ethan all alone beside 1 Archbishop and 3 High Priest.
'Oh he's also wearing a flower crown.'
Ethan drinks.
A faint glow begins to form at his chest, Light blue dust scatters around him.
'Light blue...'
"Congratulations a water element." the archbishop announces.
The empty room swallows the sound, only four people clapping for him.I step forward, applauding as I make my way toward him.
His eyes widen slightly.
For a second, he looks lost.
Like he doesn't know how to respond.
Because of the unfamiliar warmth.
His chest tightens.
He smiles, genuinely.
"…Thank you, my lady."
—Rosethorne Estate, Grand Hall—
"We welcome the Rosethorne family."
The doors open as the maids, knights, and butlers bow in unison.
"Happy birthday, Lady Velora Rosethorne."
—Dining Hall—
'Everyone told me to get ready and get dressed so I went to my room first.'
'Now they're telling me to go to the dining area?'
Knights were waiting outside the door and opens it gently for me.
The light blinds my eyes for a moment as a wave of cheers echoes around me.
The long table is filled with carefully prepared dishes, desserts arranged with almost excessive detail. A large cake sits at the center, decorated in ivory and gold, delicate sugar flowers matching the crown on my head.
Servants move gracefully around the room.
Maids adjusting plates, butlers pouring drinks, knights stationed at a respectful distance.
"Happy birthday, Velly!" Rey's voice cuts through the room as he leans forward, grinning like he's been waiting for this moment all day.
Lucien, seated at the head, gently smiles."…Happy birthday."
"Happy birthday, Lady Velora!!" Erisa bows.
"Happy birthday, my lady!!" Kel clasps her hands.
"Happy birthday, my Lady Velora." Ethan smiles gently.
Rey stares at Ethan angrily but dismisses it since it's Velora's birthday.
Kel steps forward, leads me to my seat in the middle and Rey steps in to give me the cake with a birthday candle.
I watch quietly.
'…This is…'
'It felt a long time since I've experience this celebration with others...'
'Back then, birthdays were quiet. I do buy a little cup cake or maybe a sweet treat to treat myself since I barely make any income alone since I'm far away from home.'
'This somewhat brings me back to when I was a kid celebrating my birthday with my parents in our hometown.'
I let out a gentle smile and blow the candle.
Everyone starts to cheer.
"…Thank you."
'Happy birthday to me, Happy birthday Velora.'
—Velora's room—
As the day comes to and end I lay down on my bed to rest.
'That reminds me I haven't seen Lady Elie lately?'
"Where's Elie?"
"Ah, I forgot to tell you that Lady Elie left a letter."
I take the letter from Kel and open it.
"Dear Lady Velora Rosethorne,
Happy birthday. I apologize for not being able to attend your birthday and your baptism. My engagement was arranged rather suddenly, and I had to leave earlier than expected.
But don't worry! I'll be sure to send you letters, so please don't forget me when your debut comes, I'll be sure to be there!
From,Elie Helianth."
'I can hear her voice from the letter. I hope she'll be okay.'
—Next day—
'She did say she's going to send a letter but...'
"Lady Velora, Lady Elie sent 3 letters."
'WHAT?'