Chapter 50

Two days later, Laub and Brin returned safely, and Ririka embraced them with open arms.

After giving Brin a tight hug, she moved back to the White Dragon Room.

Her voice still hadn't recovered, so when people came to visit, she had to use a slate to communicate.

Rat walked in with sunken eyes, and Ririka wondered if he was the one who was more seriously ill.

He bowed deeply and apologized several times, saying, "It was my oversight that such ingredients were in the tea I presented to Sandar."

He seemed to be suffering mentally. Ririka wrote on the slate, "I hope it gets resolved well," and showed it to him. This was not something she could get involved in.

Rat smiled faintly and nodded.

Next, Tan arrived and handed her a beautiful bottle of candy, just like before. It was filled with candies as beautiful as glass art.

Ririka, who now knew that these came from Tan's "salary pocket" rather than the "lord's treasury," was truly grateful.

He looked tired, but much better than Rat. Tan sighed and said, "I wish His Majesty trusted me and the knights a bit more."

Ririka reached out to comfort him, stroking his head. Tan flinched as if struck by lightning and then burst out laughing.

He tousled Ririka's hair and left.

Gifts and get-well cards from people she didn't know also kept arriving.

Rumors spread that a few people related to the incident had died of heart attacks, all with terrified expressions.

The nobles lay low and observed the situation.

Meanwhile, the Southern Noble Alliance fell apart due to self-interest.

Soon after, the Golden Sand Trading Company, supported by Her Majesty the Empress, opened a coffee salon in the capital.

With a luxurious atmosphere and a drink called coffee brought from Shu, it was served with expensive sugar and cream.

Despite the high prices, the coffee salon attracted attention because one could sit and chat for as long as they wanted with just one cup.

It was a step down from the exclusive salons of the nobility.

The coffee salon, which also sold tea, quickly gained popularity among lower nobles without estates and court nobles who didn't have townhouses in the capital.

It was the perfect place for casual conversation, and artists drawn to the nobles began to frequent it.

The first coffee salon in the capital was a success.

Additionally, friendly stories and rumors about the "commoner princess who almost died of poisoning" began to spread.

While all this was happening, Ririka fully recovered her health.

"But I feel more stifled now."

Her range of movement had decreased, and a maid was assigned to check everything she ate and drank.

Feeling stifled, Ririka was told by Altears, "Wait until you're ten."

She began counting down the days to her tenth birthday.

The more she waited, the slower time seemed to pass, but it eventually flowed the same.

* * *

Altears watched Ririka in the darkness. Ririka, now familiar with the pendulum, tried casting a spell with it.

"How was it?"

When there was no answer, Ririka asked anxiously. Altears held out his hand.

"Pendulum."

Ririka handed it over without hesitation.

"I'll keep it for you."

"Huh?"

"I'll return it on your birthday."

"Two days from now is my birthday."

"I know."

He smiled.

"You're ten now."

"I'm ten."

Ririka smiled. The stifling life in the Sun Palace was finally coming to an end.

She would be allowed to go outside the palace, and her movements would be much freer.

She could meet people from high society and participate in children's social circles.

"Even though she made a face like she didn't want to go with Diare and Fjord."

Still, the option to go was different from not being able to go at all.

"I'll make some adjustments and return it to you."

Ririka nodded in agreement, though puzzled. Altears chuckled and lightly poked her forehead.

"You're getting quite strong."

"Brin said I'm as strong as a calf."

Ririka placed her hands on her hips and said proudly.

"He said I throw stones quite well too."

"That's true, you have good skills."

Altears laughed. Following Ludia's insistence that Ririka shouldn't handle weapons, she had only learned to strengthen her basic physical abilities and how to escape, including throwing stones.

"But that's not enough."

Being able to use magic but not being able to use it publicly was quite inconvenient.

"So, I need to find a way."

He looked down at the pendulum in his hand. The shining moon-shaped pendant was beautifully lit.

He put the pendant in his pocket and stood up.

"Come."

Ririka took his familiarly extended hand and returned to her bedroom.

"Good night."

As she said goodbye, Altears smiled and disappeared. It was always a surprising event, even though it happened regularly.

There were things in this world that one could never get used to.

Ririka changed into her nightgown and got into bed.

"In two days, I'll be ten."

In the empire, turning ten was believed to be when the soul finally settled completely. Moving from an unstable odd number to a stable even number, it was a day of great celebration.

Various rights came with it, along with new responsibilities.

"Whether rights or responsibilities, I like them all."

She could participate in the Royal Family Association, voice her opinions, and gain the right to attend meetings.

She could visit salons and be invited to other mansions.

Her tenth birthday was called "Parta," an ancient term. It roughly translated to "completion," meaning the state of being fully prepared for a task or goal.

The palace was busy preparing for the princess's Parta. Even at midnight, the servants were busy with the preparations.

Her Majesty the Empress was meticulously supervising everything, more attentive than for her own birthday. Her love for her daughter was well-known, so everyone worked hard.

The capital was no different.

Everyone was excited about the princess's Parta because the royal family would provide free wine and bread. Prints depicting the princess in a loving manner were circulating.

The night before, the curfew was lifted, and the streets were bustling even at night.

And finally, the day arrived.