Chapter 67
67
===
The year changed.
Every year in the first month, Nigel's biggest holiday, the Baha Festival, delays Father's return.
'It's because of us that he comes back right after the ‘Sky Opening Day’ event, but…….'
But I don't think I've ever waited for Father as eagerly as I have this year.
'I'm so nervous…….'
The Divination is in just two days.
I've been so nervous that I've lost my appetite since a week ago, and I'm so anxious that I chew on my fingernails while waiting for Father in the garden.
The garden was more splendidly decorated than ever for our birthday party and the Divination, but even that didn't catch my eye at all.
'It was the same when Rosa had her Divination in the past…….'
Looking back, I was even more afraid then.
At the time, I knew nothing about our abilities, and I thought I might be abandoned if I didn't receive Divinity.
'But I was still hoping I could receive something…….'
Come to think of it, the fact that Rosa went into the Divination at that time was like a twist of fate.
'If I had gone in this year, like this year, many things would have been different…….'
At least, Rosa wouldn't have made me a Scent pouch filled with Poisonous herb.
'But this time it's different.'
This time, I can hear the voice of God myself.
I can hear about my abilities and Rosa's abilities first.
Of course, Rosa won't know anything about her abilities…….
'If I don't tell her, she won't know for a long time like I did, right?'
Of course, precognition will just appear before her eyes, so she will realize it someday.
While repeating those thoughts over and over again, looking up at the hazy winter sky, the Celestial Steed finally appeared.
'Ibiza……!'
I waved happily to Nigel's Magical creature, with whom I had become quite close.
―Heeheeing!
Ibiza shook in the sky, welcoming me, causing Father's carriage to shake.
"Oh oh……!"
The Golden Carriage arrived, startling others unnecessarily.
"Father……!"
I jumped into Father's arms as he got out of the carriage, and Father smiled brightly and hugged me.
"Why are you out here when it's cold, baby?"
"Because Father is coming back too late."
As I answered as if complaining, knowing the situation in Nigel well, Father put one hand back into the carriage.
Then he took out a bouquet of flowers as big as Ibiza's face.
"Oh……?"
It was a scarlet Katrose flower that only blooms in the middle of winter in Nigel.
"The flower language of Katrose is 'patience.' Like the beautiful petals of Katrose that bloom patiently in the middle of winter, our baby's waiting will also be answered."
I had sent a letter to Father a week ago, whining that I was nervous, so Father was likely to see right through me.
"Thank you, Father."
I handed the bouquet to Beatrice and took Father's hand.
Flower gifts are nice, but what I needed right now was Father's warmth.
―Heeheeing!
Ibiza cried out in dissatisfaction.
I had forgotten about Ibiza because I was welcoming Father, and I was startled and greeted him.
"Ibiza……!"
As I approached and hugged one of his thighs without fear, Father clicked his tongue.
"Ibiza won't attack you, but it's dangerous to approach his legs first."
"Ibiza won't hurt me, Father."
As long as Yan is sitting on Ibiza's head like now.
―Beep beep!
Yan cried out as if agreeing, and Father burst into laughter.
* * *
"Um, Gabi……."
The day before the Divination.
I couldn't stand my curiosity and opened my mouth.
Gabriella answered as kindly as usual.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Um…… my sister. Isn't she very angry?"
"Because of the Divination?"
Gabriella smiled kindly.
"The Divination doesn't change no matter who hears it. Princess Rosa was upset for a while. But now she has calmed down and is waiting while praying hard."
Rosa?
'How can Rosa do that?'
I frowned as if I had heard the strangest story in the world.
"Really?"
"Really, really."
Gabriella took my hand.
"So, Your Highness, don't worry about anything else. You may be afraid alone, but just listen to the voice of God. Okay?"
I nodded, bewildered, but I didn't know how to accept this fact.
A little later, I was left alone with Yan.
"Yan, have you seen Rosa in the palace these days?"
"……Sometimes."
The answer was somehow lukewarm.
"Is it true that she goes around praying? Even to Hatin Palace?"
"Well, not alone."
"Then with whom?"
He answered again as if reluctantly.
"That Joy kid, you know? The one who defected from Ikan."
"With that kid?"
Yan nodded.
I repeated a question that I had asked several times but had never heard an answer to.
"But Yan, why do you hate that kid?"
Yan shrugged his shoulders and slightly spread and folded his wings.
I thought he was avoiding answering again, but this time, unexpectedly, an answer came back.
"Because she lies every time she opens her mouth."
I asked, a little surprised.
"……That kid? What lies did that kid tell?"
"Her existence itself is a lie. And I hate the color of her eyes."
What color were her eyes?
It took me a long time to remember Joy's eye color.
"Her eyes were…… golden?"
Yan turned his head as if he was pathetic.
"That's not gold. It's a beastly yellow color."
"……Beastly?"
"Yeah, just like a cat."
I guess he still has resentment towards cats.
I unconsciously reached out to Yan and stroked his head.
"It's okay, Yan. Now there are no……"
I was about to say there were no cats, but if there were, he would win, right?
How could such a big man lose to a small cat?
'Eek!'
Come to think of it, I had unconsciously touched Yan.
After learning about Yan's shocking identity, I hadn't even put him on my shoulder.
I hurriedly took my hand away as if burned, and Yan sneered.
"Kid. Isn't it too late for you to avoid me?"
"N, no!"
I quickly turned around and said.
"The, the earliest time to think it's too late is when it's already late!"
Yan chuckled, but I tried to ignore him.
I don't even know what Rosa is doing, so I can't be dealing with a con artist.
"By the way, you remember what I said, right?"
I don't know how many times I've checked already.
I finally turned around to look at Yan behind me.
"I am the only daughter chosen by Ea!"
Yan added, somehow seriously.
"Ea does not reject anyone and embraces everyone. Remember that."
What is Yan trying to say?
'Ea embraces everyone, but she especially chose me?'
I looked at Yan with a puzzled expression, but he avoided my gaze as if he had decided not to answer anymore.
* * *
Finally, our seventh birthday arrived.
I thought she would cause a ruckus if we ran into each other even at dawn, but Rosa left her nature quietly in Gabriella's arms.
However, a small note was left on the bed.
「To my beloved other half.
You can do it.」
What……?
Rosa was completely the same as in the past in that she became kind, mentioning 'other half' around the time of the Divination, and that was creepy.
'She's so relaxed even though she's not receiving the Divination herself……?'
I quickly covered the note with a blanket as if there was poison on it, and crumpled it up.
Then Yan, as if he had been waiting, picked up the note and flew out.
'Anyway, Yan hates Rosa so much…….'
Soon Beatrice appeared and suddenly teared up.
"Your Highness, who was only as big as my forearm, is already seven years old and receiving the Divination……!"
Then she handed me a small book with a ribbon tied around it.
"It's a birthday present. I thought it would be nice for Your Highness to use this kind of notebook since you like to collect short writings."
The luxurious leather notebook even had a small lock.
"Oh my goodness……. Thank you so much, Tris."
"Fill it with good memories, Your Highness!"
I really hope so.
The whole palace was noisy because of the birthday party and the Divination, but today, even the Princess had to wear a solemn white gown instead of a fancy dress.
I put on the prepared white gown and wrapped myself in a heavy white mink fur cloak.
'Heavy…….'
The necklace and hairpins that Gray gave me as a gift were also well decorated to match the bracelet.
"You're so pretty, Your Highness. Since you are such a lovely Highness, God will give you anything!"
Beatrice was very excited, but I was so nervous that I forgot what to say.
As I stepped out of the Gate, Icarus knelt on one knee.
"It is an honor to serve you most closely on a day like today, small Highness."
I barely reached out and ruffled Icarus's hair as usual.
Then, with a parched throat, I tried to answer.
"I'm counting on you, Icarus."