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That night, snow fell from the heavens.
It’s the first snowfall that Radis was seeing ever since she came here to the south.
The snowflakes coming down from the dark sky were like stardust.
As she watched the snow falling outside the window, Radis decided to leave the mansion. She climbed the hill that was overlooking Dvirath and Loire.
She was faced with a full night view of two busiest cities of the empire, and they were beautiful.
It was on that high hill that Radis stood, glancing down at the snow-covered cities.
It felt as if her heart was soaring.
‘My life is my own.’
In the process of hurriedly extracting herself from House Tilrod, this was something that she had forgotten.
But she thought, as if you were vomiting blood just to hold on to this conviction, didn’t you already make up your mind at the end of your previous life?
That, if she was given one more chance, she would live for herself.
‘What do I want to do?’
Radis raised her hands and conjured mana.
She watched as her palms started glowing red.
And it had no form.
She was the one who’d decide what shape it would take.
Her first dream was to live a good and peaceful life while taking care of a small farm at the borders.
On the other hand, as Yves mentioned before, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for her to become a knight.
It would be different from how it was in her past life, when she was using David’s name while going out to subjugate monsters.
At that time, she had always been worried that she would get caught. But now, it doesn’t have to be like that anymore.
She would be able to stand in front of others with dignity.
She’d be able to pursue anything she wanted in earnest, whatever she might choose.
Because she’s free.
Radis clapped her hands with force.
And right then, the irregular mana burst through her fingers, fluttering out like flower petals.
For the first time ever, she was looking forward to the future that had yet to come.
For the first time ever, her heart felt so full.
She didn’t know how long she stayed there.
The eastern sky began to glow into a brighter shade.
The first sunrise of the year started to make itself known over the horizon, atop the mountains of the east side.
Although it was dazzling, Radis continued to watch the sun.
The overwhelming, majestic light was deeply engraved into her heart.
* * *
To celebrate the start of the new year, the New Year’s Ball was one of the biggest annual events of the imperial family.
And the ones who’d be announcing the start of the New Year’s Ball was the first official ceremony of the year for the White Dragon Knights, the imperial guard.
At noon, there would be a blessing ceremony that only the direct members of the imperial family would attend, and it would be held at the grand temple. Then later in the afternoon, the grand ball would be held.
“The official ceremony, I mean, I was hoping to see that, too…”
As they were inside the moving carriage, on the way to the imperial palace, Radis couldn’t hide her disappointment.
“Sorry, I couldn’t even remember it.”
Yves, dressed in black garments yet again, had been sporting a gaunt face ever since they had stepped foot into the capital.
“I’ve become utterly tired of watching the same ceremony several times. And the official ceremony is held at the Imperial Palace’s courtyard to boot. That place is so empty that you’d just freeze to death right then and there. It’s already so cold in this place because we’re up north, but there’d be nothing to stop the wind at that place. I always fall ill after watching the ceremony.”
“Good grief.”
Radis sighed regretfully, but she didn’t bring up the official ceremony again.
Because it’s true that Yves looked so exhausted.
Radis hadn’t seen him get any proper rest at Loire for almost a month, but once they came up north, he walked straight into another mountainous pile of work.
Even though his eyes were covered with his bangs, she could see the dark circles that nearly came down until his cheeks.
If Radis were to force Yves to stand in the cold when he’s in that condition, she was absolutely certain that he’d really get sick afterwards.
“After the New Year’s Ball, I’m going to rest the whole time until we return to the south.”
Yves said this with conviction.
“Really, I mean it. I’m not even going to get out of my bed.”
“I see.”
“Haa. I’m excited already just thinking about it.”
Energized just by the thought of resting, Yves crossed his legs and straightened his posture.
“So I’m going to work hard today. You too, Radis!”
“What do I have to…”
As Yves was sitting across Radis inside the carriage, he leaned over and drew closer to her.
“You don’t know what it’ll be, but you seem awfully enthusiastic, don’t you, Radis?”
“……”
Radis’ cheeks turned bright red.
The ballgown she was wearing right now had been commissioned from the Saffron boutique.
It was a beautiful purple dress made from velvet, and it was reminiscent of a certain someone’s eyes. Depending on the angle that you looked at it, the dress also had a subtle reddish tint, and it matched well with Radis’ hair.
Decorating her chest area and her bell-shaped sleeves was intricately woven white lace, and it was also studded with small, shining gems that glimmered every time light hit them.
It was, overall, a classic design, but the designer’s wit shone through the outline of the well-trained hard physique of the woman who was wearing the garment.
The skirt of the dress had an elegant and lovely silhouette, and it had pleats going down from the base of her thin waist.
Yves leaned against the window of the carriage and smiled as he looked at her.
“Radis, you’re so pretty.”
Her ears prickled with heat.
She couldn’t tell whether it was because of the way his low voice rang in the narrow carriage, or whether it was because she had been called pretty.
“The Third Prince will be pleasantly surprised to see you, too.”
“……”
Vulnerable to compliments, Radis couldn’t say anything back. All she could do was pout her lips, making them look like a duck’s beak.
But inwardly, she was thinking that… maybe she really was.
Because the dress was actually really pretty.
It seemed like it was worthwhile having to go through all those excruciating fittings.
Then, the coachman announced their arrival at the imperial palace.