"Tiel!"
Tiel snapped back to attention at the sound of Ludian's voice.
Turning around, she saw Ludian, neatly dressed and with his hair combed back, looking at her.
"Brother?"
"Why are you spacing out like that? If you're tired, you don't have to go. I'm serious."
Ludian said.
Tiel shook her head.
Today was the day she was supposed to attend the festival organized by the temple.
To be precise, it was more of a 'ceremony to wish for the return of the light,' but since the temple referred to it as a festival, everyone casually called it a festival.
Tiel had already expressed her intention to attend this festival.
After the days started getting shorter, she had been staying mostly inside the mansion, not going out much, so this was truly a rare occasion for Tiel to go outside.
It was also a day to show her face to the Beastkin of the Crassion Empire after a long time.
However, Karsus, Ludian, Ferdie, and Ian Dross strongly opposed Tiel attending the festival.
The reason was simple: the public sentiment was already poor, and showing her face wouldn't do her any good.
Moreover,
"Not long ago, even my abilities disappeared..."
After that day, Karsus had been adamantly against Tiel attending the festival.
But Tiel thought differently.
'Thankfully, after replenishing my abilities in Ian's spatial realm last time, my abilities are gradually returning.'
Though slowly, her abilities were definitely coming back.
So, Tiel thought there wouldn't be any problem using her abilities a little during the festival. She knew her condition better than anyone else.
"It's fine. I was just resting a bit because I was tired."
As Tiel reached her hand out, Ludian took her hand and helped her stand up.
Tiel, who had been carefully prepared by Ria and the Asterian maids, looked dazzlingly beautiful.
The white dress Ian Dross had sent her as a gift shimmered with hundreds of blue gems that sparkled relentlessly whenever they caught the sunlight.
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
Her round hair was neatly tied up and fixed with a hairpin that had large jewels and a ribbon attached. Small flowers were delicately placed in her hair, and her long, wavy hair was combed neatly, flowing down to her waist.
Ludian thought that Tiel must be the most beautiful Beastkin in the Crassion Empire.
And those who had seen Tiel grow up would have had no objections to Ludian's opinion.
Tiel, all dressed up for the first time in a while, was indeed as stunning as ever.
While admiring her, Ludian secretly vowed that if anyone criticized Tiel today, he would do everything in his power to shield her from any condemnation.
"Where is Ferdie, brother?"
"He's already in the carriage. Let's go, can you walk? I think the dress is too long. Ian Dross really sent a dress that's too long without thinking."
"Brother! Dresses are all like this."
"But you used to wear dresses that reached your knees when you were younger, right?"
"That was when I was little. I can't wear cute knee-length dresses anymore..."
"There's no age limit for dresses! Plus, you're still cute, so it's fine."
Ludian said in a rather serious tone. Tiel couldn't help but chuckle.
By the time they reached the bottom of the spiral staircase, another voice calling Tiel reached their ears.
"Tiel."
"Tiel!"
The first voice was Karsus's, and the second one was Alpheus's. Tiel turned around in surprise, seeing Alpheus, who was dressed neatly and had combed his hair with a dignified appearance.
"Grandfather? Are you going too?"
"Yes, I decided to go as well."
"But you said you were busy recently. Are you sure it's okay for you to go?"
At Tiel's question, Alpheus widened his eyes and spoke.
"I can't let it be! What if someone tries to do something foolish while I'm not around? I will protect you myself!"
Ludian, picking up on the situation, gently handed Tiel's hand to Alpheus.
Tiel smiled, holding Alpheus's large, warm hand tightly.
"I'm so happy that you're going with us, Grandfather. It feels like we're going on a trip."
"Yes, think of it as a trip. You're going with your family. Don't worry about what others say there."
Alpheus gently squeezed Tiel's hand and released it.
"Everyone is here now."
Just then, Ferdie appeared from the stairs and naturally joined them. Tiel was surprised to see him.
"Wasn't he already in the carriage?"
"Who said I was in the carriage? I went to your room to pick you up, but you weren't there... someone beat me to it."
Ferdie glanced at Ludian. Ludian shrugged, pretending not to notice.
Tiel, seeing their exchange, quickly understood the situation.
Ludian had lied again and brought her down... It wasn't surprising since the two of them had often played pranks and told lies like this when they were younger.
"Let's go, we'll be late."
Karsus said.
The festival was being held not in the capital, but in "Arcadia."
The land where the sun never rises.
But now, it was the place where the sun had begun to rise again, once a land of prosperity and abundance...
The reason the temple had chosen this place for the festival was simple: Tiel had returned the light there.
The power of light was eternal, and the festival was a celebration to show that the goddess Lyset was still with them.
The problem was that it was a very far place. So, Beastkin wishing to attend the festival had to leave early before the festival began.
"Didn't Olivia say she was going to the festival too?"
Tiel tilted her head and asked. Ferdie answered instead.
"Olivia left for Arne early. So did Aunt and Uncle. She seemed really excited to meet her friend after a long time."
Tiel nodded.
And just as they were about to take their first steps toward departure, a small, quick set of footsteps echoed from somewhere.
Tap, tap, tap!
Everyone turned their heads and looked toward the source of the sound.
"...!"
Tiel immediately crouched down and reached out her hand as soon as she recognized who the owner of the footsteps was.
A tiny salamander quickly hopped onto her palm.
The salamander looked at Tiel with an expression that seemed to ask why it hadn't been taken along, then curled up on her palm.
Tiel carefully stroked the warm salamander.
"Right, I saw this little one sleeping by my pillow this morning, and I promised to take it with me... I must have forgotten, I guess it's upset."
The Asterian men, who belonged to the family, stared at the salamander.
They had already heard about Karsus's salamander, which had developed a personality, like Tiel's fish.
However...
If it was going to develop a personality, why couldn't it have been a smarter salamander?
At least the salamanders created by Asterian men didn't sleep lazily when their master left, only to rush out later, upset...
Alpheus, Ferdie, and Ludian slowly turned their heads to look at Karsus.
Karsus, pretending it had nothing to do with him, casually turned his head away.
Tiel, unconcerned with their reactions, continued walking with the salamander held carefully in her hand.
One by one, they got into the carriage, and the Asterian butler closed the door for them.
The horses let out a long whinny, and soon, the carriage began to move slowly.
Behind ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) them, Asterian knights followed in formation, and the servants remaining at the mansion bowed and waved them off.
Behind Tiel's carriage, tiny light particles shimmered, but since the sun was still high, those who saw them simply assumed they were sunlight fragments.
***
"So, are we staying in Arne, or will we stay in Arcadia?"
Tiel, nibbling on a cookie Ria had packed, lifted her head and asked.
The salamander, sitting on Tiel's shoulder and nibbling on a cookie, also perked up its head.