"Umi, does their speech start soon?" The Valmont family’s address marks the beginning of the night; everyone waits eagerly to start the feast, but tradition requires the Valmonts to offer a few words before the festivities can commence.

"I’m not sure, but it should be soon," Umi answers, a spark of excitement lighting up her eyes. She’s clearly looking forward to the night ahead.

The most important and extraordinary night lies just around the corner—something new, something that makes my heart race. Noble families from kingdoms both large and small have gathered to celebrate, including the noble family from the Forsadana kingdom.

A night to be filled with drinking, feasting, music, and so much more. As the first notes fill the air, a tingling sensation stirs in my chest, excitement building with the melody that sets the perfect tone for the Valmonts' grand entrance.

Julian begins his speech, his voice resonating across the grand hall. "Good evening, everyone. We have reached the final and most cherished day of this festival. I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who have journeyed to Luminara for this occasion, with particular gratitude to our esteemed guests from Forsadana..."

Everyone is captivated by Julian's charm; his words bring the once lively hall to a respectful silence—a testament to his mastery of speech. With a relaxed, diplomatic, yet warmly inviting tone, he draws everyone in, welcoming them into his own realm of words.

"...With that said, my daughter would like to share a few words," Julian announces, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall toward Yumiko.

"Hi! Thank you all for coming; we are truly grateful! I hope we have a wonderful night ahead of us!" Yumiko’s lively words break the silence, filling the room with warmth and gratitude.

"I hope tonight becomes a memory to cherish—a night of joy and feasting. Thank you all for being here. Now, let the festivities begin." Julian ends his speech with a final note, prompting loud, warm applause that echoes throughout the grand hall.

With Julian's words spoken, everyone begins to feast, creating a scene to behold.

Umi’s eyes, bright and reflective of the colors around us, sparkle with an expression that rivals her look from the rooftop on the first night of this festival.

...I feel like I’m staring—maybe I am—but I just can’t look away from her eyes, her soft lips, the smoothness of her long blue hair... "...You truly are... a beauty..." The words slip out in such a low tone that she doesn’t hear them, yet somehow, I feel as if they reached her.

"Are you okay?" Her voice breaks my gaze, and I quickly swallow.

"Oh... y-yes, I just... never mind—Miss, you look fantastic tonight." The words finally come out, and I feel somewhat relieved they did. But... I’ve never said that before. Was that strange?

“Oh… well, thank you, Kaito. You look quite well yourself, Sir.” She giggles softly, amused yet sincere, as though she truly means it.

A warmth spreads through my chest—something new, a feeling I haven’t quite felt before. “Thank you, Umi…”

She replies with a kindhearted smile—a smile I can’t help but return. As laughter and music fill the air around us, the night begins, a long, joyful night shared with those around me.

Part 2

"Where is she?" I wonder, glancing around the vast hall. Yumiko should be here by now… maybe she’ll show up soon.

I wish Umi had stayed a bit longer before heading off, but knowing her, she barely remembered what to do. She has a job to do as a maid, so she went off to help the others. But now, here I am, alone, still searching for Yumiko.

As I wander, the grandeur of the hall starts to impress itself upon me. Towering white walls stretch up to the high ceiling, giving the space a palatial feel. The polished floors shimmer beneath the glow of the chandeliers, intricately textured in a way that seems almost too perfect. Tables are heaped with an endless variety of delicacies, from fine wines to unfamiliar spirits and bite-sized treats, each more inviting than the last.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Then, a voice cuts through the hum of the crowd—a familiar, lively voice. “Kaito!”

I turn. “Oh… Yumiko!” There she is, her excitement palpable as she bounds toward me.

“Come on! Aren’t we trying all these dishes?” She’s beaming, and I can’t help but smile. Her energy fills every room, brightening even the smallest moments, though, of course, there are a few we don’t discuss.

"Oh... yeah, sure, I would love to."

"Great! Come on, then."

"Yes, I'm coming..." With that, we set off to explore the delicate dishes before us.

It doesn’t take long for Yumiko to find her first treat—some kind of soft, creamy cheese, I think. "Ah... so good!" she exclaims, savoring each bite as if it’s the best thing she's ever tasted.

"Yes... this is really good, really!" I agree, letting the flavor linger on my tongue. The cheese melts so smoothly, it feels like it’s wrapping itself around each taste bud.

"Yes!" Yumiko practically dances in place, her enthusiasm infectious as she scans the table for the next treat. Her eyes light up as she spots a platter of small, golden pastries, their edges crisp and flaky.

"Oh, these look amazing!" she says, her eyes shining as she reaches for one.

I take one as well, catching a hint of honey or spice. As I bite into it, a delicate crunch gives way to a warm, sweet filling that takes me by surprise. "Wow… it’s almost too good," I say, savoring the layers of flavor.

Yumiko grins. "Right? I didn't think anything could top the cheese, but this…"

We continue down the line, sampling tiny skewers of marinated vegetables, cups of chilled fruit sorbet, and savory rolls filled with herbs and meats. Each taste adds another layer to the evening, blending perfectly with the lively hum of conversation and music around us.

"Isn't it just… perfect?" Yumiko asks, her voice softer now, as if the food has slowed her down, bringing a rare calm. "All of this—everyone here, the food… it feels like a night that could last forever.”

"Yeah," I agree, letting my gaze drift over the bustling hall, the guests laughing and chatting as they taste and drink. "It's something special.”

Part 3

As the night deepens, the room gradually quiets. The older men gather in small groups, chatting and drinking, while the nobles engage in refined conversations. The maids, ever poised, continue their duties, gliding across the hall with practiced grace.

Yumiko is visibly tired, which isn’t surprising after the energy she’s spent eating and socializing. I feel a bit worn out myself, though something in me says this night isn’t over yet. I’m doing my best to stay awake.

The atmosphere has shifted; it feels darker now—not just because of the late hour but because the hall seems drained of its earlier vitality. People look weary, though they keep up the evening’s rhythm with soft chatter, sharing lingering talks with friends and family.

Julian, however, remains as sharp as ever. His expression is calm, calculated, a practiced mask I’ve seen countless times. It’s a look that holds both truth and amusement—a clever mix of honesty and mystery. He’s the kind of man who doesn’t lie outright but chooses his words carefully, wielding them like a ruler commanding an empire.

Since I arrived, it’s been clear Julian has an agenda. Every move he makes feels deliberate, calculated to work in his favor. He’s not the type to stumble; he’s the type to turn any situation to his advantage. But what is he after? More power? An alliance? I can’t tell. Whatever goes on in his mind remains locked away.

“Hey, Kaito, I’m sorry, but I’m going to bed now,” Yumiko says softly, stifling a yawn with her hand.

“Yeah, that’s fine. You go ahead. I think I’ll stay here a bit longer—maybe try to talk to your father.” I’m not sure if she hears me. Her eyelids are heavy, and she looks ready to collapse.

“Ah… okay. Good night, Kaito…” she murmurs, her voice trailing off as she turns toward the exit.

“Good night, Yumiko,” I replied. Did she really just say goodnight to me? That’s a first.

As she continued walking away, the last thing I caught was the sound of her long, drawn-out yawn.

Now I’m here alone. Most people will be heading to bed soon—it’s late. But Julian? He doesn’t seem like the type to sleep early. He’ll probably linger, sipping his wine and watching everything unfold.

What do I even do while waiting for Julian to be alone? And what would I say to him if I got the chance? I don’t know… Why am I even here? Most of the crowd has gone home, leaving behind a few drunkards and lingering nobles.

Maybe I should just call it a night. I’m not supposed to be here anyway. And honestly, even if I do get a moment with Julian, I’d probably be too tired to make sense of it.

Yeah, sleep sounds like the best idea right now.

I step quietly out of the grand hall, making my way back to my room. The day’s events weigh heavily on me as I open the door and sink into my bed.

This… This whole festival… it’s been amazing. These five days have flown by in a blur, and I don’t mind it. Not at all. They’ve been the best days of my life.

Something’s changed in me. This world, these faces, this place—it’s all starting to feel normal, like I belong here. I’ve never felt that before, not even in my room at home, lost in my games. Here, I have purpose. Here, I am supposed to be.

As I sink into the mattress, my eyes flutter shut. Darkness envelops me, and once again, that familiar number appears in the void.

"...7..."