IBDFSML Chapter 30

“In the continental year 918, the Northern Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony shall now commence.”

An elderly priest with white hair stepped onto the platform and delivered a formal opening address.

Soon, the young men—the stars of the ceremony—began walking up onto the platform one by one, kneeling on one knee before the statue of the goddess in a respectful posture.

They were all sons and daughters of the most prestigious families in the North.

Meanwhile, hidden within Genevia’s hair and unable to see anything, I anxiously asked.

“How is it? Can you see anything? Huh?”

“Yes, yes, I can see the young men seated—”

Genevia replied soullessly.

Unhappy with her vague answer, I tugged her hair and asked again.

“Ugh, give me a proper description!”

At that moment, Elda, who was struggling to tiptoe and peek ahead, shouted excitedly.

“Ah! I can see the young lord!”

“Where, where?!”

“He's the one in the middle of the three over there!”

“Me too! I want to see too!”

Wrapped tightly in Genevia’s hair, I began climbing up her head.

“Ow—please wait a moment, Ms. Lin.”

Genevia pretended to be fixing her hair and discreetly lifted me onto the crown of her head.

One of the noblemen beside her flinched in surprise at the sight of her messy hair, but I ignored it.

Finally, with a wide and clear view, the scene that unfolded before my eyes left me speechless.

“Gasp!!”

Sion was standing on the platform.

Bathed in an almost blinding halo of light.

Of course, there were other young men next to him too, but I couldn’t see anyone else—only him.

“…This is insane. He’s a showstopper.”

Whoever dressed him deserves an award. The elegant and impeccably tailored black formalwear, paired with a fur-lined shoulder cape, accentuated Sion’s tall frame and broad shoulders to perfection.

And to top it off, his silvery-grey hair—resembling starlight—fluttered just slightly in the northern wind blowing through the hall, creating a picture-perfect image.

“As expected… that man is…”

“Ahem… He is indeed far more than what the rumors said…”

“A-a truly stunning man.”

As everyone admired Sion’s dignified posture as he knelt on one knee, a collective murmur of awe spread throughout the hall. His untouchable aura naturally commanded admiration.

“Hehehe… Hehehehe. This is it!”

The sight of Sion, even more dazzling and satisfying than I had imagined, made my cheeks lift with glee, defying gravity.

Soon after, the ceremonial vow of the coming-of-age ritual echoed through the hall.

Though the speech was long-winded and filled with flowery rhetoric, the gist was a blessing from the goddess, promising protection and rights over all northern lands.

“…Thus, from this day forth, you are noble descendants of the North, and your sacred blood and honor shall serve as an eternal light on the path ahead.”

As the old priest finished his ceremonial vow, thunderous applause erupted from all around.

And shortly after…

“…!”

The Grand Duchess, who had been watching everything unfold from the VIP seat, stepped up onto the stage.

She wore a composed smile, but everyone present knew it was a facade. After all, she had failed in her scheme the night before and was surely in a foul mood.

Moreover, the Grand Duchess had always seen Sion—a child born out of wedlock—as a thorn in her side. So, her true feelings were not difficult to guess.

In the tense silence, the Grand Duchess opened her mouth out of formal obligation, speaking as tradition required.

“Sion Luxior, from this day forward, you are hereby officially recognized as a member of the grand ducal house. You shall be entered into our family registry. As such, you are promised all the honors and protection due to the descendant of the late Grand Duke of the North.”

At her gesture, the elder representative approached and handed something over.

“That is…!”

A brooch in the shape of a winter wolf.

It was the symbol of the Luxior Grand Duchy—something Sion, in the original story, had never received.

Seeing Sion, finally and publicly recognized as the rightful heir of the Luxior family, I was overwhelmed with emotion and instinctively covered my mouth.

At last, I truly felt that Sion's fate was beginning to diverge from the original plot.

“Sniff… Sion…!”

“Oh wow, are you crying now?”

Genevia muttered in bewilderment, but I completely ignored her.

What do you know, you protagonist.

Then, murmurs began rippling subtly through the crowd.

“Ahem, doesn’t he remind you of the late Grand Duke in his youth?”

“I was just thinking the same.”

“Ah yes, what a fond memory.”

“Though his birth may not be noble, there's no doubt he carries the blood of the grand ducal line.”

Several retainers and nobles exchanged glances filled with mixed emotions.

On the other hand, those loyal to the Grand Duchess looked visibly displeased and coughed awkwardly to mask their discomfort.

Ignoring all of that, I called out to Sion, who was descending the stage, with all my might.

“Wow! You’re amazing, Sion!!!”

“Huh? What the—?!”

“Oh my, that startled me.”

“Who was that? How rude.”

My loud outburst made everyone flinch, frown, and look around in confusion.

Genevia and Elda quickly whispered in alarm.

“Ms. Lin! You're going to get caught!”

“Sorry, sorry.”

Though I wasn’t sorry at all, I casually apologized to them both.

Then, when I looked back toward the platform, I could’ve sworn Sion and I locked eyes for a brief moment amidst the crowd.

***

After the coming-of-age ceremony, a banquet was held.

“Now then, where’s Sion?”

I scanned the crowd with sharp, hawk-like eyes, searching for him. And then, I spotted him standing in the distance beside Garen.

“There he is!”

I tugged on Genevia’s hair.

“Let’s go over there!”

“Ow—will you stop pulling already?”

“You got it, right, Genevia? Don’t tell him I came with you. Just let me watch from nearby, that’s all.”

If Sion found out I had come out while I was supposed to be resting and recovering, he’d definitely be upset.

“…Yes, yes. Got it.”

Grumbling “Ugh, can’t wait to pass her off,” Genevia trudged toward Sion.

Just then, the music in the hall changed to a very romantic melody.

At the same time, people shuffled back, forming a circular open space in the middle of the banquet hall.

Elda, who had been trailing behind us, lit up and said.

“Kyaa! It’s dance time!”

Just as she said, Northern nobles stepped forward with laughter and scattered flower petals as they began to dance.

‘…Oh, come on.’

Of course, Sion and Garen, who had no interest in dancing, were standing off to the side, talking quietly among themselves.

At that moment, a beautiful woman with long violet hair approached the two.

My eyes instantly flared.

“Hey, what’s that girl doing?!”

But it turned out that the violet-haired lady was reaching out—not to Sion—but to Garen. I let out a small sigh of relief… only to flare up again.

“Wait, are you seriously choosing Garen over Sion?!”

Just as my pride was about to crack, Elda spoke beside me.

“Isn’t that Dame Diene?”

“Huh?”

Looking more closely, I realized it was indeed the knight Diene Schuto, who had visited the annex not long ago. From what I’d gathered, she was likely Garen’s ex-girlfriend.

Sure enough, Diene, ignoring Garen’s stiffened and awkward posture, boldly grabbed his hand and dragged him out to the dance floor.

Elda covered one cheek with a dreamy sigh.

“Wow… so Sir Garen is in a relationship. I’m jealous…”

“…Hmph.”

I turned my gaze back to Sion, who was now standing all alone.

Everyone around him was dancing, laughing, and enjoying themselves, while he stood still and solitary, like an outsider.

Just seeing him like that made my heart ache.

I immediately called out to Genevia.

“Genevia.”

“What now?”

“Go dance with Sion.”

“…Come again?”

Genevia looked down at me with a completely bewildered expression.

“Dance with Sion.”

“Why me?”

“Look! Sion’s just standing there, all alone and awkward.”

“He doesn’t look awkward to me. If anything, he seems pretty comfortable.”

I clicked my tongue and scolded Genevia like a wise older sibling.

“Think about it, Genevia. On such an important day, a man that handsome standing around all alone like that—it’s just not a good look, is it?”

“……”

“And Sion is a noble. Who knows, he might even end up as your boss’s boss someday. Wouldn’t it be smart to make a good impression now, while you can?”

Genevia wavered slightly, doubt flickering across her face.

“…But I’ve never danced before…”

I placed my hand firmly on her shoulder.

“Genevia. Do you really think Sion is the kind of person who would actually dance seriously?”

“…Definitely not.”

“Exactly! I’m just asking you to stand next to him. Just keep others from swooping in. And while you’re at it, maybe strike up a casual conversation, break the ice, huh?”

“…Why do I have to be the one breaking ice with him, again…?”

That’s when it happened.

“There you are.”

Sion’s voice suddenly came from behind us.

“Ah! You scared me!”

“…!!!”

I instantly dove back into hiding within Genevia’s hair.

“Why are you so startled?”

Sion asked calmly.

Genevia pretended to fix her hair, helping to shield me as she awkwardly replied,

“…It’s nothing.”

“…….”