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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Star's Blessing
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-Whoosh!
A much larger flame erupts from his hand.
"...Good."
Not bad at all.
With that thought, he waves his hand to extinguish the fire.
"Theo, you've gotten so much better!"
He receives a sudden tackle-hug from Lily on his left.
And at the same time,
"Amazing!"
This time, a sensation of being pounced on from the right.
It was Ravire.
"You're incredible, Theo!"
"..."
"..."
At the same time, Lily and Ravire stare silently at each other.
"..."
Lily gazes at Ravire with an expressionless face, while Ravire glares back angrily.
And all he could do was watch the scene with a sigh.
As it turned out, the two were born in consecutive years.
In other words, they were sisters just one year apart.
And being consecutive birthdays inevitably meant...
"I didn't invite you here."
Lily says in a deliberately emotionless voice,
"I came to play with Theo, not you!"
Ravire bares her teeth and growls back at Lily without backing down.
"..."
This kind of fighting meant there was someone they were competing over.
And that someone was obviously...
"Theo likes playing with me, right?"
"No! Theo likes playing with me!"
"..."
Me.
The two stare straight at him.
Of course, he knew the right answer.
His response had been forged through years in the orphanage and social life.
Ahem. He clears his throat and opens his mouth.
"I like both of my sisters."
In situations like this, you absolutely couldn't dodge the question.
When asked sincerely, you had to answer honestly.
With that, he stretches out both arms and pulls them into a hug.
They were a bit big to hug at four years old, but for family harmony, it wasn't hard.
If his two sisters didn't get along, fights would break out.
And fights among imperial family members didn't end as mere squabbles.
They turned into political strife.
If he got caught up in political strife, he'd be the one bleeding.
And even if strife arose, he had to remain a neutral zone.
Thinking that, he hugs them and lets go.
"..."
"..."
Lily and Ravire glance at each other, then look away.
"...Fine, since Theo said so."
"...Hmph."
The two turn their heads away as they reply, and he lets out a quiet sigh of relief inside. Just as he's about to focus back on magic,
"By the way, Theo."
Lily turns her head slightly to look at him.
"Yeah, sis?"
"Is there anything you want for your birthday? Like, something you'd like to get?"
"Hmm..."
Mother had been like this last time too. Everyone was so serious about birthday gifts.
"Me too. Is there anything you want for your birthday, Theo?"
And now Ravire chimes in hurriedly from the right.
"Don't copy me."
"I'm not!"
"I like anything my sisters give me."
"I figured you'd say that, Theo."
"Boring..."
The two pout their lips.
What could preschoolers even give as gifts anyway?
Flowers, chocolate, something like that.
He didn't expect much.
"I'm just grateful that my sisters are thinking of me."
It was sincere.
It was the thought that counted, not the gift.
He nods to himself,
"..."
"..."
Before he knows it, the two are staring at each other again.
"Then I'll prepare my feelings! Don't expect anything from me!"
Lily clears her throat with an ahem and glances at Ravire,
"M-Me too! Don't expect a thing!"
"Uh, um."
Ravire clears her throat too and speaks to him.
Yeah. If they were already good at lying at this age, how disappointed would he be?
Best to just smile and nod.
That was his daily routine: playing fun games with his sisters, studying magic in his personal time.
Or just sleeping.
Growing tall was important.
Several more months passed like that.
"...Prince Theo is really growing by the day."
The maid measuring his clothes gives him a wry smile.
"It's the growth spurt. You're taking good care of me and letting me sleep well."
"You always say such sweet things."
The maid smiles.
"Do you know how jealous the others are of me?"
"Why?"
"Because Prince Theo treats me so kindly and is like an angel."
"..."
He gazes at the beaming maid, lost in thought.
She has no idea.
It's the bosses who get the most complaints.
If he treated them badly, it could boomerang back anytime.
Don't take the obvious for granted—always show gratitude, praise their hard work, and toss in gifts as a bonus.
It was a desperate measure to avoid being badmouthed behind his back.
"It's because you're all so good to me."
"Don't talk like an old soul, really."
What could he do? It was true.
"You can share these cookies with the other servants."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I don't eat them."
He shares cookies like this.
"Ah, young master. This measurement might feel a bit tight for a fancier cape."
"It's fine."
"..."
"..."
The maid starts measuring his clothes again.
"Young master, aren't you excited?"
"About what?"
"Well, your birthday's coming up soon. I heard Princess Ravire was so thrilled she ran through the palace halls and got scolded by Her Majesty the Empress."
That's right.
He was turning five soon.
And she was measuring him for birthday clothes.
"But Prince Theo doesn't seem happy or anything."
Getting older wasn't exactly fun.
"I'm happy too."
"Hmm..."
The maid gazes at him, smiles, and removes the tape.
"All done."
"Thanks."
"Magic practice again today?"
"Yeah."
What could he do? Magic practice was the most fun.
Maybe because he'd lived in a world without it.
Just seeing a fireball form in his hand made him happy.
Of course, he couldn't throw it, so it was make and unmake, repeat.
Lately, he'd even been studying advanced stuff on his own.
Come to think of it, he had a question.
"Who's coming to the birthday party this time?"
"Hmm, pretty much all the noble houses of the kingdom, I'd say."
Right, he was a prince.
It'd be weirder if they didn't come.
He should make a list of things to watch out for.
"Any rumors?"
"Rumors?"
"You know, like some young lady or whatever."
"Oh my, oh dear. Your Highness is already so naughty..."
He notices her eyes narrow and realizes she's completely misunderstood.
"That's not what I—"
"Of course! I'll tell you everything!"
"...Okay..."
Fine, whatever. He'd listen.
With that thought, he starts paying attention to the maid's words.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
And a bit more time passed, until his fifth birthday finally arrived.
"..."
Music, raucous cheers, and even popping sounds.
Mother's boast of preparing the continent's grandest birthday party came to mind.
Even if it was the continent's best, still.
He turns his gaze forward.
Of course, he was still behind the dark curtain.
Just waiting quietly due to Mother's firm belief that the star of the show appears last.
Did it really have to be this much?
"Theo, nervous?"
Lily's voice comes from beside him.
Of course, he wasn't alone.
Lily and Ravire were with him.
He turns to look at the two.
They gaze back at him in their ladies' formal attire.
Maybe because they took after Mother, they were adorably captivating.
With that thought, he replies.
"A little nervous."
It was standing in front of others, after all.
As he answers, Ravire smiles and hugs him tightly again.
"It's okay, Theo! I'll protect you!"
Ever since she started learning martial arts recently, Ravire had been saying she'd protect him more often.
"..."
He hears Lily puffing her cheeks beside them, but he didn't have the mental bandwidth to sort that out right now either.
How long had he been in Ravire's hug?
The curtain parts slightly, and Mother enters.
"Theo."
She gazes at him with a loving smile.
"It's time to come out."
"Ah, yes, Mother."
"Oh dear. It seems Ravire was hugging you too much beforehand."
She kneels, heedless of dirt on her dress, and straightens his clothes.
"There. Now go show yourself to everyone."
Mother smiles softly.
Soon, a warm sensation fills his left and right hands.
He whips his head around to see Lily and Ravire holding his hands, smiling.
"Theo, I'll lead you."
"Me too!"
He gazes at them quietly and nods.
"Yeah, let's go."
Why was his heart pounding so much over this?
He steps forward slowly.
Mother leads the way and parts the curtain.
Suddenly, a dazzling spectacle unfolds before his eyes.
A golden fountain erupts.
Truly, a fountain of molten gold.
The ceiling was somehow blooming with rainbows, flowers danced as if enchanted by magic.
The chandeliers sparkled brilliantly, as if strung with diamonds.
And behind it all, people were watching him.
"..."
Mother, this is a bit much.
As he thinks that and glances around, Mother speaks again.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Theodor Adelio Castina. My last child, and the child blessed by the star.
Was it magic? Mother's voice booms through the hall.
It was a phrase he'd heard even as a baby.
"I hope everyone welcomes him with all your hearts."
Applause echoes, and he scans the faces.
Everyone stares at him blankly.
A bit overwhelming.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Father."
A little girl tugs at a middle-aged man's pants leg.
Her age looks about the same as Theodor's.
Her golden hair shines brightly under the lights, just like his, and her blue eyes sparkle like they hold the sky.
And her gaze is fixed on Theodor, who smiles softly while talking to others.
"Hm? What is it, Lucy?"
"What's a child blessed by the star?"
"Ah, that's just a saying..."
The girl's eyes light up as she hears her father's explanation.
"Cool..."
"Isn't it?"
The girl nods and darts off toward Theodor before the man can say more.
"Your Highness. Show me the star too."
"...Huh?"
Confusion flickers across Theodor's face at the girl's words.
"Father said you show the star that will save the world."
"...Me?"
"Yes. Your Highness, show me the star."
"The star..."
Theodor nods at her words.
"Okay. I'll show you a star."
And with that, he takes Lucy's hand and leads her away.
"Oh dear! Lucy! Your Majesty! I'm so sorry!"
"No, it's a woman's instinct to forget manners around a handsome boy. I permit it."
The middle-aged man desperately begs forgiveness, while the Empress replies in an oddly pleased tone.
"Wait..."
Theodor mutters and closes his eyes.
He clenches his fist, and soon...
⭐ STAR'S BLESSING ACTIVATED ⭐A radiant star manifests in his grasp.
-Flash!
A star appears in his hand.
Whether it could truly be called a star was unclear. But something shone brightly nonetheless.
"Oh mom, you scared me."
Theodor hurriedly waves his hand to dispel the light.
All eyes turn to him.
"...A star."
"It's a star."
Others murmur in awe.
Soon, gasps of wonder erupt from everyone's mouths.
"A star! It's a star!"
"Prince Theodor showed a star!"
Everyone cheers joyfully.
All but one.
"What did you just say, Theo?"
"Uh, yeah?"
"What did you say?"
"Wait...?"
"After that."
"Oh mom, you scared me?"
"Say it again."
"Oh mom, you scared me..."
"Yes. Mom. Not Mother."
"Eek."
Even as his cheeks are squished hard, Theodor stares at his hand in bewilderment.
At that time, in the Estella Holy Kingdom.
"Holy Father! Holy Father!!!"
Three men burst into the Pope's room as he prepares to leave for the day.
Each a renowned Cardinal of the Holy Kingdom.
They rush in with eyes rolled back as if the world has flipped upside down.
"Huff, huff...!"
"Speak. I have plenty of time."
The Pope replies in a kindly voice, and
"The star! The star!!"
"What's with the star?"
"The star!!"
"Enough! What about the star?!"
"What other star could we mean?!"
With that, the three Cardinals grab him with strong hands and drag him along.
The Pope eyes the frantic men narrowly but lets himself be pulled.
Soon, the four emerge outside.
And in his eyes, a brilliant golden star shines in the sky.
The symbol of the Star's Blessing.
"See! It's the star! The star!"
Pope Orba III.
The man famous among priests for never opening his eyes, even when slaying the Demon King.
And yet,
"The Saint has come...!"
He opens his eyes wide for the first time.
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