Finally, amidst everyone’s expectant gazes, Alisa put on the necklace.
The silver-white necklace accentuated Alisa’s already fair neck, making it appear even more pristine. She blinked, her eyes catching sight of golden specks of light shimmering in the air.
Hesitantly, she reached out to touch them. To her astonishment, the specks of light coiled around her fingertips, becoming perceptible as though they were an extension of her own body.
‘Is this… magic?’
This novel sensation sent her heart pounding wildly in her chest. With a surge of excitement, she extended her hand, clenching it in the air towards a paper cup on the table.
Instantly, the specks of light enveloped the cup. Then, under Mrs. Josephine’s incredulous gaze, the paper cup levitated into the air.
When she released her grip, the paper cup tumbled back onto the tabletop, spilling the remaining half-cup of water. This added a minor inconvenience to the task of tidying the living room.
Yet Alisa paid no mind to such trifles. Her eyes wide with wonder, she stared at her own hands, scarcely believing that her childhood dream had finally come true.
Even though the magic granted by the necklace couldn’t compare to that of truly gifted individuals, she felt an overwhelming sense of contentment.
“Thank you!”
She turned to Lena, bowing deeply with the necklace still clutched in her hand. Then, settling beside her, Alisa asked with a puzzled frown, “How did Dorothy know it was my birthday?”
“They only seemed to know each other’s names, didn’t they?”
“I told her,” Lena replied. “Since you’ve become acquainted, it’s only natural to send a gift on your birthday…”
Before Lena could finish her sentence, Alisa embraced her tightly, the sweet scent of the young girl enveloping her.
“Thank you, Shop Manager Lena!”
Noticing Lena offered no resistance, Alisa pressed her advantage, rubbing her cheek against Lena’s. Simultaneously, she greedily inhaled the floral fragrance emanating from Lena.
“If you want to thank someone, thank her. This was her gift, after all.”
“But Shop Manager Lena deserves my thanks too!”
Alisa clung to Lena for a good while before Mrs. Josephine gently pulled her away.
For the rest of the evening, Alisa played with the magic from her necklace like a delighted child. Meanwhile, Mrs. Josephine settled beside Lena, and they began to chat idly.
However, what began as idle chatter soon revolved primarily around Alisa.
Mrs. Josephine expressed her earnest hope that Lena would look after Alisa in the future, a heartfelt wish from a mother. Lena readily agreed.
After all, Alisa was her shop assistant.
****
Time slipped by, moment by moment. Outside the window, the rain had ceased at some unknown point, and the damp ground now reflected the moonlight from the night sky, pristine and flawless.
When it was time to part ways, Alisa and Mrs. Josephine escorted the group outside.
“See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Lena waved gracefully, a gentle smile gracing her lips, as she and Celia’s trio slowly walked into the glow of the streetlights.
Celia and the others still had a few days left of their holiday. During this time, Lena would remain the flower shop manager, and she would see Alisa again tomorrow.
“Thank you all so much! This has been the happiest birthday I’ve ever had!”
Alisa’s voice drifted from a distance behind them. Lena turned, her gaze falling upon the young girl who was standing on tiptoes, waving enthusiastically, the necklace on her chest glinting faintly in the moonlight.
Beside her, Mrs. Josephine stood quietly, her smile conveying profound gratitude towards them.
Isha, too, stood on tiptoes and waved in return. She had thoroughly enjoyed the birthday feast, especially since she had practically devoured the remaining half of the cake herself.
Aurora, however, had maintained a low profile throughout the evening. She had simply sat on the sofa, occasionally chatting with Isha, while Celia remained even more silent, barely uttering a word after entering the living room.
Yet Lena had noticed Celia’s gaze lingering consistently on Mrs. Josephine and Alisa.
****
After the heavy rain ceased, pedestrians gradually began to fill the evening streets. Several carriages, their bells jingling, passed by them. Lena raised a hand, hailing one down.
Once they boarded the carriage, Aurora settled beside Lena, asking with an inquisitive gaze, “Sister Lena, how do you know Silver… Senior Dorothy?”
In their eyes, Lena was merely their landlady, acquainted only with the Adventurers’ Guild Master, and nothing more.
Today’s events, however, had completely overturned their perceptions. Lena knew their instructor, the Silverbloom Sword Princess? And it seemed their relationship was quite amicable?
‘Could it be that Lena isn’t just a simple flower shop manager?’
Under Aurora’s expectant gaze, Lena’s lips curved into a smile. She raised her index finger to her lips, making a shushing gesture.
“It’s a secret!”
Truth be told, Lena felt a slight reluctance to lie in front of Aurora.
The intelligent and observant girl possessed a pair of remarkably beautiful eyes, adept at discerning the thoughts of others. Lying in her presence would almost certainly lead to exposure.
Thus, Lena opted for a direct refusal to answer.
Aurora didn’t press the matter with a childish plea. She merely hummed in acknowledgment, then turned her head to inspect her own dress.
Her dress was still somewhat damp, clinging uncomfortably to her skin. For someone as meticulous about cleanliness as she was, this was undoubtedly a torment.
Celia remained silent, her gaze distant and unfocused, seemingly uninterested in Lena’s acquaintance with the Silverbloom Sword Princess.
****
Upon returning home, they nearly bickered over who would shower first. Fortunately, Lena offered her own shower room, which promptly resolved the dispute with cheerful smiles.
Celia used Lena’s shower room. After she had finished bathing and changed into her nightgown, Lena, also clad in a nightgown, intercepted her in the corridor.
“Celia, are you feeling a bit down?”
“What?”
“Did something happen at the birthday party? You seem a little unhappy.”
At Lena’s words, Celia paused in the act of straightening her nightgown. Her hands unconsciously clutched the hem, and her gaze drifted away from Lena, seeking elsewhere, a hint of bewilderment in her eyes.
The windows in the corridor were closed. After Isha and Aurora had finished showering and returned to their rooms, the villa’s corridor grew exceptionally quiet, with only the faint sound of Lena and Celia’s breathing audible.
Sensing Celia’s reluctance to speak, Lena stepped forward, took her small hand, and led her into her own bedroom.
Here, they wouldn’t have to worry about Isha and Aurora overhearing their conversation.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, a gentle warmth emanated from the yellow lamplight. Celia hesitated for a moment, but finally, under Lena’s tender gaze, she confided her worries.
“I… I miss my parents a little.”
She hung her head, appearing somewhat forlorn. Upon hearing Celia mention her parents, Lena’s body trembled almost imperceptibly.
In truth, during the birthday celebration, when Lena observed Celia’s consistent attention toward Mrs. Josephine and Alisa, she had a premonition that their presence would stir Celia’s longing for her own parents.
It was the maternal love Celia had been deprived of, something she had never possessed, and a love Lena felt she owed her.
Overwhelmed by a sense of guilt, Lena offered Celia a comforting shoulder to lean on. Celia, without hesitation, rested her head upon it.