Chapter 21

“Then will you love me?”

The child nodded.

“Even if you hadn’t asked, God, I already love you.”

“That is enough.”

The beautiful god, Bendicion, smiled and blessed the entire world.

On the land that received Bendicion’s blessing, fruit began to grow.

The fruit, white like fresh snow, bore harvest all year round. It was called “Perman,” a word that meant eternity.

Bendicion loved the child who had called upon him, and he loved this world.

He believed this happiness would last forever.

But then, a wicked man appeared.

A knight named Felix, who believed he was stronger than the god, killed the child in order to summon Bendicion.

Bendicion fell into despair.

He defeated Felix and cradled the child’s cold body.

“Ah… One of the humans you tried to save has killed you.”

Bendicion wanted to hate the world, but he couldn’t.

Because it was the world the child had loved.

So instead of hating it, he chose to protect the world while waiting for the child to be born again in another body.

He turned the child’s body into a star and disappeared.

That star became the very first star in this world, and the beginning of Star’s Birthday.

“Do you think that story is real?”

“Well, I don’t really believe in gods.”

Before they knew it, the performance had ended and everyone stepped outside. They walked away from the tent at an easy pace.

It was said that Bendicion never forgot the child and believed the soul would be born again in another body. On the day the first child left the world, he gave blessings to all children.

And that tradition continued until today, where on Star’s Birthday, children receive gifts.

Reina had only vaguely known that parents gave presents to their children, or lovers exchanged gifts. It wasn’t until today that she learned the deeper story behind it.

Damian glanced at Reina, who still seemed lost in the lingering emotion of the play.

“It must have been very good.”

“…Ah, I didn’t know a performance could be that interesting. Maybe because it’s my first time watching a play.”

Reina glanced back at the tent as it grew farther away.

‘I’d like to watch another one someday.’

Someday. When would that be. When Bonita was grown up. If she had some spare time by then, maybe they could come watch a play once in a while.

Reina quietly made that promise to herself and gently shook the hand of the excited Bonita.

Damian tilted his head slightly.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“It is lunchtime. The kids must be hungry.”

“Do you know a restaurant?”

“Ah, Sir Dean recommended a place. Shall we go there?”

“…”

“The portions are generous for the price, and it’s really good.”

Reina quickly added that it was good by commoner standards, worried that Damian might not like it. He seemed about to say something, but seeing how earnestly she explained, he closed his mouth and nodded.

“Let’s go there.”

“Yes… Just please let me treat you.”

‘I have to pay for this meal no matter what.’

She had saved up a fair amount of money. Buying a few dishes would be no problem.

Reina quietly clenched her fist in determination and led Damian to the place Dean had told her about.

Soon they arrived at a building made of gray walls with a faint bluish tint.

Since it was lunchtime, the place was crowded. Reina asked a staff member if there were seats available and waited anxiously. Damian leaned closer and murmured,

“…If there aren’t seats, I know another…”

“Guests. We just had a table open for four. Please come this way.”

“Mr. Damian. They have a table. That’s great.”

“…Yes, that’s fortunate.”

They were guided to a table covered with a bright red checkered tablecloth over a white background.

Reina received the menu, clipped onto a wooden board, and eagerly began explaining the dishes Dean had recommended.

They chose whole wheat bread, slightly spicy chicken stew, a seasonal vegetable salad, boiled beans in salted water, the restaurant’s signature herb soup topped with boiled eggs, and a vegetable gratin.

With a soft chime of a bell, the table was soon filled with food.

Reina briefly wondered if they could finish it all, but her worries were unnecessary. The children ate enthusiastically.

Damian tasted the dishes as well and began eating slowly, apparently satisfied.

“There’s no blueberry in this.”

“…Haha.”

Reina let out an awkward laugh and dipped her bread into the herb soup. The bright green color had made it look unappetizing, but the refreshing flavor blended well with the soft texture.

‘Did they have this last time?’

Curious, she looked at the menu again. It said the dish was only available during Star’s Birthday.

‘Lucky.’

Reina soon excused herself as if going to the restroom and quietly paid the bill without Damian noticing.

When he realized what she had done, he wore a slightly complicated expression.

Reina smiled, satisfied. The food had been excellent, and her plan had worked.

This was the most abundant Star’s Birthday she had ever given Bonita.

“Mom, look over there.”

Bonita pointed toward the temple.

“Oh…”

Just the sight of the temple roof made Reina’s stomach tighten, but she forced herself to remain calm as she followed Bonita’s gaze.

Lower ranking priests stood near the entrance, handing out something from baskets.

“What do you think that is?”

Reina asked with a smile. Bonita tilted her head from side to side, unsure.

Damian answered,

“It looks like they’re giving gifts to children.”

“Because it’s Star’s Birthday?”

“Yes. They say every child should be equally happy today, regardless of status.”

Hearing that, Reina wondered if the temple would have helped if Bonita had fallen sick on Star’s Birthday.

Unaware of her thoughts, Bonita clung to Estelle and asked if they could go receive a gift too.

“Should Mom come with you?”

“Mm, I want to go with Lady Estelle.”

“Alright?”

“Yes.”

Reina hesitated, but knights of the temple were stationed nearby, and it seemed unlikely that anything serious would happen.

“Okay. Mr. Damian and I will stay right behind you. Go get your gift.”

“Okay.”

The two children smiled brightly and ran toward the temple, hand in hand. Reina and Damian kept their eyes fixed on them.

“You don’t seem to like the temple.”

“Was it obvious?”

“A little.”

Reina gave an awkward smile.

“It’s just… personal resentment.”

“…I see.”

The word personal meant she didn’t want to say more. Damian understood and didn’t press further.

As Reina watched the priests hurriedly distributing gifts, she briefly remembered carrying a sick Bonita to the temple once.

Maybe it hadn’t been the will of the god that turned them away, but the decision of a single person.

That was why she had never told Bonita about being rejected at the temple gates.

Not everyone shared the same heart.

Reina wanted Bonita to see things for herself and make her own judgment. Her role was simply to protect her from being deeply hurt.

“Ah, they got it.”

“Yes.”

Bonita and Estelle each received a pouch of the same size and shape. They touched them curiously and opened them.

“…Huh?”

The moment Bonita opened hers, she froze. Estelle turned when she noticed Bonita had stopped.

For a split second, Reina felt something strange.

Boom.

Before she could even call Bonita’s name, a loud crash echoed. A nearby stall had toppled over in the crowd.

At that exact moment, Bonita dropped her gift and ran.

“Bonita.”

Reina’s face went pale as she ran after her.

‘What’s happening?’

What was happening. Why was she reacting like that. She had been fine just moments ago.

It was the first time Reina had ever seen Bonita look that terrified. Even after being kidnapped, she had seemed calm.

Reina pushed through the dense crowd, struggling to move forward.

Her mind was in chaos. She lost her balance and stumbled.

“Reina.”

Damian grabbed her firmly just in time. Somehow, she hadn’t started screaming yet.

“M-My lord. I’m sorry. The child… again…”

“Reina, get a hold of yourself.”

Even in this moment, she apologized. For what, he couldn’t understand.

He gripped her shoulders.

“Reina Botn, you don’t apologize when you haven’t done anything wrong.”

“…”

“What did you do wrong just now?”

“…I lost her… I caused trouble for you and Lady Estelle…”

“No.”

“…”

His steady blue eyes held hers. She was still trapped in fear.

“You lost sight of her. That was an accident.”

“…”

“And if you must apologize, it’s not to us. It’s to your daughter. Am I wrong?”

“…”

“Am I wrong?”

“…No.”

Reina finally burst into tears again.

“No…”

Even now, she didn’t make a sound when she cried.

Damian found it strange and heartbreaking at the same time.

For some reason, he felt like he saw Reina crying far more often than he saw her smiling.