"Leon… you're an incredible person. I… wouldn't dare do something like this, not even in my dreams."
Nahida scattered the sweets she held in her small hands.
As soon as people received the candies thrown by the Little Grass Queen, cheers erupted throughout the entire plaza. Laughter, applause, and warm voices filled the air.
But what no one knew was that the happiest person there, at that very moment—
Was Nahida herself.
As a young queen who had been imprisoned by her own people, isolated from the world and forgotten within a cage, she had never been treated like that before.
She had never been celebrated.
She had never been loved so openly.
Her heart trembled with happiness.
After being freed from the Sanctuary of Surasthana by Leon—
She was like a bird that had finally escaped its cage.
Free.
Able to soar through the skies without restraints.
The emotions overflowing within her were so intense that words were simply not enough to express them.
"Thank you, Leon… I'm so happy… but… what exactly is happening?"
"Haha… that's not important right now."
Leon smiled, lightly shaking his head, as if explanations truly didn't matter at that moment.
Even so—
He raised his hand.
And, as if discarding something trivial—
The Heart of the God of Grass appeared in his palm.
That chess piece-like object contained an extremely dense Dendro elemental power, symbolizing Sumeru's divine authority.
At the sight of it—
Nahida's eyes widened in surprise.
And then she understood.
In silence, she thought to herself that the man called Leon—
Had, in some way, conquered Sumeru.
And more than that, he had been accepted and acknowledged by its people.
The applause, the blessings, and the joy of the crowd at that moment were the greatest proof of that.
"I'll explain everything later," Leon said with a calm smile.
"But what matters now is our birthday."
"The Sabzeruz Festival."
"Enjoy it, Nahida. After all… this only happens once a year."
He waved naturally to the crowd.
Smiling.
Skillfully distributing sweets.
Accepting the gazes and admiration as if it were something perfectly ordinary.
"Forget your worries."
"Today… is a day where you can be as stubborn as you want."
"Mm!"
Nahida nodded firmly, her eyes shining brightly.
It had been a long, long time since she had celebrated a birthday.
In fact, she had never even created a dream to celebrate the Sabzeruz Festival.
Because it was something she didn't even dare to wish for.
Not even in her own dreams.
And yet, now it was happening in reality.
Melodious music echoed in every corner.
Flowers fell over her.
Blessings were offered in her direction.
She looked like a small, radiant, free fairy.
Leon narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched her.
And, silently, he thought—
This is how it should be.
That girl… should live like this.
Be loved.
Be protected.
Be cared for.
That was the fate she deserved.
Not that prison…
Not that cage called a palace.
When the bell struck noon—
The magic of happiness did not fade.
It simply entered a new phase.
The sky of Sumeru continued to burst with brilliant fireworks.
But in the shadows, enemies moved.
Those who dared to try to ruin that day never had a chance.
Remnants of the Grand Sage.
Assassins from the Cult of Diablos.
They all had a single objective:
To attack the float and destroy the festival.
But before they could act, they were silenced.
In dark alleys.
In the hidden corners of the city.
Girls blended into the crowd moved like specters.
They covered mouths and slit throats.
Eliminating any threat without hesitation.
"You… cannot be forgiven."
"How dare you try to stain such an important day…"
"Eliminate them all."
"Do not let the filthy blood of these insects defile this sacred day."
The members of Night Raid moved with precision.
Elegant, lethal, and discreet.
Erasing every threat before it could even manifest.
To them, their Lord's birthday was more important than anything else.
And they would never allow anyone to cause trouble.
At times, even Leon had to admit that these girls' loyalty went beyond all limits.
"What is this stage…?"
The float finally reached the main plaza.
Nahida looked around with curiosity.
Her eyes sparkled as she saw the grand decorated stage.
Above her head rested a flower crown made by Leon, using petals thrown by the people along the way.
It was simple.
Far simpler than Sumeru's official crown.
But to Nahida, it was incomparably more precious.
"We've arrived," Leon said, satisfied.
"By the way, Nahida… did you forget?"
"This is the highlight of the Sabzeruz Festival."
"Don't tell me it's…!"
Her eyes lit up.
"Yes."
Leon pointed.
"Your dancer is coming."
According to legend, during the Sabzeruz Festival, the Goddess of Flowers herself would perform the most beautiful dance for the King of the Woods.
And wherever she danced, flowers would bloom beneath her feet.
It was an ancient story, nearly forgotten.
Especially after the Akademiya's suppression.
But there was still someone who carried on that tradition.
Nilou appeared on stage.
Dressed in white and gold.
With a delicate ornament on her head.
Her long red hair swayed in the wind.
Her face held a soft and enchanting beauty.
She looked like the very incarnation of the Goddess of Flowers.
"There's Lady Nahida… and Leon too…!"
"I… I'm so nervous… but I have to dance well!"
"Come on… I practiced so much… it'll be fine…!"
Nilou took a deep breath.
Her heart was racing.
This was, without a doubt, the most important performance of her life.
She had never had such a large audience.
Never stood on such a grand stage.
And yet, she felt that this was where she belonged.
But there was one small detail.
She wasn't alone.
Before the music could begin, another figure leapt onto the stage.
Short blue hair.
Elegant posture.
A blue and black dance outfit that highlighted her refined figure.
Sharp eyes and an imposing presence.
Eula Lawrence.
At the sight of her, Leon puffed his chest with pride.
"Allow me to introduce her."
"This is my dancer, Eula Lawrence."
"Her dance is magnificent."
"…Your dancer?"
Nahida blinked in surprise.
Leon's tone was clearly that of someone showing off something precious.
Meanwhile, he had already taken out a magical recording device, prepared to capture everything.
Leon knew Eula well.
Despite her cold and distant appearance—
She was, in truth, a tsundere to her core.
When invited, she initially refused.
But upon hearing it was his birthday, she snorted, turned her face away, and "reluctantly" agreed.
"Hello."
"Ah… hello."
Nilou and Eula exchanged greetings.
They were complete opposites.
One was gentle, fluid, almost ethereal.
The other was elegant, firm, and imposing.
But together, they created a perfect contrast.
And then the music began.
The Dance of the Goddess of Flowers.
And the Ceremonial Dance of the Lawrence Family.
Two traditions.
Two styles.
Two wills.
Offered at the same time to the sovereign they both acknowledged.
Nilou smiled, light as a breeze.
"Dance with me… like the waves…"
Eula lifted her chin, with a faint, confident smile.
"Don't think I'll lose to you."
(End of Chapter)