บท 140: Rachel's Birthday
I lay on the plush bed of the hotel room, staring at the ceiling. The Creighton family had spared no expense, providing luxury accommodations for all their guests here for Rachel's sweet sixteen. Yet despite the opulence around me, my mood was far from celebratory.
"It's Rachel's birthday today," I thought, my eyes darkening. A sigh slipped past my lips as I muttered to myself, "She must be hurting."
I knew the truth, the hidden depths of her dark past. Since I had read the novel, I was fully aware of the emotional scars her mother had inflicted upon her when she was still just a child. And today—her birthday—was the day that everything had changed for Rachel. It was a cruel trigger, one that reopened old wounds.
'What a sad story,' I reflected.
Rachel had grown up adored by her father, and her mother had once showered her with love. Isolde Creighton, the Wise Queen of the North, had been a formidable force, renowned not only for her 8-circle magic prowess but because of her Gift, Foresight. She had been instrumental in defending the North from the Shadow Seekers, her influence and contributions rivaling even those of Arden Windward and Alastor Creighton.
It was no wonder the northern territories had lost so much ground after she was imprisoned—confined by her own husband, who used a 9-circle spell to bind her.
And the cost of that imprisonment had been high. Alastor himself was weakened significantly, his mana continually siphoned off to maintain the spell that held his wife. Despite his status as a Radiant-ranker, in battle, he was the weakest among them now.
'How ironic,' I thought bitterly. 'Two Radiant-rankers, two Kings—both restrained, their power compromised because of the need to imprison their own family.'
The most commonly accepted theory among the readers was that Isolde went mad because she foresaw the end of the world through her Gift, Foresight.
'And, considering how bleak things looked in the novel, it made sense.'
Isolde had been a powerful seer, and her value went far beyond just her Gift. She had achieved an impressive mastery over time magic, the most challenging element to control, making her even more formidable and essential for the defense of the North.
Still, for all her power and knowledge, I couldn't do anything to change her fate at the moment. My own strength and influence were still lacking, and meddling with events on that scale would only lead to trouble if I acted recklessly.
'For now, all I can do is focus on what's within my reach,' I thought, turning my attention to the imminent event—the banquet for Rachel's birthday.
The Creighton family, one of the two ruling powers of the North, led by their Radiant-ranker King, was hosting the celebration. They were a force that even the word "monstrous" barely managed to capture. One of the seven superpowers in the world, their influence spanned far and wide, and today's guest list would undoubtedly reflect that.
The crowd would be similar to the one that had attended Cecilia's birthday at the Slatemark Empire—powerful, influential, and dangerous. However, there would be fewer lower-ranked nobles present here; instead, the guests would include vassal families aligned with the Creightons.
I sighed, my mind flicking through the long list of powerful names likely to be in attendance. It was a world full of people with lofty ambitions, and while the opportunity to make connections was certainly tempting, I couldn't forget why I was really here—to be there for Rachel. Today wasn't just another noble event to flaunt my status; it was an important day for her, and I wanted to help her through it.
I rose from the bed, shaking off the thoughts weighing on me. It was time to get ready. I crossed the room, walking to the closet where a tailored suit waited for me—a classic black and silver ensemble that I had specially chosen for the occasion. Simple but elegant, fitting for a celebration like this.
Pulling off my casual clothes, I began changing, piece by piece, fastening the silver cufflinks at my wrists, adjusting the collar of the crisp white shirt, and sliding the tailored jacket over my shoulders. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and for a moment, I hesitated.
Today was important. It was a reminder of Rachel's painful past, but I wanted it to be different. I wanted to make sure that her sixteenth birthday wouldn't be another mark of sorrow in her memories.
Suddenly, a knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts.
I walked over and opened it, my eyes widening slightly in surprise at the sight before me.
Standing there, dressed elegantly, was Rachel.
"Happy birthday, Rachel," I said, smiling warmly at her.
She looked stunning. She wore a flowing white dress that hugged her figure gracefully, adorned with delicate silver accents. Her golden hair was styled perfectly, and jewels adorned her neck, ears, and wrists, glistening under the light. But even with all the lavish adornments, it was her natural beauty that truly shone—like a diamond, radiant and captivating.
"Thank you, Arthur," Rachel replied softly, her blue eyes meeting mine. A hint of nervousness seemed to linger there as she hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Um, actually... I was wondering," she began, her voice wavering just slightly. "Would you mind... escorting me to the hall?"
Her request caught me off guard for a second, but then I nodded, offering my arm with a reassuring smile. "Of course, it would be my pleasure."
Rachel's face lit up as she gently took my arm, and together, we stepped out of the room and made our way down the hallway. She walked with elegance, each step matching mine as we approached the grand hall where the banquet was set to begin.
The corridors of the hotel were bustling with people, and as we moved, I could feel curious eyes turn our way, their expressions mixed—surprise, envy, even admiration. After all, it wasn't every day that one got to see the heir of the Creighton family being escorted by an "outsider."
But none of that mattered to me at this moment. What mattered was the smile on Rachel's face, even if it was just a small one.
"Thank you for doing this," Rachel said quietly, glancing up at me, her voice almost lost in the noise of the bustling hallway.
"There's no need to thank me," I replied, looking at her with genuine warmth. "It's your special day, and I'm honored to be by your side."
Rachel gave me a small nod, her lips curving into a genuine smile. There was something vulnerable in her eyes, a fleeting trace of emotion that reminded me just how much strength it took for her to face the world like this.
As we reached the entrance of the hall, the large double doors loomed before us. I paused, turning to her, and she looked up, her gaze meeting mine.
"Ready?" I asked gently.
Rachel took a deep breath, her smile growing a bit more confident. "Yes, let's go."
And with that, we stepped through the doors, the crowd inside turning to greet the birthday girl as she entered the room on my arm, her head held high.
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