Toasts, Truths, and a Confession Under the Stars.

This moment was the perfect time for everyone to reflect on their shortcomings.

Uncle Orion enhanced his voice and addressed the hall with quiet authority.

"Citizens of Celestoria, listen well! This young man has pointed out flaws among us—flaws I must shamefully admit I have long overlooked. As Muri mentioned, the way nobles have begun to look down on commoners, or even lower-ranked nobles, has grown out of hand. Have you all forgotten that we once stood shoulder to shoulder in war? That we bled together for this kingdom? Did we not?!"

He paused, letting the question echo in the grand hall. Silence followed, until two men raised their voices.

"Of course we did!" my father and Uncle Arden shouted in unison.

"Did we not mourn our fallen allies together?!"

"Yes!"

"Did we not avenge our comrades?!"

"Yes, we did!"

"Then how is it that now, peace has made you forget your unity? Why are we judging each other by rank and background, instead of heart and merit?"

The hall was hushed. People began glancing at one another, shame in their eyes.

"I'm not asking everyone to be best friends," the king continued, his tone gentler now. "But we must stop these baseless prejudices. Especially you, children. You're the future. Let it be one of unity."

His gaze fell on all of us. When his eyes landed on me and Lyra—still holding hands—he raised an amused eyebrow, but quickly returned to his serious demeanor.

"I'm proud some of you already understand what Velanova said. And I hope the rest of you will catch up. That would be... my dream."

The silence returned—deeper, heavier.

So I stood up and broke it.

"Uncle, thank you for pointing this out. But I think... we should let it rest for tonight. Everyone understands. Change takes time, and we'll get there. I promise I’ll do everything I can to make sure no one is ever judged by background again. But for now… let’s get back to the feast. We’ve all earned a night of celebration, don’t you think?"

Uncle Orion looked at me with a stern expression.

Then burst out laughing.

"HAHAHAHA! You're right, Velanova. One hundred percent. Well said!"

He raised his glass high.

"Let’s toast to the future of these children! May they grow into great adults!"

"Toast!" the hall echoed, one after another raising their cups.

Down on the first floor, I raised mine too.

"And let us toast to becoming a united generation—one that trusts each other enough to fight side by side, back-to-back!"

Elio instantly shouted: "And let us toast that Velanova will lead us when that time comes!"

"Toast!" the crowd erupted.

My face flushed, and I quickly sat down.

As the night wore on, the atmosphere softened. Laughter returned. Conversations bubbled up. After enduring a few annoying chats with some kids, I eventually plopped down in a corner.

Elio flopped down next to me, cheeks stuffed with cake.

"So, when are you gonna become king of the kids?"

"Not funny. I wasn't even amazing. I was just... decent."

"Decent? Nah, that was a king move, Vel."

"Don’t talk with your mouth full—and what was that toast you added, huh?"

"Oh, that? Just speaking the truth about our little shy Vel~"

"If you don’t stop with that stupid tone, I swear I’ll send you flying."

"Oh nooo, I’m so scared," he said mockingly.

I grabbed his head and gave him a good knock with my fist.

"How’s that feel, huh? Want me to add some magic?"

"Okay, okay! My bad! Hahaha!"

He stood up dramatically and bowed.

"I apologize, my king, for teasing you so cruelly."

Before I could lunge at him again, he fled into the crowd.

"Haaa... that idiot. What is his problem?"

I sighed, stood up, and slipped outside to the balcony.

The cool night air greeted me. I gazed up at the moon and stars.

A presence joined beside me.

"Care if I join you?" a familiar voice asked.

I looked back. Uncle Orion stood alone.

"Huh? How come you’re alone?"

"I asked everyone to give us a moment."

"Oh... alright."

We stood side by side, quietly watching the stars. For a while, he said nothing.

Then he spoke.

"You know, Velanova... what you did tonight was amazing."

"Huh? I didn’t really do anything though."

"Maybe that’s why people listen to you."

"...What do you mean, Uncle?"

"Speaking up about things that shouldn’t happen—it’s not as easy as it sounds. It takes courage. Leadership. And it takes the respect of others. You earned that tonight."

He paused before adding, "Do you know what all those traits amount to?"

"...No?"

"The qualifications of a king."

"...King? Me?" I said, pointing at myself.

'Why would he say that to me? Me, a king? No way… right?'

"Yes, Velanova. You."

He gave a soft smile. "If I were to die someday… I think I’d be at peace if it was you who took the throne after me."

"Please don’t say that, Uncle."

"Haha, this old man doesn’t have forever, you know."

"You’re healthy, Uncle. I believe you’ve got more than enough years left—to see me marry Lyra, and then become king."

He looked at me, expression puzzled.

"Huh? Did I say something weird?"

"No..."

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

His puzzled expression morphed into a teasing grin.

"Oho… So you’re not against marrying my daughter anymore?"

I froze. My cheeks turned red.

"...I guess she’s more to my liking than I expected."

"Oho~ are you saying my daughter’s lacking in something?"

"N-no! That’s not what I meant! I—uh…"

"Hahaha! I’m glad you actually love her. And that you’re thinking about becoming king."

"Huh?"

"You know, I was scared at first. Letting you and Lyra be engaged when you barely knew each other. I trusted Luke, of course, but still... You didn’t seem to like nobles much, and I worried. You'll understand that kind of fear when you have a daughter someday."

Suddenly my whole face turned pink.

"K-K-KIDS?! Aren’t we skipping a few steps here?!"

"HAHAHA! That’s not what I meant!"

He chuckled warmly. "But seriously... You do like her, right?"

I took a deep breath. "Ahem… No, sir."

He raised an eyebrow.

"I don’t simply like her... I love her."

"Oh? What was that? Could you say it louder?"

"I SAID I LOVE YOUR DAUGHTER, LYRA LUNARIS, WITH MY WHOLE HEART, SIR! PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR BLESSING!"

"Oh, now that’s passion!" Uncle grinned. "Don’t you think so, sweetie?"

Sweetie?

I turned around—and my soul left my body.

Standing behind us was Lyra.

And behind her...

Everyone else.

I had shouted my heart out—for the whole ballroom to hear.