THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

ANRIETTE KOLIL POV:

After the knights place themselves at the entrance, I see a man and a woman dress up fancily arriving. The king himself and the first queen. To think the day would for me to see the king so close. My heart is such a beating mess right now I might faint. Looking at mother Claire sweating, I guess it is the same for her.

"The king of Syldavie, DJIBRIL VON FALLEN III, and the first queen, LAETICIA VON FALLEN, have arrived."

At those words, everyone kneels. No wait, the heroes, the Saintess, and the high-commander are standing? What do I do now? Mother Claire kneeled as well so I just follow her and do the same.

"Please, not even today."

The king speaks and I felt my heart throbbing.. His voice was so calm, so soothing. Is this really a man's voice? Everybody stands up and looks at him.

"I am not even today's main star so please, enjoy yourself and be at ease, everyone."

He then advances to the high commander and they immediately start conversing while a maid brings him a glass of wine. The first queen moves swiftly as well and reaches the Saintess.

"Well, it's time, I guess."

"Yeah, let's go."

"Okay guys, later."

The heroes leave us and go back through the entrance. Where are they going? Mother Claire and Father Frank are enjoying the wine so I guess I am all alone. I turn and lean on the balusters to admire the scenery in front of me when a voice resounds in my ears.

"Don't you hate it?"

"W-who is there?" I turn around but I don't see anybody. What is this? Don't tell me…A ghost!!!! I hate ghosts!!!

"Anriette?"

"Oh, it's-it's nothing. I felt like something touched my hair."

"You should drink something then."

"No, I already lightheaded, I wouldn't want to be drunk."

"Okay."

I lean on the balusters again and soon enough the same voice resounds again, a feminine voice, feminine and yet cold, like…like death itself.

"I suppose you don't then."

"Who are you?"

"Somebody who wants to show you the truth. He isn't who you think he is."

"What are you talking about?"

Suddenly, I hear the tinkering of a glass being hit with a spoon.

"Everyone, please, your attention."

The king has moved back to the entrance together with the first queen but there is another with them now, the headmaster of the eternal academy. Is something happening?

"As you may all know. We have been recently attacked by Longinus. The scale of the attack may not have been great but the monsters which we fought were formidable. Isn't that right, Frankher?"

"Yes, it is, your majesty."

"But even so," The king clenches his fist powerfully and raises it in the air, "we prevailed and won, because the goddess's light is absolute, because her power and guidance are perfect. And that victory, this time, is due to the courage and determination of a particular individual."

The king lowers his fist and then moves to the side, accompanied by the first queen while the headmaster moves to the other side, right behind them are the heroes and Kevin, who is staying behind miss Farner who is at the center.

The heroes all advance and each goes to the side, then Kevin comes and stands at the center of them.

"Let me present to you, KEVIN DRAGONROAD."

***

Kevin looks really good, really elegant. He is wearing a white jacket which looks like it must be expensive. On that jacket, there are red and gold ornaments here and there. The buttons of the jacket are shining gold as well. On his left shoulder, there is a small cape that falls to the middle of his arm.

"Look at him blushing." I didn't think I would get to see him blushing like this one day, he is even cuter now. Ah…Kevin.

"KEVIN DRAGONROAD."

"Yes!! Your majesty!!"

The king advances in front of him and Kevin kneels, lowering his head as well.

"Are you sure you want to look at this guy?"

"Dammit! Who are you? Leave me alone."

"Considering the great deed you have accomplished, the performance you have shown, and the advice of the heroes themselves. I shall grant you the title of STAR OF MERCURIA."

"Thank you!! your majesty!!!"

"Well, your choice, but I can't believe you would even accept to let me him alive one more minute."

"And would I not?"

"Also, I grant the third nobility status. You shall be recognized as a vassal of both the KOERSOMBRE household and mine."

"Because he is the one who killed your own."

"WHAT?!!!!"

Everybody turns around and looks at me, the king, the first queen, the heroes… Oh shit!! My heart almost stopped. What do I do? I can't even breathe. I try to make myself as small as possible by crouching while hiding behind the figure of the Saintess who is aligned with me. After a while, I felt like they have stopped looking at me. I won't be punished for this, right?

"This is your fault!!!"

"You are the one who shouted. I am just talking in your head."

"Fuck you!! Leave me alone already!!"

"Okay. But if you ever want to know the truth then come to Nargil and I will show you."

"Just leave!!"

The voice disappears, finally. Who was it?

"As a third-degree noble, I shall grant you the land of ARIOL. It is a small portion of land with a big lake. It is not far from RAGUS, governed by Frankher. Take good care of it and the people there, as they are my people."

"I SHALL, YOUR MAJESTY!!"

"Now rise!! Rise to the sky!! STAR OF MERCURIA!!"

Everybody starts clapping. It becomes really loud in an instant. But while they are all clapping, I can only hear the last thing that voice said. 'He is the one who killed your own.' How? Why? No, no, no, I can't believe it. There is no way!!

"Anriette, what are you doing? Come and congratulate him as well!"

Mother Claire holds my hand and helps me stand back up. Let's forget about all this.