THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

"HUFF…HUFF…HUFF…Y-you guys…How…How did you…get here so fast?"

Peter is the first to arrive, with a package on his back.

"Ah, geez!! You were too slow Peter, I missed the first one!" To think that Keltia would use him like a horse. Damn, she is more mischievous than I thought.

"Well, we…"

"We flew. All the way." Farner stands in front of me and places her hands on her waist, puffing out her chest with pride. I almost forgot who I was dealing with.

"Eh?" Keltia and Peter both look at Lanuvel with a 'Is she sick?' look but Lanuvel just nods silently.

"EH?!!!"

***

After the first volley of fireworks, everybody is back at the mansion. Keltia is making such a fuss over what Farner said that we almost missed the second volleys. How did they create something like that? That must be man's greatest invention ever. For the second volley, I see three bright lights flying all the way to the sky then when they are high in the air, they explode, loudly and beautifully.

"Woah!!"

"So beautiful!"

The first one explodes and creates the shape of a flower, the second a bird, and the last a cat. Then two others come as well, and then three. We are all overwhelmed by the colors that keep popping up in the sky. While we are all watching, I notice Lanuvel approaching then grabbing my hand. Is she feeling the cold? She isn't wearing her gloves anymore.

"Okay, now, let's go back. I am tired."

Keltia is the first to turn around and leave, followed by almost all the maids. After that, everyone leaves as well and we all enter the mansion.

While going to my room, I pass by the library to check one last thing on the book I was reading but I see Frankher coming out of it.

"You weren't sleeping, Sir?"

I didn't see him all day so I thought he wasn't home.

"No, I wasn't. I have a little something to do before that. Would you mind accompanying me for a bit?"

"Not at all, Sir."

We both walk silently; he seems a bit weird. We reach the balcony and sit, a butler comes out of nowhere with a set of cups and spoons. He serves us hot tea then leaves, staying near the door.

"Hm…This tea is as good as always."

"Thank you, Sir." The butler bows down without dropping his tray.

"You know, Kevin, that you have the same name as my grandnephew?" That would be obvious since I am, Frankher.

"I didn't. What is his name?"

"Was. He is dead."

"Oh, my apologies, Sir." You are talking to him, though.

"It's nothing. It was long ago anyway. They do say that time heals any wound."

"Does that mean you have forgotten about him?" You didn't do anything to find me so I am surprised you still think about me.

"Never, how could I ever forget my little dragon?" Frankher smiles, a smile full of grief and sorrow, and yet somehow warm, happy.

"I see. Did you want to talk about him then?"

"No, no, of course not. I wanted to tell you that I visited the families of Pedro and Esteban today. It was a hard time but they were prepared to hear such news one day since they were knights."

"Just because we are prepared doesn't mean it is easy."

"I know. I know that all too well."

"Was there something else, Sir?"

"Not really. I just felt like talking to somebody. After all, today is my grand nephew's birthday"

"Eh?" Wait, what?!!!

"What is it?"

"N-nothing, Sir." It is my birthday today? That's impossible. I perfectly remember my birthday, it was…holy shit, I forgot.

But how? We celebrated my birthday with Selene and Excafol at least once, how could have forgotten? Anyway, if Frankher is saying that it is today, there is a high chance that it is true.

"Are you okay?"

"I am, Sir. I just remembered something."

"I see. And what was it?"

"Well…"

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"It was about those who made me into who I am today."

"You mean your parents?"

"Sort of, yes."

"I see. From what you said, I guess they are no more."

"Yes, sadly, they died because I was weak, because I am weak."

"I see. So, you bear the sin of being the cause of their death as well. Just like me."

"Like you?"

"Yes. My grandnephew got killed on the night of his birthday. And I left the place the same night, even though there was nothing urgent for me to do. If only…If only I stayed there that night…"

Frankher strikes his fist on the table while a tear runs down his slightly rugged cheek. Our tea almost spilled on the table but thankfully, it didn't.

It seems we have more in common than I thought. Now, I understand why you are so eager to get Veronica, though I still don't understand why Dilt didn't tell you anything.

"Shall we have a toast, then?" I take my cup and raise it.

"A toast?" Frankher looks at me with a bit of anger. I guess you can't really have a toast about dead people…Or maybe you can. I mean, Selene did it for her dead comrades once. 

"Yes. A toast to those who opened the path, those who showed us the way."

"I see. Indeed, that would be great to have a toast to."

Frankher takes his cup and raises it. Then we both lightly collide our cups and drink.

"May all those who have fallen watch over us."

"I hope they will, Sir."

Selene, Excafol. I swear, they will pay. All those who have brought all this pain upon us, the war they have sought, I will wage it. To the end. Until their blood has filled the ground so much it will overflow, until the flesh has rotted to the point even crows won't come near it, until their bones have been crushed so much it will turn into powder.