Liberation of The Slaves

Chapter 63 – Tears Beneath the Finery

— Celestia’s POV —

The day of the parade arrived, marked by the gentle descent of snowflakes from the sky, heralding the onset of the winter season. A crisp chill lingered in the air, yet inside the guild's bedroom, warmth filled the air as attendants bustled around me.

Karin mentioned that the guild staff would prepare a dress for me—but she conveniently forgot to mention they'd be dressing me up as well!

“Celes, you look absolutely charming in this dress!”

“I believe there's no need to restrain her hair. Her usual hairstyle is already perfectly suited for her.”

“Yes, her long, silky hair is too exquisite to conceal. I often wonder why she hides such beauty beneath a hat.”

“Perhaps adorning her hair with this hairpin would enhance her appearance?”

“Ah, the butterfly hairpin suits her well. Yet, considering she is hailed as the Valor of Ocean Flower, wouldn't this white-blue floral hairpin be even more fitting?”

“Let me see... Oh, you're right! As for her bangs—yes, side-swept bangs like this would unveil her beautiful face.”

“Finally, let's place this necklace on her.”

“Oh... She looks so cute! Her radiance would surely spark envy in the hearts of many women!”

“Many men will be captivated too!”

They treated me as if I were nothing more than a living doll!

As I rose and hesitantly stepped in front of the full-length mirror, an unfamiliar figure stared back at me.

Who… is that?

The girl in the reflection was breathtaking in a way that made my heart tighten.

My long, navy-blue hair, usually hidden beneath a hat, cascaded freely down my back, flowing like a deep river under the moonlight. Each strand shimmered with a soft, silken luster, a shade so rich it appeared almost black in the dim light. The attendants had gently swept my bangs to the side, unveiling my full face for once—my deep navy-blue eyes gazing back with an unfamiliar softness, their usual sharpness momentarily dulled by awe.

The white-blue floral hairpin nestled on the left side of my head, its delicate petals curling outward like frozen blossoms, perfectly complementing the deep navy hue of my hair.

And the dress…

I had never worn something so beautiful before.

The bodice was a graceful blend of white and light-blue satin, snug yet comfortable, sculpting my form while leaving my shoulders bare in a delicate, sweeping curve from left to right. Frilled sleeves draped elegantly over my upper arms, adding a soft, noble touch. The skirt flared slightly above my knees, layered with airy fabric that fluttered with every movement, hiding navy-blue shorts underneath—an unseen precaution unless one deliberately peered beneath.

A necklace adorned my neck, its silver chain leading to a navy-blue gemstone resting just above my chest. The stone gleamed with an intricate flower engraving, catching the light with an ethereal glow. A final touch—pristine white gloves and light-blue high heels that shimmered faintly beneath the warm glow of the chamber’s chandelier.

The reflection smiled back at me, radiant and unfamiliar.

Yes… that person was me.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“…Ugh. I don’t want to admit it, but I really like it.”

Elsa appeared behind me, gently placing her hands on my shoulders. The others had already vacated the room, leaving just the two of us. Unlike Daisy, I had always harbored a love for fashion. The dream of adorning myself like a princess, or at the very least, a noble lady, had lingered within me since childhood. But such garments were often expensive, a luxury beyond my reach…

I hesitated, my fingers grazing the smooth fabric.

“Is it really okay for me to wear this dress? Moreover, this necklace… It looks exceptionally expensive.”

“Don’t worry, Celes. We didn’t purchase it. The owner of the Persian Store bestowed all of this upon you as a gift.”

My brows furrowed. “Persian Store...? Madam Senian? Why?”

“Yes. She mentioned that she provided the high heels and gloves to complement your attire. The rest, however, originated from another source.”

I blinked. “Huh? Someone else? Who?”

I inquired, but Elsa abruptly shifted the conversation.

“Oh, by the way, do you know the real reason the parade will be held today?”

I tilted my head. “Huh? I heard it’s to reassure the citizens, right?”

“That’s what the public is aware of. However, there’s a hidden reason why the parade is specifically scheduled for today.”

I pondered for a moment. “Hmm… probably because it's the first day of winter?”

She shook her head, a knowing smile playing on her lips before she revealed the truth.

“Madam Senian requested her brother, the lord, to arrange the parade today because it's your 15th birthday.”

“... What?”

Elsa chuckled. “Fufu, surprised, aren’t you? I was also taken aback when I learned this. But this information comes directly from Madam Senian. The gloves and high heels were also bestowed upon you as birthday gifts. So—happy birthday, Celestia. From this day forth, you are an adult.”

She extended her congratulations with a warm smile.

Fifteen. The age of adulthood.

I stood frozen. With everything that had happened—Freed, Daisy—I had forgotten my own birthday.

A bitter chuckle escaped my lips. “I had completely forgotten my own birthday… Thank you, Elsa. I should visit the Persian Store later to express my gratitude to Madam.”

“Fufu. You’re welcome.”

But there was something else I needed to know. My fingers instinctively reached for the gemstone on my necklace.

“So, why did you change the topic earlier? Who gave me this dress and necklace?”

I didn’t want to be indebted to anyone. I needed to know.

Elsa hesitated. Her fingers curled slightly, her lips pressing together. I could see the conflict in her eyes before she finally exhaled a sigh of resignation.

“Haa… Personally, I wanted to tell you after the parade was over. But since you insist… Haa…”

She met my gaze, her voice gentle. “This dress was made by your mother.”

I froze.

“Your mother also prepared several hairpins for you—this is one of them. The others are on the desk. And the necklace…” She hesitated before continuing, “…was a custom-made piece from the royal capital, bought by your father. They entrusted all of this to Madam Senian a year ago… for your 15th birthday.”

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

My lungs tightened, my heart pounding so fiercely it hurt.

“…Mom and Dad?”

I stared at my reflection again, but my vision blurred with tears that had dried.

This dress—my mother had made it. Every stitch, every delicate frill, every gentle curve of the fabric had been touched by her hands.

This hairpin—she had chosen it for me, knowing how much I loved intricate accessories.

And this necklace… My father had bought it. A custom piece from the royal capital. He must have spent weeks searching for something that would suit me.

They had planned this for me a year ago.

Long before… Everything happened.

My knees buckled, and I barely caught myself on the vanity table. My fingers trembled as they touched the fabric of my dress again, as if by feeling it, I could somehow touch them.

They weren’t here.

They weren’t standing beside me, smiling as they watched me wear the things they had carefully prepared.

I hadn’t heard their voices in so long.

And I never would again.

My throat burned, my chest ached, and before I could stop it, tears spilled down my cheeks.

The tears that had long dried up in the past week—the ones I had refused to shed, convincing myself I had to be strong—came rushing forward all at once.

Elsa stepped forward and wrapped me in a firm, comforting embrace.

“Madam Senian also left a message from your mother for you. Apparently, your mother said this:”

“It’s okay to cry when there’s too much on your mind. Even the clouds above rain when things get heavy. But like a rainbow that appears after the rain, don’t forget to smile again once you’ve stopped crying, okay?”

I let out a small, choked laugh between sobs.

She always said that. Every time I cried as a child—every time I let my worries consume me.

Like now.

I clutched the necklace tightly in my palm, pressing it against my chest as if trying to anchor myself to something—anything.

I wiped my face. “Elsa, can you leave me alone?”

She sighed. “It’s okay to cry in front of me, you know? You don’t have to carry everything alone.”

“Thanks, Elsa. But no—I want to be alone for now.”

“Come down in three—no, two hours—you need to eat before the parade. If you don’t, I’ll drag you out myself.”

She pressed a magic letter into my hands before leaving.

I nodded weakly.

I sat at the desk, my fingers trembling as I channeled mana into the letter. The seal dissolved.

I read the letter.

The birthday letter prepared by Mom and Dad.

And once more—I cried.