“Good job, everyone.”

The grand banquet hall glittered brightly.

The awards ceremony began with the Emperor’s speech. Of course... it was a very long speech.

The children who had participated in the contest huddled together at the front of the stage.

The adults, all dressed up beautifully, watched the kids proudly from behind.

I stood in the front row, my face a little tense. On either side were my older brothers and Khalid.

“Ruby, your face is as white as bread.”

“Please stop talking. I feel like I’m going to throw up...”

“Whoa. I should avoid her,” Void said teasingly.

“Then, shall we announce the results? Principal Odelle.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A very stern-looking middle-aged woman stepped forward at the Emperor’s words. She seemed to be the head judge of the contest.

Her glasses reflected the chandelier’s light, and her sharp eyes scanned me carefully.

Specifically, they landed on the gold badge on my chest and the card full of star stickers in my hands.

A gentle smile spread across her face.

“The winner of this year’s contest is clear without me saying it.”

As expected. Wow. A small murmur ran through the children. My heart almost jumped at the side glances.

But I stood tall and proud.

I had four shiny gold badges on my chest and fifty-five star stickers in my hands!

“The youngest fairy, you can take them.”

“Ruby, can you lend me the Hero card for an hour a day...?”

Thanks to everyone giving me their badges and stickers—except for Khalid’s—I collected them all.

The scores were: one gold badge each for everyone, and star stickers—me 11, Kal 30, Liam 14, Void 0.

“Total score: 675 points! Lady Rubian Zebret is the overall first-place winner of this year’s Spring Festival!”

“Waaah!”

The hall exploded in applause. Of course, our family’s cheers were the loudest, including my grandfather’s booming roar.

“Ah, but it’s not the highest score. The top score in the Spring Festival contest is 680 points.”

Someone whispered, disappointed, but I didn’t care much. First place was first place!

Then it happened.

“Ah, wait a moment.”

A hand shot up.

“Fourth Prince?”

It was Licht’s hand, raised a little away from me.

“Do you have an objection?”

“No, no. Not an objection... I just forgot something.”

Licht walked over to me slowly, holding a shiny card of star stickers in one hand.

“The final match was amazing.”

He looked relieved, as if he’d just fought a great battle with a rival. Then he handed me the card.

“Will you accept it? It’s not much, so it’s a bit embarrassing.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Really.”

“Wow! Thank you, Licht!”

I grabbed it eagerly, and Licht smiled.

“What? Too close. Step back.”

Khalid and my older brothers shot sharp looks, but Licht stood firmly by my side. I counted the star stickers in disbelief.

With this, I had sixty star stickers. My score became 700 points!

“The highest score of the Spring Festival!”

Principal Odelle shouted, amazed.

“The highest score in the Babylon Spring Festival!”

Voices of admiration echoed around me. I covered my face slightly with the card, feeling shy, but the excitement didn’t stop.

“Wow! The youngest winner and the highest score too!”

“Truly impressive, like a northern strategist.”

“How did she manage the two young lords?”

“I think Licht is even more amazing.”

“The boy in knight’s armor is so handsome...”

Bang! Bang! Fireworks exploded indoors, scattering colorful sparkles from the ceiling.

Wow!

Looking around, Asha was smiling widely, showing off her magic.

“Rubiaaaan!”

“My booger! That’s my booger!”

“Our youngest... I might cry...!”

“It’s my daughter. See that?”

My family and knight seniors made a fuss. Following the guide, I boldly stepped onto the stage.

The Emperor, smiling warmly at me, looked splendid in a red cloak. He was stunning for his age.

“Congratulations, Lady.”

“Thank you...!”

“Come over here.”

“Yes.”

I walked forward, a bit overwhelmed by all the staring eyes.

Glancing around, I saw my father smiling at me. The warm sparkles in the hall made my nerves melt away.

“First-place prize. Here you go.”

“Wow.”

I beamed and took the Emperor’s herb and hero cards.

Finally!

I grabbed the herb tightly.

‘Finally, I have a clue!’

‘And... I did it!’

My heart raced. Pride filled me—I had achieved something with my own strength, cheered by my beloved family.

The bright, smiling faces of my father, mother, grandfather, and brothers waved at me happily.

The Emperor patted my head. I looked up, and his warm eyes winked at me.

“This lady will be the pride of the Zebret family.”

I smiled happily.

“Yes!”

Those words felt like the true gift of winning.

After that, the full noble party began.

The nobles’ eyes shone like hyenas, mostly aimed at my father, grandfather, and the other Zebret adults.

Especially my father...

My mother aside, he was a rare sight at parties.

His neat black hair, decorated uniform with imperial medals, gave off an aura that made him seem like the host of the event.

His sharp eyes and cold presence made no one approach easily, though people still tried, crowding around him.

‘Wow. This is the adult world.’

After the cute children’s awards, it was the adults’ turn.

They smiled while subtly trying to manipulate or attack others—a true political gathering.

“Ladies and young masters, please come this way. A separate banquet hall has been prepared for you.”

I didn’t care about that.

“Father! Can we go?”

“...Of course.”

His tired look seemed to say, ‘I wish I could go too.’

I held my brothers’ hands and moved forward. Father added,

“Kal, go with them.”

Khalid, attending as a contestant, followed quietly behind me.

‘Wow. Asha really worked hard.’

I looked around the children’s party hall. The decorations seemed small, but they were all magical tools.

‘No wonder it feels magical here.’

The walls exuded sweet scents; lamps scattered colorful sparkles.

“Lady Zebret! Hello!”

A group of children approached as soon as I entered.

“Congratulations on winning!”

“Th-thank you,” I replied shyly. The attention from new children still felt awkward.

‘Titi... Olivia isn’t here, of course.’

I felt a little disappointed.

“Why are you wearing that cloth on your face?”

The children asked ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ kindly.

“I caught a cold. When I cough, spit might fly,” I explained.

“So thoughtful...”

“The kidnapping must have scared you a lot. Lady Kamelan is still recovering.”

“Yes, it was scary... I sent a letter to her. She’s better now. She said she’s sad she couldn’t come.”

“Oh my.”

The children formed a circle around me. It reminded me a bit of how Father had looked earlier.

But where did my brothers and Khalid go?

“Lady Zebret.”

At that moment, a maid approached.