Hate me, Miss Witch!

[[Month of Summer Flowers, the evening of the thirteenth]]

Isn't that just six days from now...

And—

Morningstar Hills.

Also—

[I have something very important to tell you.]

The fair fingers holding the letter trembled ever so slightly.

Ripples of emotion spread in Silvia's dark purple eyes.

In that instant, she felt as if her heart had been struck by something, causing a thunderous echo.

Vast happiness resonated within Silvia's heart, warm and gentle, leaving her consciousness somewhat dazed and bewildered.

Maybe I am still dreaming, she thought to herself.

But right now, the clear and distinct writing on the paper she held tightly between her fingers told her that this was not an illusion but reality.

Silvia held the letter and took a few light steps. When a joyous thought struck her, she couldn't help but lift the hem of her skirt and twirl enthusiastically twice.

Afterward, Silvia carefully tucked the brief missive away as if it were some precious treasure.

Having done all this, Silvia then eagerly pulled out a chair and opened the small diary.

She couldn't wait to express the burning happiness in her heart through the words in her journal.

"'Brother Shiayar had a servant deliver me a letter.'"

"'In the letter, Brother Shiayar asked me to meet him at Morningstar Hills in the evening, six days from now.'"

"'Morningstar Hills, I know that place...'"

"'On that small mountain, there are fields of waterleaf and fragrant telosma.'"

"'They are ordinary flowers and grasses that look unremarkable during the day, but they bloom into the most beautiful flowers at the moment day turns to night.'"

"'They only bloom in the fleeting twilight, beautiful yet ephemeral, like bubbles.'"

"'Moreover, Morningstar Hills was also the place where my father and mother first met...'"

"'I heard that Father, before taking over as Family Head, made his confession to Mother amidst that vast sea of blooming flowers.'"

"'So, Brother Shiayar has asked me to meet him there.'"

"'The very important thing he has to tell me, could it possibly be...'"

Silvia's pen paused. Her dark purple eyes gazed out the window at the silver moon, as bright and pristine as jade.

Her lips twitched, sometimes curling into a smile, sometimes parting slightly.

Silvia sat quietly, allowing the spreading warmth to engulf her bit by bit, enveloping her whole being.

After a long while, she began to write again.

"'I am liked by Brother Shiayar.'"

"'I am perhaps the happiest treasure in the world right now.'"

— Excerpt from page 23 of "Diary of the Gray-Silver Witch," Holy Calendar Year 346, Month of Summer Flowers, the seventh day.

...

[[Month of Summer Flowers, the thirteenth]]

[[Evening]]

Shiayar waited at the very end of the mountain range on the outskirts of the Royal Capital.

Whether because he was the one who had invited her or because of the plans he intended to carry out, Shiayar needed to arrive early.

He summoned Silver and listlessly played with the little white ferret for a while.

After a moment, the sound of soft footsteps approached from behind Shiayar.

Shiayar turned and saw Silvia walking toward him from a distance.

Normally, Silvia didn't wear makeup, and she would only choose plain, monochromatic clothes.

But today, Silvia had clearly put a lot of effort into dressing up. She wore a dark, knee-length dress with a layered, ruffled skirt that spread out like lotus petals.

Her long, naturally wavy chestnut hair, mixed with strands of silver, which usually fell to her shoulders, was now pinned up behind her head, revealing her snowy neck, its curve as graceful as a swan's. The amethyst hairpin Shiayar had given Silvia was the only metal accessory she wore, and it sparkled brilliantly under the slanting rays of the setting sun.

Silvia walked lightly up to Shiayar. She wore a small, white, circular hat and a pair of red high heels.

Clearly, Silvia had no experience wearing high heels; her calves were slightly tense, and her walk was somewhat clumsy.

Shiayar stepped forward to support Silvia. "You look very beautiful," he said with a nod, praising her.

Even with Shiayar's discerning eye, he had to admit Silvia had caught his attention today. His experience in the makeup and luxury goods industry of the Black Lily District in the Empire Capital meant he'd seen all kinds of fashion. The outfit Silvia had spent hours meticulously choosing wasn't particularly dazzling by professional standards; in fact, a critical eye might find many elements clashed.

But that still didn't detract from Silvia's beauty. Only for someone she fancied would a shy, young girl be willing to spend so much time meticulously dressing up, merely to look a little better for their meeting.

Then I really am a deeply sinful man, Shiayar thought, a wry smile touching his lips as he considered what he was about to do.

The two walked side by side up the mountain without much conversation.

It wasn't the first time Shiayar had asked Silvia out, and the two already shared a comfortable understanding.

…

The path up the mountain was uneven, just a winding trail. Worried about falling, Silvia daintily placed her hand in Shiayar's palm, letting him lead her forward.

Shiayar walked in front, clearing away the overgrown branches and loose stones from the narrow mountain path.

The narrow path soon ended, giving way to a steep slope.

With Shiayar's help, Silvia climbed over the rise, slightly out of breath.

She had never formed a contract with a Pet Beast. The power within the Bronze Crucifix, though In Her Control, usually just slumbered deep within her soul.

Therefore, Silvia's physical condition was no different from that of an ordinary person. Climbing the entire mountain in one go had left her somewhat fatigued, and a flush spread across her fair face.

But Silvia's dark violet eyes remained bright, strikingly so.

"We've arrived," Shiayar said, stopping on higher ground.

Holding Shiayar's hand, Silvia scaled the final incline.

The next moment, her eyes widened in astonishment.

Before her lay a sea of blooming flowers.

All around them, countless Night-Moon Orchids and Starlight Flowers were in full bloom, exuding a captivating fragrance.

Far beyond the sea of flowers lay a cliff.

Twilight and the setting sun merged, flooding Silvia's vision like a tide.

From the cliff's edge, one could see the entire Royal Capital sprawling below, its buildings nestled quietly upon the earth. Farther still, beyond the city, lay the azure Grant Sea.

The massive sun was already touching the surface of the sea.

The roaring evening breeze swept past, stirring the forests that covered the entire mountain range. Countless treetops swayed in the wind, creating layers of undulating waves that stretched to the sea's distant edge.