The preparations needed for the Bestowal Ceremony were all fulfilled a day before it would be held.
Unsurprisingly, Ilya didn't have to make a single move for her own ceremony. Well, she had no choice since no one cared enough to ask her for any favor. Besides, the knights of the Third Order barred everyone from entering the mansion, making her safety their top priority.
Even Leahmir Dantalion, her personal physician and only frequent visitor, didn't give her any information regarding the preparations.
Needless to say, everyone colluded to stop her from being stubborn.
Ilya was left to spend her time with her maids as her only companions.
Embracing the night, Ilya opted to sit in the garden. However, the presence of the knights made it hard for her to relax. For that reason, she immediately headed back to her bedroom.
The lady sighed as she sat on the edge of her bed. Her eyes were pinned on the window, the stars attracting her attention. For a moment, she took her eyes off of the sky to turn off the night lamp. She then removed her slip-on and lifted her feet up the bed.
Ilya covered herself with the blanket and leaned back on the headboard. Her gaze made its way back to the window. And just like that, time passed with Ilya failing to fall asleep.
"I wonder why they're not telling me anything? It's not as if I'm dying. I can still help with the preparations. Just why…" Ilya muttered to herself, exhaling deeply as she did so, "Why are they treating me like I am someone weak?"
Thereafter, Ilya said nothing more. She found herself tightly gripping her blanket. Hot tears began crowding in the rims of her eyes, the stars becoming blurry orbs of light in her vision. A sob was threatening to escape her lips, so she covered her mouth with her unbandaged hand.
She bent her knees and hugged them, finding solace to her loneliness. She lowered her head to her knees and inhaled until her chest was aching.
Soon, she managed to hamper her desire to cry. But that didn't mean that her grievances were gone.
'Nothing has changed. Before the time was reversed, and even now, they still think of me as someone who needs to be protected.' Ilya thought as she raised her head, 'What should I do to make them change their m-'
All of a sudden, Ilya snapped her head towards the window. Her hands began to tremble as she scrambled to get out of the bed. Her feet quickly traversed the carpeted floor and brought her to the terrace beyond the window.
Ilya gripped the stone railings while staring far in the distance.
Several knights, those who were standing in the garden, forthwith noticed Ilya.
The leader of the team hurriedly approached the terrace, bowing before he spoke, "Your Grace, please return inside your room. It's already late in the night."
Unfortunately for him, Ilya acted as if she didn't hear him. She was just there, breathing heavily with her bloodshot eyes.
"I need five of you to visit the Lady's bedroom. The rest will stay here and guard her from below."
The knights nodded their heads at the order and followed suit. Just as the knights were about to enter the mansion, an explosion rattled the land. The shockwave of the blast reached the mansion, accompanied by debris as big as a human head.
Having no time to reach Ilya, the leader of the knights hastily cast a spell to create a shield that would protect the lady. He was barely in time to stop a myriad of rocks from riddling holes on Ilya's body.
As for Ilya, she couldn't get her eyes off of the site of the explosion. She didn't bat an eye at the pieces of rubble hitting the shield. The blast didn't even displace her, not even an inch.
"That area, that is where the Hamlin Family's mansion is located," Ilya whispered, biting down her lips as she observed the smoke rising in the air.
Unlike the fire that turned the entire Gertrude Estate into smoldering ashes, the fire that emerged from the explosion quickly spread in the neighboring properties.
Ilya began shaking her head, muttering, "No, no, no,"
She took a step back, then a couple more. Once another explosion occurred, Ilya turned around and ran for the door. As ill-fated as she was, the door didn't budge when she tried to open it.
"Open the door this instant!" She shouted as she banged on the door.
Her plea fell on deaf ears. Since they didn't want to allow her to step outside, Ilya just gave up on using the door. She went back to the terrace and faced the heat of the growing fire. The lady made sure to stand on the blindspot of the knights stationed in the garden.
Ilya then closed her eyes and began to gather Manna inside her body. She stabilized her breathing to increase her concentration.
"Die Flugel der Freiheit"
Two pairs of wings sprouted on Ilya's back -- one on her shoulder blades, one on her back dimples. As described in the scriptures, Ilya's wings appeared like those of a cherub. However, hers were not white or golden. Every single feather was completely black, even darker than the moonless night.
Because the wings were emitting an aura of their own, the knights went on alert. The larger pair among Ilya's wings spanned more than ten meters, making its tips visible to the people below.
The knights standing by the door barged into the room without a warning.
"Your Grace! Please refrain from doing anything! It's too dangerous!"
"Please, Your Grace! Have mercy! We will be punished by the Commander if you manage to escape!"
For a brief moment, Ilya glanced at the knights. Her eyes were glowing red, coercing the knights to halt on their tracks.
"If you want to be pardoned by Vatar Halkias, act as if you all fell unconscious in this room." Ilya proceeded to face forward, "I'll take my leave now."
Right then, Ilya vanished out of thin air, leaving the knights with their mouths wide agape.