Chapter 46
Lucy’s eyes widened as she stared at the translucent water arrow.
I spun it in the air, scanning the room for a suitable target.
For a brief moment, a wicked thought crossed my mind—Should I threaten Lucy into keeping my secret?—but I quickly dismissed it.
I wasn’t that far gone yet.
‘That vase over there should do.’
Spotting a small flower vase, I fired the water arrow at it.
The vase shattered instantly under the water pressure, and Lucy gasped.
“……?!”
“See? If anything dangerous happens, I can handle it like this, so don’t worry. I’ll be back in just one day.”
“Mmmph…!”
“And if you promise to keep my secret, I’ll give you this.”
I rummaged through my jewelry box and pulled out a ring embedded with a deep red ruby—expensive enough to make Lucy’s eyes gleam.
I pressed it into her palm, and her nervous fidgeting eased slightly.
“It’s quite valuable. You can sell it or wear it—your choice. Just keep quiet, and it’s yours.”
“Mmm…!”
“It won’t be hard. As my temporary maid, just keep the others out of my room. If anyone asks, say I’m sleeping.”
Lucy hesitated, clutching the ring, before finally nodding.
“O-Okay… I’ll do it…”
“Great. Thanks, Lucy. I’ll be back soon.”
Now that she’d been bribed into silence, Lucy even helped me prepare for my departure, speeding things up considerably.
With Lucy successfully persuaded, I took a carriage to the Tia River—a massive waterway that cut through the heart of the Belkinus Empire.
‘The river branches out across the empire. If I ride its currents, I can reach my destination quickly.’
Before diving in, I wrapped myself in the spirit’s power, then turned to the coachman.
“Remember, my visit here is a secret. Understood?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Like Lucy, he’d been paid for his silence. He planned to spend the money at a nearby tavern, drinking until my return.
Once he was gone, I stepped into the river.
Thanks to the spirit’s power, I felt no discomfort—no wet clothes, no chilling cold.
‘This is so convenient. I can breathe underwater, move freely… It’s like becoming a fish.’
I even pulled out a map from my bag, completely dry, and checked the marked location.
‘The Seluna Plains… Southwest from here.’
Unlike Elliot, the fire spirit didn’t stay in one place.
It roamed freely, causing chaos wherever it went.
But its most frequent haunt was the Seluna Plains, where it supposedly held mad, fiery celebrations under the full moon.
And tonight was a full moon.
‘Perfect timing. I just hope it’s not too dangerous.’
Focusing, I let the water currents carry me forward.
Nayla couldn’t stop humming.
Not only had she been accepted into the Academy, but she’d also received a reply from Regis.
‘What did he write?’
In her letter, she’d mentioned Claudia—how she’d helped find the spirit, only for Claudia to steal all the credit.
Surely, his response would be full of sympathy.
‘Regis would never ignore my struggles.’
She tore open the letter eagerly.
Oh, Nayla,
I was shocked to read your letter. So it’s true—Claudia used your help to find the spirit, then took all the glory?
Honestly, I never believed that airhead could’ve done it alone. It had to be thanks to you.
Nayla nodded smugly.
I completely understand your frustration. Claudia’s shameless behavior can’t be overlooked.
I’ll summon her to the palace soon and give her the scolding she deserves.
A smirk curled on Nayla’s lips.
Regis had once been the object of Claudia’s unrequited love.
The thought of Claudia trembling under his scorn was delicious.
And here’s some comforting news—
Not being at the palace that day was a blessing. When Claudia demonstrated the spirit’s power, Father’s reaction… wasn’t positive.
He called it dangerous and forbade her from using it again.
So don’t be too upset.
Nayla’s grin stretched ear to ear.
She’d been furious when Claudia went to the Emperor without her—but learning that Claudia had been reprimanded instead?
Priceless.
‘I doubt the kind Emperor scolded her too harshly, but still… The spirits aren’t welcome. That’s clear.’
‘Maybe there is justice in this world.’
The rest of the letter was mundane—well-wishes and assurances that the Principality would be dealt with.
After finishing, Nayla tucked it away in a drawer already stuffed with years’ worth of correspondence.
The oldest letter was from five years ago, back when Claudia and Regis were still engaged.
‘Should I go see Claudia’s miserable face now? She must be sulking after the Emperor rejected her.’
That sour expression would be perfect entertainment before she left for the Academy.
But when she checked the garden, Claudia wasn’t there.
Nor was she in the Duke’s study.
‘Is she still in her room? Unlikely…’
As she debated checking, a familiar maid passed by—Lucy.
Nayla blocked her path.
“You. You’re Claudia’s temporary maid, right?”
“Y-Yes…”
“Then you know where she is?”
Lucy stiffened.
Nayla’s sharp eyes caught the tension instantly.
‘She’s hiding something.’
“Lady Claudia is… resting.”
“Oh? In her bedroom?”
When Nayla moved as if to head there, Lucy panicked.
“N-No! Not her bedroom, but…”
“What? You said she was sleeping. Where else would she be?”
Nayla smiled sweetly, but Lucy felt like a mouse cornered by a viper.
‘W-What do I do?!’
In her nervousness, Lucy instinctively hid her left hand—the one wearing Claudia’s ruby ring.
Unfortunately, that only drew Nayla’s attention.
“What did you just hide?”
“N-Nothing…”
“Show me your hand.”
“Eek!”
Nayla yanked Lucy’s wrist forward, exposing the glittering ring.
“This… I’ve seen Claudia wear this before. Why is it on your finger? Did you steal it?”
“N-No! Lady Claudia gave it to me!”
“She gave you something this expensive? You’ve barely been her maid.”
“……”
Tears welled in Lucy’s eyes.
If she kept Claudia’s secret, she’d be branded a thief.
But Nayla’s expression twisted in disgust.
‘Crying? How dare a lowly maid shed tears in front of me?’
Her voice dripped with false sweetness.
“Trying to win sympathy with tears? Did your mother teach you that? To cry when you’re cornered?”
“S-Sob… I’m not a thief…”
“Oh? Then why is Claudia’s ring on your finger? Explain.”
