~Chapter 36~
I came out to see my father off.
“It seems like there’s no one here who knows how to behave properly. Is it because they resemble the Grand Duke, or because they haven’t learned even the basics…?”
“Because of Isabel, the North has suffered a lot. Everyone is distracted, so please understand.”
“…”
My father frowned as he noticed that no one else had come out besides me. It was to be expected.
The last time he visited, no one knew about my abilities, but things were different now.
If he realized that I received help from animal friends, he would immediately suspect my powers.
It would be strange if I, with the same golden eyes as him, hadn’t shown any abilities.
“More importantly, is it okay to leave the divine beast alone?”
“There’s no need to worry about that one. It’s bound in such a way that it can’t even think of other things.”
“I see. Has the escaped divine beast been found yet?”
“I’ll find it soon, so don’t worry. I didn’t know you were interested in the divine beast.”
“I’m only concerned because you keep having to come to the North because of it.”
It was a roundabout way of telling him not to come. I didn’t want him near Cedric, who knows what he might do to him.
I glanced at the dragon, who was staring at me, and smiled softly.
“You’re having a tough time too. Looks like the binding spell is pretty strong.”
The dragon narrowed its eyes and snorted. It must have read my thoughts.
“Grr.” (Powers… could it be…)
“Father, I’m curious about the divine beast. Can I touch it? It’s so exciting to be face to face with a divine creature.”
My father didn’t respond. Taking that as a yes, I approached the dragon.
“Just hang in there a little longer. It seems like Father is planning to move you somewhere else.”
“……Grr.” (Somewhere else?)
I nodded and gently stroked its face.
“Yeah. Somewhere else. Maybe someplace where you can’t escape. Like the sea, for example.”
The dragon’s pupils narrowed. From the hot breath it exhaled, it seemed to be quite agitated.
“Calm down. You can’t escape as long as you’re bound.”
It was a cruel hope, but this was all I could say. I didn’t know how to break the binding spell.
Still, it’s better to know where you’re going.
“I’ll come find you. I promise.”
Seeing the dragon’s sad expression, I smiled lightly and turned to my father.
“The snow seems to be letting up. It’s strange…”
“Is that so? I hope nothing’s happened to Isabel.”
“That can’t be. Is the search still going on in Velodona as well?”
“Yes, but she’s nowhere to be found.”
If my guess was right, Isabel was in the North. Father didn’t seem to think she would come here, but it was simple if you thought about it.
She wanted Cedric, so she came to where he was. No other reason.
“You can go now.”
“I hope you don’t disappoint me anymore.”
“When you reach the capital, you’ll find what you’re looking for. Don’t worry.”
My father got into the carriage. I only turned toward the grand estate after he disappeared into the snowy distance.
Thunk, thud.
The sound of digging didn’t stop. The pure white snow swirled in the air as Caven’s shovel moved through it.
“Sir Caven, let me help.”
“Your Grace, please go inside. You’ll catch a cold.”
“It’s fine. It seems like the snow is letting up.”
“…Come to think of it, the snow has stopped all of a sudden.”
I nodded. I had sent out a hawk earlier, and it seemed like it had finally found Cedric.
We’d have a clearer view if the snowstorm weren’t too strong. Thankfully, it seemed the message had reached Isabel.
“We need to heat the estate with magic stones before His Grace arrives.”
“Huh?”
“My friend is flying over there.”
I pointed at the hawk flying toward the estate. Sir Caven and the knights looked up at the sky.
“Look! A hawk! Her Grace’s friend!”
“A bird! A hawk is coming! Welcome her friend!”
Hearing the knights shout that my friend was arriving, everyone scrambled to prepare for Cedric’s return.
“Inform the butler immediately! His Grace is coming!”
“Shouldn’t we go out to greet him?”
The knights, their faces flushed with excitement, exchanged words. I went inside and brought out a warm coat.
I couldn’t show it, but I was nervous. It had been almost four days since I’d been apart from him.
I hoped Isabel wasn’t with him, but seeing that the snow had stopped and the hawk had found him, they were probably together.
‘It’s okay. There’s nothing to worry about.’
Even if I told myself that, it wasn’t entirely true. I doubted that anything bad had happened, but the fact that Zeno was with them concerned me.
‘What if she figured out he’s a divine beast?’
If she learned what my powers were, she might tell my father. At this point, I had no choice but to make her my ally.
That would be the best solution.
Soon, I saw Isabel riding on Zeno’s back and Cedric standing beside them.
I immediately ran toward him.
“Your Grace! You’ll fall!”
Arita shouted in panic behind me, but I didn’t stop.
My breath caught in my throat, but I kept running. As his once-blurred face became clearer and closer, reality set in.
Cedric stood before me. His black hair contrasted with the white snow, and his piercing blue eyes were as striking as ever.
Nothing had changed.
It had only been four days, but why did it feel like I had been away for so long?
Maybe it was because he might be with Isabel.
Since I knew the original story, I felt anxious. I didn’t know for what reason or under what circumstances things might change.
Cedric’s eyes widened as he met my gaze.
He reached out and grabbed my arm.
“Your Highn— huh?”
I blinked as I was pulled into his arms as if being drawn in.
“My Lady, I’m back.”
With those casually spoken words, all my anxiety melted away like snow.
We stared at each other, quickly checking over each other’s bodies with our eyes. Thankfully, there didn’t seem to be any injuries.
“Wo-wooool.” (Master, please put down this heavy woman first.)
As I tilted my head at Zeno’s cry, I saw Isabel riding on his back.
Her face looked gaunt, and I felt a bit of satisfaction. How many people had suffered because of her?
“You’re back too.”
“Yes, I got the letter my sister sent. Did Father really call off the marriage?”
“Yes. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true.”
“It better not be a lie. If it is, His Highness will be in trouble.”
I nodded. The knights came running to greet Cedric.
“Your Highness! Are you alright?!”
“That witch…! Oh, nothing.”
The knights looked quite surprised, probably because they hadn’t expected Cedric to be with Isabel.
I grabbed Cedric’s hand and said, “We should warm you up first. You’re as cold as ice.”
“Kyiing, kyiing. Kyiing!” (Master, warm me up too. That crazy guy made me run on the snow for so long.)
As soon as Isabel got off his back, Zeno came straight to me and rubbed his face against mine. I gently pushed him away with my knee.
‘How can you act all friendly here? They already think it’s strange.’
“Wo-wooo!” (You can’t take me to the capital anyway. The princess has given up on the emperor.)
That made sense. Betrayed by her trusted father. What kind of face would she make once she found out the reason he wanted to send her to the old king was because of the sailing ship?
When she learned she was needed to confine the sacred beast, any thought of taking Zeno to the emperor would vanish.
“Come in. You’re not in good shape either.”
“…What are you thinking? Why are you helping me?”
“If you need a reason, I’ll give you one. It’s so you won’t trouble His Highness and me.”
“…That’s just like you.”
Following the butler’s guidance, Isabel entered the grand duchy first.
