– The power of Karnov is the power to make life blossom.
Without a moment’s notice, the girl who finished talking closed her eyes again and dropped her head. The maid who returned just in time dropped the teapot she had brought and rushed to call a doctor.
And only after the royal doctors told her that the girl was asleep could Karnov release her strong hand. He could see why the girl suddenly fell asleep. The girl did her best to convey her feelings to him.
Karnov slowly dropped the seeds in his hand onto the soil of the garden. The seeds settled silently on the earth like star powder. Karnov got down on one knee, covered the soil over the seeds, and put his hand on it.
And before long, the shoots and stems grew quickly from the spot where Karnov had withdrawn. The stem stretched out its branches and the leaves grew. In such an instant, the flowers bloomed as if they were bursting.
“Ah…”
The flowers had bloomed.
The flowers bloomed endlessly. Because he did not stop the force, it quickly faded, and the seeds fell again. And again, from that seed, it sprouted in an instant, and a stem sprouted and bloomed.
And when at last Karnov stretched out his hands, all around him was a wave of Lisianthus, shining white in the moonlight.
Even after Asha was completely out of bed, there was no contact from Karnov.
‘In the meantime, he sent me a lot of flowers…’
“I hope there’s no strange rumor going on.”
<What rumor do you mean?>
Not long after waking up in the morning to Phoebe’s question, Asha looked at the Lisianthus of the narrow table with half-asleep eyes, and turned her head toward Phoebe.
“Come to think of it, Phoebe, lately you don’t tell me to hold hands with Karnov.”
<Because you handle it well on your own.>
“N, no.”
<I know you will. I didn’t say anything else because it’s enough to stop there.>
“Why did you ask me to do that in the first place?”
<That way he can talk to his spirit. The more often you contact him, the more he will have the power to feel the spirit, if not as much as you.>
“I didn’t know you cared that much about Karnov.”
<What nonsense! If he can talk to the Spirit of Time, he will surely convey the words of the Spirit of Time.>
“Can’t you talk to each other?”
<It’s impossible in the human world. We can only use our power through the contractor.>
“I see… Huh? But you talked to Fafnir right away.”
<That’s because you can talk to Fafnir.>
“Well, then I can’t speak to the Spirit of Time? Come to think of it, I haven’t even seen other spirits.”
<There are not many spirits with free will. Only the so-called ‘spirit kings’ you call can open their mouths and show their existence.>
“Ah… Then the Spirit of Time… It’s a baby so I can’t see it?”
<Nonsense! The Spirit of Time is a higher being than that. You could say it’s similar to me.>
“But why have I never seen or felt that form?”
<That’s…>
Phoebe swallowed a groan.
<There was something he had to exert himself for. That’s why… he became a bit weaker. That’s why you can’t talk to him either. But if Karnov has enough power, being a strong spirit himself, he should be able to communicate with the contract holder.>
“Then why didn’t you just say that from the beginning?”
<I couldn’t!>
“Why?”
Phoebe shut up again. She looked as if she couldn’t speak even if she wanted to.
<Even though I can’t say it in words, there is a greater purpose from the heavens.>
“Even so… What should I do now? Karnov hasn’t come since I told him about the spirit…”
Phoebe, noticing the regret in Asha’s voice, replied indifferently, smoothing her feathers.
<Having a proper understanding of one’s own spirit will be much more helpful for their communication. But it seems like that other fellow is rushing in recklessly.>
“What do you mean?”
Asha tilted her head at the sudden remark. Phoebe, who was rolling her black eyes, kicked her tongue.
“He’s coming with the wind. Boo!”
“Wind?”
As Asha rubbed her eyes, the door opened wide and Lise entered.
“Your Highness, Your Highness! His Majesty is calling now.”
“Oh, it was about Shamal.”
<That breeze should be locked up in a jar of jam.>
“Why do you hate Shamal so much?”
<The arrogant one talked to you!>
She wondered if it was something she would hate so much for just talking to her, but if she asked Phoebe right now, she wouldn’t be able to say a word to Lise.
“…His Majesty is calling me? Today? Now?”
“Yes, so you have to get ready quickly.”
“Oh… From this early morning?”
“It’s nine in the morning.”
“I’m growing up!”
“Hurry, Your Highness.”
Lise spoke as if urging Asha, but did not wait for Asha to move. It was a blink of an eye until Lise walked on the blanket, lifted Asha up, sat her in a chair, washed her with a basin of hot water next to her, and moved her limpid limbs to dress her in her nice dress and comb her hair.
“Which one should I choose, light green or sky blue?”
“Uh…”
“As expected, sky blue would be prettier, right?”
“Uh…”
At the same time, ribbons clung to both sides of the hair. Lastly, Lise put Asha on the floor with socks with white lace and light pink shoes on her feet.
“…What’s His Majesty up to?”
Asha asked, drowsy by rubbing her cheeks while walking. But Lise smiled and did not answer.
“Lise?”
“You’ll find out soon if you go.”
“What, what is it? And we’re not heading to the Ashtad Palace… are we?”
This was rather the way to the deeper part of the Taimir Palace where Asha and Alexei stayed. But Asha couldn’t ask any more questions. When she arrived at the innermost part, the emperor stood with the chamberlain at the closed door.
“Your… Majesty?”
At that moment a strong wind blew once. And as soon as it did, Phoebe pouted bitterly.
<You’re such a smart guy! Are you trying to talk casually again?! Get lost!>
Shamal was silent, but Phoebe was about to flap her wings loudly, so Asha quickly grabbed Phoebe with both hands.
“…”
“…”
<Let go of this! Geez! Can’t you let go?! Can’t you see I’m saying this because I care about you!>
<Tsk. When will you grow up?>
The emperor raised his frosty eyebrows, a little surprised.
“…What about that bird?”
“Well, it’s my pet chick! Her name is Phoebe, and she must have been surprised by the sudden wind, Grandpa!”
Asha answered quickly and put Phoebe in her pocket. Phoebe’s scream that rang in her head remained, but it was bearable. At that time, the chamberlain carefully bowed his head and opened his mouth.
“Your Majesty, with all due respect, Your Majesty the Emperor…”
“It’s done. Go away.”
“Yes, yes?”
The emperor waved his hand.
“Step back. The princess and I have something to discuss, so go over there.”
“…”
The chamberlain seemed to have something on his mind, but eventually he had to step back, swallowing what he was going to say. Asha in the middle blinked, and the emperor beckoned her.
“Come here.”
Asha, who glanced at the chamberlain, approached the emperor with frequent steps. The emperor stared down silently for a long time, and suddenly said,
“Since when have you been able to talk to spirits? I know Shamal was playing tricks on you.”
<What do you mean by tricks. You just find it unfair, don’t you?>
Shamal laughed, but Asha.
“Yes?”
There was a shrill sound.
When Asha asked back with a face that looked like she was going to hiccup, the emperor looked down at her.
“Didn’t I ask you since when you were able to talk to spirits?”
The emperor’s eyes were speaking. He already knew everything. Asha clenched her dry mouth, clenched her little fist and spread it.
What happens when there’s an inevitable situation?
Being honest is the best.
Asha took a deep breath and clasped the emperor’s hands with both hands after warming up. It was more like putting it on top of it than covering it up.
The emperor flinched but did not shake her hand.
“It’s been a while since we were able to talk…”
“…”
“Well, from a few days after I stayed at the palace…?”
“It seems like Alexei’s power has stabilized recently. Is that also your doing, your trick?”
“Ah! That was supposed to happen that way, I didn’t do anything.”
“So Alexei doesn’t know about you communicating with spirits either?”
There was a strong desire to tell a lie, but Asha told the truth with tears in her eyes.
“Oh, no. It’s… No, he knows, Alyosha is…”
“Really? The emperor didn’t know the princess’s secret, and only the crown prince knew.”
“I was trying to tell you! I really was…”
“When? After Alexei ascended the throne?”
“…!”
As Asha opened her eyes wide with an expression of how did he know, the emperor made a sound as if he were full of energy.
“It’s very selfish. I could punish you for deceiving the monarch.”
Asha quickly rolled her eyes. She couldn’t guess what the emperor wanted to hear.
And when you’re not sure, counterattack is the answer.
“How did Grandpa know? That I’m talking to the spirits.”
“How did I know? Did you expect me to not hear you talking to your spirit so loudly?”
At the same time, Asha turned her head and looked down into her own pocket.
<…>
<…I stayed quiet.>
Shamal whispered a small excuse instead of Phoebe who didn’t answer.
