Chapter 34

"Lucia, are you getting tired yet?"

It seems I've been thinking too much.

Fil approached with a worried look and whispered to me.

Although I wasn't really that tired, I nodded slightly.

"Yes, my throat is a bit dry."

"Then let's take a break after this song."

Fil spun me around and looked towards the wall.

He seemed to be searching for a place to rest.

I suddenly remembered that I had left my brother behind and felt a bit guilty, but the song ended just then.

Fil took my hand and led me to a spot he had already picked out.

By the window overlooking the courtyard, a slightly cold breeze blew in from the open window.

There were several chairs around the window, but no one was sitting there, perhaps because it was too cool to sit still.

"I'll go get some drinks."

After seating me, Fil walked away quickly.

I watched his back, which showed no signs of fatigue, and sighed.

I hadn't felt tired while dancing, but my feet felt a bit heavy now. I was wearing shoes that fit my feet, but since they weren't my usual shoes, they were putting a strain on my feet.

I was confident in my stamina, but I might have muscle pain tomorrow.

As I thought about this, I looked out the window.

In contrast to the bright hall, the outside was dark and quiet.

The trees in the courtyard swayed in the wind, and the sound of rustling leaves was the only thing I could hear.

It was a quiet night that made me forget I was in the palace, a night I was familiar with.

But the trees in the courtyard looked a bit different from the ones I knew.

It was too dark to see clearly, but they might be a different species.

Or perhaps, because they were well-maintained and regularly pruned, their branches grew differently.

As I stared at the branches, I suddenly realized something.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Albes wasn't at the drink corner, so he might really be eating... Lucia? Is something wrong?"

Fil, who had returned, tilted his head as he handed me a silver cup.

I took it reflexively but couldn't take my eyes off the tree.

"Um, Fil..."

To calm myself, I took a sip of the drink.

It seemed to be wine diluted with water and fruit juice.

After quenching my thirst, I felt a bit calmer. I looked up at the suspicious Fil and gently pointed to the tree in the courtyard.

"There's a child on that tree."

"......What?"

Fil blinked.

Then, he leaned out the window and looked outside, searching for the tree I pointed to and squinting his eyes.

I took another sip of the drink and looked at the tree next to Fil.

In the darkness, the tree swayed its leaves quietly in the wind.

There was nothing unusual.

Perhaps what I saw was an illusion.

I was worried, but Fil didn't doubt me and kept staring at the tree.

Then.

A branch of the tree rustled.

A small foot appeared between the leaves.

"That's... a child, right?"

"...It's a child."

"Why is a child on that tree at this hour?"

"...Probably wants to see the ball."

Fil answered matter-of-factly.

But his face was expressionless and tense.

And it seemed like he recognized the child...

"Sorry, Lucia. I'll be right back."

"Fil?"

"Stay here. Albes will come looking for you soon!"

With that, he suddenly put his foot on the window frame.

"Hey, Fil!"

"I'm going to catch them!"

"Wait! I'm coming too!"

I don't know why I said that. But Fil's voice was so serious that I couldn't help but say it.

Fil paused for a moment and looked at me.

But he smiled and jumped out the window.

I stood up hurriedly.

It seemed to be about two stories high, but I could see Fil running as if nothing had happened.

I looked around and saw a staircase nearby that led outside. I went down the stairs and looked for the tree I had seen from the window.

It was hard to see from inside, but once outside, the base of the trees was clearly visible.

There was a tall person talking to someone on the tree, mask off.

I hurried over.

"I know you're up there, show your face!"

"Huh? Is that you, Fil?"

"Yeah, it's me. You're Rida, right? Come down now, you'll hurt yourself!"

"No, I want to see more."

"You were told you can participate from next year!"

"But I want to see it now!"

It seems the child on the tree was someone Fil knew.

As I got closer, I could see a small child sitting on a high branch.

The child looked at me for a moment.

"Fil, who's that?"

"I'm Lucia. Nice to meet you."

The child stared at me for a while, then grinned.

"Is she your girlfriend, Fil?"

"Hey! Cut it out! Come down before your brother arrives! Al is here too!"

"I'm here!"

Another child's voice came from a different branch.

It seems there were two children on the tree.

I had only seen the one who answered first, so they were indeed Fil's acquaintances.

I don't know why children were climbing trees in the palace, but it was a relief that everything was going smoothly.

"But... I can't get down."

"Huh?"