Chapter 65

Ludia fell into thought.

Apart from the most significant card, the Noble Faction, which Ludia knew Barat had, there were a total of four other major cards.

The first was the betrayal of the Southern Union, and the second was the Beast of the Flood.

'The third is Rizert, and the fourth is out of reach for now.'

She wanted to stroke her daughter's round cheeks but was afraid of waking her. After a moment of thought, Ludia asked.

"Altears, have you ever been to the Flood?"

"Yes."

"Do the beasts there not wander?"

Altears turned and chuckled.

"They do. The chaos of the Flood is due to magic."

Surprised by this, Ludia turned to look at him. Altears continued to explain.

"There's a spell to prevent the beasts from leaving the Flood."

"I didn't know that."

"It's a story from before there were records."

"Then I have one more question."

He looked at Ludia. Ludia asked.

"Is there any beast in the Flood that you can't defeat?"

Altears bared his teeth and smiled.

"No."

Ludia chuckled.

"That's reassuring."

"Is there a reason you're dealing with the beasts of the Flood?"

"Maybe."

Altears quietly observed her as she spoke. Ludia said, "I don't intend to rely on you completely. You're human now, so you can get hurt, tired, and need sleep."

Don't take it too seriously.

Altears' eyes widened for a moment before he burst into laughter. Or almost did. Ludia quickly covered his mouth.

"Lili, wake up."

Altears suppressed his laughter. Instead, his teeth bit into Ludia's fingers.

"?!"

Ludia was so startled that she froze. Even if a passing dog had bitten her, she wouldn't have been this surprised.

With a smile in his eyes, he released her fingers, but then—

"Altears!"

Ludia couldn't raise her voice and only moved her lips. As soon as she pulled her hand away, he released her and pulled her into his arms with both arms.

"I've never heard such a thing before."

Close to her ear, his whisper made Ludia squirm in his embrace.

"Just a moment—"

"Shh."

Lilica will wake up.

Her eyes, filled with dissatisfaction, looked up at him. Altears felt a complex emotion rise within him.

Emotions that were complicated and difficult to understand.

All he could do was ask.

"What should I do with you?"

Her response made Ludia lift her chin.

"You said you would love me."

"Ah."

Altears smiled.

"I didn't know you wanted that, but I'll go love you right now."

"No, that's not what I meant—"

Altears and Ludia vanished instantly from Lilica's bedroom.

Click

A moment later, Brin entered, looked around, and covered Lilica with a blanket.

"You two really get along well."

Seeing the princess still sound asleep, a smile naturally came to his face.

"Have sweet dreams."

* * *

Rumble

"It's raining..."

Lilica sighed, resting her chin on her hand at the window. Despite the clear weather earlier, it started raining just as she was about to set a date for harvesting the wild strawberries.

She worried that the fruits might all fall off, but Ulang encouraged her not to worry.

She had been excited to pick wild strawberries and make jam, syrup, and the trendy sugar preserves...

The disappointment was as great as her anticipation. But with the extra time, Lilica and Attil were able to complete the badge, bucket, and apron.

The cloisonné strawberry badge was a vivid red with beautiful green leaves, and the key-shaped design at the bottom was intricate.

Though Attil suggested it, it suited Ludia more.

But with the rain, they couldn't go out. Reluctantly, she put the badge in an envelope and sent it to the alliance members.

She took out a pendulum and asked.

"Will it rain tomorrow?"

Swing

The pendulum drew a circle. Lilica slumped her shoulders.

"Will it rain the day after tomorrow?"

Swing

"Will it rain the day after that?"

Swing

"Will it stop next week?"

Swing

"It will stop!"

Lilica clasped her hands, hoping for good weather next week.

"Ha."

A sigh escaped her involuntarily. Seeing her dejected owner, Laub was restless, but Brin said,

"Would you like to take a walk?"

"A walk? In the rain?"

"Even walking in the corridor will make you feel much better."

"Ah!"

Lilica perked up and sprang to her feet. The idea of walking and watching the rain pour down was enjoyable, but...

"Will we run into a lot of nobles?"

"Rarely do people leave the palace on such rainy days. We can go to a less crowded area."

"True."

Lilica quickly got up and prepared.

The corridor was surprisingly quiet.

The sound of the rain was the only noise. The edges were wet, but the inside was safe from the rain. It was so quiet that the sound of her footsteps echoed off the palace walls.

"Nice..."

Lilica enjoyed both the company and the quiet moments. She stopped walking and gazed at the rain.

The misty rain blurred the garden, and the sound of the rain was loud.

'And when it rains like this...'

She thought of Fjord. Fjord, standing in the rain. His eyes seemed vulnerable.

Clack, clack

Then, the sound of footsteps came from the opposite end. Lilica lifted her head absentmindedly and paused.

'Barat Duke?'

Rarely was she alone without her followers. Laub and Brin felt the tension rise.

Lilica watched as she approached. As before, Barat Duke stopped at a distance. There was no greeting. The tall woman silently looked down at Lilica.

Silence

In the midst of the rain, the two stood facing each other in silence.

Who would speak first?

This was not a place for a pointless staring contest. Lilica spoke first.

"Why do you cover your eyes?"

Barat Duke, who deserved respect from the princess, the emperor, the empress, and the crown prince, replied.

"Because the eyes are the windows to the soul."

Her voice was icy, but it was an answer. An honest one, not a vague or mocking one.

Barat Duke tilted her head slightly and continued.

"Nothing is more unpleasant than having your thoughts read."

"I see."

Her curiosity satisfied, Lilica felt relieved. It didn't seem like there was anything strange behind the lace, like a magical eye or an unusual gaze.

"Then, I'll be on my way."

As Lilica was about to leave, Barat Duke spoke.

"Aren't you curious?"

Lilica stopped. Barat Duke turned her expressionless face to look at her.

"About what happened to your father."

Lilica's face stiffened.

Surprisingly, when she heard the word 'father,' the person who came to mind wasn't Altears or any of the many father candidates.

The father who left on a ship and never returned.

Someday, he will return on a ship.

Seeing Lilica's expression, Barat Duke smiled.

"Don't you want to know?"

Lilica barely managed to keep her gaze from dropping to the ground. She looked straight at the eyes hidden behind the lace. Clenching her fists, Lilica said,

"What happened to His Majesty?"

I am in Takar.

Lilica is in Takar.

Trust is always a priority.

Barat Duke said nothing. She just stared at Lilica.

"If you ever get curious, feel free to contact me."

"I think I know more about His Majesty than you do."

Barat Duke felt a strange emotion.

She wasn't the type to get angry over such things, nor did she think Lilica was trying to provoke her.

It was very irritating.

This child, from her deepest instincts, evoked a sense of rejection.

Was it because of the artifact?

The artifact magic girl.

The artifact that made her feel like a mage. If it really made her similar to a mage, it would be unpleasant.

True mages are pure-blooded humans.

And Barat wanted to transcend humanity.

So, this unpleasant feeling was rare, and Barat Duke added more words than usual.

"I have one request."

"What is it?"

"Don't soil my creation with mud."

Lilica frowned for a moment, then realized he was talking about Fjord. The duke continued, as if giving advice.

"Fjord is my creation. A masterpiece that doesn't even burn in fire. I don't enjoy attempts to ruin it."

Lilica's demeanor changed instantly. Her eyes began to glow blue.

Rumble

A flash of lightning.

"I don't like people who torment Fjord."

Lilica recalled his wounds. The scars he had accumulated over a long time. The deep scars.

It was the first time she felt hostility towards someone. Barat Duke tilted her head elegantly.

"It might be torment if done to others, but when I touch my own possession, it's called refining."

"Possession?"

"Yes, the one I carried for ten months and gave birth to. My possession."

Lilica was speechless. She stared blankly at Barat Duke and then said,

"I've realized once again that 'reason' is a personal matter."

Lilica sighed.

There are people like this. People who think they are right and arm themselves with their own logic.

Arguing with such a person would only hurt her mouth. Lilica said,

"I acknowledge Fjord."

Whether you refine him or not, whether he is a masterpiece or not. She would acknowledge his existence.

Barat Duke almost blurted out, "Who are you to say?" but held back.

Opening her mouth, then closing it, and opening it again, a bright voice was heard.

"Everyone is gathered here."

Lilica turned at the sudden voice. There stood Ludia, who had grown elegantly.

In the gloomy weather, her golden hair gave the feeling of light pouring down.

Lilica felt the tension in her body ease.

Ludia approached, placed her hand on Lilica's shoulder, and smiled at Barat Duke.

"You're late for the appointment."

"Oh, dear."

Barat Duke opened her pocket watch.

"I'm about 30 seconds late. I apologize, Your Majesty."

"I thought about coming to meet you, but I didn't expect you to be talking with my daughter."

"I was just about to talk about my daughter."

Barat Duke smiled faintly.

"I was thinking of bringing my daughter, whom I left in the countryside, to the capital."

"Oh, I didn't know you had a daughter."

"Hehe, I had a daughter I kept hidden."

As if she had a hidden deed, Barat Duke said it casually.

"Then I'll be on my way. Princess, I hope you have a pleasant time."

After greeting, Barat Duke walked out of the corridor as if she were a close friend of the mother. Lilica watched her go.

Her mind was a jumble, but one word came to mind first.

'Father.'

Lilica was troubled by this word. Barat Duke didn't seem like someone who would make up stories.

'Father.'

Lilica clenched her fists and bit her lip. The sound of the rain echoed loudly in the corridor.

Laub cautiously asked,

"Milady, are you alright?"

Lilica looked up at Laub. Her slate-gray eyes were full of concern. Usually, he would step back as a guard and not speak like this...

Did it mean they had become closer, or was her expression that bad?

Lilica smiled. His face darkened even more, as if he had dropped something. Seeing this, Lilica smiled again and shook her head.

"No. Seeing that someone cares, I felt a bit stronger. Thank you, Laub."

"No, it's nothing."

He finally relaxed and smiled. He must have thought she was forcing a smile and wondered, 'Is this not helping?' but he was wrong.

But it really did give her strength.

Knowing that someone is on your side, no matter the situation, always gives you strength.

"Brin."

"Yes, Princess."

"Can you investigate my father?"

"Understood."

Brin didn't hesitate, didn't ask for reasons, and didn't try to dissuade her.

Lilica looked at Brin and smiled.

"Thank you."

"Your request is always my top priority, Princess."

Brin smiled, and Lilica felt a bit lighter. It was better to know than to be in the dark.

Only then did she feel the cold in her limbs. Even in summer, her body was shivering.

Brin wrapped a thin shawl around Lilica and said,

"You're all cold. Let's go back to your room quickly."

"Okay."

With a lighter step, she returned to her room, where Attil was waiting. His presence, as if it were his own room, was now familiar.

As soon as she entered, Attil sharply asked,

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Attil? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? The rumor that you and Barat Duke were talking side by side has spread throughout the palace."

"Really? There was no one around?"

"Just because you can't see anyone doesn't mean no one is there."

"Oh, I got a lot of unsolicited advice. So, um."

She didn't know how to explain further, so she looked at Attil. Attil raised his voice.

"Why were you talking to that person? In a place where no one is around. How many lives do you have?"

Frowning and scolding, but he was worried. Her heart melted, and she climbed onto his lap on the sofa.

"Ah."