Chapter 88

"Ugh, it's really cold."

Pai shivered. Lirika looked around.

The winter sun was cold, but it conveyed warmth through the window. The kettle hanging by the fireplace was emitting steam. The room was comfortably warm.

Lirika scolded Pai.

"Goodness, you're wearing a scarf, what's so cold? You're wearing clothes made of sheep's wool."

Compared to Pai, who was shivering, Lirika was dressed lightly.

"Especially in such weather, you're more likely to catch a cold."

"Sundar exaggerates the cold a lot."

At Attil's words, Pai narrowed his eyes.

"You'll regret it if you catch a bad cold later."

"I've never caught a cold before."

The blood of the Takaar clan, who carry the fire within, never catches a cold.

Instead, they are more susceptible to heat, Pai whispered later.

The reason the three were gathered was that someone from Inro had arrived to briefly greet Lirika.

Although the real greeting would be at the start of class, there was a light exchange of greetings upon arriving at the palace.

The person had just finished traveling and didn't even drink tea. They were still in their travel attire.

It was really just a face-to-face greeting.

In the case of ordinary nobles, the student might go out to the entrance to greet, but Lirika was a princess.

It was customary for the other party to come and greet her.

So Attil and Pai were sitting in the White Dragon Room, eager to see the face of the person from Inro.

'Is this okay?'

If they were attached, the teacher might be surprised.

Just as she was worrying, a maid announced,

"Tilla has arrived."

Tilla is a term used to refer to the royal tutor. Originally, it meant 'Artilla' in the ancient language, which means 'the one who built the tower,' but the 'Ar' part dropped off, and it became 'Tilla.'

Now, it is also used to refer to someone who has made a name in academia.

"Please come in."

Lirika said and sprang up from her seat. The other two did the same.

After lightly smoothing her dress, she clasped her hands neatly.

As soon as the servant opened the door, a 'fairy' entered. Lirika's eyes widened. To avoid being rude, she tried to keep her expression calm.

'Wow.'

A completely white person.

Judging by the youthful appearance, they didn't seem to be an adult.

The fine, pure white hair was neatly braided. It wasn't white due to age but shimmered like a snow-covered field. The skin was so pale and transparent it could be mistaken for being translucent.

And the eyes.

The color of the irises seemed to ripple. Without realizing it, she stared at the eyes and then noticed.

They were reflecting the light of the surroundings.

It wasn't a mirror-like reflection. Like a clear, frozen lake, the surrounding colors were faintly reflected, giving off a cold and transparent light.

'Wow...'

The eyes were so mysterious and beautiful that an exclamation escaped her lips. The attire was also very unique.

It must be the traditional clothing of the Inro family—she thought, but the outermost layer was a robe-like garment filled with cotton, tied with a belt, and one sleeve was left hanging, not worn on the arm. The hanging sleeve seemed to be decorative and was quite long.

Indeed, a fairy of snow.

As she marveled, the other party greeted her softly.

"Nice to meet you, Princess. I am Sonnehihaya Inro. My acquaintances call me Haya."

His voice was a surprise.

She expected a voice like a fairy's, tinkling like a bell, but it was nothing like that. It was a strong, masculine voice, like a snowstorm.

Indeed, Lirika marveled.

It was a voice that seemed capable of teaching children. The voice had strength, so he might be older than he looked—she thought and then bowed.

It was such an unusual name that she had practiced it several times in her mouth before speaking it smoothly.

"Nice to meet you, Sonnehihaya Inro. I am Lirika Nara Takaar. Please take care of me."

Haya smiled gently. Lirika straightened her back and introduced Attil and Pai.

The three exchanged greetings in turn.

That was all for their first meeting.

Lirika said, "Since you just arrived, you must be tired, so I won't keep you," and he replied, "Thank you for your consideration," and then left.

As soon as Haya left, the three turned to look at each other.

After what felt like a long time, they all spoke at once.

"Did you see? The eyes? The changing colors?!"

"Right? It wasn't an illusion. The irises were strangely shimmering—"

"The hair was pure white, sparkling, and incredibly beautiful."

They chattered excitedly and then sighed in unison. After calming down and sitting, the tea and snacks finally arrived.

Pai asked Attil,

"How was it?"

"What?"

"They say Inro is the closest to Takaar. Did you feel anything...?"

"Since when?"

Attil snorted. Lirika, puzzled, asked,

"Why is Inro the closest to Takaar?"

Pai explained,

"They say the ancestors of Inro were snow fairies. They had no physical form. They say they formed their bodies with blood and flesh from a dragon."

Lirika's eyes widened. She always welcomed such fascinating stories. Seeing Lirika's face, Pai added excitedly,

"Originally, the dragon's blood would burn, but since Inro was a snow fairy, the fire and snow harmonized, allowing them to endure."

"I see... But Inro really seemed like that. The atmosphere was very—inhuman, you know?"

Lirika's eyes sparkled as she spoke, and Pai nodded.

"Even though Sundar is an old family, it's different from Inro. The difference is palpable."

Are they nobles among nobles?

The fact that they are separated from the secular world might fuel such imagination.

Pai smiled playfully at Lirika.

"I'm envious, Princess."

Lirika smiled. She linked her arm with Attil's and said,

"Be nice to Attil."

Do you understand?

"Of course."

Pai chuckled. He and Attil exchanged glances.

After that—

That is, after Lirika returned from meeting her biological father, Lirika changed.

She started calling the Emperor 'Father' and became much more confident in her actions.

How to put it?

She became much more like a real princess. While she was certainly 'princess-like' before, compared to now, she seemed a bit faded.

'Was it the right decision to meet him?'

There might be no right answer to such a question, but it seems avoiding the problem isn't the solution.

When Attil turned to Lirika, she looked at him with sparkling eyes, as if to say, 'Did I do well?' It made Attil laugh, and he pinched her cheek.

"Hey, hey."

Lirika, not to be outdone, started tickling Attil's side. Watching the siblings bicker, Pai sipped his tea leisurely.

'I miss Feri.'

If he had pinched her cheek, Feri would have punched his side.

But Pai could handle such affection from his frail younger brother.

* * *

Haya tidied his clothes.

The clothes he brought had nothing to do with the capital's fashion. Inro was originally such a place.

He changed into thin clothes and opened the balcony. The cold wind felt refreshing on his cheeks.

He exhaled and spoke into the darkness.

"Nice to meet you, great dragon, guide across the sea, betrayed flame, one who became human. I am Sonnehihaya Inro."

"You still haven't fixed your habit of making ridiculous names."

Altears' form appeared, melting into the darkness. He stood on the balcony railing and looked down at Haya with a haughty gaze.

Haya smiled faintly.

"It has become a tradition now."

They don't give names with meaning or significance. Just a string of characters.

That was the Inro way of naming.

"I don't know what wind has blown you here, but don't do anything foolish."

"There is no one foolish enough to do such a thing in front of a dragon."

"Ah, is that so? I know."

Altears chuckled, pointing at Haya. It was a predator's laugh.

Even though he knew Altears wouldn't harm him, Haya felt a shiver.

"Indeed, they are shameless and foolish. Sonnehihaya Inro."

"Yes."

Seeing Haya's polite response, Altears sighed and crouched on the railing.

"Truly, it's disgusting."

"Because I am human."

Altears stretched out his hand and lightly placed it on Haya's head.

"Well, do your best."

"Yes, yes."

Haya, flustered, replied, and Altears chuckled and stood up, then jumped down.

Haya didn't look down. Instead, he knelt on the balcony with trembling knees. The cold wind brushed against his cheeks.

His body shivered.

'Ah.'

He should be immune to this level of cold.

Despite their efforts to preserve their blood, the children born each year are getting weaker.

Their bodies are becoming less able to endure the cold.

So when Princess Lirika appeared, everyone held their breath.

This is a story not mentioned in the 'Prophecies.'

When the letter asking him to become Princess Lirika's Tilla arrived from the Queen, everyone exchanged glances.

The time might have come.

No, not yet.

As various discussions went back and forth, the answer was delayed. When faced with the reality, fear is a human emotion.

Then, recently, Queen Ludia sent a second letter.

'Have you heard of the Queen of Hearts—'

Seeing this letter, Sonnehihaya decided to come to the capital. The head of the Inro family, Duke Inro, silently looked at Sonnehihaya.

—I will go.

When he said it again, the Duke nodded silently. Encouraged by this, Haya left Inro.

He also heard the story of the artifact magic girl. Perhaps the time has come.

The curse of Inro,

The curse of the dragon,

The time to break it.

* * *

After a few days of rest, Haya was summoned to see Queen Ludia. When he saw the Queen in the reception room, inviting him to talk comfortably, Haya held his breath.

It was like seeing a lump of light.

Her golden hair was so dazzling it seemed to pierce his eyes. To Inro, who was accustomed to the pale sunlight of the Inro duchy, it was an overwhelming color.

Indeed, someone of this caliber could be a dragon's companion.

Her appearance was such that he thought.

Although sending a letter to the Inro family was bold, it was also bold to ask such a question...

Sitting down, Ludia poured the tea herself. There wasn't a single servant around.

It was unclear whether she was cautious or not.

After pouring the tea, Ludia sat down and smiled.

"Thank you for becoming Lirika's Tilla."

"Not at all. I am honored to receive such a task."

"I will entrust her education to you."

This was unexpected, but Haya replied politely, "Understood."

The warmth of the teacup felt good on his fingertips.

Ludia looked at such a Haya and said,

"I have a question for someone from the wise family."

"Though the title of 'wise' is too much, I will answer what I can."

Seeing Haya's polite response, Ludia smiled with her red lips.

"Tell me everything you know about dragons."

For a moment, his fingers slipped from the edge of the teacup. Hiding his agitation, Haya looked at Ludia.

Her face, armed with all the social graces, showed no signs of emotion.

Despite all the wisdom he had studied in the north, Sonnehihaya was weak in practice.

Perhaps all the wisdom in the world is not as good as trying it once—such a sigh came to mind.

"About dragons..."

When he asked again, Ludia calmly lifted her teacup and said,

"I mean Altears."

"!!"

This time, he couldn't hide his agitation. His eyes darted around. The unique ice eyes of Inro reflected the colors around him, shimmering in confusion.

Ludia chuckled.

"Why are you so surprised? It's not like it's the first time."

Seeing her calmness, even with a hint of mockery, Haya quickly regained his composure.

"It would be better to ask him directly if you're curious. I value my life."

At his curt response, Ludia narrowed her eyes and smiled.

"Then can you answer other questions?"

"Depending on the question."

Haya's courteous demeanor didn't waver. Ludia said,

"I want to know about mages."

At Ludia's words, Haya's expression wavered again. He didn't know what to say.

Ludia leisurely sipped her tea. While she drank, Haya's insides burned.

'What should I do?'

A vague answer would immediately be caught. It wouldn't work to say, "What do you mean by mages?" now. Was the question about dragons just a setup for this?

The smile of the young Queen in front of him suddenly felt cold. Ludia calmly observed his agitation.

Originally, the wisdom of the Inro family was unmatched, but she had experienced the future.

She had more advanced information. Who had more information about Takaar than Barat?

So what she was really curious about wasn't dragons. When she was about to die, the envoy sent by the Inro family to calm the enraged Emperor was none other than Sonnehihaya in front of her.

After a moment, Sonnehihaya said,

"What do you want to know about mages? Please ask your questions."

Slowly lifting his eyes, he looked straight at Ludia. His eyes sparkled with gold and blue.

"I will answer everything I can."