Chapter 94

94

Jeong Chan-hoe ended up with only three people attending, contrary to the plan: me, Theodore, and Jen.

Theodore had asked Owen to leave because he had used his spirit power rudely during the sparring session.

Owen nodded in agreement and left without a fuss. ...I think he never really wanted to attend Jeong Chan-hoe in the first place.

'By the way, Lily. You might end up with a new younger sister.'

Owen's mischievous words before we left the Valentina estate kept echoing in my mind.

Hessen looked at me intently as if he had something to say, but in the end, he left with Owen without saying a word.

When the two of them disappeared from sight, I felt a sense of relief, but... I didn't feel good about the thought of the Duke of Everett's new adopted daughter.

"Are you alright?"

After Jeong Chan-hoe ended, Theodore asked me casually as we headed to the third floor where my room was.

Lately, whenever he shows his concern for me, I can't help but feel a lump in my throat. Perhaps because of this, a sharp tone slipped out of my mouth.

"I'm still fine. I can rest later, so don't worry about it."

"If you need anything, please let Jena know at any time."

"Got it, I will."

He seemed to have something to say since he saw me this morning, but he hesitated, unsure of how to bring it up.

I somehow felt I knew what it was.

'Even if I don't hear it, or even if I do, it doesn't matter.'

Even if he tells me now... the me who could genuinely be happy is long gone.

When we reached the third floor, I was a bit out of breath. I stopped to catch my breath, and the two people nearby looked at me with concern. ...Come to think of it, Theodore and Jen had been considerate of me the whole time, matching their pace to mine and walking slowly.

"..."

I bit my lip and clenched my fists. Then I started walking again, determinedly, without leaning on anyone.

A short while later, we arrived at the lounge next to my room.

When we opened the door and went inside, Charlotte was already waiting, as expected. She smiled brightly when she saw me.

"Lady! You're here!"

"Yep, did you have lunch?"

"Of course, I did."

Charlotte, who had run up to me and giggled, paused when she saw Jen. She looked displeased but greeted him politely.

"Prince Delacroix."

"Um... yeah."

It seemed Charlotte was a bit put off by Jen, though I'm not sure why... Maybe they're like a dog and a cat? Charlotte is a feline, and Jen is a canine, so they might not get along.

"Shall we start the discussion? Charlotte, do you have it?"

"Yes, Lady."

Anyway, I had to finish the discussion with the two of them and plan the next steps before tonight.

We also needed to prepare for the possibility that Owen might discover the safe had been tampered with.

I laid out the documents Charlotte handed me on the sofa table and began explaining to Theodore and Jen.

"First, it's about Owen's mage and the spirits he commands..."

* * *

The discussion didn't end until well past four in the afternoon.

Theodore and I went to the garden to see Jen off. Before getting into the prepared carriage, Jen looked at us with a confused tone.

"To be honest... my head is a complete mess. Lily explained it well, but... it's just so hard to understand with my common sense..."

"..."

Jen was almost in a state of panic, having received such a big shock.

The existence of spirits and the method to create them, the Everett family's plans for the kingdom, and the fact that Dornac would suffer the most in the process.

These were shocking truths, and it was understandable that Jen was in a daze.

However, it would be problematic if he remained in a state of shock and acted immaturely, as his role from now on was crucial.

"Prince Delacroix."

When I called him softly, Jen flinched and looked at me. His golden eyelashes trembled, and his clear, honey-colored eyes were filled with confusion.

"There's no need to be afraid. We have the information, so we can prevent what will happen. To do that, the other families, especially Delacroix, need to join forces with Valentina. You need to persuade the head of Delacroix well so that we can unite to stop Everett. So, you need to stay calm and be resolute, Jen."

"..."

Jen's eyes widened in surprise. He blinked, looking flustered, and then blushed, nodding his head.

"Okay, I'll try to persuade Father."

"Thank you, really."

"No! I have to protect my territory, so it's my duty! And Father will definitely agree. He will... be very angry at the Everett family's atrocities."

Jen also looked troubled and very angry. It was natural, as he, as the heir of a family, would care deeply about his territory and its people.

"Then I'll be going now. After discussing with Father, I'll send a messenger, but... can I come and tell you in person if it's something important? Using Ventus's power..."

Jen looked at Theodore for his reaction. If he used Ventus's power, it would mean suddenly entering someone's front yard, so he would naturally be wary of Theodore's reaction.

Theodore, looking somewhat displeased, nodded silently to allow it. Then Jen smiled and shook Theodore's hand enthusiastically.

'...Oh dear.'

He would do that even though Theodore doesn't like it... As expected, Theodore's face twisted even more. Jen, who had been grinning without noticing, finally realized the situation and quietly let go of Theodore's hand. Theodore's eyes were as cold as the north wind.

"Um... I got a bit carried away with excitement. I'm sorry, Duke Valentina."

"..."

Theodore looked at Jen silently, as if to say, "I know."

Anyway, he was a person who was overly sensitive and cautious.

"I'll really be going now. Well, see you later, Lily! And... Duke Valentina! I'll bring good news!"

Did he almost call Theodore by his first name just now? When I glanced at Theodore, he was clicking his tongue in exasperation. However, he didn't seem to dislike Jen as much as Owen or Hessen.

Well, that's natural. Jen is different from them.

'Maybe Theodore and Jen could become friends?'

While I was thinking this, the carriage Jen got into was soon enveloped in a golden wind and disappeared.

A cool autumn breeze swept through the spot where the carriage had been. After the noisy person left, I felt a strange sense of emptiness.

'...I must have grown attached to Jen.'

The word "friend" sounded good. But the more I liked, the sadder it was to leave everything behind and depart from this world.

"Shall we go in now?"

When I asked Theodore, he nodded silently. Unlike before, he didn't offer to support or carry me, but walked silently by my side, watching my weak steps with a worried and anxious face.

I climbed to the third floor on my own without Theodore's help. I was out of breath and dizzy, so I leaned against the wall. Theodore watched me from a distance, not too close, not too far. If I were to fall, he could catch me immediately, but the distance was just right so that I wouldn't feel uncomfortable being close to him.

"Then, I'll go rest now. You should... rest too."

"..."

Theodore, who was already a man of few words, became even more taciturn after I declared my divorce.

Moreover, after he stopped sharing his life force with me, his complexion improved, but he looked somewhat haggard and worn out, as if he was suffering in a place I couldn't see.

"Lily."

As I was about to turn away, Theodore stopped me, looking a bit hesitant.

He hesitated for a moment, then, as if gathering his courage, he spoke.

"Happy birthday, sincerely."

"..."

...Thank you, I replied softly, a beat late, and then turned away. I walked away from him, neither too fast nor too slow, without looking back even once.

* * *

"Happy birthday, Lady!"

"Thank you, Charlotte."

That night, Charlotte gave me a gift with her congratulations. I smiled and opened Charlotte's gift. Inside the small bundle were lace gloves, which were clearly made by her. The lace had lily patterns, and such delicate work was not something just anyone could do. I marveled and said,

"You have such good hands, Charlotte."

"Hehe... you flatter me."

Moreover, the gloves fit my hands perfectly, neither too loose nor too tight. They were soft and comfortable, like feathers wrapping around my hands.

"Do you like them?"

"Yes... very much."

I felt so grateful that I couldn't express it in words. A warm sensation spread through my chest. I'm glad I'm still alive. No matter how hellish life has been.

"I'll... make you something for your birthday too."

"Really? You'll make it yourself, Lady?"

"Yes, what would you like?"

"Can I really have it?"

"Of course."

Charlotte, deeply moved, said "thank you" more than ten times before leaving.

After Charlotte left, I was alone in the room and opened Jen's gift. ...But it wasn't just one or two gifts.

A brooch decorated with white feathers and pearls, a bookmark shaped like a bluebird, a luxurious notebook made of fine leather and paper, a handkerchief with lily patterns, earrings decorated with silver snowdrops... and even a book of fascinating stories from the Eastern Continent.

'...There's even a postcard.'

The postcard had dried wildflowers inserted. Seeing the message "Happy birthday! Lily!" written in his usual messy handwriting, I couldn't help but smile.

'He's like a big dog... bringing all sorts of things he likes.'

Is it rude to think this...? But, he really does resemble a well-bred golden retriever and Jen Delacroix...

A pleasant smile had crept onto my face. I didn't know a birthday could be this happy.

I carefully put Jen's gifts and Charlotte's lace gloves in a drawer, leaving only the book on the side table. I planned to read it someday, though not today.

'Now... oh.'

I had forgotten the last gift box, and my thoughts came to a halt when it came into view.

...It was Theodore's gift.

"..."

I stared at the gift box with a stiff expression. The good mood vanished instantly, and a familiar pain pierced my heart.

I paused for a moment, then slowly approached and placed my hand on the gift box. Standing in front of his gift, I couldn't remain indifferent. This was because Theodore occupied an important part of my life. ...Of course, he was the first person I led.

But the reason I was sad wasn't because of his gift...

Everything... was just too late.

The 'me' who could hate him and forgive him no longer existed.

I silently opened the gift box, checked the contents, and read the letter.

The letter contained no self-justification or apology, just a simple congratulatory message. ...In a way, it was better. I had heard his excuses and apologies so many times that I was getting tired of them.

I left the gift in the box and, after a moment's thought, slipped the letter between a random book on the shelf.

Then I went to the bed, plopped down, and after a while, sighed and lay down properly.

'...Somnium.'

Calling Somnium in my mind, she immediately responded.

You called?

'It's my birthday today.'

I know. Happy birthday.

'...Just give me one birthday gift.'

Hmm, okay. What do you want?

'...I want to enter Kazeff Everett's dream.'

You mean your adoptive father?

'Yes.'

Although today's events triggered it, I had been thinking about it for a while. If I could use Somnium's power to peek into Duke Everett's subconscious... maybe I could find out about my birth mother's whereabouts.

As I've said before, entering a spirit contractor's dream is risky. There's a high chance the spirit will notice our intrusion.

'I know. That's why I couldn't even try with Owen or Hessen. But... I think it will be okay with Duke Everett.'

Duke Everett's spirit, 'Caligo,' was a spirit of darkness. Although a nature spirit, it had a similar essence to Somnium, the spirit of dreams. So, it might mistake Somnium's presence for its own.

Caligo... Indeed, that venerable one might understand. Even if they notice us, they might pretend not to.

'...Venerable one?'

It was strange to hear Somnium call someone that. But then, 'darkness' is... much older than 'dreams.'

Okay. Let's give it a try. Get ready, Lily.

'Okay.'

I waited for Somnium's power to envelop me.

Soon, a familiar warmth enveloped me, and I heard a whisper like the stars. When I opened my eyes in the subconscious, a vast, dream-like space unfolded. My physical body must be deeply asleep.

Wait a moment. ...There! Open this door and go through.

'Is Duke Everett's dream behind this door?'

Yes, it's a place you're familiar with.

I looked at the rectangular 'door' Somnium had created with a bit of skepticism.

Well... it should be fine. Somnium doesn't do things carelessly.

I carefully opened the door and stepped 'outside.' ...Or rather, 'inside.'

Into the dream of my adoptive father, Kazeff Everett.

"Did you come? Sit down."

"..."

The dream version of Duke Everett nodded and commanded me.

A long dining table, silver candlesticks and vases, an excessive amount of food and elaborate tableware, red velvet curtains by the windows, and gilded frames on the walls.

This was... the banquet hall of the Everett castle.

A place where he often called me to lecture.

I laughed darkly and said,

"Yes, Father."