Chapter 66

"Lewis-sama, you looked so sad and dejected. I thought it would be nice if you could play a lot and spend your time freely and relaxed."

"…Thank you."

Lewis let out a wry smile and gently lowered his head.

"But I have a mission to fulfill. Time is limited; I can't afford to waste it. I also have to keep my promise to that person—..."

At that moment, a little girl passing by called out.

"Hey, look, look, big sister!"

The girl pointed at a street tree, her eyes sparkling.

"All the other flowers are white, but that one is pink."

"Wow, really?"

The older sister, who had been called, smiled at her younger sister and said,

"Maybe it's the magic of Lady Adelheit!"

"……"

The young sisters ran down the street, laughing innocently. Claudia tilted her head and asked Lewis,

"Lewis-sama, is 'Lady Adelheit' the witch who died a long time ago?"

"Yes. In this country, when something good happens, people sometimes think it might be because Lady Adelheit protected them with her magic."

Claudia let out a sigh without anyone noticing.

(…This is a country that worships Adelheit.)

Five hundred years ago, when Claudia was still 'Adelheit,' there were people who revered the witch. Adelheit was a genius in magic, fundamentally restructuring the magical theories of the time and laying the foundation for the present day. She created new spells one after another and was sometimes treated like a deity.

As a result of the five hundred years that have passed, there are still some countries and people who revere Adelheit as a sacred figure. Claudia had learned this during her travels over the past two years.

"The first king was a disciple of Lady Adelheit, they say."

"Hmm. What was his name?"

"Heh, I can't remember. After all, it was a king from five hundred years ago."

"I see."

While moving her feet gently, she realized something.

(Stuart reacted to me because I used Adelheit's pseudonym.)

The moment Noah called her that, Stuart looked up and stared at her. She had felt that he reacted to the name, and it wasn't just her imagination.

That unexpected reaction was a miscalculation, but now that she understood the premise, it would be easier to adjust her strategy. As she was thinking this, Lewis muttered softly,

"…Clinging to legends has no meaning at all."

"Lewis-sama?"

It was the same expression he had when he mentioned 'boredom' earlier.

"Just because a flower's color is different, it doesn't mean it's Lady Adelheit's magic. Adelheit was a great witch, but seeking the phantom of someone who died five hundred years ago is futile. …What's important are the people living in this era."

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he covered his mouth with his hand.

"Sorry, Claudia. Pretend you didn't hear that."

"Why?"

She chuckled and swayed the hem of her dress with her foot as she continued,

"Because Claudia thinks the same way."

"…Claudia…"

"Joyful and wonderful things belong to the people living in their time. Finding a different miracle in everyday life, like a flower of a different color, is all about the richness of the person who discovers it. …Isn't that right?"

Then, she hopped off the bench and turned to smile at Lewis.

"Lewis-sama, you haven't done anything wrong."

"……"

At that moment, Lewis's face contorted as if he was about to cry. His silver hair, covering his eyes, swayed gently in the wind.

"…A long time ago, there was only one person who told me I wasn't wrong."

"Then, Claudia and that person are a match?"

"Yes. …It's strange, even though we shouldn't be similar at all."

"Hehe."

As Claudia glanced at her right hand, Noah walked over with drinks.

"Oh dear. Noah didn't buy his own drink again."

Claudia often offers snacks, but Noah usually declines.

"Sorry, Lewis-sama, I have to scold Noah. —Noah! Come on, now!"

"……"

Lewis watched Claudia's retreating figure with a dazzled look.

"…It's really strange. Even though we shouldn't be similar, why do I keep thinking of her?"

It was a whisper so soft that no one could hear it. Lewis pressed his hands to his mouth and mumbled to himself, his cheeks slightly flushed.

"Claudia. …My arranged marriage partner…"

***

A few hours later, back at the castle.

"…Princess, please sit there. Noah, stand behind her."

"Yes, Karlheinz."

"……"

In front of the head magician, who was ready to scold, Claudia sat down on the chair and raised her small hands obediently.