🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 39
“What?”
The torrent of water that had seemed ready to sweep through the entire room instantly vanished.
Expressionless, Ilaie slowly turned to look at me.
“What did you just say?”
“I said I was almost kidnapped. Well, technically As ended up in my place, but still…”
I told Ilaie everything that had happened to me today.
Just recalling it made the back of my neck crawl with cold dread.
Ilaie, who had been silently listening, finally twisted his lips into a chilling smile.
“How dare those filthy human vermin set their sights on my daughter?”
“……”
Uh, excuse me, oh great Water Spirit King. The “daughter” you’re talking about is also one of those filthy human vermin, you know.
I grumbled inwardly, eyes hazy, when—
“Spirit-sealing sorcery… To think there are worms who would try to block the mana of a child born with natural affinity.”
Muttering ominously, Ilaie stretched a hand toward my forehead.
The moment his hand touched my skin, a brilliant light flashed, and something clear and refreshing seeped into me.
“I’ve engraved my power into your affinity. From now on, no petty sorcery will ever be able to seal it away.”
In a low voice, Ilaie sighed and gently patted my head.
His seemingly indifferent yet tender voice came softly beside my ear.
“You must have been frightened.”
“……”
“You must have been terrified.”
Those simple words suddenly made my chest ache.
My eyes burned hot.
Before I could realize it, tears spilled down my cheeks.
“…Hhh.”
A sob burst out of me.
The guilt that As had been endangered because of me.
The fear that I might have ended up the same way.
The despair of thinking that without spirit arts, my life could have been ruined.
All of it—knots of emotion I had been holding in—melted away at the words of a dependable protector.
Covering my face with both hands, I cried and cried.
Ilaie wordlessly embraced me and patted my back.
Only after I had wept long enough to empty all those feelings from inside me did the sobbing finally subside.
“…Thank you, Ilaie.”
With my face still buried in his chest, I murmured.
Ilaie continued to stroke my hair, then gently pulled me away and pressed down on my swollen eyelids.
A cool, refreshing sensation seeped into the puffy skin.
“From now on, no one will be able to stop you. And if you don’t wish to dirty your hands, call me anytime. I’ll take care of everything.”
“Mm, I will.”
Smiling sheepishly, I nodded, and Ilaie’s sharp gaze softened.
He withdrew his hand and spoke.
“By the way, since you’re here, I suppose you’ve figured out who that kid is now?”
“…So it turns out everyone but me knew who As really was.”
Well, As’s appearance practically screamed “Akes.”
I was the strange one for deliberately ignoring it…
Feeling gloomy, I slumped my shoulders. Ilaie frowned, displeased.
“What on earth is lacking in you that makes you so troubled because of him?”
“That’s not it.”
“Of course it is. Every single time you’re upset, it’s because of him.”
Snarling, he swept his sharp eyes across the room.
“Bold brat. To think he dared bring you into his own bedroom.”
At his blunt words, my face flamed crimson.
“Ilaie, that’s not—”
“I don’t need to hear it. I’m sure he fed you some pretty excuse to lure you here. As if this were the only option available, when it clearly isn’t.”
“……”
I wanted to argue, but no words came.
When I only fidgeted and darted my eyes around, Ilaie sighed as though he had expected this.
“I still dislike him. I hate that you suffer because of him, and I hate the dark intentions he hides from you.”
“……”
They’re not that dark though.
But Ilaie had disliked Akes from the very beginning.
Feeling disheartened, I lowered my head—
“But if you’re that hopelessly smitten, what can I do?”
Startled, I looked up.
Arms crossed, Ilaie gazed down at me with a half-resigned expression.
“You’re the type to draw a firm line if you dislike someone. If you’re this flustered, then it’s obvious.”
My face went red as a beet.
I quickly pressed my hot cheeks with both hands.
‘Does Ilaie really think I’m head over heels for Akes?’
If he could see it, then surely others had noticed too.
Wait—did Akes notice as well…?
The thought made my whole face burn like fire.
“Ugh…”
Groaning, I covered my face and crouched down.
As I sat there, unable to lift my head, Ilaie parted his lips as though to speak—
But before he could, someone else appeared.
“Ilaie, here you are. And Einra, it’s been a while.”
Startled by the warm, smooth voice so different from Ilaie’s, I jumped up.
Loose red hair braided to one side, blazing crimson eyes like fire itself.
A handsome, tall figure wearing a gentle smile—
It was none other than the Fire Spirit King, Anit.
“Ah, Anit! Hello!”
“Hello, Einra. How have you been?”
Anit’s crimson eyes curved kindly as he asked.
I nodded, just about to answer, when Ilaie coldly interrupted with a furrowed brow.
“What business brings you here, Anit?”
“Ah, I came to collect a certain meddlesome father.”
Anit replied smoothly, smiling.
Ilaie’s face twisted in fury.
“Look who’s talking. You’re the meddler. Get out, now.”
Ilaie growled, but Anit ignored him with practiced ease and turned back to me.
“Einra, Ilaie’s been meddling too much, hasn’t he? Sorry about that. I’ll apologize on his behalf.”
“N-no! I’m grateful he was looking out for me!”
I shook my head quickly.
Anit chuckled gently, praising me for being so polite, and held Ilaie back with ease.
Then he disrupted the affinity sustaining Ilaie’s form.
“You—Anit…!”
Ilaie shouted, face contorted, before disappearing completely.
Dusting off his hands with a satisfied look, Anit smiled at me.
“Ilaie’s advice is fine, but ultimately, the one who knows yourself best is you, Einra. If you don’t regret it, then that is the right choice.”
His kind words made me smile.
“…Yes, Anit.”
“You’re a clever child. I trust you’ll always make the best choice.”
With gentle trust, he ruffled my hair and smiled.
“Well then, I’ll be off. See you again, Einra.”
Before I could even reply, his figure vanished with flickering flames.
It felt as though a storm had just swept through the room.
The silence left behind felt oddly strange.
A little awkward, I fiddled with my damp hair and glanced around—then noticed the mirror standing at one side.
I walked over.
Dark brown hair, deepened by moisture. Round silver eyes, the picture of a puppy’s face.
And the clothes I wore were an indoor dress of the finest silk—
Perfectly tailored to my size.
“But… the Serenia family doesn’t have any women…”
When did he prepare something like this?
I murmured, cheeks heating, as I smoothed the creamy folds of the dress.
Then I turned away from the mirror, slowly pacing the room and examining the details.
I’d visited the grand duke’s mansion before, but this was my first time in Akes’s private chambers.
At first glance, it seemed simple and neat, but now I saw that the subtle decorations were actually quite ornate.
The overall silver-white tones must have disguised the extravagance.
‘As expected of a great noble…’
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I hunched my shoulders—when something caught my eye.
“…A cabinet?”
Along the wall beside the table stood a luxurious cabinet.
Inside, neatly arranged glasses and bottles filled with various liquids.
Labels bore the names of notoriously strong liquors.
I blinked in surprise.
Why was there alcohol in Akes’s room?
‘But… Akes can’t even drink…?’
