CATBP~61

Chapter 61

The carriage climbed a rough, forested path so thick with trees that they nearly blocked out the sky—then came to a stop.

The coachman, pale-faced, drew a dagger. His trembling hand betrayed his hesitation.

Even if paying off my son’s debt leaves me no other choice… how can I do something like this?

Would he, after death, still be allowed to stand before the Lord?

He was a devout man.

As a true subject of the Empire, he sincerely believed in the Lord and the Divine Beasts—making his presence here all the more painful.

He shut his eyes tight. In his mind surfaced the words the man had once written on a slip of paper.

“You know what kind of wretched woman Cordelia was, don’t you? Surely even the Lord and His Divine Beast couldn’t bear to let such a woman remain the Duchess of Igaluc—that’s why They took her life.”

The carriage accident that killed the drunken duke and duchess on a rainy night became divine punishment through the man’s words.

“The child of an evil person is evil as well. Surely the Lord rejoices in what you’re about to do.”

Those words had eased the coachman’s guilt.

Covering his mouth and nose with a cloth, he opened the carriage door. The air reeked of sleeping incense—far stronger than the proper amount.

Inside, a boy lay peacefully asleep, unaware of what was to come. The coachman tightened his grip on the dagger.

“I’m sorry, young master.”

His voice shook as he raised the blade, weighed down by the sin he could never wash away.

But just as the sharp dagger tore through the air—

—a sacred light flared, encircling the boy in a perfect sphere.

The recoil threw the dagger from the coachman’s hand. He stumbled backward, eyes wide with despair.

The Lord… is protecting him.

Tears welled in his eyes as he looked up at the sky.

He had sinned for his child’s sake—but he had hoped still to reach the Lord after death.

“D–divine punishment…”

Yes. He would be punished by Heaven.

The eerie rustle of leaves brushed together by the wind sent him fleeing, screaming into the forest.

“Uuung…”

Still fast asleep, little Fey stirred.

Curled up in a ball, he pulled his knees close as the chill wind crept into the carriage. His small belly, once bare, disappeared under his arms.

Mumbling softly in his sleep, he didn’t notice the hungry beast that had crept up to the carriage.

Drawn by the coachman’s earlier scream, it prowled cautiously, then approached when no threat appeared.

Just then, Fey’s eyelids fluttered open.

“Huaaah—ng.”

He yawned long and lazily.

As he blinked, his golden eyes gleamed with fresh life.

“Slept goood!” he said cheerfully—then froze when he sensed movement.

At the carriage door stood the beast.

Fey blinked.

“Grrr.”

Blink.

“Grrr.”

Blink.

For a while, the two stared at each other, testing the air between them.

Then—almost at the same time—they each made a decision.

The beast saw only easy prey, drool glistening between its sharp fangs.

And Fey—

“New friiieeend!”

His eyes sparkled—and his form burst into light.

He transformed into his Divine Beast form.

In his beast form, Lucas was racing up the steep mountainside with incredible speed.

I held tightly to him, terrified I might fall.

Since the sacred artifact’s power had activated, Fey had to be safe. Still, I couldn’t stop seeing his little face in my mind, probably scared out of his wits.

Please—just let me reach him quickly.

As if responding to that desperate wish, a carriage marked with familiar insignia came into view.

Lucas slowed down. I leapt off his back and ran to the carriage. No one was inside.

But the artifact’s light led me here—Fey should be close…

Then the black leopard form of Lucas flared his nostrils and moved toward the back.

I followed—and froze.

“Oh…”

My legs nearly gave out.

There, wagging his sleek tail, Fey—also in his beast form—raised a front paw and flicked it to the left.

A wolf-like creature rolled left across the ground.

Then Fey flicked his right paw—sending the wolf tumbling the other way.

“…Fey.”

Fey’s tail swished happily. Then he changed back into human form.

“Auntie!”

I glanced nervously at the wolf, fearing it might attack—but it only crouched low, tail tucked between its legs.

Fey ran into my arms.

“Where’d you gooo? The coachman disappeared, and you and Uncle didn’t come back, so I was playing with my new friend!”

His innocent voice hit me like a wave—he had no idea what had just happened.

“Are you… crying, Auntie?”

“…No. I’m not crying.”

I forced my trembling face into a smile and held him tighter.

“I was just worried you might’ve been cold.”

“I wasn’t cold! Playing with my animal friend made me warm!”

He fanned his face with his little hand.

“So don’t worry!”

“Alright.”

I gently pulled his head against my shoulder.

And so, we rode the carriage back to the mansion.

“Young master!”

Annie almost fainted as she grabbed Fey’s cheeks, turning his face side to side.

“Haa… thank goodness. You’re unharmed.”

“Annie.”

I called her softly and shook my head, mouthing that Fey didn’t know anything.

Greg, Dion, and other servants came closer, worry etched deep into their faces.

“Annie, will you stay with Fey in his room for a bit?”

“Yes, of course. Come, young master, hold my hand.”

She gripped Fey’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go, and led him away.

“The young master truly wasn’t hurt? Whoever did this planned it well,” Dion said, his face a mix of shock and concern.

“Yes. He’s fine.”

Dion let out a long breath.

“A miracle, truly. Thank the heavens.”

He was right.

If I hadn’t been a reader of this story—if I hadn’t engraved Fey’s name into the sacred artifact on a mere hunch—this miracle would never have happened.

I turned to Lucas.

“From now on, we have to protect him ourselves.”

Miracles don’t happen twice.

Understanding my words, the golden glow in Lucas’s eyes dimmed into a calm, heavy light.

“Greg.”

Greg bowed deeply.

“The messenger said the man who hired him hid his face. We’ve placed a watch on him just in case. The knights are on standby, awaiting your order.”

“I will help track down the coachman myself,” Lucas said.

The air grew taut with his fury. Veins bulged in his neck; his clenched fist trembled.

Everyone around us fell silent.

I’d never seen him this angry. The times I’d thought he was angry with me—those were nothing.

Our eyes met.

“I’ll be back.”

“…Alright. Please be careful.”

Lucas turned and left with his men. Sally, who had been standing hesitantly behind me, stepped closer.

“My lady, you must be exhausted. Please, bathe and rest. You look so worn out.”

“Yes… I will.”

Leaves clung to my hair, and green stains covered my dress from pushing through the undergrowth.

Peridot had chosen this outfit so carefully too…

I brushed at the wrinkles and returned to my room.

After bathing with Sally’s help, I went to Fey’s room. Annie was helping him choose a bedtime story.

She stayed by him this whole time.

“Thank you, Annie. I’ll take over now.”

I sat beside Fey on the small sofa and leaned toward him.

“Cold!” he exclaimed.

“Be nice, Fey. I hurried here because I missed you, so I didn’t dry my hair properly.”

“Nooo! If Auntie doesn’t dry it, you’ll get sick again!”

His nose scrunched sternly. Setting his book aside, he climbed up onto the sofa.

“Fey?”

“I’ll dry your hair!”

I should’ve told him not to climb the furniture, but seeing how eager he was, I just smiled.

“My little protector, I’ll be in your care then.”

“Mm-hmm!”

Fey carefully dried my hair. He was good with his hands—I’d noticed that when he made a flower crown too.

I closed my eyes, focusing only on the small, gentle motions.

Having almost lost him made this simple moment feel infinitely precious.

“Fey, shall we sleep together tonight?”

His hands paused. The ticking of the clock grew louder—then his bright voice broke the silence.

“Yay!”

We played a while longer since he said he wasn’t sleepy, and it was past midnight when I finally changed into sleepwear.

When I came back, I heard him chatting cheerfully through the slightly open door.

Who’s he talking to?

At first I thought Annie was still with him—but the second voice made it clear she wasn’t.

“Fey, shall I sleep here with you tonight?”

Lucas…?

Had he already returned after catching the coachman?

Inside, he sat on the sofa I’d used earlier, now in his nightclothes.

“But Auntie said she’s sleeping here too!” Fey said.

“Is that so?”

Our eyes met—his golden gaze locking with mine.

“Then the three of us shall sleep together.”