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Chapter 11
Medeia easily freed her fingers from Lucian’s small hands.
Lucian stared blankly at his suddenly empty hands. At that moment, one of Medeia’s hands came into his sight.
“Sit beside me.”
She pointed to the seat next to her. It was across from Prel, a spot where she could see him better than if she sat directly in front.
Lucian smiled faintly and followed her instruction.
Prel, watching this, opened his mouth in surprise. Medeia’s aide, Meril, standing behind her, had the same expression.
They didn’t seem to notice each other, though.
“What is this… who is this child?” Prel’s thoughts were the same as Meril’s.
Despite his first impression, Lucian wasn’t as fragile as he looked. The lingering pain in Meril’s wrist proved it.
Yet in front of Medeia, he deliberately hid his true self, as if he wanted to seem like a delicate child.
But when Medeia spoke next, Meril’s doubts didn’t last long.
“So, has your father’s plan changed?”
It had previously only been a theory that Duke Alec Leshanin planned to redirect people to Psibel Port instead of the Rainier Port.
Prel’s early morning visit confirmed that some change in plans had occurred.
Holding her breath, Meril waited for the answer.
“As you expected. It seems he intends to redirect people to Psibel Port. …And you, Duke?”
Prel hesitated slightly before saying “Duke,” but no one in the reception room seemed to notice the tension—except Lucian, who let out a short snort only Prel could see.
“I see. Since Robin and Luna sent you, you must know Psibel well, right? Prel?”
Prel’s lighthearted, slightly mischievous smile fit the reputation of Psibel perfectly—a place known for criminals and rogues.
“Yes.”
Yet in a fleeting instant, a cold, calculating look flashed across Prel’s face, making one question if he truly came from Psibel.
“What’s the countermeasure?”
“There’s a perfect one—the King of Psibel, Ryle.”
Prel’s lips twitched in amusement as he finished speaking.
“Ryle?”
Medeia frowned. She hadn’t expected that answer and doubted if she’d heard correctly.
“Yes, the very same name.”
Ryle was a wizard said to have lived hundreds of years ago in the current Leshanin territory. Even now, he was considered a legendary figure, though his whereabouts had long since disappeared.
He had vanished before Medeia’s father became lord of Leshanin territory and even before the current king, Jerron Le Reneir, ascended the throne.
“Ryle is alive?”
“Of course. I even met him a few days ago…”
Prel stopped speaking, not because of Medeia’s suspicious gaze, but because the small child’s eyes looked at him with quiet disdain, instantly silencing him.
“I’m a Psibel expert, after all. Anyone who truly knows Psibel knows this fact—the King of Psibel, Ryle, is still alive.”
Then, as if nothing had happened, Prel continued speaking smoothly.
“Honestly, it’s hard to believe, but since Robin and Luna sent you, I’ll trust it. Is there a way to meet Ryle?”
“I’m honored you trust me. As for meeting Ryle… I’ll arrange it through Psibel’s best informant.”
Prel’s grin now refused to hide itself; he laughed freely. Whether it was because Medeia trusted him or because he took pride in having Psibel’s top source, no one could tell.
Only Lucian seemed to understand why, as Medeia glared at Prel with a look he had never seen before.
“I will leave now. Once the date to meet Ryle is set, I’ll contact you again through Robin and Luna.”
Still grinning so widely his eyes nearly disappeared, Prel hurried to stand. Yet even then, his expression remained relaxed.
“Meril, have Daniel escort the guest to Lissran Trading House.”
As Prel left the reception room, Medeia called Meril, who had been standing behind her.
“Oh, that won’t be necessary. I have a stop along the way, so I’ll just accept the kindness you’ve offered.”
Tipping his hat, Prel winked toward the air. It seemed he meant everyone in the room—except one person caught directly in the wink.
After Prel left, Medeia exited the reception room and headed to the next room, where Sophia and Sion were likely waiting.
“Sophia.”
Both Sophia and Sion turned their attention toward her.
“Miss.”
Sophia stood up, and Sion followed, greeting Medeia.
They were the only lifeline allowing Lucian to stay safe here, so there was no reason to appear displeased.
Lucian’s curiosity lingered, wondering why he alone acted so gentle around Medeia.
“Was everything alright?”
Medeia’s “alright” referred to whether Sion’s identity had been discovered by her father, or if Prel’s visit had been noticed by Mosquies and his group.
If either had occurred, the room would already be in chaos. But Medeia asked Sophia just in case.
“Not entirely… something did happen.”
Sophia’s brown eyes flickered for a moment.
“But it wasn’t serious. Gabizus came looking for Meril.”
Reading the tense atmosphere, Sophia quickly added:
“For what reason?”
Gabizus, a member of Mosquies’ group, once hinted at Sion’s identity to win Meril’s favor.
“Of course, just to see Meril again. He didn’t bother looking for Sion.”
Meril grimaced, then glanced at Andrew, but he didn’t seem to notice. Sophia continued.
“So?”
“I couldn’t say she went to meet guests, so I told him she was running errands for you, Miss. Surprisingly, he went back quietly.”
“Well done, Sophia. Also, if a letter comes from Lissran Trading House, we may need to leave in a hurry. Everyone should be prepared as usual.”
Medeia gave Sophia a small smile, then looked at Meril, Andrew, and Daniel in turn.
“Last time, we said we were going to the bookstore. This time, we’ll say we’re checking goods at Lissran Trading House directly.”
“Yes, that works.”
Soon a letter from Lissran Trading House would arrive, making it a believable excuse.
As Meril nodded, one of the servants appeared at the door.
“Meril, the head maid is looking for you.”
“Sir Andrew, there’s an issue at the training grounds.”
“Daniel, we’re rearranging the furniture on the third floor. Can you come help?”
Other servants appeared, taking turns escorting Meril, Andrew, and Daniel.
“Sophia, I don’t fully trust Daniel alone. Do you want to come too?”
The same servant had asked her.
“Well… if I go, only Sion and Lucian will remain with Medeia.”
“Go ahead. It’s the same floor anyway. Meril will be back soon.”
Medeia’s permission was quicker than Sophia’s hesitation.
“Then I’ll go, Miss.”
In an instant, the room was left with only Medeia, Sion, and Lucian.
“Sion. How are you settling in here?”
Medeia took in his image fully, filling her eyes with his presence.
Watching this, a small spark flared in Lucian’s eyes.
“I’m fine. Everyone has been kind.”
“That’s good. Soon, you’ll probably be able to return to where you came from.”
“Really?”
The child’s happy smile carried a hint of sadness. Perhaps it was because he had grown attached to Sophia without realizing it.
“Yes. I’ll do my best to send you back. No, I will send you back.”
Countless people had been innocently sacrificed by her father. Now, knowing the truth, she couldn’t allow any more.
Even if it meant risking her family’s downfall.
“Thank you.”
“No, you don’t need to thank me. I should be the one asking forgiveness…”
Medeia’s mind flashed to the face of a child—perhaps her first friend. She never even managed to offer an apology then, and likely never would.
The memory of that bright, midsummer-like smile still pained her heart.
“…Anyway, Sion, until you return, I’ll be counting on you. If anyone asks about you or your parents, don’t answer anything.”
“I will, Miss.”
Sion nodded, understanding completely.
Everyone he had met before blamed others, but Medeia apologized to him instead.
From the situation, it wasn’t Medeia who brought him here—it was her father.
“You’re a good boy, Sion.”
Medeia’s hand rested gently on his head. Whether from guilt or memories of a child she thought she’d forgotten, it was rare for Medeia to approach someone first.
At the same time, a small stir awoke in Sion’s heart.
Meanwhile, in another child, a vast wave of emotions stirred as well.
