IACGD 05

Chapter 05

Clémen’s unexpected words made Zephyrus’s gaze shoot up sharply.

“I think I misheard you.”
“What did you hear, then?”
“That you want to work here.”
“You heard correctly.”
“That’s your request?”
“Yes. I was worried about how to make money yesterday and today. This works out perfectly!”

Zephyrus opened his mouth, stunned by her cheerful reaction.

What… should I say?

He had no idea. This was the first time he’d faced such a situation.

“Not today. I’ll start work tomorrow. What was it… oh, yes. Reporting for duty! I’ll tell the knights. Show me where to go tomorrow.”

Clémen, already assuming permission was granted, hummed a cheerful tune and stepped toward Zephyrus.

He flinched. She reached out slowly.

Tap.

A single fingertip touched his shoulder.

“If you need warmth, let me know. It’s cold in the North, so my… uh…”

She hesitated over what word to use for “body type” or “constitution.”

“My warm body can help.”

Even a brief touch spread warmth, and if she focused, she could make the surrounding area warmer too. She had to be careful not to overdo it, but it would help Zephyrus endure the Northern cold.

“Of course, a reward would be appreciated too.”

Zephyrus couldn’t smile along with her. That single, barely-there touch made his chest flutter, his frozen mind thawing in a dizzying rush.

“See you tomorrow, Lord.”

Clatter!

Zephyrus rose sharply.

“Out.”
“Eh?”
“I said—out. Now.”

His low voice carried a threat.

“I was going to anyway. Goodbye!”

Still cheerful to the very end, she winked, turning his insides upside down.

“Hah…”

The moment the door closed, he slumped to the floor. He saw the bare floor, dry and empty—no ice, no melting water.

…But it’s back now.

He muttered to himself, closing his eyes. A residual image flickered as if he were standing before a fire.

He couldn’t openly ask about the curse; all he could do was watch quietly. There was nothing to be done.

“My body is warm, Lord.”

Slap!

Zephyrus hit his own cheek with both hands to reset the scene in his mind, then nodded.

Better… I need to set conditions to prevent her from crossing boundaries.

Even as he thought this, he smoothed his shoulder where Clémen’s finger had touched. The warmth lingered vividly.

Alright.

Clémen smiled faintly.

Initially, she had come at the knights’ insistent request, but now she was glad she had. The North suppressed her heat to some extent, but facing the lord of the territory was a whole new world. Even that brief contact had slightly eased the relentless heat that had tormented her for a lifetime.

Clémen’s greatest struggle was the irregular, surging flames within her. The fire that had always seemed ready to erupt bowed its head, subdued. For the first time, she felt a sense of calm, almost normal. If permitted, she wanted to stay by his side.

Hence, she requested a job.

It wasn’t something to feel guilty about, but he was sincere in apologizing, and it was impossible to refuse her.

Money aside… I’d like her to work as close to me as possible.

She hoped to grow closer while working together—maybe even become friends. For now, it was just a wish, but she intended to seize the opportunity.

“Miss… I’m glad you came out safely.”
“Ah, what a terrible knight.”

The knight who had pushed her into the duke’s room, calling her a Fire Spirit, had a small scar beside his light brown eyes.

“I’m Gwen. You can’t blame me for being strict… sniff.”

Gwen pretended to clutch his chest in sorrow, overacting to show his remorse.

“You can’t act that badly.”
“Act? How cruel!”
“It’s fine. Thanks to you, I got a job. This place is really rich, right?”
“You got a job… here?”

Gwen’s shrug carried a faint grin, staring at Clémen.

“Not a bad place, but this is the Duke’s estate. You mustn’t reveal anything you experience here. Can you keep that?”
“I’d probably get caught if I couldn’t.”
“Don’t underestimate me! I wouldn’t brandish a sword at a delicate girl!”

Of course, Clémen didn’t appear delicate. She wasn’t trained in swordplay, but her body was strong and agile. Gwen hid his sharp gaze behind a smile, repeatedly testing her.

“I don’t want to talk more with Gwen. Just show me the way.”
“You said you didn’t want to talk.”
“Knights in the books were polite and responsible.”
“You mean you brought her, so now I’m responsible?”

Gwen chuckled and pursed his lips. Soon, another knight arrived, taking over Zephyrus’s escort duties. Gwen extended his hand to Clémen.

“Fire Spirit, shall we go?”
“I’m not a Fire Spirit.”

Smack! Clémen struck his hand with her palm and walked ahead.

“Ha.”

Even in that brief moment, warmth lingered in Gwen’s palm. Perhaps it was the special effect the lord’s curse couldn’t touch.

“Miss, not that way! Come with me!”

Clémen walked briskly, observing the Duke’s estate. The wallpaper and decor were antique but worn. It was messier than expected.

Most notably, there were few maids.

In some books, maids worked all day. Here, there’s hardly anyone.

…Must be because of the lord’s power.

Zephyrus’s uncontrollable presence likely kept people away. Not a wrong assumption.

However, she hadn’t expected the Northern dukedom to be this harsh.

“Miss, what are you looking at so closely?”
“Where I’ll work. And Clémen… I don’t like her much.”
“Haha! Sure, Clémen. But before heading to the village, I want you to meet someone.”
“Who?”
“Someone essential if Clémen is to work here.”

Clémen stopped walking for a moment, eyes clear, sizing up Gwen’s intent.

“Fine! Let’s get everything done today.”

Gwen changed direction. He headed to where Rosia worked, representing the Duke’s estate for matters the main household couldn’t handle, preparing for a secret pledge before heading to the village.

But Gwen hadn’t expected one thing.

“Gwen!”

Rosia was approaching, furious.

“What did you do?!”

Thump!

Rosia kicked Gwen in the shin.

“Luckily nothing went wrong. Otherwise, someone might’ve frozen!”
“But no one froze!”

Exaggerating, Gwen rubbed his leg. Rosia’s eyes, raised high in anger, trembled.

“Just because the outcome was good doesn’t excuse the process! Who knows better than me!”
“Sometimes shortening the process works, doesn’t it?”
“Shorten? Shortcut? Hah, really!”

Rosia fanned herself, heated and sweating. In the North, even a fireplace all day didn’t cause sweat.

“It was too risky! If it went wrong, even His Grace couldn’t have handled it! Do you understand how angry I am?!”
“Ah, that’s—”

Peeking from behind Gwen, Clémen showed her face.

“Uh? Uh… uh?”

Rosia’s pupils flickered as she saw Clémen.

“So… ahem!”

After a brief fluster, Rosia cleared her throat.

“I shall allow you to greet me.”
“Hello, I’m Clémen. But may I ask—do you have to be permitted to greet someone here?”
“Eh…?”
Pfft!

Rosia’s expression slackened. Gwen covered his laughing mouth with his hand. Clémen’s face was pure curiosity.

“Where are you from?”
“Oh, the South. The desert.”
“A citizen of the Kingdom of Hyatt?”
“No. The desert is my home.”

Clémen seemed utterly sincere.

Wanderers roam the desert… is she one of them?

Rosia decided not to pry further. Perhaps that question would be answered once they got closer.

“I am Rosia. I work for the Duke’s estate.”
“Rosia is the person you need to meet, Clémen.”

Clémen’s mind raced. She had just seen the beautiful lord of the estate. To work here, there was only one person she needed to meet.

Her smile brightened.

“Ah. I know! The real power! Right?”

Rosia’s face turned pale green.

Puh, puh-hah!

Gwen could no longer hold it in and burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.