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Chapter 34
As the airship stabilized in orbit, Kanin guided Ariadne to the cabin.
She looked absolutely thrilled, like a child seeing sweets for the first time, and clung to the window, not wanting to let go.
When Kanin told her they had to go inside, she pouted, thinking she wouldn’t be able to enjoy the view anymore.
Kanin couldn’t help but smile at her obvious feelings.
“Come this way, the window here is even bigger—”
“Waaaah—”
As soon as they entered the cabin, Ariadne’s expression changed completely. One entire wall was made of glass, giving her an even better view. She quickly passed Kanin and rushed straight to the window.
“Look at this! Amazing!”
Her cheeks flushed as she admired the view below. Kanin felt a sudden warmth in his chest, unknowingly smiling along, perhaps without realizing it.
“Please sit. If it rocks, you could get hurt.”
Kanin pointed to a long bench by the window. Ariadne half-sat down but kept leaning forward, completely absorbed in the scenery outside.
And the view below was truly captivating.
Seeing the world from the sky was breathtaking.
“Wow!”
Ariadne kept exclaiming in awe. Thoughts of the Count or the Emperor were long gone. The view from the airship was indescribably magnificent. Everything below looked smaller than her fingernail. She pressed her hands to the glass, completely absorbed in the scene.
The dizzying sight felt like looking at a master painter’s work.
“Wow—”
She couldn’t stop gasping. Earlier, the Emperor’s guards had looked powerless, like ants. The Emperor and the Count had seemed so weak, staring up at her, and it had been exhilarating. Both men were now far below her.
But that thrilling feeling soon gave way to the majesty of nature. The emotions she thought had peaked were heightened even more. Seeing the natural scenery from the cabin was far more awe-inspiring than anything before.
“Unbelievable!”
Ariadne’s flushed face, glued to the window, made Kanin laugh quietly again.
Sitting across from her, Kanin quietly took the translator device he had received back from her last time.
It would be essential for smooth communication once she fully entered Illiad. He was about to hand it to her but paused.
He didn’t want to interrupt her enjoyment of the view, so he quietly approached her side.
He intended to put the device in her ear and then return to his seat quickly.
“Waaah—look! Is that a cloud? The cloud is right next to me—ah!”
Ariadne exclaimed, pointing at the clouds, and suddenly turned her head back. She hadn’t realized Kanin was sitting so close, and seeing his face near hers, she widened her eyes in surprise.
He was close enough to almost touch her. Blinking quickly, Ariadne felt a strange shiver and immediately leaned back.
Kanin was leaning forward to place the device in her ear, putting them dangerously close.
“What… what are you doing!”
“Ah, I’m just giving you this—”
Kanin quickly showed the device in his hand, proving there was nothing inappropriate. Ariadne already knew what it was, so there was no misunderstanding.
But before he could finish speaking, the airship rocked sharply again, likely from passing through a cumulonimbus cloud, and a swirl of white clouds brushed past the window.
“Ah!”
At the same moment, Ariadne slipped forward. Kanin tried to catch her, but the airship rocked once more. Ariadne slid slightly to the side, colliding against him.
“Ugh…”
“Ah…”
They both grimaced at the impact.
Then their eyes met while still tangled together. Ariadne ended up leaning against Kanin, startled to see him so close.
His black hair brushed her cheek, sending a ticklish sensation.
The cabin fell silent.
“….”
“….”
For a moment, time seemed to stop. Ariadne’s face turned bright red, and she quickly jumped up.
“Ugh.”
“Ah!”
In the rush, she bumped into Kanin.
“Ugh, sorry—”
“Ah, it’s okay—”
The airship rocked again. This time Kanin was pushed backward, and Ariadne slid forward with him. She ended up hugging him instinctively.
“No… why is this happening?”
Ariadne panicked at the contact, tried to pull back, but the rocking airship made her stagger again.
“Careful.”
Finally regaining composure, Kanin held her steady and helped her sit properly.
Her face felt like it was burning. Her entire body felt hot, and she was embarrassed.
The cabin wasn’t very large; two adults lying down would nearly fill it. Ariadne didn’t know where to look, feeling awkward. Every sound seemed amplified in the quiet.
“I just wanted to give you this.”
Unlike Ariadne, Kanin calmly approached and placed the device in her ear.
Feeling like she had been the only one embarrassed, Ariadne quickly changed her expression, secretly admiring Kanin for staying so composed.
“Airships usually rock a lot. You need to sit carefully.”
“Ah, thank… you.”
Ariadne avoided his gaze, looking at the view instead. Once the device was in place, communication became much easier.
“Oh, this. Why didn’t you use it in Rensha?”
Ariadne asked.
“It makes communication in Illiad easier, so the reverse isn’t possible,” Kanin explained calmly. Hearing this made her realize, We’ve really left the Rensha Empire now. Living in an unfamiliar language felt strange but exciting.
Kanin adjusted his clothing and spoke in a gentle voice.
“When you arrive in Illiad, there’s little to worry about regarding adaptation. His Majesty personally told me that he welcomes Lady Ariadne to Illiad…”
Ariadne nodded, eyes wide.
“I heard Illiad is very closed off and doesn’t welcome foreigners, but it seems that’s not entirely true?”
“It used to be that way, but not anymore. As you know, Illiad is called the country of machines, very advanced. Even if we welcome you, it can be hard for foreigners to adjust, which is why it got that reputation.”
“I see.”
Ariadne, intrigued by his explanation, looked at Kanin. Compared to when he spoke Rensha, Kanin seemed much gentler and kinder speaking Illiad language. His sharp features and usually cold demeanor made it feel very different.
“In Illiad, the first person you will meet is His Majesty.”
“Oh.”
“He will probably ask what you want to do there.”
Ariadne listened carefully to Kanin’s calm voice.
What I want to do…
She had already thought about what she wanted to do in Illiad. Since no one there knew her, it felt even better. Kanin seemed to sense her thoughts and asked again.
“What would you like to do in Illiad? I will provide full support.”
“Full support?”
Ariadne blinked in surprise.
“You promised that when you came. So I must keep it.”
“…If it’s something I want to do…”
Ariadne thought for a moment, her lips pursed.
“First, I just want to do what I want without anyone interfering.”
“Yes, I will make sure that happens.”
Kanin sincerely replied to her. Ariadne spoke softly again.
“And… I don’t want people to know that I have healing powers.”
Kanin’s expression changed slightly. Surprised, he asked curiously,
“What do you mean? Do you plan not to use your healing power?”
Ariadne let out a small laugh and continued.
