IWLMS 16

Chapter 16

Not long after, Marlene came back carrying warm meat soup and bread. Rune had no appetite, but with her parched mouth she slowly chewed and swallowed a little at a time.

Meanwhile, Marlene, speaking in her usual calm tone, told Rune useful things—when the servants usually fell asleep, and about the back staircase they used when moving around.

After eating what Marlene had brought, Rune soon fell into an early sleep.

When she opened her eyes again, the sun had set and it was already dark night. As she stepped down from the bed, her foot nudged the bag placed underneath.

“Remember, my lady. No one has the right to decide your worth. Do what you truly want, not for someone else’s recognition, but for yourself.”

Recalling Marlene’s words as she tucked her in, Rune let out a small smile. Those were the very words Jun had always told her.

“Remember, Rune. No one can belittle your value. Live not for others, but for yourself.”

The memory of Jun, who had always encouraged her warmly, came back vividly.

Jun didn’t return even during this summer recess. Is the academy really keeping him that busy?

Sitting at her desk, Rune picked up Jun’s letter. He always wrote to her with new stories, while she, in turn, would send back letters filled with her repetitive, wheel-like daily life.

But this time would be different.

She pulled out stationery from her drawer and wrote a short reply. After sealing the envelope with wax, she tucked it into her clothes, stood up, and picked up her bag.

It would soon be the servants’ bedtime.

Pretty steep.

Descending the narrow back staircase at the end of the corridor, Rune reached the first floor. She grabbed the doorknob leading to the back gate of the garden and hesitated for a moment.

The guards were faithfully keeping watch at the gates even at night. Sneaking past their eyes wouldn’t be easy.

Perhaps going through the underground waterway would be better.

She looked down the dark underground stairway. The damp smell would be unbearable, but through the sewers she could reach the outer stream flowing beyond the walls.

Just as she was about to step downward, a hand grabbed her arm. Rune startled and turned around.

“Shh.”

It was Marlene. With a finger to her lips, she let out a long sigh and whispered,

“I just can’t let myself rest easy otherwise.”

She pulled a small note from her apron pocket and handed it to Rune.

“Old man Hudson once jotted down the coordinates of the Grand Duchy. If it’s Lord Cailian, surely he’ll help you. Even ordinary coachmen can usually read coordinates, so it should guide you there.”

“…My goodness, thank you, Marlene.”

“How do you plan to get past the main gates? The inner walls may have small exits, but the outer walls are under heavy watch.”

Unlike her composed self from earlier in the day, Marlene now looked restless and anxious. Rune smiled and held up the note.

“Don’t worry. Thanks to you, I just thought of something.”

“Eh?”

“This is perfect. This is my reply letter to Jun. Send it to the academy once the sun rises.”

She handed the letter over, but when Rune turned away, Marlene grabbed her arm urgently.

“Wait! You’ll keep in touch, won’t you?”

“When I meet Jun at the academy, I’ll write then.”

“Oh, right! My lady, take this as well.”

Marlene pulled out something she had tucked away— the emblem of House Herace that had once been tied to the leg of the harpy eagle. She tied the black string around Rune’s wrist with a gentle smile.

“This belongs to Lord Cailian, doesn’t it? If you meet him, return it.”

“How on earth did you find this…”

Rune muttered, her cheeks turning red.

She remembered how embarrassed she’d been when she discovered it after Cailian had already left, struggling with how to return it until she finally placed it in a box under her bed. Marlene must have seen it there.

That box was her old secret stash, where she used to hide pretty pebbles and brooches away from her father’s eyes.

“It didn’t mean anything. Don’t misunderstand.”

“Oh my, I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”

As Rune gave her a sidelong glance, Marlene grinned mischievously and gave her a gentle push on the back.

“Go on, my lady. Please take care of yourself.”

“Mm. I’ll really go now.”

Please, do write.

Smiling faintly at Marlene’s whispered words that followed her down the stairs, Rune descended.

The underground was pitch-black, not even a window letting in light.

Rune struck a match and lit a small lantern. Guided by its dim glow, she walked down the long corridor until she reached a tightly closed room.

This was the place with the teleportation magic stone. She had been here a few times before. The heavy stone door had no handle and looked like part of the wall.

Feeling along its surface, she found the small hollow in the center.

“Found it.”

Just as she’d once seen her father do, she pressed her index finger into the groove. A sting pricked her skin, and light filled the carved symbols on the stone door.

With a grinding rumble, the door began to open.

“…Wow, it really worked.”

This door, inscribed with a magic formula, only opened in response to specific blood. She had assumed her father’s blood ran through her veins too, but still, seeing it actually open startled her.

Stepping inside, Rune placed the lantern in a corner and approached the stone platform in the center. She pulled out Marlene’s note from her pocket and unfolded it.

“I never imagined I’d get the coordinates to the Grand Duchy….”

She had originally thought of heading to a small town near the capital. This was far better. Instead of wandering around the academy searching for Cailian, she could go directly to him.

“He wouldn’t chase me away in annoyance… would he?”

After all, wasn’t he the one who had first said he’d be her key? Though the letter of recommendation he’d given her was now useless, she believed he’d write another if she asked.

She placed the note at the center of the circular magic array. The magic stone activated, and the coordinates written on the note glowed brightly.

Golden characters floated into the air, weaving into a sphere.

The teleportation array had read the coordinates. Now it was time for her to step onto it. Carefully, Rune placed her foot on the stone platform.

Ah, come to think of it…

“I’ve never seen it teleport a person before. Will it really be—”

Paaah—!

Before she could even finish speaking, purple light burst out from the circle. Enveloped in the glow, Rune vanished.

In the now-empty room, only the lantern’s flame flickered softly.

Late at night, the lamp on the wall lit the quiet room.

Wearing a nightgown, Cailian picked up the towel around his neck and wiped the water from his wet hair. Droplets slid down and fell onto the collarbone revealed by his open shirt.

“Tiring…”

As he raised an arm to massage his stiff neck, the bead of water trickled down into his chest.

Every day flew by in a blur of exhausting duties.

At the same time, behind-the-scenes work for succession had begun. Thanks to the antidote, Grand Duke Carlo’s health had improved, but it was still too early for him to rise from bed. During this time, Cailian planned to expand the duties temporarily entrusted to him.

Though his schedule was crushingly busy, compared to what lay ahead, these were likely his most relaxed days.

“I suppose I tied myself down.”

In the end, he had accepted the position as the patron of the military academy. According to Ethan, Principal Gregory was so delighted his bent back nearly straightened.

So, you got exactly what you wanted after all.

Snorting softly, Cailian walked to the window, opened it, and breathed in the night air. An eastern sea breeze swept in, cooler and fresher than the forest-scented air of the northwest.

Three days ago, he had sent his letter by express telegram, so the recommendation should have reached House Huder’s estate that very morning.

What kind of face had she made when she received it? Had she smiled brightly with that pure white smile of hers?

Or maybe she just stared wide-eyed like a fool again.

The entrance ceremony of Lepium Academy was fast approaching. Despite his busy schedule, the only reason he insisted on attending was because he was curious—he wanted to see her expression.

Having received his recommendation letter, she would surely walk proudly into the academy she’d dreamed of. That was the sight he wanted to see.

“I’ll get to see that face soon enough.”

As he looked up at the thin crescent moon, a faint smile touched Cailian’s lips.

Then suddenly, the sky warped at its center, rippling with violet light.

“?”

He frowned, staring at the glow. The round light swelled rapidly, rushing closer.

An attack?

He reached for the sword at his side, but before he could, the light split open like a gaping mouth.

“Uwaaaah!!! M-move out of the way!!”

Cailian’s black eyes widened. Falling straight into his arms was none other than the owner of the face he had just been thinking of.

Rune clutched her queasy stomach, shaking her head as dizziness spun her vision.

The world around her split apart like torn fabric, shifting rapidly between colors and scenes. They flashed past like shards of light.

Ugh… I could never do this twice.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she opened them again only to find the shifting slowing down.

Is it ending? I hope I landed in the right place… huh?

Ah, yes. She really had arrived at the Grand Duchy. Because right there, clear in her vision, stood Cailian, staring at her.

“Wait, no!”

His face grew closer—slightly startled, yes, but not as shocked as she was.

Because between the folds of his white nightgown, his broad chest was bare for all to see.

Why is he half-naked?!

Rune quickly covered her face with both hands. But she couldn’t fully hide or close her eyes, since she still needed to brace for her landing.

Through the gaps of her spread fingers, her blue eyes trembled in panic. The speed was far too fast for her to even think of dodging.

“Uwaaaah!!! M-move out of the way!!”