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Chapter 69
“You’re later than I expected. I heard you were negotiating with the mages at the Arbor Tower today?”
Kaien’s slow, knowing expression made Lionel’s mind flash with a sudden realization.
Could it really have gone all the way to the Tower…?
“You must be busy preparing to head north. You’ve worked hard in many ways. So, I’ve prepared a gift for you today. Here.”
With a gesture from Kaien, two attendants stepped forward and presented a large box to Lionel.
Inside was a shining, golden armor.
“This is a very rare armor made of pure gold. I hope it protects you from monsters.”
It looked beautiful, but golden armor would definitely catch monsters’ eyes—and it wouldn’t be very durable. Still, Lionel didn’t comment. He simply thanked Kaien.
“I will return safely so you have nothing to worry about.”
“Yes. And while you are in the north, you don’t need to worry about the capital either.”
As if that was all he needed to say, Kaien stood and passed by Lionel, whispering softly in his ear:
“And your fiancée, who will feel lonely while you are away…”
“…….”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she doesn’t even notice your absence.”
Kaien patted Lionel’s shoulder lightly and left. Only the box with the golden armor remained in the study.
Lionel stared silently at the golden armor. The attendants held their breath, watching him carefully. After a moment, Lionel waved them away.
“Leave.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Once they were gone, Lionel took the bluebird out of his inner pocket and sat at his desk.
“Tweet! Tweet?”
The bluebird flew around the tall bookshelves to release its energy before finally landing on the golden armor inside the box. Just pecking at it left scratches. Lionel didn’t stop it.
“Having fun?”
“Tweet!”
“Go ahead, play with it.”
Lionel set the golden armor aside as a toy and opened his monster book.
“Tweet, tweet, tweet!”
The chaotic sounds of the bluebird filled the study. The pecking echoed loudly. For the first time, Lionel couldn’t focus on the words in the book.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she doesn’t even notice your absence.”
Looking out the window, night had already fallen. Lionel kept staring outside, even though he couldn’t see anything.
“Tweet?”
The bluebird seemed bored with its toy. It fluttered onto Lionel’s shoulder.
“Tweet, tweet?”
It tapped his cheek with its head as if asking what he was thinking. Lionel turned and gently patted the bird.
“I’m going to see your owner now.”
“Tweet!”
“Do you want to come along?”
“Tweet!”
Lionel put the happy bird back into his inner pocket and quietly left the palace.
Even though he had never been there before, finding the Rohheim family townhouse—and Cecilia’s bedroom—was easy. The bluebird guided him.
“Tweet, tweet!”
The bird tapped the window as if urging someone to come out. Cecilia opened it quickly.
“What…? Oh, Lionel?”
She was first surprised by the bird, then her face lit up seeing him. Lionel remembered Lilie, the bluebird that used to tap his window when he was younger.
What expression did I have back then?
He hoped his visits had been worth her effort.
Am I seeing this for real?
Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, Lionel heard the clear, lively cry next to him.
“Tweet, tweet!”
This confirmed it wasn’t a hallucination.
My Spirit Familiar!
He reached out instinctively.
“Lilie.”
From below, Lionel called him. Cecilia leaned out the window.
“Did you call me?”
“Yes. Do you still have magic?”
“Magic? No, I don’t.”
The last time they met had been a few days ago. She had used up all her magic. Admitting it made her feel a little embarrassed, like telling her mother she had already spent all her allowance.
“Um… I don’t have a magic container, so it all leaks out…”
“Which is easier, me coming up or you coming down?”
“Uh… either way…”
She quickly looked around her room. Books on the bed, cookie crumbs, juice bottles, cushions on the floor—it was a mess. Not the place to show Lionel, who always sat neatly in his room.
Quickly, she pulled the curtains closed.
“I’ll come down. Stay there!”
She hesitated at the window.
There are probably maids or attendants in the hall or lobby…
If someone asked what she was doing, she would have to lie about a nighttime walk. Someone might follow her, even her mother or siblings.
That can’t happen!
She asked the bluebird:
“You have magic from Lionel, right? Can you use wind magic to take me down there?”
“Tweet!”
The bird flapped its wings, creating a gentle wind that carried her safely out of the window.
Wow! I’m flying!
It was more like gliding safely than actual flying. Lionel held her carefully, just in case.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes! Wow, this is fun. I want to do it again.”
“Tweet?”
The bird seemed to ask if she wanted another ride. She shook her head.
“Not now, later.”
If a guard saw Lionel, it would be a problem.
When do the guards patrol again?
She glanced around, whispering to Lionel:
“Let’s go somewhere else. Guards might see us here.”
“Somewhere else?”
“The greenhouse. Few people can enter there at this hour.”
Her mother was probably asleep or spending time with her father, so the greenhouse was perfect for a secret meeting.
“Where’s the greenhouse?”
“Follow me.”
The bird led the way.
Spirit Familiars share knowledge with their masters… they even know this?
…Then why isn’t he letting me down?
She tapped Lionel’s shoulder.
“I can walk in these slippers.”
“I see.”
That was all. Lionel still held her.
“I can walk holding you too.”
