Chapter 16
It wasn’t a nightmare that drove him to visit Einra in the middle of the night.
Of course, it wasn’t a lie that he had a nightmare. But using that as an excuse to come find her—he was already far too used to nightmares for that to be the real reason.
“I’m going to start doing what I want from now on.”
He whispered while fidgeting with his chestnut-brown hair.
“But… you’re not allowed to hate me.”
As soon as he said those words, the strands of chestnut hair he had been holding slipped from his fingers and fell onto the blanket.
He stood up from his seat and said his farewell.
“Have a good dream, Einra.”
Even if it’s just for a fleeting moment in your dreams—please think of me.
Murmuring this to himself, Arkes quietly left the room without making a sound.
He headed to the first-floor living room.
Sitting on the sofa, wrapped in the dim haze of twilight, he placed his hand on a green-glowing pendant—Limone—that had been glowing since he first arrived here.
The moment he infused it with a trace amount of aura, a familiar voice rang out clearly in his mind.
“Your Grace, where on earth have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been after the celebration? There hasn’t been a single word from you.”
The voice was as calm and composed as always, making Arkes let out a small laugh.
Even after days without any word from her master, her tone remained unchanged.
As expected, she truly was the type who would plant an apple tree even if the world were to end tomorrow.
“I’ve confirmed that the orders you issued to the Saxen territory during the day were carried out. Good work.”
“Didn’t you give those orders through aura-infused intent? I’ve told you time and again that aura is meant for combat. If you use it for daily tasks, you might sustain internal injuries… Wait a minute.”
Countess Chevila—Violetti—suddenly went silent, as if sensing something was off.
After a moment’s pause, her calm voice returned, subtly more cautious.
“That voice… Forgive me, but may I ask—how old are you?”
“Probably ten.”
“…Good heavens.”
Another silence.
Arkes could vividly imagine her pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation.
He answered her next thought coolly.
“I’m still Arkes von Baharmaan.”
“…To think someone would attempt kidnapping and cursing at a celebration held in the imperial palace. Their audacity knows no bounds.”
“They likely assume I’m dead. But without a body, they can’t be certain. Continue handling things as usual. If any requests for audience come in, reject them with a plausible excuse.”
“Understood. However, please inform me when you plan to return so I can coordinate matters accordingly.”
“Hmm…”
Arkes tilted his head slowly.
His crimson eyes dropped, then shifted toward the staircase leading to the second floor.
“It won’t be long.”
“…So no definitive answer, I take it.”
A resigned sigh came through the connection.
Unfazed by the sigh of his overworked aide, Arkes shamelessly issued another order without an ounce of guilt.
“And investigate the captain of the Saxen territory’s knight order.”
“The captain of Saxen’s knights…?”
“Yes. From official records to personal relationships—everything.”
“…Understood.”
Violetti accepted the order without protest, choosing not to question why Arkes would randomly want someone investigated—though in the past, such instructions had always involved Einra in some way.
“One more thing to report. The spies we had planted at the Baharmaan estate have all died suddenly.”
At that, Arkes’s eyes darkened.
After a short silence, he spoke again in a low tone.
“…I see. For now, observe the situation. Don’t send in any replacements.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
With that, the communication ended.
Arkes tapped his fingers against the sofa and curved his lips into a thin, cold smile.
All the spies who’d been doing fine until now—suddenly dropping dead?
How… amusing.
☼ ☼ ☼
Bright sunlight pierced through my eyes.
“Mmm…”
Frowning, I twisted and turned in bed before finally sitting up groggily.
As I yawned and turned my head, I saw the spot next to me was empty.
It seemed As had woken up and left the room already.
“Wow, I really slept like the dead.”
Then again, yesterday had been unusually tiring.
Plus, I had woken up in the middle of the night…
Stretching, I got out of bed and started heading downstairs to prepare breakfast when I caught a delicious scent in the air.
“…Food?”
I paused and tilted my head in confusion before heading toward the kitchen.
Only Harnen and I ever did the cooking at home, so for a moment I even wondered, Did Harnen come by early today?
But the kitchen was empty—except for a steaming pot of stew on the stove.
“…What?”
Puzzled, I stepped further into the kitchen.
The hearth was filled with freshly burned charcoal, still faintly smoking.
A pot sat on top, overflowing with thick, hot stew.
Turning around, I noticed the dining table had been neatly set for two.
But… I don’t sense anyone else here.
Something felt off.
I frowned and left the kitchen.
“As! Where are you?!”
I called out loudly, but there was no response from anywhere in the house.
Suddenly, a strange sense of dread bubbled up in my chest.
Clenching my fists, I ran upstairs.
“As! Are you in your room?!”
I stormed down the hall and flung open As’s door.
No one was inside.
My face went pale.
Immediately, I summoned Silavi and Quiel.
“Guys, please—help me find As!”
Silavi flapped its silver wings, and Quiel nodded earnestly before both spirits scattered in sparkling light across the house and outside.
Watching them split up, I bit my lip hard.
I was too careless.
When I first found As, he was gravely injured and unconscious.
A noble child suffering injuries like that must have been caught up in something dangerous.
“I should’ve been more careful…!”
He looked no older than ten.
What if someone kidnapped that little boy? What if he’s scared and trembling, or worse—injured again?
The thought drove me to the brink of panic.
I rushed out of As’s room, ran down to the first floor, and burst out the front door.
“As! As, if you can hear me, answer me!”
I ran around the yard like a madwoman, calling for him.
Of course, I knew I was no help compared to the spirits—but I couldn’t just stand around and wait.
I was just about to leave the yard and head out when Quiel zipped toward me.
My heart sank the moment I saw its urgency.
“You found him?!”
Quiel nodded and turned around as if telling me to follow.
I quickly summoned Hisha, mounted it, and chased after Quiel as fast as I could.
At first, Quiel flew over a wide main road—but then it veered into a narrow alley.
The alley twisted and turned like a spiderweb, growing tighter and darker, until Quiel came to a sudden stop.
“Quiel?”
I called its name and looked around.
I’d been so focused on following Quiel, I hadn’t realized how deep I’d come into the forest.
“…A forest?”
I clenched my fists tightly.
The forest near this village was thick with trees and dim even in daylight—rarely visited by people.
Even the woodcutters who sold firewood rarely ventured deep inside.
A perfect place to make someone disappear without a trace.
On high alert, I slowly climbed down from Hisha.
The forest was eerily silent.
Not a single bird chirp, insect buzz, or even a rustle of wind.
As if everything had fled in fear of something.
I swallowed hard and turned toward where Quiel was staring.
A thicket filled with low bushes and trees—completely obscuring the view.
He must be in there somewhere.
But since Quiel had stopped, there must be some unnatural force blocking the spirits from entering further.
Probably a magical tool that nullifies spirit energy.
Steeling myself against the fear, I took a step forward.
