TYHL 105

~Chapter 105~

The count straightened his spine and swallowed dryly.

The tracking magician was staying in one of the Ipsen mansions prepared by Count Carmelan, following the imperial palace’s orders.

Leviathan had secretly instructed the count to investigate that bedroom.

“His vigilance was extreme, but he wasn’t glued to the mansion all day…”

Slide. Hastily copied notes were placed on the table.

“These are exact copies of the magician’s memos. Please have a look.”

“……”

“He disguised himself as an ordinary guest in the maze garden and approached Lady Rubian. I’m not sure what he was so desperate to confirm, but the inspector also verified this, so it’s certain—”

At that moment—crack—the paper was crumpled violently.

“He approached Rubian in a place I knew nothing about?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Count Carmelan wiped away his cold sweat. The atmosphere, gentle enough for jokes just moments ago, had turned sharp and suffocating in an instant.

That report from Leon yesterday… he also said the magician showed unnecessary interest in Rubian at the banquet.

“And now, the portal malfunction keeping him from returning…”

Leviathan muttered as though grinding his teeth.

“Please, don’t let it trouble you too much, Your Grace. After all, there’s nothing more he can do now, and you’ll be returning to Zelox tomorrow anyway…”

The count’s mumbling voice faded into the distance.

Don’t let it trouble me?

Leviathan sneered inwardly.

The count could never truly understand.

How much his entire life had been upended by the fleeting malice of a magician.

He might know, but he would never feel it in his bones.

Rosetta—she had once been attacked by a magician she had saved out of kindness.

That was their kind. Especially the high-ranking magicians of the kingdom—always rotten behind the facade.

Leviathan clenched his fist tight.

“That magician. Where is he staying now?”

He couldn’t afford to loosen his grip for even a second when it came to magicians. If he did, they’d surely destroy everything he had.

“Goodbye, my lady!”

I waved lightly. In my hand was a knot tied with rainbow-colored strings.

“Thank you for teaching me another knot today.”
And it was a new pattern, too!

“Don’t mention it. I’ll miss you, Rubian.”

Sortie pulled me into a quick hug and whispered. I stiffened a little—it had been so long since I’d grown this close to another girl as a friend.

“Can I write you letters?”

“As many as you want!”

I grinned widely and nodded.
Tomorrow, I was leaving Ipsen for Zelox. That meant today was my farewell to Sortie and Licht.

“Can I write to you too?”

“Of course.”

Licht smiled and shook my hand lightly.

He’s back to being gentle now that Khalid isn’t around.

Earlier, Khalid had been dragged off to the training grounds by Grandfather and Boyd. Thanks to that, his endless quarrels with Licht were finally put to a pause.

Neither of them is the type to be a fighter… how did it turn into this?
They were the same age, it’d be nice if they just got along.

I sighed inwardly but smiled brightly.

“It’s a shame I couldn’t meet Olivia, but I’m really glad I met you both here in Ipsen!”

Of course, there had been some bad moments too.
But I had made a new friend—well, aside from Khalid.
A friend my age!

“Aw, I’ll miss you, Rubian.”

Sortie fiddled with my hand, whining softly.

“If only you could stay here a bit longer…” She froze mid-sentence, eyes wide.
A tall shadow had fallen over me.

A familiar hand tapped me on the crown of my head. I tilted back my head and beamed.

“Dad! When did you come down?”

“Just now.”

Dad arched an eyebrow slightly, then let his gaze fall on Sortie and Licht.

“I don’t need to ask if you had fun.”

“Why?”

“Because I could hear your excited voice all through the mansion. It was deafening.”

He plugged both ears dramatically.

“Wha—no way! I wasn’t that loud…”

“You’re loud right now too. My ears hurt.”

“…You came down just to tease me, didn’t you?”

“Why else would I come down?”

Dad! He’s teasing me on purpose!

I smacked his side in protest.

From the sidelines, Count Carmelan chuckled quietly, unable to hold it back.

“You’ve gotten quite natural at it now.”

Both Father and I looked at him.

“What do you mean?”

Titi was peeking from behind the count’s back. At least she wasn’t crying anymore, which was an improvement.

“The way you call him. Back when I first met you in Ipsen, saying ‘Dad’ seemed so difficult. Now it’s second nature.”

The count’s kindly gaze landed on me.

Oh… now that he mentions it…

“I guess I adapt pretty quickly.”

I tapped my toes and answered shyly. Dad made a little tsk noise, but I ignored him.

Soon, the carriages arrived.

“Well, I’ll be off first then. See you again, Rubian!”

“Safe travels, Licht!”

Licht bowed politely and climbed into the carriage with his attendants.

“Titi, your turn. Show the duke proper respect.”

“Y-yes…”

Sortie curtsied shyly, holding her skirts.

“Goodbye, Your Grace.”

“Travel safely, my lady.”

His voice was curt as always, but Sortie smiled in relief.

As she climbed into the carriage, she suddenly spun back.

“Oh, that’s right! Rubian, will you be going to the Academy next year?”

The casual question froze the air solid.

“A…Academy?”

Dad turned stiffly, like a man caught off guard, staring down at me.

What’s wrong with him?

“The Academy… the boarding one…?”

For someone with two sons already studying there, his reaction was oddly strange.

Count Carmelan, oblivious, smiled brightly.

“Oh, if you’ll be attending Rieta Academy, then you’ll be around the same age. You two could stay close even there—”

“Go. Quickly.”

Dad hurriedly shoved the count into the carriage and even shut the door himself.

“Y-Your Grace?”

“Stop filling my daughter’s head with ideas.”

“What do you mean—!”

“Depart.”

Hiii! The horses reared and dashed off.

“Wooow, so fast! This is fun! Goodbye, Rubian!”

Sortie’s joyous voice echoed away into the distance.

“Goodbye, Titi…”

I waved lightly as the carriage disappeared.

Once it was just the two of us left, an awkward silence lingered. Dad glanced down at me now and then.

“Dad.”

I spoke softly, still staring straight ahead.

“What’s school… like?”

“…What?”

His broad shoulders twitched.

I’d never thought about going to the Academy anyway—not with my magic situation.

“What’s it like living in a dormitory?”

“Ru… Rubian…”

His reaction…

“What do you mean ‘going off somewhere’ already? Don’t even dream about it. No—I don’t mean don’t have dreams, but—”

“Heh.”

It was too funny!

That evening.

“Huh? Dad’s not eating with us?”

I tilted my head as soon as I entered the dining room. Only Boyd and Rosetta were seated at the table.

Grandfather had gone happily to the hot springs, and Liam… well, I didn’t expect him.

Boyd unfolded his napkin.

“Father said he’ll eat separately. Don’t just stand there—sit. Tonight’s southern-style fish dish!”

“What? But he’s at the mansion. Why…”

Oh no. Did I tease him too much earlier?
He must be sulking!

I wondered how I could cheer him up.

“Since he’s leaving tomorrow, he has lots to take care of. Mother sent up food for him, so don’t worry. Come sit, Rubian.”

“Oh…”

I nodded, sitting down.

That made sense. He wouldn’t be back to Ipsen for a while, so he must have things to wrap up.

Still… I wish we could eat together more often.

I fiddled with my spoon.
Well, once we were back in Zelox, we could share meals again.

Soon, the fragrant, salty fish dish was served.

“Yesss.”

Boyd showed off his knife skills, filleting the fish so neatly that I wouldn’t get a single bone.

Mother Rosetta clapped, impressed.

“Does it taste good?”

“So good!”

“Because someone cut it for you?”

“Brother Boyd!”

Ahem. Boyd puffed up proudly.

Even as the cheerful meal went on, my mind returned to my plan for tonight.
The last goal before leaving Ipsen—

I have to uncover the identity of the ‘Fourth.’

With burning determination, I devoured the fish and cleared dessert too.

“Thank you for the meal!”

I bowed after setting down my utensils.

Afterwards, I fended off Boyd’s nagging about playing cards, checked briefly that Liam was still alive, then took a warm bath.

When I said I’d go to bed early, Mother brought me new pajamas.

“Good night, Rubi.”

Smack, smack.
She kissed me softly, and I rubbed my forehead shyly.

“Good night, Mom.”

She smiled and left after one last glance around my room.

“Sleep well, my lady! Ring if you need anything.”

“Okay. Good night, Hazel!”

Once Hazel left with her lamp, the room fell into darkness and silence. Dad must really be busy—he hadn’t shown himself all evening.

Flick, flick.

I counted the ceiling patterns, trying not to fall asleep.

It was a crescent moon night. Maybe because of the dim moonlight, the room seemed darker than usual.

This should be enough.

After counting to 100, I got up.

Carefully, I peeked outside the door. All clear.

“Now then…”

I walked straight to the table.

Inside a glass box lay fresh green herbs.

Tonight, I would use these herbs to test whether the magician in my dreams was truly the ‘Fourth.’