After the Eve festival, people returned to Belfort Castle in anticipation of a full-scale hunting competition to be held the next day. While Randall was meeting with Auston, Sylvia first changed her clothes and returned to her bedroom.
Creak.
Sylvia closed the door behind her without a gap and walked lightly. She sat down on the edge of the bed, ran a hand through her hair, and smiled lazily.
“So, what did you see?”
A flash of red flashed in Sylvia's eyes. Then, a ghost that looked like a black shadow appeared in the air.
The ghost kept looking around as if he was anxious that he was entering Belfort Castle, which was almost like an enemy camp. Sylvia noticed the sign and reassured the ghost.
"It's okay. I checked in advance, and the barrier does not work unless monster-level darkness is detected. So please speak with confidence.”
Only after hearing those words did the ghost stop being anxious. At Sylvia's command, the specter attached to Rubia began gesticulating with his hands and feet, and he described what he had seen and heard. Although no words were audible, Sylvia, who can control 'darkness', was able to understand the ghost's words.
“Low-level demon Rapold...Thanks for your help. It’s okay to just take a break.”
Sylvia gently patted the ghost on the shoulder. The ghost shyly walked around in the air a few times and then dispersed into the darkness. Left alone, Sylvia laid her body down, resting her head on the pillow in a familiar manner. She brought her hands together, placed them on her stomach, and blinked her eyes at the ceiling.
‘What is it...'
Due to Sylvia's persistent visits, she became closer to Rubia than before. But Rubia still did not take it easy. From her own words, it seems that she was far from hearing about the affairs within the Glever family, so she secretly placed the ghost on Rubia, pretending to fix her ribbon and tie it. There was an unexpected harvest. It was also a huge harvest called treason that joined hands with the demons. But...
"...”
Sylvia stared at the ceiling as if looking up at the sky beyond a thick wall. She said in a whisper with her suddenly twisted smile.
“Are you still watching?”
No answer came back. But Sylvia continued speaking as she pleased.
“I’m not going to do anything. All you commanded me was not to try to kill myself.”
Many people became aware of a conspiracy that could result in injury and death. As soon as a normal human being found out about it, he would have done his best to prevent the disaster. However, Sylvia could not be said to be an ordinary human being. The only thing she had developed over countless lifetimes was helplessness, despair, and a deep hatred for humans.
'It's useless anyway.'
What's the point of sacrificing one's body to protect people from demons? In any case, as soon as a human determines that an opponent is dangerous to him, he will try to eliminate that opponent. An infinitely hypocritical, infinitely selfish being. That was truly human. Sylvia covered her eyes with her right arm and muttered self-deprecatingly.
“Humans are the same as ever. It’s disgusting.”
The reason Sylvia tried to find out about Marquis Glever in the first place was because she was worried about Randall. Her heart throbbed every time she saw Randall overlap with herself as 'Alyssa'. So deep down, she hoped that the kind man would not go through the same thing as her. It was definitely sincere.
'...What will Rubia do?'
Should she be silent? Or will she risk her life again, just as she did when she provided clues about the attack at the banquet hall?
“Anyway, you’re so picky.”
“What did you just mumble...”
“You are a very kind and good person.”
“I don’t think so...”
While Randall was mumbling in confusion and tilting his head, the carriage arrived at the entrance to the forest. Randall escorted Sylvia out of the carriage with a solemn lordly face, as if she had never seen his face relax. The vassals who had arrived in advance showed courtesy to them.
“I meet the Master of Belfort.”
Randall smiled faintly in response.
“Don’t be so stiff until a day like today, everyone, get ready. The competition will start soon.”
"All right."
The vassals also dispersed with smiling faces to check their weapons and exchange greetings with their families. The forest was buzzing with people's expectations and competitive spirit. Randall walked Sylvia under the tent and lightly kissed the back of her hand.
“I’ll be back, Sylvia.”
“...Don’t get hurt.”
If your skills are as good as Randall's, you won't be harmed by the moves of a low-level demon. Still, she felt a little uneasy because Marquis Glever was there. Randall's eyes widened at the words Sylvia blurted out, unable to overcome her anxiety.
'Are you worried?'
His heart started tickling, and the corners of his mouth started to turn up. But he guessed Sylvia was worried that his ‘body’ might get hurt. As he thought that, his mood suddenly sank again. Randall finally nodded his head with a complicated look on his face.
“Madam must be safe too.”
With those words, he moved on to conduct the opening ceremony of the hunting competition. As soon as Randall walked away, Sylvia moved her eyes and looked around. It wasn't long before the Marquis Glever and Rubia came into view. The Marquis and Rubia were talking something a little away from the people around them.
'As expected, the atmosphere doesn't look good.'
As Sylvia narrowed her eyes and watched them, Rubia, who had scowled at the Marquis, turned around and...
'Hmm?'
She approached Sylvia. Silvia was embarrassed and looked at the Marquis and Rubia in turn. The Marquis followed Rubia and looked at them intently as if he was displeased with something. Meanwhile, Rubia came up to Sylvia. Dressed in hunting clothes, she nodded her head in a businesslike manner and gave her greeting.
"Princess."
“...Uh, yes. Are you participating today too, Young Lady?”
"Yes. So I came to say hello and get a handkerchief.”
"Handkerchief?"
In Elvares, handkerchiefs were usually handed out by noble women when sending off knights to great battles or with family and friends. This meant that there was no need to hand out handkerchiefs, even in small hunting competitions like this, which had a strong sense of solidarity. So Sylvia didn't even give Randall her handkerchief. Sylvia was embarrassed and muttered incoherently.
“Let alone the fact that this is a hunting competition, why do it to me? I'm not even your family...”
“You may not be family, but you are my only friend.”
“...Friend? Who?"
“The Duchess and I.”
“You said we’re not friends?”
“I know you’ve never denied it.”
Rubia shamelessly raised her chin and held out her hand. To someone who didn't know the circumstances, it would appear as if she was looking for something she had left behind. Sylvia caught up in that attitude, couldn't help but feel absurd and looked for her handkerchief. Fortunately, she had one thing that Thelma took care of for her. Sylvia placed her handkerchief on Rubia's outstretched hand.
“It’s here.”
"Thank you."
Rubia smiled and expressed her gratitude. And that moment.
“...!”
A brief pause to hand over a handkerchief. Rubia took advantage of that opportunity to put a small folded note in Sylvia's hand and then took her handkerchief in her arms with a nonchalant expression.
“Do you have any prey you want? Since I received a handkerchief, I think I should catch at least a small animal.”
“...Yes, let's go. I think the competition will start soon.”
"All right. Then let’s find an animal that resembles Madam.”
Rubia politely politely walked away until the end. The Marquis of Glever glanced at Sylvia with eyes that could not hide his suspicions, and then hurriedly followed his daughter.
“...”
Sylvia's eyes sank deeply when she saw that scene. She unconsciously squeezed the hand holding the note. At that time, Randall's voice was heard from across the clearing.
“As everyone knows, hunting rules are the same as the eve. Each person is given a belt with their name written on it, and they wrap it around the game they catch, and then after the competition is over, we collect it and tally up their scores.”
A voice so low that it was pleasant to hear tickled her ears. When Sylvia reflexively raised her head, Randall, who caught her gaze through the crowd of people, smiled briefly and kicked the side of his horse.
“Then let’s leave.”
Hee hee hee!
“So, what did you see?”
A flash of red flashed in Sylvia's eyes. Then, a ghost that looked like a black shadow appeared in the air.
The ghost kept looking around as if he was anxious that he was entering Belfort Castle, which was almost like an enemy camp. Sylvia noticed the sign and reassured the ghost.
"It's okay. I checked in advance, and the barrier does not work unless monster-level darkness is detected. So please speak with confidence.”
Only after hearing those words did the ghost stop being anxious. At Sylvia's command, the specter attached to Rubia began gesticulating with his hands and feet, and he described what he had seen and heard. Although no words were audible, Sylvia, who can control 'darkness', was able to understand the ghost's words.
“Low-level demon Rapold...Thanks for your help. It’s okay to just take a break.”
Sylvia gently patted the ghost on the shoulder. The ghost shyly walked around in the air a few times and then dispersed into the darkness. Left alone, Sylvia laid her body down, resting her head on the pillow in a familiar manner. She brought her hands together, placed them on her stomach, and blinked her eyes at the ceiling.
‘What is it...'
Due to Sylvia's persistent visits, she became closer to Rubia than before. But Rubia still did not take it easy. From her own words, it seems that she was far from hearing about the affairs within the Glever family, so she secretly placed the ghost on Rubia, pretending to fix her ribbon and tie it. There was an unexpected harvest. It was also a huge harvest called treason that joined hands with the demons. But...
"...”
Sylvia stared at the ceiling as if looking up at the sky beyond a thick wall. She said in a whisper with her suddenly twisted smile.
“Are you still watching?”
No answer came back. But Sylvia continued speaking as she pleased.
“I’m not going to do anything. All you commanded me was not to try to kill myself.”
Many people became aware of a conspiracy that could result in injury and death. As soon as a normal human being found out about it, he would have done his best to prevent the disaster. However, Sylvia could not be said to be an ordinary human being. The only thing she had developed over countless lifetimes was helplessness, despair, and a deep hatred for humans.
'It's useless anyway.'
What's the point of sacrificing one's body to protect people from demons? In any case, as soon as a human determines that an opponent is dangerous to him, he will try to eliminate that opponent. An infinitely hypocritical, infinitely selfish being. That was truly human. Sylvia covered her eyes with her right arm and muttered self-deprecatingly.
“Humans are the same as ever. It’s disgusting.”
The reason Sylvia tried to find out about Marquis Glever in the first place was because she was worried about Randall. Her heart throbbed every time she saw Randall overlap with herself as 'Alyssa'. So deep down, she hoped that the kind man would not go through the same thing as her. It was definitely sincere.
However, Randall seems to overlap with ‘Alyssa’. Her feelings of misery, betrayal, and resentment that she felt when Sylvia was ‘Alyssa’ also intensified. Sylvia was no longer ‘Alyssa’. Archmage, beacon of hope. All those names were buried together as they were carried by the hands of her companions and dropped into Celvetia. Sylvia has no obligation to come forward and save her human. Even God cannot deny that. So, she thought that she would just watch what happened. She would be lucky if she could be caught up in this treason and die.
'...What will Rubia do?'
Should she be silent? Or will she risk her life again, just as she did when she provided clues about the attack at the banquet hall?
Silvia quietly closed her eyes, personally hoping it was the former.
***
The next day dawned. After Sylvia dressed up extravagantly as if to show off to God, she left the castle. But it seemed like Randall was actually influenced by it.
“...Ma'am."
Randall, who was waiting outside for Sylvia again today, softened his expression and smiled as soon as he faced her. He thought it was amazing how Sylvia's expression changed just by smiling.
'You look in a good mood.'
Randall looked a little flushed as he held Sylvia's hand and headed towards the forest where the main hunting competition would take place. Well, he's excited because his wife is this pretty and there's an event coming up with his close retainers. The problem is that that feeling will soon shatter like a vase dropped from a table.
'Is it because he's handsome?'
As Sylvia looked at Randall's handsome face, she felt like her conscience was growing back. Sylvia was a little stung by the fact that she remained silent despite knowing about the treason of the Marquis of Glever, so she deliberately naturally opened her mouth.
“Randall.”
"Yes?"
“I’m indeed pretty, but if you keep making that face, I’ll think you want to do it with me.”
“W-what, why is my face...”
Randall was startled by Sylvia's question and touched his face with his hand.
'...It's warm.'
Realizing belatedly that his face was getting hot, he put on a humble face and slowly lowered his hand. He chewed his lips in frustration.
'Is it too obvious?'
After Randall realized that he liked Sylvia, he decided not to burden her as much as possible. Randall and Sylvia's marriage was an arranged marriage arranged by the King. That meant that Sylvia had no obligation to like Randall.
'Of course, Sylvia said that we should try to like each other... It seemed like it was ultimately meant for a physical relationship.'
It was already a bad start, and it was a waste of time to unilaterally force one's feelings on someone with whom one would have to see each other for the rest of one's life. So Randall was trying his best to make Sylvia like him while not revealing his feelings to her. The problem is that if he don't show it, things don't go as planned.
“...Ma'am."
Randall, who was waiting outside for Sylvia again today, softened his expression and smiled as soon as he faced her. He thought it was amazing how Sylvia's expression changed just by smiling.
'You look in a good mood.'
Randall looked a little flushed as he held Sylvia's hand and headed towards the forest where the main hunting competition would take place. Well, he's excited because his wife is this pretty and there's an event coming up with his close retainers. The problem is that that feeling will soon shatter like a vase dropped from a table.
'Is it because he's handsome?'
As Sylvia looked at Randall's handsome face, she felt like her conscience was growing back. Sylvia was a little stung by the fact that she remained silent despite knowing about the treason of the Marquis of Glever, so she deliberately naturally opened her mouth.
“Randall.”
"Yes?"
“I’m indeed pretty, but if you keep making that face, I’ll think you want to do it with me.”
“W-what, why is my face...”
Randall was startled by Sylvia's question and touched his face with his hand.
'...It's warm.'
Realizing belatedly that his face was getting hot, he put on a humble face and slowly lowered his hand. He chewed his lips in frustration.
'Is it too obvious?'
After Randall realized that he liked Sylvia, he decided not to burden her as much as possible. Randall and Sylvia's marriage was an arranged marriage arranged by the King. That meant that Sylvia had no obligation to like Randall.
'Of course, Sylvia said that we should try to like each other... It seemed like it was ultimately meant for a physical relationship.'
It was already a bad start, and it was a waste of time to unilaterally force one's feelings on someone with whom one would have to see each other for the rest of one's life. So Randall was trying his best to make Sylvia like him while not revealing his feelings to her. The problem is that if he don't show it, things don't go as planned.
Randall deliberately spoke with a straight face to hide his embarrassment.
“Sylvia. You shouldn't say things like that carelessly. I’m saying this for you.”
“What on earth is there for me?”
“...Anyway, don’t say that even as a joke.”
“Sylvia. You shouldn't say things like that carelessly. I’m saying this for you.”
“What on earth is there for me?”
“...Anyway, don’t say that even as a joke.”
“Anyway, you’re so picky.”
“What did you just mumble...”
“You are a very kind and good person.”
“I don’t think so...”
While Randall was mumbling in confusion and tilting his head, the carriage arrived at the entrance to the forest. Randall escorted Sylvia out of the carriage with a solemn lordly face, as if she had never seen his face relax. The vassals who had arrived in advance showed courtesy to them.
“I meet the Master of Belfort.”
Randall smiled faintly in response.
“Don’t be so stiff until a day like today, everyone, get ready. The competition will start soon.”
"All right."
The vassals also dispersed with smiling faces to check their weapons and exchange greetings with their families. The forest was buzzing with people's expectations and competitive spirit. Randall walked Sylvia under the tent and lightly kissed the back of her hand.
“I’ll be back, Sylvia.”
“...Don’t get hurt.”
If your skills are as good as Randall's, you won't be harmed by the moves of a low-level demon. Still, she felt a little uneasy because Marquis Glever was there. Randall's eyes widened at the words Sylvia blurted out, unable to overcome her anxiety.
'Are you worried?'
His heart started tickling, and the corners of his mouth started to turn up. But he guessed Sylvia was worried that his ‘body’ might get hurt. As he thought that, his mood suddenly sank again. Randall finally nodded his head with a complicated look on his face.
“Madam must be safe too.”
With those words, he moved on to conduct the opening ceremony of the hunting competition. As soon as Randall walked away, Sylvia moved her eyes and looked around. It wasn't long before the Marquis Glever and Rubia came into view. The Marquis and Rubia were talking something a little away from the people around them.
'As expected, the atmosphere doesn't look good.'
As Sylvia narrowed her eyes and watched them, Rubia, who had scowled at the Marquis, turned around and...
'Hmm?'
She approached Sylvia. Silvia was embarrassed and looked at the Marquis and Rubia in turn. The Marquis followed Rubia and looked at them intently as if he was displeased with something. Meanwhile, Rubia came up to Sylvia. Dressed in hunting clothes, she nodded her head in a businesslike manner and gave her greeting.
"Princess."
“...Uh, yes. Are you participating today too, Young Lady?”
"Yes. So I came to say hello and get a handkerchief.”
"Handkerchief?"
In Elvares, handkerchiefs were usually handed out by noble women when sending off knights to great battles or with family and friends. This meant that there was no need to hand out handkerchiefs, even in small hunting competitions like this, which had a strong sense of solidarity. So Sylvia didn't even give Randall her handkerchief. Sylvia was embarrassed and muttered incoherently.
“Let alone the fact that this is a hunting competition, why do it to me? I'm not even your family...”
“You may not be family, but you are my only friend.”
“...Friend? Who?"
“The Duchess and I.”
“You said we’re not friends?”
“I know you’ve never denied it.”
Rubia shamelessly raised her chin and held out her hand. To someone who didn't know the circumstances, it would appear as if she was looking for something she had left behind. Sylvia caught up in that attitude, couldn't help but feel absurd and looked for her handkerchief. Fortunately, she had one thing that Thelma took care of for her. Sylvia placed her handkerchief on Rubia's outstretched hand.
“It’s here.”
"Thank you."
Rubia smiled and expressed her gratitude. And that moment.
“...!”
A brief pause to hand over a handkerchief. Rubia took advantage of that opportunity to put a small folded note in Sylvia's hand and then took her handkerchief in her arms with a nonchalant expression.
“Do you have any prey you want? Since I received a handkerchief, I think I should catch at least a small animal.”
“...Yes, let's go. I think the competition will start soon.”
"All right. Then let’s find an animal that resembles Madam.”
Rubia politely politely walked away until the end. The Marquis of Glever glanced at Sylvia with eyes that could not hide his suspicions, and then hurriedly followed his daughter.
“...”
Sylvia's eyes sank deeply when she saw that scene. She unconsciously squeezed the hand holding the note. At that time, Randall's voice was heard from across the clearing.
“As everyone knows, hunting rules are the same as the eve. Each person is given a belt with their name written on it, and they wrap it around the game they catch, and then after the competition is over, we collect it and tally up their scores.”
A voice so low that it was pleasant to hear tickled her ears. When Sylvia reflexively raised her head, Randall, who caught her gaze through the crowd of people, smiled briefly and kicked the side of his horse.
“Then let’s leave.”
Hee hee hee!
The horse raised its front paws, neighed briefly, and ran into the forest. As Auston and a few knights ran into the forest following Randall, the vassals followed them one by one. Sylvia's escort, Jeffrey, watched the people leave, licked his lips with regret, and then spoke brightly.
“Ma’am, who do you think will win? These days, it’s popular to make light bets on the results of hunting!”
“...”
"Lady?"
Jeffrey tilted his head when Sylvia looked at her palm and said nothing. But the next moment.
“...Ha"
Sylvia let out a helpless laugh and muttered softly.
“How can humans do this?”
“What do you mean?”
“...It's nothing. Rather, Lord Cedars.”
"Yes?"
“I suddenly miss Randall so much.”
“Yes?”
Jeffrey knew that the Duke and Duchess had a good relationship, but this was the first time he had seen their relationship so directly. Jeffrey, a young man who still had a boyish charm, let out a bewildered exclamation and his face blushed. But even after saying those words, Sylvia stood up with an unwavering smile on her face. Her golden eyes shone coldly.
“I guess I should participate in the competition too.”
“Ma’am, who do you think will win? These days, it’s popular to make light bets on the results of hunting!”
“...”
"Lady?"
Jeffrey tilted his head when Sylvia looked at her palm and said nothing. But the next moment.
“...Ha"
Sylvia let out a helpless laugh and muttered softly.
“How can humans do this?”
“What do you mean?”
“...It's nothing. Rather, Lord Cedars.”
"Yes?"
“I suddenly miss Randall so much.”
“Yes?”
Jeffrey knew that the Duke and Duchess had a good relationship, but this was the first time he had seen their relationship so directly. Jeffrey, a young man who still had a boyish charm, let out a bewildered exclamation and his face blushed. But even after saying those words, Sylvia stood up with an unwavering smile on her face. Her golden eyes shone coldly.
“I guess I should participate in the competition too.”
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment