I looked back at Karl reflexively at the sight of Callius, who suddenly appeared.
Had he been hearing Callius's presence beforehand? Karl had vanished without a trace.
'I had no idea Callius was coming. How did Karl know and hide himself?'
When he saw that I was distracted by something else, Callius came closer and made me look at him.
“Chloe. I heard a conversation.”
"Ah..."
I was conflicted.
Should I be honest, or should I hide Karl's existence this time?
Then Callius cupped my cheek with his hand and asked.
“You’re hiding something from me.”
“...!”
“Last time, I heard Chloe talking to someone.”
I watched him closely, worried that Callius might misunderstand something else.
But there was no doubt or caution in Callius' eyes as he knelt before me and looked at me.
I could only feel concern for myself.
"I am..."
Should I say it or not?
After much thought, I decided to put into practice what I had learned from Granada.
'Trust my judgment. And I'll take responsibility for the consequences of that judgment. That's it.'
I have decided.
“My friend. I was talking to my friend.”
Callius' gaze shook slightly.
"Friend? Weren't you alone the whole time? I didn't see anyone leave."
“I guess you didn’t see it because it was so elusive.”
Callius had a half-doubtful look on his face.
I decided to be honest with him about everything.
"Actually... the friend I mentioned earlier came to Ronheim. He said he'd follow me when I decided to marry you and leave for Ronheim, and indeed, he showed up before me not long after we arrived in Ronheim."
“So that man followed Chloe here?”
“Hey, don’t think that’s strange! Actually, Karl is... my friend.”
I spoke carefully, observing Callius' expression.
“He is a little boy, not a man.”
“Yes? But didn’t you say that he was a friend who had been your support since childhood?”
"Kal is a child who never grows up. You can tell just by looking at him. He's hiding now because of Callius's appearance... but he's reluctant to show himself in public."
Callius' expression was strange.
I think I would have made that kind of expression if I had only heard about Karl and not actually seen him.
"I know. It's hard to believe what I'm saying. But it's true. I'll definitely introduce Karl to Callius. Trust me."
How stupid would my words sound?
Memories of the past, when I was frustrated by others' reactions of not believing me, clawed at my heart.
How should I put it? What can I say to persuade you?
I was stamping my feet in frustration, but Callius smiled affectionately and nodded.
"I grew up experiencing unbelievable things as a daily occurrence. You haven't forgotten that my mother was a Saint who performed miracles, have you?"
"Ah..."
"If Chloe says so, I'll believe you. Don't worry."
“Really?”
"Yes."
Callius's answer was credible.
I hugged Callius's neck tightly, feeling as if my stuffy chest had suddenly been relieved.
“Thank you, Callius! I’ll definitely introduce you to Karl!”
“Ugh, Chloe.”
I hugged Callius with all my might.
I felt like I couldn't give up otherwise.
"I'm so excited to introduce Karl to Callius! It's a dream come true to see two of my favorite people together!"
I absolutely must convince Karl.
I need to tell Karl that Callius is different from Andrea, that he is perhaps as special to me as you are.
That night, Callius lay in bed with Chloe and listened to her story about Karl in detail.
Chloe was very excited and talked about Karl.
"Karl is my life-long friend. I relied on him a lot when I was in the palace."
Callius felt sorry for Chloe, who said that, and put aside his jealousy of Karl for a moment.
'A boy.'
He once heard a story about a village in the southern part of the continent where people with a rare disease that prevents them from growing live together.
"They say that even when they grow up, they're less than half their adult height. Could they have some kind of disease?"
That might be the case.
If that's the case, then it makes sense that Arrental would hide from the public and not show themselves to them.
Because there is an atmosphere in Arrental that looks down on people with disabilities or those with slightly different appearances.
'But why did he sneak into the palace and stay by Chloe's side?'
If he gets caught, he'll be severely punished.
Moreover, it was surprising that he had been in and out of the crowded palace so often and for such a long time without anyone knowing.
'Well, I did sneak into the Arrental Palace when I was young.'
It was strange and amazing, but it was also not that it was hard to believe that it could happen somehow.
Callius simply enjoyed hearing Chloe chatter excitedly beside him.
And he thought it was fortunate that a man named Karl was there to support Chloe.
'It's a blessing to have at least one person to rely on.'
Especially for Chloe, who had a stepmother who placed a death curse on her stepdaughter and a brother who tried to sell his half-sister to an old, mean man, Karl would have been like an oasis in the desert.
“If I hadn’t had Karl, my life would have been much more terrible.”
"I'm so glad Chloe has a friend like that by your side. Seriously."
“Right?”
Chloe hehehe.
Lying with her back to the firelight, Chloe's eyes twinkled like stars.
Callius lay down facing Chloe and pretended to pull the blanket up over her, then gently hugged her.
Chloe was so absorbed in talking about Karl that she didn't even realize that she was hugging Callius.
'It's defenseless.'
Does Chloe know that she is a very attractive and pretty wife lying defenseless next to her new husband?
She had been so ill during that time that she had no time to think about anything else, but now she was so healthy and shining.
“So, Callius. What happened to Karl back then...?”
Chloe's sweet breath tickled the tip of his nose.
Callius felt a tickling sensation in his lower abdomen and pulled Chloe closer.
“The air is cold. Come closer.”
Callius boldly put his arm around Chloe's waist, secretly hoping she would notice his trick.
But surprisingly, this girl, who was just born and had incredibly awkward behavior like a rabbit, didn't notice anything!
As soon as her body got warm, she started nodding off.
“I strangely find it easy to sleep when I’m next to Callius... maybe because it’s so warm.”
...while muttering the same words.
She doesn't even know who he is because of that he's radiating so much heat right now.
He wanted to shake her awake, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Firstly, she hadn't been able to sleep comfortably for a long time due to the curse, so he hoped she would sleep peacefully now. Secondly.
'Wow, even sleeping can be this pretty.'
It was like when you're really hungry and the chef brings out a beautifully presented dish.
It's too good to be true.
Callius thought, licking his lips.
'I want to swallow it all in one bite.'
It was a thirsty night.
The next day, Callius asked Knight Commander Hawick if there was any news of an outsider coming to Ronheim.
Now that he knew that Karl was in Ronheim, it was only a matter of time before they found him, no matter how elusive he was.
Ronheim was a closed place. Visits from outsiders were rare to begin with.
When a new person appears, rumors tend to spread like wildfire.
"Just in case, check for signs of human habitation in barns and warehouses. Ask the nomads if they see any signs of outsiders entering."
“Yes, I understand.”
It didn't take long for Hawick to gather stories from all over Ronheim about outsiders.
All news from outsiders, including merchants, travelers, and those visiting relatives, was reported to Callius without exception.
But among them, there was no story about a person who looked like a boy about 12 years old.
'That can't be true.'
Not only did Karl enter Ronheim territory, but he was also a man who entered the castle, even Chloe's room.
Even if he were a great wizard, if he were a real person, he wouldn't have been able to hide his appearance so well.
Callius also asked Granada.
“If you hear Chloe meeting outside guests or talking to strangers, let me know.”
“I will do that.”
As a former assassin, Granada was both perceptive and quick-witted.
If she had set her mind to finding or spying on someone, no one would have escaped her gaze.
Surprisingly, Karl managed to avoid her and go back and forth to Chloe's room, but that's just been a lot of luck so far.
'Wherever you are, if you're in Ronheim, you'll have no choice but to reveal yourself soon.'
Wouldn't it be wrong to keep hiding like that?
Callius wanted to meet this mirage-like boy as soon as possible.
But Karl was nowhere to be seen.
He didn't even appear in front of Chloe for a long time.
Chloe only said, "That's just how Karl is," and showed a firm belief that he was doing well, but she didn't seem particularly curious or worried.
He was a little confused by Chloe's strangely indifferent attitude towards her precious friend.
'What is it...? What could it be?'
Had he been hearing Callius's presence beforehand? Karl had vanished without a trace.
'I had no idea Callius was coming. How did Karl know and hide himself?'
When he saw that I was distracted by something else, Callius came closer and made me look at him.
“Chloe. I heard a conversation.”
"Ah..."
I was conflicted.
Should I be honest, or should I hide Karl's existence this time?
Then Callius cupped my cheek with his hand and asked.
“You’re hiding something from me.”
“...!”
“Last time, I heard Chloe talking to someone.”
I watched him closely, worried that Callius might misunderstand something else.
But there was no doubt or caution in Callius' eyes as he knelt before me and looked at me.
I could only feel concern for myself.
"I am..."
Should I say it or not?
After much thought, I decided to put into practice what I had learned from Granada.
'Trust my judgment. And I'll take responsibility for the consequences of that judgment. That's it.'
I have decided.
“My friend. I was talking to my friend.”
Callius' gaze shook slightly.
"Friend? Weren't you alone the whole time? I didn't see anyone leave."
“I guess you didn’t see it because it was so elusive.”
Callius had a half-doubtful look on his face.
I decided to be honest with him about everything.
"Actually... the friend I mentioned earlier came to Ronheim. He said he'd follow me when I decided to marry you and leave for Ronheim, and indeed, he showed up before me not long after we arrived in Ronheim."
“So that man followed Chloe here?”
“Hey, don’t think that’s strange! Actually, Karl is... my friend.”
I spoke carefully, observing Callius' expression.
“He is a little boy, not a man.”
“Yes? But didn’t you say that he was a friend who had been your support since childhood?”
"Kal is a child who never grows up. You can tell just by looking at him. He's hiding now because of Callius's appearance... but he's reluctant to show himself in public."
Callius' expression was strange.
I think I would have made that kind of expression if I had only heard about Karl and not actually seen him.
"I know. It's hard to believe what I'm saying. But it's true. I'll definitely introduce Karl to Callius. Trust me."
How stupid would my words sound?
Memories of the past, when I was frustrated by others' reactions of not believing me, clawed at my heart.
How should I put it? What can I say to persuade you?
I was stamping my feet in frustration, but Callius smiled affectionately and nodded.
"I grew up experiencing unbelievable things as a daily occurrence. You haven't forgotten that my mother was a Saint who performed miracles, have you?"
"Ah..."
"If Chloe says so, I'll believe you. Don't worry."
“Really?”
"Yes."
Callius's answer was credible.
I hugged Callius's neck tightly, feeling as if my stuffy chest had suddenly been relieved.
“Thank you, Callius! I’ll definitely introduce you to Karl!”
“Ugh, Chloe.”
I hugged Callius with all my might.
I felt like I couldn't give up otherwise.
"I'm so excited to introduce Karl to Callius! It's a dream come true to see two of my favorite people together!"
I absolutely must convince Karl.
I need to tell Karl that Callius is different from Andrea, that he is perhaps as special to me as you are.
***
That night, Callius lay in bed with Chloe and listened to her story about Karl in detail.
Chloe was very excited and talked about Karl.
"Karl is my life-long friend. I relied on him a lot when I was in the palace."
Callius felt sorry for Chloe, who said that, and put aside his jealousy of Karl for a moment.
'A boy.'
He once heard a story about a village in the southern part of the continent where people with a rare disease that prevents them from growing live together.
"They say that even when they grow up, they're less than half their adult height. Could they have some kind of disease?"
That might be the case.
If that's the case, then it makes sense that Arrental would hide from the public and not show themselves to them.
Because there is an atmosphere in Arrental that looks down on people with disabilities or those with slightly different appearances.
'But why did he sneak into the palace and stay by Chloe's side?'
If he gets caught, he'll be severely punished.
Moreover, it was surprising that he had been in and out of the crowded palace so often and for such a long time without anyone knowing.
'Well, I did sneak into the Arrental Palace when I was young.'
It was strange and amazing, but it was also not that it was hard to believe that it could happen somehow.
Callius simply enjoyed hearing Chloe chatter excitedly beside him.
And he thought it was fortunate that a man named Karl was there to support Chloe.
'It's a blessing to have at least one person to rely on.'
Especially for Chloe, who had a stepmother who placed a death curse on her stepdaughter and a brother who tried to sell his half-sister to an old, mean man, Karl would have been like an oasis in the desert.
“If I hadn’t had Karl, my life would have been much more terrible.”
"I'm so glad Chloe has a friend like that by your side. Seriously."
“Right?”
Chloe hehehe.
Lying with her back to the firelight, Chloe's eyes twinkled like stars.
Callius lay down facing Chloe and pretended to pull the blanket up over her, then gently hugged her.
Chloe was so absorbed in talking about Karl that she didn't even realize that she was hugging Callius.
'It's defenseless.'
Does Chloe know that she is a very attractive and pretty wife lying defenseless next to her new husband?
She had been so ill during that time that she had no time to think about anything else, but now she was so healthy and shining.
“So, Callius. What happened to Karl back then...?”
Chloe's sweet breath tickled the tip of his nose.
Callius felt a tickling sensation in his lower abdomen and pulled Chloe closer.
“The air is cold. Come closer.”
Callius boldly put his arm around Chloe's waist, secretly hoping she would notice his trick.
But surprisingly, this girl, who was just born and had incredibly awkward behavior like a rabbit, didn't notice anything!
As soon as her body got warm, she started nodding off.
“I strangely find it easy to sleep when I’m next to Callius... maybe because it’s so warm.”
...while muttering the same words.
She doesn't even know who he is because of that he's radiating so much heat right now.
He wanted to shake her awake, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Firstly, she hadn't been able to sleep comfortably for a long time due to the curse, so he hoped she would sleep peacefully now. Secondly.
'Wow, even sleeping can be this pretty.'
It was like when you're really hungry and the chef brings out a beautifully presented dish.
It's too good to be true.
Callius thought, licking his lips.
'I want to swallow it all in one bite.'
It was a thirsty night.
***
The next day, Callius asked Knight Commander Hawick if there was any news of an outsider coming to Ronheim.
Now that he knew that Karl was in Ronheim, it was only a matter of time before they found him, no matter how elusive he was.
Ronheim was a closed place. Visits from outsiders were rare to begin with.
When a new person appears, rumors tend to spread like wildfire.
"Just in case, check for signs of human habitation in barns and warehouses. Ask the nomads if they see any signs of outsiders entering."
“Yes, I understand.”
It didn't take long for Hawick to gather stories from all over Ronheim about outsiders.
All news from outsiders, including merchants, travelers, and those visiting relatives, was reported to Callius without exception.
But among them, there was no story about a person who looked like a boy about 12 years old.
'That can't be true.'
Not only did Karl enter Ronheim territory, but he was also a man who entered the castle, even Chloe's room.
Even if he were a great wizard, if he were a real person, he wouldn't have been able to hide his appearance so well.
Callius also asked Granada.
“If you hear Chloe meeting outside guests or talking to strangers, let me know.”
“I will do that.”
As a former assassin, Granada was both perceptive and quick-witted.
If she had set her mind to finding or spying on someone, no one would have escaped her gaze.
Surprisingly, Karl managed to avoid her and go back and forth to Chloe's room, but that's just been a lot of luck so far.
'Wherever you are, if you're in Ronheim, you'll have no choice but to reveal yourself soon.'
Wouldn't it be wrong to keep hiding like that?
Callius wanted to meet this mirage-like boy as soon as possible.
But Karl was nowhere to be seen.
He didn't even appear in front of Chloe for a long time.
Chloe only said, "That's just how Karl is," and showed a firm belief that he was doing well, but she didn't seem particularly curious or worried.
He was a little confused by Chloe's strangely indifferent attitude towards her precious friend.
'What is it...? What could it be?'
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