Gremori took a leisurely walk through the garden with Isolene. While chattering about Chession's birthday present.
"Hey, Isolene. What have you given to Chession so far?"
"I didn't give him anything great. His Highness didn't like to make a fuss about his birthday. I just gave him an embroidered handkerchief as a courtesy."
"Are you going to give him something like that this year as well?"
"No, I'm going to give him something a little noisy today. Now that His Highness, who had been in a state of confusion, has become so bright, it would be okay to give him a brighter gift."
"What do you want to give?"
"I want to make a handmade sword decoration. It's a simple yet moderately thoughtful gift, isn't it?"
Isolene stared blankly into the air as she conceived the design for the sword decoration.
"Sword decoration? Do you know how to make something like that?"
"You can go to a workshop in the city, and the craftsman will teach you how to make it in detail. He will fix the mistakes yourself."
"Oh, the workshop. I think I've heard of it before."
"Mori, what are you going to give him?"
"It's a secret. It's a surprise."
"What is it? Just tell me a little bit. I'll keep it a secret."
Gremory was silent and scolded. A faint smile hung on the corner of her mouth as she looked at the distant mountains.
"Why are you laughing so sinisterly? You brought a strange shopping cart yesterday, but you're not going to make food out of it, are you?"
"Why do you make food with those precious things? I'm going to make magic tools."
"Can you make magic tools out of that?"
"Don't ask any more. It's a surprise."
"Oh!"
The two continued to walk along the trail. As they turned around the corner, the morning sun began to pour in head-on. Gremory turned her head in dazzle.
And shr witnessed a strange sight.
"Huh?"
Through the window of the office, she made eye contact with Chession, who was crying.
'What is it? Is he crying now?'
Did you see something in vain? Gremory winked and then opened again, and Chession disappeared.
'Did I see it wrong because I was blinded?'
Yes, she must have misunderstood it. Does it make sense for a Grand Duke of a territory to open the window wide and cry? Not even an adolescent girl.
Gremory didn't think it was a big deal and continued walking.
"Hey, Isolene. If you're going to the workshop, let's go together."
"Why? Can you make a sword decoration too?"
"I have something to do to cut jewelry."
"Why? Are you going to give him something like handmade jewelry, too?"
"Don't ask. I won't tell you."
"Why don't you tell me so much? Are you ready for something naughty?"
"Think about it as you please."
"That's right. Are you going to make special underwear?"
"Oh. I don't make anything like that, so stop digging for me!"
Enraged, Gremory shouted. Having succeeded in making the witch annoyed, Isolene laughed contentedly.
"Hoho, it's fun."
"Don't laugh, it's ugly."
"You used to say that my face was beautiful."
"It was a lie."
"Mori, you know what? You've changed a lot since I first saw you."
Isolene poked Gremory's forearm with her index finger and laughed sinisterly. Gremory shook her arms and looked serious.
"You've changed a lot, too."
"How have I changed?"
"Don't you remember how you treated me when we first met?"
"Oh."
"You were completely sensitive at that time. Immersed in the dark darkness of the Grand Duke's residence."
"I think it was. Still, it seems that my mind was getting more and more strange because I was obsessed with the gloomy Grand Duke in a gloomy house."
Recalling the precarious past, Isolene smiled bitterly and continued.
"But after you came, I let go of my obsession. I feel at ease now."
"If it's comfortable, I'm glad you did."
"It's all thanks to you that I and the members of the Grand Duke's family can live so comfortably. So, Mori, you really have to be happy, you have to do it, because you have so many reasons to be happy."
Isolene quietly put her arm around Gremory's shoulder. Gremory was unfamiliar for no reason.
"What's... suddenly?"
"Now, if you destroy the last piece of the Demon God's Vengeful Soul, you will be completely happy. Until then, I'll try a little harder. Yes?"
"Don't worry, I'll do my best even if you don't say anything."
"Hey, now you even know I'm worried about you? Our Mori has grown up a lot! Aha, it's cute."
"Stop teasing me. I'm annoyed."
Gremory shook off Isolene's arm and strode forward. Isolene cheerfully followed after her.
"Let's go together, our cute Mori!"
"It's disgusting. I'm going separately."
A peaceful game of tag took place. The two spent a small time laughing and chatting in the morning sun.
Chirp.
The birds sounded peaceful, and Anna waved at them.
"Miss Mori! I just slaughtered the finest black goat. Would you like to taste it?"
"Uh! I'll go!"
Gremory hurried her steps and burst into laughter. She thought that she had gained too many precious things that she didn't want to lose.
Gremory was amazed. These small happinesses have become a daily routine.
She had already had breakfast 30 minutes before, but Gremory had eaten a lot of raw black goat meat. The black goat was very delicious today.
***
Gremory, who was about to burst her stomach, strolled down the hallway to digest it. Soon after, she decided to break into Chession's office.
Today, she decided to kindly go to the door. When she went to the window, Chession was so surprised.
Thump. When she knocked, she heard a bang from Inside.
"What is it? Do you want to carry a big load?"
Or did he suddenly fall? Gremory opened the door with a bang.
"Chession, are you okay... Huh?"
There was no one in the office. The desk was filled with documents full of difficult writing. Apparently, Chession had gone to the bathroom instead of working.
'But what was that sound just now? Could it be that another intruder has come in?'
The Intruder had entered Chession's office. If it is an Intruder sent by the enemy, it is in trouble. They might steal Important documents.
Gremory slowly locked the door. To eliminate the escape route of intruders. Then she looked around.
'There is no place to hide here. At most, it's under the desk.'
Gremory held the iron candlestick next to her like a spear. Killing the sound of her footsteps, she crept up to the desk.
The intruder would also know that if he had a head, he would be caught quickly, so he would be preparing to counterattack. Now she can't use the witch's power because of the relic shield, so shr had to be careful not to get caught up in the opposite direction.
After being nervous, she succeeded in getting to the desk. Now all she has to do is go back to the back of the desk and poke the guy hiding underneath. Gremory's grip on the candlestick was strengthened.
By the way.
'What is that? It's like the hem of Chession's clothes?'
The gold pattern on that deep blue background was the same as the hem of Chession's clothes that she had seen in the morning.
"Chession?"
When she called his name, she could see the hem of his clothes trembling. Gremory lowered her posture and stared under the desk.
And she witnessed it. Chession is crumpled under the desk and desperately hiding his face.
"What are you doing here?"
"Uh, um. I'm sorry, but can you leave for a while? I want to be alone now."
"Why do you have to hide under your desk?"
"I have a habit of getting under my desk when I want to be alone. It's cozy and nice."
"...What... Wait."
At that moment, there was a scene that flashed through Gremory's mind. It was the face of Chession that she saw through the window of the office when she was walking with Isolene.
'What, did you really cry? Are you doing this now because you don't want to be caught crying?'
"Chession. Show me your face."
"Huh? Why?"
"Look at my face."
"Can't you just go?"
"No, show me your face quickly."
Chession sighed deeply and slowly turned his head towards Gremory. The corners of his eyes were red. Everyone looked like they had been crying just now.
"Did you cry?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because something sad happened."
"To be honest. We decided not to keep secrets from each other."
"Please make an exception for this time."
"No."
"Haa, Mori..."
Chession took Gremory's hand and pulled her under the desk. Gremory was obediently taken away and placed in Chession's arms. Chession began to cry as he hugged Gremory.
"Mori. I will love you no matter what, and I will be by your side."
"Uh, yes."
"If you are alone, you can handle any hardship. So, I hope you will trust me and endure a difficult fate."
"Of course it will. So why are you crying?"
Chession was anguished. To be honest, he didn't have the confidence to keep his mouth shut and hold on until Severian found out the identity of the last piece of the original soul. If he keeps showing this kind of behavior and making Mori uneasy. It might be better to just confide in her.
"I was going to be quiet for fear of being a burden on your heart for no reason, but I'll just tell you."
"What's going on?"
"Marvas said that. You are the last piece of the Demon God's vengeful soul."
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