Chapter 54
Thermion’s gaze, fixed on her, was nothing but serious. At this point, Ailesia was starting to feel genuinely nervous, unsure of where things were heading.
“Thank you, Ailesia. Thanks to you, I survived.”
Ailesia, who had been anxiously waiting for Thermion to speak, finally let out the breath she’d been holding.
She didn’t even know what exactly she felt relieved about. So instead, she deliberately waved her hands in an exaggerated manner.
“Oh, come on, I thought you were going to say something huge. I promised Ellie I’d protect you, remember? I stubbornly followed you all the way here—this much is only natural.”
“Regardless of the reasons or the process, the fact remains that you saved my life and the lives of the knights. Honestly…”
Perhaps because it had happened only a few hours ago, just recalling it made his vision swim.
Thermion continued, a calm smile on his lips.
“…I truly thought it was all over. I really believed I was going to die.”
Saying it out loud made him feel oddly lighter.
It should have felt awkward—showing such weakness to someone for the first time—but for some reason, in front of Ailesia, it didn’t.
‘Is it because you’re that strong… or is it…’
Maybe it was because, just a little, he felt it was okay to rely on her.
She was still unpredictable and completely her own person, but one thing was certain.
She never turned away from him, no matter the moment.
No matter how he reacted, she didn’t mind—she simply smiled and quietly did her best.
‘It feels like I’m wearing clothes that don’t quite suit me… but it’s not unpleasant.’
He’d always thought her blind devotion to Eleonora was strange, but realizing that same care extended to him stirred an oddly complicated feeling.
“Being able to sit here like this and talk—it’s all thanks to you, Ailesia.”
“You don’t have to put it so grandly.”
“When I think back, I realize I’ve always had things to be grateful to you for. From the day we first met in the forest until now—always.”
“Hahaha, if someone heard you, they’d think I did something incredible. It was nothing, really.”
Ailesia laughed lightly, her shoulders shaking. There was a refreshing warmth to her smile that lifted the spirits of anyone who saw it. The heat burning through his body seemed to cool just a little.
“If you’re that grateful, then get plenty of rest and recover quickly. We’ve got a lot to do.”
“…I want to repay you somehow. Is there anything you want?”
“Repay me?”
What was he suddenly talking about? When Ailesia narrowed her eyes and looked at him, Thermion flinched and awkwardly turned his gaze away.
If you’re going to get embarrassed after saying it, why bring it up in the first place?
“Well… ah.”
Perfect timing. She’d been looking for a good excuse, and Thermion had handed her one himself.
“Then later, will you grant me one favor?”
“A favor?”
“Yeah. Just set aside about a day for me. It’s nothing too serious.”
“Understood. As long as it isn’t dangerous.”
Good. He’d promised with his own mouth—no backing out later.
Ailesia stood and handed him a small hand mirror.
“What is this?”
“A communication magic tool. I’m planning to stop by the ducal castle tonight. I’ve already told Sir Dayfold.”
“Is it a secret from the other knights?”
“After watching me beat a drake to death right in front of them, is there any point? If I say I stepped out for personal business, they’ll just accept it.”
“…True. It did seem like the knights listened to you more than they do to me.”
“Don’t sulk over that. Just focus on recovering properly, Your Grace.”
Ailesia straightened the rumpled blanket and placed a hand on Thermion’s forehead. Thankfully, his fever had gone down significantly.
“Did you hear about the drake’s corpse?”
“Yes. I heard demonic energy was found. I’ll be receiving a preliminary report later.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“That much is fine. How do I use this?”
“See the gem set in the frame? When the mirror glows, lightly press it. Between ten and eleven tonight.”
“Understood.”
“Alright. I’ll be going, then.”
She waved lightly, and in the next moment, vanished from the room in a swirl of light.
Thermion stared at the empty space where she’d stood for a long while, then let out a deep sigh and covered his eyes with the back of his hand.
‘…I must be out of my mind.’
Maybe it really was because his condition wasn’t normal. Not only had he shown weakness he’d never revealed even to his family, he’d gone and said blatantly embarrassing things.
At this rate, it was only natural that Ailesia treated him like a child.
Your Grace? Coming from her, the title wasn’t even remotely dignified.
“This is killing me…”
So much for the fever going down. The spot on his forehead where her hand had touched felt like it was burning all over again.
The ducal castle, which she hadn’t visited in a while, felt unusually quiet.
Perhaps because it was mealtime, the fourth floor was especially still. Eleonora was probably having dinner with the Dowager Duchess.
‘Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten anything yet.’
She’d been so busy she hadn’t even realized she was hungry. As soon as she returned to the base, she’d investigated the drake’s corpse and spoken with Thermion—and time had flown by.
Click!
‘…Would it be awkward to just barge in?’
Seeing the scene reflected in the mirror, Ailesia smiled softly.
Eleonora, now fairly skilled with fork and knife, sat eating while Iolene stayed close by, watching her granddaughter with a satisfied expression. Just looking at them warmed her heart.
‘What’s Hilda up to?’
Since she wasn’t beside Eleonora, she was probably eating elsewhere. In that case, maybe it’d be okay to sneak a piece of bread?
Ailesia quietly spread her mana throughout the entire ducal castle.
‘Not here… not here either. Huh?’
As she scanned around—including the servants’ dining hall—something strange appeared in the mirror.
Suspicious, she focused more closely. Several maids were gathered, surrounding someone who stood in the center.
“…What do they think they’re doing?”
Pocketing the mirror, Ailesia immediately used spatial transfer magic.
“Hey, do you think we’re a joke?”
“You think just because you stayed in the townhouse you don’t know anything? The ducal castle has its own rules.”
Sharp voices flew at her, but Hilda simply stared back with an expressionless gaze. One maid, angered by her reaction, snapped and reached out.
Thud!
Hilda slammed hard into the wall, yet she said nothing. She merely bit her lip and glared at the maid who had shoved her.
“It’s not a bad deal for you either. Less work for you, and we all get a bit more comfortable.”
“All you have to do is say one thing—that it’s hard to take care of the young lady alone, and more people are needed.”
“…The young lady is not someone just anyone can serve.”
“Hah, you little—”
“Enough.”
A brown-haired maid who had been watching stepped forward. She seemed to be the leader of the group.
“You’re Hilda, right?”
“……”
“I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Sophia.”
“A second-rank maid behaving like this—how impressive.”
Unlike the others, Sophia wore an orange ribbon on her left chest, marking her as a second-rank maid.
“Only first-rank maids are allowed to come and go on the fourth floor. Don’t you think it’s absurd that a mere third-rank maid like you is personally assigned to the young lady?”
“It’s even more absurd for you to think that’s your call.”
Sophia stepped closer and lifted Hilda’s chin with her fingertip.
“You must have quite the powerful backer. Anyone would think you’re a relative of the young lady.”
“Aren’t you afraid of who that powerful backer might be?”
“Well, that’s not really important. No matter how influential they are, do you think they’ll keep a maid hated by most of the servants? Especially in a position serving the young lady?”
“Hah.”
“If you don’t want to be kicked out, cooperate quietly. We’re not asking for anything difficult, are we?”
“Do you even realize what you’re saying right now?”
“We’re just saying to share the work. We all get paid the same—so stop acting like some loyal martyr all on your own.”
Sophia curled her lips into a greasy smile. At this point, Hilda felt more disgusted than merely indignant.
“Stop spouting nonsense and get lost.”
“…You’re just taking care of a child—how dare you look down on us?”
As Sophia twisted her face and raised her hand, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist and twisted it sharply in the opposite direction.
“Aaagh!”
“W-Who are you?!”
As Sophia was thrown to the ground, a blonde woman stepped in front of Hilda. Someone no one had even imagined would appear like this.
When Hilda recognized her, her eyes widened. The woman smiled brightly and spoke.
“Not such an important backer after all, huh?”
Despite the playful tone, Ailesia’s eyes were cold and merciless.
