Chapter 17
That evening, to find the cause of the dizzy spells that had felt strangely off, Sophia had herself examined by Serita.
“Your throat’s a bit swollen. You also have a slight fever. You’ve been going out to the garden a lot lately, so it looks like you’ve caught a cold.”
“It’s nothing serious, right?”
“It could become serious.”
Serita firmly drew the line. It seemed she already predicted how Sophia would respond if she told her it wasn’t anything to worry about.
“Even a mild cold can become serious if you push yourself and walk around too much.”
“Can’t I just go out for one day? I’ll stay in bed and rest properly after that.”
“Is there something special going on?”
“I made a promise with Lune.”
Tomorrow, Lune was supposed to come meet her in the garden.
He’d said the salia flowers they had planted would likely bloom by then.
Just one day. Just one—surely it would be fine?
So, she tried to melt Serita with her big, pleading eyes, but after much hesitation, Serita shook her head.
“No. I really can’t recommend going outside until you’re fully recovered.”
“She’s right, my lady. If your condition gets worse, it could be serious, so please stay with me tomorrow.”
Hearing that Sophia wasn’t feeling well, Rorey, who had set aside even her busy schedule, came to see her and gently offered her advice.
“But you’re very busy, Rorey. I even heard you barely get any sleep at night because of all the work you’re doing.”
“Ah…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll quietly rest until I’m fully recovered while being taken care of by Zion.”
Sophia rarely smiled, but this time she did—an innocent kind of smile, like a child just before playing a prank.
Sure enough, the next morning, Sophia spoke while receiving her morning tea from Zion.
“Zion.”
“Yes?”
“How about we do something very bad today?”
“…What?”
“I had no idea there was a shortcut here…”
The hallway they walked now was completely different from the paths they used to walk inside Rosent Castle. Though sunlight streamed through large windows, the corridor still felt cold, as if proof that people rarely passed through it.
“Of course you wouldn’t know. No one comes here except during early morning cleaning.”
“Why’s that?”
“There’s only a staircase to the back of the garden and a passageway to the main building. And that passage is currently closed.”
“Closed?”
A closed passage? Lusion blinked in surprise, and Sophia, who had been scanning their surroundings, pointed to the right.
“There. That blocked-off area—that passage used to lead directly to the main building.”
Though there wasn’t any lock, the tightly shut door gave off the air that no one was allowed through.
Lusion stared at the door with interest before his eyes turned to Sophia. He noticed her cardigan had slipped off one shoulder.
“Your cardigan’s come loose.”
He murmured worriedly, wondering if she had lost some weight, and helped fix her outfit.
It wasn’t the first time she’d noticed it—his touch always felt strangely familiar. As if it had happened before. A déjà vu. Which made no sense. She had never met Lusion in her previous life.
A few seconds after his hand fell away, her head spun, and she frowned in discomfort.
Although his hand was gone, his eyes had not left her face. Zion immediately spoke.
“Should we go back to your room now?”
“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”
The dizziness passed quickly, and she put on a composed expression. Still, Lusion’s gaze didn’t waver.
“My lady, you know you mustn’t overdo it, right?”
“Overdo? I’m not doing anything like that.”
“Even so, I…”
“Is someone there?”
Just as Lusion was about to say something more, a voice echoed from far away.
The moment Sophia heard it, she flinched like a rabbit sensing a predator and grabbed Lusion’s wrist.
“It’s Rorey. Run.”
“Wha—wait a second…!”
With no time to prepare, Sophia took Lusion’s hand and broke into a run. But with her short legs, she couldn’t move very fast.
“Pardon me, my lady!”
“Huh? Ah…!”
Knowing full well that she was sick and couldn’t run fast, Lusion didn’t hesitate—he picked her up in his arms.
“We just go down those stairs, right?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“I’m a pretty fast runner. Don’t worry.”
With a confident smile, Lusion let her rest her head on his shoulder. The scent of morning tea, full of the aroma of Ceylon, clung to his shoulder, and for a moment Sophia closed her eyes—but only briefly.
“We’re here, my lady.”
Already?
It felt as though they’d skipped the stairs entirely. Lusion gently set her down and beamed.
“How was that? Pretty fast, right?”
“Yeah… It was. I feel a little dizzy though.”
Though the ride had been smooth and steady, the moment her feet touched the ground, the dizziness hit her.
Maybe it was because of the cold.
“Honestly, I thought you didn’t like the idea of coming to the garden. So I figured you’d take me straight to Rorey.”
“Haha, no way.”
Lusion laughed heartily and replied without hesitation.
“I’d gladly be your accomplice, my lady.”
“If Rorey scolds you, don’t blame me.”
“Ah… in that case… I’ll at least make sure you don’t get scolded!”
His concern touched her, and when she gave a slight nod, he continued brightly.
“But if you feel even the slightest bit worse, you have to tell me right away, okay?”
“Okay.”
I hope you’re not lying about that.
Once they reached the garden, Sophia did as always—she made Lusion wait a distance away and greeted Lune.
“Where’s Deflyn?”
“He’s in the greenhouse. Unless there’s something urgent…”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just asked because he wasn’t here.”
She had expected Deflyn to scoop her up and greet her with that sunny smile—but he wasn’t around.
At least he wasn’t sick. Lune looked fine, too.
Guess I’m the only one who caught a cold from wandering outside.
Sophia swallowed back the tickle in her throat and spoke.
“You look cheerful today. Did the flowers bloom?”
“Yes, they did! They’re so beautiful—I really wanted you to see them.”
“How beautiful are we talking?”
“I… Uh, um… You’ll see when you get there!”
Lune fumbled through his words unnecessarily, making Sophia tilt her head. What was he about to say?
Wait—don’t tell me. As pretty as me?
She stared intently at Lune to confirm her suspicion. His reddened cheeks, flushed ears, and awkward gaze said it all.
He seemed to want her to play dumb, so she did.
His innocent and shy behavior amused her, and with a soft smile, she nodded.
“Alright. This way, right?”
“Y-Yes! Around the left path…”
Having visited the garden repeatedly over the past few days to check on the salia’s growth, Sophia knew the place well and walked ahead without hesitation.
Just as Lune steadied himself and prepared to follow, a small voice came from behind.
“You weren’t going to say the flowers are as beautiful as the young lady, were you?”
Flinch. That familiar voice made Lune jolt and turn around. Lusion’s face was full of mischief.
He added teasingly, “You’re actually kind of sweet and innocent.”
“Ah… yes.”
Lune’s response, however, was surprisingly calm and flat—unlike the flustered reactions he usually gave in front of Sophia.
He gets all flustered around her, but now?
As that thought crossed Lusion’s mind, Lune calmly spoke.
“Then I’ll be going ahead.”
He gave a slight nod and walked into the garden after Sophia.
Zion, who had been told to stay and wait, stood awkwardly in place, watching Lune’s back. He scratched the back of his neck.
“…Huh?”
That’s not the reaction I expected.
People really are unpredictable. That kid’s totally a smooth operator!
Feeling strangely betrayed, Lusion stared at the spot where Sophia and Lune had disappeared. Still, it wasn’t anything bad for Sophia, so there was no need to worry.
A small child’s only place of true rest—the shade where she could feel safe. Lusion understood that well and let out a breath.
“I just hope she doesn’t get worse.”
He left that one thought unspoken earlier and now quietly muttered it to the sky, waiting for Sophia to call him again.
