Chapter 58
The skill that initially overwhelmed Graham quickly began to show flaws.
But it didn’t last long.
As if the first two successes had merely been a matter of luck.
“What could the daughter of Pendragon possibly know?”
A mere gambler’s daughter couldn’t possibly have seen through his intentions and responded accordingly.
It must’ve been a lucky coincidence—just twice.
…A coincidence worth keeping an eye on.
“I have high expectations for the daughter of the Pendragon family. It would be best if she visited the palace and learned from the commander of the knights regularly.”
At Liserfield’s suggestion, Maya’s eyes sparkled.
“Understood.”
It was the perfect opportunity to legally beat up Graham.
Upon hearing Maya’s answer, Graham’s face turned pale.
“Your Majesty, I know I failed to deal properly with the monster crisis, but this…!”
He couldn’t help but suspect this sparring was a punishment for that failure.
“Kgh…”
He vowed to live more diligently from now on.
While Graham swallowed bitter tears inside, Maya returned the wooden sword to its place.
“There’s one last thing I must show you.”
So he wasn’t going to let her leave after the sparring?
Maya tilted her head but silently followed Liserfield.
He took out a magic orb and activated it to project something onto the wall.
“This is the face of the one who broke into the imperial library.”
…That could only mean Tristan.
“Did Tristan get his face caught?”
He probably didn’t know there was a magical device installed.
“Don’t react. Stay calm.”
As long as she didn’t show emotion, like she’d practiced, she should be fine. But when it came to Tristan, things rarely went as planned.
“I can do this.”
Determined, Maya looked at the projection with a firm gaze.
“…Huh?”
But the person in the image was someone she didn’t recognize at all.
“Do you know this person?”
“No, not at all.”
No need to lie—she genuinely had no idea who it was.
She could answer confidently.
“So this is what the face I didn’t see looked like. That’ll make tracking them easier next time.”
She even managed to shamelessly add that.
It was a relief it wasn’t Tristan, but the mystery remained.
Why was it someone else?
“Why were you so desperate to catch them?”
She first responded to Liserfield’s question.
“I simply wanted to catch the intruder. And they were incredibly skilled. I wanted to ask how they reached that level.”
It felt a bit awkward to dress up her actions like this, but it wasn’t untrue.
And the explanation aligned with the image Liserfield likely had of Maya Pendragon.
“Because I want to grow stronger.”
Perhaps Liserfield was satisfied with that answer.
“That should ease his suspicions a little.”
Whether he heard her inner thoughts or not, Liserfield smiled gently.
A detestable smile.
“I admire your passion. I hope we meet often, Pendragon.”
Maya returned a pleasant smile.
“Please call me Beiadin.”
“…Right. Beiadin Duchess.”
Liserfield twisted his smile and corrected himself.
“But you and your husband don’t seem to get along very well.”
Maya’s eyebrow twitched.
What do you know!
My relationship with Tristan is better than ever!
You, who’s never loved anyone in your life, what could you possibly understand?
She grumbled internally but held her tongue, worried she’d say something out loud.
Her lips itched.
Liserfield stepped closer.
“I like you.”
His red hair and snake-like green eyes glinted at her.
“In more ways than one.”
Maya had held back her skills. But it seemed even that had caught his interest.
Was he some kind of pervert who got turned on by resistance?
“I’m flattered, but I’m not the great person Your Majesty seems to think I am.”
“Let me be the judge of that.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a pat.
Get your filthy hand off me.
Maya grabbed Liserfield’s hand tightly and removed it.
“I am a married woman. Such contact could be misunderstood.”
“R-Right…”
His words slowed.
She’d gripped hard—his finger was probably fractured.
The capital was famous for its mild climate.
Not too hot like the south, not too cold like the north. Ideal weather that attracted settlers.
But not even the capital could escape abnormal climate patterns.
“I never thought I’d see snow here.”
The once-vibrant trees had withered.
Snow fell in the city that usually maintained its temperate air.
A thick layer of snow blanketed the mansion. Half-dead plants clashed with the pristine snow to create a dazzling scene.
“Wow…”
Even if it was due to climate change, seeing snow still lifted the spirits.
“Now I get to wear my cloak.”
She could finally show Kendrick just how well his gift had come in handy.
Maya waited for Kendrick with a beaming smile.
“You seem excited.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen his face.”
She had a lot to confirm.
Why had Kendrick visited the palace that day?
Was there any connection between him and the intruder Liserfield had shown her?
…And whether he had any reason to visit the South.
As Maya contemplated all this, she realized this was time spent with Tristan and made a suggestion.
Partly to indulge herself, and partly to help break his curse.
“Shall we hold hands?”
Tristan frowned slightly but then chuckled.
His rival was on his way, and he couldn’t even get his act together.
Especially with Maya in such a suspiciously good mood.
“If you’re okay with it.”
His eyes softened.
“Of course I am.”
Maya grinned as she clasped his hand. She loved how his hands felt every time.
The warmth from his larger palm, the calluses, and the faint veins under the skin.
It felt like Tristan cast a spell that made people’s hearts flutter just by being near.
“You two look good together.”
“That’s… quite the compliment.”
Maya scratched her head bashfully.
“Finally stopped sulking, huh.”
Ever since Maya intentionally lost their last duel, the white dragon had been pouting.
Apparently, her defeat had bruised his pride.
“…Do you even know what sarcasm is?”
“I take words at face value.”
“I agree.”
Tristan calmly sided with Maya, already used to her talking to the white dragon.
“You ungrateful Beiadin…!”
The white dragon trembled in rage and then disappeared back into the mark on her hand.
“By the way, Maya, Alec and Robert are arriving in the capital tomorrow.”
She’d been warned, but it was still faster than expected.
Tristan was just as busy as Maya.
“Oh, and if you ever need more dirt on the emperor, digging into Commander Graham might be helpful.”
The more justifications, the better.
Tristan nodded seriously.
“Understood.”
It was almost time for Kendrick to arrive.
Maya put on her cloak and stepped outside. Tristan followed her.
Snow was still falling heavily.
Just like the day they first met.
“Maya!”
Kendrick waved from a distance and ran over.
Even with his coat on, his face was bright red.
Whether that was from the cold or from seeing Maya, no one could say for sure.
“It’s been a while!”
He smiled and hugged her. Maya chuckled and patted his back.
“So today the Duke’s younger brother, ‘Arthur,’ is here.”
Kendrick smiled and greeted Tristan.
Ha ha. Tristan laughed along and replied.
“Do you not know that pretending not to know is just plain rude?”
“I only said that out of respect, Your Grace. You did ask to be called Arthur in this form.”
Kendrick answered, not backing down.
Gurgle.
The snowball fight of words ended instantly at the sound from Maya’s stomach.
Her internal clock was never wrong.
“Shall we go inside and talk over food?”
“Sounds good. Oh, here’s what you asked for.”
Kendrick handed Maya a basket overflowing with desserts.
Starting with cake, there were all kinds of macarons and tarts.
Maya accepted the basket and smiled brightly.
It was the start of a good day.
