Chapter 79
“What are you dawdling here for? Prepare the food and drinks, now.”
The head maid whispered sharply, urging them on.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Eslynn moved toward the back of the banquet hall.
After all, if she wanted to avoid looking suspicious, she had to act busy.
First, make sure I’m not noticed…
She stayed as far away from Tebet as possible, moving quietly.
She busily carried drinks and set down the food. Nobles gathered in small groups, chatting, and Eslynn pretended to tidy up while eavesdropping on their conversations.
“Tsk, tsk. Won’t His Majesty get sick if he eats like that?”
“I know, right? Even if it’s for his health, it’s concerning.”
It was the most common comment she heard.
The emperor devoured the dishes voraciously. He must have been ill, yet his appetite was almost alarming.
Eslynn stacked the empty plates in her hands.
Now that I think about it…
Her deep blue eyes scanned the room.
I don’t see Marquis Morias or Count Frey anywhere.
“Strange, the two big names aren’t here?”
Eslynn’s ears pricked up instinctively.
“Who?”
“Marquis Morias and Count Frey.”
It was as if her thoughts had been spoken aloud.
“Marquis Morias said he was busy in his territory and didn’t come, and Count Frey… oh, there he is.”
Eslynn glanced up while replacing the wine.
Cardan?
Cardan, who had begun moving around unnoticed, was talking with Count Frey. He looked completely fine, giving no hint of why he had secluded himself before.
It’s been ages since I last saw Cardan… but what could he be discussing with Count Frey?
She couldn’t tell when their paths had crossed.
I can’t hear them.
As she stepped closer to listen more carefully—
Clang!
“What?”
A plate that had been precariously balanced fell to the floor. Instantly, all eyes nearby turned toward Eslynn.
“S-s-sorry!”
The young maid who had dropped it kept apologizing. The nobles paid it little mind and returned to their party.
“…”
Eslynn blinked slowly.
She couldn’t tell if Tebet, who had been looking in her direction, blinked as well.
The exchange of glances was brief.
Or perhaps it felt eternal.
He was drinking from a silver cup, and, as if slightly uneasy, had loosened the top button of his attire. His strong neck was exposed between the collar, and each swallow made his Adam’s apple move noticeably.
And that was all.
“…”
Tebet was the first to look away.
His indifferent face was quickly swallowed up by those speaking to him again.
“…Did he pretend not to see me?”
Eslynn froze.
Even the bustling maids around her no longer registered.
She felt slightly empty.
Why had she thought she needed to avoid his gaze all this time?
He clearly had no interest anyway.
What was I expecting?
Even at the duke’s mansion, she’d been ignored.
Perhaps a small part of her had hoped that seeing him in person might change something.
She hadn’t expected a warm welcome, but she hadn’t wanted complete disregard either.
Being treated like a complete invisible person…
Experiencing it in front of her felt like her heart had just dropped.
If her memories returned, would her emotions return too?
A sudden sense of urgency surged.
Eslynn trudged toward the back of the banquet hall.
Hovering like a ghost, the head chef called out to her.
“What are you spacing out for? If you’re done here, fetch some fruit wine from the storage! Hurry!”
She was promptly ushered outside through the side door of the hall.
The cold wind struck her face.
It was probably for the best. She needed to brace herself, even if only with the wind, to regain her composure.
Should I just turn back? …I need to ask about the Holy Grail.
Her mind wavered.
Despite her unsettled feelings, her body moved steadily toward the fruit wine storage.
Clatter, clatter.
She picked suitable bottles and placed them in the basket.
What now…?
The way back was dark and cold. Using the light spilling from the banquet hall as a guide, Eslynn walked slowly.
Then, her previously heavy hands suddenly felt light.
“…!”
Startled, Eslynn turned to the side.
A pair of gray, emotionless eyes were watching her.
“I’ll carry them for you.”
“You startled me… were you out here all this time?”
Jex nodded gravely.
“An unauthorized knight wouldn’t have been allowed inside…”
Eslynn shrank against the gusting wind.
“You’ve been standing outside the whole time?”
“The master is here, isn’t he?”
He spoke as if it were obvious.
Eslynn let out a long sigh.
“What if you catch a cold?”
“A cold… such a cute word.”
Jex muttered sincerely. She realized she had never seen him sick.
“You might catch a cold dressed like that.”
Having come out in a daze, she hadn’t even brought a coat. Eslynn tightened her thin clothing and nodded.
“I’ve been a bit… distracted.”
“Were you that busy?”
“Just… something like that.”
Hurrying, Eslynn quickened her pace.
The moon was hidden by clouds, and only the dim street lamps offered faint light.
“It looks like it might snow.”
Eslynn murmured. Perhaps if it snowed heavily, her mood might lift a little.
The cold nipped at her nose. A small sneeze escaped, and Jex loosened the strap of his cloak.
A thick, warm cloak soon draped over her shoulders.
“We’re almost there, you’ll be fine, Jex—”
…Sir.
Eslynn couldn’t finish her words.
“I see.”
The man looked up at the distant sky and nodded.
Eslynn glanced at the cloak that now rested on her shoulders. There was nothing to see really; its scent was familiar and comforting.
“It’s going to snow.”
A low voice filled the air.
Eyes the color of dark blood and shadow met her frozen, pale face.
“Why…?”
Eslynn stepped back instinctively.
Thud. Tebet grabbed her urgently.
“Hah.”
A breath, like a sigh, emerged from him in a visible white mist.
He held the edges of his cloak in both hands. Pulling it, Eslynn was brought closer.
“…You’re not a ghost.”
The quiet remark snapped Eslynn back to reality. Jex had vanished.
It really was Tebet.
The man she had longed to see so desperately.
“How did you… get here?”
“Your hair.”
He spoke suddenly.
“No matter how I look at it, it stands out.”
“…”
“Wherever you hide, I can see you.”
Had he recognized her from the start?
“But… why did you pretend not to notice?”
Eslynn whispered.
“If I pretended not to, you wouldn’t disappear.”
It made no sense.
“But you always end up following.”
Eslynn tried to understand, but failed.
Tebet tightened his grip, drawing her even closer.
“This is real now.”
It felt like being trapped.
“So… after leaving, this is all you came to?”
He bent slightly, meeting her eyes, whispering.
She wanted to reply, but her mind was blank.
Until just moments ago, she had worried she’d been forgotten—but now, she was too…
Too close.
Tebet gave a faint smile and spoke softly.
“There were so many things I wanted to ask when I saw you.”
“…”
“Why you left that day, what that magic was, what your true identity really is…”
“Sir Tebet.”
“Yes, that title.”
He furrowed his brow and smiled.
“I also wanted to ask why you were so familiar with it.”
“I…”
“But it’s fine now.”
He let go of the cloak.
With the wall-like protection gone, the cold wind swept over her. Eslynn shivered without realizing it.
“You’d just brush things off anyway. You’ve always been like that. Ever since the mountains…”
Tebet muttered self-deprecatingly.
His gaze swept her face calmly. His expression was serene, but the sharpness in his eyes seemed intent on piercing everything about her.
“Just answer this: You know about my memories, right?”
“…Yes.”
“All the memories I lost are connected to you. This one too?”
Eslynn’s pupils trembled. An ordinary person wouldn’t notice, but Tebet, who observed her constantly, immediately caught it.
“That expression is the answer.”
His jaw stiffened. Eslynn took a steady breath and spoke carefully.
If it was about Tebet’s memories, she had something to say.
“Sir Tebet, I was just about to tell you. The memories—”
Then—
“Who’s there?!”
A yellow light flared over their faces.
“What?”
Eslynn frowned and raised her arm. Tebet instinctively stepped in front of her.
Clang, clang, clang. Heavy metal clashed. Soldiers holding torches appeared.
“What’s the meaning of this?”
A low, displeased voice rumbled. Eslynn stared at the broad back in front of her.
Recognizing the voice, the soldiers murmured.
“E-Excellency Ripherius! You’re here?”
One knight rushed forward.
“What commotion is this?”
“Big trouble!”
A man shouted frantically, his tone panicked.
“The Emperor has collapsed! Suspected poisoning!”
“What?”
Tebet repeated. Yet he didn’t seem particularly startled.
Only the knights and soldiers seemed helpless.
“Secure the area and lock down the banquet hall!”
Then, one soldier rummaging nearby spotted Eslynn. After checking her outfit, he clicked his tongue in irritation.
“You a maid working in the banquet hall?”
“Yes… but… uh, why?”
In an instant, he restrained Eslynn.
