DLV 58

Chapter 58

So they’ve known each other for a long time—does that really justify acting this familiar?

“I need a vacation! I wanna rest! I’m taking a break!”

Peyton cried out and plopped himself right next to Sophia.

Are all magicians like this? She wasn’t sure, but Loray and Lucion always acted maturely. They never did anything this silly.

Sophia stared at Peyton, wondering just what part of him was lacking to make him act this way. Then, Bled finally opened his mouth, as though he’d decided to humor him.

“You want to go on a trip to Mesios Island?”

“Yes!”

“With who?”

“Obviously with Sophia! And if more people join, probably the twins and Loray?”

As Peyton rambled on, Bled stopped sipping his tea and returned to his desk. He began rummaging through papers, eventually pulling out a few sheets and handing them to Peyton.

“Oh, a security detail! Whoa, five people? There are so many famous names on here. This is like forming a mini-knight order!”

Peyton laughed as he scanned the list.

“They’ll be joining you. Starting tomorrow, they’ll be by Sophia’s side.”

“Well no wonder it took a while—they’re serious about her protection. Anyway, that’s great, Sophia!”

This was Sophia’s first time having personal guards. She only knew of famous swordsmen like Eren, Joshua, and Benjamin, so she didn’t recognize any names. But Peyton sounded impressed, so they must’ve been skilled.

Still… did that mean those people were coming on the trip too?

“So, that means the trip’s approved.”

“Huh?”

Since the guards would be accompanying her on the trip, it was basically permission granted. But Peyton didn’t seem to realize that. When Sophia pointed it out, he froze for a second—then slammed the desk and shot up.

“You really do love me, don’t you, Bled?!”

“Your love? Take it to the incinerator.”

“Will do!”

Peyton replied with the happiest, purest grin, like a kid receiving their first gift.

A foolish answer, but endearing.

That day, Cerita had come to Sophia’s room for the first time in a while.

Ever since Sophia nearly died from poison exposure, Cerita had devoted herself to studying medicine more seriously. She aimed to become a better physician and rarely left her room—except when recommending books or lending them to Sophia.

Since their time together had been limited, Sophia had invited her over to chat. The main reason?

Volume 2 of Not Just One Star.

“This is volume 2, right?”

“Yeah. I’m still reading volume 1, so I figured you could read ahead. You said you wanted to, right?”

“Really? Oh my gosh, thank you so much!”

Seeing how visibly happy she was made Sophia glad she’d gone to buy the book.

As Cerita beamed with excitement, Sophia told her about the festival—how she’d ended up receiving the prize from the hunting competition, and how Peyton had thrown a fit in front of Bled to get the vacation approved.

Cerita’s eyes sparkled.

“You should leave that old man behind and go with me instead!”

“Ooh… tempting.”

Sophia was even more tempted when Cerita suggested leaving Peyton behind. But then—

“Hey! That’s not fair! How could you go without me?!”

Peyton suddenly butted in from the side, having been working nearby.

“There’s no reason I can’t go without you.”

“Of course there is! Think about it, Sophia. If something happens on the island and you get hurt—who do you think will be more helpful?”

Cerita’s expression darkened. Peyton’s words echoed those he’d once said when Sophia had nearly died, implying she was less capable.

But what physician could compete with a magician who could heal with a single touch?

I worked myself to the bone for her…

Cerita clenched her hands, overwhelmed by a sense of inferiority she hadn’t even felt during her academy days.

Sophia, having heard Peyton’s full reasoning, immediately grabbed Cerita’s hand.

“Cerita.”

“Y-Yeah?”

“I’d pick you over Grandpa any day.”

She said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Cerita, moved to the core, hugged Sophia tightly and glared at Peyton.

“Between doctor and patient, the most important thing is trust. If the patient doesn’t believe in you, they won’t follow treatment.”

“…That’s…”

“At last, I’ve found something I have that you don’t.”

“…Trust with patients?”

“Nope. The lady’s love.”

Peyton silently screamed in protest, but Sophia just ignored him with ease.

“Too bad! You don’t get to go with Cerita!”

“Grandpa, are you still sulking about that?”

“Hmph!”

The trip to the island had been finalized, and instead of Cerita, Peyton was going along as the attending physician. But clearly, he was still sulking over what happened a few days ago.

“You said you wanted time off, so I suggested you come along—but if you’re going to be like this, maybe it’d be better with Cerita after all…”

As Sophia trailed off, Peyton quickly grabbed her arm.

“I’m totally fine now! What sulking? Never heard of it!”

“You really want to go that badly?”

“Of course! Didn’t I tell you before? I was always locked up in one place or another.”

Now that she thought about it, he had said something along those lines before.

“Getting to go outside is the best feeling ever.”

That familiar, understanding smile of his—it was impossible to resist.

Sophia gave in and nodded, then led Peyton toward the others waiting by the carriage.

The final group was, just as Peyton had said: himself, Sophia, the twins, and Loray.

Sophia shared a carriage with Loray. As she adjusted her butterfly-shaped brooch, which had gotten crooked thanks to Peyton, Loray spoke up.

“Do you know which port city is the closest from here?”

“Mensha, I think?”

Sophia answered easily, having studied the map beforehand.

“Yes, correct. We’ll take a ship from Mensha to Mesios Island.”

“Isn’t the Aros County located in Mensha?”

“You really studied hard, my lady,” Loray said proudly, nodding.

“They’re preparing a dinner banquet for us to rest after the journey.”

As Sophia thought about Count Aros, she asked something that had lingered in her mind.

“Loray, do you think Count Aros is a good person?”

Though he had claimed otherwise, he had once sent a harmful servant to Sophia. Back then, Loray and Lucion had opposed punishing him. There had to be a reason.

“…He’s not bad.”

“Not bad?”

“Right. Most importantly, Lucion trusts him. Better than trusting a dumb physician.”

“That actually made him sound pretty reliable.”

Sorry, Peyton.

To Sophia, who had rarely gone outside, the port city was full of new wonders.

The endless beautiful ocean, the large tubs carrying massive seafood, the lively energy unique to coastal towns—it all made her eyes sparkle.

Peyton, just as amazed, tugged on her arm.

“Sophia, look over there! That’s a seagull!”

“A seagull!”

“What do you think that is?!”

Joshua, watching them frolic, placed a hand over his heart and spoke solemnly.

“Yes. This is healing.”

He was glad to be alive. Seeing Sophia’s adorable excitement made everything worth it.

Benjamin nodded in agreement, joining him in observing her joy.

Soon, a carriage sent by Count Aros arrived. It was a stunning one, its white base inlaid with mother-of-pearl that shimmered like a rainbow in the light.

They rode it to the Aros estate, where the same man from the banquet greeted them with a bright smile.

“You must be tired from the long journey. Let me escort you to your rooms.”

He winked directly at Sophia.

“I’ve prepared a room with the best view of the sea, just for you.”

When Sophia entered, the first thing she noticed was the large window overlooking the ocean.

“Please rest well.”

“Thank you.”

She opened the window wide and gazed out at the ocean. This was the first time in her life she had ever seen the sea.

Even floating jewels wouldn’t sparkle that brightly—how could it shine like that?

“It’s like the sky was poured into a bowl.”

As she muttered in awe, she suddenly grew curious and turned to Loray.

“Is seawater the same clear color as regular water?”