Chapter 59
Ellen’s room had become a meeting square for spirits. Ever since rumors spread that Ellen could see spirits and hear their voices, spirits had been visiting her room every day.
Some came, found it amusing, and never left—settling there completely. No one knew how they managed to chatter all day and spread news so quickly.
At first, Ellen had diligently responded to them, but gradually, she stopped engaging in conversation. While new spirits did arrive every day, their questions were always the same. Soon, the spirits who had settled in her room answered on her behalf.
Over the past few days, Ellen realized something—spirits were simply a talkative kind by nature.
I thought only that gnome I first met at Roine’s house was overly chatty…
He had indeed been especially noisy. All spirits talked a lot, but that gnome had been on another level. Shaking her head, Ellen recalled his boastful chatter.
“Ahh!”
While running through the training yard, Ellen came to an abrupt stop. A sylph had suddenly appeared in front of her.
If she had kept running, she would have passed straight through its body without issue. She knew that, yet every time a spirit appeared in her path, Ellen instinctively stopped or stepped aside to avoid them.
When I can clearly see them, I just can’t bring myself to think about running through them.
Because of this, her daily life was becoming a little inconvenient. Especially in her own room, where the density of spirits was so high that she had to weave around them with every few steps.
At first, Masha had looked at her strangely for it. From Masha’s eyes—unable to see spirits—it seemed Ellen walked from bed to mirror in an oddly winding, maze-like way.
“Masha, actually…”
Ellen had intended to keep it a secret from most people, fearing the hassle if word spread, but in the end, she had no choice but to confide in Masha.
Since then, Masha would sometimes wave her hand at the empty spots Ellen avoided. Spirits, knowing her hand would pass through them harmlessly, still dodged aside. Giggling, they even started waiting at places Masha was likely to swing her hand, as though enjoying the game.
I really need to get used to it soon. I can’t be seen walking in squiggles around empty air in front of others…
But that wasn’t the only problem.
“Ellen, what are you doing?”
Gloria finally asked, unable to wait any longer. Ellen stood frozen, bow drawn, unable to release the string. Her arms were trembling from holding the bow taut for too long.
“…I can’t shoot.”
“What?”
Ellen finally lowered her bow.
The spirits had discovered a new game. She didn’t know who started it, but they realized if they stuck to the target, Ellen would be unable to shoot—left trembling and stuck.
“You’re really getting teased by spirits these days, huh?”
Gloria chuckled, picking up the bow herself.
“You can just shoot. You know arrows pass right through them, don’t you? They won’t get hurt.”
“I know, but… they look like people. Even Kasa, though he looks different, still moves and talks like one. It feels too real…”
Ellen’s face scrunched with unease. Seeing that, Gloria sighed and took aim.
With deliberate confidence, she shot arrow after arrow—five in total. She pulled harder than usual, making the arrows land with heavy thunks into the target.
Each time an arrow passed through a spirit, Ellen flinched and squeezed her eyes shut.
“Ellen.”
“Yes?”
Gloria’s low voice made Ellen tense.
“Who did you think you’d be shooting arrows at when you learned archery? Did you learn to hunt animals? Or to shoot corpses?”
Ellen flinched. She remembered the day she told her parents she wanted to train.
It had been for the sake of protecting Quinter. Whether the threat was monsters, nomads, or another invader.
She’s right. My arrows will be aimed at people. I learned the bow to shoot living people.
She had completely forgotten the original purpose. Somewhere along the way, archery had become just a fun hobby and skill.
“If you only plan to use the bow for hunting, that’s fine. Your father and I would be glad. If it’s for shooting monsters, that too protects the domain.”
“That’s not why I learned… I mean, of course I’ll fight monsters too, but—”
“What I fear,” Gloria interrupted, “is that you’ll step onto the battlefield with all that skill, only to freeze when it’s time to actually fire. And then you’ll be the one cut down.”
“….”
“In your mind, they’re enemies. But in front of you, they’re still people. Cold truth is—you’ll be shooting arrows at other humans to protect your own. Are you prepared to hurt another person?”
Ellen bit her lip.
She couldn’t even release her string at spirits, who weren’t alive at all. Could she truly shoot a living person? She wasn’t confident.
“As we’ve said before, protecting the territory isn’t only about force. It’s fine if the bow is just a form of training. Think more seriously about it. Seeing spirits has given you a chance for reflection. That’s enough for today.”
Gloria patted Ellen’s shoulder before heading into the mansion. Ellen remained there for a long time, bow in hand.
✿ ✿ ✿
Since Diana’s funeral, Ellen and Roil’s dagger practice had moved to the Karzel estate. Roil, suddenly burdened with all of Diana’s duties, struggled to adapt.
Maybe we should stop dagger training? You’re not a master yet, but you’ve learned enough to handle it somewhat, thanks to me.
Somewhat? You’re far from it!
The first time Ellen suggested stopping, Roil’s reply had been blunt. She only worried he might be too tired. Ellen pouted.
Hey, my real weapon is the bow, you know. I can throw knives too.
Then you need to teach me how to throw them! Why quit on your own? I still have more to learn. You’re only saying this because I look tired, aren’t you?
You knew? Then why—
Of course I’m tired. But stopping now? No way.
Roil didn’t bother hiding his exhaustion. His face showed it clearly—so clearly that even he saw it in the mirror. How could Ellen not notice?
Then at least let’s cut down the number of sessions. Or… I could come to your house instead. That way you save time, and I can help with small tasks while I’m there.
Roil paused to think.
What’s there to hesitate about? You said quitting is impossible. This is the only option, then.
It’ll be a little inconvenient for you… but could you?
Sure.
After that, Ellen’s maids found themselves busier. Their lady usually handled most things on her own, unlike other nobles who needed help even with washing their face. But now that Ellen was busier, the maids picked up more chores.
Not that they had to wash her face, but somehow, small tasks kept piling up.
“Our lady must have really been doing a lot on her own before.”
“Right? I knew, but now I feel it.”
The maids whispered among themselves.
✿ ✿ ✿
“Why does helping you with your work somehow make me get even more work at home?”
Pushing aside a stack of papers, Ellen complained.
“Shouldn’t helping here mean less work back there?”
“No. Since I’ve been asking Mother questions while helping you, she decided I should practice more. My workload’s tripled these past few months.”
Ellen sulked. Roil smiled, pouring her a cup of tea.
“Take a break. You’re doing so much for me.”
“It’s not just for you. I’ll have to learn it all anyway. Still, every time I get used to one thing, something new pops up. And then the season changes, bringing new issues. It never feels familiar.”
“True. And the warfront isn’t going well either. The nomads prepared far more thoroughly than expected.”
“That’s why your mother… oh.”
Realizing she’d slipped, Ellen quickly closed her mouth, glancing at Roil.
He caught that, didn’t he? Damn my tongue.
“It’s fine. I’ve been too busy lately to think about her. They say the saddest thing for the dead is being forgotten, so I should at least remember her now and then.”
Though he said it was fine, Roil angled his face away behind the papers. Ellen, pretending not to notice, lowered her own face to her documents. The only sound left in the study was the fluttering of pages.
✿ ✿ ✿
“So Roil couldn’t come this time?”
“Yeah. It’s his inspection period again, so he’s traveling around the estate. That’s why it’s just me.”
The children, who had received countless letters from Erica complaining about her confinement in Edelheim, had decided to hold this gathering in Roanoke instead. They met at a salon in the capital.
“Estate inspections? He really sounds like a proper lord already.”
“Not ‘like’—he really is the acting lord. Ellen, you went along with the countess for inspections recently too, right?”
“Yes, it was my first time. The schedule was stricter than I expected. I thought it’d be more relaxed.”
“Lucky you. I want to go too, but my father says it’s too early for me.”
“Why would you want to? I avoid it even when they ask me to come.”
When Serel grumbled, Santuc gave him a baffled look.
Everyone knew Santuc had little interest in estate management. He only cared about swinging swords, always telling his younger sibling to study harder in his place.
Meanwhile, Erica simply beamed, her face glowing with energy from being outside after so long.
“Erica, you look better than I thought.”
“Maybe the food there suits her.”
Ellen and Adrian teased, and Erica nodded.
“If the food had been bad, I’d have run away long ago. The meals and desserts are great! …The meals and desserts only.”
Her smile faltered into a pout.
“Ellen, it’s a blessing you’re not a spirit mage. I can’t believe I once thought of dragging you to Edelheim with me. That would’ve made me a terrible friend.”
“Is it really that bad?”
“Yes. Much, much worse than I imagined.”
