Chapter 28
“Happy?”
It might have been a difficult question for a five-year-old, but Eleonora answered without the slightest hesitation, wrapping her arms tightly around Ailesia’s neck.
“Elly is really, really happy when I’m with Teacher! Teacher is pretty, kind, smart, umm… and super strong, ‘cause she’s a witch!”
“…Yeah.”
That was enough. Making this child smile without worry was more than enough of a role for her.
She had thought she’d waited five hundred years for Eleonora—but maybe this child had come to fill something that had been left empty instead.
“Does Teacher like Elly too?”
“Nope. I love you.”
“Hehehe! Teacher, that tickles! Ahahaha!”
Starting with a kiss on the cheek, Ailesia rubbed her nose against Eleonora’s neck and shoulders. Eleonora burst into bright, carefree laughter.
Even then, she didn’t pull away from Ailesia’s arms. The warmth filling them both was clearly more than just shared body heat.
“Don’t worry, little one. Your teacher is here with you.”
Those were words she’d once heard from Rubia.
Now, it was time to give them to Eleonora.
I’ll make you happy. You—and Termion too.
* * *
Once they had completely left the Imperial Capital, Termion urged his horse forward without rest.
I’d heard wolves had great stamina, but…
When he glanced back, his face was filled with nothing but astonishment.
They had been galloping at full speed for three straight hours. Yet Whitey and Blanky looked as calm as if they’d merely gone out for a stroll in the courtyard.
Their long legs moved tirelessly, but their backs and shoulders barely swayed. Rough roads didn’t faze them in the slightest—thick paw pads crushed and flattened most obstacles with ease. Even fist-sized stones that flew up left not a single scratch on their hides.
And on top of that, they yawned as if bored.
It was hard to believe his own eyes.
“We’ll rest up ahead!”
At Kubera’s call from the front, the formation gradually slowed. Whitey and Blanky adjusted their pace smoothly alongside them.
“Tulk, the carriage?”
Once they came to a full stop, Termion immediately checked on it. After saluting, Tulk approached and replied quietly.
“No issues. The young lady appears to be asleep, and Lady Milenov is awake.”
“Good work. I’ll check inside—go rest with Ronel.”
“Thank you.”
Termion approached the carriage and gently tapped on the window. Inside, Ailesia met his gaze and pointed to her ear.
Her ear?
Before he could dwell on it, her voice echoed directly in his mind.
[Elly’s sleeping so peacefully. Should I wake her?]
It seemed she’d given him a signal before using message magic. Since he had no way to reply silently, he just blinked—but her voice came again.
[You can just talk like usual.]
There’s magic for that too?
Looking at her, Termion carefully spoke.
“We plan to rest and eat for about an hour. I’m sorry, but it would be best to wake Elly.”
[That’s true—it’s already lunchtime.]
After sending the message, Ailesia hugged Eleonora and snapped her fingers.
In an instant, both of them vanished from inside the carriage.
“Ailesia? Elly?”
“Did you call?”
Startled by the voice behind him, Termion spun around. Ailesia was standing there, Eleonora bundled snugly in her arms beneath a blanket.
“…You startled me by disappearing like that.”
“Opening the carriage door is a hassle.”
“Didn’t you use your staff before?”
“That’s only for long distances or group transport.”
“How long counts as ‘long distance’?”
“Hmm? I’ve never really measured.”
Tilting her head, Ailesia quickly finished calculating.
“Well, my old log cabin definitely counts. Anything farther than that works too.”
“…Impressive.”
Termion let out a short, hollow breath and nodded.
Meanwhile, Ailesia was smiling fondly at the sleeping Eleonora, paying little attention to his reaction.
…She really never changes.
From the moment they met until now, everything Ailesia did revolved around Eleonora.
She wasn’t forcing it or acting—it was completely natural. No wonder one’s eyes kept being drawn to her.
“Oh, right. Mealtime, yeah? I need to feed my kids.”
“Is there space in the carriage for food supplies?”
“What would I need that for?”
As always, Ailesia snapped her fingers. Something dropped with a thud in front of Whitey and Blanky.
Pointing to a massive sack—big enough to fit a person—she spoke gently.
“We’ll eat something really good tonight, so let’s settle for this for lunch, okay?”
“Woof! Woof!”
Whitey barked cheerfully and tore open the sack with practiced ease. Inside was a pile of glossy, fresh cuts of meat.
“Oh, want one of these?”
Before anyone could answer, a huge chunk of meat flew forward—nearly the size of a human head.
“…Witches really do carry everything with them.”
“Where I carry it is a secret.”
Whether Termion sighed or not, cheers erupted at the sight of the meat.
Without being told, the knights fetched stones, washed them, and heated them over the fire. Ronel in particular impressed Ailesia as he expertly sliced and grilled the meat with a dagger.
“Sir Senberg, you’re way too good at this.”
“My sister taught me when I was young. While beating me up at the hunting grounds.”
“Oh? I’ll be sure to tell your sister that later.”
“Commander, you’re already on your third piece—should you really be saying that?”
Their laughter woke Eleonora. She squirmed in Ailesia’s arms, then opened her eyes wide at the delicious smell tickling her nose.
“Meat!”
“I prepared it just for that, Your Grace.”
“Yaaay!”
Quick-witted Tulk had set aside a few well-cooked pieces just for her. Paired with warm porridge, it was a feast that hardly felt like an outdoor meal.
This is kind of fun.
For Ailesia, who had lived alone for so long, it was a scene she’d missed. Memories of Seo Hwirin’s old life—now tucked away in some dusty corner of her mind—floated back up.
Feels like a group outing.
Of course, the situation was different. Even as they laughed and ate, they were standing in the heart of a brutal fantasy world—where monsters could appear at any moment.
Lost in thought, Ailesia quietly moved her spoon. Termion watched her with a strange expression.
…Is she thinking about her family?
The gentle smile at her lips, the soft curve of her eyes—it felt like a fond memory.
He’d stopped eating entirely, slowly being drawn into the wistful air around her.
“Teacher, ahh!”
“Ahh.”
“The meat’s yummy, right?”
“Anything my little one gives me is always delicious.”
At Eleonora’s sweet voice, Termion flinched and subtly flushed. His chest felt strangely tight, and he quietly moved to sit beside Kubera instead.
“Heh heh, Your Grace. Looks like a fine time in life.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
Termion frowned at Kubera’s satisfied grin.
* * *
After lunch, they rode for several more hours until sunset.
Just as the crimson sky faded into darkness, Kubera halted the group and selected a campsite.
“Good work, Your Grace.”
“You as well, Sir Dayfold.”
“We’ll prepare camp immediately. How should we arrange sleeping quarters for the young lady and Lady Milenov?”
“They’ll sleep in the carriage. Thick blankets will be enough.”
“Won’t that be too cramped?”
“Ailesia will handle it.”
Termion replied casually. He’d been given a heads-up, but hadn’t yet explained things to Kubera.
As the knights busied themselves pitching tents, Ailesia approached him.
“We’re eating dinner, right? Can I prepare it?”
“Dinner? I don’t mind, but… where is Elly?”
“She’s with Whitey and Blanky. I let her roam in the carriage.”
“That’s reassuring.”
Even as he said it, Termion scanned the area. Only after spotting Eleonora rolling around on Whitey’s back did his shoulders relax.
