Chapter 54
: Sunflower (8)
“Ileana, that bird seems too violent. It’s big, and its beak is huge. It might be dangerous, so it’s better not to get too close.”
Reina said cautiously, holding tightly the hand that the bird’s wing had brushed.
“I’m saying this for your sake. I’m your older sister, after all.”
At that, Donatella clacked her beak as if in protest.
“It’s okay. She’s a kind and gentle child. Right, Donatella?”
Ileana gently stroked the bird’s head and whispered softly. Only then did Donatella chirp sweetly—pii─ pii─—and rub her head against Ileana’s nape.
“…Is that so? Well, that’s a relief…”
Reina, who had been watching with slightly clouded eyes, brightened and let out a cheerful laugh.
“Ah! Then how about this! Instead of a walk, let’s go see the city. I heard the streets have been beautifully decorated for the upcoming Founding Festival.”
“But people who recognize Lady Ileana might crowd around,”
Andre said worriedly, glancing at Ileana’s subtly glowing sky-blue hair.
Due to the recent rain in the desert, the priestess’s popularity in the south had almost rivaled that of the Black King.
“Ahh… people crowding around….”
For Ileana, who was shy around strangers, that was not very pleasant news.
“Oh, why are you so negative about everything, steward? Try thinking more positively!”
Reina said cheerfully, flashing a bright, playful smile.
“Huh? Ileana? I’ve just been lying in bed all this time—it’s so boring!”
Reina hugged her still-bandaged abdomen and tugged on Ileana’s sleeve.
Ileana had no choice but to speak to Andre.
“Could you prepare two cloaks? If we wear those, it should be fine.”
“Yes, Lady Ileana.”
Andre immediately bowed without question.
Reina raised her arms and cheered on the spot.
“Yay! We’re going to wear cloaks? This feels like a secret mission, I’m so excited!”
And so, an unplanned trip into the city was hastily decided.
Andre, who had tidily adjusted Ileana’s outfit, spoke with a stern expression.
“You must return before dinner.”
Really, why do people in this palace care so much about her meals?
And why does that concern for food make her heart feel so warm?
Ileana chuckled softly and spoke gently.
“Hehe. Got it.”
Finishing the conversation, Ileana turned toward Reina.
“…?”
“…Reina?”
“Huh? Ah! Then let’s go quickly! Hehe.”
Reina, who had been staring at Ileana and Andre, smiled brightly again, like a sunflower in full bloom.
The sky was moderately overcast.
Faint clouds partially covered the sun.
Ileana walked through the city market with Reina chattering beside her, arm-in-arm.
As befits a market in the capital, the streets were filled with energy and excitement.
Neatly aligned shops lined the streets, and people busily went about their errands.
Since both of them had covered their distinctive hair under cloak hoods, no one paid them any attention.
“Look at that, Ileana. Wow, the south has so many amazing things.”
Reina pointed around with excitement, her voice full of admiration.
I’m glad we came out, Ileana thought.
Even compared to places she had known before possession, this market was full of life.
Beautiful jewels, mysterious magical tools, and vibrant desserts that looked delicious even just to see.
And exotic animals in colors she had never seen before.
“Wow! Ileana! Look at that bird! Oh my, it’s so pretty.”
Seeing Reina so happy warmed Ileana’s heart.
After recalling her past memories, Ileana felt a strange sense of indebtedness toward her.
Even though it wasn’t her fault she had been possessed, from Reina’s perspective, she had lost a precious childhood friend she had helped all along.
And that friend has lost all memory of having been helped.
Ileana also felt lingering guilt for having been cold to Reina on her first day, despite the long journey she had made.
Especially remembering those who treated her coldly when she had been struggling with depression.
“Hmm. Reina, if there’s anything you want, just tell me.”
Upon hearing about the outing, Iago had sent a pouch full of gold coins.
He’s a king, so of course he wouldn’t skimp.
Probably, Ileana could easily buy Reina a pretty bird or some delicious dessert.
But, for some reason, Reina—who usually chattered endlessly—remained silent this time.
“Huh? Reina. You wanted that bird… uh?”
Ileana, unusually flustered, stopped in her tracks.
Reina, who had been linking arms with her, had vanished.
“Wow… Bird, bird! What did you eat to get so colorful?”
Reina was stroking a fascinating bird with red, yellow, and green feathers.
By now, her hood had slipped back.
The large bird, almost as big as her forearm, sat obediently on the perch, refusing to resist her touch.
Its eyes seemed to say, I’m annoyed, but I’ll put up with this.
“Hehe. Maybe I should raise a bird too,”
she murmured softly, her smile slowly fading.
“…Then, would you like me to only like you?”
As she stroked the bird, her hand unconsciously tightened.
“Sky-blue hair,”
someone whispered.
Reina, who had been watching the bird, quickly turned her head. The people glancing at her scattered in surprise.
But soon, the murmuring resumed.
“Could it be the priestess…?”
“No way. I heard she’s being treated with the utmost respect in the palace.”
“Thanks to her, even that cursed sun is hidden behind clouds.”
“Recently, it rained in the desert for the first time in ten years!”
Reina, hesitant, continued stroking the bird.
Though she was awkward, she did not put her hood back on.
A young boy, curious at the adults whispering among themselves, suddenly approached her.
“Oh! Hey, come here!”
“Why? I want to ask! Excuse me, miss.”
“Huh?”
Reina, startled, asked, and the boy, eyes sparkling innocently, spoke directly:
“Are you the priestess? The adults have been wondering since earlier.”
“Oh, you!” Reina laughed softly.
A woman, seemingly the boy’s mother, gestured from behind but did not actively stop him.
People’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Swallowing once, Reina awkwardly smiled and said,
“Uh… well.”
“Wow! You really are the priestess?”
“Haha…”
“Oh my! It must be true!”
“Thanks to the priestess, even the few remaining wells that were drying up from the cursed sun are fine!”
“Haha. It’s nothing… I just…”
As Reina waved her hand with a gentle laugh, suddenly,
“It’s the priestess!”
“The priestess has appeared! In the square! Everyone come to receive her blessing!”
Beyond the alley, loud shouts and the sound of hurried footsteps filled the streets.
“Hey! You there! What are you doing! Come on over!”
“Uh, but then this person…”
The people who had gathered around Reina awkwardly looked at her.
“Come to think of it, her eyes are brown.”
“The priestess has sky-blue hair and sun-golden eyes!”
After a brief hesitation, they hurried to the commotion.
“…“
Reina, left alone, slowly pulled her hood deeper over her face.
Deep enough that her face was hidden in its shadow.
She watched the colorful bird for a moment, then slowly began walking toward where the crowd had run.
“Priestess! Thank you for coming to our Kingdom of Liyu!”
“Please look this way too!”
“Please hold my child’s hand!”
There was Ileana, surrounded by people.
Reina quietly watched as Ileana waved her hands, trying to push away a woman forcing her child toward her.
“I don’t have the ability of blessing. But perhaps, a woman with sky-blue curly hair…”
“I know! Just place your hand over her!”
“…Well.”
Ileana, looking troubled, slowly placed her hand over the child who was crying hysterically.
The child instantly stopped crying and smiled at Ileana.
She faintly smiled back.
“Me too! Please hold my hand!”
“Thank you, thank you, priestess!”
Once again, a commotion erupted in the square.
Ileana remained calm and composed, receiving people’s attention and cries as if she were used to it.
She looked just like someone who had been standing before crowds all her life.
“How can someone be this beautiful?”
Those who couldn’t get close to Ileana murmured among themselves.
“Look at that sky-like hair.”
Reina, standing still, pulled her hood even deeper over her head.
The square was already crowded; no one noticed her.
“She came all the way from the distant north to help us.”
“I thought northerners were all greedy pigs…”
“Even the cursed sun is hidden now, feels like life is easier!”
Even amid the excitement, their faces reflected deep reverence for the priestess.
Then, from under her hood, a high, clear voice suddenly spoke.
“But why doesn’t the priestess bring rain…?”
