Chapter 124…………………………………….
Gift (3)
That was something Themiar would normally never have said—too apologetic to even bring it up.
Moreover, Lerry was a summoned creature connected to Lowell.
Sending Lerry to stay by someone’s side was, in a way, like having an indicator to confirm their safety in case something happened. It was similar to how Lowell hadn’t解除 the summon when Themiar went on her first business trip.
But she had a reason to attach that familiar to her friend?
‘She always seemed overly attached to Lady Lacroix… but still…’
Of course, Themiar and her friend were close—almost like sisters rather than ordinary friends.
Even so, the level of concern Themiar showed felt excessive.
‘A letter is one thing, but sending Lerry too… She can’t not know what that implies. She said there was a reason, didn’t she?’
Lowell didn’t know what that reason was, but based on what he’d learned about the Viscount Lacroix family during his previous engagement, they didn’t seem like the sort of household that would pose a real threat to their child.
And yet Themiar acted as though something might happen to Kailly.
“Well… being cautious isn’t necessarily a bad thing…”
If Themiar cared that much about someone, then perhaps he should pay attention as well.
Clearing his thoughts, Lowell moved to organize the remaining documents.
The moment Lerry received the letter from Themiar, he set off.
Of course, only after carefully packing the pouch Lowell had stuffed full for him.
Normally, he would have puffed out his cheeks and sulked about being sent on errands alone, but today was different. His tail feathers wiggled happily even as they fluttered through the air.
‘Master and Lady Themiar… no matter how you look at it, they were suspicious, right?!’
By all accounts, there was definitely a pink, romantic atmosphere between them.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Lerry even pretended to wipe away a tear from his dry eyes.
The familiar, who had always worried that his master might live alone in loneliness forever, was having the most rewarding days of his life lately.
“Ever since Lady Themiar came, it feels like everything has been going well!”
Sure, there had been a few dangerous moments along the way…
But as long as the result was good, wasn’t that what mattered?
Lerry, sharing his master’s mindset, finished rationalizing it all.
So even this current confusion would surely settle soon enough.
The little bird simply wished that day would come a little faster.
Meanwhile, Kailly, using fatigue as an excuse, had sent everyone away and lay blankly in bed until the sun was high in the sky.
Considering she was usually active early in the morning, it was practically unheard of.
A few maids who were close to her expressed worried concern, but she didn’t even want to hear it—she had locked the door entirely.
‘I know shutting myself in isn’t good… but right now, I don’t want to see anyone.’
Even knowing it wasn’t like her, she couldn’t easily calm her heart.
She had no appetite, and even the tea she forced down sat heavily, leaving her stomach aching.
When she lifted her arm to cover her eyes, her cool skin felt like it was gently massaging her warm eyelids.
She was nursing the pain of her first love.
Love… What even is love, that it can hurt me like this?
Tap. Tap.
That was when an irritating noise began to reach her ears.
‘Am I hearing things because I’m tired?’
She tried to ignore it.
But the sound didn’t give her room to sink into thought.
Tap tap, tap—taptaptap!
The increasingly frequent noise stirred her irritation.
Her regret over first love quickly turned into anger at whoever was making that racket.
“What is it?! What’s making it impossible for me to rest?!”
Unable to bear it, Kailly threw off her arm and sat up abruptly.
Then her eyes met something flapping at the window.
Blue… a lump of feathers.
‘Wait… him?’
A small blue bird tilted its head with round eyes.
And somehow, it felt familiar—like she’d seen it before…
“Lady Kailly, please open this! Let me in!”
“Ah! You’re the talking blue bird! The one from the Green Sandwich Workshop!”
Only then did Kailly realize why he seemed familiar.
Startled, she hurriedly opened the window.
She never imagined this creature would come looking for her directly, and she was completely taken aback.
“Why are you here? Did you get lost? What about the mage and Themiar?”
“Oh, no, don’t worry! I’m just here on an errand!”
Saying so proudly, the bird puffed out his chest.
A small pouch hung around his neck.
To Kailly, it looked barely big enough to hold bird feed.
But she couldn’t ruin his excitement.
So she decided to play along with this strange situation.
“What’s in there? Did you bring something you like?”
“Umm… that too, I guess. But this is Master’s br— I mean, gift! And…”
As he spoke, he began digging through the pouch and pulling things out.
Kailly’s eyes widened as the contents kept appearing—far larger than what should have fit inside.
“W-what?! How did all that fit in there?”
“It’s a magic pouch! More importantly… the most important thing should be in here somewhere…”
At his casual response, Kailly was reminded again that this bird belonged beside a mage.
That pouch was an extraordinary object anyone else would covet.
‘He looks so cute and friendly… but still…’
As Kailly shook her head at the strange sense of distance she felt, Lerry suddenly lifted his head.
“Found it! Here it is, Lady Kailly.”
“This is… Themiar’s reply! But why do you have it?”
“Lady Themiar told me to deliver it personally. And… she said she really wanted you to see it yourself.”
“Me? Is she trying to tell me something secret?”
“I don’t know what it says. But I was worried you might be with others… so I’m glad you’re alone!”
With a puzzled tilt of her head, Kailly immediately opened the letter.
Themiar was not someone who rushed for trivial reasons, so she was curious what could be inside.
As Kailly’s eyes scanned the page, her expression slowly stiffened.
She swallowed quietly and rubbed her face.
It seemed her momentary sadness and emotional outburst had caused her friend real worry.
‘What do I do… I feel bad for making her worry.’
But it was also true—it was an enticing offer.
Not only had Themiar helped ease her worries, but she had taken Kailly’s pain seriously rather than brushing it aside.
And she was even planning to come to the villa herself.
“Themiar really is so dramatic…”
Even as she said that, Kailly’s face was filled with unmistakable happiness.
That alone was answer enough.
After sending Lerry off, silence settled over the room with only the two of them left.
Without even pausing, Themiar suddenly remembered something and quickly grabbed paper and pen again, writing new words in a hurry.
Her cheeks were faintly flushed with excitement, as if she were planning something fun.
‘What could she be thinking about to look that happy?’
Lowell considered commenting on the little hum she was making, but decided to simply watch.
If he mentioned it, Themiar would surely be startled and immediately clamp her mouth shut.
‘Besides… chances like this are rare.’
Though she wasn’t usually aware of others watching her, it was impossible not to notice from this close.
If she weren’t so absorbed, she would have already scolded him to get back to work.
As her pen finished with a period, Lowell spoke.
“What’s so fun? I’ve been watching, and you didn’t even notice.”
“Oh—were you waiting? I’m sorry, I suddenly remembered something urgent.”
“It’s fine. It was a rare chance to watch without getting nagged.”
“What? N-no, I’m not listening.”
His gaze remained fixed entirely on her.
Realizing it, Themiar hurriedly cut him off.
“Um… I need to send another letter. Do you want to come with me?”
It was an obvious change of subject.
But it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“Of course. Lerry already left—was it urgent?”
“N-no. This one can just be sent through regular mail!”
Themiar added confidently, shrugging.
“It’s going to Etvalga. It’s not that far, so it should arrive on time.”
“Etvalga? If you had something to say, you could’ve told the Duke when he visited.”
“Well… it’s not something for Father.”
Something secret, then?
Lowell asked, intrigued.
“What is it about?”
