Chapter 77
If it meant going through such an extreme experience, then awkward but safe was definitely the better choice. Even if I fell into the water, there were attendants nearby, so it wasn’t something to worry about…
Before long, we reached the center of the lake.
Fortunately, we were the only ones out boating, so it was easy to steer without concern.
“There’s a bit of mist.”
It had been clear when we set out, but once we got onto the lake, a hazy fog began to obscure our view.
Nata set down the oar and caught his breath, glancing around.
“Mist often lingers on lakes since there’s no wind. Still, it isn’t hot today, so it should clear up quickly.”
“…It’s getting thicker, though?”
“Ah… so it is.”
As luck would have it, the fog grew denser even as we spoke. It wasn’t so bad that we lost sight of our companions, but it was disappointing not to be able to enjoy the scenery.
The view from the lake’s edge had been beautiful, like a painting.
“Well then, shall we recite some poetry?”
Even as I said it, it felt awkward.
Perhaps it was because of my modern sensibilities, dulled and unromantic, or maybe just the way I expressed myself—but either way, I felt embarrassed, cleared my throat, and averted my eyes from the two of them.
Thankfully, they didn’t seem to think much of it.
“Madam, how should we proceed?”
“They say the higher-ranking person begins with the first verse, and the others follow with a connected theme… so I’ll go first.”
The viscountess carefully explained the rules and gave some examples.
‘It doesn’t really fit the misty mood, but since I prepared something, I’ll give it a try.’
[On the flat water’s surface
A boat stands in place of a bridge.
The one waving from the opposite shore,
Are you the guest who has waited for me, or a dream?
If it is you, raise the white flag.
Clad in white, I shall return.]
Nice. That came out well.
It was a knock-off poem, really—about a traveler returning from the sea to land, and the longing lover who greets them.
The truth was I had adapted an old poem I’d once read at the academy. The theme was borrowed, but the rhythm and style were my own, so I felt justified.
I sneaked a glance at the others’ reactions.
At least it wasn’t so bad as to disappoint them. Nata smiled as though proud of me, and Rohan gave a quiet clap.
Since I couldn’t see his eyes, I couldn’t tell what emotions he wore on his face.
“Then, is it my turn next? The theme seems to be returning home, so… let’s see.”
After a brief thought, Nata began in a clear, melodic voice.
Unlike me, who had simply recited, he sang his poem like a song.
[Open your arms for me, beloved.
My steed and playmate is my bridge, my snow-stained shoes I cast aside.
With the enemy’s teeth, I return.
Your necklace is proof of victory, your homeland beneath the high mountain.
Do not forget your grudge.
The echo of wildfire—until it is repaid, I cannot return.]
“…”
It was… quite an impression.
Not only was Nata’s voice beautiful, but even a layperson like me could sense the raw emotion hidden beneath that clear tone.
“A victory song… or perhaps a triumphal hymn?”
Rohan’s voice carried admiration.
“The snow as a symbol of the West, the enemy’s tooth-necklace… those are metaphors only someone who has lived through war would dare use.”
“Yes… this is my first time sharing it with anyone.”
Perhaps because they were both swordsmen, Rohan sounded deeply moved. Nata, looking embarrassed, gave a shy smile.
“Now it’s your turn, Sir Rohan.”
“Very well. Then I’ll choose vengeance as my theme.”
‘…Isn’t that a bit heavy?’
It seemed the two of them shared a different sense of connection from me.
Still, it felt awkward to interrupt their exchange, so I listened quietly.
[If it’s a red flower, know that it burned.
She will seek out the one who turned it red.
If it’s a blue flower, know that it was bitten by a dog.
She does not forget her grudge.
If it’s an indigo flower, then burn me.
I have time enough to wander in search of her.]
…That too was an excellent poem.
Unlike mine, which rigidly followed rhythm, Rohan’s was freer in style.
Its imagery was vivid, easy to picture—though the final line left me baffled.
It seemed to be from the perspective of a woman so spiteful she’d liken someone to a dog, yet in the end, a hint of love slipped in.
I wondered if he was just nervous, being the last to go, but his expression remained as stoic as ever.
‘Still… both of them are better at this than me.’
That was unexpected.
I had thought only someone young like Cloy or Illina would have the kind of sensitivity to craft such moving verses, but Nata and Rohan had both produced excellent works as well.
‘Or maybe I’m just the bad one here.’
…Perhaps once this outing ended, I should ask the viscountess for some extra lessons.
“Shall we have a snack?”
The longer we lingered on poetry, the smaller I felt. So, to change the subject, I pulled out the box that had been left on the floor.
It was the one Illina had given me.
When I glanced between them to signal that I would open it, Rohan shook his head.
“Please, the two of you enjoy it. I’ll refrain.”
“Really? She packed quite a lot.”
The box was surprisingly heavy. Curious about its contents, I lifted the lid.
Immediately, a peculiar herbal fragrance tickled my nose and spread around us.
“This is…”
Inside were sandwiches. But their colors were most unusual.
Purple, turquoise, and yellow vegetables filled them, the only ordinary ingredient being the pink slices of ham.
‘So this is what she meant by food fairies like… Must be some special herbs.’
It was so very Illina to use herbs like lettuce. I carefully picked up a neatly cut sandwich. Turning to share it with Nata first, I froze.
“Uh—Sir Nata? Your wings are showing.”
“…Excuse me?”
Nata’s face twisted as he pinched his nose shut.
Behind him, translucent wings had unfurled. Fairy wings—the first I’d seen in quite a while.
“Ah!”
He himself seemed unaware they’d appeared. Startled, he hurriedly tried to shake his shoulders to tuck them back in.
But his wings didn’t listen, trembling instead as if in agitation.
“Don’t tell me… is it because of this sandwich?”
“…It seems so.”
Nata’s eyes widened as he stared at the sandwich in my hand.
“I’d heard of ingredients highly sensitive to magic, but for scent alone to cause this… perhaps Lady Illina has the talent of an alchemist.”
Magicians would likely fuss over such a revelation, but it meant little to me.
“Then should I put it away? It feels a bit wrong to waste her effort, but if it’s causing trouble for you—”
“No, it’s fine. It’s not unpleasant. In fact, it’s closer to… excitement.”
“…Excitement?”
“Yes. My nose itches, and yet I want to keep smelling it…”
‘Ah… like catnip.’
I got the picture.
It wasn’t harmful, but like catnip for cats, it created a kind of compulsive focus.
I sneaked a look at Rohan.
He didn’t even seem surprised at Nata’s fairy nature, silently keeping his grip on the oar.
“Still, since the scent alone has this effect… I’d best refrain from eating it.”
Nata declined the sandwich, though his wings quivered as though betraying his true desire.
I briefly considered forcing him to try a bite, but that felt too much like teasing, so I stopped. Instead, I turned to pass the box to Rohan.
One sandwich was enough for me; I intended to give him the rest.
“Madam?”
Then I froze.
Rohan’s outstretched hand wasn’t the issue—it was what hid behind his broad frame.
A seal.
Even rubbing my eyes and looking again, it was unmistakably a seal.
A creature I thought could only be seen in a zoo—yet there it was, clinging to the boat’s rail, staring right at me.
Its white skin gleamed, and as our eyes met, its lips moved. Smack, smack—the sound of lips smacking together reached me.
‘A seal? On a lake? And isn’t it too big?’
The bizarre sight left me momentarily speechless.
“Madam? What are you looking at?”
“Sir Nata, don’t you see that? Right there, a seal.”
“…There’s nothing there.”
“You don’t see it either?”
“No, nothing.”
So I was the only one who could see it.
Judging from their puzzled looks, neither Nata nor Rohan could tell what I was staring at.
Was it a ghost, visible only to me?
‘No, no, there’s no such thing as seal ghosts. It must be a fairy.’
It must be the lake fairy that sometimes revealed itself to tourists.
I’d thought that rumor came from chance sightings—but no, it was the other way around. The fairy intentionally revealed itself only to certain people.
So why only to me?
“…Is it because of this?”
I gave the sandwich in my hand a little shake.
