CHAPTER 53…………………
Oh. The effect is definite.
The invisibility robe.
Each thread was woven with mana by a mage, making it unimaginably expensive and so rare that even people of high rank could hardly obtain one. At Jayna’s request for something to hide her presence, Ashins casually brought her not one but three.
Jayna donned one as well. Just as Ashins had said, those wearing the robe could see each other. The moment she slipped it on, Ashins’s figure became visible to her.
She stuffed pillows into a thick blanket, rolled it up, and moved it toward the window.
All right. Just act natural, Jayna.
Jayna tossed the bundle outside.
Thump!
At the sound of the blanket hitting the ground, lights flickered in the distance.
“It worked. Black Dragon, let’s go.”
At her whisper, the black dragon leapt out the window. Once small enough to hold in her arms, it instantly expanded in size. Catching Jayna and Ashins as they jumped, it spread its wings and carried them effortlessly.
Success.
Soaring into the sky, the black dragon spun in a circle. From above, Jayna spotted two men dashing through the shadows with cameras. She stifled a laugh.
Farewell, I’m off.
The cool night air swept swiftly past her ears. Delighted to be flying again after so long, the black dragon twisted and rolled in joy.
“At this pace, it won’t even take an hour!” Jayna shouted, exhilarated.
But unlike usual, when he would have scolded her for being noisy, Ashins was unusually silent.
“Lord Ashins?”
She turned her head.
“Huh?”
He was clinging flat against the dragon’s back, eyes screwed shut, head bowed. Jayna asked cautiously:
“Lord Ashins… could it be… that you’re afraid of heights?”
“…Be quiet.”
The great mage of the empire, afraid of heights.
Each time the black dragon swooped up or down, Ashins trembled like a leaf.
“Black Dragon, could you go a little slower?”
“Groooh!”
At once, the dragon reduced its speed.
“You should’ve said if you were scared.”
“Who said I’m scared! The empire’s archmage fears no such thing.”
“Then shall I tell the dragon to go back to full speed?”
“…”
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I was afraid of heights when I was a child too.”
Ashins raised his head. His eyes, uneasy and trembling, met hers. Always so confident, now he looked so small. Jayna fought to keep a straight face.
“Keep talking.”
“Eh? About what?”
“How did you overcome it?”
Jayna froze.
Well… I can’t exactly say it was cured because I possessed another body…
“Um, well… first, don’t let yourself panic. If you close your eyes, your senses sharpen and it gets scarier, so instead, keep them open and look around. Just don’t look down.”
“…Fine.”
Slowly, Ashins straightened.
“See? The night sky is beautiful, isn’t it?”
She smiled at the countless white stars scattered across the dark sky. He only frowned faintly and gave a curt nod.
Jayna reached out and held his hand.
“What are you doing?!”
“If I hold on to you, even if you slip, you won’t fall. Right?”
“…”
In the pale moonlight, the tips of his ears flushed red.
Is being afraid of heights that shameful?
To reassure him, Jayna kept chatting away. Ashins remained silent the entire flight, just listening. He never realized the redness spreading from his ears had crept across his whole face.
The imperial palace came into view. Spotting the distant golden lion statue, Jayna remembered something crucial.
“Lord Ashins, how are we supposed to get into Perus’s chambers?”
The palace not only had barriers against intruders but was also heavily guarded.
Sneaking into Perus’s room in the middle of the night… in hindsight, it sounded absurd.
Ashins raised his hand calmly.
“There. That’s his room.”
“No, I didn’t mean where it is—I mean how do we sneak inside? You don’t know of a secret passage or anything?”
“How would I know that.”
Ah. Right. Of course.
“I can’t break the barrier entirely, but creating a temporary gap is possible.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Ashins traced a magic circle in the air. The palace’s transparent barrier shimmered into sight. His mana tore through it gently, leaving an opening.
“My job is done. The rest is yours.”
“…Excuse me?”
Smiling faintly, he waved—then vanished in a swirl of violet smoke.
What am I supposed to do with that!
Jayna blinked helplessly as the gap began to close.
Oh, whatever.
She pointed toward the room Ashins had indicated.
“Black Dragon, charge!”
Obeying instantly, the dragon shot through the shrinking gap. Jayna clung tight against its back, bracing for the impact.
Crash!
Glass shattered in a violent spray. Thanks to the dragon’s protective magic, she wasn’t hurt.
“…Hah.”
Startled awake by the noise, Perus rose and glanced at the ruined window, letting out a dry laugh.
“This… doesn’t feel like a dream.”
“Heh… long time no see, Perus.”
Jayna greeted him awkwardly.
Before he could ask anything, a knock came from outside.
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
Jayna hastily shrank the dragon back down, cradling it in her arms. Then she grabbed Perus’s sleeve.
“Perus, I’ll pay for the window. Just… deal with whoever’s outside first!”
“The window isn’t the problem—”
“Talk later. Hurry!”
Her urgent tone moved him; he rose slowly. Jayna ducked under his blanket.
Perus opened the door.
“Are you unharmed, Your Highness? Were you injured—”
Jayna peered through the blanket. A familiar face.
Ah, no wonder the voice sounded familiar. Sir Ruzer.
When Ruzer tried to enter, Perus blocked him.
“I’m fine. Go back.”
“But an intruder broke into your chambers—”
“Did you not hear me?”
His icy voice cut him off.
So he’s grumpy when woken up.
Ruzer hesitated, then bowed and stepped back.
“Call if anything happens. I’ll be right outside.”
Perus only glared, saying nothing, his cold gaze betraying his irritation.
“…Understood. I’ll withdraw.”
Ruzer left with a bow.
Perus locked the door and returned to the bed. With a weary sigh, he pressed his forehead and shot Jayna a sharp look.
“So. What on earth was that?”
“Well… I wanted to talk to you.”
“And so you break into my chambers in the middle of the night?”
His faintly trembling voice betrayed his effort to restrain his anger.
“Really, ha… never mind. Stay there. I’ll wash my face.”
Without waiting for her reply, he disappeared into the washroom. Hearing the sound of running water, Jayna thought:
That’s the real Perus.
No forced smile, no calculated lines. Just his true self.
He’s actually a little like Theoris.
Even when she deserved his anger, he held it back, trying instead to hear her out—just like Theoris.
Brothers will be brothers.
As she pondered their similarities, Perus returned. Freshly washed and neatly combed, his mask of composure was back in place.
“Sorry for earlier. I was cranky from being woken up.”
The crafted smile, the feigned tone. Even to someone who knew his true self, he kept up the act. To Jayna, it seemed a little pitiful.
“You’ve already shown me your unpolished side. No need to keep acting.”
“Acting? I’m always sincere with you.”
“Are you the type whose brain resets after a nap?”
The corner of his eye twitched.
“….”
“Or maybe you have split personality disorder?”
Though his lips still smiled, his eyes looked ready to hit her.
Ah, right. I came here to persuade him.
Only now did Jayna remember her purpose. Instead of coaxing him, she’d been provoking him.
But she couldn’t take her words back. While she searched for something to lighten his mood, Perus spoke first.
“So. What did you come to say?”
“Ah, right. The articles. You’ve seen them, haven’t you?”
“What articles?”
Feigning ignorance, he smirked.
“The ridiculous ones about you and Theoris fighting over me.”
“Oh, those? Of course I’ve seen them.”
With an exaggerated clap, he smiled broadly.
“I wrote them.”
“…What?”
“Hm?”
“You mean… you’re the one who wrote those articles?”
“Yes. Well, I didn’t take the photos myself, but still.”
Jayna was speechless. Staring at his carefree grin, she couldn’t believe her ears.
Finally, she blurted out:
“Perus, even if you want to mess with me, this is too far. Publishing false information is a crime.”
“False? I only wrote the truth.”
“You don’t even like me!”
“I do like you.”
“Don’t lie.”
“Why assume it’s a lie? I told you—I’m always sincere with you.”
Perus feigned a sorrowful expression, even pretending to wipe away tears. His insincere act made Jayna’s blood boil. She clenched her fists. She wanted nothing more than to punch him in the stomach again, but one glance at the shattered window reminded her to restrain herself.
