“Speaking of which, where’s that little thing? Haven’t seen it around much lately.”
“No idea.” Elus Clisia shook her head lightly. “Does Darlian-sama want me to find it and bring it back?”
“No…”
Without much hesitation, Darlian the Demon Lord declined the offer.
After sitting and resting for a while, Darlian sat up straight again, then once more picked up the Feather Pen that was placed nearby to review the heavy pile of official documents.
Tap!
After picking up the Stamp Seal and stamping a vivid red Emblem Mark on the lower right corner of the document, Darlian seemed to collapse onto the chair, as if all her strength had been drained.
The sunlight outside was still strong, and the deep green leaves greedily absorbed the mid-August rays.
As she sat resting like this, Darlian’s mind suddenly conjured up Finihiya Hilesfiliana’s delicate, doll-like face, and the perfectly shaped lips curled slightly with a touch of delight.
She forced herself to sit up straight again, suppressing the fatigue in her limbs, and tidied up the somewhat messy stack of papers on the desk.
The Red Tea beside her, once steaming, had slowly cooled.
Darlian picked up the cup by the handle, took a sip of Red Tea, then turned and walked toward the open window.
Using her magic to make her body float, Darlian drifted through the open window and soared into the sky.
Flight Magic truly was a convenient thing.
However, due to the rarity of magical talent, very few people could use this kind of magic. Otherwise, the convenience it offered would greatly improve the quality of life for citizens in every nation.
After flying along the horizon for only a brief moment, Darlian arrived at the western-style manor where Finihiya Hilesfiliana lived.
Before landing at the manor’s entrance, she habitually scanned the gazebo in the garden and the small hill by the sea.
Sure enough, just before landing at the entrance, she saw Finihiya sitting under that oak tree.
Perhaps the view was broader there, or the sea breeze was more comfortable. Whenever the weather was fine, Finihiya would quietly sit there reading.
“Chirp –”
Just as Darlian was about to land on the patch of grass beside the oak, a rather unpleasant yet familiar call suddenly entered her ears.
When she looked over, a fluffy creature shot toward her.
“Chirp chirp –”
Seeing the excited young dragon perched on her shoulder, Darlian felt both helpless and amused.
“Darlian?”
Hearing Finihiya’s clear, bell-like voice, Darlian drew her gaze back from the young dragon and looked toward Finihiya sitting under the oak.
“Finihiya.” She responded with a smile, then tilted her head and looked at the young dragon again, raising her right hand to pinch the back of its neck.
“No wonder I haven’t seen you around lately. So this is where you’ve been hiding.”
Carrying the young dragon, Darlian walked over and sat beside Finihiya.
“Does Darlian know this young dragon?”
“Mm, I’m its keeper now.”
As Darlian spoke, she gently set the young dragon back on the ground.
No sooner had its feet touched the ground than the young dragon flapped its wings and dove straight into Finihiya’s arms.
Watching the affectionate response, Darlian’s elegant eyebrows lifted slightly.
“This little one’s really fond of you.”
“Hehe~” Finihiya stroked the young dragon’s glossy fur with her hand. “I don’t know why, either.”
“Finihiya’s magic is gentle, and your personality is kind, so it probably likes you for that reason.” Darlian paused briefly. “Back then, I put in a lot of effort just to get along with this little guy.”
“How did Darlian meet this child?”
At the question, Darlian turned her gaze slightly toward Finihiya.
Seeing the trace of curiosity in Finihiya’s eyes, Darlian’s gaze toward the sky grew a bit more distant and nostalgic.
“It was a long time ago. I’d taken a commission to deal with some monsters. After taking care of them, I heard this little one’s cries nearby. I thought it was too dangerous to leave it there, so I brought it back.”
“A long time ago…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Um…” A subtle emotion crossed Finihiya’s face, and in a quiet, soft voice she asked, “Just how long ago was it?”
“Fifty or sixty years ago, I think? Maybe even longer—I’ve pretty much lost track of time.”
“Fifty or sixty years…” Upon hearing this, Finihiya lowered her eyes and gazed at the young dragon, then muttered almost to herself, “Doesn’t that make it even older than me?”
“Heh~” Finihiya’s words made Darlian stifle a laugh behind her hand. “Come to think of it, Finihiya is only sixteen.”
“Youth is such a wonderful thing~”
At Darlian’s seemingly teasing comment, Finihiya silently watched her for a moment, then gave a soft, mock-annoyed hum.
***
After a short while, Finihiya, apparently having gotten over it, asked in her usual calm, gentle tone,
“If it’s been fifty or sixty years, then why is this young dragon still so small? It looks like it only just hatched.”
“I’m not really sure.” Darlian thought for a moment and shook her head. “By the Dragon Growth Cycle, this young dragon should be enormous by now.”
“Could it be sick?”
“No, this one’s very healthy.”
So saying, Darlian reached out her hand toward the young dragon snuggled in Finihiya’s arms.
After gently tugging the young dragon’s ear, Darlian spoke in a flat tone: “Maybe this little one has Transformation Magic, so it can stay in its juvenile form.”
“So that’s how it is…”
“It’s just a guess, I’m not certain. Mostly because I haven’t actually seen this little one use Transformation Magic.”
The sea off Holzbis sparkled with beautiful, azure light under the clear weather.
The sea breeze played with the long hair of the two sitting together.
“Still got lots of paperwork?”
“Hmm?” As she gazed at the distant line where sea met sky, Darlian suddenly heard Finihiya’s words and turned to look at her. “Impressive, how did you know, Finihiya?”
“It’s written all over your face, Darlian—nothing but the word ‘tired’.”
“Is it really that obvious?” Hearing this, Darlian conjured a mirror from ice magic. When she saw her own sleepy, weary eyes, she sighed softly, “It really is.”
“Want me to help you relax?”
At that, Darlian let out a questioning “Hmm?”
“How will you help?”
“Please give me your hand.”
“Oh.”
Following Finihiya’s words, she extended her right hand.
Finihiya’s surprisingly soft hands cupped hers, and then pressed her thumbs into the center of Darlian’s palm.