Chapter 81: Royce’s Visit (1/2)

“How did Darlian know about this place?”

“A long time ago, by chance. Ever since then, every time there’s a festival, I come and sit here.”

“Alone?”

“Mm.”

Night slowly seeped into this place.

Waiting for the fireworks to bloom, Finihiya shifted her head to glance back at the Sanctuary.

“Finihiya.”

“Mm?”

Hearing Darlian’s soft call, Finihiya withdrew her gaze and looked to her side.

At this moment, Darlian, who sat on the steps, rested her head on her hands folded atop her knees, her head tilted as she looked this way with especially gentle eyes.

“Isn’t it especially quiet here?”

“Mm.”

“When sitting here and waiting, it always feels like the world is just the two of us.”

Shoo—

A burst of light shot out from the tube’s mouth, soaring into the night sky and blossoming high above in dazzling colors.

The brilliance of the fireworks, woven gold and silver, cast a dreamlike glow over the Sanctuary, the steps, and the swaying, rustling trees.

“If only we could always sit here like this.”

This dreamlike sight was etched into the eyes of those who saw it, destined to become a memory in their long lives, forever lingering in their hearts.

As the years pass, it would only shine brighter—vivid, everlasting.

***

The sun shone warmly that afternoon.

Sunlight poured from the sky, shimmering on the distant sea, whose waves struck steep cliffs, scattering silvery foam under the sun.

A refreshing breeze, carrying the moist and distinct sweetness of the sea, blew gently, lifting the golden veil-like hair of the girl.

At this moment, Finihiya was sitting under the thick old oak tree.

Beneath the shadows cast by the greedily sprawling branches that seemed to clutch at the sky, Finihiya quietly gazed at the massive, heavy book spread out on the grass.

This tome, made of parchment and saturated with the weight of ages, was nearly half her height.

“Magic…”

A soft, almost murmured voice slipped from Finihiya’s cherry-like lips.

She had found this magic book tucked away in a corner of the library; inside, it recorded an astonishing variety of magic spells.

According to Danila, this book had most likely been read by Darlian in the past.

Her interest in such tomes of magic far surpassed that for ordinary books, mostly because there was no such thing as magic in her previous world—such a wondrous thing, so she had a natural fascination for it.

Although, due to her own magical attributes, she had managed to learn only a very few spells so far, that hardly diminished her enthusiasm for magic books.

Back when she served as Saintess in the Holy Nation, she had secretly read every magical tome she could find in the great library—whether she was supposed to or not.

Still…

Though that might sound impressive, in truth there were only a few dozen magic books in that grand library—magic wasn’t all that common in this world.

Now, the magic book before her was compiled by the demons.

Though many of the spells inside were already familiar to her.

“Mm…”

Staring at the spell recorded on the page, Finihiya felt a strange, subtle emotion well up inside her, then she quietly raised her hand and softly chanted an incantation.

“With this I pass judgment. To wail, to intone the Song of Calamity, with the Eternal Flame, burn away those cursed by broken oaths.”

As expected, nothing happened.

Looking at the unchanged result, a slight sense of regret and disappointment showed on Finihiya’s delicate face.

She had spent many years trying to understand this unique magical power within her, but never figured it out.

Just as a faint sense of dejection surfaced in her heart, a familiar screech suddenly echoed from afar.

She looked toward the source of the sound.

There, above the distant sea, a pale blue, bird-like creature skimmed low across the water.

The powerful wind from its wings sent ripples and waves rolling across the sea.

The Young Dragon circled overhead twice, then, slowing, landed with flapping wings onto the grass in front of Finihiya.

Its mouth clamped around a strange, oddly-shaped fish.

“Jii—”

Watching the slightly awkward steps of the Young Dragon as it staggered toward her, and then laid the odd fish at her feet, a gentle smile bloomed on Finihiya’s cherry lips.

Since their encounter here that time, her bond with the Young Dragon had steadily grown closer.

“Thank you~” Finihiya raised her right hand and gently stroked the Young Dragon’s small head. “I appreciate it, but you should eat it yourself.”

“Jii~”

As she petted the Young Dragon’s head, a voice called out to her from behind the oak tree.

“Lady Finihiya.”

Recognizing the familiar voice, she tilted her head and looked over to see a maid from the mansion standing there.

“Miss Angela.”

Angela gave a respectful bow before speaking. “There’s a man named Royce Claford from the Belgrade Association requesting to see you. Lady Finihiya, should we turn him away?”

Mr. Royce?

Hearing this name from Angela, Finihiya was a little surprised.

After a brief silence, she replied with calm indifference, “…Please tell him to wait at the pavilion in the garden, Miss Angela.”

“Yes, I understand, Lady Finihiya.”

Watching Angela’s figure gradually recede, Finihiya tilted her head thoughtfully for a moment, then slowly stood up, brushing the grass from her skirt.

A gust of wind swept in from the sea.

Blades of grass from the ground whirled up and floated into the deep blue sky.

She had thought she would arrive at the pavilion before Mr. Royce.

But as she crossed the flagstone path through the garden, she found Mr. Royce already waiting outside the pavilion.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Royce.”

Royce turned and looked her way, then removed his hat, pressing it to his chest as he bowed.

“Good afternoon, Lady Finihiya.”

His formal address caused Finihiya’s fine eyebrows to arch slightly.

She returned the courtesy with a gentle gesture, then took small steps into the pavilion.

On the stone table, the maids had set out pastries and black tea.

“Please, Mr. Royce, have a seat.”

“…Thank you.”

Noticing that Mr. Royce seemed a bit more reserved than during their last meeting, Finihiya offered a faint, reassuring smile.

“Mr. Royce, you seem a little nervous.”

“Hehe, well, it’s just that… meeting with such a beau…” Royce stopped himself abruptly, his smile turning a touch more wry. “Meeting with someone as elegant and noble as you, naturally, I’m nervous.”

At that, Finihiya lifted her teacup and took a small sip.

“This is the Mihol Empire…”

“No, no.” Though she hadn’t finished her words, Royce immediately caught her meaning and quickly interrupted, “Elegance and nobility transcend borders.”