TYHL 88

~Chapter 88~

“Ruby, let’s pack this to go. The atmosphere in this restaurant isn’t great.”

Dad stood with a cool smile. I hurriedly grabbed the Duke’s sleeve.

“Dad, it tastes better when we eat it here…”

Seriously, who taught this Duke table manners?

Ah. Must’ve been Grandpa.

“Hahaha, can’t even take a joke?”

The emperor laughed heartily.

“To think I’d ever see a duke like this. Fine, fine—eat slowly.”

Licht kept touching his teacup, lips pressed shut like he was embarrassed.

Then—

“Your Majesty.”

A servant rushed over. The emperor’s gaze turned a shade colder.

“What is it?”

The servant bowed and whispered.

“There’s been a small accident at the southern mines…”

“Because Arcadia cut off the supply of magic tools?”

“Yes. It seems like retaliation for not allowing the Tracking Magicians to continue their search.”

“Tch. So it’s come to this.”

A deep crease formed between the emperor’s brows.

I quietly set down my fork.

So that’s…

Because the Vamilon imperial family kept refusing to let them pursue me, the Magic Kingdom retaliated by cutting off magic tools.

“In the end…”

My fist tightened on my lap. I could feel Licht’s glance.

“Cough, cough.”

Maybe from the stress, my cough came back. Dad clicked his tongue.

“Your Majesty, we should take our leave. The child still isn’t well.”

The emperor jolted out of thought.

“Ah, right. I should get up too.”

He told the servants to wrap all the remaining cake. He patted my head gently, eyes kind and soft.

“Sorry, young lady. I wanted to keep you longer. Next time, I’ll invite you to the Imperial Palace. Oh—and you’re entering the competition, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be cheering for you.”

He really felt like a kind uncle… though I don’t actually have one.

“Yes. And, Your Majesty…”

Feeling oddly sorry, I lightly held his fingertips.

“Hm?”

“Please… stay strong!”

“……”

His mint-colored eyes trembled a little.

Uh-oh. Maybe I shouldn’t have touched the emperor?

A long sigh escaped him. He looked at Dad with a bit of envy.

“Truly… this is the first time I’ve ever been jealous of a duke.”

Clack.

The door closed.

“Goodbye!”

I bowed properly to the end and left. Licht went along to see us off.

The emperor chuckled and scanned a letter a servant brought.

Really…

That Zebret Duke—having a child like that?

“From now on, things will be even noisier.”

If that pale face were shown fully, she’d become an even bigger topic.

He remembered the soft warmth of the girl’s hand and her bright, clever voice telling him to stay strong.

He groaned quietly. A daughter really is different.

“Bring the base magician.”

The emperor’s mask returned.

Before long, Asha Drukan hurried in.

“Y-You called for me?”

Sitting at the head with his legs crossed, the emperor asked bluntly:

“I’ll be direct. Do you know anything about the Arcadian magician who ran away?”

“Eh—no. Not at all.”

She answered immediately. The short-haired woman glanced up nervously, her plain clothes covered in flower petals and colored scraps. Those gentle eyes didn’t look like a magician’s at all.

“Um… is something wrong?”

The emperor sighed at her unhurried face.

“The kingdom stopped supplying magic tools because I refused to let them search for the runaway.”

Asha groaned.

“Well… if it’s urgent magic tools, I could try making some…”

She muttered about magic stones and circles—at least that part sounded like a real magician.

The emperor recalled the letter.

Negotiations about magic tools? Obviously they just want an excuse to snoop around here.

It said they would send one magician for negotiations.

So they think I’m hiding the runaway? Too bad.

He himself wanted to know where that child was.

Should I allow in a Tracking Magician?

They’d only been allowed in the southern border villages until now—he had refused them entry into the Empire proper.

I meant to hold out, but in the end…

He gripped the armrest tightly. Duke Zebret’s face kept flashing in his mind, but he pushed it away. He wore Vamilon’s crown.

“If the runaway really were here, Asha Drukan would’ve noticed first.”

He sighed again.

“Hide well, nameless child. Wherever you are in Vamilon—just don’t come here today.”

He called a servant.

“Authorize the gate portal. But only one magician may set foot in Vamilon.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He hesitated, then added:

“Keep this secret. Especially from Duke Zebret.”

“Eh?” The servant’s eyes went round.

“If only Vamilon profits, that’s enough? Hah—I’ve become a merchant.”

“…Lately I hear nothing but correct words. My ears hurt.”

A weary sigh slipped out.

“Bye, Licht! See you on competition day!”

I waved hard. Licht—unusually—stared at me the whole time as he walked me out. His lips worked like he had something to say. Sure enough, he stopped me.

“Rubian, um… could we talk for a moment?”

“Ah, sorry. I’m busy… not feeling well.”

Sorry, Licht. I’ve got something urgent too.

“Ah.”

He gave a faint smile and stepped back.

“No, I’m sorry. You’re still unwell. Then… after the competition, can we talk?”

“Of course!”

I nodded quickly.

From the distance, a servant relayed Dad’s words. I hurried him along.

“Let’s go home, Dad!”

“Why the rush?”

“Uh… reasons!”

I had to see Khalid right away!

Khalid set down his wooden sword. Looking up, he saw a hawk circling.

“So that’s what it was.”

He left the training grounds and headed to a secluded courtyard.

He raised his hand; the hawk dove toward him.

A messenger bird from the Allen Mercenary Corps.

Khalid untied the small note from its leg.

“One Tracking Magician passed through the southern portal. Destination expected: the North.”

His brow furrowed.

They crossed the gate?

They’d only been scouring the far southern edge until now.

And during the biggest festival—the Verdant Festival—of all times… a tracker was coming north.

He had a bad feeling.

What are they plotting?

Clenching his teeth, Khalid started moving.

Ruby’s out right now. Should I go meet her?

Just then, a girl came running, yelling his name.

“Khaaal!”

It was Rubian, sprinting full speed.

Khalid frowned. What if she tripped? She’d gotten way too confident about running.

He hurried to close the distance.

“Ruby, perfect timing. My animal friend just…”

He quickly told her the message.

“Ah, I knew it.”

“Knew what?”

“I had a bad feeling. The emperor’s mood was… off.”

Ruby bit her lip. A shadow crossed her face. Khalid tightened his grip on his sword and stepped closer.

“What should I do, Ruby?”

“Hmm…”

“I could have my animal friends guard the portal and take care of—”

“I told you not to make scary jokes.”

She frowned slightly. Khalid shut his mouth. (It wasn’t a joke.)

After thinking, Ruby lifted her head and stared into his eyes.

She stepped closer—Khalid flinched. At times like this, he couldn’t control his face.

“You know, Khal… when I play hide-and-seek with my brothers—”

Suddenly?

He raised a brow at the random start.

“Once they check somewhere and don’t find me, they rarely come back.”

“……”

“But actually, I was hiding there the whole time.”

Her voice dropped.

“Of course, if they search the entire mansion and still don’t find me, they come back eventually. Isn’t that what’s happening now?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I don’t think we can avoid the trackers forever. So maybe… we should let them confirm something once, for sure.”

Khalid’s lips tightened. What was she planning?

“The conclusion is…”

Ruby just grinned.

Then her pale little hands shot out toward him.

“Give it to me!”