Chapter 17
“I’ve collected many old books in the villa, and there are even some about spirit users. They contain more detailed information than what’s commonly known, so there’s a lot of interesting content.”
Nox trotted slowly along the forest path, his hooves clip-clopping. Havel’s soft voice gently brushed past my ear from behind.
If anyone else saw this scene, they’d think it was a sweet and peaceful moment. But I, sitting in front of him, couldn’t even lift my head from sheer embarrassment.
Where did it all go wrong? Was it from the moment I skipped breakfast? Yes, my brain must have gotten dull from not eating.
Regretting it now wouldn’t change what had already happened.
In my lowered gaze, I saw water dripping from the hem of Havel’s coat.
Really, I hadn’t meant for any of this to happen.
I was just too embarrassed about having devoured the sandwich by myself, and I simply walked by the pond to avoid the awkward atmosphere with Havel. I just didn’t expect to lose my footing there.
And in that moment, as I stumbled, I never, ever, expected someone to throw themselves forward for me.
Because I hadn’t had much experience with that.
My life had always been about stumbling, falling to the ground, and getting up as if nothing happened. So, when a large figure suddenly approached me, it was only natural for me to instinctively defend myself, wasn’t it?
Therefore, pushing Havel wasn’t intentional at all.
By the time I came to my senses, Havel was already waist-deep in the pond. Fortunately, it wasn’t deep, otherwise I might have turned the man known as the strongest into a soaking wet mess.
He told me he was fine when I apologized, and as soon as he got out of the pond, he checked on me first to see if I was hurt. Feeling even more apologetic at his concern, I kept bowing and apologizing, and he repeatedly said it was fine, only making the atmosphere more awkward.
In the end, we ended up returning to the villa, having eaten less than half of the food.
Perhaps feeling sorry for my silence and downcast gaze, Havel, who normally wasn’t much of a talker, began to speak more than usual as he gently guided Nox.
To be honest, I barely listened to most of it, but the mention of books about spirits piqued my interest. Ancient texts about spirits were incredibly hard to find these days. With spirit summoners growing fewer, related materials had nearly vanished.
Hmm, Iggy always got annoyed when I asked him things, maybe I should read them myself.
“Would it be possible for me to borrow books about spirits? I’ll be extremely careful not to damage them.”
Since I had already committed more than one offense against Havel, I couldn’t ask too boldly, so I asked in a small voice. Havel tugged on the reins once and answered as if he had been waiting.
“You can just take them. I’ve already read them all anyway.”
“No, they’re precious books. Just borrowing them is enough.”
When I said that, he chuckled.
“I knew you’d say that. I’ll lend them to you anytime, so you can come and see them whenever you need.”
I was about to say “yes,” but then I paused.
Did that mean he wanted me to come here again? I hesitated, feeling like I shouldn’t answer too quickly. Before I knew it, the forest path ended, and a wide field appeared.
Neigh! Nox let out a cheerful whinny as he saw the villa approaching. I sighed in relief at the nearing villa, then tilted my head at the silhouettes of quite a few people standing in front of it.
What was going on…?
“Oh no, why today of all days.”
Havel’s voice, mixed with a sigh, echoed in my ears. Havel suddenly stopped Nox, who had been walking fine, and dismounted. When I looked at him with a questioning gaze, Havel firmly wrapped the reins around one hand to keep Nox from moving and extended his other hand to me.
“Serira, hold my hand and come down carefully.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Brother, no, it seems His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
The Emperor? Now? Here? Why all of a sudden?
More importantly, what would he say if he saw us together? Last time, it was obvious that the Emperor wanted to pair Princess Daisy with Havel. Wouldn’t seeing me with him cause a misunderstanding?
A surge of anxiety flared within me.
As if he saw my trembling eyes, Havel’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything that would cause others to misunderstand. I have no intention of putting you in a difficult position.”
“Ah, that’s… I’m sorry. Since I have already caused enough trouble today, though it was an accident and not on purpose… Still, if His Majesty finds out about Havel drinking the potion, he might be very angry… Oh, it’s not that I dislike Havel or anything!”
Huh? What did I just say?
I quickly added more, fearing he’d think I was unwilling to show our relationship to others, but contrary to my intention, it became a very misleading statement.
Flustered by my unconscious words, I muttered softly,
“No, I mean…”
Havel’s expression relaxed, and he let out a soft smile.
“If you don’t dislike it, that’s enough. For now, that’s all I need.”
“Yes? What did you say?”
If you don’t dislike it. What he said next was too soft a whisper to hear clearly. So I asked again, but Havel just smiled slightly and lightly shook his outstretched hand, as if urging me to take it quickly.
“Nothing. Come down carefully, Serira.”
* * *
“Hmm, quite an unexpected sight.”
As Havel had said, the people gathered in front of the villa were the Emperor’s direct knight order and attendants.
Though the Emperor seemed to have come in secret with only a small group, he was still the Emperor, and even a ‘small’ group meant well over ten people.
Approaching the Emperor with Havel, I knelt down before him.
“I greet His Majesty, the Sun of the Empire.”
“Rise, Lady Ventus. Even on a casual outing, that kind of formality is exhausting.”
Havel asked the Emperor, who was waving his hand dismissively with an annoyed expression.
“What brings you here, Brother?”
“What do you mean, ‘what brings me here’? It’s not like I’ve only come once or twice. It’s a holiday, so I thought I’d drop by for tea and a chat. The question ‘what brings you here’ seems more like something I should ask Lady Ventus.”
With those words, the Emperor, who had just been indifferent, looked at me sharply. I flinched and was about to speak when Havel stepped slightly in front of me, shielding me.
“I merely invited Lady Ventus briefly to inquire about matters related to spirits. As you know, spirits dislike appearing in crowded places.”
“Spirits? Have you suddenly developed an interest in spirits?”
“Most mages are very interested in spirits. As a magic user, I, too, was very interested in Lady Ventus’s spirit magic. I thought it would be more courteous to ask her to demonstrate spirit magic here, where nature breathes, rather than in the chaotic imperial capital, so I invited Lady Ventus here.”
Havel’s back blocked my view, so I couldn’t see the Emperor’s face.
There was nothing particularly suspicious about Havel’s words, but still, the Emperor had known Havel for a long time, so a flicker of unease crossed my mind, thinking he might detect Havel’s lie.
However, my anxiety vanished in less than a minute.
“Hmm, yes, well, if you say so, then it must be so. Havel, I’ll go inside the villa first, so see Lady Ventus off and then come in. Lady, take care on your way back.”
“Yes? Yes. Your Majesty.”
The Emperor, who greeted us with a calm voice free of suspicion, quickly disappeared into the villa.
“Serira, I’m truly sorry, but I think you’ll have to return now. I don’t think I’ll even be able to escort you home. I honestly don’t know what to say… I’m sorry.”
Havel, who had turned to face me, said in a quiet voice. His face was hardened, as if he disliked this situation.
“I’m fine, you don’t need to worry. Please go in. I’ll be going now.”
After comforting the uncharacteristically sulky Havel, I turned towards the carriage. Although I said I could go alone, Havel insisted on escorting me to the carriage.
“I should have prepared in advance for the situation where my brother would stop by occasionally… I have nothing to say.”
At his low voice, filled with guilt, I hastily shook my head.
“No, I’m the one who should apologize today. I’m truly fine, so please don’t worry. Then, I’ll be on my way now.”
The moment I reached the carriage and bid him farewell, Havel raised my clasped hand and leaned his upper body forward.
A soft touch, very brief, brushed the back of my hand.
What just happened…?
Before I could fully comprehend the situation, Havel straightened up and gave me a bright smile.
“Serira, thank you for giving me your precious time today. Please, return safely.”
* * *
As Havel stepped into the villa, he narrowed his brows at the sudden heat. The fireplace in the living room was blazing with red flames, indicating how much firewood had been put in.
And on the living room sofa in front of the fireplace, the Emperor was lying in a very comfortable position.
Why today, of all days?
Thinking of not being able to have dinner with Serira, a surge of irritation rose towards the relaxed Emperor.
Whether he knew Havel’s feelings or not, the Emperor showed no intention of getting up in Havel’s presence. As Havel took a step towards the sofa, the Emperor’s voice echoed through the living room.
“Did you send the lady off properly?”
“Yes. It’s a holiday, so why did you bother coming all the way here instead of spending time with your family, Brother?”
“You’re also my family, but it seems you’ve forgotten for a moment.”
At the Emperor’s indifferent reply, Havel sighed briefly and took off his coat, handing it to a servant. Havel was about to sit on the sofa next to the Emperor but paused, noticing the wet state of his clothes. The floor where he stood was becoming damp.
“Brother, please wait a moment; I’ll go change my clothes.”
Instead of responding, the Emperor’s gaze fell on Havel’s soaked trousers. Staring silently at his trousers, the Emperor clicked his tongue.
“You look a mess. Go change and come back. I have something to discuss with you.”
At the Emperor’s words, Havel bowed his head and headed upstairs to change.
A moment later, Havel, having changed his clothes, finally sat on the sofa next to the Emperor. In front of the Emperor was a teacup, seemingly untouched and still full.
As Havel looked at it, the Emperor casually spoke.
“Havel, what exactly is your relationship with Lady Ventus?”
