Chapter 49

Episode 49

During the period when Ilian barely spent any time at the castle due to his inspection of the territory, Lydia couldn’t shake off a profound loneliness.

Coming to the main estate of Esteban had, in fact, completely freed her from behavioral restrictions.

The area she could explore was much larger, and this grand castle was striking whether viewed from the outside or while walking through it.

But walking alone down the wide corridors lined with tall columns inevitably brought on a sense of emptiness.

“Milady, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

“No. I’m fine.”

The one difference from the capital residence was that someone else now accompanied her.

She considered dismissing them as she had in the capital, but since she was still unfamiliar with this place, she hesitated and left it be.

Thanks to that, she was able to navigate the vast castle—so large that on her own, she might never have figured out where anything was or what went on—relatively well.

The maid named Sera, with her calm brown hair, quickly picked up on wherever Lydia’s gaze landed and, as always, stepped forward first to explain.

“If you go that way, there’s the training grounds.”

“Training grounds?”

“It’s where the knights practice.”

Lydia had seen Ilian heading that way before, but since it didn’t seem like a place she would particularly visit, she merely nodded at the explanation and began wandering aimlessly toward another direction.

—I can… feel it… at the… edge…

Lydia heard that voice again.

Strangely, this time it sounded even fainter, like it was breaking off.

As if the thin line connecting them was about to snap.

She was beginning to feel more certain of her vague suspicion that the dragon wasn’t avoiding communication out of whim, but rather because it simply couldn’t anymore.

As the curse was being lifted, it made sense that the link seemingly formed between Lydia and the dragon would also disappear.

But if that’s the case, then even this lingering fragment of the dragon’s consciousness…

Would never find peace.

Even if the curse itself could be lifted without trouble, the conclusion left a troubling aftertaste.

Not only because it could cause problems again, but also because leaving something unresolved in a magical sense was unsettling to Lydia.

—Focus.

Suddenly, the voice grew clearer than before, causing Lydia to instinctively stop in her tracks. Sera, startled, also halted beside her.

They had stopped in front of a room with two large, tightly closed doors. Lydia placed her hand on one and slowly began to push. She had a strong feeling that something was inside.

“What’s this place?”

With a long creak, the door opened to reveal a space with chairs set around a massive table. A map stood against one wall, hinting at the room’s purpose.

“This is the council hall. When the heads of the families under House Esteban gather, they hold meetings here.”

Behind the largest chair at the far end, a sword hanging on the wall caught Lydia’s eye. Its scabbard was surprisingly simple for something from House Esteban, yet elegant. It was clearly something important.

“It’s a sword passed down through the generations in House Esteban.”

“Is it usually just displayed like that?”

“No, I’ve heard that the head of the family normally carries it, and sometimes temporarily passes ownership to a direct family member.”

There was a reason for its lack of ornamentation.

It needed to be practical.

Still, since Ilian didn’t intend to use it, it seemed it could only remain here.

It doesn’t seem particularly special…

There was a strange pull that had drawn her into this room, but apart from the sword, it was an otherwise empty space.

Lydia paused, wondering if the dragon, now silent again, would speak another word. But perhaps it had exhausted its strength, for it said nothing.

After one last look around the place with its lingering chill, Lydia stepped back outside.

The strong sunlight made it clear that summer was arriving faster here than in the capital.

Thankfully, her attire had also become much lighter.

Though she was still layered, the thin, flowing fabric now wrapping her body made it easier to move than back in the capital, and she felt more inclined to walk around.

As Lydia’s gaze was briefly captured by sunlight sparkling through the dense leaves extending from a branch outside the window, Sera tugged lightly at her sleeve and spoke.

“Milady, it seems the master has returned.”

Following Sera’s gaze, Lydia saw Ilian speaking with someone in a serious expression.

The other person wore a sword—likely a knight.

What was unexpected was Ilian’s appearance—he looked quite different from how he did in the capital. Most notably, he had a sword at his waist.

There was a time she thought such a refined man could never suit it, but now, resting his hand casually on the hilt and shaking his head, he looked entirely natural.

Even his clothes emphasized practicality more.

Still his everyday wear, but not just a shirt—he wore comfortable leather clothes, as if heading out for a hunt. It made her think he might even suit armor quite well.

“…That’s nonsense.”

“I mean it.”

“It’s superstition. Can’t we just send more men?”

“I went myself. But my memory cut out—and I was back at the forest’s entrance.”

“And so you’re choosing the inconvenient long way around because of that?”

“It’s an unavoidable situation.”

The contents of their conversation piqued Lydia’s interest.

It seemed there was some disagreement, and the knight appeared to be trying to persuade Illian. The discussion didn’t seem likely to end quickly.

Judging by how openly they were talking in such a public space, Lydia assumed it wasn’t classified information.

She leaned against the railing and called out to them as they approached the entrance from below.

“Is there a problem?”

“Milady.”

“Lydia.”

The knight immediately greeted her politely, and though Ilian squinted against the sunlight, he managed to look up at her properly.

“It looked like a conversation that wouldn’t end easily. Sometimes adding one more person helps reach a conclusion faster.”

Her hands clasped together, her words carried a subtle inference. From the word “superstition,” she suspected it might be magic-related.

Ilian, seemingly realizing what Lydia had deduced, wore a brief look of contemplation before suddenly speaking.

“If you’re not busy, come down and walk with me.”

The knight standing beside him looked somewhat relieved by this natural dismissal.

At the very least, it felt like Lydia had helped him escape Ilian’s pointed remarks.

Clearly wishing not to be overheard, Lydia turned to Sera.

“You don’t need to follow from here.”

“Yes, understood.”

With a warm expression, Sera watched the couple as if they were going on a sweet stroll and soon stepped back.

As Lydia descended the nearby stairs, even before her foot touched the ground, she saw Illian extend a hand toward her.

“Take it.”

“Feels like I might trip.”

Rather than say she could walk just fine on her own, Lydia chose to rely on his hand.

Walking quickly, the layered, trailing fabric brushing her ankles felt more of a hazard than she’d expected.

“Were you alright while I was gone?”

“…I was fine. Nothing special happened.”

She’d thought he’d get straight to the point, but Ilian surprised her by continuing with casual conversation, making her response slightly delayed.

Though this was his “home,” Ilian led her along the quiet forest path with an ease that was hard to believe for someone who hadn’t been here in a while.

The sight of thick, leafy trees lining both sides naturally brought a refreshing feeling.

Lydia let go of his hand and slowly began to walk ahead. The Esteban estate’s scenery, in harmony with nature, awakened in her a preference she hadn’t even known she had.

She realized she loved this season—when nature’s vibrant green was at its peak—more than she thought.

“You seem to like it.”

“Yes, I think I’ll always remember this place even after leaving.”

Her loose brown hair, left down without any styling, drew the eye as it brushed her arm while she turned to look at him.

Ilian, almost without her noticing, reached out as if to gently grasp the end of it—but after hearing her reply, he let it go and watched it slip away again.