Chapter 40: 40

Episode 40: Of Old Friends and First Love (IV)

 

“She could be alive.”

Declen shrugged his shoulders.

“What?! Then, isn’t it really a big deal?! Measures need to be taken…”

It was when someone from the group raised his voice in panic.

“The moment the princess reappears at least one time.”

A glint of madness flashed in his eyes. Those who received that gaze felt an unbearable pressure.

“I’ll step up.”

“Ah…”

“Are you still anxious?”

The moment Declen curved his lips slightly, magical energy swirled around him.

Squeezed by the force, the group trembled with their mouths agape.

“Oh, no. How could anything happen? We have Declen.”

“Then stop worrying and do your jobs.”

His voice softened in an instant. With a sweet smile on his face.

“If you don’t do it right… There will be no need to worry about the princess.”

“…Yes.”

They all knew that Declen’s words were sincere and not just a threat.

And he had the power to take their lives instantly.

Those around Declen retreated as if they were running away.

After everyone disappeared, only Declen remained in the mansion. A mansion that was so terribly quiet.

He walked lightly and opened the window. He smiled as he greeted the moonlight that came in with the night wind.

“I haven’t seen you in six months.”

He muttered softly with a clear smile that was quite alien when he recalled the situation a while ago.

“What the hell is the princess doing right now?”

*******

Eristella trembled at the chilling sensation she suddenly felt on the back of her neck.

Why does she suddenly feel bad?

The sudden appearance of that guy’s face made her want to pour out a lot of curses.

‘I feel like something very bad is about to happen.’

Eristella vigorously shook her scrunched-up face a few times and straightened her mind.

‘Let’s ignore it. Ignore it and focus on something else.’

Eristella calmly closed her eyes.

Not long ago, after receiving a large amount of magic stones from Heinricion, she had pockets of time where she could concentrate periodically to increase the amount of magic.

It was an unfamiliar feeling to gradually gather magic power, as it was only overflowing before.

And it’s difficult…’

Eristella jumped backwards.

Uhh, she was already tired. Her stamina was dropping too quickly.

Then there was only one way.

As soon as Eristella jumped up, Sonia approached her as if she had been waiting.

“Fox. It’s meal time.”

‘Meat!’

Eristella’s eyes lit up. It was the most lively of the day.

“Today I prepared twice as much as yesterday.”

‘Indeed, it’s Sonia.’

Eristella was delighted and she ran to the dining room. There, food was prepared on the table with Heinricion, who was seated first.

Among them, what caught Eristella’s attention was the pile of meat cut into bite-sized pieces for the fox.

‘This is it!’

Eristella was even more enthusiastic than usual about her meal.

‘With this, I can replenish my stamina.’

‘It doesn’t matter whether or not Heinricion looked at me from the side as if he’s sick and tired of seeing me behave like that.’

Eristella had her eyes fixed on the meat, in absolute focus. Gradually, her eyes moved to look at the clear gaze she felt coming from next to her.

‘You’re not going to eat?’

Heinricion’s plate, which didn’t look much different from the beginning, stood out.

‘Then shall I eat it?’

It was when Eristella was about to take a piece of meat on Heinricion’s plate. Heinricion’s fork blocked it.

“Eat your own.”

‘Come on. You’re so cheap. Let me know if you think there will be any leftovers.’

Eristella concentrated on her portion of meat again.

In addition, Sonia constantly provided Eristella snacks day and night.

They were the exact ones that she likes!

It took her a few days to replenish her stamina, absorb magic, and immerse herself in training.

Eristella felt once again that she was definitely a natural wizard. Although she became a fox, her constitution did not seem to have changed much.

‘It’s definitely working.’

As she continued to touch the magic stones, the amount that could be absorbed and the amount that could be used once increased gradually.

The types of magic that could be used were becoming more and more diverse.

The more that happened, the more Eristella’s confidence grew.

‘If I work a little harder, I think I will be able to use one or two higher-level magic.’

Still, more time was needed.

Eristella’s routine became simplified.

All day long, she repeatedly absorbed magical powers and regenerated her body with snacks. And the day went by quickly as she discussed the future with Charlotte and Sonia.

Then, late at night, as soon as she laid her back on the bed, she fell asleep in an instant.

*******

It was when Eristella was resting from exhaustion after gathering her magical energy all morning.

Charlotte smiled and brought an invitation.

“Voila. Look at this.”

[What is that?]

Charlotte had an assertive smile as she opened the invitation.

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— We would like to invite distinguished guests to a banquet hosted by the opera house. We hope that you will be able to attend and make the event brighter. —

“This will be attended by most ladies, not to mention the ladies of the Marquis of Lateron.”

[Oh–!]

Eristella lifted her head up; her golden eyes gleamed. Finally, a good opportunity has come.

[Take me too.]

The last banquet at the Imperial Palace was not enough to grasp the nobles’ movement. The problem of Count Azurdi also occurred in the middle.

Eristella wanted to tag along and check the situation.

“Great. I’ll pick you up before the party starts. Then see you then.”

After Charlotte went away, Eristella burst out laughing in anticipation.

‘This time too, I can’t just go as it is. Shall I go see Serian?’

It was when Eristella, who firmly held the invitation given by Charlotte, turned around.

Dun.

There seemed to be a strange sound effect coming from somewhere, and Heinricion appeared in front of her. Additionally, with a very serious face.

“Hmm.”

‘What. Why do you look like that?’

Heinricion’s stoic face and Eristella’s confused face met.

While they stared at each other—

“You.”

‘I think there’s something on my face that he doesn’t like.’

Eristella attempted to understand Heinricion’s expression. The dark-haired man spoke up.

“You seem to be busy these days.”

‘Is that so? Hmm, I have been a little busy these days.’

“I didn’t see you except at mealtimes and when you’re sleeping. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you? Besides, you seem to be going out.”

Eristella tilted her head. What’s wrong with that?

Heinricion frowned as if he didn’t like what he had just said.

“Now that you have those two, you don’t need me anymore, do you?”

‘?’

Did that sound sarcastic?

‘Well… Hmm…’

Eristella tilted her fuzzy head, immersed in her thoughts.

‘Maybe he’s pissed off because I only hang out with Sonia and Charlotte?’

‘Ah, it’s not, right?’

No way Heinricion could be upset about something like that. It’s never going to happen.

But…

‘Why do my lips keep rising? Why are my eyebrows curved like that?’

‘I really don’t know why.’

Heinricion’s face slowly hardened as he watched Eristella’s little body tremble in her effort to contain her laughter.

In fact, Heinricion himself did not know why he was saying this. He just felt bad, like his stomach was twisting, but he didn’t know what he was feeling.

Just seeing Eristella wandering around without him made him grumpy.

‘How much have I helped you so far? Am I being tossed away because new people appeared?’

A sad heart came out.

*******

Eristella licked the corners of her lips and called for Heinricion.

[Heinricion.]

“…….”

[Cion.]

Right when Heinricion, who was pretending not to have seen her, turned his head toward her at her persistent call.

As if she had been waiting for this moment, Eristella drew closer to Heinricion’s face and brought up the words she prepared.

[Heinricion. You seem to be upset, so I’ve prepared a special place for you.]

“When did I?”

As soon as he answered, Heinricion immediately regretted it. He reacted too quickly. As such, it seemed like he was acknowledging it.

[Come on. Don’t do that.]

Again, Eristella’s eyes were curved like a crescent moon. It was probably not only Heinricion’s misunderstanding that that smile was strangely cheeky.

“What are you going to do?”

Heinricion, already completely swept up by Eristella, was half-desperate.

Somehow, an ominous foreboding that Eristella would do as she desired was strong.

[Charlotte has an invitation to an opera banquet. I think it would be good to look at the reaction to ‘Eristella’ as she asked.]

“I think Charlotte would do well.”

Eristella wanted to go there and see the situation. Which was why she asked Charlotte for a favor, but… 

[Come with me!]

“Why should I go there…”

‘The fox’s owner is Cion. That’s you. Of course you should attend.’

Eristella persuaded Heinricion. In actual fact, she was forcing him to go.

[You’re sad because it seems like you’re the only one being left out.]

When Heinricion expressed his refusal in embarrassment, Eristella slapped his head and responded as if it was natural.

For a moment, Heinricion paused without realizing it. He almost had hiccups.

“When did I say that?”

Heinricion disliked the idea and tried to refute, but to no avail.

Eristella suddenly directed a serious expression at Heinricion and said,

[Help me. Cion.]

“…….”

‘She’s really playing with me.’

Heinricion sighed deeply and looked into the empty space.

At the same time, however, the fox suddenly climbed over his head and obscured his view, so he couldn’t do much.

“Okay.”

In the end, Heinricion nodded his head as Eristella wished.

When the organizers were informed that Heinricion would attend the opera banquet, it was natural that they cheered and informed each attendee of this fact.

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