As Cecily asked with a bright smile, a shiver rose from my right arm and spread throughout my body like a chill. The blood flowing in my body cooled down, giving me the sensation of being frozen stiff. I almost couldnât even move my mouth, but I forced myself to shake off the feeling and turned my head towards where I suspected the source of the chill to be coming from
Where Arwen was.
However, Arwen looked greatly taken aback as soon as she met Cecily. From her expression and reaction alone, it was clear that she couldnât have been the one responsible for this chill. Neither could Cecily, who was still smiling.
âWho could it beâŠ?â
Could this feeling be just a figment of my imagination? As I hugged myself, feeling goosebumps rise on my skin, I suddenly remembered something odd.
Cecily had referred to the person she met as âthese people,â not âthis person,â when speaking to Arwen. But there was no one else but Arwen beside her.
Could there be a bodyguard like Gartz, who hid his body and followed Cecily around, protecting her from unseen threats? As Cecily was expected to be the next demon king, she must have had the ability to see things that others couldnât.
Alternating her gaze between Arwen and Cecily, I fixed my gaze on Cecilyâs smiling face and slowly spoke, pretending not to know anything.
ââŠWhat are you talking about, sis? Arwen is alone, isnât she?â
âHuh. Is that so?â
Pretending not to know, Cecily let out a sly chuckle and shifted her gaze to Arwen, crossed her arms to show her interest. With the dress already accentuating her chest, the gesture made it even more prominent. I struggled to lift my gaze away from her constant downward glances.
In the meantime, Cecily glanced at Arwen with a smirk before flashing a dangerously beautiful smile.
âSorry, I must have seen something wrong. You donât have to pay attention to what I said earlier.â
ââŠOkay.â
âSo, who is this person? Judging by the pure aura, she seems to be an elf.â
Cecily turned back to me and asked about Arwenâs identity. I glanced at Arwen.
Her face was difficult to read as her robe was pressed deeply against her skin, but her lips were slightly pursed.
Arwen had just met Cecily for the first time today, yet she had already noticed that she was an elf. There was nothing in particular for me to answer.
âSheâs just someone I coincidentally met at the bookstore. She helped me while I was choosing a book.â
âIs that all?â
âI also bought some delicious things and watched the exhibition. You see the strawberry candy here?â
As I mentioned the strawberry candy, Cecily looked towards Arwenâs hand. In it, Arwen held a half-eaten strawberry candy.
Continuing on, Cecily expressed her dissatisfaction to me in a slightly disappointed voice.
âYou didnât buy it for me, but for someone you met for the first time today.â
ââŠIâm sorry. Can I buy it for you now?â
âNo, itâs okay.â
Cecily replied briefly and approached us slowly. As she got closer, I could feel a cold energy emanating from my right side more and more strongly.
I turned my head to check on Arwen, but she had a calm expression on her face. I wasnât sure if I was being too sensitive or if it was just my imagination.
Thud-
Finally, Cecily confidently arrived in front of Arwen and us. More accurately, in front of Arwen.
Arwen was shorter than me, and Cecily boasted a long, slender figure, taller than me like Nicole. Due to the difference in height, Cecily looked down at Arwen, and they had a confrontational stance.
As they looked at each other, Cecily smiled softly and introduced herself to Arwen.
âNice to meet you. My name is Cecily.â
Perhaps she didnât feel the need to reveal herself as the princess of Helium, as Cecily simply provided her name. However, one could sense from her grace and charisma that her status was not insignificant.
Arwen glanced quickly up and down at Cecilyâs beautiful appearance before speaking in a quiet voice.
ââŠCall me Arwen.â
Her voice was small, but it wasnât weak at all. Rather, one might say a sense of caution emanated from it. Unlike Cecily, who spoke formally, Arwenâs casual tone might seem strange, but given the relationship between elves and demons, it wasnât that strange.
In the past, if elves viewed humans as inferior races, demons saw them as harmful beings. Elves were the descendants of angels, and demons were the descendants of devils. Just by looking at this, one could guess how their relationship was.
Since the energies they each possessed were polar opposites, there was a saying that they could feel uncomfortable just being close to each other. Fortunately, after the appearance of Xenonâs Biography, the elfâs gaze toward demons softened like any other races, but it would be difficult to hide the inherent discomfort.
âArwen⊠a plain but good name. Itâs the name of an elf hero who fought in the demon war, isnât it?â
âYou know it. And your name is also on the good side. It means âholyâ.â
âThank you for the compliment.â
At first glance, they seemed to be getting along well. Cecily didnât seem to pay much attention to Arwenâs condescending attitude. But one must not let their guard down. Although humans were the race that persecuted demons the most, elves were polar opposites by nature, so one couldnât be sure what they were thinking.
âShall we not stay here and go see some artwork instead?â
While I was maintaining my composure, Cecily suggested to Arwen in a gentle voice.
âItâs strange to just stand here like this. Donât you agree?â
Arwen nodded her head, indicating her acceptance. She still had a strawberry candy in her hand. It seemed difficult to eat.
âAhem.â
Without hesitation, Arwen took a bite of the strawberry candy. She found it difficult to resist keeping her gaze fixed on Cecily as she did so.
For a moment, Cecilyâs eyes widened in surprise when Arwen suddenly took a bite of the candy. However, she quickly regained her composure and smiled gracefully like a lady.
âIâm sorry. I couldnât resist the sweet smell.â
Meanwhile, Arwen, who had been eating the candy, swallowed her food with a gulp and replied.
âItâs okay. Isaac, what about you?â
I nodded my head in agreement with Cecilyâs question. Arwenâs personality had never been bad, and I had no reason to be against her.
Therefore, even if Cecily were a demon, there would be little chance of any problems arising.
âNo. Even though you guys might be fine, I feel uncomfortable. It seems like the two of you know each other, and itâs not appropriate for an outsider to interfere.â
â⊠âŠâ
âBut I wonât forget the kindness you showed me. Iâm really grateful.â
Arwen placed her right hand on the center of her chest and bowed her head slowly with an elegant and gracious greeting.
I accepted her greeting and briefly lamented the missed opportunity, then also politely greeted her according to etiquette. Since I had already guessed that she was a noble, I thought I should do this much out of courtesy.
âWell, I should be going now. Oh, and by the way, the strawberry candy is really delicious, so you should try it too. Yum.â
Arwen joked with me and took another bite of the strawberry candy. I couldnât help but laugh.
Her actions, telling me not to treat her like a child, were consistent to the end.
âIf we meet again someday, should I buy you another strawberry candy?â
âYou treat me like a child until the end. But thereâs no need for that. I should be the one to show you kindness then. I donât even know when, but I have a feeling that weâll meet again soon. People with a passion for history like you are rare, so we might even see each other at the Sanctuary.â
âThe SanctuaryâŠâ
Come to think of it, Professor Elena had mentioned it before. She said that if I entered the history department as a recommended student, she would take me to the sacred place of Albenheim.
Perhaps I could meet Arwen again at that time.
âI might be able to visit Alvenheim within the next 2-3 years. If fate allows, we could meet then.â
âThatâs great news. Isaac Ducker MichelleâŠIf I ever hear news of your visit to the sanctuary, I will make sure to go find you. Goodbye.â
Arwen left with only those words, taking a step back and then another before turning her back and walking away. I watched her retreating figure until she disappeared completely into the crowd.
As an elf who loved books and had an open mind, it was easy to converse with Arwen, so I felt quite disappointed to part ways like this.
âAre you feeling disappointed?â
When I turned my gaze to the direction where Arwen had disappeared, Cecily asked me from beside me. I blinked my eyes and turned my head to look at her.
Cecily had a gentle smile on her face. I stared at that beautiful smile for a moment and answered quietly.
ââŠA little bit?â
âIt seems like you liked her.â
âWe had similar hobbies, and for an elf, she was open-minded. She even showed me some magicâŠâ
Wait a minute. I suddenly remembered something and looked back at Cecily.
She tilted her head, as if she had something to say.
âNoona, can you show me some magic too?â
âMagic?â
âYes. Earlier, Arwen made water droplets and moved them around. Canât you do it too, Noona?â
Cecily is a demon, and sheâs even scheduled to be the next Demon King. So she must have an immense ability when it comes to magic.
As I looked at Cecily with sparkling eyes and anticipation, she looked at me with a disapproving gaze. Then, she smiled and spoke in a soothing voice.
âWhat kind of magic do you want, Isaac?â
âFor now, something that wonât cause any harm and is at the level of parlor tricks.â
âAt the level of parlor tricks, huh?â
Suddenly, Cecily blurred her words and gently grabbed my hand. I felt her calloused skin that had hardened through rigorous training, rather than being soft and well-maintained.
As I looked at Cecily with doubt, she maintained her smile and opened her mouth.
âLike this, for example?â
âWhat the⊠Ugh!â
Shwoosh!
My body was suddenly thrown upwards, and I couldnât help but scream in surprise.
BecauseâŠ
âW-What is thisâŠ! Please bring me down quickly!!â
âWhy? Itâs just a parlor trick for me?â
âMy heart feels like itâs going to stop, so please bring me down quickly!!â
Because Cecily sent me flying into the sky with her magic. She too was swimming through the sky through her magic.
Cecily let out a laugh as if seeing me flapping her arms and legs in the blue sky made her laugh.
âAhahahaha! Isaac. Do you know what you look like now?â
âPlease stop and let me down!â
âDonât be such a killjoy. Letâs stay like this for a little while because itâs cute.â
âNoona!â
And so, we ended up flying in the sky for 30 minutes.
*****
After parting ways with Isaac, Arwen went around visiting various art exhibits. In her hand, she held the strawberry candy that Isaac had bought for her.
She had already eaten two, leaving only three remaining, but it was enough for Arwen. She savored the candyâs sweetness and sourness at the same time in her mouth.
The syrupy sweetness and the tartness of the strawberry spread in her mouth, bringing Arwen a feeling of happiness.
âYour Majesty, are you really going to leave it as it is?â
Someone with a dissatisfied voice asked her beside her while Arwen was savoring the strawberry candy.
No one could see who it was, as they were currently in hiding, but it was Rain, the dark elf who had followed Arwen this time.
A little while ago, as soon as Cecily realized her existence, she exuded a terrifying energy that made Isaac cold.
âIs there anything we can do? We came here to watch, not to fight.â
âBut⊠the Queen knows too. The energy from that demon is very dangerous right now.â
â⊠âŠâ
Arwen didnât say anything in response to Rainâs explanation. She was just thinking about Cecily in her head.
The energy she felt from Cecily was very dangerous. Normally, demons are no different from humans, but in certain situations, things can change. The biggest example is when they are about to turn into devils. If they canât suppress emotions like anger or sadness after experiencing a terrible event, the concentration of black mana in them will increase.
However, this is something that can be felt regardless of race, and elves, who are opposite to demons, can feel it even more sensitively. And the concentration of black mana emanating from Cecily at the moment is slightly more dangerous than that of a demon. It is necessary to be cautious.
âI know that too. Itâs probably the evil cycle. But if she has a strong patience, we donât have to worry.â
âIf the Queen says so⊠What about that red-haired guy?â
âIsaac isâŠâ
Arwen thought of Isaacâs face. He was a human child who loved books and showed her kindness.
Rare red hair and golden eyes that are extremely rare in this world made her face intriguing. It was a fresh experience for her, who had never had anyone to talk to.
âBut to think such a person had a connection with the demon princessâŠâ