Lilica shook her head. Ludia smiled slightly and asked.
âCome to think of it, how is Diare? Do you like her?â
âYes.â
Lilica nodded. âThank goodness,â said Ludia briefly.
Diare Wolfe.
Before her return, when Ludia was sentenced to death and was about to die.
She had already become one of the empireâs top three knights.
Although she was also famous for her headstrong personality.
âShe was definitely the Wolfe familyâs artifact user, wasnât she? The artifact was called âFangsâ, was it?â
The ancient families possessed several artifacts.
The number of artifacts in their possession also symbolised the familyâs greatness.
Amongst the ancient relics that were taken from the sunken main island, some were famous, and some were shrouded in mystery.
As artifacts cannot be made anymore as the magic was lost, all the families treated their artifacts preciously.
Some of them have complicated requirements, and the same was the case with the âFangsâ.
âFangsâ has only been an artifact in name for the longest time, since an eligible user hasnât appeared in the Wolfe family.
Diare was the youngest wielder of that âFangsâ.
âIâm not too clear on the details, though.â
All that Ludia knew was that it was an artifact that boosted physical ability.
Since she knew of such a promising talent that was around Lilicaâs age, she couldnât help but attach her to Lilica.
âDespite her young age, sheâs already called âDiare the uncompromisingâ.â
Ludia thought that it would be nice for Lilica to build some connections, so she chose Diare.
âIf youâre feeling down, you have to tell Mom, okay?â
âYes,â replied Lilica and nodded to Ludiaâs words.
While Diare was also great, she was reminded more of Fjord.
Fjord will be quite happy to hear this news.
âBut Atil might be angry.â
No, heâll definitely be angry.
Lilica swallowed down a groan. What should she say to Atil?
Lilica swallowed down a snack while agonising over it. It was a sweet snack, but she found it slightly discomforting because of her worries.
Lilica jumped out of her seat to soothe her mood.
âMother, Iâll take my leave first.â
âAre you leaving already? Mom is going to order a tailored dress, so letâs also order one for Lilica.â
âIâm alright. Even if I get fitted for one today, itâs already my second time this week.â
Lilica shook her head. Actually, she wanted to have a princess dress, but her mother only wore bustle style, so she canât request that.
Ludia kissed her daughter on the cheek reluctantly.
Lilica returned to her room, closed the study door tightly, and took out the note in her pocket.
Supplies: Pendulum
âPendulum? Whatâs that?â
The unexpected word caused Lilica to have a blank look.
The hesitant Lilica hid the note and came out.
âBrynn.â
âYes, my princess.â
âDo you know what a pendulum is?â
âYes, of course. Itâs a ball with an attached string. It was popular in the past. Itâs used to locate water veins, or to find directions in fortune-telling.â
â!!â
Lilicaâs eyes sparkled.
Upon seeing that expression, Brynn immediately noticed the situation and whispered softly.
âDo you need one? Do you want one?â
âCan you order that?â
Magic tools?
âYes, of course. If you choose the gemstone that you want, theyâll make it for you.â
âBut I need it todayâŚâŚâ
âThen letâs make something that can be used temporarily for today.â
âIs it possible?â
âYes, Iâm the princessâs Brynn Sol.â
Brynn spoke confidently and got a maid to bring over the jewellery box.
She removed the pendant from a gemstone necklace that she carried around and skillfully connected it to the necklace string.
âNow, this should be enough for temporary use. Hold the end of the string like this. And with this, the pendant will move like a pendulum, right? This is a pendulum.â
âI see.â
Lilica looked at the swaying pendant and then at Brynn.
âThank you, Brynn.â
âDonât mention it. Iâll arrange for a craftsman first thing tomorrow.â
As it was popular among aristocratic children along with astrology, pendulums made with various gold, silver and treasures were once all the rage for a period of time.
It wonât be hard to find a craftsman.
âSince itâs the princessâ item, it has to be cute, no matter what.â
Brynn smiled brightly. Lilica hesitated again when she looked at Brynnâs appearance.
Brynn bent her knees in front of her and asked.
âIs there anything else that youâd like?â
âThatâsâŚâ
Today was her first magic class. As such, she wanted to dress a little formally.
Now, she knew that she had to dress properly in front of His Majesty. However, Lilica lacked the strength to change her clothes by herself.
âWhen we were talking about the magic book, Brynn said it was alright.â
Lilica whispered quietly, thinking about that.
âIâm supposed to meet His Majesty tonight, but my outfit.â
âDo you need a pendulum because of His Majesty?â
Lilica nodded, and Brynn didnât ask anymore questions.
Lilica was so thankful that Brynn recognised what she wanted and told her exactly what she wanted that she hugged her tightly.
âThank you, Brynn.â
âNo, Iâm thankful too, my princess.â
It was a confidantâs pride that theyâre trusted enough to be informed about an important issue.
Brynn could only do her best if sheâd gained the affection and trust of such a small princess.
It might seem a little strange for several people to prepare clothes in the middle of the night, so Brynn prepared an outfit by herself.
After dinner, she put on the prepared clothes one by one.
A dress with a wide collar, a cute ribbon, lovely knee socks, and leather shoes with gold buttons.
Her hair was tied tightly to make it easier to move, and a hat as the finishing touch.
With a pendulum held tightly in her hand, Lilica exclaimed in front of the mirror.
âI look like a student.â
Didnât the animal student in the fairy tale illustration wear something like this frequently?
Lilica felt better in an instant, as it felt like she could learn and use magic at any moment.
She imagined waving her pendulum coolly, protecting her mother and defeating the villain.
âHuhuhu.â
At the sound of laughter, she couldnât help but feel awkward. Brynn whispered.
âThen Iâll take my leave.â
âMm.â
Lilica nodded, and Brynn closed the bedroom door quietly and left.
Lilica sat by the window and waited quietly with her hands on her knees.
âIs he not coming?â
She glanced out of the window and kept an ear out in case she missed the sound of someone throwing stones.
âHe might be busy.â
Just as she let out a sigh, a voice came from behind her suddenly.
âYouâre already prepared for class.â
â!!â
Lilica jumped up in surprise.
Altheos caught the chair that almost fell onto the floor.
âYouâve become as strong as a colt.â
âHowâŚâ
The emperor shrugged his shoulders at Lilica, who was muttering in surprise.
âThereâs no place in this palace that I canât enter.â
Physically and legally.
Lilica was impressed by Altheosâ words. He held out his hand.
âLetâs go.â
âYes, yes.â
A gust of wind blew past when they held hands.
âA gust of wind while weâre in the room?â
âWoah?!â
She raised her arm to cover her eyes unknowingly, but everything stopped.
When she lowered her arm, Lilicaâs jaw dropped.
They were standing in the garden at night.
There wasnât a single lamp, and only the moonlight dying the garden silver quietly.
âWowâŚâŚâ
She couldnât help but let out an exclamation. She didnât know where to start looking.
The night was completely different from the day, so even if it was the same place, it felt unfamiliar.
âWhat did you say to Brynn?â
Lilica raised her hand and answered the question.
âI said that Iâm meeting with His Majesty. Brynn said sheâll help me order a pendulum, and helped me make a temporary pendulum with a necklace like this.â
She raised a pendulum.
Altheos looked at the sapphire pendant that shone in the moonlight and said.
âGot it.â
He looked at the tiny wizard, whoâs life was much shorter than a shooting star when compared to him.
One that wishes upon the stars,
Godâs beloved.
The dragon-man felt that it was a little ironic for him to be teaching her, but itâs better than leaving her alone.
âThere are three things that wizards have to be cautious of.â
Things like violating someoneâs mind,
Things like mocking life and death
And things like desecrating lives are forbidden.
âBeing cautious means that it can be done. In the past, wizards were that powerful.â
Altheos stared at Lilica.
âI donât know what youâll be like.â
âI wonât.â
Lilica shook her head. She didnât want to do such scary things.
âAlright, then for the first class. Close your eyes and listen to the pendulum.â
Lilica did as she was told.
âImagine a path in your heart reaching the pendant through the string.â
ââŚâŚ.â
A path in her heart, a path in her heart.
If itâs a magical path, it must be made of shiny pebbles, and a flowing stream passing over it lightly.
She suddenly felt the string she was holding turn cold.
â!â
The astonished Lilica felt relieved when a pair of large hands supported her shoulders.
âAs a wizard, the first magic that you should learn is light. Unearth the light in your heart. Take that light out and send it through the string to the pendant. Light. A light source that doesnât generate heat.â
âSomething that gives off light but not heat.â
She thought of something instantly. The moon that shines brightly in the night sky.
âIf youâve gathered light in the pendant, say Erhi.â
âErhi.â
She could feel light through her closed eyelids.
âNow, open your eyes.â
When she opened her eyes, the pendulum shone brightly.
âWow!â
After letting out an exclamation, Lilica paused when she looked at Altheos.
He was expressionless.
It doesnât mean that it was just expressionless, but he looked like an old statue that sheâd seen in an illustration, a face that seemed as though it was weathered by everything.
âHe looks tired and lonelyâŚâ
Lilica became sad. Altheos made eye contact with her and smiled faintly.
âWhy do you look so gloomy when youâve managed to succeed?â
âThatâsâŚâ
She couldnât say that itâs because His Majesty looked lonely.
A large hand stroked her hair gently.
âAs long as you know that you can create light whenever you want, you can walk around without fearing the dark.â
Lilica quickly withdrew her feelings of sadness and spoke.
âBut I think Iâll be rather frightened if Iâm alone. Iâd be scared if Your Majesty werenât with me right now. But, as His Majesty says â I think Iâll be able to move forward.â
Although sheâs scared, sheâll still take a step forward.
At Lilicaâs words, Altheos paused and said.
âThatâs not too bad either.â
He stopped and withdrew his hand.
âThen, thatâs the end of todayâs class. Your homework is the ancient language. Find out what Erhi means. Itâs better for you to learn ancient language, since itâs necessary for magic. Then, next week around this time too.â
They returned back to the room in an instant. The class was short and impactful.
Altheos spoke.
âDonât tell anyone that youâre learning magic. Not to your mother either.â
âYes.â
Lilica nodded deeply, and Altheos disappeared after tapping her on the forehead.
He arrived in his own room. He strode past the door of the coupleâs bedroom and entered the empressâ room.
The empress, whoâd just returned from dinner, was getting undressed with the maidsâ help.
âLeave us.â
At Altheosâs words, the maids quickly removed their hands and retreated quietly.
Ludia spoke with a frown.
âItâs troublesome, why did you tell them to leave?â
âI can take it off for you.â
Ludia laughed dryly at his brazen words.
A âclinkâ rang out when she took off her wedding ring and placed it on a silver tray.
Altheos reached out and began untying the corsetâs lacing.
The only sound that could be heard was of the friction of silk lacing rubbing against one another.
âWhatâs wrong?â
Ludia asked because the face that was reflected by the mirror didnât look good.
Altheos leaned down and whispered in her ear.
âWe arenât in a relationship thatâll care about that.â
âYes, we arenât.â
Her white fingers brushed against his jawline and cheek. Their eyes met through the mirror.
She spoke.
âBut still, Iâm curious.â
Blue eyes stared straight at him. Ludia has always been like that.
A stinging gaze
âArenât you afraid of me?â
âIn what way?â
âThat Iâm a dragon.â
âNo, Iâm not.â
âWhy?â
âYou wonât kill or hurt me.â
Ludia answered easily. Regardless of his humanity, he always kept his promises.
Theyâd signed a contract, so Ludia was quite safe.
âThat much is enough?â
âWhat else is there thatâs more important?â
The corsetâs lacings fell to the floor silently.
After skillfully removing the corset, Ludia turned around in a white linen dress.
Altheos spoke venomously.
âFor some people, thatâs the biggest problem.â
Ludia nodded.
âThere must be people like that. Of course. But why donât you throw your disillusionment of humans away, become a human being and enjoy its benefits?â
âWhat?â
Ludia spoke nonchalantly.
âEating something delicious, wearing something good. Sadness, pain, and suffering, but when you think about the presence of joy, tranquillity, and happiness, it would all pass by.â
She frowned after saying that. Ludia spoke with a wry smile.
âI know that this isnât something I should be saying to you.â
It was a truth that sheâd realised not too long ago. She looked at the dragon before her.
A man that drags on with ancient wounds and doesnât know how to express his own feelings.
Ludia was well aware of the fact that she wasnât a person that can give advice to such a person.
But she still spoke.
âIt seems like Iâm becoming like Lilica.â
She felt rather happy at that thought.
She couldnât figure out what Altheos was thinking as they were immersed in silence.
After a while, he lowered his eyes and his long eyelashes formed shadows.
His model was surprisingly beautiful, perhaps because he was originally a dragon. It also surprised others.
His exotic dark skin was just attractive, and it didnât become a flaw.
Ludia knew how perfect the naked skin underneath his shirt was.
A statuesque, no perfect body without any excessive flesh appeared to be hard, but its texture was surprisingly warm, soft, and firm.
His large hands wrapped around her thin waist.
Ludia held her breath for a short moment. She could feel his hot body temperature through the thin dress.