Chapter 57
I prepared to return to the carriage.
“Anyway, you’re leaving me for five years. It’s not exactly the best time.”
Was he still upset?
I quickly checked his face, but he soon recovered his usual playful smile, making his comment seem insincere.
Relieved but also embarrassed and guilty, I pouted.
“You said it was fine…”
“You said you would run away freely because you were confident you could catch me. Now, you’re the one running away.”
“I’m sorry…”
My head dropped again. He supported me and led me to the door.
“It’s alright. Running away isn’t my only skill.”
His tone was cryptic. I looked at him, puzzled, but he just smiled without explaining further.
* * *
Claude escorted me to Desmiere’s carriage.
The duke, who had been reading documents with a monocle, raised an eyebrow upon seeing my tear-streaked face.
“Ah, Your Grace, this is not…”
I remembered my face was swollen and a mess from crying.
Though I explained that Claude hadn’t caused my tears and had done nothing wrong, the duke continued to stare at him with a disdainful look inappropriate for a royal.
Claude, instead of reprimanding him for his rudeness, seemed flustered and kept glancing at me nervously.
I hurriedly pushed the duke back inside the carriage and climbed in myself.
“Let’s go to the estate, quickly.”
I urged the coachman. The duke alternated between looking at me and the passing scenery outside the window with a disapproving expression until we reached the estate.
Feeling awkward, I stared at the green walls until we arrived.
* * *
Over the next few weeks, preparations to leave the capital and head to the forest were busy.
First, I submitted the paperwork to suspend my studies at the academy. This procedure was newly created for my unprecedented case.
As I left the headmaster’s office and passed through the academy’s archway, I felt strange.
Just a few months ago, the thought of returning to this dreadful place for a new semester had driven me mad.
Now, I was leaving of my own accord.
Those who had heard the rumors whispered as they watched me.
I held my head high and walked away confidently without looking back.
A few days later, I re-entered the palace to have the magic restriction on my neck removed and to receive new strictures.
I now rubbed the back of my neck where nothing could be seen.
It wasn’t just my neck on the line this time.
I clenched my fists.
No matter what, I would succeed and return.
In the remaining time, I said my goodbyes to friends.
Felicia and Pogos were quite sad that they wouldn’t be able to invite me to their homes or see me at the academy anymore, but they soon accepted it.
Instead, we promised to spend lots of time together once I returned to the capital.
Reedmore was furious when he first heard the news and insisted on coming with me.
“Absolutely not.”
I rejected the idea outright. It was impossible.
Even I had barely been allowed to go due to my unique status as a spirit contractor, my achievements in Medina, and the duke’s guarantee.
He wouldn’t be given the same allowances.
He fumed, felt wronged, worried about the dangers, and eventually even teared up a bit.
“You promised you wouldn’t act alone.”
I felt guilty. Hugging him, I patted his back as he sniffled and hugged me back.
“There’s still time. Let’s spend more time together before I leave.”
“You can’t stand to see me worry-free, can you?”
“Maybe.”
I joked to lighten the mood, but his glare made me apologize quickly.
* * *
The group accompanying me on the journey was kept small.
Two of the duke’s trusted subordinates were assigned as my guards.
They were Andrew and Guinness, said to be loyal and strong followers who had served the duke for a long time.
The temple also sent a dedicated priest to take care of my health.
As a hero of Medina who discovered traces of the demon, it wasn’t surprising they felt some responsibility to assist me, especially since they hadn’t detected the threat earlier.
“How have you been, Miss Khalia?”
However, I was surprised to see who the temple had sent.
“Father Adrian?”
I greeted the priest sent by the temple with a bright smile.
Since the joint investigation by the temple and the imperial family had yet to yield any results, they decided that my journey outside the capital might provide some breakthrough in the situation, hence his presence.
“Once again, I am glad you recovered and returned safely.”
“I owe it to your blessed potion, Father. Thank you so much.”
“I am pleased it was of help.”
His face beamed, but I observed him closely.
While I was grateful, there was something suspicious about this high priest.
No one expected the incident in the dungeon. Why had he given me additional potions, personally blessed, just the day before?
At first, I was too grateful for Reedmore’s survival to think about it, but over time, it seemed strange.
‘Could he possibly be involved in this?’
Watching him as he was guided by the maid to greet the duke, I wondered. His calm smile never wavered.
It felt almost blasphemous to suspect him based on this alone.
He was an orphan who had become a priest because the gods themselves spoke to him, blessed with immense divine power.
The direct voice of God he received was verified as genuine by the Pope and all priests, although it had come less frequent recently.
‘To think someone could truly receive the love of God.’
He possessed what I couldn’t even dream of. With his remarkable divine power and noble character, he was loved throughout the empire.
Such a person considered me ‘special.’
When I was with Claude or my friends, I felt like a normal person, not the demon’s daughter.
But Adrian treated me differently. He constantly talked to me, visited, gave gifts, and called me special.
It felt surreal, like floating, different from being with friends. It was odd but strangely uplifting.
And…
Sitting in the reception room, I reminisced about an incident that occurred months ago.
“You’ve done well. Your progress is a delight to witness as your tutor.”
Even though it was only a few months ago, his praise as my tutor felt like a distant memory.
He was the first person to affectionately pat my head and treat me like a naive child.
I awkwardly raised my right hand to pat my head but found my joints stiff, unable to replicate the feeling.
I lowered my arm in embarrassment.
‘I’ll find out more while traveling together.’
Although I had mixed feelings, if he was involved, traveling with him might reveal the truth.
One thing was certain: with him on the team, the likelihood of injury or death was significantly reduced.
Though my worries and those around me somewhat subsided…
There was one unexpected person who was adamant.
“Hmm…”
She didn’t turn around even after I returned to my room, busy directing several maids.
“Aila?”
“Yes, Miss?”
Her voice was hard, coming from her back. I asked cautiously.
“May I ask what you’re doing?”
Only then did she turn around, her face stern.
“Packing.”
“For me? I can do that. We still have time before departure.”
“No. My things.”
“What?!”
“I’m going with you.”
“That’s nonsense!” I exclaimed. “It’s too dangerous, Ayla.”
“I’ve made up my mind.”
Even as she spoke, she continued to instruct the maids. I grabbed her wrist and told the maids to leave.
Once they were gone, I began persuading her.
“This isn’t an ordinary trip. We’ll be riding horses and camping outside the capital.”
For the first time, she snorted.
“Oh, dear Khalia. In my hometown, Blaney, even six-year-olds do handstands on ponies and eat meals.”
“Lies!”
She shrugged.
“Well, maybe a bit exaggerated, but still, my butt is at least twenty times tougher than yours. So, stop worrying unnecessarily.”
“This isn’t something a noble lady without combat skills can endure.”
“I can take care of myself. I won’t be a burden.”
“Aila, you’re being stubborn.”
“…”
She didn’t respond, so I pleaded.
“I know you’re worried, but this journey is important to me. I promise to return without a scratch and be a better person. Can you wait for me?”
Her lips quivered. Her previously stern face softened, and her eyes filled with tears.
“You promised before, too, that you wouldn’t do anything dangerous… You’re a liar.”
“This time, I’ll keep it. Thinking of you waiting for me will give me the strength to come back no matter what.”
“Miss…”
“Will you wait for me so I can restore your trust in me?”
She sniffled and threw herself into my arms like a small bird nestling.
“You promised. Come back safe and sound without a single scratch.”
“I will.”
I hugged her tightly.
Finally, the day of departure dawned.