After doing it a few times during the festival, it was now easy to avoid Kyle's eyes and turn into a person. In the first place, except for that day when I met with Sen, I've been spending hours together with him, so I had no time to worry about getting caught.
"Yes, but I'm not that talented, I just do this and that..."
I drank the tea and ate the scones he prepared while I lied nonchalantly.
I'm sorry for lying but it's better this way, just in case I need a cover-up in the future.
If Kyle goes on an expedition, there would be a good excuse to accompany him. If he goes on to subjugate demonic beasts as written in the novel, as a magician, I can go with him.
"Rather than that, can you really spend time with me like this? Don't you have any work to do?"
"Do you want me to leave?"
I'm not making you leave ah. I'm just wondering if you're really this free. It seems like the grand duke has a suspicion disease after I disappeared unexpectedly twice.
I turned my head, slightly guilty at the situation. Then his hand reached out and turned my face back to look at him.
"It's polite to look at each other's face while talking."
"I'm sorry I'm a man who isn't well versed in aristocratic manners."
"You should learn from now on."
He came closer and whispered.
"Aren't you my companion?"
A sin committed once lasts a lifetime. I looked at him miserably.
'How many times has it been now?'
Even beef bones won't be used as much as Kyle uses this companion comment. He has been using it to blackmail me whenever I tried to avoid answering his questions or to leave early.
You're someone who died without a companion in the original novel. Is that why you're obsessed with companions? To be honest, it's not that you didn't want to date anyone, it's that you couldn't right?
My mouth was itching to shoot back the comment at him but I forced myself to hold it in. Kyle who has been staring at me suddenly let out an airless laugh. He had a strange yet comforting smile plastered on his face. His bright expression pulled me in and before I knew it I had been staring at him as well.
"I feel comfortable with you."
"I know it probably sounds strange, don't think too much about it."
I have nothing to say if you tell me those words with such a soft smile.
Are you doing this on purpose?
I couldn't do anything except stare at him, I only came to my senses when he offered another scone to me.
"Since you're a magician, can you take a look at my magical beast? You can take a look at it whenever you're free."
I was about to bite into the scone then stopped after hearing Kyle's unexpected words.....That's strange. Did you just ask me, to take a look after.....ME?
I put down the scone and asked him again, this time listening with full attention.
"I asked if you could take a look at the magical beast I'm raising in the study."
I guess I didn't hear it wrong.
Looking alternately at the scone in my hand and at Kyle, my appetite dropped. Even though the desert looked delicious, I felt like I would get an upset stomach if I ate it now.
But Kyle didn't seem to mind my actions and continued pensively.
"I'm worried because he doesn't seem to have any appetite recently. And he's been lazy as well. He used to be a very active guy..."
Don't edit your memories ah! When have I been active? Apart from running on the wheel in order to get the skill, I was always lying down! You don't even know your own hamster.
"I think it's because, it's already in the growing stage, yet there's no signs of a mana stone forming inside him. I decided to periodically inject magic power (mana) as advised by the doctor but..."
What's this? Who told you to do that?
"Since it's inevitable that it will suffer from the mana injected, I thought it would be a good idea to let you meet it and see if you can help."
What? What's this situation?!
I can't even say no to his requests..... I closed my mouth and urgently called the system.
Hey! HEY! Hurry up and come here!
Why do you look like you've just woken up? I clenched my fist and looked at the blue system window in front of me.
'Hurry up and navigate to the Fruit Store or whatever it's called!'
[ ……. ]
[ ……. ]
[ ☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ ]
[ The Nut Store! ]
After a bit of loading, the shiny emoji came into my vision. I clicked my tongue upon seeing the decorated sign below it. Don't you get tired doing all of this?
I ignored the small letters that said renewal open and quickly scanned the store.
[ Mini mini Brazil Nut Madeleine, consumes 2% miracle value, in turn your body gets smaller for 30 minutes. It's even smaller than a hamster! ]
[ Hurried Almond Financier, consumes 3% miracle value, in turn you're able to run faster than usual. ]
Give me something useful please, what's the point of these items ah? If I wanted to be small, I'll just turn back into a hamster.
I finished reading page 1 and was about to turn into page 2 when I heard Kyle sigh.
"What are you thinking about, Your Highness?"
"I just thought, it's quite a relief."
"There has always been a shortage of magicians in the Blake estate. It hasn't been long since I became the leader, and I've had a lot of accidents at the Wyvern nest survey last year."
He looked at me expectantly.
No, I can't think of an excuse. Stop looking at me with such a face. How am I supposed to hold my ground, my expression turned to guilt.
I moved my hand to cover his eyes, but of course my feeble efforts were rendered useless in just three seconds as Kyle held my wrist in place.
"The work at the estate is hard. I'm really so busy these days."
I made a vague excuse first, just in case he asks for another favor.
Even though the "Summon" skill was upgraded, it was only up to two hours. I can't do much with the time I'm given, and it's not like I can lie everyday that I need to go to the bathroom before I disappear again.
Kyle's face was tinted with disappointment. I felt apologetic seeing this unfamiliar expression on him.
Why are you so disappointed ah? I'm a fake magician who can't even do basic spells. The only spell I know is how to turn into your hamster, Cashew Nut.
'Can you even consider that as a magic spell?'
The system just transforms me back and forth.
In any case, it's better to find a magician who's actually knowledgeable, rather than choosing me. But still... If you're this disappointed.
I added gently, as if teeming with good intentions.
"There's still enough time to look for magicians before the demonic beasts' subjugation expedition happens."
There was something that came to mind after I said that sentence.
The Northern festival was held during the coldest and darkest days of winter. After this tumultuous atmosphere, the Blake estate started preparing for a massive reconnaissance.
There are many reasons for this reconnaissance, the main purpose was to bring back the vigilance that was loosened during the festival. It was a reminder that no matter how good the life in the North is, it is still a dangerous place full of demonic beasts.
Another reason is probably the training of the newly inaugurated knights. At this time of the year, knights who were apprentices in the past will get to experience combat since their inauguration.
"The ceremony for the new knights....."
"We did it during the festival, I remember it was pretty big this year since there was a lot of new recruits."
"Haha... I think I was pretty busy back then."
Kyle glanced at me suspiciously. I know I didn't have anything to be busy about, but just forget about it, let's move on! I ignored his piercing gaze as I recounted the events.
A knight's inauguration that was larger than usual.
The chandelier dropping in the middle of the banquet.
And then, a large scale reconnaissance.
I'm pretty sure at this time, Kyle...
[ The Duke of Blake is attacked during the reconnaissance and suffers a heavy injury on his right arm. ]
The system narrated the content from the original novel.
I asked a question quietly.
'Will this injury, affect how he dies?'
After a moment of silence, the system answered succinctly.
The sentence shone brightly in blue and it gave me chills. His fated death struck me with renewed vividness.
Kyle's death is now just 15 days away.
According to the original story, he started to confront Belial through the chandelier incident, and was attacked at the reconnaissance. Then he was stabbed to death by a strong man at his own castle.
Just because I changed a small part of the plot, doesn't mean I changed his fate entirely. Miracles don't happen that easily.
What now... What should I do?
Kyle put his palms around my cheeks and I came to my senses when his cold hands touched my skin.
I took a quick breath and tried to move my stiff fingertips.
He didn't seem to believe my words, but he didn't pressure me into confessing.
"I was just thinking about something for a moment."
Kyle frowned at my words.
"What were you thinking about that made you so pale?"
I couldn't answer honestly so I just shut my mouth.
Come to think of it, I always avoided his questions this way. Either I start talking fast, saying random excuses or I just shut up entirely. It must look suspicious.
But it can't be helped. Anyways, I changed the subject as naturally as I could and leaked the plan I had in mind in advance.
"Your Highness, may I follow you on this large-scaled reconnaissance?"
He answered straight away, as if it was not a difficult decision.
"Sure, but have you ever been outside the territory?"
"The north is much more dangerous than you think. At the snowfield, humans are the first learn how weak they are."
The outside, is entirely different from the Blake estate, as the grand duke described.
I gulped down and looked him in the eye.
"It will all be alright if Your Highness is there to protect me."
Protect me, Kyle, and I'll protect you. You might not know, but our fates are linked. Our survival depends on each other.
"Isn't it natural that the people of this land trusts you?"
He said with a mischievous smile on his face.
Acting like a hooligan. You already know the answer.
I squinted at him, pretending to look hateful.
"All right, I'll be responsible in protecting you, but, how are your horseback riding skills?"
Well how should I explain this... During our school trip, they went to Jeju Island and everyone rode a pony, but I was left behind doing homework at school.
Before I could answer anything, he added.
"Actually, it would be difficult to ride alone with your injury."
Fortunately, he didn't seem to think of leaving me behind.
But wait, what? Don't tell me? You're thinking of giving me a ride?! In front of all the new recruits??? Wait, no!
'.....Should I not have told him that I wanted to join?'
I bit my lips in order to calm down the goosebumps on my arms.
"....Thank you for being considerate, Your Highness."
When he leaves, I must learn horseback riding immediately!
t/n : longest chapter yet! thank u for all the ko-fis~ also posting twice today since I might not be able to do so tomorrow!
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