Chapter 35
When I think about it, it was natural. Eric had frequented the library since he
was a child.
"But the Allied Nations Conference is only a few days away."
Doesn't he usually stay in his office instead of the library when he has a
schedule? It was at that moment, while Elisha was tilting her head with these
thoughts, that the thick lashes that were lowered slowly rose, and Eric's blue
eyes fixed on Elisha. He paused for a moment before his lips finally parted.
"...Lucy Forte."
It was a voice so soft she would not have heard it if not for the room's
silence. Elisha finally regained her senses and bowed her head to Eric.
"I greet His Majesty the Emperor."
"To my knowledge, Lucy Forte is not allowed to enter this area."
His characteristic cold eyes stared at Elisha. Of course, he did not need to be
told how she entered. She must have taken Dante Renard's entry card. In truth,
the point of his words in the end was "Lucy Forte"...
"Elisha wouldn't know."
She had always been oblivious to these matters.
"I borrowed Master Renard's card for a moment."
Exactly as he expected, Elisha answered nonchalantly. Eric smiled a slight
smile, as if he knew she would say that.
Should I tease her a little? It's not like she'll be affected by it anyway.
"What book is so important that you had to borrow Dante Renard's card to see
it?"
Eric then asked with a bright smile. For him, it was a meaningless question,
expecting no specific answer. After all, since childhood, Elisha was someone who
came and went from areas restricted to the royalty as if they were her home.
Simply wandering in sections below the third level of clearance would not have
suited her personality. But unlike Eric, who asked the question lightly, Elisha
suddenly sank into deep thought.
"...Has Dante Renard still not told him?"
About the fact that I met the mysterious man who summoned the Hyde. Otherwise, I
don't think he would have asked why I came here.
"How could he not mention it, regardless of how busy he is?"
No wonder there was no talk of the matter during lunch. Had he known, he would
have summoned me immediately to ask more questions. Elisha frowned slightly. At
the same time, Eric's eyes widened as he watched her.
Why is she frowning suddenly? Was my question offensive? Or is there something
she must hide?
"...Your Majesty."
At that moment, Elisha finally spoke, having kept her mouth shut. Eric's
fingertips twitched. He had felt it before, but hearing the words "Your Majesty"
come from Elisha's lips was incredibly strange. And that formal language. She
had said she would use formal titles once he became Emperor, but hearing them in
person like this, not in a letter, was stranger than he had imagined. He had
been managing not to show it, thanks to her different appearance, but...
"Your Majesty?"
Once again, Elisha called his name as if wanting to catch his attention. Eric
shook off his thoughts and gave a small nod. Finally, Elisha fluttered her
eyelashes several times and spoke.
"I have something to report."
Although she seemed calm, her gaze was very solemn. Eric found himself nodding
again without realizing it. What could have happened to make Elisha show this
expression? Could it be that "that" Elisha has discovered the hidden meaning
behind my question? The fact that I already know her true identity?
"I met a mysterious man at the Shilan Plains."
But the words that came from Elisha's lips far exceeded Eric's expectations.
"...What?"
Eric uttered the word unconsciously. Elisha let out a light sigh and continued.
Exactly as I thought, Dante Renard did not tell him.
"It was a man who could summon monsters. When he disappeared, the Hyde
disappeared with him."
"......"
"The Hyde that appeared in the capital was also—."
Ah, perhaps the report that I was with Dante at that time hasn't reached him
yet.
"Master Renard guesses it was the work of the same person."
I might use Renard's name for something, since he can't even do his job
properly.
Elisha stopped and stared at Eric. His expression, unlike before, had become
heavy. He must be angry, for not being informed of such important information
until now.
"Perhaps he will receive a reprimand soon."
It is not my business anyway.
After finishing her thought, Elisha spoke again.
"—So, instead of Master Renard, who is busy preparing for the Allied Nations
Conference, I thought that I, who know the situation, should investigate the
matter."
Elisha had phrased it surprisingly gently, but for Eric, who knows her usual way
of speaking, it was naturally filtered and processed in his mind.
Dante Renard is so oblivious he hasn't even reported to you, so I'll investigate
myself.
At the same time, Eric realized one thing. The reason Elisha had returned to the
Imperial Palace. It was because she had learned of a threat to Cardion. Only for
the sake of Cardion's safety.
"Ha."
So this is it. You set foot here again, driven by duty and obligation. After you
went to all that effort to escape, after you left my side like that.
"Not for me, but for Cardion."
"There is not much information yet, so I have nothing to report at the moment,
but I will report again once I know anything relevant."
Unaware of Eric's thoughts, Elisha nodded silently and passed by him. Eric's
eyes followed her every move. His desire for her to stay by his side forever
remained unchanged. Even now, he could not take his eyes off her. But if the
reason for Elisha staying by his side was because of "duty."
"Lucy Forte."
I thought it didn't matter why you returned here. The important thing is that
you returned to me.
But what if you didn't actually return "to me"? What if you only returned to
Cardion? What if you were only bound by a faint illusion, an old promise?
I hate that thought so much I can't stand it.
"I told you clearly at that time too."
I made it clear that you do not have to live burdened by obligation and duty.
Yet, you are still floundering in the remains of the past.
"I see now why Dante Renard did not want to bring you to the Imperial Palace."
Eric spoke, his deep blue eyes fixed on Elisha. She turned her head and met his
gaze silently. He found her calmness somewhat suffocating, and Eric continued in
a slightly sharper tone.
"You fall too easily into a sense of duty that is not yours."
"......"
After a moment of silence, Elisha smiled a slight smile. Calm and composed. And
the more so, the more painful it was in the heart.
"I know that too."
The fact that even the desire to protect you is no longer permitted to me. Even
knowing that, I only wanted to protect you.
"So, if you will excuse me."
Finally, Elisha turned her head again and began to walk away. Eric leaned on the
window, observing her every move. He wanted to tell her to stop this charade
immediately, but the words would not come out. Because he felt she would truly
leave. And that this time, it would be irreversible. Having already experienced
loss, Eric feared the emotional upheaval he would have to face once again.
Although Elisha would never know that.
"Don't think about it."
In the meantime, Elisha began to scan the shelves and select the books she
needed. Her movements as she pulled them were slightly rougher than usual.
It's better not to think thoughts that have no answer. It's better not to think
of things that evoke unpleasant feelings. What I need to focus on now is not
Eric's cryptic remark, but Cardion's welfare. As long as I look like this, Eric
will not expel me. I only have to avoid getting involved with him too much.
"There are many books that cannot be seen even with Level Two clearance."
Finally, after selecting all her books, Elisha found a suitable spot and placed
them down. It was a place far enough from Eric, but close enough that they could
still see each other.
"I should be able to notice if something happens to him immediately."
Then Elisha opened the book on top of the stack and began to read rapidly. Eric
watched her intently. A silence so deep that the sound of a page turning echoed
loudly enveloped them both. The spheres of light that sat in place of candles on
the chandelier cast a soft glow on Elisha's silver hair, and the shadow that
remained beneath it was submerged in Eric's blue eyes. It was a terribly quiet,
yet ordinary, situation. The first time in a long while that the two shared a
moment. A time of their own, slightly skewed.
Eric kept his eyes on Elisha, tapping his fingers on the windowsill.
"...What do I do with you?"
I cannot drive you away again, and I cannot admit that I know you. Perhaps it is
right to live like this, pretending not to know each other. It is the only way
to satisfy our desires.
"But, I—."
It was the moment Eric closed his eyes and then opened them. Suddenly, all the
lights illuminating the library went out, and a deep darkness enveloped the
area. It seemed the official who was maintaining the light magic had gone home
for the day.
"I heard there's a new official."
Did they not get the note from the previous official that areas beyond level two
clearance use lanterns, not magic?
"Or perhaps I should just devise a new spell."
Since Elisha will be frequenting this place for a while.
"Like a spell that uses light collected during the day at night..."
While Eric was lost in these thoughts—
"Your Majesty."
Along with her characteristic calm voice, a white aura of light enveloped Eric.
Eric's eyes widened for a moment as he looked at the woman standing before him.
Elisha then pushed a few of the spheres she had made toward Eric and continued.
"Reading in the dark is bad for your eyes."
Reading in the dark will ruin your eyes.
Eric struggled to suppress a sudden, incredible laugh. Did she have any idea
that this one small action reminded him of Elisha? No, of course not. That must
be why she acts so freely.
But, Elisha.
"You don't seem to have any intention of hiding."
Like a game of hide-and-seek, you have hidden yourself completely, yet you keep
teasing him, as if begging him to recognize you. So, what if he revealed
everything?
"Lucy Forte."
What if they abandoned this ridiculous name and faced each other as they were?
"El—"
It was the moment Eric opened his mouth.
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