To the Place Where Precious People Are Waiting

The next day, the servants at the villa were busy from early morning.

Viscount Theorad and Lady Ashley had decided to return home.

“Put that luggage over here. No, wait! You fool, that belongs to the villa!”

“Idiot! The lady's belongings go in the carriage with the swan emblem. How can you work here and not recognize the Pelgaroin crest?”

“Make way! They want to leave quickly, so finish loading!”

Their shouts echoed through the halls.

Theorad thanked the servants as he passed and entered the drawing room. Roylen was sitting at the table, sleepily sipping tea. Upon seeing Theorad, he hurried to set down his cup.

“Viscount Theorad? The luggage will take a little longer to load. Is something the matter?”

“I couldn't sleep. I'm too excited about finally going home.”

Theorad smiled and gestured toward the empty chair.

“Would you mind if I joined you?”

“Of course not! Please sit.”

As Theorad took the chair, Roylen asked a passing servant for another teacup.

“Here. Have some tea.”

He poured black tea into the new cup. The surface rippled, then settled; a delicate scent rose with the steam.

“Thank you.”

Theorad inclined his head and took a sip. Even such a simple gesture had a quiet grace that Roylen found deeply satisfying.

“Sharing tea with a man of your standing is an honor,” Roylen said. “It tastes better than drinking alone.”

“You give me too much credit.”

“Not at all. They say tea is best enjoyed in the company of a virtuous person. To my mind, there is no one more virtuous than Viscount Theorad…”

Roylen stopped abruptly.

He glanced around and coughed before lowering his voice.

“Please forget that last remark. Naturally, the most virtuous person is Her Highness Princess Benelia.”

He really knows which way the wind blows.

Yet the flattery was so transparent that Theorad could not take offense. He chuckled and nodded.

“I'll remember that. But you've been away from the Mage Tower for quite some time. Has your work suffered?”

“I came here at Her Highness's request, so I doubt there will be trouble. And my students have had an unexpected holiday. I suspect they're delighted.”

“Then I'm relieved. I worried I was imposing on you.”

“Hah! You worry about everything.”

Roylen sipped his tea. When he lowered the cup, however, he hesitated.

“Viscount Theorad… I didn't mean to listen in, but I heard you gave permission for artificial rain magic to be used as a weapon.”

There was little point pretending otherwise.

“Yes. I could see no other choice. I don't possess the power to hold back the course of history by myself.”

“I understand. Still, I hope you won't worry too much. I don't believe Her Highness wanted the spell weaponized simply to kill. And if she succeeds in taking power, artificial rain magic should be put to the use you intended.”

“That helps me feel better. Thank you.”

“No, I should be thanking you. You've lent your strength to the making of a new world.”

A new world…

Theorad pondered that phrase and asked a question that had come to mind.

“Professor Roylen, may I ask why you follow Princess Benelia?”

“Well…”

It was not a question Roylen could answer in a few words.

He had not always supported Benelia. Many things had happened before he came to regard her as the rightful ruler. To recount all of them would take an entire day.

“Viscount Theorad.”

Roylen set down his cup.

“Even in a Mage Tower that claims to value merit, someone born to a low social station can scarcely become a full professor. Appointment requires permission from the imperial family.”

Yet Roylen had become a full professor. His abilities had been recognized despite the barrier of birth.

Theorad understood who had extended that recognition.

Benelia had seen the injustice Roylen faced and reached out to him. There was no need for a longer explanation of his loyalty.

A servant approached and bowed. She was one of the women who had helped nurse the elf.

“Viscount, all the luggage has been loaded.”

“Thank you for your hard work. I'll come at once.”

The servant bowed again and withdrew.

Theorad grasped the armrest to rise, but Roylen hurriedly stopped him.

“One moment! I wanted to give you a small parting gift…”

Roylen searched the pockets of his coat. When he found nothing, he turned them out with growing alarm.

All he produced were a few candies, flavored with cinnamon and ginger.

He had forgotten the gift.

“I'm sorry. I was certain I'd brought it…”

“But isn't the gift already here?”

Theorad took a cinnamon candy from Roylen's hand. He unwrapped it, slipped it into his mouth, and smiled.

“It's delicious. Thank you for such a lovely present.”

With another courteous bow, he headed toward the hallway.

Roylen watched him go, his thoughts changing despite himself.

Your Highness Benelia, forgive me. I still think that young man is more virtuous than you.

He was deeply moved by the kindness with which Theorad had accepted a mere piece of candy.

---

Outside the villa, Theorad looked up at the sky.

The dark clouds had cleared. It was perfect weather for returning home, and the thought of seeing everyone again made his heart race.

He started down the steps, then stopped.

Ashley and the elf were talking beside one of the carriages.

For a moment Theorad wondered if they were arguing again.

But their manner was gentler than he had ever seen. Ashley did most of the talking, and the elf nodded; now and then both managed an awkward smile.

Have they become friends?

Ashley noticed him and waved. She said a few final words to the elf and gave her a gentle push between the shoulders.

From the movement of Ashley's lips, Theorad thought she was saying, Go on. He's waiting.

The elf drew a deep breath and began walking toward him.

Ashley watched her for a moment, then let the coachman help her into the Pelgaroin carriage.

It seemed she meant to give Theorad and the elf some time alone.

“I…”

The elf approached, her red eyes unusually anxious. She clasped her hands before her and spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.

“Master… may I ask…”

Theorad was a little surprised, but he understood what she wanted.

“You'd rather not reveal who you are to everyone else?”

“Ah… yes…”

He could see why. Announcing her identity would cause a commotion, and there was no reason to force it before she was ready.

“Of course. Shall we get into the carriage? It's time to go home.”

“Yes… it is…”

Yet her feet would not move.

Theorad smiled and took her hand, leading her into the carriage. She followed timidly. Once they were seated, the coachman greeted them, closed the door, and signaled the departure.

The Pelgaroin carriage went first, followed by the one bearing House Deharem.

As it rattled along, Theorad glanced toward the elf. She sat rigidly, as nervous as she had been the previous day.

He could not resist teasing her.

“Come to think of it, I met the most adorable child at the villa. She was terribly fond of me. She followed me everywhere, said she loved me, and even asked me to hug her.”

The elf's cheeks turned scarlet. Her hands tightened into fists on her lap.

“And she really was sweet. Once, she told me she had a secret and asked me to lean closer. Then she whispered that she wanted to marry me—”

“That's a lie!”

Her cry rang through the carriage, loud enough to make the coachman glance back.

Realizing how loudly she had shouted, the elf drew her knees together, her face an even deeper red.

She tried to compose herself.

“I-I don't remember saying anything like that…”

Theorad chuckled.

“You don't remember? How strange. I never said that child was you.”

“Ah.”

The elf realized her mistake too late.

She seized the hem of her dress.

“W-well…”

She was so mortified that tears gathered in her eyes.