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The Tale of the Wizrain Kingdom

A Mysterious Drink and Then... Part Two

Translated by: S3

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

It was a shame since Kakami had worked so hard on the cake, but it couldn't be helped. Since there was no need to force him to eat it, Elna replied politely and moved to clear the plate. It was then.

「Wait, this is delicious!」

A voice rang out, so pure and innocent it felt as if the speaker had no ulterior motives or desire for flattery. With a blooming smile, Feliol turned to Cross. 「I mean, it’s wonderful. It tastes a bit different from the one I had before... but it’s so good, Brother!」 Cross accepted the report calmly, but he couldn't quite hide the smile playing on his lips.

Perhaps moved by the sight of the two brothers, Kyle spoke to Elna. 「My apologies.」 He stared down at the plate. Then, slowly, he picked up his fork and pressed it into the cake. He brought a small piece to his mouth and took a bite.

「...It’s delicious.」

A sigh of relief nearly escaped Elna’s lips.

「It’s not just sweet; it has a rich cacao flavor,」 Kyle observed analytically.

He was right. Elna had surmised that Kyle came to the tea shop for coffee, but since he hadn't touched the chocolate cake she served then, she considered the possibility that he disliked sweets as well as tea.

So, she and Kakami had worked on improving the recipe. They had struggled to find the perfect balance of sweetness that wouldn't overpower the cacao flavor but would still be enjoyable for those who liked cake. The result was something wonderful. Kakami had been so proud of it she claimed it could be the signature item on their menu. The invention-loving girl seemed to enjoy creating anything new, whether it was a dessert or something else.

—I’m truly glad we held this outdoors.

Elna narrowed her eyes slightly. They could have held the meeting in the castle’s lavish dining hall as usual. However, she felt that rather than a quiet, closed-off room, the vastness of the open sky would better reveal Kyle’s true character.

「Lord Kyle. May I tell you one last thing?」

「Of course. After such a delicious meal, you can tell me as many things as you like.」

「Then I shall speak freely. Previously, you asked me why I love this country. This is my answer: I don't know yet. That is all.」

Kyle started to ask what she meant but stayed silent, looking up at her as if waiting for her to continue. Elna felt a twinge of anxiety, wondering if she could convey her feelings properly.

「...Because I don't know, I am currently in the process of learning about it piece by piece. You don't know the taste of a chocolate cake until you try it.」

It might be sweet, or it might be bitter. But you can't help wanting to know.

「...I see. You're right; you can't know unless you try it.」

Elna didn't think he understood the full weight of her wordless emotions, but she smiled, glad to have conveyed even a small part of them.

She couldn't have done it alone. Cross had provided the setting, and her colleagues had helped her. Feliol, the greatest contributor and the one who had broken the ice, was still happily stuffing his face with cake, looking completely carefree. Kyle placed his fork quietly on his plate.

「Yes. It was very delicious. Thank you for the meal.」

「Would you like a refill°?」

The proposal came out naturally, but after a nod, Kyle immediately shook his head.

「Actually, I’ll pass. It’s better to keep good things in small portions.」

A warm air seemed to drift around them.

「...Is something wrong?」

「N-No, nothing.」

To Kyle, they were likely just casual words. But Elna’s eyes widened, and she found herself unable to say anything more. Her heart felt full, warm, and yet painfully tight. She struggled to suppress the conflicting, wild emotions within her, opening and closing her mouth. An awkward silence hung between them.

「If you are satisfied, that is all that matters.」

Cross spoke up as if to protect Elna, his expression looking as though a burden had been lifted. He seemed to reach a decision, and his tone grew firm. 「Lord Kyle.」 Just then, the cry of a dragon echoed. Startled, Elna looked up at the sky.

Glimmering shards fell from the deep blue sky. Like fine snow, they sparkled as they drifted down slowly, making one forget the passage of time. Without realizing it, Elna reached out toward the sky. Her body felt frustratingly sluggish. When she finally felt she had reached them, a single raindrop splashed against her fingertip. In that instant, a violent gust of wind swept through. Elna’s apron skirt fluttered wildly, and her maid cap was blown away, disappearing into the sky.

Several small screams overlapped, and Elna belatedly pressed down her skirt. For a brief moment, a heavy rain unsuited for the clear sky poured down as if it were a forgotten item, slightly dampening the foliage.

「A sunshower. That was a surprise,」 Feliol said with a sigh and a smile, but his expression soon turned strange.

After the wind died down, Elna, Cross, and Kyle were all staring up at the sky, looking dazed. Feliol followed their gaze, but there was nothing there but the clear blue sky.

「Brother... Ah. Brother, that—」

「Yes, I know. Dispatch men to confirm.」

「Understood!」

Cross gave sharp instructions to the soldiers with a flick of his finger, glancing at the flustered Feliol. Though the sunshower had been brief, the rain meant the castle's barrier might have been deactivated. The barrier surrounding Wizrain Castle used an ancient artifact to block external magic, but it was weak against rain.

He couldn't explain this to Kyle, a foreigner, so his orders were vague, but the soldiers moved out quickly, the sound of their armor clanking as they left. Jipi was among them. Sensing the unsettling atmosphere, Kyle looked around tentatively, but Cross brushed it off with a bright, overly refreshing smile. 「Pardon me. There was just a minor oversight.」

「I-I see. ...Lord Crossgard, if I may, were you about to say something to me earlier?」

「Yes. It seems I was getting ahead of myself. I shall speak with you another time.」

「...If that is the case, please call on me whenever you wish.」

Kyle smiled, and the sense of danger and suspicion Elna had felt from him seemed to vanish. He looked like nothing more than a young man with a gentle, squinting smile.

*How strange*, Elna thought, tilting her head. Despite only sharing a brief conversation, it felt as though the scenery had changed, as if she had been blind to everything until now. Perhaps that sunshower really had been Elnalfia’s cry—or perhaps her laughter.

「Elna-san.」

「Oh! Y-Yes!」

She had been lost in thought and replied a bit too loudly. She flushed, realizing the wind had messed up her hair after her cap blew away. She tried to smooth it with her hands and straightened her posture. 「Um, is something the matter?」

「No. Earlier, you said you were still in the middle of learning why you love this country. I came here as an envoy, but to be honest, I only know this country on the surface. I realize now that’s why I’ve felt so uncertain. Whether I like this country or what I like about it... I shouldn't be asking others. I realized I should see it for myself with my own eyes.」

Kyle spoke in one breath, then exhaled deeply. 「So,」 he continued with renewed energy. 「Won't you show me around? It doesn't have to be the castle. I want to know this city and the people who live here. I want you to show me the city you know. Of course, only if King Crossgard permits it...」

His voice trailed off at the end.

「I don't mind. Elna, show him around.」

Kyle’s face lit up. Elna could almost see a tail wagging like a dog’s. The request reminded her of Feliol’s earlier request to see the town. She looked at the boy and saw him puffing out his cheeks slightly. Realizing Elna was watching, he quickly straightened his posture, which made her let out a small laugh.

「Of course, if you'll have me. ...When should we go? Any time is fine for me.」

「Then right now! Wait, that’s too soon... isn't it?」

「Lunch is over. We can conclude this meeting here, and Lord Kyle may do as he pleases.」

The latter part was addressed to Cross. Elna had no reason to refuse, but she felt a bit guilty about leaving without helping to clean up since she had been the one to organize the lunch. However, her colleagues seemed to sense her feelings and signaled with small gestures that it was fine for her to go.

Vowing to thank them properly later, Elna held out a hand. 「Shall we go, then?」 She immediately realized that as a maid, this gesture was completely improper, but Kyle stood up and took her hand instantly.

「Yes, thank you.」

Elna felt a strange sensation, remembering that a human's hand should have been smaller. Now, her hand was much smaller than Kyle’s. With no claws and soft skin, it felt so fragile. Yet, Elna had always yearned for these small human hands. She had always longed to hold someone’s hand like this.

***

「Lord Kyle. Where shall we go first?」

「Well, I’d like to go to your favorite place, Elna... but setting that aside, could you stop with that formal tone?」

「My tone?」

「It might not be good in public, but I’d be happier if you were more casual. I was sent here alone, after all. My status in Marls isn't that high, so you can just call me Kyle.」

「Then you should call me Elna.」

「I was already planning on it!」

Kyle laughed and walked with large, bouncy steps, looking genuinely happy. Elna couldn't help but smile; his energy was infectious. However, they were still within the castle gates. There might still be castle staff around, so Elna placed a finger to her lips. Kyle quickly covered his mouth with both hands, his expression softening. He was older than her, yet he felt like a younger brother who needed looking after. Elna let out a wry, exasperated smile.

It was then. Along with a piercing scream, a massive storm of flame swept toward them. Elna immediately thrust out a hand, dispersing the flames around them.

「Huh...?」

Kyle, who had been protected behind Elna’s back, crouched down with his hands over his head, looking wide-eyed and stunned. Dust swirled as the fire and smoke parted around Elna and Kyle before vanishing. Elna’s hair and skirt fluttered in the aftermath. A heavy silence filled the air, but the castle was soon thrown into an uproar.

「Where are the injured!」

「Over here! Get them to the infirmary, quickly!」

「Confirm the source of the fire! Report the current status immediately!」

Elna watched the soldiers rushing back and forth. It seemed no one had been fatally injured, and she breathed a small sigh of relief as she began to think. The fire had passed through the gates and entered the castle’s barrier. It certainly wasn't a natural fire.

Her scorched cheek stung slightly, and she furrowed her brows.

「Wh-What is this? What’s happening...?」

「It wasn't a natural fire, but it wasn't magic either. That’s all I know for now.」

「That huge fire wasn't magic? That’s impossible. ...Wait, that’s not it. Elna, that power... don't tell me you’re...」

Elna didn't wait to hear the rest of Kyle’s words. She turned on her heel and headed back the way they came. She was walking fast—almost running. Kyle followed desperately behind her.

「Where are you going! It’s dangerous!」

「Kyle, take shelter inside the castle! The barrier should be reactivated soon!」

Even if it wasn't magic, the castle’s defenses would be nearly perfect once the barrier was up. The rain must have temporarily disabled a part of it. The sound of the falling rain—to Elna, it had sounded like a dragon’s cry. In reality, it might have been a warning from Elnalfia.

***

「Cross, the gate was attacked by someone.」

「I am aware.」

Forgetting to worry about appearances, Elna burst into the office. The room was crowded with staff, everyone busy with preparations. Cross didn't even look at Elna as several people helped him into his heavy armor. He answered her curtly. Elna raised an eyebrow but continued calmly.

「I checked the surroundings, but I didn't sense anyone hiding.」

「I see. If you say so, then it must be true. Thank you for the confirmation. We have reports of mysterious fires breaking out in the town as well. At the same time, the Albalulu Empire has begun its advance.」

(I knew it.)

Elna thought, grimacing. The air in the room was unmistakably that of a battlefield. Cross was preparing to face the Empire.

「The A-Albalulu Empire?!」

Startled by the sudden voice from the doorway, Elna turned around. Kyle had finally caught up, his body trembling and his hands open in shock.

「I told you to take shelter.」

「I can't just leave a girl behind!」

Kyle knit his brows, his silver eyes looking pained behind his sweat-soaked bangs. He bit his lip and squeezed his fists tight. 「Those Albalulu bastards, they really...」

「Did Marls know this was going to happen?」

「Uh, well, um...」

His reply was vague, but there was no point in pressing him now. Elna turned back to Cross. 「I understand. I’m going to the town.」

「Why?! It’s dangerous! You can't go!」 Kyle’s voice rang out like a scream, but Elna couldn't afford to care.

「...Feliol should be leading troops to put out the fires.」

「Yes. I’ll join up with him.」

Cross, now fully armored, stood before Elna and looked down at her. His eyes held a multitude of emotions. The two stared at each other intensely. In that brief moment, more was conveyed than words ever could.

「I’m counting on you.」

「You too.」

Cross would face the enemy outside the city, and Elna would protect the town. They would protect what needed to be guarded, standing back-to-back. That was all.

「Wait! I told you it’s too dangerous!」

As Elna tried to rush out, Kyle grabbed her arm. 「Let’s run away together! You’re just a girl! Going to the town is suicide!」

Kyle’s thin fingers, which had likely never held a sword, gripped Elna’s arm with enough force to turn his fingertips white. He was genuinely worried about her. Looking at his hand, Elna let out a small smile.

「Kyle, could you let go?」

「You aren't going, right? You understand, don't you?」

She couldn't give him the answer he wanted. She couldn't lie. But seeing Elna’s calm expression, Kyle relaxed and let go of her arm. Elna reached into her pocket. Resting on her small, cupped palms was the hamster spirit. Elna spoke softly to it.

「Stay here with Kyle and wait.」

The hamster spirit’s mouth and whiskers twitched as it looked at Elna with its round eyes. It could have spoken, but they weren't alone. Elna knew it was asking *why*.

「I told you... I regretted taking you with me before. I don't want to feel that way again.」

「Please」 she whispered. The spirit didn't respond immediately, its eyes lowered and its mouth twitching. When it finally looked up at her, Elna breathed a sigh of relief. 「Thank you,」 she said, holding out her hands to Kyle. The fluffy creature jumped onto Kyle’s shoulder with light, agile movements.

「Wh-What?!」

「Kyle. If anything happens, rely on this little one. He’s very clever.」

Elna smiled at the startled Kyle as he tried to look at his own shoulder. She slipped away before he could catch her again.

「No, wait!」

With Kyle’s voice at her back, Elna ran, her long skirt swaying. For just a moment, she looked back at Cross. He wasn't even looking at her anymore, busy barking orders to his attendants. That made her very happy.

—(I want to be the one who pushes you forward rather than the one who stops you.)

No matter his anxiety, he was striving to act according to his own words.

(I wonder why.)

Her feet felt strangely light. She felt as though she could fly anywhere.