The Red Witch - Chapter 33

TN: "Rayne" -> "Laine"

She cast a sidelong glance at Ael, now sitting a short distance away on the bed.

First, he’d told her she was under some curse she’d never even heard of. Then he claimed the only way to break it was to sleep with a complete stranger.

She’d suffered through who knows how many days, only to wake up and find the man gone.

Honestly, it had left a bitter taste in her mouth.

And yet, here he was again. Back from wherever he’d disappeared to, acting like her bed was his by right and telling her not to move from it. Kiara puffed her lower lip out in a subtle pout. As if he’d seen it, Ael spoke up, his voice calm but firm.

“This lunar eclipse is unusually long. Maybe that’s why the mood outside’s turned so dangerous.”

With a sigh, he dropped back onto the bed.

The battle itself had been laughably easy, but governing the territory afterward was another matter entirely.

The people of Altnebra were notoriously proud. Now, with tension already high after the occupation, the long eclipse had cloaked everything in darkness, giving rise to crime and unrest. Ael hadn’t even had time to rest after being with her. He’d gone straight out on patrol.

“…Alright.”

Contrary to her earlier sulk, Kiara accepted his words without protest. She didn’t know exactly how bad things were outside, but as always, she decided to let it go.

Besides, Ael was trying to protect her.

Unlike the others who looked at her like she was something to be exterminated.

‘Is it because we’re bonded — he’s trying to look out for me in his own way?’

Or maybe it was just that they shared the same hair and eye color… maybe that made it easier for him to understand her.

Whatever the reason, it was the first person aside from Raelin who’d ever showed her any sort of consideration. A strange flutter tickled her chest, and Kiara glanced again at Ael, lying on the bed. He looked like he’d already settled in for sleep, eyes closed, completely at ease.

‘At least we got a chance to… talk a little today.’

Still, it would be a shame if he fell asleep just like that. After a moment of hesitation, Kiara spoke again, quietly.

“…Can I ask you one more thing?”

“And if I say no, will you not ask?”

His brusque reply made her shoulders tense, but then she noticed it — his lips, curved faintly at the corners even with his eyes closed. That small detail gave her the courage to continue.

“Th-that wound… how did it heal so quickly?”

“Beats me.”

Ael’s reply was as indifferent as ever. For something that might’ve been life-threatening, he sure didn’t seem to care much. Still, Kiara remained deep in thought, curiosity bright on her face.

“Maybe… the curse breaking made you heal faster or something…”

Hearing her murmur to herself, Ael’s still-closed eyes crinkled ever so slightly at the corners. This witch, it seemed, had quite the inquisitive mind.

“Or maybe… it’s because you’re a Grandilgale…”

“Ah, could be?”

As Kiara continued tossing out guesses, Ael, still lying down, turned his head to look at her. His round, red eyes sparkled with amusement, and the corners of his lips curled again.

It looked like she’d hit the mark, and he was pretty pleased about it, too.

“W-what do you mean? Explain!”

Clearly, this witch was far more curious than she liked to pretend. All that talk about being fine not knowing anything had been a bluff.

Lacing his fingers behind his head, Ael began to explain slowly, as if settling into a bedtime story.

“The first Emperor of Grandilgale — my ancestor, that is — he might’ve been the reason. Because of the contract he made with the Red Witch.”

“What?!”

Startled, Kiara leaned toward him, eyes wide. The curiosity gleaming in her gaze made Ael feel oddly pleased, like a teacher indulging an eager student.

“Oh, you didn’t know? He was originally a king of Altnebra. One day, he ventured into the Black Forest and met the Red Witch. Recognizing the immense power she held, the first Emperor made a pact with her and took her as his soulmate. That’s what the old song about the first drop of blood and all that is talking about.”

He hummed the tune lightly — a local folk song about the legends of Altnebra.

‘…He sings it suspiciously well…’

Kiara blinked in surprise, staring at him as he sang.