Chapter 95
The next day.
By the time Kiara opened her eyes, the morning sun had long since risen. Yet, unusually, she remained in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
She’d already slept well past the hour she normally woke. Even so, she had little desire to get up.
Partly because yesterday had exhausted her, and partly because…
‘…Ael’s gone again, isn’t he?’
When had he left? Last night? Or this morning?
Probably not this morning. When she’d briefly awakened before dawn, she’d already been alone.
‘Surely he didn’t avoid me on purpose.’
Kiara wrinkled her nose, annoyance bubbling up inside her.
After all, he’d promised to let her visit the library archives, only to disappear without a word. She’d dragged herself awake despite every muscle in her body aching, buoyed by nothing more than the thought that she’d finally be allowed outside.
Liar.
Scowling fiercely, Kiara flopped back down and buried her face in the bed. Just then—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Someone rapped on the door. Kiara jerked upright.
It wasn’t the familiar rhythm of Raelin’s knock. It was someone else. Someone she didn’t recognize.
The color drained from Kiara’s face.
Raelin had repeatedly warned her from the very beginning to never open the door carelessly. There might come men harboring dangerous intentions, emboldened by the knowledge that the king no longer spared her a glance.
But that king had been deposed. Now it was Ael who governed Altnebra, if only temporarily.
‘Besides, Ael’s been using my room as his own quarters…’
Frowning, Kiara fixed her eyes on the door.
No matter how indifferent he acts, she was still his soulmate. If she were hurt — if something happened to her — it would put him at risk as well. Surely he’d have stationed guards nearby. Common thugs shouldn’t be able to wander in here so easily.
Even so, whoever stood outside continued knocking insistently. As though meeting her was absolutely imperative.
Could it be one of Ael’s men? Did something happen to him? Was that why they’re here?
“Then shouldn’t I open it right aw—… Ah.”
Only then did Kiara hurriedly examine herself. No cuts. No bruises. Nothing hurt.
Whatever situation Ael might be in, it didn’t seem as though he himself had been physically injured.
Then what should she do…?
Just then, a familiar voice drifted faintly through the door.
[What’s going on out here?!]
Raelin?
Startled, Kiara hurried over and pressed her ear against the door.
[#@$%#]
[I said I don’t want excuses! Just tell me what’s going on!]
[&*%]
The door was so thick that she couldn’t make out the other person’s words. Only Raelin’s indignant voice carried clearly through.
…Come to think of it, Raelin, who had always been so gentle with Kiara, apparently had a much fiercer temper than she’d realized.
[This is Lady Kiara’s room!]
Lady Kiara.
Hearing Raylin pronounce each syllable with unmistakable emphasis, Kiara drew a deep breath. The voice alone was reassuring.
Still, if Raelin was shouting that boldly, then whoever was outside probably wasn’t armed. Or at least, not dangerous.
[So I don’t care whether you’re from the Golden Lion Knights or the Golden Kitten Knights—!]
The Golden Lion Knights?
Did something happen to Ael after all?
The hesitation she’d clung to until now vanished in an instant. Kiara threw the door open. The man who had been arguing with Raelin outside had apparently been leaning against the half-open door. The moment it swung wide, he lost his balance.
Crash!
He toppled inside with an undignified thud.
Raelin immediately rushed over and wrapped an arm around Kiara’s shoulders, shielding her.
“Lady Kiara!”
“…Raelin.”
Startled, Kiara’s eyes widened as they fell upon the thin man sprawled across the floor.
A… a man!
With a small gasp, she instinctively clutched Raelyn’s arm.
At least she’d grown somewhat accustomed to unfamiliar faces lately. Not long ago, she would have bolted straight back to the bed and hidden beneath the sheets. If anyone deserved credit for that, it was Ael. Most of the strangers she’d encountered recently had come in his company — servants he’d brought with him, or men like Duncan.
Even so, she pressed a hand against her racing heart before cautiously peering down at the man. Still unable to get to his feet, he rolled on the floor with one hand cradling his head.
‘His robe is much simpler than Mr. Laine’s…’
Unlike Laine’s elaborate robes, this one looked far more practical. More suited for traveling… Or perhaps…
A military uniform?
“L-Lady Kiara! Please don’t get any closer!”
Raelin tried to pull her back, but curiosity had already gotten the better of Kiara. She stepped forward for a closer look.
The man wore a heavy cloak over his robe, fastened with a familiar brooch. A lion with a magnificent golden mane.
Come to think of it, Ael wore the same emblem. So had Duncan when he’d visited before.
“…Is he one of the knights?”
Pointing to the brooch, Kiara looked to Raelin for confirmation. With obvious displeasure, Raelin gave a curt nod. It seemed she couldn’t stand Ael, the Golden Lion Order, or magic itself. In that respect, she was every bit a typical Altnebran.
Kiara’s gaze, now thoroughly piqued with curiosity, shifted to the man’s face.
“Oww… My head… my poor head…”
The man was still curled up on the floor, clutching his head with both hands as he groaned in misery.
Somehow, it didn’t seem as though the fall alone was to blame. Kiara shot Raelin a questioning glance, and Raelin’s face immediately flushed with embarrassment.
“I just happened to be baking a skillet pie today…”
Looking rather sheepish, Raelin pointed at the large cast-iron skillet lying on the floor.
Her signature skillet pie—a dessert made by piling generous amounts of ingredients into a heavy cast-iron pan and baking it straight in the oven—was undeniably delicious…
…And terrifyingly heavy.
Truthfully, Kiara had often wondered how Raelin managed to carry that enormous black iron skillet all the way from the palace kitchens to her room. Then again, with that kind of arm strength, it was no wonder she had hauled bathwater back and forth every single day.
“…You hit him with that?”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.