Chapter 83
Now that he was looking at her more closely, she had lost a significant amount of weight. Perhaps she had been very ill, as her complexion had yet to fully return. He let out a short breath, then extended his hand and spoke.
“I need to see just how great a gift you’ve brought.”
Though his tone was curt, Lea, who understood his true intent, gently lifted her lowered head and met his gaze.
At the sight of her brightened expression, a strange feeling stirred within him.
“…It’s nothing too grand, but I prepared it hoping it would be of help to you, Your Highness.”
Lea placed the box directly into his palm. As she let go, her fingertips brushed along the edge of his hand.
Tingle—
Calix flinched slightly, sensing a peculiar energy from the point of contact.
“…I may as well open it now, shouldn’t I?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
Though still gauging his mood, Lea answered in a bright tone. The whole situation felt so dreamlike that she struggled to stay grounded.
As he began to open the box, Daisy entered. Having used only the finest tea leaves, she had prepared carefully, expecting a noble lady guest, but it turned out to be none other than that Haisley, the one who had tormented the Imperial Crown Prince.
Though Daisy didn’t openly show her displeasure, her expression was cold.
Lea, quickly recognizing her expression, smiled inwardly. It was a blessing for him to have such loyal subordinates by his side.
Indeed, they had stayed with him since the time when he had no power at all. They were worthy of trust.
“Pardon me.”
Pouring tea into the prepared teacups, Daisy stepped back and stood at a set distance. Ilion joined her, standing by.
“…What is this?”
Meanwhile, Calix, having opened the gift, asked as he examined the unfamiliar object. Lea, glancing down at the clear tea in her cup, cautiously explained.
“It’s a magical tool that transports objects. It’s not an officially sold product, but apparently it’s become something of a rumor among the nobility.”
He had assumed it was meant to function like a pocket watch, and was a bit surprised by her explanation.
“…Do you not like it?”
Lea, flustered by Calix’s silence in reaction to the unexpected gift, asked with concern. Calix, again overcome with an odd emotion, pulled out the two watch-like devices.
“How does one use it?”
“Ah, forgive me, but may I borrow one of them for a moment?”
“Go ahead.”
He offered one without hesitation, and Lea carefully received it. Once again, her fingers brushed his, albeit briefly.
Feeling that same strange sensation, Calix didn’t take his eyes off her.
“They’re made with magic stones, so they need to be regularly charged with energy. But since you’re an elemental Esper, Your Highness, your power should be more than enough. Now, if you press this ruby button and designate a target, it moves like this.”
As he listened to her explanation, Calix saw a macaron on the table below suddenly transport itself under the magical tool he was holding.
“It’s not just for small things, apparently even a considerable quantity can be moved. I bought it because I found it fascinating, If it’s useful to you, then I’m glad.”
“…Thank you.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t give it to you on your birthday, Your Highness.”
Lea bit her lip, then handed back the magical tool she’d been holding. Though her fingers touched his again, Calix wasn’t startled this time.
He had felt her energy three times now. If Lea were an Esper, their energies should have clashed.
But her energy felt warm and refreshing. Rather than repelling him, it gently enveloped him. It even made him want to feel it again.
Calix placed the magical tools back into the box and gestured. As Daisy approached, he handed it to her and said,
“Take this inside.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Lea, silently watching him, quickly lowered her gaze when Calix’s eyes met hers. She was afraid he would dislike seeing her happy, so she forced herself to suppress her emotions.
“Let’s have some tea.”
Even though she felt she could return now without regret, when he suggested they have tea together, Lea bit her lower lip.
She feared she might smile too widely, so she pressed her lips tightly together.
They quietly savored the tea for a while. Calix stared at her, watching how she cautiously observed his mood.
He felt strange. Perhaps it was because he’d only just realized she wasn’t an ordinary person, but more than that, her aura felt oddly familiar, almost unsettlingly so.
Why does it feel so familiar?
As he silently drank his tea, a theory came to mind.
Zion and Derek, who had subtly kept their guard up around him. The child the Emperor had mentioned.
And finally, the back of the woman he had held in his dream…
“Has your injured back fully healed?”
At his sudden question, Lea was so startled that she dropped her teacup.
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