Chapter 97
For a fleeting moment, Zion’s gaze drifted to Luna before returning to Calix. And in that instant, Calix could feel that the hypothesis he had constructed was beginning to take form through these people.
At the same time, the golden eyes staring at him were proof that the one looking didn’t understand the meaning behind his earlier words.
“When I first heard the claim that Lady Haisley was a Guide, I thought it was a lie. Wouldn’t you? Why would a woman who likes to step forward not declare from the beginning that she’s a Guide?”
Lea wasn’t offended by Calix’s words. On the contrary, she agreed. In the past, she hadn’t spoken up because she feared her mother, but truthfully, she had dEsperately wanted to say it.
Especially to Calix.
‘I’m a Guide too. So… will you need me like you needed my mother?’
As she recalled the past, she perked up at what Calix said next. When he saw the fox ears twitch, he let out a small laugh and gently stroked the pointed tip.
“But come to think of it, Lady Haisley has a rather wretched biological mother, doesn’t she? That greedy woman. Would she really have wanted to share power with her own daughter?”
“…Your Highness, if you could make your point a bit more directly, I would appreciate it. I’ve trained only in swordsmanship, so I’m not the brightest, you see.”
“If the former head of the Empress’s knight order is saying he’s slow-witted, then the rest of us must be downright stupid.”
Seeing Zion’s expression sour at his words gave Calix no small amount of satisfaction. It felt like a little revenge against the man who had always coldly regarded him from the Empress’s side.
“What I mean is, I accept your assertion. It’s not so strange that a Guide could give birth to another Guide, is it?”
“…Yes. As Your Highness said, I was close to Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Then perhaps Lady Haisley chose to hide herself out of fear that she might fall short of her mother. That woman’s mind is always so predictable. You two must’ve figured that much out.”
Lea felt a chill run down her spine at Calix’s words. She had thought he had no interest in her.
That was why she had boldly begun to appear before him in her fox form because she was certain he wouldn’t care.
But now, it was clear he knew far more about her than she had imagined.
“She’s not the type of person to do that! Even if it’s you, Your Highness, don’t dismiss her convictions.”
“Convictions? What convictions? You mean, how a commoner dared to wish to be called ‘Sister’ by a prince like me? Or maybe how she was going to pour scalding tea on me but suddenly changed her mind and dumped it all over herself instead? Or perhaps…”
Calix, whose voice had been like ice, slowly shifted his eyes downward to the trembling fox on his thigh, and continued.
“Or is it her conviction to come every night, transformed into an animal, just to toy with someone?”
The sharp drop in his voice felt like a weight crushing her entire body. Lea was so afraid she couldn’t even breathe. Her body trembled violently.
Calix smiled as he scooped her up in his arms.
He gently patted her near the base of her tail, just like he always did.
“Why are you trembling so much all of a sudden? Did you do something wrong, Luna?”
His voice was just as gentle as ever… and that terrified Lea even more. Because she knew him better than anyone, she knew what this meant.
He wasn’t the type to show his anger by frowning or raising his voice. The angrier he was, the more he smiled.
And right now, Calix was furious.
“Why aren’t you answering like you normally do? Ah, I must’ve called you the wrong name, didn’t I? Isn’t that right… Lea?”
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