Chapter 44

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 44

Chapter Title: The Dead Forest and the Fairy Garden (1)

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Black mages were different from ordinary mages. They served demon gods and drew power from them. They were cruel and powerful.

The Empire and the Grand Temple kept a close watch on them, killing every one they found. Yet the black mages persisted, using bizarre tricks to cloud their enemies' eyes, disguising themselves, and carrying on their bloodlines.

Lucas or Elise must have formed a soul contract with a black mage. If they provide what the black mage wants, the black mage will do their bidding.

Elise might be another story, but Lucas had the power and authority for it. She figured he was the one who'd hired the black mage.

They have powerful allies. And I have nothing.

Even her only allies, the spirits, refused to heed her will. Anxiety and unease gnawed at her. She wanted to cultivate some kind of ability as quickly as possible—to reclaim her family and force the guilty ones to their knees.

But what am I doing right now?

Roxiana sat on a bench in the garden, reflecting on her recent routine.

She'd chat briefly with the spirits, head to the laundry to wash clothes or clean, help out in the kitchen by learning to cook and preparing meals, or spend time tending the garden with the gardener now and then.

At first, the servants had been baffled by her visits. Now, they greeted her with warm smiles.

Right. I can't think of this as a waste of time.

Winning people's hearts before tackling the big things was crucial. There would come times when human loyalty proved more valuable than any power.

For someone like me, starting with nothing, reaching them will naturally take a long time. Rushing could backfire, so I need to play the long game and move steadily.

Roxiana soothed her restless heart that way.

It would be nice to have someone to confide in, to share these worries with.

Thinking of the one person she'd been able to bare her soul to back when everyone was alive twisted her gut.

Of course. Even that was you, Elise. I told you things I couldn't even share with my family.

As Roxiana clenched her fists tight, something hopped onto her thigh. She looked down at the fuzzy bundle, and her gaze softened.

"Lion."

The gray wolf pup, named after the king of beasts, licked the back of her hand as if to comfort her. Roxiana tickled his chin and murmured,

"Yeah. Now I have you."

Fierce even in its small size, Lion snarled at everyone else. Petria brought him meat and milk every day, but he gave her no opening.

Yet with Roxiana alone, he turned into a gentle little pup. No bared teeth, just an un-wolfish tail wag, belly up, full of playful affection.

How could she not adore the little wolf who reserved all his sweetness for her?

Whenever she confronted her own powerlessness and longed to die, that tiny life clung to her ankle.

Yeah. At least until this little one is gone, I have to hold on.

Unaware of the thoughts that fueled her will to live, the wolf pup simply became her anchor.

Roxiana gazed down at Lion with gentler eyes, tickling his chin. As his eyes narrowed in delight, she said,

"You know, my little brother was named Lanian. He loved puppies so much. If he'd seen you, he would've adored you..."

Roxiana couldn't speak of her family to others. But with Lion, it was different. The pup simply stared up at her with bright, clear eyes—no judgment, no pity.

That made it easy.

"Lanian had such a soft, kind heart. He loved animals, especially puppies. He had five of them—all cute and lovable. But with no one to care for them, they're probably all gone now too."

As her voice trembled, Lion licked her fingertips, as if consoling her. Roxiana stared at him for a moment, then said,

"It's been almost a month since we met, and you haven't grown a bit. You're not sick or anything, are you? Would Sir Lepe know why you're not growing?"

She'd realized it a few days ago. Waking up to find Lion curled at her feet, she suddenly noticed—he was exactly the same size as when they'd first met.

She dismissed the thought that dogs and wolves might grow at different rates. Wolves were wild creatures; they grew fast. He couldn't stay this small and fragile forever.

She'd wanted to rush straight to Kirshan and ask. But she couldn't.

The Grand Duke's palace had been swamped lately, handling the influx of people fleeing the dead forest into the city.

City dwellers treated the refugees like country yokels, while the refugees bristled at the snobbery. Plenty of good souls helped out, of course. But the conflicts popping up everywhere could ignite like sparks in dry grass, spreading in an instant.

In the midst of all that, she couldn't bother Kirshan over a wolf pup not growing. If Floyd was busy, his guard knight had to be swamped too.

"The other day, when I went to the bustling streets with Mrs. Lenadro, I saw the Grand Duke. He was sorting out a market brawl. Cursing up a storm... I'd never heard curses like that in my life."

It was the first time she'd seen a lord personally wade into a market squabble, spewing thick invectives while roughly prying apart the fighters. It was so novel and amusing that Roxiana had watched for a good while before leaving.

"He's such a strange man. First time I've seen anyone like him. Cursing like that, but it didn't make him seem crude. Is that why everyone likes the Grand Duke?"

Roxiana scratched Lion's chin.

"My little brother was loved by everyone too... Ah, not for cursing like the Grand Duke, of course. He was just so bright, cheerful, and sensible. And this is a secret, but..."

She lowered her voice, and Lion's ears perked up.

"Lanian had a gift for magic. He could use it before he was even old enough. If word got out, the Empire would've dragged him off to the magic tower, locked him away, and kept the family from seeing him. We kept it secret to avoid that, but..."

Roxiana's lips twisted.

"If I'd known it'd end like this, it'd have been better if he'd been shut away in the magic tower. At least then he'd still be alive."

Roxiana didn't cry, but the wolf licked her cheek as if he understood her pain. The warmth on her skin couldn't dispel the chill piercing her heart.

Suddenly, Lion's fur bristled. He growled at something behind Roxiana. She sprang to her feet and turned.

A middle-aged woman she didn't recognize stood in the middle of the flowerbed path. Dressed in an antique yet tidy gown, the woman gazed around the garden in astonishment.

Roxiana hesitated a moment before speaking.

"Is something wrong?"

Only then did the visitor seem to notice her. She snapped out of it and composed her expression. Blinking at Roxiana, she said,

"Ah, um... I'm Elledrun. Elledrun Hills."

Roxiana knew the name.

She lightly gathered her skirt and dipped into a curtsy.

"You're the Head Maid. A pleasure to meet you. I'm Roxiana."

Elledrun stared blankly at Roxiana, who had greeted her first.

Roxiana had no idea, but a great deal had happened concerning her in Elledrun's world lately.

The rumor that the Grand Duke had brought a woman into Lily Palace couldn't be fully contained, no matter how hard they tried.

Countess Tiblang's loose lips flapped freely whenever she met people, and those who heard came to Elledrun with eyes gleaming, prying for the truth.

To cover up the fact that the woman given Lily Palace bore a slave brand, Elledrun had to chatter endlessly about "our delicate, precious lady" to every visitor.

In the process, she'd started feeling an odd fondness for Roxiana, whom she'd never properly spoken to. And as the servants' opinions of her improved, Elledrun truly began to see her as that "delicate, precious lady."

Then came the rumors that Lily Palace's garden was bizarrely beautiful. How could she not go see it?

Elledrun had visited Lily Palace as if drawn by a spell—and there she beheld the real "princess."

When she'd arrived cradled in Floyd's arms, Elledrun had only caught a fleeting glimpse. No chance to truly take in her appearance.

Now, standing in the eerily beautiful garden, Roxiana wore just a simple dress topped with a coat. Yet she exuded such nobility that "princess" sprang to mind.

Tall and statuesque, with long, graceful limbs. Platinum hair gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight, framing a face of pale lilac hues. Eyes like a deep forest green, lips red as a rose.

Her upright posture was flawlessly elegant and dignified.

This woman is a fairy!

The beauty was so captivating that even such a childish thought crossed her mind—she couldn't tear her eyes away.

That outfit simply won't do!

With decades as head maid under her belt, Elledrun instantly envisioned dresses and accessories that would suit her perfectly.

Pale pink—no, pale green dress. Gradually deepening in shade toward the hem, with bold gold and emerald accents for jewelry...

"Um, Head Maid?"

Elledrun jolted back to reality at Roxiana's call.

What am I thinking!

She'd lost herself for a moment. Meeting Roxiana's puzzled gaze, Elledrun cleared her throat and remembered why she'd come.