𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓𝟑: 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭
After finishing our meal, Cid escorted me to my room (even though it was right next door), and by midnight, I finally got into bed.
However, whether I could sleep or not was a different matter. . .I could only think about Elsa, who had disappeared.
Elsa, with her cool impression and brown hair tied up in a bun, always listened to my concerns. Even though i was engaged to the prince, she was the only one I could consult about my growing feelings for Cid.
[If it comes to it, you should just knock Cid out with a finishing move and take him away!]
[Ethan-sama asked me for stomach medicine, should I also put an aphrodisiac in Cid’s drink? It takes courage for a woman, you know.]
[After all, the prince is just a red ruby. Our young men can bury him somewhere with no problem.]
. . .Looking back, she didn’t give me any useful advice.
But she’s someone I love, like an older sister. In fact, the young men even called her “sis.”
When we last parted, she said this while holding a magic gun.
[Hehe. . .I wanted to see how many shots I could fire in a row.]
Ah, the more I think about it, the more I feel that Elsa is safe.
After all, there’s no way the servants of the Duke Marcus family would be attacked by just any ruffians.
“It’ll be fine, right?”
Since there was no use thinking about it, I listed all the reasons in my head why Elsa would be safe.
And then, feeling thirsty, I slipped out of bed and headed to the dining hall.
――Click. . .
However, before I could open the door, I heard the sound of someone leaving Cid’s room next door.
In the dim hallway, I could hear the quiet sound of footsteps. It was the sound of one person.
When I opened the door, I saw Cid’s figure as I expected.
However, he was wearing a dark gray robe and dressed as if he was going out, descending from the hallway to the lower floor.
Where is he going at this late hour?
Curious, I quickly put on a shawl and followed him.
❂❂❂❂❂❂
A pitch-black backyard.
The small luminescent stones along the mansion’s walls provided just enough light to walk.
Cid smoothly walked through the darkness as if taking a stroll.
I followed him quietly, suppressing my magic to the maximum. Since we used to play hide-and-seek, I was good at concealing my presence.
After walking for a while, I saw a man standing in front of a wall made of bricks from the Marquis mansion. I couldn’t make out his face even when I squinted.
But Cid walked towards the person without hesitation and stopped about two meters away.
“It’s been a while.”
Cid bowed respectfully, placing his right hand in front of his chest. There was only one person I knew of whom he would show such an attitude.
“Oh, it’s sudden, but I’m glad you noticed.”
A deep, husky voice spoke.
It was, Grat Roberta Cid’s mentor and the leader of the magicians
He was wearing a black robe over his travel attire, with thick pants and leather boots. Like Cid, he had a purple spinel brooch shining on his chest.
His short-cropped hair was the same brown as Elsa’s. He looked like a sturdy knight, but he was undoubtedly a mage.
Why would Master Grat be here. . .
Hiding against the wall, I peered at the two of them.
After Cid straightened his posture, he calmly smiled and spoke.
“I can sense your magical power, Master. It startles me when I feel it approaching.”
“You say that a lot. You’re still emitting a combative magic power.”
“Well, thanks. By the way, how did you know it was me?”
“I thought it would be you. Even if it’s you, you must have some information about Viara-sama and her aunt. It’s a shame that my prediction turned out to be correct.”
It was an ordinary conversation between two familiar individuals. However, there was a faint tension in the air.
“Why did Master come all the way here? Is it about Elsa?”
My heart skipped a beat at Cid’s words.
Master Grat replied without changing his expression.
“I’ve been delayed in various matters since returning from my trip. His Majesty and the Queen are like puppets. They seem to be completely under someone’s control. The order to capture you is still in effect.”
“Oh, really? But that prince doesn’t have that kind of power, does he?”
“Yeah, he’s just a puppet. . .Well, that’s a story for another time. We need to bring you and Viara-sama back to Roselia Castle, or Elsa’s life will be in danger. It wouldn’t be wise for us to fight each other here, right? Will you come together with me?”
Although their conversation seemed casual, Master Grat looked at Cid as if he was trying to persuade him. There was a sense of tension because they both knew that if they were to fight here, neither of them would come out unscathed.
“”. . .””
The master and disciple stared at each other, silently measuring each other’s emotions.
I held my breath and watched their interaction.
In the darkness, it seemed like only the sound of my heartbeat echoed loudly.
I tightly gripped my hands in front of my chest, but my patience was reaching its limit.
I can’t just hide here while Elsa might be killed.
Just when I was about to burst out, Cid casually said in his usual light tone.
“Hmm, isn’t it odd that it’s Elsa alone in exchange for the two of us?”
“What?”
“Well, normally hostage exchanges are one-on-one, right? It feels weird if the numbers aren’t the same.”
“Cid, are you saying that at a time like this?”
“I am! Master taught me to think carefully before negotiating, you know?”
“Ah, i did. I’ve never regretted not teaching you more than I do now.”
“That’s right~ Oh, I understand. I’ll go to the castle. But Vi-sama can’t. It would be like human trafficking, and I don’t do that.”
“Human trafficking?!”
Master Grat was dumbfounded and speechless.
Wait, did Cid just say he’ll go to the castle alone? Leaving me behind?
A shock akin to being hit in the head overwhelms me.
Unbelievable. Leaving me behind and returning to Roselia alone. It’s like infiltrating enemy territory, and on top of that, Elsa is being held hostage, so I have no idea what might happen.
“Cid! What are you saying?!”
I stepped forward in front of the two of them.
Master Grat looked surprised, but Cid turned back to me without changing his expression.
From his attitude, I realized that he had noticed I was hiding.
“What do you mean? I won’t allow you to go alone!”
Seeing me scold him with heavy breaths, Cid crossed his arms and showed a troubled expression, saying, “Hmm.” Then Master Grat tried to persuade Cid again.
“I want Viara-sama to accompany us to ensure Elsa’s safety.”
“I don’t want to.”
“I won’t let anything happen to Viara-sama. I will protect her.”
“Eh.”
It was a reasonable proposal as a father.
But Cid, like a child, blatantly voiced his dislike, uncrossed his arms, and pulled me into his chest.
“Huh?!”
What is he doing in front of Master?!
We can’t be doing this when the conversation isn’t settled yet.
Surprised, I froze in his arms.
“Cid? Um, we need to talk. . .mmm?!”
As I tried to discuss our future plans, my lips were sealed midway. His arm around my back tightened, squeezing me.
“My Viara. . .”
Cid, who has embraced me with his weight, buried his face in my pale blue hair and whispered softly in my ear.
“Please forgive me.”
“Huh?”
He quickly withdrew and placed his index finger on my forehead.
A warm magical power gently entered my forehead, and as he muttered something, a strong drowsiness overwhelmed me.
“What. . .?!”
Frowning, I desperately shook my head to shake off the drowsiness.
But I could no longer keep my eyes open, and my body started to feel hot.
“Vi-sama.”
Sweat began to trickle down slowly.
I immediately realized that I had been put under a sleep spell. Despite that, I desperately resisted and opened my eyes again, only to see Cid’s face smiling gently as usual.
“Please wait for me. I will definitely come back.”
“Sh. . .”
Multiple magic circles appeared around me.
“Hey! Cid, what the. . .!”
Master Grat shouted.
There was an Intense drowsiness and a bright light. When I closed my eyes due to the brightness, I found myself unable to stand and i knelt down on the spot.
I felt a sudden sensation of floating. The wind swirled around my feet, and I feel my body gently lift off the ground.
The temperature and scent of the air surrounding me changed.
――Whoosh. . .
As I collapsed onto the ground, I should have felt my body sinking into the cold earth.
However, what I felt on my shoulders, fingers, and cheeks was a long pile of soft carpet.
“Viara?!”
I heard Onii-sama’s voice. He seemed quite anxious.
I faintly opened my eyes and saw a reddish-brown carpet and black leather.
Clearly, I am indoors, and it’s comfortably warm.
“Viara!? Where did you come from. . .Cid, right?!”
The person lifting my body was undoubtedly Onii-sama.
This was the main residence in Duke Marcus’s territory. It’s Onii-sama’s room.
In my fading consciousness, I realized that I was sent here by teleportation magic.
“Pull yourself together! Rosso, call a doctor!”
Hustling footsteps echo around.
The strength of the arms embracing me was very strong, and even though we weren’t far apart, Onii-sama’s scent felt nostalgic.
Behind my closed eyelids, I saw Cid’s face smiling as usual. The last words he said lingered in my ears.
[Please wait for me. I will definitely come back]
Did he reproduce teleportation magic for this? To let me escape if necessary?
Wasn’t it to prevent me from being captured while he wasn’t by my side, knowing that I was following him?
As long as I’m by his side, he can teleport me to Onii-sama.
“Cid. . .”
Unable to resist the drowsiness, I fell into a deep sleep.
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