Episode 123
I tried to avoid looking at Cesar as I followed them. It felt like the natural thing to do.
I wouldn’t want to cling to someone who was letting me go and be rejected again.
Well, since it was all an act, I didn’t feel any genuine sadness. I was just thinking about how to wipe my unexpectedly tear-streaked face.
Just then, someone wiped away my tears.
It didn’t seem like the priests, who treated me like an object, so I subtly looked up and saw spirits fluttering around me.
They had appeared without me noticing, hovering around me with worried expressions.
I felt relieved, the tension easing slightly. But I couldn’t react to them now, so I pretended not to notice and looked at the priest in front of me.
“Are you alright?”
He was wearing the clothes and the symbol of the Holy Kingdom, but his voice sounded familiar.
I realized it was Heron.
‘I was worried about how he would help me since he wasn’t approaching me directly.’
He had somehow managed to blend in among the priests.
“…I don’t want to talk.”
I replied coldly, putting on a heartbroken expression, and subtly blinked at Heron. He seemed to understand and withdrew his hand, and I arrived at the carriage they had prepared.
The High Priest, pale as snow, spoke to me,
“It will take quite some time to return to the Holy Kingdom from the Empire.”
I knew it was quite a distance.
But I didn’t understand why he was mentioning it and looked at him questioningly. His next words almost made me frown.
“Perhaps you won’t be able to return to the Empire on your own. His Grace is also aware of that.”
His words, as if trying to crush any hope I might have, were cruel. If this wasn’t an act, I would have been devastated.
I climbed into the carriage without replying and said, looking back at him,
“Please let me have some time alone to gather my thoughts during the journey. And as you said, I won’t be able to return to the Empire, so you don’t have to remind me…”
But the High Priest firmly refused, his expression unyielding.
“That’s not possible. In your current state, there’s a risk of you using your power to escape. But we’ll treat you with respect, to the best of our ability, so we’ll have one priest accompany you in the carriage. Is that acceptable?”
I had no choice but to agree, since I couldn’t refuse.
But it wasn’t a bad offer. I glanced at Heron and said,
“Then I’d like to be accompanied by the priest who wiped away my tears earlier. He seems to be a kind person, so perhaps he can comfort me…”
The High Priest, seeing my resigned demeanor, as if I had accepted my fate instead of protesting, agreed to my request without further objections.
“Very well. We can grant you that much.”
‘Considerate? He’s taking me to be used, and yet he acts like he’s doing me a favor.’
I was slightly relieved that I could hide my displeasure once I was inside the carriage.
As I sat in the carriage, looking out the window, Heron, disguised as a priest, entered. The carriage started moving, and we gradually left the Dukedom behind.
‘I have to come back. After everything is settled.’
It was time to put an end to this tangled fate.
“So how did you sneak in and end up beside me?”
I asked Heron, who was leaning against the carriage wall, leisurely playing with his spirits. He was incredibly relaxed, despite being in the enemy’s territory.
“I gathered information through spirits and lured one of the priests away.”
“And then?”
“I put him to sleep and took his place.”
It sounded so simple. But it couldn’t have been that easy.
Everything seemed easy when Heron said it.
“What kind of promise did that bird make with you without me knowing? Why are you helping me?”
“It wasn’t really a promise. I just agreed when she said she had no one to help her return to the Holy Kingdom and that she wanted me to be there for her.”
“So why did you agree?”
“Because I wanted to help you, even if you refused. You don’t have the right to stop me from doing what I want, Valerie.”
And since Heron was fulfilling the bird’s request, I couldn’t argue with that.
“Then do you know that bird’s true nature? And about me?”
“I don’t know the details. Even I, her contractor, am being kept in the dark by the spirits. About you, and about the bird that looks just like you who came to me.”
That was a relief. It wouldn’t have been good if Heron knew the secrets I hadn’t even told Cesar.
Well, knowing his personality, he wouldn’t pry anyway.
“Valerie, are you angry that I decided to help you on my own?”
Heron, perhaps misinterpreting my silence as I was organizing my thoughts, asked.
“No, of course not.”
I couldn’t be angry. Strictly speaking, it was that bird’s doing.
Heron was only guilty of accepting her request. And it was a request that benefited me.
I needed the help of spirits in the Holy Kingdom, and I couldn’t summon them with my own power, so I needed Heron, a Spirit Summoner.
“I’m actually grateful. You willingly accepted her request, even though I hurt your feelings by rejecting your help. Thanks to you, things will go smoothly.”
I recalled my conversation with that bird.
‘There’s another reason I have to return to the Holy Kingdom.’
‘What reason?’
‘There’s a place in the temple where a part of my divine power is stored. I have to destroy the large jewel there for all my power to leave that land.’
‘Do you know where it is?’
‘Unfortunately, no. I only heard about it.’
‘From whom?’
‘From the Spirit King of the Wind.’
It was the same spirit that had helped me turn back time.
I had felt a sense of familiarity when I remembered the memory engraved in my soul; it was the same spirit that accompanied me to the general store to meet Prea.
It was a kind spirit that took a special interest in me. It had not only helped me regain my freedom, but it was also showing me the way to true happiness.
Lost in thought, I heard Heron’s question,
“When everything is resolved, will you return to the Dukedom?”
His shimmering eyes were filled with an emotion I couldn’t accept. Heron, no longer hiding his feelings, looked at me.
If I loved him, I would have been overjoyed.
But I had to draw a line again. More clearly than before.
“Yes, I will. My intention from the beginning was to resolve everything and return.”
“From beginning to end, Lily, could I never be someone special to you?”
His gaze fell on my ring finger. The ring I received from Cesar shone brightly, contrasting with Heron’s expression.
“We could have been friends. You’re a good person, Heron. But… my heart has always belonged to Cesar. I can’t answer a hypothetical question about a choice I don’t know.”
Ah. It was just like in the original story. Sylvia had drawn a line and rejected Heron, who confessed his feelings. She already had someone she loved.
I carefully observed Heron’s expression. It was strange and concerning that he kept approaching me, even after being rejected repeatedly, unlike the Heron in the novel, who wouldn’t pursue someone after being turned down.
My repeated rejections must have hurt him.
“I’m glad we could have been friends. I wouldn’t have been able to be your friend if I had feelings for you.”
“N-no, that’s not true. You helped me, protected me…”
“It’s okay, Valerie. I already know your feelings. I was the one who acted out of character and approached you.”
He was smiling as usual, but seeing the sadness in his smile, I couldn’t offer any empty words of comfort.
As I remained silent, Heron looked at me and said,
“I like you, Valerie.”
I gave him the answer he expected, even though I knew the outcome.
“…I’m sorry. I already have someone I love.”
“Ah, I’ve been rejected again. But I wanted to tell you, at least once.”
A spark of life flickered in his red eyes.
“It would be cruel to be rejected without even confessing.”
“…”
“Don’t feel too bad. It was a confession I made knowing the answer, just to ease my heart. Besides, I was planning on helping you and returning to my country after being rejected.”
“Returning?”
“Yes. I’ve stayed in the Empire longer than I intended. I have a lot of work to do. My colleagues, who urged me to return before, have said they’re coming to drag me back.”
Come to think of it, it was natural for Heron, who wasn’t a citizen of the Empire, to return to his country. And as a renowned Spirit Summoner, he must have a lot of work and people looking for him.
“Thank you for everything. For all your help.”
As I expressed my gratitude, almost like a final farewell, Heron smiled. He had removed his disguise and called my name,
“Valerie.”
“Yes?”
“You still owe me a favor, don’t you?”
“Ah… yes, I do.”
“Then will you smile at me and call my name, just once? Without the honorifics.”