Chapter 222 - 3−26
"Where am I...?"
Why am I here? And where is 'here'? I woke up and looked around to find myself in an unfamiliar room. "A bed? Why...?" I pressed a hand to my throbbing forehead. I was just in that dark, cold dungeon.
"So, you are the one they call my destiny?"
The memory of Alec Tratia’s words made me shudder. Just his presence had caused my ears to ring and my body to freeze. His aura was utterly alien. I wrapped my arms around myself to stop the trembling. Just then, the door clicked open.
"Oh, you're awake."
I looked up at the sound of a calm tenor voice. The man entering widened his eyes slightly upon seeing me and walked slowly to the bedside. "Are you alright? Would you like some water?"
"You..."
The man who poured cold water from a carafe into a glass and offered it to me with an angelic smile was Young Lord Lute Calria. "You don't need to look at me with such fear. I won't harm you."
"I don't believe you."
There's no way he doesn't remember what he did to me. How can he act so natural? I knit my brows in disgust and refused to take the glass. Lute-sama shrugged.
"What a shame. It seems I've lost your trust." Despite his words, his attitude was entirely nonchalant as he sat in a nearby chair. "There’s no poison, you know? It’s just water." He took a sip from the glass himself. "See? Just normal water." He tilted his head curiously.
"Whether the water is safe is one thing, but more importantly, I want nothing from you."
"Heh. Not even a single glass of water?"
I remained silent, confirming his suspicion. Lute-sama’s shoulders shook with amusement. "You really are an interesting person, Rachel-sama. I don't have anyone like you around me. However, we’re going to be together for a long time. Personally, I’d rather not spend that time feuding with you."
"A long time?"
"Yes, a very long time."
Impossible. I won't stay in this country a moment longer than I have to. "I intend to return to the Kingdom of Dutoit immediately. As soon as I find... Theodore-sama."
I clenched my fists tighter. Theodore-sama had entered the Tratia Empire alone to save me. The last time I saw him, he was a phantom, covered in deep wounds. He couldn't see or hear me. Perhaps he was already... I didn't want to imagine it, but the worst-case scenario forced its way into my mind. No. I can't lose heart.
Theodore-sama is alive. A man like him wouldn't die so easily in a place like this. He would never give up, no matter how dire the situation. Therefore, I couldn't give up either. I shook my head to clear the dark thoughts and looked up with determination. Lute-sama was watching me, his head tilted in confusion.
"Theodore-sama? You mean Theodore Camus... Viscount Frion? What about him?"
I stiffened. Lute-sama shouldn't know that Theodore-sama infiltrated the Empire alone. If Theodore-sama is hiding while injured, I can't let Lute-sama find out. I looked away, avoiding his unreadable gaze. "No... it’s nothing."
"I see. Well, if anything comes up, do let me know." Lute-sama didn't press further, offering another bright smile.
"By the way... I was in a dungeon until just a moment ago."
"Ah, yes. That was my mistake. I told the guards to treat you with the utmost hospitality, but they handled things poorly. My deepest apologies."
"Where is this?"
"This is a guest room within the Imperial Castle. By the way, the windows and doors won't open. They require a special key enchanted with multiple layers of magic."
The apologetic mask Lute-sama had been wearing vanished, replaced by a blunt, unapologetic tone. "Then this is no different from a dungeon!"
"You were trying so hard to escape the basement. This is for your own safety. This country is far more dangerous than you imagine, Rachel-sama."
A chill ran down my spine. Even though he was smiling, his eyes were cold. "Don't worry. As long as you behave, we won't harm you."
It’s a threat. I bit my lip in frustration. He was essentially telling me that I, a mere human, stood no chance against a Dragonewt. I have to fight back in this place full of enemies. Louis-sama isn't here. I can't call Nel-sama. And Theodore-sama, who always helps me... I have to find him.
I had to fight this battle alone. Lute-sama seemed to take my silence as acceptance of his "advice." He nodded with satisfaction. "That’s better." Then, as if remembering something, he stood up and walked toward a large, cloth-covered box near the door. "Oh, right. I have something to deliver to you."
"I already told you. I won't accept anything from you."
"Is that so? But this isn't a gift. It belongs to you. I simply borrowed it for a while."
Ignoring my confusion, Lute-sama pulled the cloth away. "Ah!" I gasped. The "box" was actually a cage, and inside was a dragon letting out a sleepy yawn. "It’s boring being alone, isn't it? I thought this might provide some distraction."
He opened the cage, and the dragon twisted its body curiously before poking its head out. "This dragon..."
Responding to my voice, the dragon let out a high-pitched Kyu! and began flying happily around the room. "Indeed. The dragon that was supposed to be extinct... the last survivor in this world."
Lute-sama watched the dragon and held out his hand. The creature landed on his arm, settling down obediently. To my surprise, the dragon that had carried us to the Empire was back to its small, white form. "I thought it grew massive..."
Lute-sama placed the dragon on my lap and stroked its head. "It returned to this size the moment we arrived. From what I’ve gathered, it exhausted the magic it had stored while sealed by going on that rampage. Now it’s back to being a baby. It doesn't have the power to burn down forests anymore. It’s not dangerous."
Kyuu? The dragon looked up at me with round, sparkling eyes. It was hard to believe this adorable creature had crushed a tower and flown thousands of kilometers in a single night. It rubbed its head against my hand like a friendly puppy, as if asking for a pat. But my hand was frozen like lead.
Kyu? The dragon looked up, confused by my lack of movement. Meeting its innocent gaze made my chest tighten. If it weren't for this creature, I wouldn't be here, Theodore-sama would be safe... and Dutoit wouldn't be in danger. I shouldn't have unsealed it.
Unaware of my sinking heart, the dragon fluttered its wings and flew up to my face, giving my eyelid a little lick. I touched my eye and realized my hand was wet with a stray tear. "You..."
The dragon had likely licked me to stop the tears. It looked so worried that I couldn't help but find it cute, which only made my heart heavier. Lute-sama’s footsteps snapped me out of it. "It seems the dragon wants to be friends with you."
The dragon let out a Kyuu in agreement. I didn't know how to respond. Lute-sama gave a troubled smile. "For now, I’ll leave it with you. If it becomes too much to handle, I’ll take it back."
The dragon continued to circle me happily as Lute-sama left the room, his smile never wavering. I let out a long sigh that echoed through the room. My heart felt as though it were sinking into an abyss. The dragon, having found a small ball from somewhere, dove onto the bed with it in its mouth. It looked at me with those sparkling eyes, inviting me to play. "What am I going to do...?" I whispered, staring at the little creature.