Chapter 223 - 3−27
A week had passed since then. Lute-sama visited for a few minutes every day, and despite my cold attitude, he continued to act with forced kindness. Every day, he brought expensive gifts "from the Emperor" and left them in the room even when I refused them. This room was twice the size of my bedroom in Dutoit, but a third of it was now occupied by stacks of gift boxes. My sighs only grew deeper.
"What am I supposed to do with all this?"
Despite the daily gifts, the Emperor hadn't shown his face once since that encounter in the dungeon. The memory of his terrifying, freezing gaze still made me shudder. This really is just a luxurious prison.
The room had its own washroom and bath. Whenever I needed something, a maid would appear. She was as expressionless as a mask and never engaged in small talk. She clearly had martial arts training; when I tried to slip past her once, she stopped me effortlessly and led me back into the room with a cool face. Her grip had been as cold as ice. After performing her duties, she would bow politely and say, "Please ring the bell if you require anything," before leaving.
The only people I saw were the robotic maid and the smiling, unyielding Lute-sama. In the midst of this madness, the only thing that kept me sane was the dragon. It was a creature of many expressions, flying about as it pleased. It would disappear for a while and then suddenly pop back up. "Rose?"
I had named the dragon Rose, after its beautiful rose-pink eyes. She seemed to know it was her name, chirping happily whenever I called. "Rose, were you off somewhere again?"
Kyu, kyuu! Rose appeared out of nowhere, her small wings fluttering as she landed on my shoulder. I stroked her head, and she narrowed her eyes in delight. A small smile finally touched my lips. Usually, she would head back to her little bed for a nap after this, but today she was full of energy, zooming around the room.
"You're lively today."
Rose suddenly nipped at my dress and gave it a tug. "What is it? You want me to follow you?"
Kyu! She led me toward the back of the room, where the mountain of gifts was piled high. She landed on a box tucked away in the corner and looked at me expectantly. "What’s so special about this box?"
Kyu, kyuu! She chirped insistently. "Alright, alright. There’s something here, isn't there?" I lifted the box. Tucked away in the shadows was a black, fluffy mass. No way!
I rushed over and reached out. The mass twitched and let out a sleepy Nya. "Wait... Kuro?"
It was a black cat, curled up in the corner. It rubbed its face with a paw and gave a long stretch. "Kuro... it really is you!" I scooped him up. Those round eyes and twitching ears... there was no mistake. It was my contract spirit, Kuro. Nyaa.
"How? How did you get here? You couldn't have come all this way alone." Kuro purred happily. Tears pricked my eyes. "Was it... Theodore-sama?"
If Theodore-sama had brought Kuro with him when he left Dutoit to save me... then it made sense for Kuro to be here. Nya! Kuro meowed happily at the mention of his name.
"So it was him. Theodore-sama really is..." I pictured him in my mind, his magician’s robe fluttering as he gave a confident smirk. The last time I saw him, he was weak—a first for him. Yet even then, he had encouraged me. My heart ached at the memory. "Is he... is Theodore-sama safe?"
...Naa, nyaa. Kuro’s tail drooped, and his meow was weak.
"You don't know where he is or if he’s safe either... I see."
Kuro placed a paw on my knee as if to comfort me. Rose fluttered her wings and peered into my face. "You're worried too? Thank you."
I’m not alone. That makes all the difference. If Louis-sama were in my position, he wouldn't sit around moping. He would find what he could do and take action. He would probably say, "Theodore wouldn't die that easily. He’s the strongest magician I know." I could easily imagine him saying that with pride. And he’d be right. Theodore-sama always exceeded my expectations. He was elusive, loyal, and incredibly strong.
"Theodore-sama is definitely alive." I had to believe in him. If he was always watching over me and believing in me, I couldn't afford to give up. There had to be a way out. Just as Kuro had found his way to me, there had to be a hint I was missing.
"I won't give up."
I believe in you, Theodore-sama. When we meet again, let’s talk about the past. About the garden at the manor. He’ll probably be shocked that I remembered. But he won't scold me for forgetting; he’ll just smirk and look at me with those kind eyes. The gentle older brother who watched over me from near and far... this time, I will be the one to find you. So... please, wait for me.