Chapter 64 - The Outlier's Tea
"Theodore."
"Oh, Louis. Do you need something?"
"It's not that I 'need something.' I want to ask about what happened earlier."
Theodore-sama was in a waiting room in the research building, sitting on a sofa and leisurely sipping tea. His words suggested our arrival was unexpected, but his expression said otherwise—he looked as if he had been waiting for us. In fact, he had already prepared tea for the three of us.
His Highness and I sat opposite him, while Cyril took the seat next to Theodore-sama.
"Why don't you drink before it gets cold? It's rare for me to brew tea myself."
"You know how to brew tea, Theodore-sama?"
"Not as well as Cyril, but I can manage. Didn't I tell you before? A mage has to be able to do everything for themselves."
Come to think of it, he had mentioned something like that during the two months we spent in the Marcel territory. Mages often had to travel alone on missions, both domestically and abroad. Still, I hadn't expected him to be proficient at brewing tea. I picked up the cup, and a floral aroma wafted up. A single sip revealed a smooth, deep flavor that coated my palate.
"...It's delicious."
"Haha, I'm glad it's to your liking."
Theodore-sama really was a mystery. Is there anything he can't do? I found myself staring at his face in wonder.
"By the way," His Highness said, setting his teacup down silently before speaking. "I want to confirm the situation. First, Theodore. You chanted a summoning spell during Miss Carroll's turn. Why did you add a second incantation?"
"Ah, that. There was that massive surge of wind and light, right? I felt the shadow of the Spirit King then. But he seemed to be hesitating about whether to come out, so I just gave him a little nudge to invite him in."
"An 'invite'... to the Spirit King?"
I looked at him blankly. His Highness also seemed taken aback by the casual explanation; he pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed. So that was the purpose of the extra spell. It meant the Spirit King's appearance hadn't been a certainty. I suppose that might have something to do with the change in Anna-san's personality.
"On a related note, did you hear the conversation between Miss Carroll and the Spirit King?"
"I didn't hear that part."
"You didn't?"
"He was likely using some kind of sound-muffling magic, similar to when he spoke to me. I was standing quite close, but not a single word leaked out."
I see. So even Theodore-sama didn't know the details of their exchange. Only Anna-san knew why the Spirit King had ultimately decided to grant her his blessing.
"Then what were you talking to the Spirit King about?" His Highness asked, resting his chin on his hand as he focused on Theodore-sama.
"I'm not entirely sure myself, but he asked for my name. And he called me by a different one."
"A different name?"
"Yes. 'Ines.'"
Ines?
"It's been bothering me too, so I'm going to look into it. I'll let you know if I find anything."
"Please do."
"Is that all? If you're done with the questions, I need to go see the Captain."
Theodore-sama drained the rest of his tea and looked at us. "We're done. Sorry for taking up your time."
"Don't worry about it. ...Things are going to get busy from here on out. Be careful, Louis."
"Of course."
Be careful? Theodore-sama's warning made me uneasy, and I looked at His Highness. He noticed my gaze and smiled reassuringly.
"It's alright."
"Please let me know if anything happens."
"I will. And Rachel, I want you to tell me if you're troubled by anything as well."
His Highness turned toward me, placing his hands on my shoulders and looking at me with a serious expression. He nodded firmly at my words, as if to drive the point home.
He was right. Just as I disliked being kept in the dark, he felt the same. I couldn't let my own independent actions or worries cause him trouble. "I want to lighten your burden," he had told me before. To honor his feelings, I would maintain my independence, but I also understood that consulting him wasn't a sign of weakness. I knew he would listen to whatever I had to say.
As I renewed my resolve, a loud sigh from across the table startled me.
"Could you two wait until I've left before doing that? Right, Cyril?"
"Yes, honestly," Cyril added with a weary look.
Their exasperated stares made my face flush. His Highness glanced at them and smirked. "Then you two should just find yourselves fiancées."
Theodore-sama and Cyril both grimaced in unison and let out a long, synchronized sigh.