Chapter 87 - Chapter 87
"Are you still worried about the little black cat?"
The day after arriving in the Bousquet Territory, Leonie-sama invited me for a walk through the town. As we set out with Roger, Leonie-sama peered into my face with a concerned expression. I suppose I couldn't hide my gloom. I was worried about Kuro. Even when I was at the academy, he was usually waiting at home; we had never been this far apart. I had tried to act unbothered to avoid worrying the others, but Leonie-sama saw right through me.
Still, 'little black cat'. She called him the same thing Theodore-sama did. They really were cousins. I looked at Leonie-sama's refined features and a question occurred to me, one I had been too distracted to ask yesterday.
"Leonie-sama, can you see spirits?"
"Yes, I can. I have a contract with a mid-tier fire spirit."
"A mid-tier spirit... You must possess incredible magical power."
I had suspected she could see them based on her comments over the last few days, but I hadn't realized she was powerful enough to contract a mid-tier spirit. My eyes must have gone wide, because Leonie-sama chuckled, her shoulders shaking with amusement.
"Are you wondering why I'm in the knight order instead of the Order of Mages?"
"Well, a little."
"The Order of Mages did scout me. But since I was a child, I wanted to be a strong knight. A knight who has a lord worth protecting even at the cost of their own life."
Her eyes were filled with a fierce, resolute light.
"Besides, my family are all knights. My parents supported my choice. And to be honest, my mother is from the House of Marquis Camus. I've seen enough of the eccentricities of mages like Theodore to know that path wasn't for me."
I couldn't help but let out a small laugh at her lighthearted tone. Leonie-sama was a wonderful conversationalist, skilled at drawing people out and making them smile. Thanks to her, the heavy cloud over my heart began to lift. I finally had the mental space to notice my surroundings.
"The Bousquet Territory is quite lively, isn't it?"
I had heard it was a harsh land, but the town was decorated with vibrant flowers, creating a festive atmosphere. The streets were crowded with people wearing bright smiles. I could hear children laughing and the energetic cries of street vendors. As I watched with interest, a young boy and girl approached us. "Here you go, Big Sister!" they chirped, handing me a lovely pink flower. I knelt to their level and thanked them. They proceeded to give flowers to Roger and Leonie-sama as well.
Roger's stern expression softened as he patted their heads and thanked them. The children waved happily as they ran off, and I found myself waving back with a smile. They were handing out flowers to everyone they passed.
"What kind of flower is this?"
"Those are the flower-distributing children," Leonie-sama explained.
I tilted my head, looking at the bloom. Was this a local custom? Leonie-sama looked at her own flower and then at the bustling street.
"Starting today, the Bousquet Territory holds its largest annual festival for three days. It's a celebration to pray to the spirits for a peaceful winter in this snowy land."
"A festival? I had no idea. Wait, is that why our schedule was for three days?"
"Haha, you caught me."
"Did you know about this, Roger?"
"Yes, for security reasons. Though it's even more crowded than I anticipated."
It made sense. Festivals meant more people, which meant the guards had to be extra vigilant. Leonie-sama probably wanted to tell me yesterday, but seeing how distraught I was over Kuro, she chose to bring me here today to cheer me up. I wanted to thank her, but I sensed she didn't want me to make a fuss. She had simply waited for my spirits to lift naturally. I offered her a silent thanks and a bright smile.
"Does the flower have a specific meaning?"
"Every year, the local children give flowers to visitors, who then float them on the lake. It's a prayer to the spirits that everyone may safely see the spring."
"How lovely."
"Indeed. Shall we head to the lakeside later?"
I nodded eagerly. The flower had a fresh, gentle scent that seemed to soothe my soul. Before coming here, I knew nothing of how the people lived. I only knew of the Chantreuil Monastery and the harsh, snow-covered mountains. I had only seen the surface. But being here, I felt how much the people loved and cherished this land. I was truly glad I came. It allowed me to confront my own naivety and fear, and more importantly, to see the reality of the kingdom beyond mere books.
As for my magic, I still had no clues on how to recover it, but I wasn't giving up. The forest was our only lead, and we had scheduled time to explore it on our return journey. Kuro would likely be there, and there was something about that mystical place. Even though I had died there, it felt peaceful. There was something there. It might just be wishful thinking, but I wouldn't abandon hope until every possibility was exhausted.
"Shall we?" Leonie-sama called out, and I followed. We spent the day tossing flowers into the lake with the locals and sampling food from the stalls. It was my first time experiencing anything like it, and I found myself laughing more than I had in a long time. I didn't even notice the sun beginning to set.
"We should head back to the inn," Leonie-sama suggested. I nodded, though I felt a twinge of sadness that the day was ending. I couldn't believe how much I had enjoyed myself.
"The carriage is just ahead. Can you still walk?" Roger asked.
"Yes, I'm fine."
Roger led the way, with Leonie-sama and me walking side-by-side behind him. Suddenly, Roger stopped in his tracks. I looked at Leonie-sama, who had also halted, her gaze fixed sternly on a dark alleyway.
"Who's there!" Roger barked.
I flinched at the volume of his voice. Roger's hand went to his sword, and Leonie-sama stepped in front of me, shielding me with her back. The air grew thick with tension. I knew better than to move and hinder my guards, so I stayed still, my senses heightened. The sound of gravel crunching came from the alley. My heart began to pound, and my hands turned cold. I couldn't see past Leonie-sama and Roger, but the footsteps drew closer.
Then, a voice like a tinkling bell rang out, completely at odds with the tense atmosphere.
"It's been a long time. I've come to see you, Rachel Marcel."
I peered around Leonie-sama's side. Standing there was someone who shouldn't have been there at all. Katrina Higgins, who was supposed to be in the Chantreuil Monastery, stood before us. In her hand, she gripped a short sword that glinted dangerously in the fading light, a sharp contrast to her soft, eerie smile.
Bookmark, ratings, comments, and typo reports are always appreciated. Since Katrina has reappeared, I've started a spin-off featuring her twin followers. Please give it a read! The title is "The Villainess's Followers Find Happiness in the Neighboring Kingdom with Their Reincarnated Sister." You can find it under the "Series" section above the chapter title.