* * *
The atmosphere was overheated, but those around, who knew the two of them well, seemed to have tried to intervene appropriately.
But just then, the music began, and the two of them took hands.
Given their personalities, it might have been an act of courtesy toward their partner rather than being pushed by the expectations of those around them.
But it seems that courtesy didn’t manage to bring a smile to their faces, as the fact that their faces were stiff throughout the dance became a topic of conversation.
But out of so many people, why Elliot, of all people?
“She also danced with a second person, but she declined the rest, saying she needed to eat dessert.”
“……”
No, that wasn’t homework, nor was it an extension of her duties.
I hadn’t said a word about reporting.
Perhaps it would have been better to tell her directly rather than ask Elliot to do it.
All I wanted was for her to enjoy the ball and eat something delicious.
‘And hopefully, the medicine tastes a little better thanks to it.’
I closed the report and let out a deep breath.
The teacup in my hand was already empty.
“I’ll bring more tea.”
“This time, make it black tea, please.”
“Understood.”
I put a tart in my mouth while Linda was away.
Sweet things are indeed good when my head is throbbing.
I finished one in an instant and was bringing another to my mouth when—
Tap-tap.
“……?”
The sound of glass shaking made my head turn.
No one was visible beyond the large window.
Did I hear wrong?
Or was it just the sound of the wind?
Just as I was about to turn my head back—
Tap-tap.
The sound rang out again, making my ears perk up.
The sound clearly came from the balcony side.
And the one who had come in a similar situation was Ebony.
Since I had asked him for the real report, he might have finished his mission and returned.
‘No, wait a minute.’
But my steps toward that direction immediately stopped.
It would be simple for Ebony to open the locked balcony and enter.
Even if he was waiting for me to open it, there was no reason to hide himself.
Tap-tap.
Yet, the sound of someone deliberately tapping on the window continued.
I first grabbed Levatein, which was placed against the wall, and quickly moved toward the balcony.
Sticking close to the wall so that not even the sound of my footsteps would resonate, I carefully checked outside, but I felt no presence.
‘Attack the moment I open the door, perhaps?’
If so, the method was wrong.
An attack when I was fully prepared, rather than one I didn’t notice at all, wouldn’t be threatening.
I tightly gripped the sword and placed my hand on the lock.
Tap-tap.
‘This direction is…’
The sound rang out again right in front of me, and the window even vibrated slightly.
Yet, there was still no one in sight.
But this time, I clearly pinpointed the direction the sound came from.
The sound was from below.
The sound resonated from below, as if right at my feet.
I slowly lowered my gaze.
“…Oh?”
And soon, the tension quickly melted away with a sound of utter anticlimax.
Our eyes met.
Surely, this creature and I met eyes.
This small, cute, and vividly blue bird seemed annoyed that I hadn’t opened the door, even though our eyes met.
The creature tapped the window strongly with its small beak.
“Do you want to come in?”
As I unlocked and opened the door, the bird flapped its wings and flew inside.
The creature circled the room once, as if inspecting it, and then landed on my shoulder.
I extended my hand forward.
This bird was smart enough to immediately understand my intention, and it hopped down my arm, perched on my fingertip, and fully spread its wings.
I recognized this action.
“You, surely you’re not the Divine Beast… are you?”
Its appearance was exactly like the Divine Beast I saw in the forest.
Coupled with the same action, I couldn’t help but be suspicious.
Wasn’t it true that the Divine Beast didn’t leave the forest unless absolutely necessary?
The bird tilted its head slightly, as if it didn’t understand my words.
Even that pose was so cute that I pressed my mouth.
But does that mean it’s a common bird and not the Divine Beast?
No matter how I look at it, it seems like the same blue bird from before.
It’s unlikely for such a cute bird to be common.
I tilted my head, full of questions, following its lead.
[Why is your magic power so low?]
“…Huh?”
And a strange sound brushed past my ear.
I quickly turned my gaze around.
No sign of a person was felt in the room or even on the balcony, and when I strained my ears, all I heard was the sound of the wind.
Moreover, the sound just now was a voice I had never heard before.
A sound like a bird’s chirp.
The resonance was beautiful enough to cleanse even a troubled mind, but the tone of speech didn’t match it at all.
My gaze naturally turned toward the bird.
“Did you say that?”
[At least you can understand my words now.]
“……”
Chirp!
Feeling my steady gaze, the creature lightly chirped as if to confirm.
Again, the words I just heard, that cute appearance, and its cry didn’t connect at all.
“Am I too tired?”
I gently shook Levatein in my hand.
It might be the result of practicing too hard for the ball.
I shouldn’t be that tired.
Was my stamina weakening because I hadn’t trained?
I should build up my physical strength in preparation for future events.
[Did you not eat all the fruit I gave you?]
“Oh? Fruit?”
My thoughts, which had drifted far away, quickly turned and came back to the present with that single sentence.
Fruit.
There was certainly something that came to mind.
There was that appetizing fruit that rolled to my feet when I left the forest.
Was it this bird that gave it to me?
‘Is this bird really talking to me? Is it really the Divine Beast from before?’
But I had no idea why I was suddenly able to understand its words.
I did occasionally sense what the Divine Beast was saying in the forest, but that was merely a feeling of ‘I think that’s what it means.’
It wasn’t to the extent of hearing such a clear voice.
The reason for that…
Knock-knock—
“Ah!”
“Lady Adrian. I brought the tea… Oh?”
Linda, who was pushing a trolley carrying a teapot and new teacups, along with a three-tiered tray laden with raspberry tarts, various cookies, and slices of cake, as if to feed me plenty of sweet desserts, froze in front of the door.
“Ah, well…”
“Lady Adrian. You shouldn’t swing a sword inside the room. What if you collapse again?”
“……”
The unexpected thing she pointed out after snapping out of it was not what I expected.
Usually, people would be afraid that an intruder might have entered if I was holding a sword.
Linda was more concerned about me possibly collapsing.
I didn’t know whether to be touched by her concern for me more than anyone else or to get a headache.
“I thought someone was on the balcony.”
“What?!”
Linda rushed over, quickly sent me behind her, and checked the balcony.
I was pushed back a few steps and just blinked my eyes.
Sometimes, they forget what the sword in my hand symbolizes.
* * *
