While I was staring blankly at his sudden change of heart, the medicine had already gone down his throat, judging by his tightly furrowed eyebrows.
My heart returned to its usual rhythm as if nothing had happened, and the flames that had been burning so intensely that my body trembled also instantly died down.
Was my heart startled because he got close without warning?
Or did an unconscious rejection of the medicine surface?
When I slowly lifted my lowered gaze, I saw him, having already swallowed the medicine, slowly blinking.
His furrowed brow smoothed out, but he wore a dissatisfied expression.
And he looked at the vial again.
“I-is there a problem?”
“The taste…”
“The taste?”
“It is better than before.”
“What?!”
Klen held out the empty vial to me, as if suggesting I drink the tiny bit of medicine remaining in the bottle.
Although the content was gone, the unpleasant odor I had smelled before was certainly much fainter.
I hesitated, lacking the courage to take the bottle, so he pushed the vial a little closer to me.
If I left it as is, the rim of the bottle would surely press against my lips.
He wouldn’t be acting just to trick me, would he?
I took the bottle from his hand, tilted my head back, and turned it upside down above my mouth.
The medicine slowly flowed along the glass, gathered at the rim, and a single drop fell onto my tongue.
“……!”
It was bitter enough to make me frown.
But the bizarre quality that made me refuse to swallow it had definitely diminished.
I couldn’t be sure with just a drop or two.
But I didn’t want to drink more either.
Did the effort of making me eat a lot of desserts pay off?
Did the healer finally realize what her own medicine tasted like?
“To think you competed with the person who drank the most bitter medicine by dancing. It seems to have had an effect.”
“Ah-ha.”
Hearing his words, I realized that it might be the case.
But at the same time, a little curiosity arose.
If what we drank wasn’t the most bitter medicine, what on earth did Elliot drink?
Did he even manage to drink it properly? It was a miracle he was still alive.
“By the way, are you not having training lately? You seem to be coming back early.”
“There’s nothing more to discuss about the forest, and since Elder Brother Fabian is busy, I am taking it easy.”
As if it were a reward for the busy work he had done, he spoke boldly about being lazy.
“Is your Elder Brother busy?”
“It seems Elder Brother is finally going to receive the symbol of the successor.”
“Ah…”
The moment the symbol of the successor is received, the person becomes the complete internal candidate.
It is a visible right of succession, not just a verbal one. It cannot be revoked unless a major incident occurs.
The only time it is revoked, short of an event that would turn the territory upside down, is when the person dies.
“Isn’t Lord Willoway opposed to it?”
“He is.”
He picked up a cookie from the table, looking annoyed.
Although the healer personally guaranteed the safety of the desserts, the subtle feeling of unease lingered because of the words ‘poison’ and ‘magic.’
I quickly snatched the cookie next to it and ate it.
The savory taste of the cookie, along with its sweetness, filled my mouth.
No strange taste was felt.
It seemed no strange magic like a curse or enchantment was contained either.
It was merely a delicious dessert, as if the baker had fully displayed their skill.
Though Elliot probably didn’t bake it himself.
Klen looked at me with a strange look, as I ate my cookie quickly, as if to say he should eat before me.
When our eyes met and I smiled awkwardly, he finally put the cookie in his hand into his mouth.
“In any case, he has already built up an image over time, and he is being lazy even now, isn’t he? Opposing it won’t do any good.”
And he chuckled softly.
This must be the situation Klen had hoped for most.
If the symbol of the successor is granted, it can’t be undone, even if Klen’s abilities are revealed.
His pleased gaze swept around the room and settled on the flowerpot.
And his eyes narrowed slightly.
It didn’t seem to be because Aren hadn’t returned yet.
Then…
“The healer cast a spell on the pot so Aren could find his way back easily.”
“A Divine Beast wouldn’t get lost just because it went a little far away.”
It was a creature that flew through the sky, not ran on the ground, so it wouldn’t get lost.
But wouldn’t it be good if the place to return to was lit up?
“She said it also serves to convey that I am waiting.”
“If he still doesn’t return, I will have to give him some training later.”
“……”
Klen walked up to the pot and ran his hand over the area where the spell formation was drawn.
As if announcing his strong magic power, the spell formation glowed, and the area around it began to sparkle brightly.
A coolness was added to the spell formation that had been warm.
Although I didn’t know exactly what he was doing, it seemed like he was strengthening the magic.
“……”
Our little bird, Aren, who might be wandering somewhere right now.
It would be best for his well-being to return as quickly as possible.
Another day had passed just like that.
Knock! Knock!
A rougher, more urgent knock than usual sounded, and the door was thrown open.
Linda rushed in, offering a flustered greeting as she spoke.
“Lord Adrian! Aren… Aren has returned!”
“What?!”
My startled body, as if given a sudden burst of strength, shot up from the seat.
The first place I looked was the balcony.
He knows there’s a window here, and his well-appointed home is in this room.
If he returned, why didn’t he come straight here?
Where did he go?
Moreover, Linda’s face held a mix of joy and perplexity.
It was natural to be happy after waiting for so long.
But why was a feeling of confusion mixed in with it?
“Where is he?”
“P-Please, come this way first.”
Furthermore, it was strange that she was taking me to him instead of him coming with her.
While gripped by doubt, I quickly followed behind her.
After passing through the corridor, descending the stairs, and even exiting the building, Linda headed toward a secluded area rarely frequented by people.
If anyone other than Linda were leading me, I would never have followed so unguardedly.
Separate from my trust, I glanced down at my waist.
I was slightly bothered that I hadn’t brought Levatein in my haste to leave.
“Here it is.”
“…Here?”
Our steps finally stopped at a garden located in a remote part of the castle.
Surprisingly, despite the castle having many gardens, this one was seldom visited.
Although the dense vegetation was neatly trimmed, an eerie atmosphere hung about.
It was also a very good setting for an ambush.
Just as my guard was heightened to the point that all the hairs on my body stood on end from the influence of the place, I heard a voice.
[Why did you only come now!]
“Aren?!”
