Chapter 112

“What in the world…? It definitely disappeared yesterday, didn’t it?”

“When I woke up, it was back again! I’m so happy now because I can visit Lily whenever possible!“

“Chuchu…”

Liliana gently stroked Chuchu, who looked pitiful, and then her expression grew resolute.

“Don’t worry, Chuchu! We know how to solve this! I’ll gather as many wind spirit stones as it takes from spirit summoners worldwide for you, okay?”

“B-but Lily, you’re busy…“

“When you’re free, you’ll help me, right? Won’t you?”

Liliana asked warmly, and Chuchu nodded vigorously.

“Yes! I’ll help Lily!“

Chuchu’s promise sounded strong and dependable.

Liliana vowed to gather plenty of wind spirit stones for Chuchu.

Until she met Hesdin that day at the Emerald Palace—or, more precisely, until she met Aria, the Spirit King of Water.

Hesdin’s visit was highly unexpected. Although he was one of the most frequent visitors to the Emerald Palace, there were no scheduled lessons that day.

Even before meeting Hesdin, Liliana had a sense of foreboding.

And that sense turned to certainty the moment Aria entered alongside him.

“It’s been a while, little one.“

“It’s been a while, Aria. Thank you so much for resolving the Gathis River.“

“Don’t mention it. Having a strong, living presence in my body is truly a pleasure.“

Aria wasn’t merely infused with water; fish, insects, and plants from that water all continued to live within her.

Liliana stared at Aria. She was still smiling with her beautiful face.

“You came for me, not Hesdin, right, Aria?“

“That’s right. I have something to say to you, little one.“

“What is it? Surely a great Spirit King like you doesn’t need anything from my little spirit, right?“

Aria’s eyes narrowed. As she bent her body lower, a feeling of dread, like deep waters closing in, washed over Liliana.

Though her fingertips trembled, Liliana clenched her fists tightly and met Aria’s teal eyes. Aria gave her a gentle smile once again.

“Dear child, your little spirit should not be free yet.“

“…I knew it.”

Liliana glared at Aria with a fierce gaze.

“So you’re the one who reattached Chuchu’s shackles, right?“

“To be precise, I merely informed the darkness that the shackles had been removed.”

Even so, it was clear that Aria’s own intent was behind her actions.

“Why? Chuchu is a low-level spirit. Even at its worst, all it can do is blow off a hat or untie a shoelace of someone annoying. What crime could it have committed to deserve such harsh punishment?“

“My, my dear child, you’re so kind.”

Aria looked at Liliana with a gaze full of pity.

Aria snapped her fingers, conjuring two droplets of water. These droplets transformed into hands, which softly cupped Liliana’s cheeks.

Liliana tried to pull away from the damp grip, but her hands passed through as though touching thin air.

“It’s a pleasure to see such kindness in a child. But do you know? Chuchu is destined to commit a crime.“

“…What?”

Not that it has committed one, but it ‘will‘ commit one?

Liliana’s pure eyes wavered endlessly.

“What do you mean? So, Chuchu is being punished for a crime it hasn’t yet committed?“

“That’s right. But Chuchu will inevitably commit that crime.“

“How is that fair?”

Liliana jumped up from her seat. Aria rubbed her chin as if genuinely puzzled.

“I thought you, of all people, would understand, dear child. It’s unfortunate.“

“What should I understand? Punishing someone for a crime they haven’t even committed yet?“

“Yes. You, too, are aware of events yet to come. Your own death is a personal matter, so it’s best left to your judgment. But what about Lilith? When Lilith was six, a major flood occurred. Knowing this in advance, Lilith took precautions. By your logic, was that wrong?“

“What kind of sophistry is that? Lilith’s actions saved many lives!“

“Hmm, I see. A kind child would think that way. If saving lives changes the future, it’s good; otherwise, it’s bad…”

The Aria in front of her now felt like a stranger to Liliana. To Liliana, Aria had been an invaluable benefactor. Without Aria, the Carlo Empire would still be embroiled in war with Sagreen.

Liliana realized that using human values to reason with Aria would be meaningless. She was simply curious.

“…What exactly is Chuchu’s crime? And what future do you want to prevent, Aria?”

Aria smiled sweetly and pulled Liliana into a tight embrace.

“My dear, precious child. I’ll explain everything in time, so don’t give Chuchu a spirit stone. Understood?”

Her gentle tone clearly aimed to smooth things over without providing any accurate information to Liliana.

Liliana pushed Aria away firmly, speaking with determination.

“No. I’ll help Chuchu. I’ll be by her side, ensuring she never commits the crime you’re discussing. Chuchu is a good spirit. If a friend explains things and pleads sincerely, I’m sure she won’t do anything wrong.“

“Hmm, that’s an exciting answer. I like it.”

Aria smiled brightly, her cheeks dimpling deeply, and she vanished into thin air with a soft “pop!“ sound.

Liliana stood in a daze for a moment before suddenly dashed to the windowsill along the hallway where Chuchu usually stayed. She clutched her dress tightly, oblivious to her status as an empress.

But Chuchu, who always sat in her usual spot, was nowhere to be found. There were no shackles, iron balls, or anything else—only a leftover cookie from Chuchu lay there, lonesome.

Liliana ran to Chuchu’s empty spot, her mind blank, groping around as if searching for something. But as a spirit of the wind, Chuchu hadn’t even left any body warmth behind.

“Chuchu…”

Liliana murmured, staring into the empty air.

“Chuchu left because of me…“

“Your Highness!”

The first to catch up with Liliana was Hesdin. He reached to place a hand on her shoulder, but, recalling her status, he respectfully withdrew his hand.

However, Liliana turned like lightning and grasped both his shoulders.

“Hesdin, please tell Aria this: I won’t give Chuchu a spirit stone! I absolutely won’t. Just let us live in peace. Please?”

Even Hesdin, whose emotions were complex to read, showed a pained expression.

“Your Highness, Aria came here intending to take your spirit from the beginning. Asking Your Highness’s opinion was just a spirit’s way of satisfying curiosity. Whatever answer you gave, Aria’s intentions wouldn’t have changed.“

“Then…“

“No matter what Your Highness says, Aria won’t return your spirit. So please, do not blame yourself. I’m sorry I can’t help you.”

Liliana looked at Hesdin with teary eyes, a surge of resentment briefly overwhelming her. But she soon let the tears fall and shook her head.

“You said the contract was forced… It couldn’t be helped on your end, either. Just leave.”

Liliana turned weakly.

It hadn’t been long since she sent Sophia away, and now she had also lost Chuchu. She at least knew where Sophia was, but with Chuchu, she didn’t even have that comfort.

Liliana felt helpless. She had supporters and more funds accumulating each day, yet there still seemed to be so many things she couldn’t accomplish.

As she walked with empty eyes, Hesdin called out to her.

“Your Highness.“

“I don’t blame you, Hesdin. So don’t worry and let’s meet at the next lesson.“

“It’s not that; I have something to tell you.“

“Another time…“

“Aria originally contracted with me to get close to you, Your Highness.“

Liliana’s steps came to a halt. Hesdin, bowing his head, spoke in a calm tone.

“I had no intention of joining the royal palace. But Aria forced a contract upon me and promised to release me if I entered the palace and taught you well. I still don’t know why the Spirit King is so invested in worldly affairs.“

“Lilith…”

Clarity returned to Liliana’s dazed eyes.

“Do you think she determined that Lilith needed a mother?“

“What do you mean?“

“In the future, I’m destined to give birth to Lilith and then die.”

Though she’d thought Hesdin knew quite a bit, he hadn’t heard this part. Liliana wiped away her tears and looked at him, his expression clearly surprised at her unexpected words.

In front of him, she quickly began to think. The tearful woman from moments before was gone.

“The Spirit Kings, including Aria, surely know this. They genuinely care for Lilith, so their actions must be for her sake. There must be a reason for treating Chuchu so harshly, connected to Lilith.”

Liliana rested her chin in thought.

There had been no hint of the reason in the original story. In the original, Lilith had contracts with only two Spirit Kings, limited by her capacity to accept more.

However, the story only covered Lilith’s life up to age twenty-six. Perhaps, after turning twenty-seven, she became an even greater Spirit Summoner.

Maybe she eventually formed contracts with all six Spirit Kings, and something went wrong afterward.

Could Liliana’s reincarnation in this book also be orchestrated by the Spirit Kings? To reverse whatever misfortune befell Lilith and, in the process, to give her a true mother?

Liliana wondered if she could leverage the Spirit Kings’ love for Lilith to gain their help or even reclaim Chuchu.

“Hesdin, can you summon Aria? I don’t mean to demand Chuchu’s immediate return.”

Hesdin lowered his head apologetically.

“I’m sorry. The contract… has been severed.”

A hollow laugh escaped her. Liliana brushed her hair back and sighed.

“They truly are merciless beings.”

Then, she would have to start by finding the Spirit Kings.