Chapter 31

“Oh my, it’s my first time seeing a Wind Spirit!”

As soon as Agrina Gabriel saw Chuchu, she covered her mouth with both hands and let out a silent scream. It was the kind of reaction you’d expect when seeing something wonderful and adorable.

Chuchu puffed up proudly on Liliana’s palm while Liliana gave an awkward smile.

Compared to Vail’s sharp features, Agrina had a much softer appearance. However, her fiery red hair, characteristic of the Gabriel people, balanced out her otherwise delicate impression.

Vail alternated his gaze between Liliana and Agrina before sighing and lightly gripping Agrina’s shoulder. He then bowed slightly towards Liliana.

“Your Highness, please forgive my sister’s rudeness. She’s usually quite composed, but her interest in spirits sometimes gets the better of her.”

Agrina’s ears turned red as she came to her senses.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’ve always wanted to make a contract with a Wind Spirit. But as you know, they’re scarce… I couldn’t find one, no matter how hard I tried. Seeing one in person now fills me with joy as a spirit summoner.”

“It’s alright. Being passionate is a good thing.”

That passion might even free Chuchu from her shackles.

However, Agrina’s statement was odd. When Liliana read the original story, there was no mention of Wind Spirits being particularly rare, and the story’s main character didn’t choose them.

The main character had chosen to contract with the Kings of Light and Fire Spirits. It was a grand and fitting magic for the protagonist.

That was all it was…

“Are Wind Spirits really that rare?”

“Oh.”

Agrina seemed slightly surprised by Liliana’s question as if it was common knowledge.

“Wind Spirits are the least numerous of the six attributes. It’s said they number less than a tenth of the Earth Spirits, which are the most numerous.”

If that were the case, it should have been mentioned at least once in the original story, but Liliana couldn’t recall anything.

“Are they that few? I don’t know much about spirit summoning. After coming to the Empire, I only found out I had the talent for it.”

“I see! Spirits aren’t very interested in theoretical knowledge, so… Chuchu might not have told you yet.”

Agrina stared at Chuchu intently as if her red eyes were saying, “Isn’t that right?”

Chuchu’s face quickly flushed with embarrassment. After hesitating for a while, she nodded.

“Y-yes! That’s right! I-I’m not interested in that stuff!”

It was a stark contrast to her usual confident demeanor. Chuchu was hiding something. Liliana decided to let it go for now but made a mental note to ask about it later.

Seeing the puzzled expressions on Vail and Agrina’s faces, Liliana quickly spoke up.

“Lady Gabriel, you are a Light Spirit Summoner, correct?”

At this, Agrina seemed to remember why she had come. She nodded with an “Ah!” and then smiled.

As Vail had done not long ago, she gracefully extended her hands. Above them, a round orb of light formed, gradually taking on a human shape. From it emerged a golden spirit.

“This is my spirit, Bibi.”

‘If the Light Spirit is this beautiful, how stunning must the King of Light Spirits be?’ Liliana didn’t bother to hide her admiration.

“Lady Gabriel, your spirit is wonderful.”

Arina smiled with pride.

“The Light Spirit is said to be the most beautiful among the six spirits. Bibi appeared before me when I despaired over the difficulty of contracting with a Wind Spirit. There was no reason to refuse such a beautiful being to be with me forever.”

Even as Agrina explained, Bibi looked at her with eyes full of honey. In retrospect, the King of Light Spirits in the original story has a similarly meltingly affectionate personality.

Agrina smiled as she gently scratched Bibi’s chin.

“Now, Bibi, I called you today to help another friend.”

“Friend?”

Bibi tilted her head, finally breaking her gaze from Agrina. Then she blinked in surprise.

“A Wind Spirit! And… oh my!”

Bibi flew towards Chuchu, but not directly at her—towards the shackles binding Chuchu.

“W-what are you doing!”

Before Chuchu could protest, Bibi clung to the iron ball holding Chuchu captive. She murmured with a happy expression.

“I can feel a beautiful power…”

It was as if the iron ball had enchanted her. Bibi hugged the ball tightly and rubbed her cheek against it.

“This is a finely crafted dark power. How wonderful it would be to touch this darkness just once!”

Suddenly, Liliana remembered how the King of Light Spirits was very close to the King of Dark Spirits in the original story.

When the protagonist asked the King of Light Spirits, ‘What will you do when I die?’ the King of Light Spirits smiled with beautiful eyes and whispered.

‘I will seek solace from the darkness. Spending time in her darkness to soothe my sorrow wouldn’t be so bad.’

In this world, Light and Dark were that close. So, it made sense for Bibi to delight in the dark power emanating from the iron ball.

As Bibi clung to the ball without doing anything else, Agrina patted her back.

“Bibi, Chuchu is in trouble because of this iron ball.”

“Why? It feels so beautiful.”

“Chuchu is a Wind Spirit, different from you, and this iron ball prevents her from moving freely.”

Bibi finally noticed the chain connected to the ball and the shackle around Chuchu’s ankle. Though still reluctant to part from the ball, she understood the situation.

“This is indeed… troubling.”

“Can you help with your light power?”

“If you promise to give me a piece of this beautiful ball!”

“Take it! Please, take it!”

Chuchu said without hesitation. Bibi giggled and began fluttering around the iron ball. As Bibi’s body started to glow, she soon scattered into specks of light.

Upon closer inspection, those specks of light were tiny butterflies. They flitted around the iron ball, illuminating it.

The iron ball and chain began to tremble. Unlike when Sasha breathed fire, this was having a visible effect.

Every time a butterfly landed softly on the iron ball, it seemed to glow faintly, as if a candle had been placed inside a deep cave.

But that was all. When the butterflies gathered above the iron ball and reformed into the spirit’s shape, Bibi looked exhausted. She perched on the iron ball and let out a deep breath.

“Reducing it a bit is the best I can do with my power.”

Looking closely, the iron ball did seem slightly smaller. It was a barely noticeable difference, but Chuchu seemed overwhelmed with gratitude.

“Oh my, you’re such an amazing spirit!”

She no longer showed any signs of wariness towards Bibi. At this point, she seemed ready to give up anything for Bibi. Bibi’s pride swelled as Chuchu lavishly praised her.

“As a Light Spirit, this much is only natural. But the power contained in this beautiful ball and chain is so strong that there’s nothing more I can do. It would be best to find a stronger Light or Dark Spirit.”

Liliana hesitated at those words. Finding an ordinary spirit summoner wasn’t a problem. People might think the Empress wanted a rather unusual bodyguard.

However, seeking out an exceptional spirit summoner could be seen as drawing unwanted attention.

Living quietly and unobtrusively was Liliana’s goal.

Though on the verge of tears, Chuchu didn’t plead with Liliana. She seemed to quickly pick up on Liliana’s worry. Despite her childlike behavior, Chuchu was sensitive to Liliana’s emotions.

Is finding a high-level spirit summoner a challenge for you?

Vail asked. Liliana nodded honestly.

“I don’t want to appear greedy in the eyes of others. I want to be seen as a quiet Empress Consort.”

Vail seemed to contemplate this. He gestured to Agrina, who absorbed Bibi back into her body. It was clear they were returning to the political discussion.

“Your Highness, I can help you find a high-level spirit summoner. Since Agrina’s spirit magic hasn’t been much help, it’s the least I can do.”

Vail had promised to help with three things. Liliana had assumed this would count as one, regardless of the outcome. However, Vail didn’t think that way.

Liliana found this unexpected. With Vail’s assistance, she could discreetly contact a high-level spirit summoner.

However…

“Why would you go to such lengths?”

Liliana thought it was time to understand his motives truly. The last time, Vail had promised to explain later, but now that he was genuinely offering help, it was best to know before accepting his assistance.

Vail seemed to have the same thought.

He placed his hands on the table respectfully yet confidently and looked directly at Liliana. The intensity of his gaze exuded the aura of a seasoned politician.

“Your Highness, what do you think your influence is?”

“…I’m a princess from a defeated country. An abandoned princess. It’s a blessing to survive until old age, right?”

“You are pragmatic. Pardon my rudeness, but I find your objective perspective commendable.”

Liliana smiled bitterly.

“That’s quite rude.”

She didn’t feel like chastising him. It was all true. Vail wiggled his finger slightly and apologized.

“I’m sorry if I offended you. But I am sincerely committed to aligning myself with Your Majesty.”

“Why, though?”

“I was puzzled by the recent actions of His Majesty the Emperor in public. He did not hide his intention to elevate Your Highness.”

“That’s to provoke Duke Gabriel and delay Beatty Gabriel from becoming Empress as long as possible.”

“That’s what I thought initially. But upon further investigation, I discovered something strange.”

Vail handed her a report. Although most of it was obscured, it was clear what he wanted to convey to Liliana.

“Marquis Lackl of the Kingdom of Nieta has applied for citizenship in the Empire. He is confirmed to be on his way to the Empire.”

Marquis Lackl was a powerful figure that even Liliana, who was isolated from the kingdom’s affairs, couldn’t be unaware of. Why would a deeply rooted noble of the Kingdom of Nieta do this? Liliana’s pink eyes wavered greatly.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.