Chapter 66

As mentioned, Vail arrived with an elderly woman from the Duchy of Laove.

Although she referred to herself as an old woman, she appeared to be only in her middle age. While she had some wrinkles around her eyes, her posture was straight, and only a few strands of gray hair could be seen among her brown locks.

“You must be the spirit summoner Lord Vail spoke of?”

“It is an honor to meet such a distinguished person. My name is Abra.“

“Nice to meet you, Abra. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Liliana was excited, hoping she could finally free Chuchu from her shackles. She warmly welcomed Abra.

“You’ve come all the way from the Duchy of Love? Thank you so much for traveling such a long distance.”

Though the Duchy of Laove was close to the Kingdom of Nieta, it was far from the Empire of Carlo. The Kingdom of Nieta was known for its spirits but couldn’t compare to Laove.

The land in the Duchy of Laove was infused with a strong spiritual energy, so most people born or who had lived there for a long time could see spirits.

“Love is my homeland, but I’ve been wandering here and there, so it wasn’t much trouble. Thank you for your concern.”

Abra exuded a warm and gentle aura, quite different from the typical dark spirit summoner’s image.

“Chuchu is excited to see you, too!”

Chuchu, sitting on the table, jumped up and extended a hand. Abra looked at Chuchu with a loving gaze and offered her pinky finger.

Chuchu grabbed Abra’s finger with both hands and shook it vigorously before letting go.

“Now, set me free!”

“Chuchu.”

Liliana scolded Chuchu for her boldness, but Abra shook her head and extended her palms.

Suddenly, a black pool formed in her hands, and from it, a small head emerged with a pop. It was small compared to a human, as it was pretty large for a doll, especially compared to Chuchu. The spirit had white skin and black curly hair, making it look more like a doll.

Considering that the spirit king in the original story, who contracted with a child, was taller than most humans, it seemed that the strength of a spirit was proportional to its size.

“This is my spirit, Momo.”

Momo was the most serene spirit Liliana had ever encountered. She gently fluttered her thick eyelashes and smiled softly.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Momo.”

Liliana returned the greeting, thinking dark spirits were just as beautiful as light spirits.

“This is Chuchu. I’m Liliana.“

“Hello.“

“Is ‘hello‘ the only thing you can say?”

Even when Chuchu asked snarkily, Momo didn’t falter.

“No.”

There was something disarming about Momo’s ever-smiling face. Abra chuckled at the sight, clearly amused, and patted Momo’s head.

“Momo, could you help Chuchu?”

At Abra’s request, Momo gently nodded. With a single flutter of her black wings, she moved next to Chuchu.

Momo carefully examined the shackles and iron ball that bound Chuchu. She tilted her head before suddenly plunging her hands into the iron ball.

Before anyone could react, Momo pulled her hands back out and mumbled softly.

“Momo can’t do it.“

“What do you mean you can’t!”

Chuchu almost screamed, but Momo just shook her head calmly.

“Momo can’t help Chuchu. Not at all.”

Liliana couldn’t understand. Agrina’s spirit, Bibi, had slightly shrunk the iron ball. Surely Momo, a stronger spirit, should be able to do something?

“Is it difficult even to make the iron ball a little smaller?”

Liliana asked desperately, but Momo was firm.

“Momo can’t go against His will. Momo was born from Him.“

“Speak so I can understand!”

Chuchu clenched her fists in frustration, but Liliana had a sudden realization. The spirit king was considered the parent of all spirits with that attribute.

“Momo, are you saying that the one who bound Chuchu is the King of Dark Spirits?”

Momo met Liliana’s gaze and blinked once.

“Yes. Chuchu is being punished by Him. Momo cannot interfere because Momo is a good spirit.“

“Does that mean I’m a bad spirit?”

Without hesitation, Momo replied.

“Maybe.“

“Hey!”

Chuchu, now furious, waved her arms wildly in the air. Momo quickly fluttered back behind Abra’s shoulder.

“He wouldn’t punish anyone without a reason.“

Momo’s resolute stance hardened Abra’s expression. After a moment of contemplation, Abra looked at Liliana.

“Your Highness, would it be possible to speak without the spirits present? I don’t mean to be rude, but…”

At Abra’s suggestion, Sophia, standing beside Liliana, stepped forward. It was a silent indication that the two could not be left alone.

Abra maintained her gentle smile but spoke with directness.

“I’m concerned that your spirit might become too agitated by what I have to say. I’m not asking to speak with you alone, so please don’t worry.”

Liliana and Abra were the only ones who could move Chuchu, and Liliana wasn’t keen on leaving Chuchu with Abra. So, Liliana personally carried Chuchu over to the window in the hallway.

“Lily, are they going to talk badly about me?“

“Why would people we just met talk badly about you?“

Liliana’s tone was soothing, but deep down, she shared Chuchu’s concerns.

Since Momo had already mentioned that Chuchu was being punished, it was likely that they would discuss that punishment.

Liliana gently placed Chuchu on the hallway windowsill. It was Chuchu’s favorite spot, where she could easily gaze outside without any effort.

“Chuchu, don’t worry too much. No matter what they say about you, I still like you.“

“Really?“

“Yes, really. And they must have a reason for being so serious. I’m sure it will help. Just be patient and wait.”

With Liliana’s continued reassurance, Chuchu eventually nodded.

“Hurry back.”

When Liliana extended her finger to pat Chuchu, Chuchu kissed the tip of her finger. They both exchanged warm smiles.

Chuchu kept waving her hand until Liliana disappeared into the drawing room, and Liliana felt a sudden pang in her heart.

Upon returning to the drawing room, Abra stood up and again greeted Liliana. Momo, unconcerned with human etiquette, simply waved her hand while remaining seated.

Seeing them together like this, Abra and Momo appeared as affectionate as a grandmother and her granddaughter. Liliana took her seat with a slightly more serious expression than before.

“There must be a reason you asked me to send my spirit away.“

“Your Highness, you have yet to make a contract with that spirit.“

“I planned to make a contract once the restrictions were lifted, so ‘my spirit‘ is correct.“

“That spirit will not be freed from its restrictions.“

Abra’s firm words caused Liliana to frown. Despite Liliana’s discomfort, Abra continued to speak.

“Forgive my boldness, but I must advise you not to get close to that spirit.“

“Is it because Chuchu is being punished by the King of Dark Spirits?“

“Yes. The King of Dark Spirits is known to be the most compassionate among the six Spirit Kings. He is said to embrace even those whose hearts have fallen into despair. Because of this, he has been exploited by the wicked and misunderstood by the world.“

“So, if that compassionate King of Dark Spirits has punished my spirit, it must be no small matter?“

“Indeed, Your Highness.”

Liliana sighed profoundly and gazed out the window of the drawing room. Abra, Momo, and the surrounding maids remained silent.

After a long pause, Liliana stood up.

“You may leave now.“

“Your Highness, that spirit…“

“I understand the validity of your concerns, but I don’t fully agree. If the King of Dark Spirits can make contracts with even those who harbor wicked intentions, then how can I believe that Chuchu, who is just a spirit, has committed a greater sin? It’s difficult for me to accept.“

“She must have committed a serious sin.“

Abra’s sincere warning was met with a firm shake of Liliana’s head.

Though Liliana had spent her life confined within the palace, she had encountered countless people with malice in their hearts. She found it hard to believe that Chuchu could have committed a greater sin than such people.

“No matter what sin Chuchu may have committed, I can’t believe it would be worse than a human’s. I won’t heed your warning. I truly appreciate all that you’ve told me and your concern. I’ll compensate you, but you may leave now.”

Abra opened her mouth to say more, but Liliana’s determined demeanor left no room for further discussion.

Realizing that no warning would change Liliana’s mind, Abra finally stood up.

“I respect Your Highness’s decision. But please be careful. It doesn’t mean that Chuchu’s nature has been corrupted. Any being with a sense of self can commit a grave sin, even out of deep love for someone.”

It wasn’t an incorrect statement. But if that were the case, it only reinforced Liliana’s belief that there was no reason to distance herself from Chuchu. Instead of elaborating, she simply nodded.

“I’ll take your advice to heart.”

As Abra spread her hands, Momo disappeared into them.

Vail, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward and whispered softly.

“Abra is a highly respected spirit summoner in the Duchy of Laove. Please do not take her advice lightly.”

Liliana was already aware of this. From the moment she laid eyes on Momo, she had felt an inexplicable respect for Abra, perhaps due to her experience in communing with the wind.

Momo’s power was serene yet dense, and above all, it was clear that she loved and brought happiness to her contractor.

Abra’s advice was likely based on her own experiences, but conversely, Liliana realized something by observing Abra.

The first step to becoming a good spirit summoner is to make your spirit happy. If she could make Chuchu happy, she could consider herself a decent spirit summoner in her own way.

Liliana left the drawing room alongside Abra and Vail and noticed Chuchu sitting on the windowsill.

Unlike her usual self, Chuchu wasn’t gazing out the window. Instead, she sat there with her head down, her legs dangling lifelessly, reflecting her low spirits.

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