Side Story 1

Swoosh—

The refreshing and cool sound of waves tapped at her ears. As the gentle call of the sea and warm sunlight poured beside her bed, Reibella’s firmly closed eyes opened drowsily.

‘Let’s go see the ocean.’

It was a pleasant morning when a long-held dream had come true.

She buried her face in the fluffy blanket, still carrying traces of sleep in her eyes. But soon, the sound of large waves breaking into pieces made her come to her senses and sit up abruptly.

Reibella stepped down to the floor without even putting on slippers and looked at the scenery beyond the large window.

Under a sky as clear and clean as if painted with a brush, an endless blue sea stretched out, receiving the pouring light. A big smile bloomed on her lips as she took in the scenery.

“Wow, the ocean.”

Reibella immediately opened the window. Cool wind carrying the salty scent of the sea poured inside.

Taking a deep breath that filled her lungs, Reibella smiled brightly.

“This feels good.”

As she brushed back her hair fluttering in the breeze while looking at the beach, the figure of a tall man with black hair caught her eyes.

With his impressively tall stature and delicately handsome features, he was focused on training, swinging his sword with a serious expression.

Every time he moved, the elegant blade caught the sunlight, sparkling and leaving traces in the air like drawing a picture. Even to her untrained eyes, his movements were beautiful enough that she couldn’t look away.

Having a sudden pleasant thought, Reibella turned around. Then she picked up a nearby towel and a cup of cool water, intending to leave the room.

But then, with an “oh!” expression, she returned to the bed. She gave a kiss to the small, cute dragon occupying the head of the bed before leaving the room.

Quickening her steps, she soon arrived at the place where he had been.

But……

“Where did he go?”

In that brief moment, Calyx had disappeared without a trace.

As she looked around in confusion, suddenly, someone gently embraced her shoulders from behind. He placed a light kiss on Reibella’s lips as she turned around and met her eyes.

Ruby-like eyes held only her in their gaze.

Reibella’s cheeks flushed pink under that loving gaze.

“Calyx.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes. What about you? I saw you training from above. Did I interrupt you?”

“You could never be an interruption. I’m happy.”

Reibella giggled at his voice that always returned sweetly. Then she moved out of Calyx’s embrace and offered him the water and towel.

Calyx immediately accepted the water and drank it, then hung the towel around his neck. He wasn’t sweating now so he couldn’t use it, but his promise to definitely use it later looked cute.

Having completed her errand, Reibella turned her head to look at the ocean. The sea seen up close made her heart pound even more.

“We really came to the ocean, didn’t we?”

Reibella recalled last night, when they suddenly dropped by the sea.

Clearly, they had been quietly conversing in a dense forest when spirits listened to their words and sent them to the sea without saying anything.

How surprised and dumbfounded she had been at first.

Whether they knew their fault or not, the spirits disappeared in an instant as if fleeing. Because of that, Reibella and Calyx, left alone, had to wander around that night looking for a place to stay.

As it was a port town, every lodging was full. They thought they might have to sleep outdoors, but fortunately, they met a kind-hearted person who let them stay in an unused house for the night.

“It was a bit surprising, but I’m glad we could keep our promise to each other. Seeing the ocean makes me feel good. Sometimes things like this seem fine too.”

“Indeed.”

As they were talking calmly, a butterfly fluttering and sparkling caught her eye. Reibella’s eyes narrowed.

“Were you listening?”

The spirit in butterfly form quietly settled on Calyx’s shoulder and flapped its wings vigorously.

It seemed proud of what it had done, as if asking for praise.

That’s when it happened.

From far away came the sound of flapping wings, and Leon the dragon suddenly flew into her arms. Leon, now nestled in her embrace, rubbed his head and burrowed deeply into her arms.

The butterfly trembled its wings at the sight.

“Our Leon, are you awake?”

“Kyuu.”

“Did I wake you up?”

As she stroked Leon, who still seemed half-asleep, he answered with a muffled voice and closed his eyes.

But soon, Calyx grabbed Leon by the scruff of his neck and swiftly pulled him out. The gesture that sent him flying into the air was cold.

“Leon!”

When Reibella called out in surprise, Leon, who was falling swiftly, immediately spread his wings and flew up. Narrowing his golden eyes, he glared at Calyx while making kyuk-kyuk sounds, which seemed like his own way of protesting.

Strangely, the sight of those two looked very peaceful.

A gentle smile settled on her lips.

Then, with an “oh!” look in her eyes, she muttered.

“I need to contact Dad!”

Since they had come here so suddenly, she hadn’t been able to tell Cassius.

He must be looking for his daughter who disappeared without a word.

Just as she was about to say something to the spirit, Calyx interrupted.

“Don’t worry. I contacted him last night.”

“How?”

“I called a spirit through the dragon. We exchanged letters.”

“I see. Dad must have been very worried.”

“When he heard it was the spirits’ doing, he understood. He also said to rest a bit longer while we’re here.”

“I see.”

“He asked us to come to the capital when we return.”

“Hmm, then……”

Reibella’s gaze turned to the butterfly spirit sitting on Calyx’s shoulder. It seemed a bit sulky, with its wings folded crookedly.

It seemed displeased about missing its moment to be praised due to Leon’s appearance earlier.

“Great and mighty Spirit?”

Reibella called the spirit with a subtle voice, clasping her hands together. The spirit glanced at her, seemingly pleased by her words of adoration.

Reibella asked with a radiant smile.

“Would you take us to the capital?”

The spirit, pretending to contemplate, gradually became transparent and then disappeared completely.

“……That fraud.”

Expert at kidnapping, but won’t properly grant requests when asked!

Perhaps she should have coaxed it a bit more.

“Calyx, what should I do? I’m sorry. You have work to do.”

“I’ve contacted the imperial palace too, so don’t worry.”

“That’s a relief, but……”

Though he said he’d contacted them, the imperial palace might still be worried about the sudden situation.

But looking at Calyx’s face, there didn’t seem to be anything particularly concerning. If so, perhaps it would be fine to be a little relaxed.

Reibella continued with a bright smile.

“I’ll make you something delicious for breakfast! I saw vegetables in front of the door when I came out, perhaps left by the owner.”

“I’ll do it.”

“Calyx, do you know how to cook?”

“I learned while in the mercenary group, and sometimes had to cook for myself on the battlefield.”

“I’m curious about Calyx’s cooking.”

“Then let’s quickly……”

“But! I want to cook for you today too, so shall we do it together?”

“Let’s do that.”

Reibella giggled as she took Calyx’s hand. Then they began walking with their backs to the sea.

The two walked step by step toward happiness.

* * *

After finishing a meal with the food she and Calyx had made together for the first time, Reibella headed to the port with him.

The village where they currently stayed was at the southern end, the farthest village from the capital, where ships departing from other regions often stopped briefly before continuing their journey.

Perhaps because of this, despite being a small port, the area around the harbor was very lively. Many sailors could be seen coming and going, and the merchants soliciting them were full of energy.

“Doesn’t that ice cream look delicious?”

Reibella, who had been watching people, pointed to an ice cream shop where many children were standing. At this, Calyx seated her where he could keep an eye on her and, before she could stop him, got in line at the shop.

The sight of the sturdy man with a lizard on his shoulder lining up to buy ice cream was so cute that Reibella burst out laughing.

While she was quietly focusing on Calyx, she heard:

“Have you heard? They say the mad emperor was deposed and the princess was imprisoned in a monastery.”

“I heard. They say it’s already old news in the capital.”

Being the southernmost region, farthest from the capital, it seemed rumors were just starting to circulate here.

Listening to the conversation behind her, she suddenly became curious.

We had reasons to drive them out, and that’s why we had to act. We could only survive if they disappeared.

But what about the ordinary people who were living peaceful lives in a childcare story, in a world where Princess Erina was the protagonist?

To them, ‘Erina Curtis Rastel’ was justice itself.

Wouldn’t they be dissatisfied about the removal of Erina, who had been their dream and hope?

Reibella listened quietly to their conversation with a seemingly tense expression.