CH 16

“Oh, no, we’re not waiting. Let’s depart immediately. Just wait a moment, please. Let me gather the horses and make preparations…”

I opened the carriage door and got inside, then extended my hand to Clyde.

He took my hand and climbed in after me.

“What kind of magic did you just use?”

“I cast a spell on the coachman to make me look like a grown man, because he wouldn’t want to deal with us in our normal form.”

“I see. So….”

Clyde nodded as if finally understanding.

“By the way, I made you appear as a young lady.”

“…What?”

“Since I portray myself as a much older man with his young wife, be careful with your words and actions.”

“…….”

Clyde looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.

“If you’re not confident, just keep your mouth shut, sit tight, and smile coyly at everything I say. It’s not hard, is it?”

“…….”

Soon the coachman returned.

“Well, I’m not late, right? Then, let’s depart. Oh, before that, perhaps you’d like to settle the payment first…”

I tossed the pouch of gold coins to the coachman.

“I’ll give you the other half when we arrive.”

“Oh, thank you. Now, let’s really get going.”

With that, the carriage started moving.

I looked out the window in the direction of the mansion.

‘By now, they must have realized that I’m gone.’

That alone would have caused a huge commotion in the manor.

Surely, everyone in the Duchy would spend the entire night searching for me, restless and desperate.

‘This is why I was never in a position to say anything to the crown prince….’

It was fortunate that my disappearance would divert my father’s attention away from Clyde, at least for a while.

“We won’t arrive until after daylight. It’s better for you, madam, to get some rest before then, as we’ll be busy again tomorrow.”

I said, looking back at Clyde.

I suppressed the laughter that was about to escape me.

*****

The carriage arrived at the port of Luana not long after daybreak the next day.

Even though it was early morning, the town was bustling with people starting their day energetically.

Both of us walked through the streets with our hoods pulled down.

Then we entered a narrow alley where there were no people.

“Here, take this first.”

I handed over the small bag I brought from home to Clyde.

“There are some light snacks, travel expenses, and a letter inside. Open the letter when we arrive in Gosanjer.”

“Gosanjer?”

“Yes. Your mother will be waiting for you there.”

“…….”

At the mention of her mother, Clyde’s eyes trembled gently.

I smiled softly.

“The first ship heading to Gosanjer will depart soon. I’ll cast an invisibility spell, so you can secretly board the ship.”

Clyde hesitated, then asked.

“You’re not coming with me?”

“Uh, no. I have work to do here.”

“…….”

“Oh, right. And this.”

I pulled a peridot necklace out of my pocket and slipped it around Clyde’s neck.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a necklace that changes the color of one’s eyes when worn.”

Clyde’s eyes had transformed into a green color, just like the peridot.

“It worked. Now you’ll be less noticeable to other people. Oh, but be careful when speaking. Your fangs are still the same length.”

“…Yeah.”

It was fascinating how much his impression had changed with just the alteration of his eye color.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Is it weird?”

“Oh, no, I’m just a bit disappointed. I liked your eye color.”

“…….”

Clyde looked me in the eye without saying a word.

Feeling a strange atmosphere, I averted my gaze from him.

“We should probably get going. The docks are down this way. I’ll cast an invisibility spell on you.”

I reached out my hand to Clyde, but he hastily grabbed my wrist.

“Wait.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Is this the end? Will we never see each other again?”

“No……”

Of course, we shouldn’t see each other again.

No matter how much he promised he would not seek revenge, the fact remained that my father, Julion, had committed terrible deeds that could never be forgiven.

Clyde and Julion were like summer and winter, two existences that couldn’t coexist.

As Julion’s daughter, it was impossible for me to be friends with Clyde.

Even if I wanted to, Clyde wouldn’t desire it.

Yet, I had no intention of revealing the truth.

I want our parting to be beautiful, if possible.

I wanted to remain a good memory as his savior.

Clyde’s gaze upon me was more intense than ever.

Unable to lie while looking into those eyes, I slightly turned my head to the side, avoiding his gaze.

“What are you talking about? Of course we’ll see each other again.”

“How?”

“I wrote a letter in the bag. Read it when you get to Gosanjer.”

“…….”

At my words, Clyde opened the bag and took out the letter.

Surprised, I grabbed his hand.

“Wait. Read it in Gosanjer, not now.”

“There’s a reason for that. But more importantly, you should go quickly. You might miss the boat. By now, they probably know you’re gone and have sent pursuers. You need to escape before they catch you.”

“…….”

Clyde bit his lip.

“Is it true? We’re really going to see each other again?”

“…Yes.”

“Don’t turn away. Look me in the eyes and say it.”

Clyde grabbed my shoulder and spoke.

Clyde grabbed my shoulder and spoke. He had an unexpectedly strong grip, considering he had a slender body similar to mine.

“Ow…”

“…Oh, sorry.”

Clyde quickly let go of my shoulder.

An awkward silence hangs in the air.

I quietly lowered my gaze, staring at the floor.

Suddenly, Clyde reached out his hand in front of me.

“Then make a promise.”

“…Huh?”

“Make a pinky promise. Promise that we’ll meet again.”

Clyde, as I had taught him on the day we first met, clenched his fist and raised only his pinky finger.

“Promise me you’ll see me again in five years, or at least three.”

“In the world of mages, when making an important promise, they intertwine their pinky fingers like this. If you break the promise, you lose your life instantly.”

Though Clyde’s eyes now displayed a greenish hue, they emitted a more intense radiance than ever before.

“If you don’t promise, I won’t believe you. I won’t go to Gosanjer.”

“What? What are you talking about? If that happens, you’ll really be captured. Will all the sacrifices I’ve made so far be in vain? What about your mother, who’s been waiting for you?”

“That’s why make a promise.”

“…….”

Clyde’s expression was as solemn as it was resolved.

“…Fine.”

I reached out my hand and intertwined my pinky finger with Clyde’s.

“We will meet again in three years, no matter what.”

“…Yeah.”

“If we break it, we’ll die. Both you and me.”

“…Okay. I understand.”

Clyde remained unaware that this ritual had no actual magical effect.

Even though I had told countless lies to him, this lie in particular was unbearably painful.

I swallowed back my choked-up tears.

Even after he accepted my promise, Clyde kept our pinky fingers entwined for a long while.

“Clyde.”

“…….”

“You might really miss the boat if we keep doing this.”

“…….”

Clyde’s hand slowly slipped away from mine.

“Then I’ll cast an invisibility spell.”

“…….”

“You have to get on the boat. If you miss this one, you might not be able to take the next. I made the promise, so you have to listen to me too. Do you understand?”

At my urging, he nodded reluctantly.

“Okay. I understand.”

I took a light, deep breath, circulated mana through my body, and chanted a spell.

“Di Alas Celluma. Das Albio della.”

Soon, Clyde’s figure vanished before my eyes.

I put on my hood and immediately turned around.

“Ruby.”

“…….”

Upon hearing the voice calling me from behind, I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks.

“…Thank you.”

“…….”

“Really, thank you.”

I was grateful that I had turned away from Clyde.

If he had seen my face right now, he surely wouldn’t let me go.

I bit my lip and swiftly left the spot.