CH 29

At the back of the stables, the magic circle on the ground glowed. The black wolf was floating in the air surrounded by light at the center.

Clyde kept on chanting a spell as if it rolled out of his mouth. His face was covered with large droplets of sweat. It is not easy to use a transport spell while placing up the false barrier. Even though the black wolf is also using its magic, its life expectancy is almost close. Therefore, the burden on Clyde is too great. Still, he felt relieved. He can now finally repay the favor.

In this developed civilization, magic is not universal. No matter how hard he tried, it would take half a day to send the black wolf to Furt island.

How much time has passed?

“—right?”

He was too focused that he missed what the black wolf said. He huffed and asked, “What? Did you say something?”

“I wonder if the magicians are alright. That butler, too.”

“They’ll be fine.”　

Clyde trusts Hank and Jeanne. Fernan too, of course. He’s sure that they’re doing a good job of holding them back.

“What about that black rabbit?”

Clyde’s face broke into a smile as he remembered Ashley’s fluffy hair, “Fernan is with her, so don’t worry.”

He’s sure of it. However, why did his brothers and the chief magician go there at this time? Surely it was an order from that shrewd king, but how could they have noticed even before they placed the fake barrier? Was it a coincidence? But, what if it wasn’t a coincidence—.

‘The transport magic will soon be completed, so I hope they won’t disturb me till then.’ Clyde thought as he continued chanting the spell.

“…!?” Perhaps it was due to his keen nerves, but he was shocked to feel a presence outside the stables. There’s no way. It can’t be. A cold chill went through his back.

“What’s wrong?” The black wolf asked, sensing Clyde’s unusual expression.

Clyde answered slowly, “My brother is here.”

*   *   *

After seeing Fernan and the chief magician off, Ashley hurried back to the stables. She saw about ten soldiers gathered in front of the stables. Startled, she hurriedly hid behind a large tree and told herself to calm down. Didn’t Clyde mention that the barrier could not be broken, especially by soldiers? That’s why they aren’t able to go inside.

She nervously peeked at them and saw a man at the center of the soldiers. His back was turned so she could not see his face, but he was wearing a luxurious gold cloak. It has a red border and the crest of the Tolfa royal family embroidered in the corner. He also has magnificent blonde hair.

‘That can’t be…?’

Hank and Jeanne would have stopped Clyde’s two younger brothers. Also, he looks even older than Clyde.

‘There are so many blondes out there.’ She hastily dismissed the unpleasant thought that came to mind. He probably is in the middle of celebrating the queen’s birthday. It’s impossible to have the royal party without their partner. She shook her head to get those thoughts out of her head, then he coincidentally turned around.

‘Impossible…’ Ashley froze, unable to move.

His bright green eyes were similar to Clyde’s. And most importantly, it’s the exact face that she had seen in the portrait itself.

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“Your Majesty…?”

Even the king was here? The moment she muttered in a low voice, their eyes met. Ashley, who had been peeking out from behind a tree with only her face showing, froze when he smiled at her.

The king approached her, “Hello, you must be Miss Ashley. Nice to meet you.”

“Y-yes! Pleased to meet you, Your Majesty.” She hurriedly rushed out from behind the tree and deeply bowed. Her heart was pounding.

“Make yourself comfortable. After all, you are soon to be my sister-in-law.”

“…Thank you for your kind words.” Ashley was too nervous to raise her head.

The king laughed, “Don’t be so stiff. I was very curious about the woman my younger brother had chosen since he had never looked at any women before.”

“Oh, that is quite…”

“You’re very modest. Humble. So different from Clyde.”

Ashley slowly looked up and glanced at the stables. The transport magic must not be over yet. If the king would go in, everything would turn into naught. She has to stop him at all costs. 

Ashley gulped hard and looked at the smiling king, “Um, what kind of business do you have here…?”

“Well, where are my brothers and the chief magician? I thought they had arrived first. Oh, are they perhaps already in the stables?”

As he turned around to enter the stables, Ashley hurriedly shouted with a panicked, “No!” to stop him.

“They’re not in there, your majesty.”

“Oh, then where are they?”

“Eh…uhm. I do not know.”

She doesn’t know when Fernan had taken the chief magician, and although Hank and Jeanne said that they were going to the drawing room, where the brothers were waiting, she doesn’t know if they are still there.

The king looked at Ashley with curiosity.

‘I have to buy some time.’

For the black wolf.

“Uhm! What is Lord Clyde like in the presence of Your Majesty, the king?” She doesn’t know if she’s stalling him but this was the best that she can do.

However, the king stopped to answer her as he gave out an amused laugh, “Well, he’s always smiling.”

“You must have a good relationship.” It was unexpected. Still, she was pleased and smiled.

The king laughed, “It’s what’s called an amiable smile. but what’s on the inside he’s probably thinking about something else.”

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“Is that so?”

“I haven’t seen him much since he inherited the Sargent title.  It’s quite lonely.”

As she was thinking of a response, he suddenly turned it around to her and asked, “What is Clyde like when he’s with you?”

“…I see. I feel like he’s always smiling, even in front of me.”

It could be a teasing smile, a gentle smile, an amused smile, or any other kind of smile.

“Heeh—” The king smiled with interest. She suddenly had a thought that the way he smiled resembled someone.

“What kind of conversations do the two of you have? For me, it’s quite difficult to have a conversation with him. When I try to, Clyde is quick to cut me off. It’s a problem.”

‘Conversation…’ Well, to think about it, “I don’t think he’s rather curt with me.” Though Ashley is the one who’s cutting him off.

“Is that so?” the king looked at her and laughed brightly, “In comparison to his attitude towards me and how he treats Miss Ashley means that Clyde likes you more than I would have thought. I’m glad to hear that.”

‘I see. His Majesty resembles Lord Clyde.’ She would’ve partly doubted it if a person told her, but as she looked at him, they are indeed brothers.

The king asked Ashley, “So, what is my brother trying to do now?”

“What…?” Ashley was speechless.

‘It can’t be! They know?’

Although she was dismayed, she knew that she had to deceive him somehow.

”Nothing. Your Majesty,” her voice cracked. She remembers how her mother used to make fun of her for being a bad liar, but now was not the time for that.

“Oh, it’s true!” She is so bad at lying that she wanted to cry. The king stared at Ashley.

“I can’t believe it.” He exhaled heavily, “You would lie to me, the king?” His voice was cold. 

A shiver ran down her spine. The other person is the most powerful one in the country. But even so, she still wanted to help the black wolf go safely and Clyde is doing his best right now. So, Ashley must do her best to keep the king occupied.

“Your Majesty!” She finds herself shouting, “I-I cannot tell you what Lord Clyde is doing right now, but I can tell you that he’s working very hard right now. It’s for his own purpose, however it is also for others, too and I want to help him with that. He’s a very important person..”

“You are willing to lie to me for the sake of that precious person?”

Ashley looked up and exclaimed, “I am not lying now!”

The king’s eyes widened. Ashley took a deep breath as she was too nervous to breathe while the king looked at her silently.

It was then, behind her, the door of the stables opened. She quickly turned around, and at the same time, she hears, “Ashley!”

She heard the voice that she wanted to hear. It’s Clyde. She was so relieved to see his usual smile that she wanted to cry.