As Leca clutched the hem of her dress, the witch of the Black Forest gave him a sharp, dagger-like glare.
"Changed your mind?"
Leca didn't know how to answer. He had grabbed her instinctively, thinking only that he couldn't let this witch slip away—not because he intended to become her lover. But he had to say something.
"Um… If I did become your lover, what… exactly would I be expected to do?"
The witch burst into loud laughter.
"Oh, you're just my type! I like innocent boys like you. Fine, I'll tell you the way. Come inside."
"Inside?"
"My house, of course."
Leca hesitated. The witch frowned.
"What? You think I'm going to eat you or something?"
"N-no, it's just… do I really need to come inside just to learn the way?"
"Suit yourself, idiot."
She turned on her heel with a huff. Leca had no choice but to follow her.
The inside of the witch's cottage was crammed full of strange things—bundles of dried herbs, stuffed animals, jars of mysterious liquids. There was barely enough space to walk.
The witch pulled a snake's shed skin from the wall and tossed it into the fireplace. She began muttering an incantation. The fire flared up—and from the flames, a massive speckled python appeared, suspended in mid-air.
"You summoned me, mistress?"
"Tell this boy the way to the Mage's Path that only opens on the night of the full moon."
The serpent flicked its tongue and fixed its clear gaze on Leca before speaking slowly.
"The Mage's Path… lies beneath the southern marshlands—in the Crocodile Bog. You must swim to the bottom. At the center of the bog is a hole. Enter it."
"And then?" Leca asked.
"The hole connects to a cave in Taitonia, the land of mages. The cave is shallow. There's a ladder—just climb up and you'll be there."
With that, the snake coughed up a black orb.
"Take this. It will serve as your pass with the guards of Taitonia."
"…Thank you."
Leca accepted the orb and tucked it safely into his cloak. As soon as the serpent finished, it vanished. The fireplace went dark.
Leca bowed deeply to the witch.
"Thank you very much."
"You clearly have business there this full moon. Go ahead. But make sure you come back here afterward, understand?"
"…"
Leca froze. He hadn't expected this.
"You weren't planning to get all that information for free, were you? If you don't come back, I'll put a curse on you. Heeheehee!"
Leca fled the hut in near panic. When he glanced back, the cottage had vanished completely.
Leca told Mia everything—except for the part about the witch flirting with him. The deal still bothered him a little, but at least the immediate problem was solved. He'd worry about the rest later.
When he saw Mia's face light up at his story, all his trouble seemed worth it.
"The full moon is almost here. So… once you return safely from your rite of passage, you'll be able to go."
"But… do you think Roy's even alive?"
Mia's voice wavered with anxiety.
"…I can't say for sure. If you're worried, you could still turn back."
Mia shook her head firmly.
"If I back out now, there'd be no point to escaping Muria. Whether Roy is dead or alive… I have to see it through."
"…Understood."
Mia smiled gently at him.
"Anyway, thank you, Leca. You've done so much for me. I'm really grateful."
"It's no trouble. I'm no longer serving as High Commander, so I have plenty of time."
Though he said it lightly, Mia felt a pang of guilt. Leca had lost his position because of her. For a brief second, she almost said, When I become queen, I'll have you reinstated.
What am I even thinking?
I'm not going to stay here forever. Even if I do become queen, I'll eventually find a way back.
And what happens to Leca then? Will he be okay? Or... can I even go back at all?
If only I can convince Julius—but that guy's honestly kind of insane…
"Mia?"
"Huh? Oh—"
"What were you thinking about? Are you worried about not making it there safely?"
Leca's eyes glistened with concern. He looked like a big puppy worried for his owner. Mia let out a small laugh. Well… she was his owner, after all.
"No. Not with you here. And now I'm strong enough to stand beside you too."
"You have the ancient sword and shield. And the Fairy King's wings as well."
Leca laughed brightly. His smile lifted Mia's spirits, too.
Just then—
"Mmm… ngh…"
Mia's sensitive ears caught the sound of a guard talking in his sleep. She flinched slightly and whispered,
"You should go. Before they wake up. And seriously—don't come tomorrow. That's an order. Got it?"
"…Lady Mia."
"I mean it, just in case—you're not allowed to come on the day of the trial either. I can do this. Alone."
Leca gazed at her in silence. With her human and fairy features beautifully intertwined, Mia struck him as more stunning than ever.
She hadn't seemed all that different from other humans before. But now, she looked like a woman who could make anyone fall for her.
Which explained why Julius…
The thought struck him hard, a dull ache in his chest. Fighting to suppress the lump in his throat, he managed to say,
"You've come so far… I'm truly proud of you, Lady Mia."
"All thanks to you, Leca."
She smiled and opened the curtain, then carefully unlatched the window. Leca hesitated before turning and disappearing into the darkness.
—
The next day, Mia visited the royal library to study up on divine beasts and unicorns. With the ancient sword and shield in her possession, combat training felt somewhat redundant. She figured it was better to focus on research.
"Let's see… what's this…"
[Habits of Unicorns]
[Conversations with Divine Beasts]
There it is.
She started with Habits of Unicorns but quickly found herself bored. The book was mostly about diet, mating habits, and habitat details. Fighting off a yawn, she flipped open Conversations with Divine Beasts.
Unfortunately, it wasn't about unicorns—it was about a lion-like divine beast. Mia skimmed through it lazily, and before she knew it, she had dozed off on top of the book.
Meanwhile, outside the library door, Leca stood.
He had been following Mia since morning.
Tomorrow, she would face the dangerous unicorn trial. But there was nothing more he could do for her. So this was all he could offer now.
She's just beyond this door…
That thought brought him some comfort. Being near her, even like this, soothed his mind.
"What are you doing here?"
A sudden voice. Leca straightened up in surprise. Before him stood King Minophon. Thankfully, he was alone—no aides, no ministers.
"Y-Your Majesty."
"I recall saying you were not to meet with her."
"That's why I'm only standing here outside."
The king laughed.
"Well, technically, that's not against the rules. But I'm surprised."
"…Surprised, Your Majesty?"
"You're so by-the-book, yet here you are, finding loopholes."
"I believe it's only natural. My duty is to protect her. She's also my master."
The king's sharp gaze bore into him. Though his body still showed signs of illness, the piercing glint in his eyes had not faded.
"May I ask you something?"
"Of course, Your Majesty."
"When you brought her here… why did you form a spirit pact? You could have just escorted her."
Leca said nothing.
"You know the rule—if a master dies or disappears, the spirit is released for a year."
"…Yes."
"Then when Mithys went missing, you could've had a year of freedom."
"…"
"So why didn't you take it?"
"…I don't know."
Even to himself, it had remained a mystery. Why had he entered a pact with Mia at all?
All he'd been ordered to do was escort a potential queen candidate to the palace and return to his duties as High Commander. He could've enjoyed his year of freedom, then returned when his master reappeared.
There had been no reason to bind himself to her.
"…It just felt like the right thing to do. That's all."
"…I suppose that means you plan to follow her to the rite tomorrow."
"Of course. I won't interfere unless it gets dangerous."
The king sighed.
"Do you realize something?"
"…What do you mean?"
"When it comes to that girl, you defy my orders without hesitation."
"…!"
Leca turned away and said nothing. The king gave a faint, knowing smile.
"Don't lie to your heart. That's all I'll say."
With that, he walked away.
Leca stood for a long while, pondering the meaning of his words. Julius came to mind, and that ache in his chest returned.
—------------------------------------------------
It just so happened that day brought heavy rain. The downpour howled like the cries of fiends.
"Jaki… now, hush. From now on, it's just us. Understand?"
Nine-year-old Jakiel lay silent, his tears finally spent. He looked up at his older sister.
The accident that had taken their mother was still too much for the boy to process.
Selene, nine years older than him, stroked his hair and whispered,
"Don't worry. I'll protect you. You just need to trust me, little Jaki…"