The Soul in a Stone and the Wrong Turn

“It’s true! It’s a famous story—the first Emperor proposed to the Empress by gifting her a coffin embedded with red jewels that matched his own eyes. Shouldn’t it be that no one in the West is ignorant of this? I knew boys weren’t interested in such things, but I didn’t realize it was to that extent. Every girl around you probably knows it.”

I had a rough idea of why I didn’t. Aniglan, who taught history at the Imperial Palace, was a man whose romantic cells had long since shriveled up. His passions were reserved for the history of the Empire, the glory of the Magical Era, and ancient scripts. How the first Emperor proposed to his Empress or how romantic it was simply wasn’t a vital factor to him—nor was it an interest of mine. Because I studied strictly by the book due to the sheer volume of material, I had no room in my head for neighborhood gossip or unofficial histories.

“At that time, I had only seen his face for the second time. I was ten years old! You really thought a gift exchanged between children carried the weight of a sincere marriage proposal?”

At best, it was a budding affection. To talk of marriage proposals at an age where one should be trading flower rings was going too far. However, as Luxsteel lowered her eyebrows and spoke, I couldn’t help but understand why she had viewed it as “sincere.”

“My parents met at age eight, fell in love at first sight, and married the moment they became adults.”

A groan escaped me. If I had such an example so close to home, even I would have wondered if it were possible. I finally understood why Luxsteel had asked me so many times back then if I was serious.

“And Klein knew as well.”

“Yes.”

At my sigh, Luxsteel began to read my expression. Her blue eyes darted around just as they used to.

“Calling him that… you must be really angry.”

“Regardless of what the necklace meant, it’s true that Klein lied to me from the beginning. Even if it really was a proposal, that’s still a problem. He had so many chances to tell me. And what was with that dress anyway?”

I had thought Cedric Klein was a pervert who used things like tentacles, but I didn’t know he was a pervert whose hobby was cross-dressing. Even Erkel said none of the leads would have such a hobby. Does one need to have hobbies different from others since childhood to grow up to be a madman? If so, he truly was a promising sprout in the world of perverts.

Luxsteel trailed off with “Uh…” and “Um…”, making it obvious she had something to say. When I said, “If you have something to say, say it,” with a voice colder than intended, she jumped into her excuse as if she’d been waiting for it.

“The thing is… it’s actually my fault.”

“What does that mean?”

“Invitations flew in from the Imperial Palace, so we went up to the capital. But actually, I don’t really like those kinds of gatherings. They’re annoying, the dresses are uncomfortable, the kids are noisy, and there are so many eyes on you that you can’t be at ease.”

And? As I listened in silence, Luxsteel continued with an embarrassed face.

“So I made a bet with CC and won. According to my wish, he went to the palace pretending to be me. I thought he would just attend and come back. I didn’t know things would get tangled like that. And I didn’t know… he would take such a liking to you. He’s not usually the type to give someone that much attention.”

Could this also be called “narrative force”? This was before our admission to the Academy was even finalized. Was it possible for the narrative force to activate ahead of time, causing Cedric Klein to fall for Llewellyn?

I mentally checked Cedric Klein’s keywords: Academy, letters, pervert. I wasn’t sure if a tentacle-making pervert and a cross-dressing pervert belonged on the same level, but since the “letters” criteria were met, I couldn’t be sure. It might be a butterfly effect caused by the salon. Many hypotheses surfaced, but none reached a conclusion. The lack of a clear answer was frustrating.

“Anyway… I’m sorry. It feels like things escalated because of me.”

“Forget it. You didn’t do it on purpose. It’s not something you should apologize for.”

“That, and… signaling CC at the banquet ahead of time.”

I wondered what she meant, then realized she was talking about the sudden loud noise she made. I should have realized early on that her excuse about practicing singing in the evening because Lovenus had good soundproofing was nonsense.

“Forget that too. It would have happened even without you.”

“Thanks. I’m sure CC didn’t have bad intentions…”

“Saying you don’t need to apologize wasn’t an invitation to defend Klein.”

It was ridiculous for Luxsteel to offer excuses that the person involved should be making. Whether it was an apology or an excuse, that was Cedric Klein’s responsibility.

“Don’t say anything to Klein.”

“Nothing at all?”

“Not that you met me here, nor that I know CC’s identity. I think you can manage that much.”

Luxsteel frowned slightly in confusion, but when I asked if it were really that difficult, she agreed.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll do it. I promise.”

Her words carried a strong will. People of Luxsteel’s type kept the words they spoke. I went to lean my back against the wall but stood straight again when I saw the opposite wall was covered in filth. I had been putting off a strategy for Cedric Klein, and it was a dilemma.

“I have companions, so I should get going. But you… are you okay on your own?”

At my words, Luxsteel became conscious of her appearance and laughed awkwardly, fiddling with the brim of her hat. It was tattered and worn at the edges. I guessed why she was here. Short brown hair, a moderately old and plain shirt and trousers, unlaced shoes. It seemed this fearless lady was embarking on an adventure that even Verenon wouldn’t dare. Seeing how natural she looked, it seemed this wasn’t her first or second time.

“Yeah. If you act like a local kid, they don’t pay attention. There are dangerous areas further in, but those look like places you should avoid just by looking at them.”

“Where did you get those?”

I didn’t ask if her family was worried because the answer was obvious. Who would believe it if they heard that the niece of Rebecca Luxsteel, who stood at the peak of this city’s glamor, was wandering around disguised as a slum boy?

“I traded them for bread. If you give them money, it’s easy to get mugged. Bartering is the best. Things that are too expensive, like jewelry, won’t work. Food is the best, and clean clothes are okay. This hair is made with magic—look. You can adjust it by taking this earring out or putting it in. It wasn’t that expensive, and it’s quite common in this neighborhood. They say it’s used a lot in the red-light district uptown.”

Lowering her voice as if sharing a top-secret tip, Luxsteel’s eyes sparkled. I remembered the woman who had come as Luxsteel’s guardian before. If she were still acting as this girl’s guardian, she would be clutching her heart every day.

Luxsteel said goodbye first, noting that it wouldn’t be good to be seen with someone like me who was obviously a noble.

“Come visit when you’re in Lovenus. My aunt would love it.”

“See you next time.”

That personality of hers didn’t come out of nowhere. She likely took after her aunt.

After parting with Luxsteel, I went to fetch the juices. The shopkeeper looked displeased as he handed me three cups. The ice had melted a bit, but his expression was so full of discontent that I didn’t dare ask for fresh ones. This was service unimaginable in the center, but considering that the price for four cups wouldn’t even buy a spoonful of ice cream there, I decided to be understanding.

The conversation had gone on longer than expected. It couldn’t be helped since it was urgent, but I was worried about Elliot. I only intended to give them a moment to talk; I hadn’t planned on it taking this long. I wondered if a physical fight had broken out because Verenon provoked him. It would be a relief if he were just grumbling while waiting. When I hurried back to the shop where we parted, Verenon was alone.

Verenon greeted me as if nothing had happened, but even from a carriage away, his inner darkness was visible. The anxiety that had grown during my walk back suddenly gripped my heart. It would have been better if they were cursing and punching each other.

“Where is Elliot?”

I hoped he would say he had pushed him into a shop to get fleeced again, as he had for several days. But Verenon turned as if he just realized I was there. He gave an exaggerated shrug with both hands and shoulders. It should have been funny, but the answer that came back made it impossible to laugh.

“He went inside.”

“What?”

“Since you didn’t come back even after waiting, Elliot asked me which way you went. He made it so obvious he hated being with me that I got a little spiteful and pointed him in the wrong direction… and he actually went that way.”

I gaped at him before finally finding my voice. I hoped I wasn’t visibly trembling. If I were, that bastard would take my rage for fear.

“Stop lying. You just tucked him into a nearby shop and are saying that for no reason, right?”

It had to be a bluff. Surely. Even if he were a lunatic, he couldn’t have. There was no way he would send Elliot there knowing what kind of place it was. Even if I discarded all expectations for that damn man’s character, he couldn’t be that stupid. It was obvious without explanation that if the heir to a family vanished in a place like this, the Dillons wouldn’t stay quiet. Knowing that, Verenon had accepted the threats and warnings from Elliot and me.

But.