Chapter 87
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Tap, tap, tap—
On the evening of the kidnapping incident.
While I was applying toner in front of the dressing table after washing my face before bed, Wishit suddenly suggested, “Why don’t you write down a wish in advance?”
“Hmm…”
Tap, tap, tap—
“What kind of wish should I make in advance?”
When I continued to look in the mirror with apathetic eyes and asked, Wishit hesitated for a long time before replying, “For example… When a situation comes in which your safety is threatened, I will make sure that you can escape safely.”
“Are you worried that the 2nd Prince will target me again?”
“Yes.”
“Well, why does the 2nd Prince see me as more than worthy as a hostage?” Pretending to be talking to myself, I looked at Wishit. They were hesitant to say something.
“Rubette.”
“Yeah.”
After choosing their words, they slowly opened their mouth, “They, I mean, the spirits have certain restrictions and limitations that are different according to their abilities, and there are taboos.”
“Wishit.”
I stopped Wishit and looked back at them. They were obviously flustered and trying to say something ‘in a roundabout way’.
“I think it’s time for us to talk frankly.”
“…”
“As you may know, you have been very suspicious so far. There are more than one or two things I want to ask you.”
“I’m sorry, but I-”
“No, I didn’t mean to ask, so don’t be afraid. Until now, I haven’t persistently questioned you or asked you my doubts first. Do you know why that is?”
“…”
“It’s because I guess there must be a reason you don’t ‘reveal’ it. There’s a high probability that it includes some risk.”
Wishit tensed. I added, scrutinizing their expression, “Don’t say anything now. I don’t know what risk you are taking, so I want you to be careful. I don’t even need a yes or no answer. Just listen.”
I slowly mulled over the last words Wishit had said.
“… the spirits have certain restrictions and limitations that are different according to their abilities, and there are taboos.”
Perhaps that alone was a burden to them.
“There’s a saying that secrets are meant to be revealed, and taboos are meant to be broken.”
“…”
“Even if there is a taboo, it is likely that there will be at least one out of hundreds of thousands of spirits who do not abide by it and break it.” Making eye contact with Wishit, I continued to speak, “Spirits gather daily in the Fountain of Spirits, so they all must know you have a contractor, right?”
“…”
“But informing your contractor of the circumstances of someone else’s spirit contract is probably one of the ‘taboos’ you speak of with pain.”
“…”
“But if someone breaks the taboo even by taking risks, it’s no wonder that my secret leaks out.”
Wishit’s eyes shook. Fortunately, they weren’t good at hiding his expression.
“Well, this is roughly what I deduced.” I shrugged and laughed and turned to the mirror again. “I am not stupid either, so don’t worry too much. And, Wishit.”
I closed the lotion lid and met Wishit’s gaze through the mirror.
“I’m guessing that if you use any power other than granting wishes, it will burden you in some way.”
The only power promised to them was to grant three wishes. There must be limitations if they use other power.
Without restrictions, Wishit would have abused its abilities for me. At least, it was certain that they cared for me very much.
“Of course, the weight of the burden will be different depending on what power you use.”
Miscellaneous power wouldn’t be a big burden on them, but getting rid of the mark on the back of my hand or saving my life in a carriage accident the other day…
It might be a little difficult if they used a power that might have a significant impact.
“So from now on, don’t try to do anything for me because it won’t be for me.”
“…”
“I don’t want you to disappear.”
Wishit’s eyes widened after hearing my words.
Perhaps they, who were piling up taboos, might one day leave me without a trace. That was the reason I didn’t want to ask them anything.
“I woke up in an unfamiliar world without knowing anything. I didn’t complain because I thought you’d think I was childish, but I was sad and helpless in my own way.”
I got up and looked back at Wishit.
Wishit took the form of a young boy with red hair at my request to change into a younger brother. They looked exactly like me.
The talented guy could change into anything, but I was sure I would recognize them in any form. That was how much our communication deepened.
“To me, you’re probably the closest and most intimate…”
“…”
“I mean, you’re precious.”
Wishit hesitated as if he was taken aback by the embarrassing remarks, which I didn’t usually do.
“What are you trying to say?”
I smiled and said to Wishit, who scratched their neck and averted their gaze, “So let’s stay together for a long time.”
[T/N: So I was confused about Wishit’s pronoun. They’re now in a boy form, so I should’ve started using ‘he/his’, but their actual form is something unknown, alien-like, as Rubette said, and I’ve been using ‘they/them’ or ‘it’ when I forget, for so long it will feel weird to change it now.]
***
Even if the 2nd Prince aimed at me, there was no need to be highly vigilant as long as I did not run into him.
In that respect, the current situation in Lubon wasn’t bad for me…
“What is this?”
…or so I thought!
The very next day.
I was taken aback by a letter from the imperial family, more precisely, a letter from the 3rd Princess, Aristana, to ‘Madame Ruby’.
Madame Ruby.
I’m the 3rd Princess, Aristana van Rashmagh Descarde.
First, I would like to express my deep admiration for the status of <Blanc de Ruby>, which is greatly loved in Descarde.
You must have been surprised by the sudden correspondence. I am to preside over the knights’ tournament held in Lubon at the end of June.
As always, the winning knight is given an honorable royal gift.
While thinking about what to do with this, I remembered Madame Ruby and the fame of <Blanc de Ruby>, so I shamelessly contacted you.
‘Afante’, which is now my possession, is a red diamond obtained by His Majesty King Descarde X after winning the war against Vitteri, ‘the kingdom of knights’. It deserved to be gifted to a valiant knight.
I just have it as a rough stone, so I want to make it an accessory worthy of an honorable bounty. I’d like Madame Ruby to take over.
Currently <Blanc de Ruby> is making an outstanding contribution to the development of the commercial district, so it would be worth aiming for a big topic if we cooperate like this.
I’d appreciate it if you could choose the type of jewelry. I look forward to your positive reply.
3rd Princess, Aristana van Rashmagh Descarde
The summary of the letter from the 3rd Princess was as follows: I’ll give you a red diamond. Can you make it into a prize for the winner of the tournament?
Of course, I was taken aback not because of the sudden coercion of talent donation.
[… At the end of June, held in Lubon…]
The future has changed again.
I scratched my head and murmured, “Why Lubon? This is a match held in the capital originally, isn’t it?”
A tournament organized by the 3rd Princess, Aristana.
This tournament, held in the capital of Descarde in June 1520, was an event that left such a great impression that it was talked about for a long time among the people of the empire.
The reason was.
‘Because the 2nd Prince made a very good impression as the new heir!’
Unfortunately, Lark had already been assassinated at the time.
The death of the crown prince, a knight of the hundred battles, devastated the people of the empire, and anxiety about national defense grew day by day.
Amidst this, Nathan, the 2nd Prince, won the tournament.
The twist of the 2nd Prince, who seemed weak and thin, defeated all the great men and won.
I watched this game with Lillia.
‘It was amazing. If he had just won, it wouldn’t have been such a big topic, but somehow the 2nd Prince didn’t even get hit.’
After the jousting match that day, the 2nd Prince gained the warm support of the people of the empire.
“By the way, the crown prince is alive this time, right? Obviously, His Highness will win.”
“Mm, who knows?” Wishit, who was next to me, shrugged for some reason. He seemed to hate Lark.
‘What’s with his expression? What’s with Lark?’
Feeling boundless trust, I immediately wrote to Lark.
[Your Highness, I think <Blanc de Ruby> will produce a prize for the tournament winner in June.
The winner will be you anyway, so if you’d like anything, let me know in advance.
Personally, I recommend a uniform brooch for men. Oh, I think a sword sheath would be fine too.]
***
And, I was puzzled by Lark’s reply that came within a day.
[Thank you for thinking of me, Princess.
I really want to win a prize made by you, but I don’t think it will ever come into my hands.
I’m sorry I didn’t meet your expectations, but I’ve never beaten Nathan. Haha.
Whatever you make, if Nathan gets it, I’ll be jealous…
So I want you to make it roughly without affection!]
“What is he saying?”
The fact that Lark had never defeated the 2nd Prince was surprising, but more than that, I was suspicious because he was oddly sure that the 2nd Prince would win.
‘How many knights are participating in the game? How can he be sure that the 2nd Prince will win? Of course, it’s a future where the 2nd Prince wins, but Lark probably doesn’t even know that…’
I pouted and said, “Is the 2nd Prince such a genius at jousting? To the point that even Lark couldn’t win him?”
“More than that…” Wishit, reading the letter with me, said as if he knew that such a reply would come. “How can you win someone who cheats.”
“What? Cheat?”
My ears perked up as I looked back at Wishit.
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