Kays Translations

Chapter 26: After It Turned Cold, Part One

Some time passed after Licia’s birthday.

Winter had begun to show itself across most of the Leomel Empire. Even in Eupheim, the distant metropolis known as the City of Water and White Crown, leaves had fallen from the roadside trees and a thin coat of snow covered their branches.

One visitor approached the grand Ignat estate that stood on a hill overlooking the city.

“Please wait.”

A knight at the main gate stopped the cloaked figure.

“Forgive me, but do you have an appointment?”

The knight examined the visitor carefully. To slight a guest would disgrace Marquis Ignat, so he remained courteous even though the person’s face was hidden beneath a deep hood.

“Oh, sorry.”

The visitor hurriedly pulled back her hood.

A breathtakingly beautiful face appeared, carrying a fairy-like loveliness, framed by golden hair as lustrous as silk.

“It’s me. I don’t have an appointment, but is that all right?”

The knight recognized her and bowed in shock.

“Please forgive me. I had no idea it was you.”

“It’s fine. I was the one hiding my appearance.”

“Thank you for your generosity. Please come inside. My lord is working, but I am certain he will receive you when he hears you have arrived.”

He escorted the unexpected guest across the immaculate gardens. Servants who noticed her bowed; some stopped to salute, while others hurried to prepare refreshments.

She laughed apologetically, but their reverence did not change.

The estate was large enough to be called a small castle. Ulysses Ignat preferred to keep the rooms he used near the entrance, however, so his office was not far away.

Edgar waited before its door.

“It has been a while, Edgar.”

“Indeed, Lady Chronois. I saw you approaching and came to meet you.”

Edgar took over from the knight and knocked.

“Come in.”

He opened the door and admitted her.

A jet-black carpet covered the floor, but silver furnishings kept the room from feeling dark. Its atmosphere was cool and restrained, elegant without unnecessary ostentation.

“Good afternoon, Marquis Ignat.”

“It has been a long time, Chronois.”

Ulysses left the desk near the rear window and invited her to sit on a sofa.

“I’m sorry for arriving without notice.”

“You are always welcome. Edgar, have tea and something sweet prepared.”

“That isn’t necessary. Actually, I would like Edgar to join us.”

“In that case, Edgar, please give the other servants their instructions.”

“At once, my lord.”

Edgar stepped out, issued a few directions, and returned within moments. He took his place behind Ulysses, who sat opposite Chronois.

“What brings you here today? I heard you had left the Imperial Capital on urgent business.”

“Oh, you knew?”

“Only that you left. I know nothing of the work itself.”

“That part is a secret. A complete secret.”

Chronois grinned proudly, and Ulysses shrugged.

“I expected as much. What may we do for you?”

“Nothing in particular. I was passing nearby and thought I should visit while I had the chance. But there is one thing I wanted to ask Edgar.”

“Me, my lady?”

“Yes. That’s why I asked you to stay.”

Ulysses leaned back thoughtfully.

“And what would you like to ask our Edgar?”

“About the work he performed this spring.”

“You mean my journey to Clausel,” Edgar said.

“Lady Chronois, I submitted a report about that affair to the Imperial Capital,” Ulysses added.

“I read it. I’m not very interested in Viscount Given himself, though. In my position, it is better not to involve myself too deeply in politics.”

Then why ask about Edgar’s mission?

Chronois finally revealed her purpose.

“Will you tell me about Ren?”

Ulysses and Edgar both stiffened. Neither understood why Ren Ashton’s name had come from her lips, and caution entered their expressions.

Chronois noticed at once.

“Ahaha… Even I become nervous when both of you look at me like that.”

Her easygoing response robbed them of some of their tension.

“May I ask why you are seeking information about Ren Ashton?” Ulysses said.

Chronois hesitated. She had nearly replied, Because I like him, but Ulysses’s sincere gravity made the flippant answer difficult.

“As you know, only a small number of people were told about my daughter Fiona’s condition,” Ulysses continued. “I also told you that I asked House Clausel for help while searching for Thief Wolfen materials.”

“Yes. I’m sorry I couldn’t help at the time.”

“No one could be blamed. The Thief Wolfen is exceedingly rare.”

Tea arrived, and the conversation paused while they drank.

“I owe a great debt to Ren Ashton, House Ashton, and House Clausel,” Ulysses said. “I cannot comfortably share information about them without understanding your reason.”

He was a great noble who had survived countless political struggles at the heart of Leomel. The pressure in his eyes was not born of physical force, but it was formidable nonetheless.

Chronois was one of the few people in the world who could meet it without yielding. If she wished, she possessed enough power to reduce all of Eupheim to scorched earth.

The awkward part was that her interest in Ren was entirely personal.

“I’ve met him.”

There was little point in hiding it.

“You have met Ren Ashton?” Ulysses’s sternness vanished into astonishment.

“Yes. Purely by coincidence.”

“Then you visited Clausel?”

“For work. Meeting him there was accidental.”

Chronois told them about their first encounter, their reunion in the Eastern Forest, and how Ren had killed two Steel-Eating Gargoyles alone. She also described meeting him once more in a village near the Baldor Mountains, where he had protected her.

“Other than my father, no one had ever protected me before. It was wonderful. It made me so happy.”

At last Ulysses and Edgar understood. Chronois had no scheme involving Ren; she simply liked him and wanted to hear more about him.

With Ulysses’s permission, Edgar began describing the miraculous part Ren had played in the Clausel incident.

“He really is amazing,” Chronois said. “He’s so cute and strong, and intelligent as well.”

“I regret that I cannot describe Lord Ren’s appearance very well,” Edgar said.

“Why not?”

“Because he was covered in wounds,” Ulysses answered.

After his battle with Yelquq, Ren had returned to Clausel on horseback, supported by Licia. Edgar still remembered the boy, battered almost beyond recognition, speaking with startling sharpness.

Ren had soon been isolated to recover, so Edgar had seen him only briefly.

The three continued talking about him until night covered the sky beyond the windows.

“I should leave soon,” Chronois said, rising.

“Why not remain for the night? Fiona would be delighted.”

“I would love to, but I must return to the Imperial Capital by magic ship tonight. I will visit Fiona before I go, though. She should be fine by now, but I would like to examine her after so long.”

“My lord, I will guide Lady Chronois,” Edgar said.

“Please do. I will make arrangements to see her off.”

They left the office, and Edgar led Chronois deeper into the estate.

“Where is Fiona?”

“She is studying in her room until evening.”

Chronois worried briefly about interrupting her, but checking Fiona’s health was important. She decided that a short visit would do no harm.

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