Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Chloe, Want to Go Somewhere with Me?
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Tail's words made Cecilia's eyes well up with tears.
She trembled like a kitten soaked by the rain.
"Can't you accept it?"
Her eyes shone with desperate longing.
It looked like her final plea, filled with intense yearning.
Seeing Cecilia like that softened Tail's heart.
'Yeah. What did the jewel ever do wrong?'
Jewels were innocent.
Even if there was guilt, it would be the person's, not the jewel's.
That was Tail's philosophy.
'Well, I've refused once already, so accepting it now would be polite, right?'
With that thought, Tail made up his mind and replied.
"All right. Thank you, miss. I'll treasure it."
Cecilia practically jumped for joy at his words.
"Yay! Thank you, Tail!"
She was the one giving the gift, so why was she thanking him? Tail didn't know, but he smiled brightly anyway.
His smile made Cecilia's cheeks flush red.
Her expression turned dreamy, as if she'd witnessed something enchanting.
"...I saw it too."
"Pardon?"
Her voice was so soft that Tail didn't catch it and asked again.
But Cecilia just shook her head.
"It's nothing! Hee hee."
Then, as if remembering something, Cecilia spoke up.
"Oh, right. Tail."
Her slightly upturned eyes were fixed solely on him.
"I sent the letter the day before yesterday!"
Tail chuckled at Cecilia's expectant gaze, begging for praise, and gently stroked her head.
"You did well."
"Yeah!"
Watching her nuzzle against his hand, Tail thought to himself.
The day before yesterday means the letter should arrive around tomorrow.
'I hope they understand the message properly.'
Tail's eyes deepened.
The next day.
In a large command tent at the front lines, a man sat in a chair with his legs crossed.
He had short purple hair and striking deep red eyes.
His build was twice that of an average person, and his sharp features exuded raw masculinity.
His subordinates stood in a neat line before him.
"As you all know, this operation is critical."
He scanned each one with his piercing gaze.
"There can be no failure. Understood?"
That was when someone entered the tent.
It was a sentry guarding the entrance.
Marquis Duvier's brow furrowed at the sight.
"I said no one enters during the meeting."
"It's... it's an urgent letter, sir."
The sentry stammered, trembling. Marquis Duvier sighed and waved him off.
It meant to bring it.
The sentry hurriedly fetched the letter and handed it to Marquis Duvier.
"You may go."
"Yes, sir!"
The sentry left quickly after delivering it.
The marquis opened the letter right away.
"Hmm."
His expression hardened.
His subordinates watched tensely, gauging his mood.
And for good reason—their boss, Marquis Duvier, was a man without pity or tears.
He opened his heart to few.
Now, even the air grew cold as he read the pink letter with a rigid face.
"Finally..."
A deep voice rumbled from his lips.
His intense seriousness had all his men on edge, waiting for his next words.
News of defeat in another sector?
An imperial decree?
Maybe some other bad news.
Nothing else could provoke such fury.
Then Marquis Duvier spoke.
"Our princess has sent me a letter."
His subordinates' eyes widened in an instant.
Princess?
Priiiin-cesssss?
Their mouths fell slightly open.
It was the last thing they'd expect from Marquis Duvier, a man who embodied brutality and ferocity.
It felt like an evil demon king declaring he'd become a world-saving hero.
'Maybe he means a princess from another country?'
'Nah, probably code for something.'
'"Princess" must have some hidden meaning I don't know.'
'This is the most baffling thing I've heard today.'
As they exchanged glances, a blue-haired man spoke up.
"Haha. Looks like Lady Cecilia sent you a letter."
Only then did it click for the others.
Everyone knew Marquis Duvier's love for his daughter was unparalleled.
Just look—his desk was covered in framed photos of Cecilia.
The men relaxed and chimed in.
"Haha. Your daughter sending letters—must be nice."
"My kid couldn't care less about me. Yours sounds adorable."
"Bet you're thrilled. What did the letter say?"
Their interest made the marquis's eyebrow twitch slightly.
He carefully tucked the letter into a drawer and spoke sternly.
"Ahem. Meeting adjourned. Dismissed."
The subordinates dispersed with a hint of regret.
Soon, only the blue-haired man who'd mentioned Cecilia and Marquis Duvier remained.
"Count Lien. Do you have more to report?"
The blue-haired man with a kind face was Count Lien.
Two years younger than Marquis Duvier, he was the skilled warrior who had his back.
He nodded.
"Several outposts have gone radio silent. What should we do?"
The marquis tapped the desk with his fingers.
"Once this plan succeeds, we'll split forces and investigate. But this secret mission comes first."
"Understood."
Count Lien bowed and headed for the entrance.
He glanced back with a faint smile.
"Is Lady Cecilia doing well?"
"Seems so. And she gave me some advice this time."
Count Lien chuckled.
"She's too cute. See you at dinner, then."
As he was about to leave, Marquis Duvier asked.
"You're at Block 12, Tent A, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Got it."
Count Lien bowed slightly and left, leaving silence in the tent.
Marquis Duvier closed his eyes briefly, as if in thought, then rang the bell on his desk.
A clear chime rang out, and a soldier waiting outside entered swiftly.
"Fetch Baron Karon."
The soldier hurried off and soon returned with the baron.
"You summoned me."
A man with curly brown hair and brown eyes stepped in.
"You're at Block 13, Tent A?"
"Yes."
A heavy silence fell.
Marquis Duvier continued in a low voice.
"Now, Baron."
His tone was secretive, like sharing a grave secret.
"I have a task for you."
His red eyes gleamed blood-red.
At the same moment, a single jet-black feather, dark as night, drifted in through the tent window.
A few days passed.
Tail spent them in a whirlwind of activity.
Every day was chaotic and fun.
In short, he couldn't bring himself to distance himself from these kids.
And so time flowed on, reaching the end of the season.
As the sun dipped low in the sunset glow, Tail changed out of his monk robes into neat commoner clothes.
'Glad I bought these clothes before.'
He straightened his outfit and headed straight for Chloe's tent.
The luxurious tent reminded him of the day Chloe's group first arrived at the monastery.
Back then, he never imagined he'd grow so fond of them.
Maybe that's why time felt to fly by.
'It was still chilly, just after winter when we first pitched this tent.'
Now summer had passed, and autumn was nearly over.
Tail murmured to himself as he knocked on the flap.
Knock knock knock.
The entrance parted, revealing soft golden hair like melted gold and a puppy-like face.
"...Tail?"
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Tail smiled faintly.
"Chloe, want to go somewhere with me?"
"...Just the two of us?"
Tail nodded.
"Yeah. There's a night market in town tonight. Wanna check it out?"
Night market!
Maybe she'd never heard of one before.
Interest lit up her face.
And just the two of them with Tail!
Chloe's eyes sparkled.
"Without Cecilia?"
Tail burst out laughing at her need for confirmation.
"Yes. Of course."
Her lips curved up endlessly at his answer.
"Awesome! Right now?"
"Yeah."
"Wait a sec. Just need to grab my hood."
Chloe emerged wearing a black hood.
With a beaming smile, she teased playfully.
"Hee hee. Tail's the one inviting me first for once?"
As Chloe spoke, Tail turned his back to the setting sun and gave a soft smile.
"...Yeah."
But for some reason.
That smile felt so wistful to Chloe.
As if she might never see him again after tomorrow.