Cloi (1)
Cloi von Valentia. Even Tiny had no idea where she was at this point.
All he knew from rumors was that she was traveling through the territories under the Valentia Duchy before her 16th birthday coming-of-age ceremony, offering prayers at temples along the way—and that her next stop after Philes Territory was Dayen.
So it was only natural that he couldn't pinpoint her location now, more than a month after receiving the gold ring from her.
Yet here she was. His heart raced at this stroke of unexpected luck, but first things first—he had to confirm it.
"Excuse me, could I ask something? Is Lady Cloi von Valentia really here right now?"
"Well, yes, but..."
A child asking in such an adult manner might have seemed odd, but the man who had witnessed Tiny's commotion the day before nodded cautiously, trailing off.
"How long has she been here?"
"...As far as I know, about three days? She stopped by on her way back to the ducal estate, I think?"
On her way back? Tiny's eyes widened slightly in surprise, and one of the other men chimed in.
"Nobles have been partying and such, and now they're finally stepping out. The lady probably has a schedule too, so she won't stay long..."
"I see. Thank you for the information."
Tiny bowed politely and stepped back. The men sighed in collective relief.
But Tiny, no longer paying them any mind, worked to calm his pounding heart as he gathered his thoughts.
She's... here.
Cloi von Valentia. The treasured daughter whom even the Sword Emperor adored. The one who had given him the gold ring—and the person who had created the greatest turning point in his life.
There was that sad incident because of the ring, but...
He briefly pictured his sister's face, then shook his head to dispel the thought.
I've already paid back that grudge in full.
So what remained was simple.
Return kindness with kindness.
In his previous life, he had lost the ring, but now he could return it to its owner. And meeting her to give it back would make it far easier to secure an audience with the duke.
No more worrying that his plans might go awry from the start.
"T-Tiny... right? Ahaha. Oh...! Sorry, your build doesn't quite match your name... Um, um. No, really, I'm sorry."
Would she fail to recognize me like in my past life?
Probably not. It hasn't been that long.
But just then—
"Even so, we can't get close to the lady."
"We can just look from afar. They say she's so beautiful!"
"Getting close enough to see her face will be tough."
"Aw, come on, let's at least try."
The nearby conversation brought a harsh reality crashing down.
Could he even approach her in this situation? The elites of Lucent County and the duke's own guards were undoubtedly surrounding her.
Will just showing the ring convince them to let me join the procession?
If things went wrong, it could end worse than boldly presenting the ring at the ducal estate's front gate. He might end up taking a longer detour than planned.
His face unconsciously furrowed at this unforeseen obstacle, but then his sister's words came to mind.
Look straight at the sky, and walk tall without shame. You can do it, Tin?
Recalling her fond voice brought a soft chuckle.
"Yeah. Since when have I ever planned every little step anyway?"
He wasn't out to cause trouble, after all. Tiny fiddled with the ring in his pocket, then stood up as if resolved.
It was simple, really. Approach her, show the gold ring, and request an audience with the duke. If refused, he'd find another way—he'd have to anyway if he went straight to the estate.
Yeah, that'll work.
He'd overcomplicated it. But that was understandable.
She held special meaning to him. With no way to know if his sister in the heavens had heard his name, Cloi was the one whose acknowledgment he craved in this life for his life's achievements. To him, Cloi von Valentia was a milestone in his existence.
The owner of the gold ring that changed his life. The Sword Emperor's daughter. If she approved of his path, it would mean he'd lived straight and true, just as his sister had hoped.
Of course, the lingering regret from his past life—that she hadn't remembered their ring connection—remained. He hadn't even brought it up back then, since the ring was gone.
But now...
It'll be different.
A strange anticipation bloomed that their fates might intertwine this time.
Screeech.
As Tiny stepped out with faint tension, cheers erupted from afar.
"It's the lady!"
"Valentia's angel!"
Turning toward the voices, he spotted a grand, dazzling procession visible even from a distance.
* * *
"As you can see, our Lucentia is one of the top cities in the central region. It might smell a bit compared to the inner castle, but..."
"Ah, I see."
"Yes, Lady Cloi. And Lucentia's specialties are..."
Cloi fought back a weary expression as Edmond von Lucent chattered endlessly beside her. Even when she'd tried to cut him off politely, he barreled on with whatever he wanted to say.
Even conversations need some consideration.
This golden-haired young lord, five years her senior, seemed utterly lacking in such etiquette.
So she'd have to say it outright.
"...I'm not particularly interested in commerce. Young lord, could we just visit the slums?"
"Pardon? Lady Cloi, what did you...?"
I must have misheard.
Cloi sighed inwardly at his transparently confused, handsome face, then restated her point clearly and calmly to hide her frustration.
"I want to see the people in the slums. They're our subjects too, after all."
"Ah, haha. Yes, subjects. Right, subjects. Hm."
"...Is there some issue?"
Edmond's face openly soured, but Cloi pretended not to notice and pressed on.
"Ah, no. Let's go. I'll guide you."
He tried to sound bold, but she doubted he'd ever set foot in Lucentia's slums. Most noble heirs she'd met reacted the same way.
He'll probably pinch his nose the moment we enter.
They must have studied kingship in their heir training, so why this reaction? Or perhaps...
Look to those at the very bottom. Only when their lives improve does the territory—and the nation—thrive.
Was her father, who lived by those teachings, an outlier among nobles?
I need to change mindsets. At least among our territory's nobles.
Her resolve tightened her fist—only for it to slacken in futility.
What can I even do...?
The Aslan Empire valued women of talent, but her status changed everything. With grown older brothers, no matter her abilities, she wouldn't inherit the house.
Once the dedication ceremony here ended, custom would send her home for her coming-of-age rite, followed immediately by a betrothal.
Her remaining life would hinge on her fiancé's character and house.
She hated that.
Being the duke's daughter, unable even to steer her own fate—it grated deeply.
Maybe I should just devote myself to the temple for real?
The temple's overtures had persisted since "that day"; she'd be treated well and forge her own path there. Far better than living and dying as someone's wife and mother.
But that had its own snag.
...Father would grieve.
Her doting father wouldn't want his only daughter to live lonely forever, whether she chose it or not.
"Haa..."
As her coming-of-age neared, her deepening worries drew ever longer sighs.
Hearing it, her dedicated guard knight Vivian spurred her horse closer.
"Lady Cloi, is something bothering you...?"
Edmond, who had been prattling away, finally noticed and offered his hand with a belated, awkward look.
"Lady Cloi, are you alright?"
"No, I'm fine. Young lord. It's nothing, Vivian."
She waved them off, but even to her own ears, her voice lacked conviction.
"Halt the vanguard! The lady is unwell!"
Edmond's needless fuss went unchecked.
This meddler...
She tried to intervene belatedly, but—
"Whoa!"
"Who goes there!?"
"A kid!?"
Unfamiliar voices rang from the guarded front.
Tiny seized the moment the procession halted and stepped forward.
"Who goes there!?"
"A kid!?"
The knights' spear tips neared his face, but he had his pretext ready.
"This is the ring Lady Cloi gave me herself. She told me to come find her, so I've come late to pay my respects."
Tiny thrust out the gold ring.
"What nonsense from this brat..."
Clop clop.
A frowning knight snatched it roughly. But upon seeing the engraved eagle crest, his face paled.
"...The real thing?"
The vanguard knights passed it around briefly, then the first one pointed warningly and hurried toward the rear.
"Kid... Stay right there and behave."
Now, how will they respond?
As Tiny watched calmly, the knight soon returned, face twisted like he'd eaten dung.
"The young lady... confirmed it's hers. Follow."
"Thank you."
Clop clop.
Irked by the knight's brusque turnaround on horseback, Tiny summoned Wolrang pointedly.
"Woof!"
Neighhhh!
"Wh-what!?"
"A wolf out of nowhere...!"
Savoring the stunned stares, Tiny mounted Wolrang. The guiding knight eyed him heavily.
"...A spirit user?"
"Yes. You rode off so fast... Is riding a spirit not allowed?"
"...Should be fine. But unsummon it before the young lady. Pull any tricks, and your head rolls—mind your manners."
"Of course."
Goal achieved, Tiny complied meekly, but the knight beckoned two more to flank him.
Well, now.
His petty defiance had earned escorts. Clicking his tongue, Tiny followed quietly.
Soon, she appeared.
Cloi...
Platinum hair gleaming white, eyes deep as the ocean blue. A straight nose, lips red as summer roses. Her translucent skin, touchable as pure water, made her plain outing dress outshine any ornate gown.
The moniker "Valentia's Angel" might stem more from her beauty than her deeds.
Prettier... than in my past life.
Her stunning looks instantly explained the crowds' earlier cheers.
And she...
"...This ring is the one I gave to a slum child. How did you get it, young lord?"
...greeted Tiny not as in his past life, but with chilling menace.
At the same moment—
Clang!
The flanking knights' spears and sword snapped to his throat.