—Mithys?
Mia could hear Mithys whispering in her ear. But the words were too faint. Desperate, Mia tugged on the hem of her robe.
—Mithys, I can't hear you. Say it louder.
—Lick, lick.
...?
It happened in an instant. Mithys vanished—and a mole was licking Mia's cheek with its tongue. Slurp, slurp.
"Ahh! You—you!!"
—Slurp, slurp.
It was a lizard. The small creature licking her cheek with its tongue—
"...?"
The room was the same as before. No mole tunnels. No moles. No Mithys. Just the same bedroom in Sibareth's palace she had been shown last night. For a moment, she wondered if it had all been a dream—but no, this was real.
And the little lizard acting like a puppy beside her...
Mia picked it up with both hands and looked closely. Its vivid crimson body, its bright red tongue—it looked familiar.
"Have we met before?"
Just then—
A ring of fire appeared in midair with a pop, and Leca emerged from it in full armor, clad in gleaming silver.
"You're awake, Lady Mia."
"Whoa! You scared me!"
"My apologies. Salamander—come."
The lizard slithered up Leca's arm and vanished. And that's when Mia finally remembered where she'd seen it before.
"W-what are you doing here so early in the morning?"
"I received word from Salamander that you were awake. I came to check on you. You seemed unwell last night."
Mia blinked. Back when she, Mithys, and Leca lived together, Leca had never seemed to care about her feelings at all. But now? Was he always this attentive?
If it was only because she was now his "master," then... wow. Mia let out a bitter smile in her heart.
"Did you sleep well, my lady?"
She shook her head.
"I… dreamed of Mithys. But she disappeared without saying anything."
"I see…"
"Have you been able to contact her?"
"No. I can't detect her mana, and even mind-link spells aren't working."
"I figured…"
Mia sighed. She felt lost and anxious. She'd come here impulsively, thinking life might be a bit easier and the money tempting—but now, everything was in chaos.
The Mithys who promised her payment had vanished. She had no idea how to return to her original world alone. What now?
"Leca."
"Yes?"
"Do you think… is there a way for me to go back to where I came from?"
Leca looked startled. He clearly hadn't expected that question.
"You wish to return?"
"Not exactly. I just… don't think I can stay here forever."
Leca fell silent, looking troubled. After a brief awkward silence, he spoke hesitantly.
"May I ask why you decided to come to Sibareth in the first place?"
"...."
Now Mia had nothing to say. She'd always known she'd have to explain eventually, but it was still awkward to admit that she'd come because of a timed, money-based deal with Mithys.
"Don't worry about it. I just got a little homesick, that's all. I mean… it's okay to take a trip now and then, right?"
"Of course. But I believe it would be best to wait until after you become queen."
"Why?"
"Because your situation is still unstable. Once you've trained your magic and can move freely through space and time on your own, that would be a much better time to go."
Mia nodded. For now, she had to hang in there and watch how things played out. Judging by yesterday's mood, they could very well kick her out and end the whole thing. Then none of this would matter.
"I'll come see you again tomorrow morning."
Leca's gentle black eyes spoke softly. Mia asked, her voice slightly trembling,
"Why?"
"It would put your mind at ease, wouldn't it?"
"But aren't you busy? You didn't have to come all the way here. I thought you were in the middle of training."
Mia said as she looked at Leca, who was fully armed. Leca's face flushed a little.
"Please don't concern yourself with my situation. Simply give the order, and I will obey."
"...."
What is he, a robot? Mia gave a wry smile.
"Then don't come tomorrow. I'm not a child. I need to start adapting on my own."
Leca quietly stared into her eyes, as if asking, Are you really okay with that? Mia forced a bright smile.
As he vanished with a pop, Mia felt her heart pounding harder. His attitude had changed so drastically, she couldn't keep up.
In the end, it's just because I'm his "master" now...
He must have treated Mithys this way before. Spirits really are frightening. How easily they change depending on who holds the contract.
That thought brought a wave of loneliness. Shamanaz's cold expression from the night before flashed through her mind. But Mia shook it off and stood from her bed.
Get it together. This is not the time to get caught up in some silly romance.
The elders of the twelve bloodlines had gathered in a large chamber for a council. The air was tense, and everyone remained cautious and reserved.
"How is His Majesty's condition?"
One of the elders finally broke the silence. Another replied,
"He wakes occasionally and drinks a little water. But he hasn't touched a proper meal."
"..."
Heavy sighs escaped several mouths.
"We may need to advance Grand Duke Julius's coronation."
"There is another matter that must be settled first."
The oldest elder—his forehead gleaming with a diamond—spoke. He was Jakiel Meyer Lapis, Grand Vizier of Sibareth.
"The matter of the human girl."
"What's there to discuss? Even if she inherited Lady Mithys's abilities, she's still just a human from another world. We can't make a commoner our queen!"
One elder spoke harshly, and others nodded in agreement. But the elder of the Emerald bloodline shook his head.
"It's not that simple. If not her, then who do we crown?"
Silence once again filled the chamber. In Sibareth, both the king and queen had always been chosen from among the twelve royal bloodlines. In fact, the queen had to come from the same bloodline as the king.
But now, all marriageable girls from the Peridot bloodline had mysteriously died, and even the half-blood Mithys had disappeared.
"Could we not accept someone from another bloodline?"
Someone offered quietly, but their voice lacked strength.
"That would only complicate things. Out of all those noble daughters, who would we even choose?"
"Now, now, everyone."
Grand Vizier Jakiel rose. His staff was larger than any other's and glowed a deep crimson. A black diamond was embedded at its center.
"Let's put it to a vote. Those in favor of accepting the girl as queen—raise your hands."
Only three raised their hands. Jakiel scanned the room.
"Then, do the dissenters have an alternative plan?"
"As I said, I propose a candidate from another bloodline."
A few others nodded in agreement, but the rest remained silent.
"The issue is this: choosing from another bloodline now would require enormous effort and resources! Who will handle the cost and bureaucracy?"
The Emerald elder spoke with frustration, causing another wave of murmurs. Jakiel raised a hand, silencing them.
"I understand that everyone has their opinions. Now, if I may share mine?"
The room quieted immediately. Jakiel stroked his long white beard and continued.
"It's true that the girl is of lowly human origin. But if she really did inherit Mithys's abilities, then she must prove it."
"Prove it?"
"As Grand Vizier of Sibareth, I—Jakiel Meyer Lapis—propose a rite of passage for her."
"A test…?"
Jakiel nodded solemnly.
"Something like that. Even if she has the power, it's useless if undeveloped. She must show, with her own abilities, that she is capable of becoming queen of Sibareth. If she fails, then we will select a new candidate from another bloodline as discussed."
"An excellent proposal. Truly wise, Grand Vizier."
"What form would this rite take?"
One elder asked, and Jakiel made a thoughtful face.
"We shall see. First, we must teach her a few things."
After the meeting, Jakiel went to the chamber where King Minophon was resting. The king had just finished a violent coughing fit and was sitting up with the help of an attendant.
"You may remain lying down, Your Majesty!"
"I'm fine, Jakiel… Has the council ended?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I have a feeling that girl is a good child. What do you think? I wouldn't mind if she became queen."
"Do not worry, sire! With just a simple test… she will become queen."
"A test, you say? Did everyone agree?"
"Of course. And it will be… a very simple test indeed."