Chapter 27: A Curious Encounter

After lunch, I chose not to venture out. My intention was to remain by Nina’s side, or rather, to use her companionship as a convenient pretext to keep a close watch on Lily’s activities.

Indeed, a sense of unease still clung to me. While I remained oblivious to Lily’s true purpose in coming here, I knew I couldn’t possibly leave Nina unattended as long as she stayed.

Had I foreseen this, I would have simply lodged at an inn elsewhere. It had never crossed my mind that Emma would introduce such a familiar face!

“What peace.”

Gazing through the window at the two children frolicking outside, Lily offered a gentle smile.

I had encountered her by chance in the corridor, and as we walked side-by-side, we happened to glance into the courtyard, where Nina and Emma were playing.

Undoubtedly, the scene radiated tranquility.

To most people, especially the residents of the royal capital of Brandis, it must have seemed as though the world had always been profoundly peaceful, having never directly experienced the ravages of war.

Yet, as a royal lady-in-waiting, Lily was acutely aware of the trials faced by the soldiers fighting on the front lines, and the weary, often broken states in which they were returned.

Conflict had been constant: first the struggle against the Demon King, then skirmishes with neighboring countries, and now the deployment of troops to purge monsters.

Casualties never ceased. Only I, in my youth, remained oblivious to such matters, carefree and protected by my mother and Lily.

However, it was only after meeting Bella that a crucial question arose in my mind: the Demon King had never ordered an attack on humans, so why were we fighting her?

I had once asked Bella about the animosity between humans and demons, but she had merely brushed me off with a vague, ‘I’m not sure either.’

These were significant political affairs, and it was unlikely that I, a person devoid of magic, would ever have the opportunity to intervene.

Perhaps Lily was simply prone to melancholy. After my mother, she was the gentlest person I had ever met, though a hint of sorrow always lingered in her expression, making her seem somewhat fragile.

“It’s true,” I concurred. “The Demon King has been vanquished, and the conflict with Muran has ended. It’s far more peaceful than before; even our small village is now utterly serene.”

“A peaceful small village? That sounds rather uncommon.”

“…Is something the matter?”

For some inexplicable reason, Lily was now staring at my face with a faint smile. Her expression, which had been tinged with melancholy moments ago, seemed to have brightened.

“Ken, you’re much more relaxed now than before. When you first returned, you were so tense you barely dared to move.”

“Ah… was I that obvious?”

Indeed, Lily’s observational skills were formidable. Or perhaps my nervousness had simply been too transparent?

“After all… I never expected to meet you in a place like this.”

“I recall you saying ‘farewell forever’ when you helped me. Do you truly wish to avoid seeing me so much?”

“That… that was just a casual remark. My apologies…”

“Hee hee~ Even so, I was truly grateful for your assistance back then.”

“No, Miss Lily, you are a fox spirit, aren’t you? With nine tails, you must have cultivated for ages. You hardly needed help from someone like me, who can’t even use magic.”

“…!”

As my words faded, Lily’s eyes widened slightly, as if she had heard something utterly astonishing.

“Ken, how do you know that?”

“Are you referring to…”

“We fox spirits have always avoided the mortal world. Logically, no one outside the royal family I serve should know the connection between tails and cultivation. So why do you…”

“…Ah!”

It suddenly dawned on me that Lily would never discuss her race with outsiders. Consequently, most humans knew little about fox spirits, let alone a commoner like myself.

It felt as though I had inadvertently exposed a grave secret!

“Could it be that you’ve encountered other fox spirits besides me?”

“No, no, no! That’s not it at all. You are the first fox spirit I’ve ever met.”

“But how do you know about me? Could it be…” Lily’s gaze shifted to Nina, observing her for a long moment, then returned to me. “White hair. You and…”

“No! Absolutely not! While my daughter has white hair, it has nothing to do with the Saintess!”

“How did you know I was going to ask about the Saintess?”

“Because Emma has already questioned me about it.”

“I see. Since I am the first fox spirit you’ve met, could it be that we’ve encountered each other somewhere before? No, Nina is only around ten years old, and the white-haired one left about ten years ago… Zero?”

“!?”

In that instant, I felt every pore on my body constrict, and my hair bristled.

Zero. Why had she suddenly uttered my name? Was it all because of the white hair? What exactly was Lily suspecting?

‘No, I must remain calm. At the very least, I need to feign ignorance of that Zero fellow!’

“Miss Lily, the Zero you speak of is…”

“Ah, never mind. I was just talking to myself. So, Ken, how did you come to know about fox spirits?”

“Well… I merely heard rumors. One time, while I was gathering herbs, I was attacked by monsters. A passing army rescued me, and as I traveled with them, I overheard someone discussing a nine-tailed fox spirit. So that’s how…”

“Ah, so that’s how it was. Sigh… It seems I still need to be more careful. To think I was overheard. Who could it have been?” she muttered softly.

Lily lowered her head, murmuring to herself. The furrow in her brow indicated she was deeply bothered by outsiders knowing her secrets.

So, Lily was this secretive about her affairs? She had never explicitly forbidden sharing such information, perhaps merely not wanting to appear too unusual. In truth, she must have cared immensely.

‘My apologies, soldiers. I’ve thrown you under the bus, but I won’t be offering any compensation.’

However, Lily’s expression had already darkened when she mentioned “Zero” earlier. I wondered what had transpired in the palace after I left.

It was impossible not to care. For over a decade, my family had been a constant worry, yet I couldn’t possibly return. Therefore… I decided to ask now.

“Miss Lily, you seem to hold this person named Zero in high regard?”

“Eh? Ah… yes, he is… someone very important to me.”

“Important? Then, could you tell me a little about him? Your expression just now seemed troubled.”

“Oh dear, was it? I’m truly sorry to have shown you such a sight. Zero, he… how to put it… he was a child I raised from a very young age, like… my own son. I always cherished him dearly, but… he is no longer with us…”

After speaking only these few vague words, Lily gently covered her lips and closed her eyes, appearing as if she were on the verge of tears.

‘My own son…’ So, it wasn’t just my mother; even Lily regarded me as such a significant presence? If she was this heartbroken, then my mother must be… I could already envision my mother weeping.

While I didn’t know how much intrinsic value I possessed without my ‘Prism,’ my mother was the one who raised me. She would never abandon me, so I could be certain that losing me had caused her immense suffering.

The Queen adopting a child was no secret, but no one yet knew that adopted son had gone missing. Given the sensitive circumstances, they likely couldn’t openly search for my whereabouts.

A wave of guilt washed over me at the thought. I felt an impulsive urge to reveal my identity and have Lily take me back.

But that was impossible. Just as my mother cherished me, I, too, could not abandon Nina now.

“My apologies, Miss Lily. I’ve brought up unpleasant memories.”

“No, please don’t mind it.”

I deliberately turned my head away, unwilling to witness Lily’s sorrow. Yet, from the corner of my eye, I could still see her wiping away tears.

I truly was unforgivable. This was the first time in my life I had made Lily cry.

I needed to change the subject quickly.

“By the way, Miss Lily, may I inquire about your relationship with Emma?”

“Emma?”

“Yes, it’s just… a little curiosity. You see, I’m just a country bumpkin, unversed in the ways of the world, so… I wanted to understand.”

“I see. Actually, it’s nothing particularly special. Her mother and I have a good relationship, and I occasionally visit Emma.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is.”

A good relationship? To be honest, this was the first I’d heard of Lily having friends outside. Then again, I was just a child back then; there was no need to tell me too much. Adults, after all, have their own social circles.

I had thought Emma herself might have connections to the royal palace, which would have meant significant trouble for me. It turned out to be merely an acquaintance with Lily.

“Speaking of which, I just heard from Emma that you helped her when she was out,” Lily suddenly inquired.

“Ah, that. I was just passing by.”

“Like meeting me this morning?”

“Ah… something like that.”

“Hee hee~ What a curious twist of fate.”

“Indeed…”

Though I wasn’t particularly keen on being with Emma; she was utterly mischievous.

“That child has caused me quite a bit of trouble, but she’s also been a great help. When I go out, Nina won’t be without care.”

“It’s true that Emma can be a bit naughty. Please forgive her; her family doesn’t have much time to spend with her. She must be delighted to meet someone as excellent as you.”

“Not at all. I’m just an ordinary person. It’s my honor that a young lady and a noblewoman such as yourself are willing to converse with me.”

“Hee hee hee~ Look at you. I’m merely a common lady-in-waiting.”

No, she was anything but common. Serving the royal family for centuries, even the most polite words couldn’t describe her as ordinary.

It was I who had the right to call myself ordinary, for I was utterly confident in my disguise over the past decade — though facing Lily now made me feel somewhat guilty.

Nonetheless, these humble words brought a smile back to Lily’s face, and that reassured me.

“Papa!” Nina’s voice echoed from the courtyard as she waved at me. “Come quickly!”

“Big Brother Ken!”

“Alright! Please excuse me, Miss Lily.”

“Very well.”

With a casual wave, I departed from Lily’s side.

I felt a pang of reluctance. Though we were still within the same estate, opportunities for us to speak alone were rare.

If only I could meet her again as ‘Zero,’ that would be even better. But that was likely impossible, wasn’t it?

I couldn’t help but… miss the days of old.

***

“Ken… is truly an incredible person, or perhaps… he was always like this? Hee hee~ But, all with white hair… Speaking of which, the Demon King also has white hair… I wonder if her descendant has been found yet…”