DYPIOOP Chapter 14

Tell Them I Said So

"Lady Elonia, what do spirits look like?"

"Are they really handsome? Is that true?"

A few young ladies asked cute questions. Elonia recalled Nyx and Nymph in her mind.

'Are they... handsome...?'

Could one even call beings who looked like infants "handsome" in the first place? Besides, all babies are cute. No matter how insufferably Nyx behaved, she couldn't count the times she'd been defeated by his plump cheeks and twinkling eyes. Just as Elonia was about to smile appropriately and answer, Baron Devney's hearty laughter echoed from afar.

"My daughter is a spirit mage, isn't she? Thanks to that, I even got to see a spirit directly, you know?"

His spirits were high, his shoulders full of power. When he'd gone to Metika Prison, he'd cut her off without hesitation in the name of family, but now he was proudly proclaiming her as his daughter. The nobles gathered around him took his exaggerated words at face value.

"Oh, what did it look like?"

"It was the spitting image of our ancestor!"

"Well, bloodlines can't be denied. That's the Devneys for you."

"Everyone who sees our Elonia will know, won't they? She has such beauty that even Duke Haelton fell for her at first sight and was completely smitten."

Wasn't the target of death switched? From the moment she met Carvel, she was the one who might die if she blinked. Thanks to his statement just now, Baron Devney had probably been added to that list too. But he was a man with no shame—not even as much salt as you'd find in tears.

"Haven't Devney descendants been born with good looks since our ancestor!"

"Oh... Right. For a baron... Two eyes, one nose, one mouth. All attached properly."

Looking at Baron Devney, it was hard to say he was particularly handsome. At a glance, he might seem to have a pleasant face, but only when he was pretending to be nice. The young ladies in front of Elonia were managing their expressions, trying to hide their disappointment at Baron Devney's distant reply. She'd expected Baron and Baroness Devney to attend if a ball was held. She just hadn't expected them to meet her expectations without deviating even an inch. If it were just her alone, it would be one thing, but now Carvel was with her for better or worse. She slyly rolled just her eyes to check on him. Carvel's sharp profile came fully into her view. He even looked exactly the same as when they'd entered the ballroom.

'Still... still smiling...'

Perhaps sensing her gaze, he even tilted his head slightly. Elonia wondered if he hadn't heard and asked again.

"Carvel, did you hear my father..."

"What are you talking about, Elonia?"

A strange expression and voice. Excessive kindness and gentlemanly behavior. Contrary to her concerns, he was too calm.

'Perfect disregard...!'

He was treating Baron Devney as if he didn't exist at all.

'Or does he mean for me to handle it myself?'

It was certainly awkward for Carvel to step in openly. Superficially, Baron Devney was openly bragging about Elonia. Not many parents would dislike a child doing well. Though Baron Devney's purpose was different—he was using her to make himself look good. Still, she couldn't just stand by and watch him quietly sell her name. Elonia hoped that later, if something happened to the Devneys, they wouldn't take her hostage and harm House Haelton—just as Baron and Baroness Devney had drawn a line when she was imprisoned in Metika. Taking a deep breath, Elonia spoke with a strong tone.

"Unfortunately, spirits aren't seen with the eyes."

It was an answer to the young ladies who'd asked kindly, but the listening ears extended all the way to where Baron Devney was. With this contradictory statement, she offered an inaudible apology inside.

'Sorry, Nyx. Just live as a ghost for today.'

Isn't that better than being told you resemble an ancestor? This was something she and Carvel had coordinated in advance since she couldn't show spirits. After all, the official ability of a spirit mage was to read the past of specific places and objects. If she did this job well, there was no need to show spirits.

'Why did I struggle to memorize everything for a month!'

If rumors spread that spirits could be seen, it would cause trouble for her too. Baron Devney, who'd overheard Elonia's words, quickly moved to salvage the situation. He changed his story as if that's what he'd meant to say from the beginning.

"I saw it with my mind's eye, that's what I'm saying!"

At his excuse, it was obvious that some were knowingly playing along. Noticing this, Baron Devney—perhaps from embarrassment—quickly added.

"Why does that matter? Once the spirit shows the past, everything's settled anyway."

"Has Baron Devney experienced it?"

At someone's casually tossed question, he cleared his throat and tried desperately to square his narrow shoulders. His voice was full of bravado.

"Of course. I've done it a few times, and it's comfortable like sleeping, very nice. You can watch it like viewing a play."

The spirits had never once readily shown anything when Elonia wanted them to. What kind of play would refuse despite audience requests? No wonder she'd memorized everything Carvel told her to. Come to think of it, she was rather resentful.

'That bastard Nyx, is he deliberately staying in child form to make me softhearted? Cunning little...'

Thinking she'd have to catch and shake him down later, Elonia addressed the young ladies who'd asked questions.

"It passes quickly like a montage. Not leisurely enough to watch comfortably. But strangely, the memory remains vivid."

This time she told only the truth. Having experienced it twice, the words flowed easily. Carvel, who'd been listening to her story beside her, slowly lowered his head. His quiet voice flowed into her ear.

"So you remember my childhood just as clearly, then."

It was delivered like a light joke. For a whisper, it wasn't particularly quiet. Though he hadn't shouted like Baron Devney, it would have been enough for the young ladies in front to hear. She could hear them letting out small exclamations without filtration. From his polite tone, she could tell he'd deliberately let it slip.

'Does he remember me saying I saw him through a spirit before?'

Looking at him, it seemed he hadn't acknowledged the spirit. He was just appropriately adding one more anecdote about her being a real spirit mage. Even something she'd mentioned in passing, he was using efficiently. His ability to pull out exactly what was needed was almost impressive.

'At this point, it's a talent. A real talent.'

Elonia shook her head inwardly and smiled along with him.

"You were exactly the same. If I stretched child Carvel's head upward, he'd look just like now."

Not that I want to grab it. Though of course, if given the opportunity, I wouldn't refuse. Carvel continued smoothly as usual.

"That's why you said he was cute."

"Yes..."

"You also said lovely."

"L-what? Who did?"

"You did."

Wasn't that a dream? She had a vague memory of calling him cute in passing, but the latter—she couldn't have said such a thing unless she'd drunk so much she drank Nyx too. She hadn't even casually considered such words. But since he shamelessly asked with his own mouth, she had nothing to say. The young ladies glanced back and forth between Baron Devney and her with their eyes. Then they excused themselves with thanks and left.

They'd definitely heard the entire conversation with Carvel. Judging by the young ladies murmuring in the distance, various words seemed to be passing about Baron Devney. Especially since some openly stared at Baron Devney in apparent surprise, it was certain.

"Baron Devney doesn't seem to know much, does he?"

"He didn't talk with Lady Elonia for very long earlier either."

"I heard she's been staying at the ducal estate since before the wedding."

"They must not be on good terms. How could she... just listen to Baron Devney saying such things."

Among them, quite a few glances flickered toward Carvel. Some startled and turned their heads when they accidentally made eye contact with Elonia. She appropriately accepted reality.

'Right. I'm cleanly giving up on my society debut first impression.'

Thanks to this, an unsettled atmosphere permeated the hall. Standing right beside Elonia, Carvel let out a small laugh and whispered.

"You were a perfect spirit mage."

"It's all thanks to you, Carvel."

"I know."

Having returned to his arrogant self, he answered with one corner of his mouth tilted. That wasn't a compliment. Everyone else is being fooled. That insufferable appearance is his true nature. As she lightly rolled her eyes, the orchestra's gentle music abruptly stopped. In an instant, people parted to both sides like a tide. Soon a figure in imperial knight uniform opened the door and shouted loudly.

"Her Highness Aselir Espidia enters."

Behind the knight appeared the hem of a blue dress.

Her flowing golden hair seemed to shine together with the chandelier, creating an illusion. Contrary to her lofty appearance without a single flaw, the gentle smile on her face made her image much softer. Beside her, a familiar face with a rather expressionless look was escorting Aselir.

'His Highness Lifrey...?'

Before Elonia could be surprised, they walked toward the center of the hall with light steps. Soon the orchestra resumed its paused performance. Elonia subtly raised her heels. She tried to match Carvel's height as much as possible, but couldn't catch up to him, who towered over her by a head. She leaned her upper body close to him and whispered.

"He rushed to enter the palace—it must have been to escort Her Highness Aselir."

Instead of answering, Carvel turned his body sharply. Having been leaning against him, she nearly lost her balance for a moment. Barely standing straight, Elonia found Carvel extending his hand before her. She glared at him sulkily and asked.

"What's this?"

"As you can see, I'm asking my fiancée for the first dance."

Not that I didn't know that. But Elonia returned the answer with the same smiling face as him. When she extended her hand, Carvel lightly pulled her with strength. Naturally led, his large hand caught Elonia's waist. If she raised her head just a little, she could see his sharp jawline.

'Ugh, so close.'

As she instinctively flinched, he took a step closer, pressing their bodies together, and said with a smile.

"Where did the Elonia who confidently said to look forward to it go?"

"What are you talking about? I'm right here before your eyes."

When she held her neck straight, he let out a soft laugh and adjusted his grip on her hand. As the music flowed, Carvel led her skillfully. It was much easier than when she'd learned with Miss Melton. But Carvel wasn't one to just watch himself be led. He quietly instructed in time with the music.

"Relax."

Tap. The fingers around her waist moved lightly.