DYPIOOP Chapter 22

Slow In Mind But Fast In Body

It was a topic she could neither provide nor intended to provide. Not that she didn't understand Amy's point. The maid continued while tidying:

"The previous duke passed away early too."

Elonia already knew this from what she'd been told. Thanks to that, House Haelton had no one who could be called an adult. Only Carvel alone. When memorizing the family genealogy, there had apparently been considerable debate about succession when he, barely an adult from a branch family, inherited the title. Even that had subsided when Carvel distinguished himself suppressing the rebels.

'The empress passed away early too. The previous generation of House Haelton had many troubles.'

In the midst of all that, he seemed impressive for holding out without marrying until now. Though that was only possible because the decision rested entirely with him. Perhaps embarrassed by her solitary rambling, Amy bustled out of the room.

"Then I'll prepare you for bed right away!"

Watching the door close instantly, Elonia sank into a chair. Aselir's gift on the vanity naturally caught her eye. She casually picked it up and opened the case. Inside was a hairpin set with a large ruby. Perhaps because it came bearing the imperial name, even a casual glance showed it was expensive. As she was lightly brushing it with her hand—

[Want a potato?]

A cheerful voice asked beside her. Startled, she turned toward the sound to find Gnome grinning.

"Gnome!"

She looked around, but didn't see Nymph. As if knowing what she was searching for, he answered first.

[Nymph went to play with fireflies!]

"Oh, then can you tell Nymph later that I'm grateful for the training grounds today?"

[Sure, how kind!]

He smiled broadly and lightly flew up onto the vanity. Though stepping on things wouldn't leave marks anyway, Gnome performed acrobatics, dodging objects by lifting his heels. When she quickly cleared the vanity surface for him, he grinned.

[Nymph will pick wild strawberries tomorrow. Want to eat some?]

"Can I have some?"

Thinking of tiny Nymph, picking two or three strawberries seemed like all she could manage. But Gnome nodded vigorously enough to shake his whole body. When she poked his plump cheek with her finger, he answered brightly:

[It's more fun to eat together!]

His bouncing excitement made him seem like a child his age—it was heartwarming. If she ever needed to show spirits, requesting help from Nymph and Gnome seemed like a good idea. Her spirit mage appointment was still pending too, so the timing was perfect. While wondering how to bring it up, Gnome spoke first.

[You don't ask to be shown things like other people do?]

"Mm?"

[The person I met a thousand years ago asked immediately!]

"Ah..."

At words that felt like he'd read her mind, she let out an exclamation. She couldn't bring herself to admit she was the same. Unaware of Elonia's true feelings, he giggled.

[Good. Since you said you didn't want potatoes, I'll give you this instead.]

He flew up lightly and briefly kissed her forehead. Immediately, a cool sensation spread through her entire body. Scenes flashed rapidly through her mind as if echoing in a cave. Aselir was inside them.

"I'm thinking of sending a gift to Duke Haelton's fiancée—what would be good?"

"You mean the lady they call a spirit mage?"

"Right. You saw her at the ball?"

"Of course. She didn't seem like someone who enjoys luxury, Your Highness."

In response to her question directed toward the carriage window, an unseen woman replied. The unfamiliar voice was unidentifiable.

'Judging by the formal speech, she's not a lady-in-waiting...'

Aselir asked, sounding troubled:

"I prepared a necklace, but is it too much my taste?"

Only then did Elonia notice—Aselir seemed to sparkle all over. From rings studded with individual gems to her necklace. Despite such splendor, it didn't register, overshadowed by her appearance. At her question, the woman outside the window suggested carefully:

"Then shall I recommend something, Your Highness?"

"Would you?"

With that brightening response, the memory continued no further. Gnome had apparently shown her about Aselir's gift. It was trivial enough that she needn't have seen it.

'She could get recommendations for gifts. It's coming under the imperial name anyway.'

It was a memory whose meaning she couldn't grasp, but she wanted to thank Gnome for showing his ability. However, Gnome had already vanished without a trace.

'He was just here a moment ago?'

Wondering where he'd flown off to, she searched thoroughly from the vanity to the floor. She even opened all the drawers, but Gnome was nowhere to be found. As she straightened up in resignation—

Knock, knock. She heard knocking.

"Come in."

The door opened with Carvel's familiar voice. Looking at the vanity in disarray from her search, he seemed lost in thought. Rubbing his chin as he observed, he said seriously:

"If you dislike something, tell me rather than tormenting the servants, Miss Elonia."

"I know what you're thinking, but no."

Despite her firm answer, Carvel merely shrugged. Even at this late hour, his attire was impeccable. He looked like someone who'd just returned from outside. Sensing her scrutiny, he spoke first.

"From now on, when you come to the training grounds, make sure to keep at least three knights in front of you."

She stared at him, wondering if he was serious. Carvel smiled skillfully.

"This could happen again. This time it was a wooden sword, but next time it might be a blade."

"Do swords fly around the training grounds that often?"

"No, but you experienced that rare once."

He spoke gently.

"You're a precious spirit mage now, aren't you? You must take care of yourself."

There was nothing to say to that. Since she had no intention of going to the training grounds anyway, she brushed it off.

"Did you find another supplier well?"

"Mm. Many are overwhelmed by the volume given House Haelton's number of knights."

That would be overwhelming. Elonia nodded lightly. It wasn't genuine agreement. Carvel tilted his lips at an angle, asking with interest:

"What's with that reaction?"

"I don't think it's really about the volume."

The guild interior she'd seen through the spirit's ability had been quite well-managed. Even with a good reputation, consistently maintaining that standard wasn't easy. If Carvel had been dealing with such a place, other suppliers would likely fall short. Catching her implication, he let out a small laugh.

"Right. When I gave them a piece of my mind because no place was satisfactory, Greythur's face went white."

Imagining him delivering crushing blows with that face while smiling and speaking gently—more than enough reason. Carvel shrugged and got to the point.

"I heard the imperial palace sent something."

"You heard already?"

"I have my methods."

Somehow it didn't seem like a normal method. Thinking asking would only make her blood pressure spike, Elonia smoothly moved on.

"Her Highness Aselir sent a gift. What she said at the ball must have been true."

"You mean about not knowing who you were so she couldn't send a gift."

She nodded lightly and held up the pin. From the memory Gnome had shown, it seemed a gift given with some consideration. Holding it lightly to her hair, she looked in the mirror and asked:

"How is it? Does it suit me?"

"That one?"

He appeared in the mirror behind her. Seeing him smile with his usual expression, it clearly didn't please him. Since she'd never expected kind words anyway, Elonia frowned and answered:

"Never mind. I can guess what you'd say without asking."

She quickly replaced the pin and closed the case with a sharp click. Then Carvel gestured with his chin.

"I'd like to borrow that."

Wait, does he want this too? Stunned speechless, Elonia turned around and asked:

"How did you know it was a jewel?"

"It's obvious what they'd send."

He strode over and reached his long arm past Elonia from behind. His reflection in the mirror showed him taking the case as if he'd been waiting for it. Elonia glared at him through the mirror.

"Be honest. You came for the jewel, didn't you?"

At a glance, his opening remarks were just groundwork for starting the conversation. She shot him a sidelong look through narrowed eyes. Despite the pointed gaze, he calmly opened the case to examine the pin. Judging by how intently he focused as if appraising it, her assumption seemed correct. When he even tilted his head as if something didn't satisfy him, Elonia opened the vanity drawer and asked:

"There are lots of gifts that came in—want me to show you?"

"I already checked the others."

When did he see those? Elonia couldn't help turning her head. Simultaneously—click—closing the case, he held it up ostentatiously.

"I'll borrow it briefly. Won't take long."

His gray eyes were indifferent. More precisely, he didn't seem particularly interested in the case he held. His demeanor of merely fulfilling an obligation briefly raised questions, but Elonia simply nodded.

Waking in the morning, Elonia hesitated. She couldn't identify what lay in the basket at her door.

[What's this?]

Nyx, clinging to her shoulder, voiced Elonia's thoughts. Amy also seemed to be seeing it for the first time.

"Someone must have left a gift. They could have given it to someone else to deliver, really."

Since many items had arrived for Elonia after the ball, Amy picked up the basket without suspicion. However, after checking the basket's contents, she spoke with bewilderment:

"Oh my. Wild strawberries?"

They weren't appropriate as a gift. They'd spoil quickly, and wild strawberries held no great value to House Haelton. If the recipient were a delicately raised young lady, she might rage in fury—claiming insult. The giver couldn't have cultivated them personally, and no effort went into obtaining them, so from any angle it could only offend.

'Though if spirits gave them, that would be different.'

Not that she could say they were Nymph's gift. Unaware of this, Amy voiced her complaint in a somewhat exaggerated tone:

"How dare someone give this to my lady!"

"I requested it."

"How magnificent!"

At Elonia's reflexive answer, Amy changed her tune even more smoothly.

"Shall I have the head chef make jam?"

She even demonstrated the capacity to prepare the next step with determination, as if she'd never been angry. Hearing this, Gnome waved both hands in protest.

[We're going to share them with the spirit mage!]

Elonia's gaze slid downward. Gnome looked full of worry that someone might snatch the basket. Judging by his early morning visit, he'd come to eat strawberries. Forgetting all his grumbling. Nyx even whispered near her ear, thinking she didn't know:

[Nymph brought those.]

As if anyone wouldn't think of Nymph when wild strawberries appeared at this point. Elonia showed no reaction to the surrounding commotion. Instead, she simply extended her hand naturally.

"Amy, prepare dishes. I'll hold onto the basket."

"Oh, shall I?"

"I was just craving wild strawberries. Perfect timing."

With Gnome and Nyx present, she'd laid appropriate groundwork. That way, no one would be surprised when an entire basket heaped with strawberries disappeared completely. Amy handed over the basket and nodded eagerly.

"I'll return shortly!"

"No! Take your time. Take your time!"

She hadn't had proper time to converse with the spirits, so now was the right moment. But Amy was diligent and devoted.

"When my lady wants something, you should have it quickly!"

"I meant you should take your time mentally. I don't want you making mistakes by rushing."

Amy's eyes shone as if moved.

"Yes! Then I'll be slow in mind but fast in body!"