The sound of cheerful birdsong filled the air.
Soon after, the sunlight streaming through the window warmed Luce’s closed eyelids. He stirred slightly, feeling the light, and finally sat up in bed. Stretching with a yawn, he suddenly paused as he noticed someone sitting beside his bed. Mikhail was asleep in the chair, leaning against the bed.
“…”
Luce vaguely recalled an important conversation but couldn’t remember the details. He ran his fingers through his disheveled hair, remembering that without magic, he’d have to wash up the old-fashioned way. He sighed in annoyance.
Mikhail slept peacefully, holding the book he had picked up the night before, now halfway open. Luce tried to carefully remove the book from Mikhail’s grasp, but as he did, Mikhail’s eyes fluttered open.
“…You’re awake? I tried not to disturb you.”
Mikhail blinked a few times, still half-asleep. He rubbed his cheek, which had been pressed against the bed.
“…I can’t believe it’s already this late. I didn’t realize I fell asleep here.”
“I’m going to wash up now. If you’re still tired, you can lie down on my bed. I’ll wake you later.”
“No, thank you.”
Mikhail shook his head, suddenly wide awake. He stood up slowly from the chair.
“Did you have any more dreams after that?”
“Ah…”
Luce realized he hadn’t woken up again after falling asleep.
“No, I actually slept quite well.”
“Then it was good that I stayed by your side.”
Mikhail looked pleased with himself. His silver hair was a mess, and there was a clear imprint on his cheek from the blanket.
“…If you say so.”
Luce glanced at Mikhail before turning and heading to the bathroom. A faint smile played on his lips, unseen by Mikhail. Despite his childish behavior, there was something endearing about him.
***
The carriage ride had become almost too familiar. Their next stop was their destination: Hildeke Mountain. Mikhail checked the map and glanced at Luce sitting across from him.
“We’ll be arriving at Hildeke Mountain soon.”
Luce, who had been gazing out the window, turned to look at Mikhail.
“Really? Finally, we’re here.”
“Before we arrive, is there anything you want to tell me?”
“Hmm?”
Luce found the question odd and turned to face Mikhail directly.
“Like, maybe you’re actually Adrian?”
“…”
Luce was taken aback. He opened his mouth slightly but then closed it, raising an eyebrow. Mikhail’s suggestion was so unexpected that Luce was at a loss for words.
“…”
“Why are you so quiet?”
“…I’m just shocked by such a ridiculous idea.”
Luce let out a short laugh, shaking his head.
“Is it really that absurd?”
Mikhail tilted his head, a curious smile on his face.
“It doesn’t seem entirely impossible to me.”
“What are you talking about? If I were a dragon pretending to be Adrian, why wouldn’t I have told you?”
Luce shrugged, trying to maintain his composure as he spoke to Mikhail. He made an effort to keep his usual tone, despite the tension. Mikhail stared at Luce, his expression a mix of resentment, confusion, and a glimmer of hope.
“Well, if that’s the case, I should be the one asking you,” Mikhail said.
His eyes held a blend of emotions that even he found hard to define—a longing for Adrian to be alive in some form.
“I’m sorry, but Adrian’s body is somewhere,” Luce said, omitting the crucial detail that it was in his lair. Without his magic, he couldn’t show Mikhail the body made from mandrake. For example, it’s in my lair right now.
Mikhail murmured, “Somewhere…”
If Adrian’s body was somewhere on this continent, as Luce claimed. Mikhail recalled Luce’s warning about the consequences of his wish.
“I told you that you’d regret making that wish,” Luce said.
“That’s-” Mikhail met Luce’s gaze steadily. “Whether I regret it or not remains to be seen.”
Just then, a knock at the carriage door announced their arrival at Hildeke Mountain. Mikhail stepped out first, followed by Luce, who sighed inwardly.
Hildeke Mountain was quiet and serene, like any other mountain. Mikhail stopped the escorting knights from following them.
“Wait here,” he ordered.
“But, Your Highness, we-“
“It’s not that dangerous a mountain. I’ve been here countless times,” Mikhail insisted.
He wanted to explore the area where Adrian had fallen with Luce alone. The knights agreed to wait, and Mikhail nodded to Luce, signaling him to follow. They climbed the mountain in silence.
“I’ll show you exactly where Adrian fell,” Mikhail said.
“Alright. We should check the cliff and the area below it,” Luce replied.
Mikhail glanced at Luce, his expression sharp. “You know, many experts have already searched the area. Just looking won’t be enough. Do you have a plan?”
“I intended to use magic, but-” Luce scratched his cheek. “I didn’t expect to lose my powers so suddenly.”
Mikhail’s piercing gaze softened briefly before he looked away. “Well, we’re here now. We should at least check.”
Luce was about to nod in agreement when Mikhail suddenly turned his head, scanning the forest around them. Luce watched him, puzzled.
“Why? …Ouch!” Luce exclaimed as Mikhail abruptly stopped and raised his arm to block Luce’s path.
“Quiet,” Mikhail whispered, his hand on his sword.
They heard the rustling of leaves, and both turned to see arrows flying toward them. Mikhail pulled Luce close, shielding him. The arrow landed at their feet. Luce quickly grabbed it, examining the finely crafted shaft.
“We don’t have time for this. We need to move,” Mikhail urged, pulling Luce’s arm.
Luce ignored him, studying the arrow. “It’s the same as before,” he muttered.
A rough-looking man emerged from the woods, followed by more assailants, surrounding them. Mikhail tried to shield Luce, but they were outnumbered and encircled.
[Finally, the knights are gone.]
The man spoke in a foreign language, not the common tongue of the continent. Luce couldn’t understand him and frowned in frustration. Mikhail, however, responded fluently in the same language.
[What do you want?]
Luce felt a glimmer of hope, trusting that Ordinas would restore his powers in this dire situation. He whispered to Mikhail, “Stall them.”
Before Mikhail could react, Luce raised his right arm, mimicking a spell-casting pose. The attackers hesitated, glancing at each other and their leader. But no magic happened, and Luce lowered his arm in disappointment.
“…It’s no use,” he muttered.
Their enemies, realizing Luce couldn’t use magic, advanced with renewed confidence. The leader gestured, and they closed in.
[What are you waiting for? Capture them.]
Luce and Mikhail braced themselves for the impending fight, surrounded and outnumbered.
