The carriage pulled up in front of the small western-style house. Li Yue lifted her skirt and stepped down, letting out a sigh of relief. The events that had just transpired left her not only exhausted but also irritated. As for the play she had been looking forward to, she no longer cared about it at all.
Kelly stood by the roadside and took Li Yue's hand. In that moment, she suddenly realized just how beautiful the young woman before her was—like a moon suspended in a mirrored sky, or a begonia basking in the sun.
“I almost thought you were a princess from some foreign land,” Kelly teased with a smile. “The things you’ve experienced these past few days are more than what we see in half a year.”
“It seems these were all organized and planned attacks,” Li Yue sighed helplessly once more.
“Don’t keep sighing like that; you’ll chase away your good luck.” Kelly supported Li Yue as they slowly walked back into the small house, a place that was starting to feel like home to her.
“My luck has never been very good,” Li Yue said with a small smile. “Maybe if things keep going like this, the tide will finally turn.”
As she spoke, Li Yue let out another playful sigh. She gently slipped off her high heels and carried them in her hand, her smooth, fair feet padding softly against the floor.
...
Inside a high tower, a young girl rested her cheek on her hand, writing on a sheet of pristine white stationery. She gently removed a ring from her ring finger and tucked it into the envelope. Waving toward the window, a small bird flew over and snatched the letter in its beak. She turned to look into the distance, appearing to be in a quite pleasant mood.
“My Lady, aren’t you going to watch the competition for this year’s freshmen?” a woman with glasses in the corner spoke softly, as if afraid to disturb Clo’s good mood.
“I have absolutely no interest. There’s nothing to see in a bunch of people who don’t understand magic at all.” Clo stood up and clapped her hands, admiring the bare ring finger on her left hand in the sunlight.
“Where is the Scepter Ring from your right hand?”
“I gave it away,” Clo replied nonchalantly.
“You gave it away?”
“Mhm.”
“How could you? That is a symbol of your status and—”
“If I use that, I won’t have to go through the trouble of writing letters, and they won’t be intercepted.” She placed heavy emphasis on the word 'intercepted,' clearly still harboring a grudge over previous events.
“But there are other methods and artifacts that could have achieved the same thing...”
“It just so happens that I sent a ring, so now two people have the same one. How nice, and how well they match.” Clo smiled, her hands swaying in the sunlight. The light caught her pale blue nails, making them shimmer.
“Just who is this person...”
“I’ll be participating in next year’s freshman activities,” Clo said, drawing the curtains and letting out a yawn.
“Will the person you’re waiting for actually come?” The woman paused. “Who exactly is that person?”
“A true genius, and a beauty capable of toppling cities.” Clo smiled, her grin widening particularly at the word 'toppling.' Her expression held a mix of playfulness, pride, and genuine happiness.
“Yes,” Clo murmured with a smile, stepping leisurely back into her room.
...
“Miss Nolan, there’s a letter for you.” Kelly brought a gold-embossed envelope to Li Yue. The latter blinked, surprised that something so ornate was merely a letter.
A letter? From Captain Roland? No, the style isn't right. Could it be from Clo?
She gently opened the envelope, and a red ring tumbled out onto her lap. Li Yue stared at it for a moment, not immediately realizing what it was.
She picked it up to examine it, then opened the folded letter with a trace of surprise and bewilderment.
The first thing she saw was a hand-drawn illustration of a blue-haired girl giving a wink. The corners of Li Yue's mouth quirked up involuntarily as she lowered her gaze to read the text.
To the stubborn lady who says she doesn't miss me but does in her heart:
All has been well lately, except for the academy's administrative staff accidentally rejecting your letters, which is why I only just received yours. Fortunately, I've found a new method.
Did you receive my ring? Wear it on your left ring finger, and you'll be able to summon my familiar.
Give it a try!
Li Yue was stunned. Although she knew the meaning of wearing a ring on the ring finger, this was an isekai world, so it probably wasn't an issue... right?
She gently slid the ring onto her finger. The image of the blue-haired girl appeared in her mind—the girl who knew everything about her but accepted it all regardless. Clo seemed to be the only person she could truly confide in.
A chibi version of Clo suddenly appeared out of thin air. She had tiny devil wings that flapped rhythmically as she hovered, clutching a letter in her arms as if eager to give it to Li Yue.
Li Yue gently opened it. This was also a letter.
“The appearance of this familiar is actually a projection of ourselves. I just thought my real self would be too serious, so I changed it to a chibi version. Isn't it cute?”
Li Yue’s face flushed slightly, and her mood improved considerably. Chatting with Clo was the most relaxing thing she had done in a long time.
After some thought, Li Yue wrote to Clo about the recent incidents involving Caesar. Even though they were troublesome matters, it felt good to have someone to talk to. After all, Clo was likely the person who understood her best in this world.
She tucked her letter into the familiar’s arms. The little creature seemed very happy, vanishing on the spot while clutching the message.
Li Yue was amused by the little Clo, resting her face in her hand with a gentle smile.
“A new ring? And such a happy smile... you didn't get a marriage proposal from someone you like, did you?” Kelly stared in surprise at the ring on Li Yue’s finger.
“It’s a gift from a friend. She said I must wear it on this finger.” Li Yue smiled, showing no intention of taking it off.
“Should I give you a few days off?” Kelly asked tentatively.
“No need. She’s very far away.”
“Is that so? Then I don’t have to worry about giving you maternity leave right after your vacation?” Kelly gave her a knowing, matchmaker's grin before quickly scurrying away.
Li Yue froze, taking a few seconds to process the comment. A moment later, her face turned bright red. She gently touched her own abdomen, Kelly’s words still echoing in her head.
Well... my body probably doesn't count as a normal woman's. I've never had a period, and I don't have a heart. But if it's Clo, she could probably manage it...
Wait, what am I thinking?!!
...
In a quiet room, a girl in a black dress and veil emerged from a shimmering phantom image, holding a letter with a faint smile on her lips.
It’s been a while since I last saw you. You might have forgotten some of those small experiences, but I remember them all.
Fainting outside the old castle and being picked up by me, wandering the mountains together, traveling to other towns, eating delicious food... until that time you lost your memory again, and I woke you up in the carriage.
It’s been a long time since I lived so freely, even if I’ve never truly lived for myself.
I don't dare let you know about those lost memories because you look so tired. Even though I tried my best to stop it—the wars, the murders, even trying to stop you from coming to the academy—fate simply refused to change.
She looked at the recorded phantom of the young woman, at the face with that faint, gentle smile, and shook her head with a sigh.
I’m thinking too much. Right now, what I should be focusing on is...
Her hand gently brushed against Li Yue’s illusory cheek.
“It’s so good to see you again, my dear Miss Li Yue.”
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