As the evening slowly descended and the gentle light of the candles filled the library, we decided to make our way back. My steps led me through the silent corridor until I finally entered my room and collapsed onto the soft bed. The room was illuminated by a warm glow emanating from the flickering candles, casting their gentle shadows on the walls. As I stretched out on the bed, my mind filled with the reports of the nature spirits, who told me about their experiences and insights.
Meanwhile, my gaze fell upon the desk that stood against one wall of the room. Resting on it was a stack of papers, neatly piled, and a feather. Filled with curiosity, I rose from the bed and walked purposefully toward the desk. The feather felt light in my hand, and I began to write down some of the most important information.
It was distressing to learn that there was not only the illness plaguing this community, but also the poor supply and living conditions. The icy winter months extended for the majority of the year, and it only got slightly warmer for a short period of two to three months when the snow subsided. The only hope for goods and support came from the distant kingdom of Sirenaia, where King Duvall ruled. However, the remote territory of Duke Drakonov not only struggled with the challenges of the cold weather, but also with the threat of numerous monsters dwelling in the surrounding mountains and forests. This regularly led to shortages and a lack of resources. Nevertheless, Duke Drakonov was rich due to his successful Mana Stone mine. In his rule, there were many knights, mercenaries, and miners, and one of his primary tasks was to fight the monsters and ensure the safety of his people. It was clear that his attention and efforts were mainly focused on strengthening the strength of his armies and defending the land. Haa... However, I had to focus on healing the sick first. One problem at a time.
Suddenly, Wolfram interrupted me, who stood unnoticed in my room. His voice softly entered my thoughts, "Apologies for the interruption, but the Duke is summoning you." Confused by my deep immersion in my thoughts, which made me overlook the knocking on the door, I quickly got up and followed Wolfram through the corridors of the castle. Our destination was the Duke's study, a room of impressive size and furnishings.
The walls were filled to the brim with books, their spines arranged in orderly rows representing the knowledge and history of the land. In the center of the room, two magnificent sofas faced each other, flanked by an elegant table. At the end of the room, there was a grand desk covered with papers carrying the weight of the Duke's responsibilities and concerns. Behind the desk was an impressive window that revealed a view of the majestic landscape.
The Duke was seated at the desk and rose as we entered the study. He walked calmly to one of the sofas and took a seat, while Wolfram positioned himself behind him. His voice sounded serious and tense as he spoke, "Have a seat." Obediently, I took a seat across from him on the other sofa.
"..." Both of them stared at me, and only now did I realize that I had been so absorbed in observing him that I hadn't listened to his words, even though his lips had clearly moved.
"Could you please repeat that?" I stammered, embarrassed to cover up my lack of focus.
"Haa... Thank you," he replied, slightly annoyed, and I felt the tense atmosphere between us thicken.
"There's no need to thank me," I hurriedly said, trying to lighten the mood. "Since I'm already here, should I give you the blessing as promised?"
"That won't be necessary," he replied coolly, and the room seemed to fill with even more tension.
Wolfram finally broke the tense silence by suggesting, "How about a drink?" He went to an elegant sideboard where a bottle and two glasses were placed. With skillful hands, he placed a glass in front of me and another in front of the Duke. Then he uncorked the bottle, and a dark red wine poured into the glasses. The deep red liquid shimmered seductively in the candlelight, and my anticipation grew. It had been a while since I had last had a drink. Here, one was considered of legal drinking age at 15, even 14 for girls. Although personally, I thought it was too young, I couldn't complain about a glass of wine now.
I took the glass in my hand and brought it to my lips. A sweet, fruity taste filled my mouth, and I couldn't remember the last time I had something so delicious. My throat was caressed by the gentle sweetness of the wine, and I emptied the glass in one gulp. The Duke had barely sipped from his glass when Wolfram was already pouring my second glass. This time, I decided to drink more slowly to prolong the enjoyment. But the allure of the wine overwhelmed me, and before I realized it, the bottle was already empty. Each sip contributed to the relaxation of the tension in my body. I wasn't drunk, but I wasn't entirely sober either. Moreover, I could easily remove the alcohol from my body with my magic if necessary. At least that's what I convinced myself.
"I don't want to go back!" I muttered to myself. The words escaped my lips, accompanied by a wave of despair. "You might as well kill me yourself." Both of them stared at me with wide eyes. "What do you mean, Lord Hikaru?" Wolfram asked with a concerned voice. I struggled for breath and finally found the courage to reveal my deepest fears. Oh well... If he really tried to send me back, I had only two options: run away or return to my family. But both options would most likely end in my death. "If you send me back, my so-called family will surely try to kill me."
"Why would Duke Aurelius kill his own son?" the Duke asked with a serious expression, his eyes furrowing deeply.
"His son... that's a laugh. To them, I'm nothing more than a pawn in their sinister plan. If it were up to them, I would have been dead long ago, and they would have pinned it on you!" I explained, trembling voice, accidentally knocking over my empty glass in the excitement. A clinking sound filled the room, but before the shards could scatter on the floor, I conjured a small spell that restored the glass. "Oops," I whispered softly, my gaze captivated by the sparks of my own magic. "Good as new."
"Why don't you get us another bottle?" the Duke said to Wolfram, who looked at me with concern. Wolfram nodded and hurried off to fetch another bottle of wine. However, my thoughts were fully focused on the Duke, who looked at me with curiosity and anticipation. There was a mysterious tension in the air, and I felt my heart beat faster.
"Why don't you tell me more while we wait?" the Duke urged, focusing his full attention on me. His dark eyes captivated me, and I could hardly tear myself away.
"Okay, but only under one condition," I whispered.
"And what would that be?" he asked, his eyes attentively fixed on me.
"I want to touch them first," I said, pointing to his distinctive horns.
"Touch them?" he repeated, surprised, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"Yes, your horns," I added.
He clenched his hand into a fist, his expression showing a mixture of confusion and annoyance. He scrutinized me intently, audibly sighed, and then lowered his head.
"Go ahead," he finally whispered, and my inner excitement soared.
I slowly got up from my seat and sat down beside him. Overwhelmed by courage, I dared to extend my hands and gently stroke his horns. They felt smooth and hard, like polished stone or precious ivory.
A soft growl escaped his throat, and I felt him watching me closely. My fingers gently caressed his horns as I indulged in the intimacy of the moment. Afterwards, my hands ran through his dark hair, and I felt its silky softness. My fingertips slid carefully over his horns again, which were cool and yet alive under my touch. It felt as if I were holding a precious relic in my hands, something unique and magical. He raised his head, and our faces were suddenly only inches apart. My senses were intoxicated by his close breath and the pounding of my own heart.
But then he pulled away from me, his hand separating mine from his horns, and he turned away from me. "That's enough," he said curtly, taking his hands back.
Wolfram returned with another bottle in hand. The sweet scent of the wine filled the room as he poured us more. Everything blurred before my eyes and the next thing I remember is the gentle feeling of my bed as I settled down on it.
The bright sun penetrated my closed eyelids and forced me to slowly open my eyes. A throbbing headache and rising nausea greeted me, reminding me that I had had a night of heavy drinking. But I refused to be discouraged by these unpleasant side effects. With a soft sigh, I focused on my healing magic and felt the lingering effects of the hangover gradually dissipate. A refreshing wave of clarity and energy coursed through my body, and I felt ready to face the day.
Suddenly, a stranger's voice echoed in my room. Confused, I turned towards the sound and saw a completely unfamiliar man standing before me. His gaze rested on me. My pulse quickened. Who the hell is this man? ... how did I even make it back to my room last night? And more importantly, what happened last evening?
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