The pitch-black night sky began to ripple like a mirage with a blizzard in various places. As expected, the wind spirits were revealing themselves.
Kailas quickly pulled up her hood and briskly walked away. When she glanced back, the spirits who recognized her were startled and began to fly away somewhere.
[Healing power! We must inform Ahwin!]
[Kailas is nearby! Let’s find her! Let’s find her!]
[Oh? But she suddenly disappeared!]
[Where did she go?]
[She completely hid herself!]
Some tried to chase after Kailas, but when she erased her presence, they lost their target and wandered aimlessly. Watching the mirage floating in the alley, Kailas hid herself in the shadows.
‘The wind spirits, they definitely moved east.’
The cold wind seeped into her hood like a blade, but Kailas didn’t feel the cold. The place where the wind spirits headed. Leticia must be there.
* * *
“Wow, the snow-covered scenery is really beautiful. It’s like a painting.”
Leaning against the terrace railing, Leticia kept exclaiming. Her white breath softly scattered.
“It’s all white and clean. This must be what a pure white city is like.”
It was a day so cold it felt like the whole world would freeze. Despite this, Leticia’s expression was only bright. Her fresh green eyes were full of wonder and excitement at the beauty of nature.
“When I was young, I really hated snow. But today is different. Maybe it’s because I’m waiting for something good.”
Unlike the lively Leticia, Ahwin’s expression was full of anxiety. He swallowed a sigh and looked at Leticia’s cheeks reddened by the cold wind.
“I’m glad you’re happy, Lady Leticia. However, I wonder if we really have to wait outside on such a cold day for that good thing.”
“Of course we have to wait outside. We might meet a new wing today.”
“If you just give the order, we can bring Kailas here immediately.”
“I’m fine, really? Why do you keep saying that?”
“I’m not fine, though.”
“I wore everything you told me to wear. Fur coat, cardigan, scarf. Look at me. Am I a bear or a person?”
“Was the fur coat uncomfortable? Oh dear. Let’s go inside immediately. I’ll call Banessa to burn the fur coat.”
Leticia, feeling that words wouldn’t work, covered her ears with her fur gloves and shook her head.
“Oh, I don’t know, I don’t know. I won the coin toss, didn’t I? So I’ll do as I please.”
After coming to the capital, Leticia realized a very important fact. When she decided to be stubborn, no one in this mansion could beat her. She felt a bit guilty for using the wings’ affection, but there were times like now when it was very useful.
“Hah.”
As she expected, Ahwin couldn’t win against her childish persistence.
“I understand, Lady Leticia. Please wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”
While Leticia rejoiced in her small victory, Ahwin, who had gone inside, returned with a thick wool cushion and a blanket.
“Please sit down.”
After seating her on the cushion-covered chair, Ahwin wrapped her shoulders with the blanket. He repeatedly reminded her.
“If you feel even a little cold, please let me know. It’s easy to catch a cold on days like this.”
“You’re still worrying after wrapping me up like this?”
“This is me being as restrained as possible.”
At his solemn answer, Leticia burst into laughter.
“Impossible to stop you.”
“Apologies, but those are the happiest words I’ve heard from you today, Lady Leticia. Please, do not try to stop us from now on…”
Ahwin, who was tying the knot on the blanket, suddenly stopped. He froze for a moment and then quickly lifted his head. Leticia, who met his gaze, asked with a puzzled expression.
“Ahwin, why…”
She was about to ask why he had that expression but suddenly realized something and quickly shut her mouth. Ahwin nodded very slightly. The surroundings became so quiet it felt as if even the wind had stopped. Watching Ahwin slowly resume adjusting the blanket, Leticia clasped her hands tightly in nervousness.
‘Ahwin must have sensed Kailas’ presence.’
Otherwise, Ahwin wouldn’t be this agitated.
‘Kailas is really here.’
To lure Kailas out, Leticia had called herself a ‘saint’ and requested a private audience with the Emperor. She thought that if Kailas was her wing, she would reveal herself upon hearing the news. She even used the Imperial newspaper to increase the chances.
Her plan succeeded. Kailas, who appeared before the spirits, had followed them here. However, there were still steps left to achieve perfect success.
‘When will Kailas show herself to me?’
She wanted to rush out and bring Kailas back immediately. She also wanted to call out her name loudly. But she held back.
“I think I know why Kailas cannot appear before you, Lady Leticia. It’s surely because of guilt.”
“Guilt?”
“When I awakened as your wing, I couldn’t even dream of stepping before you.”
Ahwin had said.
“I spent years failing to recognize my true master. I thought there should be no peaceful future for a wing that didn’t fulfill its duty.”
“But Ahwin, you eventually appeared before me.”
“It was because of the special situation where we had to travel to the Principality together and face the enemy Tenua. If I had been separated from you from the beginning like Kailas, I wouldn’t have been able to do so. Therefore, I hope you will wait for Kailas. If you forcefully approach, she might run away. In the worst case, she might even end her life to atone for her guilt.”
Leticia’s hands tightened on the lap blanket.
‘Yes. As Ahwin said, let’s wait.’
Even as she resolved herself, she felt frustrated. She wanted to call Kailas and tell her not to feel guilty, that she was also a victim, that the hardships she endured had nothing to do with her.
She could only hope Kailas would appear before her as Ahwin predicted. Ahwin, who finished wrapping Leticia in the blanket, brought another chair and sat across from her. Glancing in Kailas’ direction, he muttered.
“It seems it will take longer than expected.”
“Do you think Kailas is watching us?”
“She probably is. Most likely, she came here to ensure your safety, Lady Leticia.”
“My safety?”
“Yes.”
Ahwin nodded.
“She must have always wanted to see you. She is just watching from a distance, unable to muster the courage to come forward.”
Ahwin smiled softly.
“It seems it was good to wait on the terrace as you wished. If you had stayed inside as I requested, Kailas would not have been able to see you.”
“Then Kailas…”
“She must have been very anxious, waiting for you to come out. She must have been worried the wind spirits would find her.”
At that moment, Leticia realized what she needed to do. If her wing was suffering from guilt, she, as the master, had to take action.
‘I need to relieve Kailas of her guilt.’
Even if the method was not what the wing wanted, she had to act quickly. Resolving herself, Leticia looked into the darkness where Ahwin had said Kailas might be.
‘Did our eyes meet?’
I don’t know. Even though I use the goddess’ power, I don’t have the extraordinary physical abilities like the other wings.
‘It doesn’t matter. I can ask her directly.’
Thinking this, Leticia grabbed Ahwin’s collar.
“Ahwin, I’m cold.”
“What?”
Ahwin, shocked, sprang to his feet.
“Did you just say you’re cold? As expected, it’s better to be inside…”
“I will.”
Ahwin looked at her in confusion at her unexpectedly easy acceptance.
“You want to go inside right now?”
“Yes.”
Leticia nodded. Holding the blanket Ahwin had wrapped around her, she stood up.
“I want to drink some hot cocoa.”
“Of course, I will prepare it immediately, but…”
Escorting Leticia, Ahwin glanced towards where Kailas was. He couldn’t see Kailas in the darkness, but he could imagine her expression. Knowing her newly found master was leaving, she must be feeling very anxious.
‘There’s no choice.’
If she didn’t have the courage to appear before Leticia, she would have to endure this. At this moment, Leticia’s coldness was more important than Kailas.
“Oh, and Ahwin, I have one more request.”
As the terrace door closed, Leticia looked at Ahwin.
“Help the fifth wing appear before me right now.”
Ahwin looked at Leticia in surprise.
“Are you serious?”
“It’s an order.”
Leticia smiled softly.
“As you said earlier, by any means necessary, bring Kailas to me.”
As the terrace door closed, Kailas involuntarily swallowed a sigh of frustration.
‘So short.’
Not even five minutes. It was too short to check her new master’s safety.
‘The weather is too cold; there’s no choice.’
Kailas bit her lip and turned away.
‘To think it would hurt this much.’
She placed her hand on her chest and grimaced slightly. They say wings recognize their master immediately, and it was true. Just seeing Leticia made her feel like she could stand in a blizzard all day. It was like giving water to her heart, which had been dry like a desert for so long. Perhaps that’s why the joy was as great as the disappointment.
‘Ahwin… is lucky.’
Leticia and Ahwin seemed very close.
‘Will that day come for me too? No, don’t think about it.’
Suppressing her rising disappointment, Kailas quickened her pace.
‘There’s no time to feel regret. I have many things to do. I need to find Josephina’s residence, kill Lansen, and also deal with Kuhn and the other wings…’
While she was walking quickly.
“Hello.”
A cheerful greeting accompanied by light footsteps sounded right in front of her. Startled, Kailas quickly looked up. Noel smiled widely and waved.
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