Exer was not very sociable, and Goyo could only speak easily when someone else led the conversation. Therefore, the two went straight to the point without any small talk.
“Wartin.”
At Goyo’s call, a small round droplet that had formed at her fingertips turned into a sleek whale.
From head to tail, Exer’s eyes slowly rolled as he examined Wartin.
“It’s still small. It seems to be in the early stages of self-formation. But considering when you summoned it, its growth isn’t particularly slow.”
Still, it’s hard to say how much it will grow by the time of the hunting competition.
Goyo nodded at the obvious remark. Exer, having something else in mind, immediately brought up the strategy for the hunting competition.
“There aren’t many, so using water pressure would be tricky. It’s better to use it in an applied way rather than for direct attacks.”
“By applied, you mean…”
“Blocking the nose and mouth with droplets or obstructing the view should be manageable even with a small amount.”
Goyo’s expression became slightly complicated. Blocking breath or vision—although hunting beasts was the essence of the competition, actually doing it felt more brutal than she had imagined.
She considered if she could just knock them out and release them without killing. But that felt like a form of deception.
If nothing else works, it might be fine to just watch and return as Rajin suggested.
He continued by suggesting alternatives, like using strongly compressed water to trip them up or making the ground slippery where the prey was about to step. These methods sounded much more peaceful than the previous suggestions.
After listening to the explanation, Goyo began to manipulate the whale.
While she was used to slow movements, increasing speed or compressing the whale was something she had never done before, so it wasn’t easy.
Exer quietly observed Goyo, correcting mistakes or offering advice when there was a better way.
The timing of his remarks was so appropriate that Goyo thought Exer was focused on the whale. However, what the man with the complex expression was actually concentrating on was something else entirely.
‘Why did Lady Chloe involve this young lady in the agreement?’
His master didn’t trust him and didn’t want him close. Although Exer knew that Goyo Rubiette was involved in Chloe and Annecy’s agreement, he didn’t know why and couldn’t get an answer even after repeatedly asking Annecy.
Moreover, he wasn’t ordered to investigate anything related to Goyo, so Exer couldn’t secretly look into it either.
When he was told to help Goyo handle the spirit, Exer hoped he might find some clue, but his hope was dashed by the following words.
‘Do not speak to Goyo about anything concerning Chloe.’
What connection could there possibly be?
Perhaps his thoughts had drifted too far, as Exer’s gaze toward Goyo became more intense. Goyo looked back at Exer and asked,
“Do you have something to say?”
“It’s nothing…”
Exer was about to respond automatically but suddenly realized that Goyo didn’t have a secret guard.
If there were, they would be hidden like a shadow, and anyone less than a highly skilled expert wouldn’t even notice their presence, but Exer’s senses far surpassed ordinary levels.
Well, since they were in the mansion, there was no need to assign a guard.
Thanks to that, even if he asked Goyo a question, he wouldn’t be stopped before getting an answer. If caught later, he would just face punishment.
Exer’s loyalty to Annecy was genuine, but it wasn’t greater than his loyalty to Chloe.
If Chloe had been alive, Exer would never have served Annecy.
“Do you know Lady Chloe?”
“What?”
“Lady Chloe Valverde. Have you ever encountered her, even in passing?”
It was a calm-sounding question, but in truth, it was desperate.
Upon hearing Exer’s words, Goyo slightly furrowed her brow. Valverde—it was a name she hadn’t heard in a long time, but it wasn’t one she welcomed.
“Valverde is my maternal family, but I don’t know much about anyone from there. They haven’t visited Rubiette even once since my mother got married.”
Goyo’s maternal family was the Valverdes? Exer’s eyes widened in surprise at this unknown fact.
“I see… I’m sorry, but may I ask for your mother’s name?”
“Azhla Rubiette. Before she was married, she was Azhla Valverde.”
Azhla Valverde. Though it had been a long time since he was involved with the Valverdes, the name didn’t immediately come to mind.
Digging through distant memories, a vague image of someone he might have met once or twice surfaced—Chloe’s cousin.
‘So, this lady is Chloe’s first cousin once removed.’
Though Exer now understood a connection he hadn’t known before, his expression didn’t brighten. The relationship was too distant to be considered close family, and Chloe wasn’t someone who felt affection simply because of blood ties.
Exer Fribesque, who was always by Chloe’s side, had seen Azhla’s face fewer than three times, so it was unlikely that Chloe was close to Azhla.
So then, why on earth…
“But why do you ask?”
“Oh, you just reminded me of her a bit, so I asked. My apologies.”
Exer gave a suitable answer to Goyo’s question as he adjusted his expression.
* * *
Days passed with Goyo continuing to learn from Exer.
She had planned to explain to Rajin that she had found someone else to help her and ask her not to come for a while when she contacted her again. However, since lending her the book, Rajin Eliom hadn’t reached out.
After hearing Annecy’s words, the lack of contact felt a bit unsettling, but Goyo decided it was for the best.
As she followed Exer’s guidance, Goyo realized that handling a spirit required more than just concentration.
There were many days when, after summoning and guiding Wartin all day, Goyo found herself breathless despite not physically moving.
She accepted this after Exer explained that it was an activity that consumed physical energy, mana, and stamina.
As a result, her progress was swift; the once tiny whale had grown plump enough to fill both of her arms, and Goyo’s stamina had also improved.
However, since the exhaustion and fatigue remained the same, Goyo’s daily schedule now included a mandatory nap time.
Today, as usual, Goyo was napping after washing up. She was supposed to be asleep until evening, but an odd sensation of her body being lifted and carried caused her to wake up a little early.
What she saw wasn’t her room but a corridor in the mansion. Instead of the cot in her room, she was cradled in someone’s arms.
Annecy was carrying her, supporting her back and legs, as he walked.
In a drowsy voice, still not fully awake, Goyo asked,
“Is it already night? Are you taking me to my bedroom?”
“No. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I’ve been so tired lately that I just keep sleeping.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“But where are we going now…?”
“Goyo, do you remember when I asked you to grant me something I wanted a few days ago?”
Goyo blinked slowly at the sudden question but soon recalled Annecy’s request to grant him a favor in exchange for helping her with the spirit.
“Please grant it today.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“It’s nothing major. You just need to keep choosing between the options presented to you.”
“Choosing?”
“Yes. You can’t say ‘both are fine’ or ‘I don’t like either.’ You must choose one side.”
“I don’t understand what you’re asking.”
That’s okay. You’ll understand soon.
Annecy said this with a smile, making it clear that no further explanation would be given even if she asked. It would likely be the same if she asked where they were going.
Giving up on asking, Goyo became more aware of the position in which Annecy was carrying her.
Should I ask to be put down?
Goyo grabbed Annecy’s arm, but instead of speaking, he simply tightened his grip around her, as if refusing the unspoken request.
‘It’s fine. I’m tired anyway, and this isn’t the first time.’
Goyo resigned herself to the situation and changed the subject.
“I heard something interesting from Exer today.”
“What was it?”
“He said that with a water spirit, you’re not limited to just water magic. As you expand your range, you can even freeze water and use additional abilities.”
“Purification and regeneration.”
Annecy immediately answered correctly.
“Yes, that’s right. While it’s not like a priest’s miracle where you can regrow a severed limb, this method excels at enhancing natural regeneration.”
“It’s an impressive ability. I’m sure you’ll be able to do it too, Goyo.”
“Please help me when the time comes. You can do any magic, after all.”
“No, I have no talent for healing magic. I can’t use it at all.”
“Really?”
“Yes, truly. So please, don’t get hurt.”
We’ve arrived. Annecy said this as he set Goyo down.
They had arrived at a large room, one of the rooms she had seen before during the mansion tour.
But whereas it had been empty before, it was now filled with dresses, making the sight almost overwhelming.
Among them stood several maids, two of whom were holding different dresses.
One was a red dress with a skirt layered in a way that resembled rose petals, and the other was a simple, undecorated navy velvet dress.
After Goyo examined the two dresses, Annecy spoke.
“Here’s your first choice, Goyo. Which one will you wear?”
“Wearing a dress all of a sudden is one thing, but the options seem a bit limited.”
“Is the rose dress too flashy?”
“No, it’s just that the one next to it is too plain…”
Goyo stopped herself mid-sentence. The plain dress was something she had been accustomed to wearing for a long time, but now it felt strange to describe it as plain. She felt unfamiliar with her own reaction.
Annecy noticed her discomfort but pretended not to, smiling gently.
“Isn’t that the style you used to wear?”
“It is.”
Had she really come to prefer more extravagant things under Annecy’s influence, or was she simply getting used to them?
It was a strange feeling, but not an unpleasant one. As Annecy stared at her, waiting for her decision, Goyo spoke slowly.
“I’ll wear the first one.”
After Goyo made her choice, Annecy left the dressing room. The maids, who had been waiting in the background, immediately approached to help her into the elaborate dress and began applying makeup.
The process didn’t take as long as she expected, and despite her initial concerns, the dress was surprisingly comfortable, leaving Goyo in a reasonably good mood.
As if sensing that she was ready, Annecy returned to the room. His attire had also changed.
Goyo had thought his everyday clothes were already quite luxurious, but there was no comparison to how he looked now in formal wear.
‘And it suits him better.’
She found herself noticing how his appearance was not at all overshadowed by the extravagant clothing.
Annecy smiled at her as she gazed at him and extended his arm. Goyo took it and followed him out of the room.
“But really, why did you have me wear a dress?”
“You’ll find out soon.”
Annecy led Goyo to the dining room, still smiling enigmatically.
Wearing a dress for dinner—was this just some attempt to lift her spirits? Goyo’s thoughts were lighthearted until she saw the dining setup.
There were two long tables. One was laden with a sumptuous feast, far beyond what she was used to for dinner, while the other held a modest selection of dishes, barely covering a small portion of the table.
This must be another choice, she thought. Without waiting for Annecy to ask, Goyo moved toward the simpler table.
“That much food is overwhelming.”
Though the situation was unexpected, Annecy didn’t seem fazed. He snapped his fingers, and the second table, the one Goyo had been heading towards, vanished.
Startled, Goyo turned to Annecy, who responded in a smooth voice.
“You were mistaken. There’s no choice when it comes to the meal.”
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