Chapter Five: I’m Perfect as a Lucky Charm
UPON finishing her food, Haydn started to ramble endlessly about nothing in particular, so I knew I’d made the right decision to host lunch in my office. I quickly dismiss her, claiming that I must resume work.
Afterward, escorting Abigail to our guards waiting by the carriage, I note that she seems neither upset nor depressed as she skips down the hallway. Well, she seldom is, really, except for that time when she had to choose between a cow and a sheep. That dilemma had her quite frustrated and pouty…
“My lord?”
“Hmm?”
Her golden eyes stare up at me… I know the look. She’s thought of some questionable idea.
“Can we go see healing magic when I come to work next time?”
“W-Well, I’ll submit a request for a tour… Soldiers do sometimes sustain minor injuries during regular training, but there’s no telling whether one will happen that day.”
“Nobody has to get injured. I just want to see the magic.”
“You mean you just want to see it wielded?”
“Yes! I think I can do it after seeing it! Because I’m…” She pauses, then stands on tiptoe, stretching up to my ear. “Because I’m human now.”
I see. Good save, Abby.
Although Haydn likes to exaggerate, she is correct that there are few users of healing magic due to the level of aptitude required. Healers, as well as therapists, differ in their course of study and proficiency, and the ones employed at the medical center can handle only minor injuries.
Since they are still apprentices in magic and just marginally better than Haydn, their spells shouldn’t be too taxing on Abigail’s body if she does manage to pick up one or two. All will be fine as long as I’m there to watch her.
She climbs into the carriage and twists to stick her head out the open window. I gently push her back inside with a finger to the forehead, then tap on the hands gripping the sill to remind her to keep them inside.
“If I learn healing magic, I can join the military and go on assignments with you!”
“Wait, wait, what? …W-We’ll talk about it when I get home.”
“Yes!”
We wave to each other as the carriage pulls away.
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🎂🎂🎂
SO that was her idea?!
Was it because Haydn had mentioned her assignments at lunch?
“I understand your concern, Master, but you look awful.”
“What am I supposed to do now…?”
“The lady obviously cannot join the military, so we’ll have to convince her to give up the notion.”
“Of course. But that’s not the issue!”
She’d looked so adorably proud of her suggestion! How disappointed she’ll be when I have to tell her no!
I’m the second son and will inherit no land. Since youth, I’ve been raised to support my brother, who will one day bear the title of marquis, and to perhaps assume one of the various minor positions my father holds.
I never found the latter particularly enticing, so out of teenage stubbornness, I joined the military and achieved the peerage of viscount on my own merits. That doesn’t mean I’m dissatisfied with my station in life. Rather, I’m determined to contribute to the marquisate and aid my brother. My military experience will be useful in helping lead Drewett’s private army, and once I retire from duty, I fully intend to support my brother in his role.
Minor disputes notwithstanding, our kingdom isn’t currently at war. In fact, my upcoming assignment is a joint exercise with one of our allies in the west. We’ve been in a ceasefire with the country of Worley located to the north of our ally and on the opposite border of Longhurst’s forest. The joint exercise will serve to enforce the ceasefire and keep Worley in check.
“It’s not time for me to quit just yet…”
“You’ve already achieved great things, Master.”
Besides, my current rank allows me to track the kingdom’s movements and circumstances, better enabling me to hide Abigail and her Gift. I retrieve Prince Dominic’s letter from the drawer and hold it to my chest. The perfect example of why I do what I do.
“Either way, you’re just fretting because you’re reluctant to leave for the assignment, isn’t that right, Master…? Come now, let’s stop escaping from reality and head home!”
“S-Sure.”
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🎂🎂🎂
ABIGAIL bounds to the door to greet me, chirping about what the head cook has prepared for dinner. Nothing about her demeanor seems out of the ordinary.
She’s always been extremely unconcerned with people who don’t give her food, judging someone purely on whether they feed her or not. It’s very strange, and Tabitha has to frequently remind her not to do so.
Therefore, I can merely watch and marvel as she tries to befriend someone like Haydn, who, in addition to not offering her any food, doesn’t even seem to like her. But I guess her attempt is understandable since Haydn was the Monster King’s only human friend, though they appear to be anything but.
✦ ✦ ✦
🎂🎂🎂
“LOOK at this, my lord!” I’m enjoying my nightly drink on the sofa, Abigail settled between my legs, when she proudly shows me a pair of baby socks. “The ones yesterday got all tangled, but this pair is perfect!”
She first mentioned a gift for our sister-in-law’s—Lady Stella’s—new baby the week before. Since then, Tabitha has been finding time each day to teach her to knit. Abigail’s suggestion of socks was so unremarkable that we had to confirm whether that was really what she wanted to make.
Apparently, she’d gotten the idea from Rickman, although neither Rodney nor I managed to catch that part of their chat, which is a point of frustration for him.
I pluck the finished socks from her small palms and see that they’re well constructed with perfectly spaced stitches. What does she mean by yesterday’s getting tangled? My little chick is usually preternaturally nimble. She’s so unpredictable. “That’s amazing. Did you finish them after returning from work?”
“Yes! Are they cute?”
“Yes, very cute…”
Just adorable, I think as she stacks the socks neatly and declares that she wants to learn how to make gloves next. I take a sip, watching her head of red hair bobbing in excitement.
Suddenly, she stills. “Lord Samuel is the smallest human I’ve seen up close, and a baby must be even smaller, right?” Her voice is serious as she lifts her hands to indicate the size. “I was shocked when Tabitha told me. I’ll have to be careful not to step on it when we meet.”
I snort, and the alcohol rushes into my nose. “…O-Of course.”
“Tabitha says it’s still early, but will we reach Drewett in time if we have to go on assignment? Will the baby’s feet still be small enough to fit into these socks?”
“It’s fine, the baby won’t be born yet. Anyway, Abby…”
“Yes?”
She’s already acting as though she’ll accompany me. “You talked about joining the military this afternoon, right?”
“Yes, just leave it to me! I’ll definitely learn healing magic! I’ve heard that healers are assigned to the rear guard, so I can keep my promise to stay behind you, my lord!”
“That’s nice, but…”
“Yes?!”
“There are certain requirements for joining the military.” I look away from her earnest golden gaze. “For example, you must be at least 165 centimeters tall.”
“I must?!”
My stomach hurts.