Lunetta nodded and took out the magic gem. She spoke into it, and a calm voice replied, “You called, my liege?”
Vyce explained the situation at hand, and the voice simply replied, “Got it,” so quickly that Sophie couldn’t help but wonder if he had actually understood.
“We have the magic gem from Lady Lunatietta that allows us to sense magical energy,” the voice from the gem explained. “So long as we know where they’re at, it’s just a matter of crushing them before they can belt out a spell at us.”
Vyce nodded at the voice’s confident, reassuring reply.
Lunetta turned to Sophie. “What will you two do, Sophie?”
“Huh?” Sophie asked, staring back into Lunetta’s obsidian eyes.
Lunetta’s long hair swayed in the breeze. “This is my problem. I have to crush them so I can get away. But this has nothing to do with you, Sophie. It’ll be dangerous, so I think you should just wait ahead in the next town.”
She had a point.
They’d brought the neighboring kingdom’s problems over with them, so since Sophie had had something of a standing in her own kingdom, perhaps it was something they hoped she wouldn’t get involved in. That was how international issues worked. Not to mention that Sophie wouldn’t be of any use being around in the first place.
The healing magic she’d only just now learned was still a fresh sprout in her mind. More importantly, with a master-class witch around, Sophie’s magic wouldn’t be helping anyone. It wasn’t like she could wield a sword, nor did she have the brains to make up for it.
That was why it would only be selfish of her to proclaim that she wanted to go with them.
“Lady Sophie.”
Unknowingly casting her gaze downward as she clenched her fists atop her knees, Sophie found a warm hand covering her own. She looked up to find those blueberry eyes she loved so much narrowed with concern. Sophie couldn’t count how many times that bright smile had lifted her up.
“It doesn’t cost a thing to say what you think,” Livio said teasingly.
Sophie laughed. He had a point.
She knew saying how she felt would do no good—she had to know her place. But Sophie had resolved herself to throw away that disheartening habit. Look, I’m not saying I should just blurt things out without thinking. I’m just trying to say I’m worried about you, Lunetta. She could be permitted to at least say that much—Livio had taught her that.
“I know I’ll just get in the way,” Sophie began, “but if you would allow it, I’d like to go with you, Lunetta.” Sophie had to catch herself from gasping in surprise.
Lunetta’s round eyes opened wide. Sophie felt her heart leap at the fact she’d been able to see Lunetta’s expression change so... At least assuming that face wasn’t out of sheer shock at how stupid I am, that is.
“I don’t see any problem with that.”
Sophie found support where she least expected it.
The teacher—no, the king—who seemed so pragmatic that he was almost certain to object didn’t show even the slightest reservation about having Sophie, the last thing from a combat-ready veteran, accompany them.
“She’s got herself one helluva bodyguard, doesn’t she?” Vyce said. “And you won’t go off and do anything crazy if she’s with you, Lunetta.”
“I’m not going to do anything crazy...”
“So you can promise me that you’d use defensive magic if it were just you all on your own?”
Lunetta fell silent, looking away.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Vyce said with a sigh.
Simply put, it seemed Sophie’s role in all this was to be a ball and chain for Lunetta.
If she had Sophie weighing her down like a sack of bricks, Lunetta would have no choice but to think about keeping them safe, no matter what, by using defensive magic the whole time. That meant that she couldn’t go and do anything desperate. It was a wonderful strategy that took advantage of Lunetta’s kindness and Sophie’s own blundering helplessness. If that’s what you’re after, just leave it to me!
Sophie nodded. “I’ll hold her back like it’s nobody’s business!”
“Nobody went that far with it, y’know.”
And that was what led to Sophie serving as Lunetta’s dutiful lady-in-waiting and ball and chain all in one. Sophie now found herself in a castle, tied up rather splendidly.
It went without saying that Sophie wasn’t into that sort of thing.
“It’s been a long time.”
“It has...”
But was the man with the long, golden hair, looking down at Lunetta as if she were garbage, into that sort of thing? Well...probably not. At least that was what Sophie hoped.
“Excellent work, Tivius,” the man said.
“Y-You’re too kind.”
“And what of the others with you?”
“O-Our targets, uh, put up more of a fight than expected, so they’ll be a bit delayed...”
“I see. I shouldn’t have asked so much of you.”
“F-Far from it, milord!”
“I’ll see to it that you are rewarded generously for your efforts,” the gaudy old man with the long hair said to the robed man before him. Apparently, the old man was the king of this land.
And what land was that, you ask? Why, it was the land of Magyck.
So, to get the gist of things...
“Well then...have you come to your senses just a bit?”
“Father, I...” Lunetta started.
“I told you not to call me ‘father.’ Just the sound of it makes me sick.”
The long-haired old man was Lunetta’s father, but he himself denied it. So then just what does that make you?
Sophie smiled, thinking she’d be forgiven for assuming he was a dung beetle.
“Your Majesty, might I be permitted to speak?” she asked.
The king glared down at Sophie. “And who are you supposed to be?”