“Whew, we’re finally done, Chloe!” Layla squealed. “Let’s go. I’ll help you wear that necklace later. I’m positive it’ll look lovely on you!”
“Thank you, Layla,” I replied.
“And Julius, I see that you’ve already got something on your neck. Having two things will get in your way, no? Why don’t we change it into an earring? It might be less bothersome.”
“…No need,” Mr. Julius replied.
“Oh dear, you’re as grumpy as usual. I suppose Chloe’s husband is always a grouch,” Layla said, smiling up at Mr. Julius.
He averted his gaze.
“Um…” I asked sheepishly. “King Faisal, do you really think that we’re a married couple?”
The new king furrowed his brows in confusion. “You both never vocalized it, but that’s what I assumed. Was I wrong?”
“Yeah, um, we’re not spouses, yet.”
“Well, ‘yet,’ right? Then you’ll eventually become married,” Layla chimed in. “It’s not really a problem then, is it?”
I cast a troubled glance in Mr. Julius’s direction. He seemed completely unfazed. He only nodded and said, “Yeah.”
If you’re gonna agree, might as well propose to me first. Or maybe, knowing Mr. Julius, he’s just feeling lazy and gave a cursory response. That honestly seems more likely in his case. While we weren’t spouses, it was true that we were a family; maybe Faisal and Layla weren’t wrong with their assessment.
Once the ceremony was over, bright music once again filled the hall, and we made our way from the altar, back to Ruto. She was sitting on a chair beside Ms. Natalia and was staring in awe as my master expertly downed pints of strong liquor in a flash.
There were even more men gathered around them. Ms. Natalia’s bewitching beauty paired expertly with Ruto’s divine attractiveness. While I understood the men who wanted to throw themselves at Ms. Natalia’s feet, Ruto was more of a lady who needed to be protected. At the very least, I felt that way, though I was certain that she was older than me.
“There you are, Ruto,” Jahala said.
Ruto smiled and nodded. “I was standing around by myself when Natalia called me over.”
“Even just standing is pretty tough on your body, isn’t it?” Ms. Natalia said casually. “As a Seal Master, it’s clear that you’ve been casting spells that shave off your lifespan. Honestly, you shouldn’t use magic anymore.”
I widened my eyes in shock, unable to let this comment slide. “Ruto, are you all right? I didn’t know you were so ill. I’m sure that even talking in this fashion requires magic. Maybe it’d be better if you kept that to a minimum too…”
“I’m fine, Chloe. A light conversation isn’t much trouble. It’s a bit tough to be standing around the entire time, and I unfortunately won’t be able to enter Rasheed’s iconic desert marathon run, but…”
“If just standing around is tough, you’ll die if you enter a desert marathon!” I cried. “Not quite sure what kind of athletics match it is, but…”
Meanwhile, Lambda skillfully forced the men surrounding the two ladies to stand in a neat line. Just like that, there was a long line of men waiting to serve alcohol and food to my master and shower her with high praise. I decided not to be too bothered by that.
“But I’m very grateful that Natalia asked everyone to prepare a seat for me. It’s true that I don’t have much stamina.”
Jahala stood beside Ruto and explained, “Lifespan lost by using life-diminishing magic will never recover. The scars that remain on her body—magic infections, they’re called—can never be fully healed either. Their bodies are forever altered. Fores Research Facility knew this and raised kids capable of magic to make them into Seal Masters.”
His explanation was straightforward, and there was no sadness in his voice. However, I felt like he must’ve held some sort of emotion towards Ruto. They both had lost their family, and I was sure that they were able to relate to each other. Since Jahala was mature for his age, they could’ve looked like lovers, but I felt like siblings was a more apt descriptor for their relationship.
“Yeah, that’s the sort of place that facility is,” Ms. Natalia said, gently waving her glass. “I hope a Seal Master will never be born ever again. Well, I’m sure you’ve got your reasons, but don’t do anything stupid anymore and shorten your lifespan.”
The wine in her glass sloshed around. Her crossed legs that peeked through the wide slit in her dress were so pale that it was blinding. She looks great. I don’t know anyone who’s better suited to a glass of red wine than her. If I tried to copy her, I’m sure that I’d accidentally slip and cause the glass to shatter.
“Don’t push yourself, Ruto,” I said. “I’ll make an alchemy item so you can talk without magical energy. Maybe one that can allow you to talk just by putting it over your throat. Yeah, that sounds perfect. I’ll think up the perfect item for you!”
“Thank you, Chloe. But…I don’t think you can help. My body, which has been damaged by the magic infections, can’t be healed no matter what. It’s a curse for using power beyond human capabilities.”
“Don’t worry. I’m a genius,” I declared. “Making the impossible possible is all part of alchemy.”
“That’s right, Chloe, and don’t you forget it,” my master added. “You’re the apprentice of Natalia Báthory, the greatest alchemist there ever was, second to none, the greatest genius of all time in the entire history of the world, the one who knows the truth of the world, and a beautiful witch.” She puffed out her large chest proudly.
The line of enchanted men erupted with applause, lavishing her with even more praise.
“Completely different reaction from when you introduced yourself, huh?” Mr. Julius said mockingly beside me. I glared at him with every fiber of my being.
“Enough chitchat, where’s the liquor?” Ms. Natalia demanded, acting haughty in front of the king. “Faisal, where’s the 2000-year-old bottle? I came here because you promised I could drink it.”
The new king didn’t look even a touch offended. “You’re right. That was the promise. I’ll have it brought out.” He turned to a nearby soldier and ordered, “Bring it out from the treasury.”
I noticed Layla gazing at my master with adoration and respect. I could totally relate to Layla’s feelings, but I strongly believed that one shouldn’t aspire to become like Ms. Natalia. While my master was a glimmering, beautiful witch on the outside, the moment she returned home, she’d strip down and throw all her clothes on the floor.
“You’ve already drank quite a bit,” I pointed out with a sigh.