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35.

Ibelin had killed a bear with a gun—a grizzly, rumored to be the strongest of beasts, felled with a single firearm.

"You have a talent for guns."

After that, her grandfather gave her a peculiar gun as a gift.

"This is an ancient relic said to have been made by dwarves."

She should have realized then—ordinary noble ladies didn't learn combat skills. Some learned swordsmanship or archery, but most only to the extent of hunting rabbits at best.

Why didn't I realize that?

Perhaps she had known but wanted to look away—because her time with her grandfather had been so joyful. Even knowing it was strange, she had learned everything he taught.

Yes—that was it.

When Ibelin opened her eyes again, she was in her room.

"Let's see—shall I lay you on the bed?"

At the sweet voice, Ibelin frantically shook her head.

"I can manage from here."

After all, by now his goal had been achieved—displaying affection before as many people as possible. Knowing that, Kite released her easily.

"Then rest well, my love."

That mouth! She wanted to grab and twist it, but she knew it was impossible.

"...Yes."

With a reluctant expression, Ibelin saw Kite off. She dismissed even the maids and entered the bathroom alone—she was still unused to being washed by others. So time alone was precious.

Sinking into the warm bath, her body and mind gradually relaxed.

"I'm tired."

Stretching out, Ibelin let herself float in the water. Drowsiness soon crept in—but knowing it was dangerous to sleep in the bath, she crawled out, dried off, and threw on some nightclothes. Her damp hair didn't matter—she lay down on the bed.

It'll dry on its own. Thinking that, Ibelin fell asleep.

Somewhere, elegant music played. Laughter and chatter mixed in.

Looking down absently at the sound, she saw a hand clad in lace gloves. The delicate lace looked expensive—and on the fourth finger, a sparkling ring gleamed.

It didn't take long for Ibelin to realize it was her own hand.

Raising her head, she saw the Emperor standing at the highest place. The boy who had seemed so young looked dignified today—and Kite stood beside him.

He wore a fine uniform of dark blue fabric embroidered with silver thread. Unlike usual, he wasn't smiling—making him look cold and composed.

"To the Great Emperor of the Empire, I present a gift."

A merchant-like figure bowed and offered a gift to the Emperor—a ceramic piece with an unusual pattern, said to be a famous sacred object from the East.

Emperor Leonhardt seemed satisfied. Then, suddenly, something began to seep from the ceramic—a dark, ominous smoke. As curious gazes gathered, the ceramic exploded.

Boom!

Screams mixed with the loud sound.

"Hah!"

Startled, Ibelin opened her eyes—and saw an angel above her. A carved cherub on the ceiling.

Only then did she remember where she was—and realize the terrible events she had just witnessed were a dream.

She replayed the dream: the sky outside the window, the people's chatter, the order of gift presentations. Once she had sorted it out, she sprang from the bed.

She had to tell Kite immediately. Ibelin threw an outer robe over her nightclothes and rushed out.

"Lady Ibelin?"

Lucen, guarding the door, called out in surprise.

"I need to see Lord Kite—right now!"

"Wait—please calm down. At least get dressed first!"

As he tried to restrain her, Lucen saw her expression—and read the urgency in it. He straightened her outer robe and said.

"I'll guide you now."

At this hour, Kite would be resting, he said.

"There's a small room for the Emperor's knights."

Lucen led Ibelin to that room, near Leonhardt's quarters.

Knock, knock.

When she knocked at the door, a familiar voice answered from inside.

"Come in."

Ibelin flung the door open—and saw Kite, bare-chested and wet.

"Ah!"

She hadn't expected that—she covered her eyes in embarrassment.

"Didn't you see it last time too?"

Only Kite remained composed. Lucen, who had followed, quickly handed him a robe. Kite put it on with a reluctant expression, and Ibelin lowered her hands.

"Why do you always have to be undressed?!"

"Maybe you just keep coming when I am?"

Kite said incredulously and dismissed Lucen.

"Just so you know—you haven't even had your engagement ceremony yet."

Lucen left with those words. Not that it mattered. Ibelin sighed and looked at Kite—his hair was still dripping.

"Wait a moment."

She had also gone to sleep with damp hair—but he was worse. Yet his hair never seemed to suffer for it; he must have been born with good hair. Ibelin fetched a towel from the bathroom and patted the back of a nearby sofa.

Kite obediently sat down as she directed. As she patted his hair dry with the towel, Ibelin spoke.

"I had a dream."

"A dream."

"Yes—one of the gifts presented to His Majesty will explode."

"What kind of gift?"

"An Eastern ceramic, I think. I heard them call it a rare sacred object. At some point, black smoke started seeping from it—and then it exploded."

"Do you know who presented it?"

"Hmm. It seemed like a merchant—the Kraken Trading Company, which mainly operates in trade. I saw their emblem on his sleeve."

Ibelin had received information on the attendees ahead of the banquet—and had memorized it for days. Recalling one of them wasn't difficult.

"If it's the Kraken Trading Company, the deputy head is supposed to attend."

Kite tapped the armrest with his fingers.

"Deputy Head Letan isn't the type. If the head is bold and willing to gamble, Letan is the opposite—cautious and timid. That's why he was appointed deputy in the first place."

"Then he might not have known either?"

"Possible—no matter how carefully gifts are delivered, there's always room for error."

By then, Ibelin had succeeded in drying Kite's hair. No more drips.

"Be careful—and thank you for telling me."

"I hope it helps."

Ibelin took the towel.

"Then I'll be going now."

Even with an engagement planned, she had run into a man's room at night—she could only hope no one had seen.

"Shall I walk you?"

"It's fine—Sir Lucen is waiting outside."

Ibelin declined and left the room. Lucen was indeed waiting.

"Are you finished?"

He must have been curious why she had suddenly come to Kite—but he asked nothing.

"Yes—I'm done."

"Then let's go back."

They walked back in silence. Fortunately, they met no one along the way.

And soon, the day of the birthday banquet dawned.

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