NOVEL NEXT Chapter 161: You do realize you are at a perfect kissing distance from me, right?
<There will be eyes on you today, careful.>
<Lavinia: Gasta Slave Market, Crimson Bazaar District, Aurelian's Respite, Southeastern Quadrant, under the Grand Council of Gold>
Kael closed his eyes as he recalled information imprinted into his mind.
The only thing he was sure about right now was that this wasn't an accident. Althea passed this information on to him on purpose.
And if that is indeed the truth, then…
'She knew what happened during my meeting with the King and the Prince.'
Kael realized it, and very quickly, he also figured out who sent Althea.
It was the King.
He couldn't tell him Lavinia's whereabouts in front of the Crown Prince, so he sent Althea to him. At the same time, he also predicted that the Crown Prince might send someone to keep an eye on him and told Althea to warn him.
Yes, the King was on his side. It was a good thing.
But…
'They are getting suspicious.'
Kael realized it.
To send someone to keep an eye on him just when he was about to bond with a Magic Beast, it wasn't a good sign.
'Was hiding Igni a wrong move…?'
Kael pondered over the matter as he raised his head, but then,
"Stop showing off, will you?"
He heard an annoyed voice.
It was Elira, who was sitting in front of him.
Right now, the two were inside a carriage that was taking them to Arlan's house, and while Arlan was busy receiving a guest who had shown up, Elira had come to take Kael.
"What do you mean?"
Kael tilted his head in confusion.
"Yes, yes, I already noticed that your face looks better than before. At least it does not look hideous now.
Here, I complimented you. Are you satisfied now? If you are, then stop tilting your head at different angles to show off that flawless skin of yours!"
The Court Mage shouted, and at those words, Kael just grinned.
"Just say you are jealous."
"I am not jealous!"
"And then you say you aren't a tsundere, how adorable~"
"I am not a tsundere! I am not that annoying!"
"Right, right."
Kael nodded as suddenly, Elira jumped at him, grabbed his collar, and pulled his face close to hers.
"And what did you do? How has your skin become so… flawless? You look like a completely different man!"
Kael froze.
Seeing the Court Mage being this close to him while she stared at him with those emerald green eyes... overwhelmed him.
He felt... lost for a moment.
But then, he quickly gathered his thoughts and grinned,
"You do realize you are at a perfect kissing distance from me, right?"
"Try it and see what happens."
Elira threatened, looking right into Kael's eyes. The distance between them, however, was still suspiciously close.
"Is this some sort of way ladies in this world use to tempt a man into kissing them?"
Kael muttered, and Elira, who had enough of this bastard, freed his collar and went for the throat instead.
"I'll kill you!"
She shouted.
"Have you lost your mind!?"
Kael barely defended himself from the crazy woman. He was glad that he was stronger and faster than her; if not, she might have actually killed him.
"Go away!"
Kael snorted as he pushed Elira a little. He, however, still didn't let his guard down and stared at the woman, prepared for any possible attacks.
Seeing him acting like this, Elira finally smiled.
"Have you calmed down now?"
She questioned with a gentle smile on her face.
Kael frowned at her sudden change, making the Court Mage laugh out loud.
"Stop trying to hide things from me, you brat. You suck at it.
What happened? What's in your mind?"
She questioned, and without Kael having to say it, she formed a Sound Barrier around them.
Kael stared at the woman for a moment. Honestly, he wasn't surprised that she caught on. After all, Elira may be wearing the mask of the loudest, most violent, and short-tempered mage, but deep down, Kael knew she was one of the most observant women who saw through even the slightest of lies.
"Gasta Slave Market, Crimson Bazaar District, Aurelian's Respite, Southeastern Quadrant, under the Grand Council of Gold."
Kael spoke up, looking into Elira's eyes.
"That is where Lavinia is."
"How do you know that?"
Elira questioned, the air around her changing in an instant.
"The King told me."
"What…?"
Elira couldn't believe her ears, and Kael finally told her what happened.
"It is as we predicted. The King wanted you to know about Lavinia, and to think Althea was his subordinate…"
Elira muttered, her eyes shining brightly as she thought of different possibilities and ways through which she could save Lavinia.
"The King being on our side is a good thing. What are you so worried about?"
Suddenly, Elira questioned with a frown on her face.
"…"
Kael turned silent at that question.
This… was a problem he couldn't share with her…
After all, even Elira didn't know about Igni.
"Is this regarding the second message you received?"
Elira guessed it.
Kael tried to remain expressionless, but once again, in front of Elira, his methods didn't work.
"You are worried that you have attracted attention, even more so when this happened exactly when you were about to bond with your second beast."
Kael nodded at those words.
Maybe Elira's perspective might help him in one way or another.
"It would have happened eventually, you know? Your movements are indeed suspicious."
The Court Mage just shrugged.
Kael stared at the Court Mage with a frown, wanting to know what she meant by it.
And the Court Mage didn't hold back.
"Well, for starters, you are a Third Circle Mage, not a Second Circle Mage. You left that out in your meeting with the King.
Of course, only me and Arlan know about it, so others won't find it very suspicious, but even then, your movements aren't exactly innocent.
Especially when it comes to your Bond."
"What do you mean…?"
Kael questioned, narrowing his eyes at those words.