NOVEL NEXT Chapter 400
To understand the trigger for Baroness Poppins’ overwhelming pride, one must take a step back in time.
Memorial Day.
Thanks to the consideration of the nameless Traveler, a member of the Triune.
Thanks to that, the Felwinter family (excluding Alfred) was able to spend time with Rosetta Felwinter, who passed away at a young age.
Of course, Alicia’s daily life didn’t change despite the special experience of Memorial Day.
She ate to her heart’s content, wandered about freely, and visited wherever she pleased. Few would notice Alicia’s stealthy movements.
Rosetta was not pleased with this situation.
The moment came when Karem was setting up the offering for the ritual.
Upon returning to the castle after clearing away the plates and bowls in place of Rosetta, she persuaded Alicia.
[Alicia, while it may not be necessary for your own nature, it’s polite to send a letter asking for permission when visiting others outside your own.]
“Huh? Grandma, but it’s my home?”
[That isn’t entirely wrong, but let’s take the Wizard’s Tower as an example.]
Though Rosetta died young, she had governed Iceland in place of the might-oriented Richard.
It took only a few days to grasp Alicia’s principles of action.
A few words were sufficient for Rosetta to convince Alicia.
[What if someone came to take Alicia’s delicious snacks without permission?]
“That would definitely make me feel bad!”
[And wouldn’t Atanitas and Karem feel the same?]
“Gasp.”
Alicia was not rude.
Her every principle of action was simply aligned with fine dining.
What she needed was merely an education tailored to her level. And that was something only her family could provide.
Originally, it would have been Elizabeth’s responsibility, but Alicia was a remarkable anomaly among the children Elizabeth bore.
Yet, Rosetta was familiar with this.
After all, Alicia had many similarities to Richard.
Hearing Rosetta’s words, Alicia paused her snack and began reflecting on her past actions.
“Could it be that I, like Mary, unintentionally disturbed Karem and Catherine’s little flutters…!”
No, hmm.
Should I correct that?
As Rosetta was pondering, she decided to let Alicia contemplate her own actions. It wouldn’t do to interfere too much with a conclusion she had reached on her own.
The opportunity had been set, so from here on would be up to Alicia’s own will, and Rosetta moved on.
And the result bore fruit that shocked the Unicorn Onager and left Grand Wizard Catherine taken aback.
“Catherine, so what did the letter say?”
“Well… Unlike over there, it’s simple here. Although I’ve been deemed fit, the content is an apology for sneaking in and a very ordinary request for permission to visit again to eat the cooking if possible.”
“…Alicia, you say?”
Indeed. Catherine remained silent and re-read the letter’s contents from the beginning alongside Karem, wondering if she had misread.
Nothing changed.
“They say children grow and change every day.”
Mary also briefly glanced at the letter.
That was her only impression. For someone who had often had to catch Alicia, it was just pleasant to see her change.
“Princess Alicia, who was overly loved, was just a bit too audacious, wasn’t she? I suspect something might have triggered this.”
“Well, the direction of the change is indeed positive.”
Catherine was about to fold the letter when she glanced at Poppins.
The baroness’s wrinkled face still glowed with pride.
“Do I just need to send the reply by today?”
“The princess wishes for you to reply as quickly as possible.”
That made sense.
After Memorial Day, Alicia’s intrusions had suddenly ceased.
At first, it seemed she was busy or unwell.
To think she had been reflecting on such matters!
“Oh, then I can send a reply right away.”
The Onager, having nearly regained his calm, asked.
“They said the sooner the better, so, maid. Please bring me some paper and a quill. These hooves can’t write letters.”
“How should I write it?”
“Dear the charming Princess Alicia, although it was a polite request, I must firmly deny it. Period! Great, just like that!”
Poppins seemed to anticipate that reaction and smoothly intercepted the letter carried by the wind magic stirred up by Onager.
Catherine, taking a more straightforward approach, flipped over Alicia’s letter and extended her hand, prompting Mary to hand her the quill.
“Well, at least there won’t be any sneaking in now.”
It would be amusing to deny her entrance after having granted free access all along.
The content was simply a note requesting permission be sought at least a day in advance.
Handing Poppins a clean letter that directly stated the contents without superfluous details, Catherine sent it along.
“Then I will send a reply right away.”
“What did you say?”
Ignoring Catherine’s confusion, Poppins silently read Catherine’s response and pulled out another letter from her bosom.
“Here’s the visiting schedule for Princess Alicia to be delivered as soon as Sir Atanitas grants approval.”
“Did you predict the outcome?”
“You believed she wouldn’t retract a permission granted once.”
Catherine was left dumbfounded by Poppins’ words, her expression incredulous.
“What was she planning to do if I denied it?”
“Oh, just in case, I also have a letter for if you did refuse.”
“Ugh.”
The youngest sage-level Grand Wizard, Catherine Merigold Atanitas.
She was startled by the realization that a seven-year-old girl had anticipated her thoughts.
She had assumed this child was only filled with thoughts of food.
But then again, it was merely a prejudice.
Alicia was simply bold from having received too much love.
It was just that she had learned not to casually retract her words.
Was there more to convey? Poppins stepped out of the barn as she considered that.
“Contractor. Have you forgotten something?”
“What have I forgotten?”
“Aren’t you here to personally collect the byproducts?”
“Oh, if a fresh and lovely Honorable Virgin is eager to gather them herself, I’d happily allow it. Mane hair? Tail hair? My body hair? Unfortunately, my horns are still growing, so I can’t part with those!”
The Onager leaned in as if to say “just cut it already.”
“Thanks to that, my horns might grow back faster, so that’s sufficient in return.”
That aspect was a bit surprising for Karem.
He had expected that Onager would have at least shown some interest in petting a little bit while cutting.
Karem doubted it was just a misunderstanding.
It was not a misunderstanding.
Of course, Onager’s feelings toward Honorable Virgins hadn’t changed.
However, Catherine was the Honorable Virgin above all.
The definition of an Honorable Virgin as set out by the Unicorn Council referred to a woman who maintains a pure relationship with one partner.
No third-party interference can be tolerated in a newly blossoming relationship.
Of course, there were other significant reasons for Onager’s behavior.
‘Whoa, what is that feeling?!’
Onager was inwardly aghast.
He had overlooked the presence concealed by divine power, but it was undeniably the aura of a dragon.
Moreover, given this immense pressure, it was no ordinary dragon.
The Lord.
Given that distinct aura, instead of sensing the gentle touch of Honorable Virgin Catherine, Onager felt the encroaching intensity that left no space for any frivolous thoughts.
Scrape, scrape.
“Hmm… this should be enough.”
“Hmm? It’s not even a handful of mane hair, just a few strands? You said Catherine, right? Is this truly going to suffice?”
“Yeah. It’s not for research purposes.”
Just three strands.
After placing them into a handkerchief and putting it in her embrace, Catherine waved at Karem and Mary, standing open-mouthed.
There was no longer anything to do at this location.
“Oh, before I go. Can I ask you for a favor?”
“Hmm? Me?”
“Um, actually, it’s a request for your partner Karem, not you as the Honorable Virgin.”
“Well, discuss that with Catherine.”
Karem readily ceded the initiative to Catherine without hesitation.
“I’m her subordinate, after all.”
“So, what’s this request about?”
As the Onager waggled his hooves, telling the maids returning to the break room to take it easy and come back, he looked around and whispered softly.
“Oh, it’s nothing special.”
*
*
*
Onager’s request was simple.
Could he possibly receive desserts made by Karem once a day?
Thanks to the heavy infusion of divine power, perhaps some sort of effect was in operation. As a result, his horn’s regeneration rate had significantly increased, meaning he wished to shorten the recovery period.
However, Onager’s true intention differed somewhat.
‘Holy crap, to think it was related to a dragon. Maybe I should cut back on my holiday plans a bit. I’m feeling the shivers.’
Though unicorns are rarely the prey, in the presence of a dragon, they merely seem like remarkable horned horses. This time, Onager decided to follow his instincts.
Catherine didn’t deny the proposal.
Offering some byproducts that naturally fell off during her care, it was rather advantageous for her.
Of course, had Karem objected, it would have been a different story, but it wasn’t likely she would reject being delighted with a handful of unicorn byproducts.
Unless Onager harbored ulterior motives.
But there was no sign of that whatsoever.
Upon arriving at her office, Catherine immediately took out the unicorn byproducts she had gathered and began organizing them.
“So, what are you planning to use those byproducts for?”
“I will use what you dropped off on me.”
“Oh, the Giant’s Heart?”
“Exactly. That damn precious item.”
Catherine shook her head, congested with annoyance.
“I can’t keep leaving it be, so with winter upon us, I must get to work.”
“Hmm… Well, would you like me to bring you something to eat?”
At those words, Catherine, who had been sorting through the fur in several categories, shook her head after some hesitation.
“Right now, just cola will suffice.”
“I will prepare it at once.”
Karem took the empty kettle off Catherine’s table and headed toward the inner room.
The Eranos’ pot was placed in one corner of that inner room unless something special was needed.
“Alright, a single kettle should do… huh?”
As Karem placed his hand on the pot, channeling divine power into it, he suddenly felt a mysterious pressure emanating from his chest. He stopped and lowered his head.
Something seemed to be wriggling as if trying to break free from within his clothes.
“What in the world…”
For the moment, he removed his hand from the pot and reached into his pocket, grabbing whatever was wriggling on the verge of bursting out.
“What the heck is this sudden phenomenon?”
The holy relic he firmly gripped seemed like it would leap from his hands the moment he let go. Following the direction of that energy, he turned his head—
“…The pot? Why on earth?”
Karem moved the hand gripping the holy relic back and forth.
No matter which direction he moved, the holy relic was drawn toward Eranos’ pot.