I'll Stop Regressing and Raise a Baby Dragon - Chapter 41

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 41
Looking around, I noticed her entourage remained exactly as it had been, gathered around her.
There was only one difference.
Harrison was no longer visible at her side.
‘She’s been completely isolated.’
Harrison lingered in a corner where foot traffic was sparse, watching me from a distance.
She too looked uncomfortable, but not as openly as Stefan did.
“Eria, have you tried this?”
Lesiana’s eyes sparkled as she pointed to the Chocolate Mousse Cake.
It was an elegant cake adorned with the imperial crest rendered in fine edible gold leaf.
“Not yet, I haven’t.”
“Well then, go on—have a taste. Here.”
She carefully handed me a cup holding a slice of cake and a fork.
“Thank you.”
“So anyway, about that book we were discussing earlier……”
Lesiana seemed completely absorbed by Midday’s Desire.
Except when dancing, she spoke of the book at every moment.
Though she did exchange pleasantries with Edward and Theodore on occasion.
Most of the other young ladies and young gentlemen present that evening barely managed a single word.
What’s more, she appeared to be the sort who kept her word once spoken.
Throughout the banquet, Lesiana had not opened a single gift.
Stefan’s lavish presents were ultimately carried out by servants.
***
After the banquet had ended, late into the night.
I concealed myself in a shadowed corner of the Imperial Palace and surveyed the area.
‘Lesiana will come out. I’m sure of it.’
She would have grasped the hidden message in the gift I’d given her.
Of course, the box itself was part of the present.
But what the male protagonist truly intended to give was this:
The secret midnight escape that the heroine in the story had longed for.
Carefully watching my surroundings, I opened Luke’s letter.
[Eria, you must stay safe.
I trust Liliana, so nothing serious should happen.
If anything does occur, call me while wearing the bracelet.
I will arrive without fail.]
I placed the letter back into the pouch.
This pouch I’d received with it had magic woven into it.
Thanks to that enchantment, it could hold far more than its outward appearance suggested.
I opened the pouch and examined its contents.
Clothes, shoes, and two bracelets.
Everything was packed exactly as I’d requested.
“Good… nothing’s missing.”
I reached into the pouch and withdrew the two bracelets.
One was rose gold, the other silver.
Both had a tiny, transparent jewel set in the center.
“How much time is left until the appointed hour?”
I pulled out the pocket watch hanging from my belt.
11:25.
I had roughly five minutes to spare.
‘I’ll wait until midnight. If there’s no word by then, I’ll have to slip away on my own.’
I parted the undergrowth slightly and scanned the area for any sign of movement.
I sensed nothing unusual yet.
This time I turned around very slowly.
Not far off, Liliana stood watching over me.
When I smiled faintly, she smiled back.
It was her signal that all was well.
“Thank you for your help.”
I whispered softly to her, and she replied in kind.
“Not at all. I promised to assist, so this is simply my duty.”
“Still, with the night shift and all… you must be exhausted.”
“It’s truly all right.”
Liliana finished speaking in an even tone, then suddenly turned her head.
She quickly pressed a finger to her lips.
I covered my mouth as well, and with my other hand traced a circle in the air.
Rustle—
I parted the brush once more and peered outside.
Just as Liliana had signaled, someone was there.
It was Lesiana.
She held in her hands the small flower bouquet that had been inside the box I’d given her.
She gazed once at the beautiful lakeside, its surface gleaming in the moonlight.
Then she began to look around in every direction.
Her nightgown of white silk embroidered with gold thread fluttered softly in the breeze.
She gripped tightly the thin outer robe draped across her shoulders.
“Cough, cough—”
Perhaps because of the cool night air, Lesiana coughed frequently.
Her condition didn’t look particularly good.
‘……Is it really all right to have brought her out?’
Since I’d already made the suggestion, let me call out to her and speak first.
“Your Highness……!”
After I called to her several times, she started, looking toward the brush.
I poked my head through the foliage to show myself.
“Oh—”
Lesiana’s voice rose for an instant before she covered her mouth with both hands.
She looked around cautiously and crept toward me.
Without hesitation, she knelt and crawled smoothly into the brush.
“So you were here! You even copied this sort of thing exactly?”
That wasn’t it—this was simply the only place to hide.
“That’s right. You truly are thoughtful.”
Still, there’s no harm in letting her think well of me when she’s being so kind about it.
“You’re the thoughtful one……. Thank you. I could never have imagined a gift like this.”
She let out a soft laugh and pulled the blanket snug around herself.
Seen up close, Lesiana appeared to be breathing much more heavily.
Both her cheeks were flushed a deep red, as though burned by fire.
‘She really does seem unwell…….’
Pushing herself too hard wouldn’t be good.
If I made a foolish choice simply out of a desire to look good, and something worse happened to Croy because of it—I couldn’t allow that.
This matter required particular caution.
“Your Highness.”
“Mm?”
“I truly wish to keep our promise. But…….”
As I hesitated, Lesiana’s expression deteriorated sharply.
I knew she didn’t want to hear this.
Yet it was something I had to say.
“I’m simply worried that this choice might harm your health—”
“Don’t concern yourself with that.”
She spoke firmly and took each of my hands in both of hers.
“I took my medicine today. The effects just haven’t kicked in yet.”
“Your Highness.”
“I’ll take responsibility. I won’t bring any harm to your family.”
I trust that Lesiana isn’t a woman of light character.
And yet.
A promise made only by word of mouth is the lightest thing there is.
“……Then, would it be all right if I asked just one thing of you?”
“What is it?”
“Your cough and mild fever seem quite severe.”
“……Yes, but they’ll pass soon enough.”
“If either of them worsens even slightly, you could find yourself in real danger.”
“…….”
“Would you promise me that you’ll turn back without hesitation if that happens?”
Lesiana, who had been listening to my earnest plea with a grave expression, answered slowly.
“By the way, Eria.”
“Yes?”
“Overalls look nice on you too. Then again, nothing looks bad on you. Not with that face.”
……Is that really something you should be saying right now?
“I, my answer— Yes.”
That startled me.
I nearly called her out for such a ridiculous response.
Fortunately, I managed to catch myself and stop before the words left my mouth.
“Ha, yes, understood. Of course.”
Lesiana answered very softly, her face suppressing a smile.
“I’ll never hide any pain. Not when you’re willing to take such risks.”
“Thank you. Then… here.”
I pulled out the clothes and shoes I’d packed in the pouch and handed them to her.
She opened her eyes wide as she examined the outfit.
“Should I put these on now?”
“Yes. I apologize for the humble setting.”
“Why apologize? It’s all precious memory. I love it.”
Lesiana smiled with genuine warmth.
I used the brush to shield her from view and scanned the surroundings.
“Let me make sure no one else is coming.”
“All right.”
“If you need any assistance——”
“I’m fine. I can manage on my own.”
As she began undressing, I quickly turned away.
While keeping watch, Lesiana asked carefully.
“But… how did you get into the Imperial Palace? The security is tight.”
“I bribed the guards.”
“What? Who? Which one?”
“I was joking.”
……
Lesiana tapped my shoulder lightly.
I glanced back to see her pouting as she smoothed down her dress.
It was a worn, tattered garment, yet it looked beautiful on her.
‘Even rough fabric can’t hide a face like that.’
Her delicate movements, graceful expressions, and beautiful features carried an unmistakable elegance.
“Tell me. I want to know too.”
She puffed out her cheeks slightly and glared at me.
……Looking at me so adorably with that expression.
I felt a peculiar sting in my chest.
In the end, I confessed the truth.
“I asked the Duke to cast Sleep Magic for about thirty minutes.”
“Really? So the Duke is here too?”
“He’s away on business, so he gave me a Magic Artifact that anyone can activate.”
“I see.”
“However, we have a knight escorting us this time.”
Liliana, who had been listening to our conversation, approached slowly.
Lesiana seemed somewhat surprised, but she didn’t look flustered.
Liliana gave her a light salute.
“Captain of the 2nd Mage Tower Knight Order, Liliana Joren.”
“…… Ah, that person from back then? Is that right?”
Liliana nodded.
“That’s her! Eria, doesn’t she look like that person? The one from ‘Midnight’……”
“You mean Knight Gedulte?”
“Yes! I knew you’d see it too!”
Lesiana’s face lit up noticeably.
“How do you always understand what I’m thinking? You’re truly the best!”
Lesiana smiled brightly and squeezed my hand firmly.
I was grateful that Liliana had learned of that previous conversation Lesiana and I had shared.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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