The Wind Calms the Fire - Chapter 45

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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 45
“Of course I’m fine with it. What’s the point of preserving pride by simply presenting surrender documents? If I’m going to do this, I should put on a spectacular performance that captures the Emperor’s heart. That way, he’ll look favorably upon our kingdom, won’t he?”
At first, Carion had thought her reckless.
But as time passed and he observed her, he was beginning to understand what kind of person she truly was.
‘She’s formidable.’
The more they spoke, the more she reminded him of smooth, polished stone worn relentlessly by fierce waves—hard and gleaming.
For someone of her age and station, it was remarkable.
“At dawn……”
The moment Carion opened his mouth, a knock sounded from beyond the door.
Penny entered carrying a tray with a teapot and cups.
‘These two are still at it.’
She hadn’t imagined the two of them would be conversing so comfortably in her absence.
As Penny set down the cups and poured the tea, Lea found herself intensely curious about what he was about to say.
“Soon we’ll be entering the Imperial Palace, won’t we?”
At Lea’s words, Penny’s movements faltered slightly.
“When do you think that will be?”
“The Imperial Palace will send word soon. At most, within ten days.”
“But if they’re not formally summoning us, how will the entire delegation enter the Imperial Palace?”
“I’ll handle that part myself.”
Penny, having poured two cups of tea, stepped back to the side.
Her expression stiffened as she realized she’d overheard something important.
“Penny, would you step out for a moment? And go tell everyone that I have something to say to them later.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Once Penny had left, only the two of them remained in the reception room.
Lea set down her teacup and asked.
“What were you about to say?”
Carion let out a hollow laugh.
“Why?”
“That was rather clever.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You deliberately leaked information to naturally dismiss your maid, without explicitly ordering her away.”
Lea regarded him with narrowed eyes and spoke.
“Penny isn’t merely a servant. She’s someone I can trust with my back. I don’t wish to keep secrets from her. But because of you, a secret has been created for her. So why don’t you tell me this secret that Penny shouldn’t know about?”
Carion paused to consider.
‘A true princess indeed.’
He’d thought her someone who spoke only in direct terms, yet she’d just employed the very rhetoric of high society.
She’d smoothly evaded the topic he’d raised first, steering the conversation elsewhere instead.
He disliked such courtly discourse.
He’d grown weary of the way people circled around truths, probing beneath the surface with their words.
Yet when she spoke that way, it didn’t irritate him at all.
The fact that she wasn’t someone who only charged forward head-on, that she possessed this other facet—he found it intriguing.
“Would it be all right if I moved to sit closer?”
Lea’s eyes widened in surprise.
“The distance is rather great, and I’m concerned I might miss something you say.”
Between them sat only a low table; the reception room was quiet enough that even a whisper would carry.
Lea hadn’t considered this a typical male ploy.
For she’d never really been on guard against him in that regard to begin with.
Before Lea could respond, Carion rose from his seat as though he’d already received permission.
Lea began to say something—”Well, I—”—then shifted her position to make room for him beside her.
And by the time her wits returned to her, he was already seated at her side.
“After I returned to the Imperial Palace at dawn, I spent time reflecting on something you asked me. You inquired whether there had been a trigger that changed the interval of my afflictions.”
Carion was genuinely flustered by his own impulsive action.
So he spoke whatever came to mind first, before he could say or do anything else foolish.
As he spoke while looking straight ahead without turning his face toward her, Lea interpreted his behavior as free of hidden intent.
His handsome profile, seen at this proximity, scattered even her tentative wariness.
The line of his face, traced by the straightness of his nose, was like a perfect work of art.
She gazed upon his features while listening intently to his words.
“I’ve just realized that exactly six years after I left the Imperial Palace, the interval became one month. I’ve also experienced a strange phenomenon recently.”
“What sort of phenomenon?”
“There is a water channel that flows through the Imperial Palace. Beyond the bridge that crosses this channel lies the Inner Palace. The moment I cross the channel, my breath grows tight, and I’m not sure how to describe it……”
“Oh!”
At Lea’s startled cry, Carion turned his head to look at her.
Lea suddenly remembered something Nella had told her.
“Nations rooted in ancient kingdoms possess Divine Artifacts.”
“So you mean something like the Eye of Zephyros exists in the Nortia Kingdom as well?”
“Yes. Though its form differs. The Nortia Kingdom’s artifact is not a defensive one. Its very existence is a state secret, passed only to the heir.”
“Then does the Empire have one too?”
“Aeterna, the Imperial Palace, is a unique structure. I suspect the palace itself is the artifact.”
“There must be a connection. If the palace holds the power of Spirits… the essence of water and earth would collide with your fire essence.”
“Then the reason my episodes were so frequent as a child…”
“The palace’s very structure must have been a burden on your body. That would also explain why Spirit Rampage appeared after you returned to the palace.”
As she spoke, Lea grew slightly animated.
The pieces were falling into place, and she found herself drawn deeper into the puzzle.
Her lifted mood synchronized with the Spirit, and a breeze stirred through the parlor.
Like how one ceases to notice birdsong when deep in a forest, the wind passing over them both was soft as background noise.
“Returning after so long would have stimulated you further. And your inner Spirit is already in an activated state from experiencing rampage before. That might not be entirely a disadvantage. You could attempt Spirit Communion more easily.”
Without realizing it, Lea leaned closer to him.
The two, who had begun sitting at a modest distance, drew nearly pressed against each other.
Carion watched her speak, her eyes gleaming, and felt himself entranced.
Why did she throw herself so completely into matters that had nothing to do with her?
He had kept his long-standing affliction shrouded in absolute secrecy and preferred not to think of it at all.
When she had first discovered it, he’d even felt the shame of exposing a weakness.
But now it no longer troubled him.
He had begun to accept it positively—that it might not be a curse at all, but rather an unknown power dormant within him.
This small shift held surprising weight in his life.
Thanks to her, he was beginning to break free from self-loathing.
He, who stood at the very apex of the Empire’s hierarchy, ought not to be swayed by anyone.
To be influenced was to be exploited.
But this woman was different.
Her very presence was exerting a positive influence on him.
Heat kindled in his eyes as he gazed at her.
The fire Spirit within him stretched like a waking creature, slowly raising his body temperature.
His emotions were immediately sensed by the fire Spirit merged with him, and the message rippled to the wind Spirit filling the parlor.
Had it been capable of sound, the wind Spirit would have laughed outright.
The breeze brushed past Carion’s face, egging him on.
Unable to restrain himself, he quickly pressed his lips to hers.
Seeing her eyes widen in surprise, he laughed.
He tilted his head and brought their lips together again.
Their mouths met in deeper contact.
Lea’s surprised eyes blinked once, and then she went rigid.
‘Why… why is he smiling?’
Her heart had lurched at his smile before the kiss.
Now he was administering preventative treatment without so much as a warning?
‘He’s becoming more brazen by the day.’
Would it be a problem if she didn’t dislike that brazenness?
Lea closed her eyes. From experience, kisses—or rather, treatment—only deepened.
Then his hand cupped the back of her head and pulled, causing her hands to instinctively brace against his chest.
She had no intention of pushing him away, so her hands remained trapped between their bodies.
Through his shirt, she felt the firmness of his chest muscles and the heat of his skin.
This wasn’t the first time their bodies touched while kissing, but something felt different today.
His touch seemed unusually tender.
‘This kind of treatment is dangerous.’
Her mind already knew it.
She had simply chosen to ignore it.
Until now, she had believed herself to have no particular taste in men or ideal type.
Was she projecting her admiration for that person onto this man who resembled him so closely?
At least when it came to appearance, he might match her preferences.
If one kissed even a disliked person every day like this, feelings would naturally develop.
She excused herself, insisting that her restless heart was nothing strange.

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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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