ATPL 17

When it came to a noble lady’s journey, it was customary to load a carriage with an abundance of luggage.

However, this was no ordinary journey. The next morning, as Anais stood in the Great Hall, only one small suitcase rested before her.

Inside the suitcase, were comfortable shoes, a hat, indoor clothes, and a change of underwear. Anne had dressed her in a simple, yet lovely checkered dress that was perfect for an outing.

The dress, which reached just below her ankles and allowed movement, was ideal for walking on the wet floors of Belfast Harbor.

As Anais adjusted her bonnet, Elliot spoke up.

“Since the matter is urgent, Lady Fleur and I will take the gate and traverse the Vidna Mountains in two days.”

Oh my. Anais’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I heard it normally takes thirty days?”

There were thirty-seven gates scattered across the continent, installed by the Black Dragon, who often complained that humans were too slow. However, every time a gate was used, it required borrowing the dragon’s power.

Unlike magic, the gates were a gift from the dragon to humans, making them less costly. However…

“Atlas has no inherent magical power. Plus, I dislike using gates, so we didn’t use them on the way here.”

“Oh…”

Anais glanced at Atlas with pity. Veins bulged on Atlas’s forehead.

Indeed, gates couldn’t be used by humans who lacked magical ability.

While dragons gave the gates to humans, they did not allow humans to use magic without cost.

They required humans to use their own magic to activate them.

If someone lacked magical power? They had to find someone with magical ability or avoid using the gate altogether.

That was why Atlas mostly stayed behind at his desk.

The Dragon Knights had to travel across the continent, but they always needed assistance from someone else.

Elliot didn’t possess immense magical power either.

Since he didn’t plan on living as a wizard, it didn’t bother him much, but it seemed like quite a hassle for Atlas whenever they had to move.

“Possessed individuals generally have more magical power than ordinary humans.”

“Oh my.”

“So, moving Lady Fleur shouldn’t be an issue. But, if by any chance you lacks magical power, I’ll escort you separately from Atlas.”

I see… Anais nodded.

Elliot glanced over at the Eternal Snow embedded in the center of the Great Hall. An unfamiliar piece of paper was tied to it with a string.

It was a guarantee written by Atlas on Elliot’s behalf.

“The people who came yesterday all asked for a guarantee, so I stamped it with the Dragon Knights’ seal. There’s no backing out now, so you better not be lying about not being possessed.”

Atlas’s words were almost threatening. But Anais simply snorted.

“Anais truly didn’t lie, you know?”

She was confident in her words. It had already been difficult enough to drag her body to the distant Vidna Mountains for something she hadn’t even done. Her bandaged face still ached.

“It’s a comical sight— a guarantee tied with a string to the Eternal Snow. One creditor who confirmed the seal even asked if they could bring their husband next time.”

“Oh my, what did you say?”

When Anais asked, Atlas shot her a glare.

“You speak as if it’s someone else’s business. I told them to pay the admission fee to the Fleur family since it’s not my mansion.”

“Admission fee! What a funny joke. Wait. If we really started charging admission, it might help with the debt, ouch.”

As Anais laughed, she grimaced. Her lips still hurt from the burn scars. If her lips didn’t hurt because of the burn scars, Anais might have seriously considered taking an admission fee for her house.

She rubbed her face, but Anne quickly lowered Anais’s hand, preventing her from touching her lips.

“Miss, you need to change your bandages at least once every two days. I wonder if our Miss knows how to bandage herself properly…”

“Wait, Anne can’t come either?”

Anais looked at Elliot in surprise. Elliot looked at Anais as if asking what else she expected.

“I just said that only Lady Fleur and I will go.”

“Oh, Anne… Anais’s head hurts… I think I might faint.”

Pretending to hold her head, Anais collapsed dramatically to the side.

“Miss!” Anne cried, rushing to support Anais. Elliot sighed softly and gestured for Anais to stand.

“What’s the matter?”

“Please take off that bonnet.”

“Bonnet?”

Anais’s eyes widened in confusion.

Why would he want her to remove her bonnet?

There could only be one reason a gentleman might ask such a thing—to kiss her forehead!

Anais immediately narrowed her eyes, adopting a stern expression.

“Of course, I trust Sir Resaloniki, but I hope you won’t make a mistake with a lady.”

If this had been his sister, Kie, Elliot would have smacked her forehead without hesitation.

But unfortunately, the person in front of him was Lady Anais Fleur.

He looked at her, his expression filled with disdain.

Anais, believing she had just made a clever joke, pouted at him.

“It was a joke. Anais knows that Sir values his honor.”

“I intend to heal your burns. Please take it off quickly before I change my mind.”

Anais’s green eyes widened.

“Can you heal my burns?”

Given her face was wrapped in bandages, this was the most welcome news.

“I am an agent of the dragon.”

“…But isn’t it forbidden to use that power?”

“I can’t force someone who can’t even ride a horse because of burns to travel with me.”

He had a point. Anais held her bonnet tightly, and without realizing it, she spoke.

“Then you should have told me earlier… more than half of the luggage in my bag is bandages!”

In her surprise at the unexpected offer, she forgot to say thank you first.

How uncultured! she scolded herself inwardly. But Atlas interrupted with an annoyed expression.

“Look, Lady Fleur. Our commander has taken care of all your troubles, and now he even offers to heal your burns. And this is all you have to say? I let the nonsense you’ve been saying since yesterday slide, but really.”

“No, I was about to say thank you…”

Anais stopped mid-excuse and closed her mouth. Atlas was right.

Elliot had resolved all her troubles, and she should have thanked him first. She answered quietly.

“I’m sorry. Anais made a mistake.”

“That third-person speech…”

“Enough, Atlas.” Elliot cut him off.

Atlas clicked his tongue, clearly irritated, but didn’t press the issue.

Anais, with her head lowered in embarrassment, stepped forward. Still, she hesitated before untying her bonnet. Looking down at the tips of Elliot’s boots, she asked softly,

“But… come to think of it, what would you have done if I couldn’t repay the debt?”

Elliot responded nonchalantly.

“I heard you’re the princess of Belfast. Since you said you’d fulfill your duty, I trust you will.”

“…”

Of course, she had said that because she intended to, but hearing him repeat it made her feel odd.

So, he just believes whatever I say, without questioning it?

At first, she had been acting a bit more difficult, feeling like they were unjustly dragging her to pay for a crime she hadn’t committed.

Yes, Anais had intentionally been difficult with the Dragon Knights.

But now, hearing Elliot’s words, so certain she would fulfill her duty—made her feel awkward.

Anais slowly untied the bonnet string, and a faint burnt smell wafted in the air. Her brittle hair spilled free from the bonnet.

Without flinching, Elliot spoke.

“Close your eyes.”

“Eyes?”

“The healing power uses a portion of the life force that the dragon received from the gods when they were born, not the dragon’s magical power. It’s blinding—hundreds of times brighter than any light on Earth. If you look at it the wrong way, you could go blind. You too, nanny, close your eyes.”

Anais closed her eyes as Elliot gently placed his hand over them. The hand of the knight known to be the strongest on the continent was warm, and it smelled faintly of resin.

Anais noticed her hands, still holding the bonnet, were suddenly sweating. Slowly, a warm energy began to spread through her body.

Her stomach and thighs, which had been stinging from the burn, gradually started to feel better.

“Oh my, Miss’s skin…”

Anne’s voice filled with admiration.

“It’s done.”

When Elliot spoke, Anais slowly opened her eyes.