Book 9: Chapter 13: No next year for Monica Norton (2/2)
I've never seen or heard a spell that can manipulate the shape of a face at will.
When Nero saw Yuan was using a spell that was out of their understanding, he knew he can't let his guard down. So he stopped his attempt and watched closely at Yuan's and Heidi's movements, especially at Yuan's body modification spell.
On the other hand, Yuan and Heidi didn't try to attack right away. They must have realized that Nero was not an ordinary person. They were on alert and searching for a way to get out of this situation.
So Yuan approached a new proposal.
”Hey, dark-haired guy. Wanna make a deal with me? I'll give you the antidote of that drug for that Silent Witch, but in exchange, will.you.let.us.go?” said Yuan as he took a small bottle from his pocket, flashing it toward Nero.
But what appeared on Nero's face was only a vicious smile.
”I only make a deal with someone I acknowledged. If you have the antidote, I just have to take it by force and kill you.”
”Oh, I'm so scaaared~ I will do this, then~”
The small bottle slipped off from his hand. It fell and broke after hitting the floor and the liquid inside scattered across… in an instant, the classroom was filled with white smoke. It had a pungent smell which was probably some kind of poison.
”For your information, Heidi and I have some resistance toward poisons, so this smoke won't affect us… but what about her? I guess it will be painful for her.”
”!”
Nero immediately turned his gaze toward Monica in his hand. Unlike Nero who's had resistance toward poisons, Monica's resistance was the same as a normal human. Especially when she had been subjected to another drug, so taking any other poison would only worsen her condition.
Maybe because she had inhaled some smoke, she was writhing, scratching her throat in agony.
Nero clicked his tongue and jumped out the window to escape from the poisonous smoke while Yuan's high-pitched laugh echoed at his back.
”Farewell, Silent Witch, and you too, Mr. Knight. I hope you find the horrible truth shrouding around us, if that happens, let's meet again in the future.”
＊ ＊ ＊
Nero carried Monica to the old garden which was less crowded. As the day ended and the sun had already set more than halfway, the night breeze blew in the garden. Nero wrapped Monica's body in his robe, sat down by the broken fountain. Then, a yellow bird came down and transformed into a beautiful maid.
Lindbergfield, a contracted spirit of Louis Miller, placed her hand on the ragged breathing Monica's mouth.
”I supplied her some clean oxygen to ease her breathing.”
”Will it restore Monica's condition?”
Nero stared at Lynn doubtfully to which she responded with a shook.
”It can only aid her breathing, not curing her poison. From her condition, she was not afflicted with a strong poison. The effect of the poison should be gone after resting for a half-day and she will back to normal.”
While Lynn was giving Nero an explanation, Monica weakly opened her eyes to ask her.
”…Lynn… h-have you found… Cyril…”
”We've taken him in our care. The case of he had another comrade might only a bluff.”
”…H-How… is His Highness escorting…”
”No problem, it's been handled by Sir Louis. He's been secretly watching him around very closely while complaining about how cold it is.”
”…T-Then… h-have you captured those two…”
Considering the situation, the best option was to have one of Louis or Lynn guard Felix, while the other one is to chase Yuan and Heidi.
Despite being aware that it will let them escape, Louis still sent Lynn to go to Monica's place instead of chasing them. It was an unusual choice, considering how his behavior was.
”Sir Louis ordered me to assist Silent Witch as first priority. He has considered that losing you would prove more damaging than letting the enemies escape.”
”Louis must be angry… letting the enemies escape…”
”He might appear angry, but I could sense he also worried about you.”
”…ahaha… that's very Louis-like.”
Monica regulated her breathing as she gave her a wry smile. Just breathing alone has made her very nauseous at first, but it was much better now. Maybe the poison was not so potent in the first place. After resting for a bit, she should be able to walk again.
As Monica shifted her body to see how far she could move, Nero hugged her tightly.
”With the maid woman here, we can use her flight spell to move you to your attic room. But you have to rest for now. It will be trouble if you collapsed in the midway.”
”…no, I have to go… to Lana's room… I need to make a preparation…for the ball.”
Hearing Monica's words, Nero gawked at her.
”Hah!? What can you do with that weak body?!” shouted Nero at her and Lynn also nodded in agreement.
”Please rest assured, you can leave the guarding of the second prince at the ball to us. In the meantime, you should take proper rest.”
”I'm sorry… for making you guard the second prince when it's not your responsibility… but this is my selfish request.”
In the almost crying state, Monica's face crumpled and she muttered.
”And I might not be there in the next year's ball.”
Like Yuan had told her. Monica Everett of the Silent Witch treats humans mercilessly. And it was a fact she can't refute. She was a witch who is terrified of human beings, because of it she can be so cruel toward them and only see them as nothing but numbers.
Monica closed her eyes, thinking about all the treasures she had obtained.
Lana gave her a letter and a ribbon.
Felix gave her a necklace.
Casey gave her a handmade handkerchief.
Even the white rose ornament attached to her chest was given by someone.
All of these things were not something they had addressed to Silent Witch. But a gift for a little girl named Monica Norton. At some point, she might not be able to part with the identity of Monica Norton and the time she spent as her. Despite being aware that she had lied to everybody.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. At least… please let me be Monica Norton while I'm only at this school.
To which person did she apologize? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Is it to Louis who gave her the mission?
Is it to Nero and Lynn for the troubles she had caused to them?
Or, is it to her friends whom she had lied to?
Perhaps it was to all of them.
But I still want to be Monica Norton… even only for a little longer.