My Childhood Friend Is An Archmage Chapter 128
Translated by d6y (ko-fi)
Chapter 128
I hastily explained the situation to Phoebe. From Lancer’s great performance at Princess Julia's birthday party and the travelling reward she offered to him to the Crown Prince's sudden announcement of joining us.
‘My lady would be so cold.’
"Hmm...."
I'm kind of worried about that, too, but I'm sure…. "...Won't it be okay since I'm with Lancer?"
"Is Lord Lancer some kind of human bonfire?"
"Well, he's not a human bonfire, but he can create artificial fire, so it's kind of similar."
And Lancer told me he could shoot flames from his eyes and spew fire from his mouth.
Hearing my reply, Phoebe nods vigorously, as if proud of me. "You do speak wisely, my lady."
"I don't think I was very wise…."
"By the way, am I accompanying my lady?"
I haven't thought about that. Phoebe was my handmaid. So wherever I went, she was obliged to accompany me. But I don't want to drag her out into the wilderness.
"If you wish to go, Phoebe, you may. I have no intention of forcing you to travel with me."
"What do you mean, force? I'll go anywhere if I can serve you, my lady.Also, I've been to the North before, so I can help you during the trip."
At that, my attention snaps to Phoebe. "Have you been to the North before?" I ask.
"Yes, I went there with a friend a few years ago."
"Really? How was it?" My ears perk up. She never shared her experiences before.
If she had been to the North, wouldn't she be able to tell me what there was to see and do there?
She sighs. "I remember it was very cold, even though I went during the warmer months, so I wore five layers of clothing every day."
"Oh."
"The evening I arrived, I went outside to look at the night sky, and as soon as I stepped out the door, the mucous membranes in my nostrils froze, and I had to breathe through my mouth for the umpteenth time."
"I... I see."
"The next morning, I woke up to find all the branches on the trees had been frozen due to the overnight snowstorm. I freaked out and touched it with my bare hands, and my fingers got stuck. A panicked friend poured water from their teacup over my fingers to try and thaw them out, but the water froze straight away. I ended up cutting the branches off and going back inside to thaw my frozen fingers in front of the fire."
"Ah...."
"The friend I went on the trip with was my best friend of 7 years who I've known since we were kids, and after the trip, we had a fight about why the hell we travelled there."
"...."
An awkward silence falls between us.
Was the North… really such a harsh place? Such a hellhole that could shatter a seven-year friendship like an icicle falling on a stone? At this point, I can't tell if I'm going on a trip or venturing into the unknown.
"But if you prepare properly for the cold, you won't have any problems. You'll get used to it in a day or two."
"Really? Then I'll have to ask you to prepare for the trip, Phoebe. Is that okay with you?"
"Of course." She nods vigorously, like a warrior at the ready. "My lady, do you have any plans for tomorrow that I am not aware of?"
"I suppose I'll be seeing Lancer. Why?"
"That's useless— No, that's not a very important appointment, so come with me."
Was she just about to tell me it's useless for me to meet Lancer…?
She puts a hand on her hip and the other on her chest, puffing it. "I'm going to take a day off tomorrow, so I want you to trust me and come with me!"
"...Ah, okay." I stammer in agreement.
"I thank you for your precious time, my lady. And I'm sorry to ask you about this, but would you mind leaving the room for a moment, in case the glass fragments injure you?"
"Oh, sure." I obediently leave the room. I want to see my parents, anyway. Behind me, Phoebe begins to pick up the pieces of the broken vase with skill.
I wonder where she's gonna be taking me….
As I walk up the stairs to my parents' room, I mull over her invitation. She liked me to the point of mania, but she was always very aware of her place. She knew she was a servant, and I was the master she served, a noble of high rank.
As such, she kept her public and private affairs separate. No matter how much she respected and liked me, she would never ask me to go out with her, or make any non-work-related requests.
So I wonder where she would suddenly take me tomorrow.
No way. Is she… going to buy me a new fur coat out of her own pocket?
Given her track record, it seemed likely. She obviously knew I had a lot of money and could easily afford a new coat, but she liked to shower me in gifts.
If she's taking me to the boutique, I'll buy a coat and some winter gear for her. I imagined her in a fur hat, shawl, and earmuffs, and I can't help but chuckle at the image of a stoic Phoebe wearing winter outerwear with cute embellishments.
Oh, by the way.
Why didn't I hear anything earlier?
My steps freeze in place as I descend the stairs.
The whole time I was talking to her about the North, I only heard her voice.
I didn't hear her inner thoughts at all.
Why?
This has never happened before. She was always gushing with praise for me, so it was easy for me to hear her thoughts. But just now, I didn't hear any of her exaggerated praise for me in her mind.
No way….
I swallow hard.
What if… my powers are gone and the curse has been lifted without my knowledge?
As my thoughts circuit that far, I take a hasty step back and collect my thoughts properly.
"Austin!" I turn to find Austin, the butler who had been overseeing the clean-up of the banqueting hall after the Crown Prince's departure.
"My lady, is there anything you need?" He asks with a kind smile when he sees me.
I look straight at him and cut to the chase. "Austin, do you happen to like Rachel, the maid of Soli Duchy?"
"...Huh?" He stammers, bewildered by my sudden question.
I press him further. "Answer me, Austin. Do you like Rachel?"
"Uh, no, I don't!" He replies in desperate denial, embarrassed.
But his heart was in the right place.
‘Yes, I love you Rachel the most in the world!’
I frown again, knowing that those thoughts were his.
I got my hopes up. I got excited, thinking the curse was broken, but I was wrong…..
"I see. Thanks for letting me know."
"Oh, it's nothing."
"Well, good luck."
"Ah, yes…." He seems puzzled, but at the same time, his mind races.
‘How did she know? Was it obvious? No, but Rachel is only two months pregnant, so it shouldn't be obvious….’
"Cough, cough!" In surprise, I choke and start coughing.
"My lady?" A flustered Austin pours me a glass of water from the kettle that happened to be sitting next to him.
I grab it and gulp down the water.
"Are you all right, my lady?"
"Uh… just swallowed the wrong spit."
Wiping the water from the corner of my mouth with the back of my hand, I set the glass down. I try to calm my breathing again, but it's working well. I'm in shock and horror. What the hell, Rachel is pregnant?
The face of Rachel, beaming as she assists Lancer, flashes into my mind.
I knew Rachel and Austin were lovers, but… not to this extent! All sorts of emotions surges through me. I'm happy for them, but I was also overwhelmed by the suddenness of the news.
I'm also worried for Rachel, as they still have a long way to go before the wedding. She's still working hard at Soli Duchy, will she be okay? Even though he says she's only in her first trimester, she should be more careful….
My heart sinks. Of course, Austin couldn't know about my thoughts.
"Feeling a little better?"
"....” I stare at him, unable to answer. He’s worked here since I was young.
Though, he didn't start as a butler. He came in as a scrivener's apprentice to handle menial tasks, reading and sorting the papers that came into the library. Sometimes I would run into him when I went to the library to borrow books, and he would play with me.
Eventually, Austin was made a full-time scribe by Father, who was impressed with his work. Over the next few years, he worked as a scribe for the Kaerun Duchy and eventually became a butler.
And now he's getting married and leaving the Kaerun Duchy….
Austin….
A thick stream of tears began to roll down my cheeks.
Austin is stunned. "Uh, my lady?"
"Haha, why are my tears...." I burst out laughing and wiped the tears away with the back of my hand. I didn't want to cry, and I couldn't. As I imagine Austin and Rachel happily walking down the aisle, my heart feels all sorts of warmth.
"You should be happy, Austin...." I say, completely overcome with giddiness, and tap him on the shoulder with one hand.
"My lady, what's wrong with you all of a sudden, are you sick?" His whole body starts to shake. His glasses are rattling, too. I walk away, leaving him in disbelief.
It's always touching to hear about someone else's happily ever after love story.
With that thought, I dry my tears.
"Hehe, my sweet lady, where are you hiding?"
"Purr, look for me, Duke!"
And then I hear their voices coming from down the stairs.