Sugar Apple Fairytale - Volume 2 - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

THE CAPTIVE

Where am I supposed to go now?

The sea to the east was tinted a soft purple by the glow of the rising sun.

Challe Fenn Challe stood at the base of the peninsula, Philax Castle behind him.

In an effort to protect the road from being eroded by the wind and sea, a thicket of evergreen trees had been left standing along the coast. Challe rested in that grove of trees until daybreak, then rose with the morning sun.

He set off down the road, walking at a leisurely place since he had no purpose.

Snow had fallen the night before, blown in by the strong sea breezes. The narrow road was covered with a thin layer of it.

Challe walked on aimlessly, listening to the rhythmic clashing of the waves. The irritation—the feeling like he’d swallowed a foreign object—had not gone away. It upset him.

Suddenly, Challe sensed murderous intent behind his back. He braced himself and turned around.

There were three men with long swords on their hips. They were walking slowly toward him, as if sizing him up.

Behind them were two fairies, each a head taller than the men, with rugged, dark-red skin. Each had one rumpled excuse for a wing hanging sadly off their back. They were warrior fairies enslaved by the three men.

These were fairy hunters. They must have been out in the middle of a hunt. Many fairies are born in the morning, so they usually start at sunrise.

When they were close enough to get a clear look at Challe’s features, the three hunters came to a stop.

“Look here, we’ve got a pretty one walking by himself. Today’s our lucky day, boys.”

One of the men was smirking. The other two circled around Challe, moving behind him and to his left.

Then one of the warrior fairies took a position to his right, and the other fairy stood close to the man who had spoken.

“You have business with me?”

“We don’t see many classy pet fairies around here. Who owns you?”

“I asked you first. Answer me. What business do you have with me?”

“A willful one, huh?”

The fairy hunter looked amused.

Challe didn’t need to ask to know what they were planning. They were trying to capture him. It might be more accurate to say that they were trying to steal him.

Fairy hunters, as their name suggests, trap and sell fairies. But some particularly nasty ones abduct fairies who already have owners and sell them without permission.

Of course, a stolen fairy’s wing remains the possession of its original owner. Even so, there is still one more remaining on a fairy’s back. People tie a sturdy cord around that wing and use it as reins to control the fairy.

If the owner sees any improper behavior from the fairy, they pull on the cord and tear off the wing. Fairies weaken if both wings are removed from their backs, even if the two are undamaged. Then, before long, they succumb.

It’s an extraordinarily gruesome method of enslavement. But stolen fairies can’t be employed for long anyway. That’s because the original owner still has the other wing. If they think the fairy has run off and destroy the wing in retaliation, then the fairy will die. It’s not unusual for stolen fairies to die suddenly. It’s easiest to sell pet fairies to buyers who aren’t particularly worried about how long they will last. These customers are happy just to get some brief entertainment.

Challe had only one wing on his back. Ordinarily, this would mean that he was already owned by someone. The fairy hunters obviously believed that to be the case.

Despite that, given his appearance, they must have expected him to sell for a high price even as a stolen fairy.

“Fairy. Won’t you come with us for a minute?”

Challe smiled faintly at the man’s words. He quietly opened his right hand and focused his energy there.

Beads of light began gathering in Challe’s palm.

“And if I don’t go, what will you do?”

The constant, troublesome irritation made Challe belligerent. He flashed a smile. He was going to enjoy this.

“Boss, please be careful. This guy’s no pet,” one of the warrior fairies informed the man in a nervous voice.

“What does he look like to you, then, if he’s not one?”

“He’s the same as us. A warrior fairy.”

“What?”

Challe was already gripping his sword when the man looked at him in disbelief.

He kicked off the ground and attacked the man in front of him.

A warrior fairy jumped out in front of the dumbfounded man. He unsheathed the hatchet-like blade on his back and deflected Challe’s blade.

“You bastard!!”

Challe turned aside skillfully, and the second warrior fairy slashed at his back.

He bent down low and barely avoided the attack. Then he placed his left hand on the ground and jumped up and to the side with a push of his arm. After putting some distance between himself and the fairies, he squared off against the fairy hunters.

One of the warrior fairies groaned. “Boss. He’s impossible to catch. Let’s withdraw.”

Challe sneered. The wing on his back buzzed as it tensed. It was tinged a glossy green color.

“You’re the ones who provoked this fight. Stand and face me.”

“…Obviously we will. I mean, there’s no way we’d let such a valuable fairy get away. But what a stupid thing for you to say! We’re the hunters here.”

The leader of the fairy hunters drew his sword and backed up bit by bit to a suitable distance while holding his guard.

The remaining two and the warrior fairies caught on to what their leader was doing and gradually surrounded Challe.

Two of the fairy hunters sheathed their swords. From their belts, they drew chains with heavy weights on the ends. They split into front and rear positions, slowly swinging their chains around and taking aim at Challe’s legs and arms.

These people weren’t fairy hunters for nothing. They had left Challe no openings.

It did not seem like the five of them would go down easily. He shivered with excitement at the thought.

Challe heard the rush of weapons cutting through the air, and the weighted chains flew at him simultaneously from the front and back. A warrior fairy swung their sword down at the spot where Challe would have to twist his body to avoid the chains. Breaking his stance, Challe jumped directly to the side, but one of the chains wrapped around his ankle. It tugged sharply at his leg, and his left hand hit the ground again. He used the momentum to launch an attack against the man who caught hold of him, keeping a low stance as he did so.

He swung his blade up from a position below knee level, aiming for the wrist of the fairy hunter gripping the chain.

The man immediately let go and jumped out of the way.

Despite the chain still tangled around his leg, Challe effortlessly unleashed a flurry of attacks at the fairy hunter, who had been thrown off-balance.

“That’s enough, Challe Fenn Challe.”

He was startled to hear someone call his name.

The fairy hunter, who had avoided Challe’s blade by a hairbreadth, crawled away in retreat.

“I’m sure you’re aware that fairies are executed for killing humans, no matter their reason.”

The fairy hunters hesitated, and they tilted their heads in confusion when they saw a young noble calmly ride his horse over from the direction of the road. Behind him was another young man with dark skin, also on horseback, who appeared to be a bodyguard. Farther in the back were several mounted soldiers.

The fairy hunters did not know the rank of the aristocrat. But they clearly thought it was safest to act discreetly. Each returned his weapons to his belt.

Challe relaxed his stance and, with a cold expression, greeted the young noble who was approaching them.

“You really have a lot of time on your hands, Silver Sugar Viscount.”

“I’m sure I told you what a busy man I am. I see you’re as charmless as ever. Don’t you feel the least bit delighted by our chance reunion?”

Hugh walked his horse right up to Challe and dismounted. Salim also alighted from his and unhurriedly walked around behind Challe. Devoted to protecting his master, he kept his hand on the hilt of his sword and watched Challe carefully.

Hugh announced to the fairy hunters, “I am Hugh Mercury. The Silver Sugar Viscount. Were you all trying to steal this fairy?”

“Don’t be absurd! None of us would have dreamed of it!” The leader of the group bowed obsequiously.

Hugh looked displeased as he waved his hand. “I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything, so hurry up and get lost.”

Once he had driven away the fairy hunters, Hugh looked around at their surroundings. “Oh, are you alone? Where are Anne and Mithril?” he asked.

Challe found the question tremendously unpleasant. He turned his face away from Hugh.

“What happened to the two of them, Challe? They’re not with you? Did something happen?”

For some reason, answering was also upsetting. He thought about Anne, sitting across from him the night before.

“I should be asking what brings you to this place.” Challe replied.

“I came because I have business at Philax Castle. Say, didn’t you go there with Anne? I heard a rumor to that effect in Lewiston, that you all were headed for Duke Alburn’s castle.”

Challe kept his face turned away and held his tongue.

Hugh shrugged. “Don’t feel like answering, huh? Well, that’s just fine. By the way, Challe—”

With a casual gesture, Hugh suddenly extended a hand toward the fairy’s chest. His movements were smooth and agile, characteristic of a candy crafter. Challe was still facing the other way, and because Hugh was so quick, he was caught off guard.

With startling dexterity, Hugh lifted a palm-sized leather pouch from the inside pocket of Challe’s jacket.

“You bastard!”

Hugh jumped several steps back from Challe, who looked like he was ready to raise his sword. “Uh-oh, what’s the matter? That’s not like you, Challe. You’ve left yourself wide open.” He grinned and held up the stolen leather pouch.

Challe ground his back teeth in vexation. “The Silver Sugar Viscount is playing pickpocket now?”

“I’ve been told that I would have made a fine thief if I hadn’t gotten into making candy. It’s a special skill of mine. Even so, I never thought I would be able to steal from you. But it’s odd—just now, you left me an opening. Could it be that you trust me? I’m delighted, Challe.”

Something was wrong. Challe wondered what was preoccupying him and why he had been so inattentive. Or rather, he had only noticed that he was distracted once he had let his guard down in front of Hugh.

Perhaps Anne’s defenselessness had rubbed off on him over the past few months. This was the first time he had been aware of Anne’s influence on him.

“This is your wing, isn’t it?”

The wing that Anne had returned to him was folded up inside the pouch.

“In Highland, when a person finds a fairy with no owner, the first one to get their hands on that fairy’s wing has the right to take possession of them. Well, that’s the rule that the humans came up with anyway. I bet you fairies don’t give a damn either way.”

Hugh had a smirking grin on his face.

“From now on, I am your master, Challe Fenn Challe.”

The next morning, Jonas went to Anne’s room.

“I spoke to Dale and requested a meeting with the Duke of Philax,” he said. “I’m going to see him now. And you’re going to come with me, too, Anne.”

Jonas seemed extremely tense.

She had been feeling somewhat weak since Challe had left the night before.

She was worried, but she couldn’t imagine anything more awful than being forced to reject Challe and watch him leave. So whatever Jonas might be scheming, she didn’t really care. She was in a defiant state of mind.

“You look pale, Jonas,” she said coldly.

Jonas glared sharply at Anne. “You be quiet. You hear me? Shut up!”

It was the reaction of someone at the end of their rope. Cathy sat on Jonas’s shoulder, looking worried and stroking his cheek.

“It’s all right, Master Jonas. It will go well. I’m sure of it.”

Anne was surprised at his behavior. He was not acting like someone in a position of superiority.

Dale came to get Jonas and Anne. He did not show them to the usual reception hall. Instead, he took them to what seemed to be Duke Alburn’s private chambers.

Anne and the others were shown into the sitting room. There was an adjoining bedroom farther in.

A fire burned in the hearth, and the room was warm.

The space was simple, with just a single couch in front of the fireplace and a large desk for official business near the window. There was a thick rug laid out in the center of the floor. It was made of wool and wasn’t particularly extravagant.

These were the apartments of a noble descended from King Cedric. Yet this modest room showed how the Alburn family had been stripped of all authority.

His Royal Highness, living in the castle that towered over Lewiston, and Duke Alburn. The difference was so stark that it didn’t seem like they shared a bloodline.

I wonder how it must feel to make a courtesy call from here to Lewiston every month.

The thought suddenly came to her that if Duke Alburn had been born a fool, he might not feel any agony from it. But if he had even the slightest bit of pride, the visits were certainly a form of cruel humiliation.

Duke Alburn was lying down on the couch, gazing somberly into the flames.

At Dale’s urging, Jonas and Anne knelt down.

When Dale announced their arrival, Duke Alburn flicked his eyes in their direction. Then he said, “Crafters. I don’t suppose your candy sculptures are complete. What did you come here for?”

He spoke to Jonas and Anne in a voice empty of emotion.

Jonas licked his dry lips several times. But then he seemed to have made up his mind, and he opened his mouth.

“I—I, no, we would like you to allow us to quit this job.”

Slowly, Duke Alburn sat up. He turned to face them.

“Quit? You said the same thing to me six days ago, did you not?”

“Y…yes.”

“And what did I tell you then?”

“You said you would not permit that.”

The duke said such a thing?

Anne looked at Jonas’s face in surprise. On the other hand, he did not have the luxury of looking in Anne’s direction.

“That’s right. Did you forget? Just in case you did, allow me to remind you once more of the pain you felt six days ago. I have you two under surveillance. If you try to run away, I will catch you and bind you in chains. I believe I told you that as well.”

Anne was shocked by Duke Alburn’s words as he continued.

Surveillance?! Chains?! What is he talking about?!

Duke Alburn stood up quickly and picked up a narrow sword leaning against the side of the couch.

He didn’t grab the hilt. Instead, he held it casually by the scabbard. He walked toward them as he prepared to raise the sword overhead.

Startled by his actions, Anne stood up and backed away.

That was when she finally understood how Jonas had gotten the bruises on his cheek.

Those were from the duke.

Six days earlier, Jonas had completed his sculpture and called for Duke Alburn. But his work had not been accepted. Just like Anne, Jonas had no doubt been confused. That was when Jonas must have said he wanted to quit. That had provoked Duke Alburn’s anger, and he’d beaten Jonas.

He said he’s even got us under surveillance. The duke doesn’t intend to let us stop working until he’s got a candy sculpture that pleases him.

For the first time, Anne was beginning to understand the intensity of the duke’s obsession.

Duke Alburn radiated bloodlust as he approached them with sword in hand. Though they were in a warm room, his whole body looked cold, and it even seemed enveloped in a faint blue aura.

Perhaps blue was the color of madness.

A chill ran down Anne’s spine.

This man is serious.

Jonas prostrated himself even further.

“I can’t do it. That’s the truth. Please forgive me!! But she can do it. She’s more skilled than I am, many times over. Even the Silver Sugar Viscount recognizes her talent. If you’ve got her, you don’t need me! And you’ll have no problem keeping her here in the castle until she makes whatever sugar candy you want. I drove away her bodyguard yesterday. So even if she wanted to quit, she has no way to get out of here. I’m begging you. Please let me leave!”

Anne couldn’t believe her own ears as she listened to Jonas rattle on.

He was offering Anne up to Duke Alburn because he wanted to run away.

He had driven Challe away from her for that sole purpose.

“Jonas, you—!”

She started to shout at him, but Jonas seemed to have forgotten all about Anne’s presence as he trembled, still prostrating himself on the ground. He looked so frightened that she hesitated.

With gleaming, expressionless eyes and a sword in his hand, Duke Alburn didn’t seem sane. Anne half expected him to unsheathe his sword and attack them at any moment.

“Please let me leave. I’m begging you. Please let me go, please let me go home…”

Jonas repeated his request in a trembling voice. He seemed so earnest that Anne kept her complaints to herself.

She even felt pity for the terrified man.

But…what Jonas is saying might be true. It’s impossible for him to make sugar candy if he’s this frightened.

Jonas had someplace to go back to. Surely, he would have a job as one of the workers in the Radcliffe Workshop if he returned to Lewiston. If he wanted even sweeter treatment, he could go back to his hometown of Knoxberry Village. His parents were waiting for him there, along with a candy shop that he was in line to inherit.

There was no need for someone like him to stubbornly stick it out and make candy for a client who was this dreadful, not to mention unclear about what he wanted.

Anne, on the other hand, had no place to go back to. She had no money. And now she didn’t even have Challe.

All things considered, she felt that she had no other option than to stay there and make the sculpture.

Moreover, Anne had already accepted the job. She couldn’t abandon it now, no matter the reason. She didn’t want to give up on her only talent.

Duke Alburn approached slowly.

Fear swelled up inside Anne. The duke was unpredictable, and he had a sword.

But her path was here, and nowhere else. She understood that instinctively.

Anne swallowed hard. Then she moved to place herself between Duke Alburn and Jonas and took a knee.

“It’s as he says. I will make your sugar candy. So please let this person leave.”

Duke Alburn stood still, and Jonas looked up with surprise. Duke Alburn frowned.

“You will make it, you say?”

“Yes.”

“Are you confident?”

“I am.”

“You’ll be confined to the castle until you complete a candy sculpture that satisfies me. If you can’t do it, you will never be let free.”

“That’s fine,” Anne answered, and then she raised her face to look at Duke Alburn. “I promised you from the beginning. I said I could do it. So I’m going to make it. And if I can’t, that is my responsibility. I’ll keep on making candies for eternity.”

Anne and Duke Alburn scowled at each other briefly. Anne persevered, absolutely unwilling to avert her gaze.

Duke Alburn was the one who slowly turned away. He lowered his sword, still in its scabbard, and his eyes reverted to their usual emotionless calm.

“Very well. I shall permit it. Remove this crafter from the castle.”

“Thank you very much.”

Anne bowed her head again.

As if he had lost interest, Duke Alburn turned his back to them and returned to the couch. He left the sword next to the armrest and turned his eyes to the fire again. The room fell silent. The sound of firewood popping in the hearth echoed loudly.

Jonas looked dazed and deflated.

At Dale’s urging, Anne and Jonas left the room.

He took the two of them back to the tower stairwell. Then he told Jonas to quickly gather his things and leave the castle as soon as he was ready. But he turned a stern eye on Anne.

“You may not leave the castle,” he said. “As you just heard, we have you under surveillance. Attempting to escape is futile.”

“I know that. But Dale, are you sure you should faithfully follow your master’s orders just as they are given? Do you think that’s really the best way to fulfill your loyalties to him as a retainer?”

She couldn’t stop herself from saying it. Duke Alburn’s methods were utterly tyrannical.

A master with an eccentric fixation. Surely, it fell to his retainers to advise him against it. Especially if they took any pride in serving the Alburn house.

Anne looked up at Dale, bracing herself for a blow. But he only chuckled.

“What an impertinent thing to say! However, you are right. We have given him some counsel. But the master… At this point, it’s impossible to dissuade him. We know that, so our top priority is to give the duke anything he desires.”

“Dissuade…?”

“It doesn’t concern you. Listen, the duke wants a candy sculpture. And you’re going to make it.”

“I promised I would, so I’m not going to run away,” Anne said decisively. She started climbing the tower stairs back to her room.

When she reached her door, Jonas came dashing up the stairs behind her in pursuit.

“Anne!”

Anne quickly turned around and silently stuck out her hand.

Jonas blinked several times at her outstretched palm.

“Wh-what?”

“Mithril Lid Pod’s wing. Give it back.”

“Ah, yeah. Right.”

Jonas hastily dug through his breast pocket, pulled out the wing, and placed it in Anne’s hand.

Anne breathed a sigh of relief when she got it back. She gently wrapped her hands around it.

“Thank goodness,” she murmured.

She turned her back to Jonas and was about to enter her room when he grabbed her by the shoulder.

“Wait, Anne! Why did you say those things?!”

“What things? I don’t think I said anything for you to complain about.”

Anne frowned and faced Jonas again.

“I’m not complaining. But why were you so assertive in telling him to let me go? I never expected you to say something like that. Why did you speak up for me?”

“I didn’t do it for you. When I saw the state you were in, I knew you were truly in no condition to be making sugar candy. So there’s no point in you being here. That’s all.”

“But does that mean you’re saying you can make a candy sculpture for the duke?! No matter what you do, he just spouts nonsense, and he’s never satisfied! Plus, he even said he’ll lock you up in here forever unless you create something that pleases him!!”

“I told him from the start that I would do it. That’s why I don’t want to quit halfway through.”

Jonas took his hand off Anne’s shoulder and whined like a spoiled child. “You must be a fool! What are you saying?! This isn’t normal!”

“Listen. Right now, I don’t have any other option but to stay here and make the candy sculpture.”

That was reality, and that was how she really felt.

Lips trembling, Jonas shouted, “You really are a fool!” Then he ran down the stairs.

“I sure am, no doubt about it.” Anne sighed, and she grumbled to herself. “But other than that, there’s nothing else I can do.”

Even if she gave up on the job and fled the castle like Jonas, Challe was gone. She would never see him again. When she thought about that, she felt her chest tighten.

She didn’t want to think about it. Instead, she decided to worry about sugar candy.

Just then, the words that Challe had once whispered to her rang in her ears.

“Make the candy. It’s something you can do.”

Make the candy… That’s right. I just need to make the candy.

I’ll create a sugar sculpture that Duke Alburn will approve. Then I’ll gain money and fame.

With a thousand cress, I can stay in inns and travel in relative safety. That way I can travel throughout the kingdom, searching for Challe. And when I manage to find him, I’ll explain. I’ll explain that when I told him I wanted him to leave, I didn’t really mean it. I only did it because I was threatened. I’ll tell him that I actually want us to be together.

She looked up, determination on her face.

“There’s something that I can do.”

“I really do think you’re wasting your good looks.”

The most historic hotel in Philax was a three-story brick building that looked out onto the harbor. The top floor had only three rooms, which were more spacious than those on the lower levels.

Hugh had apparently rented out the whole third floor.

One room was for his own use. He had assigned the six soldiers acting as his bodyguards, who had accompanied him from Westol, to the other two rooms. He must have arrived in the port city a little while ago, because he was still wearing simple traveling clothes.

Once he was in his suite, he cleansed his body in the bath and put on his formal attire. He didn’t seem to have any servant fairies traveling with him, so Salim helped him get dressed.

Challe was in Hugh’s room. Since Hugh had stolen his wing, Challe had no choice but to listen to his orders.

But Challe didn’t pay him any particular mind. He didn’t care what Hugh had been thinking when he had snatched his wing, or what his plans were.

In the room were six luxurious chairs, their seats upholstered with rare cloth from the continent. Challe was sulking in one of them, leaning against the back with his legs crossed. He seemed determined to remain right where he was, without displaying a shred of charm.

“I’m your master, you know? Don’t you think you could be a little bit more sociable? I’m not telling you to come snuggle up by my side, but you could at least fix that miserable look on your face.”

Hugh stepped out from behind a partition, fastening his cuffs. He sat down across from Challe with the table in between them. Challe glared sharply at Hugh.

“Did Anne run away from you because you were making scary faces like that?”

Angered by Hugh’s words, Challe plunked a leg down on top of the table.

Hugh swatted the tip of the boot that was pointed in his direction.

“What’s this? Why the foot?”

“Leg’s tired.”

“I get it. I get that you’re pissed off. Now what actually happened?”

Challe didn’t feel like answering. So he didn’t, and Hugh asked calmly, “Is Anne still in Philax Castle? If she is, we’ve got to get her out of there. If I fail to persuade Alburn, Philax Castle will find itself under siege.”

Challe frowned, and Hugh seemed satisfied by his reaction.

“Come. I’m going to head there now to meet Alburn. You’re my warrior fairy, so I’ll take you with me as a bodyguard.”

“I don’t feel like going,” Challe responded.

Hugh put his hand into his inner breast pocket. “I’ve got your wing in here. I’d rather not stoop to this, but if you don’t want to listen to me, I can inflict some damage on it.”

“I suppose you are human,” Challe grumbled.

Humans would squeeze tightly on their fairies’ wings or pull them with enough force to tear them apart. When that happened, fairies experienced pain and terror so excruciating that it was as if every nerve in their body was being twisted, as though the very bonds of their flesh were being split, and they might be obliterated in an instant.

It was agony and fear that humans could not comprehend.

“Sorry, pal. I’m human through and through. If you understand, come on.”

Hugh stood up and ordered Salim, “I’m ready. Prepare a carriage. We’re headed for Philax Castle.”

Hugh had apparently rushed from Westol to Philax with great haste.

Traveling by carriage would have taken too much time, so the Viscount had ridden to the port city on horseback with Salim and only six bodyguards accompanying him.

Hugh said he’d overheard a rumor that Anne had gone to Philax Castle when he was passing through Lewiston.

“That’s why I was in such an awful hurry.”

Hugh had borrowed a luxurious four-horse carriage that he said belonged to a trader, and now they were headed for Philax Castle. Apparently, it would have been improper for the Viscount to visit a duke on horseback, no matter the circumstances. So Hugh, Salim, and Challe all rode in the carriage.

Gazing out the window at the ocean, Hugh muttered, “For the past year and a half, the Duke of Philax, Duke Alburn, hasn’t shown his face in Lewiston once.”

Not even once?

In spite of himself, Challe looked Hugh in the face.

The power struggles of the human world were inconsequential to Challe.

But when it came to the issues of the royal family, anyone living in Highland was bound to hear something, whether they were interested or not. So as a matter of course, Challe knew about the relationship between House Millsland and House Alburn, as well as the situation of the Alburn family’s head.

Hugh stared back at Challe and nodded.

“Even you understand what this means, right?”

The head of House Alburn was the last smoldering seed of conflict in the kingdom. To prove that the duke was behaving himself, he was expected to collect taxes for the royal family from all the merchants. Additionally, he was expected to travel to the royal capital once a month to pay a courtesy call to the king. Those were the two obligations imposed on the duke.

It was a ritual aimed at demonstrating continued allegiance to the king and showing that he had no intention of disobeying the crown.

And the duke had been neglecting this duty for a year and a half.

“I was often summoned by Alburn before I became the Silver Sugar Viscount. I made a lot of sugar candies for him…or actually for the woman by his side. I’m familiar with the duke’s temperament, and I also know quite well that he is unconcerned with ambition. But the Earl of Downing is different. The earl has never stopped looking for an opportunity to eradicate the whole Alburn family. The duke’s temperament is irrelevant to him. He sees the very existence of the head of House Alburn as problematic. As long as the duke collected the taxes, though, it wasn’t an immediate issue. His Majesty, Edmond II, has also been protecting House Alburn. But it’s been a year and a half. Now that he’s been neglecting his duty to greet the king for this long, even His Majesty cannot hold the earl’s opinion in check. Alburn has repeatedly ignored his summons. No one knows why he suddenly stopped coming to Lewiston. But…”

Hugh paused a moment, then continued.

“This is a golden opportunity for the Earl of Downing. He’s not going to wait any longer. Even His Majesty can’t protect Alburn now, and he has given the Earl of Downing permission to subdue him. Hence why he’s coming to Philax and bringing the soldiers of Westol Castle.”

Extinguishing the last live coal, huh?

Typical human behavior and way of doing things. Thorough and ruthless.

That’s probably how they triumphed over the fairies.

“Alburn can still fix this if he goes to Lewiston before the earl arrives. His Majesty can come up with grounds for his protection. But there’s no time to waste. The Earl of Downing moves fast for someone his age. Hopefully, I can persuade Alburn before he gets here, but—”

Hugh turned his gaze toward the window again. He looked uncharacteristically distressed.

“Why did you come to persuade him? Was it an order from the king?”

“His Majesty isn’t the type to work behind the scenes, especially not to undercut his own edicts. No, this was my own decision. I owe Alburn an old debt. I don’t want to see him die, so I’m going to try and get him to hurry to Lewiston to fulfill his obligations, that’s all. Ever since I became Silver Sugar Viscount, I had to stop making sugar candy for anyone besides His Majesty, and I’ve lost touch with the duke, but…I do wonder if something happened since I last saw him.”

Hugh had come here out of concern for Duke Alburn, a man who harbored a cold, unnerving stillness behind his eyes and seemed possessed by a strange obsession. It was surprising. Challe wondered whether a man like that was worth worrying about.

When they arrived at Philax Castle, the carriage went straight through the gate. Apparently, their visit had been announced ahead of time. Hugh took Salim and Challe with him, and they headed into the castle keep.

When Challe stepped inside, he noted that there was no sign of Anne anywhere. Part of him felt that he wanted to see her, while the other part felt that he didn’t. If he saw her once more, he might be able to ask her for the reason she had rejected him.

The three of them were not shown to the reception hall but to Duke Alburn’s private chambers. Probably because this was not an official visit, and because Alburn and Hugh still had a friendly relationship.

Duke Alburn was sitting on a couch in front of the fireplace. He looked toward Hugh and the others when he sensed the door opening, but he did not stand up.

He sounded bored as he grumbled, “And who should it be but Mercury? It’s been two years.”

“I regret my long absence, Duke.” Hugh couldn’t hide the surprise on his face as he greeted him. “You’ve lost a lot of weight… You must be working very hard.”

“I have no use for you now that you don’t make sugar candy for anyone but the king. What did you come here for?”

“I came to extend an invitation. Would you care to go on an excursion with me? Our destination is Lewiston. I’d say the round trip would take us about three or four days.”

“You too, huh? Dale’s also been saying that, over and over. I have no intention of going there.”

“It’ll be fun.”

“Will it, now?”

“Of course it will. And Lady Christina can come with us, too. I know she enjoys the bustle of the royal capital. Where is she?”

The fire in the hearth was reflected in Duke Alburn’s eyes. The man didn’t move.

“Duke?”

“Leave me.”

Hugh shrugged and dropped the lighthearted attitude he’d had so far. He approached Duke Alburn with determination, took a knee at his feet, and looked up at him.

“Duke. You have neglected to offer greetings to His Majesty for a year and a half. Surely, you must understand what that means? The Earl of Downing is preparing troops and heading here at this very moment. His Majesty has granted the earl permission to subjugate you. But that is not what the king really desires. Even now, if you demonstrate your allegiance, His Majesty will protect you. He holds great affection for you and for your late father, as do I.”

“Leave.”

“Duke!”

“I told you to get out!”

Duke Alburn suddenly stood up and grabbed his sword, which was sitting nearby.

Hugh, not surprisingly, sprang to his feet and retreated several steps. Salim quickly positioned himself in front of Hugh and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Challe was also on guard and watched to see what would happen.

“You’re… What happened to you, Duke?”

Hugh couldn’t hide the shock in his voice.

Still gripping his sword, Duke Alburn growled, “No one gives me orders. Don’t tell me what I ought to do. That goes for you, too, Mercury.”

“…Understood.” Hugh nodded and gave a small sigh. “We’ll go,” he said. “But I have one request. I believe that a candy crafter by the name of Anne Halford is staying in this castle. I’d like to take her back with me.”

“I don’t know her.”

“She’s a young girl who entered this castle with the fairy who’s standing over there.”

“Certainly, there were several crafters who came here with fairies. But I expelled them all. There’s not a single candy crafter in this castle.”

That can’t be true.

Challe had seen Anne in the castle just the night before. He had been nearby until that morning, so if she had left, he would have known immediately. Anne was still here. As further proof, her boxy wagon remained parked in the outer enclosure of the castle.

“Are you sure about that?”

Hugh exchanged looks with Challe, who glanced at him as if to ask, Is the duke telling the truth?

The fairy shook his head slightly, giving his answer, No.

“How tedious. Leave me, Mercury.”

That was all Duke Alburn said before returning to the couch again. He threw the sword down onto the floor and hung his head in both hands, fingers entwined in his blond hair, as if he was enduring an awful headache.

Hugh bowed silently to Duke Alburn, who was not looking his way, then turned on his heel and walked away. Salim followed after, with Challe the last to leave.

Before shutting the door, he turned to look one more time at Duke Alburn, who was still in the same position.

He was hiding Anne’s presence here in the castle. Challe wondered what exactly Duke Alburn was looking for in his sugar candy. Regardless of what the duke wanted, Challe was concerned for Anne’s safety. He wondered what that petite, stubborn girl was doing right about now.

What could she be up to?

Challe was impatient; he felt the urge to go searching for her right then. However…

“Don’t come back again. Don’t come back to me.”

…he recalled Anne’s words.

She rejected me, so why am I thinking about going to look for her?

I don’t feel any obligation toward her. I owe her no debts. But why do I want to find her in spite of that? Am I feeling anxious out of concern for her? I want to see Anne again, regardless of how she feels about me.

Jonas had left the castle.

After watching him leave from the window of her room in the tower, Anne went straight to the reception hall with Mithril. She stood there, staring at the portrait of the fairy for a long while.

The room was so cold that she lost feeling in her toes and fingers.

Mithril was sitting on the floor, yawning widely. Nonetheless, he patiently kept Anne company. She had told him he could go back to the room, but he had refused and insisted on staying with her.

The sun was beginning to set, and through the windows of the reception hall, streaks of orange light illuminated the floor.

“Why this portrait, I wonder?”

Anne was exhausted from constantly staring at the painting. Her exhaustion made her speak those words suddenly and without thinking.

“Why not? Isn’t it pretty good?”

Mithril looked up at the portrait, as if he also didn’t really understand.

“But why? There are plenty of beautiful paintings in the world. Why this specific one?”

“It doesn’t have to be this picture, does it?” Mithril asked. “There are more in the East Tower, right?”

“Mm, maybe. The duke did say that he wanted me to sculpt the fairy depicted in this painting, not the painting itself. But then why this fairy?”

The beams of sunlight shining in through the windows grew longer and longer. They crept across the floor, reaching Anne’s feet and shining on the portrait before her.

The early-evening light illuminated the back of the fairy in the portrait.

“Ah!!”

Anne was astounded.

Why didn’t I notice it until now? Well, I did. But I didn’t think it was anything important. Though considering it more carefully, this is really incredible!

“Two wings… This fairy has two wings on her back. She was never owned by anyone.”

“So what does that mean?”

“Why does the duke have a portrait of a fairy like that? A fairy born in nature who was never enslaved and assimilated into the human world. Ordinarily, it would be unthinkable.”

“Now that you mention it, you’re right.”

“Why does the model for my sugar candy have to be this fairy? I haven’t heard a reason for it. Maybe there’s something special about her. Maybe the duke has a special memory of her…and because of that, he’s not satisfied with my candy sculpture. If I can get him to tell me, I might be able to find some direction for my work.”

That’s it. Didn’t Challe mutter something about this one night when he was staring at the portrait?

“Perhaps the Duke of Philax isn’t asking for a splendid work of sugar art?” he said. And he was right.

Anne had been ignoring the hint that Challe had given her.

There was no need for a candy sculpture that would look perfect to a candy crafter like Anne. What she needed to make was something that looked perfect in Duke Alburn’s eyes.

“Are you out of your mind, Anne?” Mithril shuddered. “I mean, Jonas ran away trembling with fear. If that duke objects to you asking, he could beat you senseless… Actually, given how violent he is, he might even cut you down on the spot!”

“But if I don’t ask, I’ll never know.”

Though even if she did ask, Anne wasn’t confident that she could create something that would satisfy Duke Alburn. He seemed to have lost his grip on sanity. There was probably danger in trying.

“Hey, Mithril Lid Pod?” Anne crouched in front of him and peered at his face. “It would be all right for you to leave the castle, too.”

Mithril stood up, fuming. “You must be kidding! I, for one, could never run away!”

Anne gently clasped his two little hands between her fingertips.

“But when I think about the fact that you might be facing danger, I can’t help but be worried for you. After all, this is a job that I accepted, and it’s my responsibility. I’m also choosing to remain here of my own volition, so I don’t want to drag you into it.”

“Anne…”

She gave the fairy a beaming smile. “It’s all right! I’m going to make the duke his sugar candy. If you say that you’re going to wait for me, then wait somewhere in town. I’m absolutely going to walk out of this castle with a thousand cress in my hand.”

Mithril stared at Anne as if he was trying to decode her feelings. He seemed to understand that she had not made her declaration recklessly.

This was Anne’s job. Her pride as a candy crafter was on the line, so she could not possibly abandon her assignment.

Mithril nodded. “I understand.” His blue eyes became serious. “I’ll leave the castle. While I’m gone, I’ll spend the time waiting for you searching for Challe Fenn Challe. Then I’ll tell him that you didn’t mean those things you said, and bring him back.”

“You’ll do that for me? But Challe may have already gone far away.”

“I’ll track him down. I’m the great Mithril Lid Pod, after all! Leave it to me.”

The small fairy threw out his chest and jutted out his chin proudly. Anne was delighted just to hear him say that.

“Thank you. I can always depend on you, Mithril Lid Pod.”

She thanked him from the bottom of her heart.