Chapter 58:

“… Whereas I can handle to accumulate the whole lot else via numerous means, acquiring the leaves of the World Tree requires a direct commerce with the elves. Curiously, inside elven society, these leaves aren’t thought to be exceptionally helpful. Nonetheless, because of the intricate ties to the World Tree, exporting them turns into an immensely difficult job. The elves have crafted it in order that entry to those leaves is denied until the meant recipient seems in particular person.”

“So, finally, it implies that I need to personally undertake this journey. What’s the standard period of journey to that area?”

“In much less hurried circumstances, the journey takes roughly ten days.”

“Appears like I’ll need to plan for this throughout my upcoming trip. Might there be a risk to regulate my itinerary round that point?”

“Happily, altering our plans shouldn’t be too advanced. Since we’re already planning to maneuver in that path, we will feasibly tweak the schedule by a day or two. Will you be accompanying me on this journey?”

Within the reception room, Philip was engrossed in a dialog with Lisriel, delving into issues associated to elements for his or her concoctions.

The opposite elements talked about by Privia is perhaps resolvable via monetary means, but the leaves of the World Tree have been one thing that required one to reside in elven territories to even see them.

“As I beforehand talked about, my sister is sure to orchestrate some intelligent maneuver with the ascension. Regardless of her consciousness of potential challenges, she embraces them with the aspiration to beat them.”

Lisriel’s chuckle revealed her pristine white tooth as she gazed at Philip, her eyes gleaming with what appeared like sheer delight.

“Now looks as if an opportune second to unveil your coveted Golden Seal.”

“Be at liberty to handle that as you see match, I’ll observe your plan. In any case, a service provider’s psychology is well-known to retailers.”

“My sister is prone to set an inescapable snare. That infuriating… Oh expensive, my sister has perpetually harbored animosity in direction of me. There was even an event when she envisaged stripping me of the whole lot and promoting me off as a harlot. I used to be a mere sixteen years outdated then.”

Evidently attuned to the narrative, Philip discerned the appreciable resentment Lisriel held in direction of her sister.

“Since my childhood, I’ve by no means entertained the thought of changing into the proprietor of Joseph Affiliation. Formidable pursuits, like ascending to energy, have by no means been my desire. The inevitable successor rivalry turned my path, a necessity to safeguard in opposition to my sister, Deluan Joseph. Whereas I had a familial bond with my brother, my sister’s intentions have been merely manipulative.”

Observing Lisriel narrating her story, Philip exhaled closely.

“You’ve endured fairly a journey.”

Having such siblings was undeniably some of the daunting experiences.

“If the idea of ‘greed’ have been personified as a girl, her very embodiment would mirror the picture. It’s actually intriguing. I’m left questioning what expression my sister will put on when she loses all that she’s held onto all through her life.”

Though Philip was interested in her intentions, he kept away from prying. The sheer exhilaration radiating from Lisriel’s countenance hinted at her thorough preparation.

“In fact. So long as it doesn’t contain taking lives, I’m keen to help with something. Better of luck.”

“… I’m grateful. Your presence is a real stroke of luck.”

Leaning in, Lisriel grasped Philip’s hand. Whereas he assumed her response was merely out of gratitude, Lisriel was removed from incapable when it got here to managing her feelings.

But, her magnum opus encountered an interruption from an surprising customer earlier than reaching fruition.

“Teacher, it’s pressing!”

Lua’s pressing voice spurred Philip into motion. The door swung open, revealing a scantily clad Lua, clutching a towel.

Earlier than Philip may utter a phrase, Lua impatiently tapped her foot.

“The princess is in tears! The place is the queen?”

“Huh?”

Greatly surprised by Lua’s unanticipated revelation about searching for the queen, Philip briefly contemplated, finally deducing the underlying motive.

‘Might the princess be crying whereas in search of her mom?’

“Let’s transfer swiftly and verify on her.”

“Uh, let’s go collectively.”

Philip swiftly rose from his seat, prompting Lisriel to furrow her brows momentarily earlier than hurriedly becoming a member of him. Regardless of the interruption of their second, she was decided to not miss the sight of the princess crying as she sought her mom.

It was an expertise that cash couldn’t presumably purchase.

* * *

“That was whenever you handled me with respect. In mild of latest occasions, I sensed an absence of respect from you. I can’t share a roof with somebody who disrespects not solely me but in addition others round me.”

Yuna’s ears caught these phrases, which appeared to counsel an change of herself to the dragon in return for a transformative elixir. The Fairy’s coronary heart trembled in worry, and tears streamed down her face as she choked again sobs.

“Please, rethink… My very essence is intertwined with you. If we half methods, I… I shall meet a dreadful destiny. Is that what you actually need?”

Philip’s demeanor remained emotionless, his gaze unyielding.

“Whereas I’ll not want for such an final result, it seems your destiny has slipped past my affect. I maintain no intention to hurt you or exploit you additional. Nonetheless, I’ve no need to see your face once more.”

Yuna’s desperation grew, her sense of urgency intensifying in response to Philip’s agency stance. Solely now did she totally grasp how useful it had been to stay close to Philip regardless of his perspective.

An suave steadiness of indifference and benevolence.

The picture of Philip participating in mild dialog along with her throughout their visits to the bathhouse appeared like a distant reminiscence.

Had she settled close to a tranquil lake or river as an alternative of encountering the dragon, she may need turn out to be blood and flesh for some religious being by now.

In her most lucky moments, she would have bided her time till she regained energy, continuously fleeing with none assurances. Nonetheless, the second she was expelled from this place, she would undoubtedly fall beneath the gaze of the fearsome dragon along with her destiny sealed.

‘I… should stay by his facet.’

With this realization, Yuna lowered her head and begged in a voice tinged with humility and desperation.

“I… erred in my judgment. Please, grant me yet another likelihood.”

Regardless of her earnest plea for forgiveness, Philip’s resolve remained unshaken.

“Even for those who had demolished the bathhouse or precipitated this whole residence to crumble, I’d have pardoned such actions. But, to torment a person who has sought shelter beneath my roof is tantamount to difficult my authority.”

“No such intention ever crossed my thoughts. Actually. I guarantee you, I cannot repeat my errors. Please?”

Yuna’s plea was so pitiful that even Camilla, who had been observing silently, felt a pang of compassion. Camilla’s hostility in direction of her sort was progressively dissipating, and she or he started to gauge Philip’s reactions.

With a sigh that betrayed his reluctance, Philip relented.

“… Contemplate this pardon my last act of goodwill. As soon as, I forgave your try to make use of me, and I prolonged the courtesy of permitting you to stay in my presence. This act of forgiveness would be the final. Supply your apology to this little one.”

Yuna’s face brightened instantly. She moved her quick legs and approached Camila, grabbed her hand, and sniffled as she cried.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I used to be mistaken… Sniff.”

Camilla felt her coronary heart soften and nodded.

“It’s, it’s okay.”

“I’ll watch over you to any extent further.”

Philip stated this and held Camilla’s hand, leaving the bathtub.

Alone, the Fairy Yuna stood in place for some time, sniffling.

“… How imply.”

In fact, she, too, was a fairy with a conscience, so she didn’t actually assume Philip’s actions have been an excessive amount of. She was simply saddened by it.

Fairies weren’t a species that aged mentally even after hundreds of years. Even the traditional fairies who existed within the distant previous had childlike elements, they usually nonetheless loved mischief.

However that didn’t imply the collected life experiences of hundreds of years would disappear. Fairy Yuna shed tears and thought of Philip.

She by no means believed she wouldn’t make errors once more. Due to this fact, what she wanted was a method to not be pushed away even when one thing went mistaken sooner or later.

“… It will probably’t be helped.”

She caught her hand into her throat. As if manufactured from water, her hand effortlessly pierced via pores and skin and muscle, reaching her coronary heart.

And when she pulled her hand out the following second, a water-colored bead the dimensions of two finger joints was resting in her palm.

Yuna meant to make use of it to purchase Philip’s favor.