What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 71
“He seems to be incredibly smart, though. How many times have I visited, and he already remembers my name?”
“Right? These days, it feels like we can have actual conversations. His speech is still clumsy, but it seems like he understands everything I say and responds accordingly. And he’s so good at following directions too…”
Though Ysaris didn’t say it directly, her face clearly showed she was thinking, “Could my child be a genius?” Lena looked at her, amused. Seeing the normally composed and graceful woman quietly boast about her child like this was…
“You’re exactly like a mother.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing, it’s nice to see.”
Lena shrugged and changed the subject.
“Anyway, I came to let you know I won’t be able to come here for a while. It could change, but for now, that’s how it is.”
“You already don’t visit that often.”
“I mean, unless something really big happens, I won’t be here for a few years. Something urgent came up.”
“A few years? What’s happening?”
“There’s something.”
Ysaris quietly observed Lena, who still kept her secrets tightly wrapped.
Lena, who visited so sporadically, never told her what she did for a living. Despite her incredible skills, she remained unknown to the world, and for someone who was supposedly in hiding, she roamed about quite freely. Everything about her was strange.
“Even if you look at me like that, I won’t tell you.”
“…I wasn’t really pressing you for answers.”
“I know, but your face just looked like it.”
Lena grinned and handed Mikael back to Ysaris.
“By the time I return, Mikael will have grown up a lot, won’t he? I’m already looking forward to seeing the harvest.”
“Wah?”
“Lena…”
“What? I’m just stating facts.”
Ysaris let out a half-laugh, half-sigh at Lena’s playful comment, gently patting Mikael.
Did she have to make such teasing remarks before leaving for a long time? It was so typical of Lena.
Ysaris shook her head and saw her off.
“Well, take care. We’ll be waiting.”
“Before I go, here.”
Lena rummaged through her belongings and suddenly handed something to Ysaris. It was a small ring, finely crafted with sapphire stones that resembled Ysaris’ eyes.
“It’s a gift. Try to wear it every day if you can.”
“Oh my.”
Ysaris was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected present. Though Lena had supplied her with essential household goods since she arrived here, it was the first time she had received a valuable gift from her under the name of a present.
‘I should have prepared something for her.’
It made sense that she hadn’t, as their parting had been unannounced. Still, she felt grateful and slightly guilty, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she cradled the ring in her hand.
“Thank you, Lena. I’m always indebted to you.”
“It’s nothing. Well, I’m really leaving now!”
“Reaaa.”
“Goodbye, Mikael! Grow big and strong while I’m gone!”
Lena waved cheerfully as she dashed out of the house before they could even respond. Her face had already furrowed slightly the moment she turned around.
She had brushed it off casually, but the fact that another’s magic had pierced the barrier surrounding the village was a serious matter. Especially now, when she had to be away for an extended period, it was hard not to think, of all times…
Still, Lena chose not to take any immediate action. The moment she detected the residual mana, she knew exactly who it belonged to.
“You’ve gotten pretty bold, Yesis.”
‘How dare you peek inside the barrier without my permission.’
Lena clicked her tongue and floated into the air. Since her opponent was none other than the Sage, it was almost inevitable that the barrier would be breached.
“…It’s a bit of a blow to my pride.”
‘Still, there was no need to repair the barrier immediately. Yesis wasn’t going to do anything drastic out of the blue.’
With this in mind, Lena headed toward her destination. She had already handed Ysaris a magical item as a precaution, so there was no reason to linger any longer.
After all, she too had her own goals to pursue.
Kazhan remained frozen, his hand still resting on the now darkened crystal ball. He doubted himself, wondering if he had merely seen an illusion within the magical device, but no matter how many times he went over it, it had been real.
Ysaris was alive. She was breathing, speaking, and even smiling.
The scene had been so overwhelmingly surreal that Kazhan hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath the entire time. He had been so entranced by her that he only noticed the child by her side much later.
“Mikael.”
That’s definitely what she called him—the baby with red eyes that resembled his own.
Kazhan felt a storm brewing inside him, his chest churning and his whole body itching. He wanted to claw at his heart until it bled, scream until his voice was gone, cry, and laugh all at once. Joy, sorrow, and rage warred within him, overwhelming his reason.
