Previously
Liliana sings a commoner's lullaby to Helio until they both fall asleep; Helio realizes his feelings for her are deeper than expected and vows to make her feel safe. The next day, Liliana visits the Imperial Library to study spirit magic and encounters Bail Gabriel, who reveals he is also a spirit user.
Liliana looked down at Choo Choo, who sat quietly on her hand.
Though frightened, Choo Choo was listening intently to Bail's words, as if eager to be freed from the shackles.
Liliana decided she needed to hear this conversation through to the end, if only for Choo Choo's sake.
Liliana looked at Choo Choo. Choo Choo gave a nod first, and Liliana nodded in turn, extending the hand that held her.
At that moment, Shasha flitted forward and pressed against the iron ball, only to recoil in disgust as if repelled by a foul stench.
Scowling, Shasha darted back to Bail and clung to his cheek.
Leaving Shasha there, Bail began to roll the iron ball between his thumb and forefinger. Liliana found the sight uncanny. No one had ever been able to see or touch the ball, yet here was another person holding it.
Bail squeezed the iron ball firmly, rolled it across his palm, and then tapped Shasha's back with his index finger.
Bail's tone sounded decidedly ominous. Liliana asked in concern,
Bail shook his head with a smile.
Shasha remained pressed against Bail's cheek, visibly unsettled.
Liliana tilted her head in wonder.
She did not entirely understand.
Choo Choo had always been bound to the iron ball, yet never seemed repulsed by it. Perhaps Shasha was exaggerating, or perhaps Choo Choo had grown accustomed to it over time. If it were the latter, that was deeply pitiable.
Liliana cast a sorrowful look at Choo Choo, who simply nodded toward the iron ball, seemingly indifferent.
Choo Choo's resentment toward the iron ball seemed born of conscious grievance rather than primal aversion. Bail looked thoughtfully at Choo Choo, then murmured in a low voice,
Liliana's knowledge of spirits was still far too meager.
Though Bail had voiced no direct reproach, Choo Choo suddenly piped up in protest.
She then turned an aggrieved look toward Liliana.
Liliana offered Choo Choo a comforting look, while Bail glanced between the two of them before offering an apology.
Shasha's spiteful remark made Choo Choo's face turn blue with fury. Bail gently peeled Shasha away from his cheek, his expression turning stern.
Letting out a petulant scoff, Shasha darted onto Bail's open palm as if hurling itself there in protest.
With a soft sigh, Bail cradled Shasha in his hands. The moment they touched, a flicker of flame ignited, and Shasha vanished without a trace.
Liliana stared with wide eyes, but Bail brushed his hands together as though flicking away specks of dust, his calm smile returning.
Liliana murmured quietly, and Bail offered a cautious smile before asking,
Liliana nodded, taking his point in stride.
Bail watched her, smiling slightly.
When Liliana turned an inquisitive gaze back toward him, Bail let out a dry, exasperated sigh and murmured,
Bail finally broke into a soft laugh. Remembering himself before the Queen, he quickly smoothed his expression.
Liliana fingered the tips of her hair, hesitating. She was not accustomed to having someone offer help so readily.
With Helio, his intentions had been easy to grasp.
She was, after all, a Queen who answered to him, and she felt a certain sense of duty in return. Accepting his aid came naturally.
Bail, however, was a different matter entirely. She knew there had to be an underlying motive behind any help he offered.
Before she could answer, Bail pulled three introductory primers on spirits from the shelves and presented them to her.
Liliana received the books cautiously and immediately opened the first cover. The lines were penned in graceful calligraphy, accompanied by illustrations detailing the traits of the six spirit elements. Turning the page, a particular sentence caught her eye.
Pondering the passage, Liliana lifted her gaze to Bail.
Bail placed a hand on his chin, considering the thought for a moment before nodding.
While Liliana contemplated a way to free Choo Choo from the iron ball—wondering if contracting a light spirit might be the answer—Choo Choo reacted with fierce defiance, throwing a frantic tantrum.
Bail answered firmly.
Bail's eyes gleamed; he was clearly not about to let this opening slip by. Yet Liliana did not answer right away, regarding him with wary caution.
A Gabriel again.
Liliana's guard went up at once. Noting her wariness, Bail took a respectful step back and inclined his head slightly, continuing in an even, measured tone.
Bail was demanding nothing from her for the time being.
Liliana looked at Choo Choo, who hovered helplessly in her shackles, and then glanced at Bail's crimson hair. Drawing a quiet breath, she spoke evenly.
Liliana handed the books to Sophia and hurried away from the alcove. Having achieved his aim, Bail made no move to follow.
Once they had left the library and turned onto a quiet corridor, Sophia asked in a worried murmur,
Liliana managed a faint smile, though fear still gnawed at her chest. She had no real experience with such intrigues.
Having grown up confined to a modest palace in Niita, managing household pennies was familiar enough, but politics was an utter mystery to her.
What she did best was staying hidden in the shadows, surviving by escaping notice. Yet Bail's proposal was the exact opposite of remaining unseen.
Liliana asked hesitantly. Sophia tilted her head, considering the matter before speaking.
Choo Choo puffed up with pride, planting her hands firmly on her hips.
Liliana let out a soft laugh and teased her, lightly tapping Choo Choo's head with a fingertip.
Sophia murmured, reaching out toward Liliana's hand. But having no spiritual affinity, she could neither see nor touch the spirit, and her fingers passed harmlessly through empty air.
Exchanging quiet banter, they drew near the Emerald Palace, only for Sophia to freeze in surprise.
Liliana, too, caught sight of the carriage drawn up before the palace steps.
She recognized its crest at a glance.
The very person Liliana feared most was waiting right outside the Emerald Palace.