The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 66.2
Miroi walked slowly to the spot, placed her book on the desk, and looked at Leslun.
“Sit.”
Leslun said nothing more and sat down in the place Lady Miroi had indicated.
On his left was Prince Tarensiu. On his right was Lady Miroi.
Leslun instinctively glanced to either side and let out a silent sigh.
He had not imagined such a seating arrangement at all.
Prince Tarensiu had been saying strange things since morning, and now Lady Miroi had suddenly appeared and said she wanted to sit next to him.
On top of that, the gazes and atmosphere from the other students were unbearable.
Fortunately, the professor entered, and everyone’s attention shifted toward him.
“In this class, we will proceed with both theory and practice.
In addition, assignments will be done in groups, so keep that in mind ahead of time.”
When the professor finished speaking, Leslun let out a small sigh to himself.
He already had a feeling who he would be grouped with.
***
Cassian sat with his hands folded, chin resting on the backs of his hands, staring at a cushion.
On top of it lay a small bird, lying on its side, breathing faintly.
Only after applying medicine that morning had it finally managed to calm down.
It wasn’t dying, it had merely fallen asleep.
Each time its thin feathers trembled ever so slightly, Cassian let out a breath of relief.
“Will it really be all right…?”
He murmured as if speaking to himself when the sharp sound of high heels echoed down the corridor.
Startled, Cassian quickly jumped up, scooped up the cushion in his arms, shuffled back and forth, then hastily put it back down and stood in front of it, as if to hide it.
The door soon opened, and the one who appeared was Empress Tera.
Her lips were pressed tightly together, her steps radiated authority, and her face held a cool dignity.
Seeing her, Cassian swiftly offered a bow.
“Mother, you’ve come.”
Even at her son’s careful greeting, the Empress’s expression was cold as ever.
Her lips did not so much as twitch.
Instead, she spoke as if examining her child’s demeanor.
“How strange. Why is your head not bowed?”
Cassian’s heart plummeted at her words.
He knew well that every little tone of hers carried meaning, so he pressed his lips tightly and bowed his head once more.
When Brother Kailos was around, she would smile warmly at him — but most of the time, she was like this, stern and rigid.
Since it was nothing new, Cassian didn’t try to express it aloud.
“What are you hiding behind your back?”
At her sharp question, Cassian’s shoulders twitched.
Because the Empress had appeared earlier than expected, he had not had time to hide it.
He wanted to keep it hidden somehow, but it was already too late.
“Step aside.”
At her firm command, Cassian’s eyes widened.
Fear gripped him, yet his body would not move easily.
“It’s nothing.”
He forced himself to speak, but his young voice was already shaking.
The Empress’s face held not the slightest trace of sympathy.
She merely stood there, watching him, waiting for her command to be obeyed.
When Cassian still did not move, the palace attendants carefully approached instead.
“Your Highness, this way…”
They gently pushed him aside, cautious lest he be hurt.
Their voices and hands were careful, but beneath that caution was their own fear of angering the Empress.
In the end, Cassian was forced to step aside while still shielding the bird.
The cushion he had been hiding was revealed, and on it, the small bird curled up.
Even at the sight, the Empress’s expression did not change in the slightest.
“I’ll let it go once it gets better.”
Sensing the scolding that was about to come, Cassian hurriedly explained himself.
But her response was ice cold.
“You think it will get better?”
“Yes, I even applied medicine.”
Cassian added hastily.
If this went on, the bird would soon be taken away to some unknown place by the Empress’s order.
The Empress said nothing and simply looked at the bird.
The longer the silence stretched, the more Cassian’s anxiety grew.
Then, unexpectedly, words came.
“Very well. If it recovers, it would be good to release it.”
At the unexpected concession, Cassian let out a brief sigh of relief.
But it was short-lived. The Empress immediately continued.
“Showing compassion in protecting and treating an animal will also serve to earn favor.”
“…Pardon?”
“Use this to lure a spirit beast.”
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