Dear Not Cunning Witch - Chapter 7-3

Diana was uneasy as she looked up at the tall door. The royal palace was truly vast, as was expected of the home of the king who governed all of Ingram. Even the door to the reception room were so large.

Diana dithered in front of the door for some time before she confirmed the doorplate once again. But the elegant letters on the doorplate still designated this place as the reception room. She needed to go inside and swear her oath to the king since there was no reason why the doorplates in the palace would be wrong, but she was starting to get nervous for some reason.

Still, she was already here, and it wasn’t as if she could simply turn back. Diana resolved herself to see things through to the end as she knocked gingerly. The massive door opened slowly no sooner than her knocks had echoed down the corridor twice.

The reception room was rather dark. Diana was staring at the sunlight filtering in through the door when she whisked her head up as a sudden voice invited her inside.

“Why are you just standing there?”

The reception room was dark because the curtains had been drawn tightly over every window, but there was one corner of the room that was brighter than the rest. Diana hesitantly stepped inside. Then, the door closed behind her as if it had been waiting for her to move.

“Um…….”

“Please come closer.”

“Are you a witch?”

Diana asked hesitantly. It was only then that the witch, who had her nose buried against her desk, looked up.

“I’m Gracie Milner, a palace witch. Anyway, aren’t you here to swear your oath?”

She sounded annoyed. Diana quickly walked up to the desk and sat down. Gracie continued,

“Read through the oath carefully……and sign it. Here and here.”

The witch pushed a written oath toward Diana. Puzzled, Diana asked,

“Don’t I need to swear it to the king?”

“I will accept the oath as the king’s proxy. Your oath will be validated automatically when the king signs it in a few days. If you don’t trust me, then you can visit the Magic Association sometime next week and check Ingram’s magic registry. You can come back next month if your name isn’t there.”

“Oh…….”

Diana nodded awkwardly. She had to swear an oath to the king in order to be officially recognized as a witch, but it looked like it was Ingram custom for the king to not even be present when the oath took place. Why did they make her come all the way to the palace if this was the case —could she not have simply mailed in her oath instead? Diana grumbled to herself as she read through the oath.

The oath was nothing special. You will be entitled to the following rights as a witch of Ingram, and so on and so forth……. Diana couldn’t tell what exactly her so-called rights were supposed to be, other than perhaps the fact that she would be allowed to freely use the library, the archive of records, and the observatory, but she absentmindedly flipped through the pages nevertheless. Witches were not generally tied down very tightly to the state. This was because there wasn’t much that the state could offer them.

‘They’re barely giving us anything, so why the heck do they want so much from us?’

Diana began reading slowly through the section titled, <The Duties of a Witch of Ingram>. After she ignored the flowery language and the useless bits, her duties boiled down to the following.

 

1. The Witch shall be governed by Ingram law. However, she will first be tried by the Walpurgis Council if she is to be sentenced to prison.

2. The Witch shall be governed by the Ballompiè Treaty of 1687.

3. The Witch shall obey the King’s orders. However, the King may only mobilize the Witch under extreme circumstances where many lives are at stake, such as times of natural disaster or war. During such times of extreme circumstance, the King will mobilize any witches who live in the affected region first, and he shall only mobilize witches from other regions if the situation cannot be brought under control. Payment of the renumeration shall be agreed upon by the Parties.

4. The Witch may be contracted to work for the state. In such cases, payment of the renumeration shall be agreed upon by the Parties.

5. The Witch may not use magic in the following locations: the Loengren Palace, official churches of the Church of Santigma, and Gwaltiello Velli.

 

This was within Diana’s expectations. She did not need to harbor any pointless doubts because her predecessors had bitterly negotiated the terms of the oath with the crown. Besides, her sister and teacher both had already sworn this very same oath.

Diana picked up her pen and signed the oath. She was now an official witch, just as she had always wanted. She had dreamed of this day for over a decade, but it wasn’t as exciting as she had thought it would be.

“Are you done?”

“Yes.”

The palace witch promptly retrieved the oath. She scrutinized it carefully before her gaze suddenly stopped moving.

“……Are you Griselda Sol’s second daughter?”

Diana smiled awkwardly. She hadn’t welcomed the attention at first, but she had grown accustomed to it now. Witches were generally reclusive, but the Sol name carried so much weight —much more than Diana had ever imagined— that other reclusive witches were asking her questions like this to her face.

The palace witch studied Diana briefly before she quickly looked away. Griselda Sol, the great witch, and Hester Sol, who was blessed by the stars. The two great witches were Diana’s pride, but they were also the shackles that would choke her for the rest of her life. Her only saving grace was that witches considered being indifferent to strangers a virtue.

“You may leave now.”

“……Am I done?”

Diana looked stunned as the palace witch turned her away. The witch, who was moving three separate pens on both sides of her desk with magic, irritably asked,

“What else is there to do?”

“It was nothing more than a signed contract……. Isn’t it much too ineffective? I thought I’d at least have to recite Izellon’s Pledge or the seven steps of Horatio’s Vow…….”

“This is just a temporary contract,”

the palace witch quipped back coldly. She continued,

“The rest of the oath will be conducted properly on Walpurgis Night. The next one will take place this autumn, so please be sure to attend.”

Then again, one day wasn’t long enough to swear a proper oath. But Diana still needed to get her name added to the magic registry, so it looked like she was to sign the temporary contract first before formally swearing her oath. There was also Sula’s Oath, which was both simple and amazingly effective, but that was a dangerous spell that put the swearer’s life on the line. Diana had nearly been strangled to death when she had been forced to accept Sula’s Oath on the train.

She carefully stood up from her seat. Gracie, the palace witch, never stopped moving her hands even though she was controlling four quill pens with magic now. Diana felt apologetic for pestering the busy witch with so many pointless questions. She walked out of the reception as quietly as she could —perhaps she could at least avoid being a bother while she was leaving.

Creak.

The sunlight that had filtered into the room as soon as she opened the door quickly vanished without a trace. Only the sound of quill pens scribbling across the pages remained in the quiet reception room.

 

* * *

 

Messina, Ingram, and Banzè.

The three countries had been established from different cultural foundations, and they were still very different from each other even now. Messina revered Santigma, the Holy City, more than she revered Dolcamara, her own royal capital, and the Church was so powerful that her king could not rule at full force, whereas Banzè, the last of the three countries to accept the Church of Santigma, consolidated all her wealth and power under her ruling king.

On the other hand, Ingram had the most extensive legal system in the world so that her king, though revered, could not be an absolute ruler. Ingram was rather special in that she had escaped the clutches of both the church and the crown and existed as a country that operated solely under the rule of law.

These characteristics were also reflected in each country’s world of magic. Messina’s world of magic was led by House Pagliacci, which had bent knee before the pope shortly into the country’s history, and Banzè’s world was magic was controlled by the unyielding king who held his witches’ and wizards’ lives in his hand. But Ingram was different. Cunning Jiles, Virtuous Vega, and Just Alpheus. There were three such influential houses in Ingram’s world of magic, but they each maintained a balance of power without one house ever becoming exceptionally more powerful than the others.

The magic conference.

It took place once a year. Sixty-six of Ingram’s most prided witches and wizards gathered together for the conference, and it was the clearest example of Ingram’s world of magic’s special characteristics.

“It has been a truly long while, Lady Hester.”

Hester, who hadn’t attended the conference in three years, exchanged greetings with apathy on her face.

“I was unable to attend recently.”

“I see. I was afraid that I had perhaps missed you.”

Hester had been busy researching the heavens in Snowden, a border city, for her long-term contract with the king until just a few months ago. She had still received an invitation to the magic conference every year all things despite, and she could have easily returned to Wokingham had she wanted to attend, but she had not. She had been shocked by Oliver’s betrayal and had fled Wokingham back then, and she had been adamant about not returning.

Hester smiled wryly as she ruminated over the recent past. She had always assumed that she would never return to Wokingham when she had been living while only looking at the stars in Snowden, and she found her current peaceful life somewhat comical.

Even her wounds, which had hurt so much at the time, were beginning to heal.

She calmly surveyed the assembly hall. Nothing had really changed since the last time she had seen it. Of course, the assembly hall had been constructed over two hundred years ago and was unlikely to change in just three years, but the fact that not even the attendees had changed was likely an indication of just how exclusive the world of magic was. Even those who had who had recently caused a stir in the academic world hadn’t been invited to the conference this year.

Hester’s seat was at the very back. But this was easy to overlook because the assembly hall was circular and most people ended up sitting toward the back anyway, so Hester simply sat down. The others were also gradually making their way to their seats.

Just then, an old crowned eagle flew down and landed on the seat next to her. Crowned eagles were large even for a bird of prey, and their perfectly upright figures gave off an unignorable feeling of danger.

Hester slowly lowered her gaze and read the nameplate on the seat next to her.

“……Sir Gwynprin Doodleberg?”

“It’s Leonard Jiles.”

An old man’s husky voice sounded from the crowned eagle’s beak. He continued,

“Gwynprin Doodleberg is likely so drunk that he doesn’t even know what day today is.”

“Goodness,”

Hester replied highhandedly. The eagle’s sharp gaze turned toward her.

“It’s been three years. I’ve been well.”

“I have also been well.”

“Have you now? It didn’t sound like you’ve been well.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I’m referring to Niolo Pagliacci. It caused a bit of a fuss when Griselda Sol’s second daughter erased the Stain of Mutirè.”

Hester nodded dryly.

“I am certain the rumors will subside soon.”

“That’s only what you wish will happen. But Griselda Sol’s second daughter killed Mad Niolo. And I hear she also studied under Barbara Jiles? Everyone has high expectations for the arrival of a new great witch.”

Unease choked her throat like thorns. Hester quickly scanned her surroundings. Most of the attendees had sent animals in their stead, like Leonard had, but she could still feel their piercing gazes focusing on her. Leonard Jiles continued,

“Do my questions make you uncomfortable?”

“……You are rather talkative today,”

Hester responded quietly. She continued,

“But someone would have sat next to me even if it wasn’t you, Sir Leonard. And they would have been much blunter in their questioning. Should I thank you for sitting here, Sir?”

The eagle remained silent for some time. He flapped his arms uncomfortably, perhaps because he had been taken by surprise.

“You’ve begun taking after Griselda now. Or perhaps you’re taking after Amelia?”

“Either way, they are both honorable figures.”

“Hmph.”

The eagle snapped his head to the side. Hester stole a glance at his sulkiness and chuckled to herself.

Leonard Jiles. The old man, who was also called the Wizard of Rules, was an elder of House Jiles and a respected wizard. He had been a renowned wizard at the forefront of the world of magic even just ten years ago, but he had retired to his personal residence and rarely left now that he had grown older. It was actually a surprise to see him at the magic conference today.

She did not know why Leonard Jiles had purposefully sat down next to her, but Hester was genuinely grateful to him. He was famous in the world of magic for his personality. The story of how he had once urinated off the walls of the Loengren Palace after getting into an argument with the previous king, who had passed quite some time ago, had been passed down like a legend. At the very least, the other attendees would not be approaching Hester to pepper her with questions anytime soon because everyone present knew just how foul-tempered Leonard Jiles could be.

Wizards were people who thought indifference was a virtue but became obsessively absorbed in their fields of study. Perhaps it was different for ordinary wizards, but those who were influential enough in the world of magic to attend the magic conference undoubtedly had many questions about ‘Griselda Sol’s secret second daughter’ and ‘Mad Niolo’s death.’ But Hester had absolutely no interest in assuaging their doubts.

The once-empty assembly hall was now filled with people. Most attendees were birds, but there were also occasionally other animals present as well. In particular, there was a bluebuck, who was undoubtedly affiliated with House Alpheus, ruling her corner of the hall like a queen. Hester assumed that she was Suri Alpheus, the head of <Just Alpheus>.

“The young ones are always so noisy,”

Leonard Jiles grumbled through his eagle’s beak. Hester greeted Hugo Alpheus, who looked bored as he stood next to the bluebuck, with her eyes.

The other side of the hall began clamoring before long. The bluebuck was here, so now they were only waiting for two more attendees. The stone doors were wide open at the hall entrance. Everyone watched as a small raven flew inside with its back to the blinding sunlight.

“It’s Lady Barbara Jiles. Do you not need to go to her?”

Hester asked. But the crowned eagle simply stared back at the entrance as he flatly replied,

“That’s too much of a pain. It’s been so noisy as of late, and who knows what nonsense she’ll begin spouting if I go to her?”

“Pardon?”

Hester asked, but she quickly realized why Leonard was loath to join his family. There was only one reason why House Jiles would be noisy as of late. She continued,

“I recall hearing that Sir Cedric has returned.”

Cedric Jiles, who had left for the border two years ago to train his dragon, had returned. House Jiles had been quiet recently, but his return had likely reignited the dispute surrounding the next head of the house.

“Indeed. He’s returned quite boldly with his dragon in tow.”

Leonard seemed disgruntled, as expected of an elder of the conservative House Jiles. He continued,

“I still don’t like that rascal.”

“Didn’t you only meet Sir Cedric once in passing when he was very young?”

“Having to meet that newborn once was already one time too many.”

The eagle twisted his wings awkwardly. He continued,

“The rascal inherited too much of his father’s blood. He’s the spitting image of his father.”

“……Sir Cedric is an outstanding wizard,”

Hester defended Cedric. But the old wizard stuck to his stubborn ways.

“That does not make him an outstanding Jiles.”

 

* * *

 

“The magic conference? I haven’t heard the bell yet, so I think it’s still in session. I’m not very sure myself.”

Her oath had concluded quicker than she had anticipated, but making her way from the reception room to the assembly hall was a difficult journey. Diana was impatient and asked after the magic conference because she was afraid that she might accidentally miss Hester in passing, but the answers she received were indifferent because she was obviously no one special.

Unlike the inner palace, where the royal family lived, the outer palace was filled with government offices and was teeming with countless cabinet members and their attendants. It was only natural that not many people cared about the troubles of a plainly-dressed girl. Diana stood there and watched as people hurried past her while carrying stacks of paper for a while. Then, she braced herself and forced herself to walk.

Diana had just barely managed to find her way to the assembly hall by asking around, and she was exhausted by the time she arrived. She had spent most of her life in the quiet and lonely Jiles manor, and the bustling palace was like poison to her. She could easily imagine herself immediately collapsing on her bed and not waking up until dinnertime after returning home hand-in-hand with her sister.

She squinted at the blinding sunlight as she looked up at the assembly hall. The assembly hall was a somber grey, unlike the other gorgeously decorated buildings. It had neither elegant arches nor detailed carvings of ill-clothed figures from the scriptures. Instead, the assembly hall was a circular building made from large stones with a gigantic stone door, like at a temple, and an eye-catching glass ceiling that reflected the sunlight.

This was her first time seeing the assembly hall. Diana could only guess how the assembly hall looked like on the inside because she did not have the right to go in, and the sun was very bright because it was just past noon on a summer day. She decided to ask her sister to describe the assembly hall’s interior for her later.

She walked out of the scorching sun and into the shade. Eventually, the massive stone doors slowly began to open. Diana rejoiced as she ran up the steps. Her disdain for the pointlessly numerous steps and her annoyance at the summer heat was quickly overcome by her joy now that she was about to reunite with her sister.

“Huh?”

But she suddenly stopped in her tracks halfway up the stairs. Her gaze, which had been chasing constantly after the opening stone doors, was now nailed to a certain someone who was standing a bit of a distance from her.

He was eye-catching even from a distance. Anyone would have stopped to take a second look at him because he was wearing black robes even though it was the hottest summer in twenty years. Diana initially thought that it was his eccentric appearance that had caught her attention, but she quickly realized that his appearance wasn’t the only thing.

His visage underneath his deep hood was pale like any other wizard. But his black hair and slanted eyes undeniably marked him as a Jiles. The other reason why she had identified him at a first glance despite how hard he was trying to keep his identity hidden was because of the rare and beautiful lines of his face, which made him the striking image of his father.

Cedric Jiles.

Diana’s face immediately twisted.

 

Cedric had slept like a log as soon as he had arrived at Wokingham. He had flown directly to Paperd, where Barbara Jiles was currently residing, without rest as soon as his contract was concluded, and then he had practically been chased out of Paperd and had immediately made the long flight to Wokingham. He had spent more time in the air than he had on the ground these past four days, so it was reasonable that he had slept for an entire day once he had finally arrived at Wokingham half-dead.

Then, he had begun tending to the manor the very next day. The manor in the city was grand, as befitting of his house’s glorious name, but it had grown rusty because hardly anyone had stepped foot in it. Cedric could not hire any attendants yet because his dragon was extremely fixated on his master, so he had no choice but to fix up the manor on his own. He had moved the brooms and mops with magic, of course, but he was so exhausted from his flight that even that was cumbersome. In the end, he had decided to finish cleaning up before he had the chance to even step foot inside the second story.

Then, on the next day, he had completed his incomplete snowball. Dragons were violent and greedy creatures, and they were always willful and constantly tried to escape even if they were bound to a master. Cedric had spent the last two years training his dragon at the border, and he didn’t have the slightest intention of turning a blind eye to his dragon’s whims. Moreover, while the border had been on thing, it was completely nonsensical to try and raise a dragon in a crowded city like Wokingham.

Snowballs were common glass balls decorated with miniature villages and trees inside. Instead of a miniature village, however, Cedric had connected the inside of his snowball to a subworld and to an uninhabited island in the east. The uninhabited island, owned by House Jiles, was populated with wild animals and tropical fruits, and it was also surrounded by water on all sides, making it the perfect place to raise a dragon because dragons were terrified of water.

It was only after Cedric had taken an entire day completing his snowball that he finally had the time to read the scrap of paper that Chesterty had given him.

 

94-4 Richmond Street, North Biers, Wokingham

 

Cedric had stared quietly at the scrap of paper for some time before taking out a blank sheet of paper and penning a letter. His pen flowed freely at times and paused for a while at times. His final letter was only a few lines long, but he had sacrificed several dozen sheets of paper just to write it.

He had spent the rest of his days waiting quietly for a reply. He did not inform his relatives about his return because he disliked uproars, as did most wizards. The news would spread naturally anyway even if he didn’t inform them personally. And his household would become noisy again once it had. Cedric disliked it when his relatives or complete strangers talked about him, and he was also reluctant to impose an additional burden on his mother when she was already unwell.

One day, two days, three days, four days……. Time passed surprisingly quickly. The manor, which had stood its ground for many long years like an old tree, was a stark contrast to the bustling streets outside. Cedric read during the day and observed the stars during the night —he was never bored. He did look out to the quiet front gates from time to time, but the manor had been empty for so long that guests had long since stopped visiting.

And on the tenth day after he had arrived at Wokingham. Cedric finally accepted the fact that his letter would not be returned a reply. But it was only natural considering how fiercely they had bickered two years ago right before he had departed for the border to fulfil his two-year contract with the king. He had only sent his letter on the off chance that it would be Hester who read it first. Fortunately, he was on decent terms with Hester Sol. But he hadn’t heard back in over a week now, so it was likely that Diana had already burned his letter without leaving a single trace behind.

But Cedric wasn’t disappointed. He hadn’t really been expecting a reply to begin with, and he was simply glad that he hadn’t been returned a reply filled with curses instead. He already knew the Sol sisters’ address. The only reason why he had written them a letter asking if he could visit first was because visiting another’s home implied certain things in the world of magic.

He stood up languidly. He hadn’t ventured outside since he had arrived at Wokingham, so this would be his first excursion in ten days. Wokingham summers were hot and humid, unlike the manor, which was chilly all year long. Cedric was wearing long sleeves and a robe while everyone else was wearing short sleeves and carrying around fans. And he was still rather pale, unlike the passersby around him. He wasn’t even sweating.

He made his way toward the Loengren Palace. Today was the day of the magic conference, and Hester Sol, who had returned to Wokingham for the first time in two years, was sure to attend. It was also the first of August, so Diana was likely in the reception room signing her oath so she could officially be recognized as a witch.

Cedric arrived at the assembly hall around noon, and he pulled his hood deeply over his head as he waited for the stone doors to open. He needed to see Diana. But he needed to speak with Hester first, since her presence would be required, even if only briefly, if he wanted to have a ‘normal’ conversation with Diana. He didn’t mind if he ran into Diana while speaking to Hester, and he didn’t mind even if he couldn’t see Diana today either. His only goal for today was to secure a dinner appointment.

The stone doors slowly began opening before long. Cedric waited for Hester from a short distance from the exit. Unfortunately, many elders of House Jiles were sure to attend the magic conference, so it was for the best that he didn’t stand out. Cedric hated his relatives who began grumbling about his father as soon as they laid their eyes on him. Yet another battle for the position of heir would likely break out, even though he had already secured it as his, if he was found here, and his sickly mother would not shield him —not that she ever had.

Hundreds of birds took to the skies, and other animals, like the bluebuck, quickly fled the stone doors. Those leaving the assembly hall slowly behind them were the few rare witches and wizards who had attended the magic conference in person. Cedric looked over them as he searched for Hester.

But just then, he felt someone staring openly back at him. He subconsciously turned his head. Crimson hair, flowing under the light and scattering a white glow, suddenly filled his field of vision.

Cedric stared at her absent-mindedly. Her long crimson hair, her pale visage —a characteristic common to most witches—, her small stature, and her frowning grey eyes. Diana hadn’t changed much in the last two years. The frown she was wearing was also unchanged from when they had last parted ways.

“…….”

Cedric slowly opened his mouth. Diana, Diana Sol. He hadn’t been able to call her name in two years. He needed to give voice to the name at the tip of his tongue.

But then, a momentary smile graced Diana’s lips. Cedric blinked in a daze as he wondered if he was hallucinating. Diana was smiling brightly, like a blossoming flower, as she fervently walked toward him. There was unconcealable joy filling her face as she walked closer.

And then, she passed him by.

“Sister!”

The delight in her voice, which he had never heard before from her, washed over him like a wave.

It was only then that Cedric very slowly let out his breath.

 

Hester looked up as she heard someone call her as soon as she had exited the assembly hall. She scowled for a moment as the sunlight invaded her eyes, but she could not help but smile since it was her beloved younger sister who was calling for her.

“Diana,”

Hester greeted Diana once the latter had come close enough. She continued,

“Did you finish your oath?”

“Of course. It wasn’t a big deal,”

Diana replied with a shrug. She continued,

“I was told that my oath today was just a temporary contract and that my actual oath would be sworn on Walpurgis Night —is that true?”

“Yeah. You don’t need to worry about it too much. The people organizing Walpurgis Night will prepare everything.”

“Well, if you say so.”

Diana was quickly convinced and took Hester by the hand. She continued,

“Isn’t it hot? Let’s hurry back home.”

Hester simply thought that her sister was weak to the heat as Diana hurried her. Which was why she had begun moving quickly, but then she spotted someone who was dressed strangely in the mid-summer heat. She did not recognize him immediately, but she greeted him warmly when Cedric drew back the hood that had been covering his face.

“Sir Cedric Jiles.”

Hester smiled faintly as she walked up to him. Cedric smiled back in a poised manner, just as she’d expected.

“It’s been a while.”

“Goodness, I never thought I’d be seeing you here in the palace. Are you here to see Lady Barbara Jiles?”

“No. Actually…….”

Cedric moved his gaze diagonally. Diana, who had been dithering from afar, winced when their eyes met.

Hester was puzzled when Cedric trailed off uncharacteristically, but she smiled brightly when she realized whom he was looking at.

“Diana. It must be a while since you last saw Sir Cedric too. Why don’t you say hello?”

“Yeah…….”

Diana did her best to smile and glared stiffly back at Cedric. The words that left her mouth were sharp even though she knew very well that her sister was right there listening. She continued,

“Why are you here?”

Cedric was sensitive to these things, so there was no reason why he would have missed the thorns hidden in her words, but he simply stared back at her without a word. He turned his gaze very naturally back to Hester as soon as Diana was beginning to find it burdensome.

“I sent you a letter last week, but I’m unsure if it made it to its intended destination.”

“A letter?”

The letter. Diana’s heart skipped a beat when the letter she had completely forgotten about suddenly became the topic of their conversation. She had blatantly lied to her sister just a few days ago and told her that Cedric had pushed back his request for a meeting because he was busy. Hester continued,

“Didn’t you say that you were busy?”

Hester was puzzled —she had not imagined even in her wildest dreams that her younger sister could possibly have lied to her. Cedric didn’t even blink as he asked,

“Me?”

“I’m sure Diana told me that you replied and said you were busy…….”

Their gazes naturally fell toward Diana. There was nothing Diana could do but smile awkwardly. She could not tell if the sweat moistening the back of her neck was because of the scorching sun or because she was breaking out in a cold sweat out of anxiety.

Then, Cedric slowly opened his mouth and said,

“……Yes. I was busy building a nest for my dragon.”

Dragon? Diana was thrown into confusion as she lowered her gaze.

“Oh right, I’ve actually been rather curious about that. I was wondering what kind of method you devised, since it should be impossible to raise a dragon in a big city like Wokingham.”

“I’ll show you next time. I left him at home today.”

Cedric was even smiling calmly now. He continued,

“In any event, may I ask you for a date and time that works for you again? I’m free anytime, as I plan on resting for a while.”

“Then…….”

Hester pondered for a moment before saying,

“I am free this weekend.”

“Will Saturday evening work for you?”

“You’re free on Saturday evening too, right, Diana?”

The conversation suddenly turned back to Diana. Diana, who hadn’t really been paying attention to the conversation, startled.

“What? This Saturday?”

“Yeah. Saturday evening.”

Diana just barely managed to force her lips into a smile. In her heart she wanted to scream that she absolutely never ever wanted to go.

“Of course. I have plenty of time to spare.”

But she had no choice but to agree. Diana was an official witch of Ingram who had only just registered her name today. She could not pretend to be busy when Hester knew best that she had simply been lazing around as of late.

But to think that she would have to eat with that snake. Even just thinking about it made her uncomfortable. She floundered in her growing sense of shame while Hester and Cedric exchanged pleasant farewells.

“I will see you later at six in Ambrose Square.”

“Yes.”

Then, Cedric’s gaze turned back to Diana. Her expression stiffened before she could stop herself when their eyes met so unexpectedly. The same was true for Cedric. The despicable smile he had been wearing while he was talking to Hester was nowhere to be found. All that was left was the emotionless expression that Diana was ever so familiar with.

“I’ll see you later,”

Cedric said quietly as he stared at her. It was an unremarkable farewell, but Diana could not help but glare back at him with suspicion.