TL: Zimming

[On a snowy winter day, in front of the nursery, there was a basket with a child wrapped in a blanket.

Judging from the fact that the basket contains the childs birth time, name, and a few silver coins, it is speculated that the child must be an illegitimate child of a noble family.]

An illegitimate child of a noble family? Me?

My heart started pounding at the unexpected story.

I gulped and turned the page.

[The child does not cry. We made the doctor check but we did not find any problems.]

[Then one day, the child is gone. The childs cradle was empty when the caregiver returned after taking care of the other children. The nurses and guards searched all around, but the child was nowhere to be seen.]

[The child returned after three days.]

[Its been half a day since the child returned. Surprisingly, the child started crying. Everyone was surprised by the childs reaction, but on the other hand, we could not erase their concerns. It was because we had recently heard rumours that many bad people were trafficking children and used them as ingredients for magic. Just in case, the head nun asked a mage to check the child. But according to the wizards diagnosis, nothing happened.]

[The child who was devoid of emotion was now normal. Its a pleasure to see.]

I cant believe I came back after being kidnapped.

What did they want by kidnapping an orphan? They wouldnt be able to ask my parents for money.

Rather, maybe they want to use me as an ingredient for magic like what the writer said.

But why did they bring me back?

Theres no reason to risk it and be caught. I couldnt understand it more and more. When I was about to turn to the next page, I could hear some voices outside the door.

It makes no sense that it only rains near the library. They laughed when I went to borrow an umbrella.

Maybe you were dreaming? Wait, there were really rain marks on your clothes.

It was the guard of the librarys voice. Looks like he had come with someone else. I hugged my journal and hid behind a bookshelf to peek at the situation.

Its clear that you were pranked.

A prank?

Yes. Otherwise, why would you experience it alone?

Who is this stupid bastard! What kind of person dared to play a prank on the Empress Dowagers library! Or someone was trying to break into the library!

Now I have to get out fast!

I quickly put the journal on the bookshelf. Meanwhile, the footsteps of the guards were getting closer.

As soon as I got out through the window, I stumbled, and the door to the library opened.

The window is open! Theres an intruder!

I ran quickly.

I desperately turned to the corner, but the hem of my dress was visible to the guards. One of the guards said, Its over there!

Oops!

Now a high wall was in front of me.

I was confused and didnt know what to do. In front of me was a high wall that I could not jump on at all, and the guards were chasing closely behind me.

What do I do? How should-

Just then,

Ug!

Someone covered my mouth from behind and pulled me towards them.

Then, the soldier came towards our side. They directly looked at me, whose mouth was being held by someone.

Im doomed, they saw my face.

The guards got closer to me little by little. But

Damn it. Where the hell is that person?

What?

***

The guards walked past me. They looked around with serious expressions and muttered,

This is not making any sense. Did they rise to the sky, or did they go under the ground? I have seen the hem of their clothes heading hereare they a mage?

No way! They surely wont do magic spells on the imperial palace right? Or else well also be alerted.

But if it wasnt for that, how could they disappear so quickly?

The guards groaned.

You go and call the court mages. I will look to see if anything is missing.

The guards hurried back to the way they came from. After we couldnt see them, the person released their hand. I turned my head a little and looked at the person.

Adrian?

Yes.

How did you did you open a barrier?

Adrian stepped away from me and nodded. I couldnt hide my surprise.

Is it possible to use super high-level magic that will completely block them from human vision as long as it doesnt get caught in the Imperial Palace barrier?

I also made a barrier when entering the library, but that was a low-level barrier. They could still see me after some time. But this one was a very high level one.

Theres no way Adrian knew the imperial code that only the court mages know.

How did you

Adrian couldnt have learned magic, because Empress Yvonne did not allow anything to interfere with his sons accession.

I thought you were in trouble.

No way, is it you? Did you break into the library?

I patted Adrians jacket. I couldnt feel any vibration from the devils passage at all.

Rather, there was only a strong smell of flowers.

Ugh, it smells like haro flowers.

Did you come from the herb garden?

Yes.

I have a haro flower allergy. My throat already felt itchy.

If Adrian really did come, the library would smell like haro flowers.

I am very sensitive to the scent of haro flowers, so there is no way I cant notice it. On top of that, the herb garden with haro flowers is in the opposite direction.

Adrian was not the intruder.

How do you know that Im here?

Because this one was happy to see you.

When Adrian reached out his palm, a condensed water clownfish appeared.

The clownfish approached me and lightly brushed my cheek with its fin.

I know this one! Amand*!

*TL note: Amand is one of the fish created by Adrians divine power that was mentioned in past chapters. (I forgot which but it was when Blaine meets Adrian for the first time.)

Thats right.

It was the thing I saw when I first met Adrian.

How can he still maintain it? Its amazing every time I see it.

Indeed, he will be the youngest cardinal of the future.

They said that he was a genius that rarely appeared who even surpassed the popes divine power. And it was true. As I saw it in amazement, Amand fluttered its tail and hovered in front of my nose.

Yes, yes. Youre cute. But how did you know where I am? Its interesting.

Because Amand could sense your mana.

I quickly turned my head to look at Adrian.

Not divine power, but mana?

Yes.

Everyone in this world has mana. And as we live, we would inevitably release a very, very small amount of mana. Just like ants releasing pheromones. I gulped and put my hands together.

Then, can Amand find anyone with traces of mana?

Adrians eyes widened in an instant. But soon, his eyes narrowed slightly.

It could take half a day.

That means Amand could help me find the intruder.

My lucky charm! Where did such a blessing come from!

Adrian really is my lucky charm.

I said earnestly while holding my hands tightly together

Are you busy?

.

Are you busy right now?

Adrian stared at me and shook his head lightly.

No.

Can you go somewhere with me?

Okay.

Then right now! Oh no, I told Cecilia that I will come back before dinner.

There, the guards saw the hem of my dress, so I needed to change my clothes. I also dont know when Ill run out of my divine power again, so Ill bring more mana stone in my bag.

Wait a minute. Ill be back in thirty minutes.

Okay.

Even if I asked the Empress Dowager about it, she would probably make an excuse.

So I need to find the intruder to ask why are they digging about me, and how did they know that the Empress Dowager was keeping my journal secretly?

Then the clues about the incomprehensible things surrounding me will be revealed.

***

Lets meet in the garden. Ill be back soon. Leblaine said that before she went away. After the child had gone out of sight, the person hiding in the opposite direction from the library appeared.

Adrian muttered without taking his eyes off the place where Leblaine had run towards.

Take care of the librarys guards.

Yes.

The knights face hardened.

I dont understand why youre so soft on the child.

You dont need to understand.

As the knight lowered his head, Adrian turned to him. He had a cold look on his face that Leblaine had never seen before.

He doesnt need anybody to understand it.