Twilight Hour (1)

How long had she been asleep?

Wrapped completely in blankets, drifting in and out of drowsiness, Cordelia suddenly woke.

(Has my fever gone down?)

Though a clinging fatigue remained, her head felt clear. Sitting up and looking toward the window, the sun had already hidden beyond the royal capital, and an amethyst sky was rapidly lowering the curtain of night.

(Is this what they call the twilight hour…?)

The mingling crimson and violet colors were breathtakingly beautiful — so much so it felt like her heart might be stolen just by looking.

Before being entranced, Cordelia hurriedly looked away and scanned the room. But Lily, who was usually nearby, was nowhere to be seen. She had likely gone to fetch something again.

Seeing a pitcher and empty cup on the bedside desk, Cordelia poured water and drank slowly.

The sweet water soaked into her dry mouth, and she exhaled in relief.

“…Hm?”

At that moment, a small green bird slipped soundlessly through the window glass. It was a wind-magic carrier pigeon used to deliver letters.

The magic pigeon itself was not unusual. It was used for noble correspondence and even for distributing announcement newspapers. However—

(Directly to me, without passing through a butler or maid…?)

Among nobles, sending a pigeon directly into someone’s room was considered a breach of etiquette unless they were extremely close — in some cases it could even be condemned as illicit communication. Yet she had no idea who the sender could be. Isaac or Hina would come personally, and her well-mannered noble friends would never do such a thing.

(Who could it be?)

Raising her right hand cautiously, the green bird landed on her wrist — then with a whirl of wind transformed into a letter. She untied the green ribbon and opened it.

It read:

As if to prove the words, a familiar lock of milk-tea-colored hair was tied to the letter.

“…N-no way!?”

Cordelia shouted.

She could not help it.

Only one night had passed since the fire — only one night — and already this.

“Ah!”

Sudden pain made her drop the letter. Somehow, it had ignited. The burning paper scorched the sheet and burned a hole.

“My lady, what is wrong?”

Hearing her voice, Lily returned pushing a cart with light food just as the door opened. Cordelia hastily covered the burn mark with a pillow. She felt certain trouble would follow if it were discovered.

“I-it’s nothing. More importantly, Lily, could you call Hina? There’s something I must tell her.”

“Yes! Please wait.”

At Cordelia’s request, Lily immediately left the room.

(First, I must confirm whether she was really abducted… maybe she’s just out somewhere…!?)

But that faint hope was quickly crushed when Lily returned.

“Hina-sama is still out. I asked them to inform her when she returns.”

Cordelia nearly held her head.

From Lily’s reaction, it seemed Hina’s disappearance was not yet known. Perhaps she had only just been taken.

(So the letter was real!? I recognize that hair, and she did say she was going out this morning… Wait, what was her guard Jean doing!? Oh — he was busy dealing with the aftermath of yesterday’s attack… Then the escort knights!? And Fenrir-sama!?)

She stood to go search for Fenrir — then stopped.

(N-no…! The letter said they’re watching. Maybe someone has magic eyes like Sphida. Fenrir-sama stands out — if I move carelessly and something happens to Hina…)

Cordelia bit her lip. Her thoughts spun in circles without resolution.