I Start with a Bad Hand!

Inside, I could see my breath condensing in the cold air. ‘I’m so tired…’ Forcing my immobile body to rise, I crawled out of bed. I hadn’t been able to sleep properly for several days, and I hadn’t seen Icarus in that time either. I hadn’t sought him out, and he hadn’t sought me out, so it was only natural.

‘This is good. He can live his life, and I can live mine.’

This time, it seemed that Icarus had completely lost whatever attachment or interest he had in me. That was a relief. I didn’t like relationships I couldn’t be responsible for, so I should have felt liberated. Yet, somewhere in the corner of my heart, there was a creak.

‘No one likes hearing unpleasant things. That’s all it is.’

I tried to calm my heavy heart, forcing my even heavier steps to begin my preparations. Recently, the days had become so cold that my body moved sluggishly, so I needed to hurry.

I wrapped myself in a neatly tailored jacket, the most formal and clean clothing I had. But despite this neat appearance, the face reflected in the mirror looked worn and frayed. Stifling a sigh, I left the room.

‘I can’t be late to meet two time wizards.’

Irene had introduced me to the most trustworthy time wizard she knew.

“He’s not officially registered with the Empire, but he works privately and is the best I know.”

Irene, who always had strict standards, said he was the most reliable and skilled person she knew, so there was no reason to refuse. Upon arrival in the carriage they sent, I was first greeted by a lady who resembled Klaus more than Irene.

“Hello, nice to meet you! I’m Helen Horatius.”

Her handshake was firm. Her cheerful greeting made me smile involuntarily. It had been a while since I’d met someone this straightforward and bright.

‘I’ve been surrounded by gloomy people lately, so seeing someone so lively feels strange.’

Of course, the gloomiest of all was probably me…. When I met her gaze, her slightly dark green eyes met mine warmly.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had the chance to examine something so old. Thanks to our friend Irene, I’m a bit nervous.”

Helen, who Irene introduced as her cousin, spoke in a slightly excited voice, staring intently at the letter and the bluish-gray gem I handed her. Despite her lightly resonating voice, her hands setting up the equipment were skillful.

Unlike Helen, Irene couldn’t hide her nervousness.

“Please don’t say that. No one in the family can match you, Helen.”

“Oh, my. With you assisting me, I feel very reassured.”

She insists I call her ‘sister,’ but she never does so outside. Stubborn. Helen whispered to me, and Irene’s ears turned slightly red at the sudden praise. Still, pretending to be unaffected, Irene pulled out a pocket watch from her bosom and seemed to divert her attention there.

Not long after, Godwin also arrived at Helen’s workshop. Godwin’s outfit was the stiffest and most formal I’d seen her in, but her expression was the most relaxed.

“Victoria Godwin. I’m Dietrich’s guardian.”

A thin hand in leather gloves smoothly gripped my shoulder. Godwin didn’t explicitly state her status, but Helen seemed to deduce her position from her attire, demeanor, and the secretary diligently attending to her.

“Alright, let’s begin. The time is…”

“It’s exactly 3 o’clock,” Irene replied, naturally pulling a pocket watch from her bosom in response to Helen’s search for a clock.

“Wait a minute… you still have that watch?”

Helen, organizing various items, glanced at the pocket watch Irene had taken out. Her sudden question drew my gaze to the watch as well. It was a familiar watch. I had always noticed Irene carrying that silver pocket watch with great care. It wasn’t adorned with fancy decorations but had a clean, neat design that suited Irene well.

‘And that watch…’

I recalled Klaus once sneaking it out and having it stolen by a crow. He had come to me, his face ashen, saying it was a prized possession of his sister. At that time, I thought the original owner was his cousin.

‘So, this is the original owner.’

Helen took the watch from Irene’s hand with a smile and opened it.

“I gave this to you when you were very young. I never thought you’d still be using it. I’m glad you’ve kept it in good use.”

I should get you another splendid gift when you graduate. Helen’s amused remark made Irene lower her eyes. The rare blush that appeared in her usually composed voice wasn’t hidden.

“…No. This is enough.”

The watch soon returned to Irene’s jacket. However, she kept her hand in that pocket, as if unwilling to let go of the watch.

***

“Beginning the record. Main recorder: Helen Horatius, assistant recorder: Irene Horatius.”

At Irene’s words, the small brazier on the large table flickered with blue flames.

“The recorded date is…”

“Estimated to be October 18, 387.”

“The subject of the record and the comparison object are…”

“Both are Dietrich Degoph’s and the letter.”

“Good. Please prepare ‘it.'”

‘It’? Curious about what they were preparing, I stared intently as Irene, with a neutral expression, took out a small jewel box. Inside was the bluish-gray gem Agnes had stolen from the ducal house.

Helen received the small gem from Irene and gazed at it briefly before turning her eyes to the blue flames of the brazier. I could feel Godwin’s hand on my shoulder tighten.

Then Helen tossed the gem into the flames. The once gentle flickering flames surged violently.

‘Uh, what is she doing…?’

‘Damn it. I need to put that back…’ Before I could even fully extend my hand toward the fire, Helen turned to me and smirked. Then, she calmly placed her hand into the brazier.

“Uh, uh!” 

But my gasp was in vain; Helen’s expression remained unchanged. In fact, she burst into hearty laughter, as if amused by my reaction.

“It’s not hot. It’s not real fire.”

She explained that it was her own magical power. Helen laughed and demonstrated by moving her hand in and out of the flames several times.

“This gem is like… a catalyst.”

Helen began explaining the sacrificial component used in time magic, albeit in a roundabout way. It was a bit different from what Irene had told me, but it seemed to be a standard explanation designed to satisfy an outsider. 

“We’re going to look back a long time, and ordinary flames won’t suffice. Of course, these flames depend on the time wizard’s magic power, so with greater power, it can be done without a catalyst.”

That’s why Irene is here with us, to assist and supplement the magic if necessary. Helen patted Irene’s shoulder. Then, she threw the letter from the former Duchess of Elexion into the flames. Like the gem, the letter did not burn away but retained its form. The flickering flames turned green.

“Please prepare the sacred paper.”

“Yes.”

Irene approached the fire with a long roll of white paper.

“And since the record subject is Lady Degoph… come closer and put your hand into the flames.”

Even knowing it wouldn’t harm me, the visual intimidation of the flames made it difficult to comply. Sensing my hesitation, Godwin gently patted my shoulder.

‘Don’t be a coward. It’s just like a hologram.’

I’ve seen crazy elephants and Krakens; I won’t be scared by some flames.

As I hesitated for a moment and then touched the brazier, something black and endless began to pour out. Irene, holding a handful of paper, pushed it into the flames. The black, smoke-like substance floating in the flames clung to the paper, inscribing itself endlessly.

‘Wow…’

I watched, breathless, in awe. Magic is truly amazing. Even though I felt a bit rustic for marveling at it, Irene continued feeding the unbroken roll of paper into the flames. When the black smoke ceased to emanate from my hand, the paper Irene prepared was filled with unknown, black inscriptions.

“Wow…”

Helen chuckled, entertained by my exclamation. The flames soon returned to their original size, then dispersed like smoke, being absorbed back into Helen. Handing me the items from the brazier, Helen said,

“These items have served their purpose, so I’ll return them to you now.”

“Ah, yes. So is everything finished now?”

I rolled the small azure bead in my hand again. After this long and arduous process, there was only one thing I wanted to know: the truth about my birth. Could uncovering the truth about her origins be one of Dietrich’s lingering regrets?

Lost in my thoughts and unable to take my eyes off the bead, I finally stopped when Helen approached. A meaningful smile played on her lips.

“The young lady’s part is done. But the archivist’s work begins now.”

Helen added with a shrug, “Of course, I’m not an ‘official’ archivist of the Empire.”

“Interpreting and deciphering what’s recorded here is the main task of an archivist. These are characters that only a time wizard can read.”

The paper that had been in the flames naturally rolled up in Helen’s hand.

“What’s impressive is just a small part; the real work of deciphering these characters is the most time-consuming and arduous.”

“When will we know the results?” Godwin, who had been silently observing, asked in her usual calm voice.

Irene, fixing the paper onto a long pole while recording something quickly, answered on Helen’s behalf.

“It shouldn’t take long. We should have the results by the next term at the latest.”

“…Next term? In that case, could you send a copy of the results to the Lucero Kingdom as well?”

I turned to look at Godwin at those words. Noticing my gaze, Godwin spoke in a gentle, unhurried tone.

“…I’ve been away too long, so I’ll be returning to Lucero soon.”

I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. Godwin’s softened eyes conveyed her affection. The unexpected news left me momentarily speechless. But she was right. I had first met Godwin at the friendly match, and she had been in the Empire even longer, so her extended stay made sense.

“Oh… no, it’s fine. When you go back to Lucero, will you ever return?”

“I probably won’t come back unless it’s related to Rosamond or you.”

At Godwin’s slight nod, her secretary quickly retrieved something from her briefcase and handed it to me. It was a card and a small notebook-like booklet with neat handwriting.

“Inside, you’ll find the address of a bank in Lucero and my personal residence. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything. And…”

Godwin pointed to the neatly written addresses. But unlike the card, I couldn’t discern the purpose of the horizontal notebook. When I opened it, I was overwhelmed by an unexpected sight that left me breathless for the first time in a while.

“And… that’s in your name. Use it whenever you need to. Don’t worry about the amount.”

Godwin said nonchalantly, holding my trembling hand.

In my hand was a checkbook. It was so tightly packed with blank checks that it resembled a small notebook.