As I stole a glance at her, I couldn't help but marvel—she was truly breathtaking.
For a moment, I found myself completely mesmerized by her face, as if time had slowed just for me to admire the delicate contours and serene expression she wore. The wind gently swept through her shimmering golden hair, revealing the pale curve of her flawless white neck, and my heart, without permission, began to race.
I quickly looked away, flustered and confused by the unfamiliar emotions that stirred within me. Embarrassment bloomed on my cheeks. What exactly was I feeling? It was as if something had taken root in my chest, warm and unsettling.
Lucy, on the other hand, seemed lost in her own thoughts, her gaze fixed outside the carriage window. Hours had already passed, and at some point, we had crossed into the Song Kingdom.
The scenery was magnificent—towering mountain ranges stretched as far as the eye could see. Without the convenience of the portal, reaching this kingdom would've been a treacherous ordeal. And yet, even through the enchanted glass, it was clear: the Song Kingdom was no ordinary kingdom.
The streets were overflowing with life. Crowds cheered and sang with joy, their excitement infectious. The vibrant energy outside drew both our attention—until a singular, hauntingly beautiful voice sliced through the noise like a melody made of moonlight.
The sound was so pure, so heart-stirring, that it instantly silenced the world around us.
Curious, Lucy ordered the carriage to stop.
We descended together, drawing immediate attention. But I was used to it by now. I kept my expression calm, even as countless eyes turned our way.
Whispers broke out across the crowd. A boy in a maid outfit had stepped out—yet instead of looking ridiculous, he possessed a face so delicate and refined that it seemed sculpted by the gods themselves. Despite the attire, nothing could mask the otherworldly charm he radiated.
And beside him stood a woman tall and regal, her long golden hair cascading down her back, her piercing blue eyes surveying the world like a queen descending from the heavens. Her pristine white dress fluttered in the breeze, and the air around her shimmered with an authority no one could deny.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"Isn't that the princess from the Auxiliary Kingdom?"
Almost instantly, people began making way, bowing their heads respectfully.
At the center of the crowd stood the source of the music—a girl with snow-white hair, a pale complexion like polished porcelain, and a white blindfold covering her eyes. It was clear she was blind, yet her face betrayed no emotion. Her presence was cold, distant—like a phantom drifting through the mortal realm.
And her voice... It was extremely enchanting.
She knelt reverently as we approached, though her blank expression never changed.
"Your Majesty," she said in a voice devoid of emotion, "I am but a humble girl, earning my bread through performance."
Her tone was detached, empty, as if the words meant nothing to her. Yet even so, her singing had captured the entire kingdom's attention. The box before her overflowed with gold coins—a testament to her rare talent.
But more intriguing was the fact that she had crafted, through nothing but song, a vivid image of Lucy and me. Every note had painted a picture so accurate that it left me simultaneously amused and unsettled. This girl wasn't simply singing.
She was using The Sound and the air around us to locate were we our
The air around her was eerie, aloof, and impossibly still. Though blind, it felt like she was watching me. And for a moment, my skin crawled.
Lucy, however, was delighted. She studied the girl intently, her eyes gleaming with admiration. "She's at least a 3-Star Mage," she muttered, impressed. "Perhaps even higher."
She took a step forward, her voice regal and commanding. "You possess remarkable talent. Few in the world could rival Aria, the famed Songstress of the Sword kingdom. And yet, you... you may be her equal, or more."
Lucy smiled, a rare thing from her. "I'll give you a home, wealth, anything you desire. Become my subordinate and follow my orders."
Gasps echoed throughout the gathering crowd. Offers like that weren't given lightly.
Some were shocked. Others seemed to understand—it was rare to encounter such a prodigy, blind or not.
After all, this girl wasn't just some street performer. She was someone who had once left a 2-Star Knight permanently deaf when he tried to steal from her collection box. His agonized screams were still whispered about in taverns. Since then, no one dared lay a hand on her earnings.
And then, to our surprise—no, my surprise—she simply nodded.
There was no hesitation. It was as if she had anticipated this moment all along.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile formed on her pale lips, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. There was something about her expression—something not quite right. It was too calm, too accepting, like a puppet waiting for its master.
Lucy tilted her head, curious. "What's your name?"
The girl responded without emotion, "Izumi, Your Majesty."
A simple name, delivered with a blank face and a voice that sounded more like an echo than a person.
And yet, as I looked at her, something deep within me twisted. Her presence—her smile—unsettled me in a way I couldn't explain.
Something was off.
Beautiful, yes.
But behind that beauty was something cold and mysterious.