A Snake’s Life Ch 78

Chapter 78

 

The carriage rumbled forward, kicking up clouds of dust, while a cheerful hum drifted from within.

“This trip was so much fun, wasn’t it?”

Though no words were spoken, a smile gradually spread across Zerpell’s face. Today marked the return to the imperial palace, tinged with a hint of regret. Seeing the Pope’s face had been unpleasant, but overall, the first trip was a satisfying experience. As I hummed and gazed out the window, Zerpell handed me a box. Caught off guard by the sudden gesture, I turned to look at him.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.”

When I opened the box, I found something that looked like a bead inside. As I glanced at him, Zerpell’s expression was tense with anticipation. I reached in and took it out. It was something I was familiar with—a snow globe? Inside the glass sphere, the flowers we had seen the day before sparkled and fluttered about. When I turned it over and set it upright again, the petals that had settled at the bottom swirled with the others. I couldn’t believe this world had snow globes too. I suppose the desire to revisit beautiful scenery is the same across worlds…

“I stepped out for a bit to buy it.”

So when he left the inn earlier alone, he had gone out to buy a gift? Even though the petals were fake, they were enough to bring back the memory of that scene.

“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”

I said with a bright smile, but a pang tugged at one corner of my heart. I kept receiving gifts from him, yet I hadn’t given him anything in return.

‘Should I give him a gift too?’

Nothing came to mind right away, but for some reason, I really wanted to give him something as well. I had received so much from him. At first, I accepted it all without much thought, but now, I wanted to see the joy on his face when I gave him a gift. I was eager to give him the same kind of heartfelt emotion. Honestly, the only real gift I had given him was a brooch, and maybe some food items I got from attendants. But those weren’t even from me originally…

Suddenly, I remembered the pouch of tribute that had been tucked away in a corner of my memory. I had once been someone who received tributes. If I sold those, wouldn’t I get a decent amount of money?

Zerpell, satisfied with my response, looked out the window with a faint smile. When I stared at him, he must’ve sensed my gaze because our eyes met, and I awkwardly smiled. Giving a gift secretly would make it even more touching.

‘Alright. I’m going to give him a great one.’

In my mind, I started listing possible gift ideas. Something practical, something he’d like… Judging by his behavior, he’d probably be happy with anything I gave him, but if I were going to do it, I wanted it to be perfect. My thoughts whirled as I silently promised myself there would be a next time we’d go on a trip together.

“Your Highness! Why are you so late!”

The moment we arrived at the palace, Ian greeted Zerpell with an emotional outburst. The hardship he’d endured was obvious. Zerpell, flustered and annoyed, tried to shake him off, but Ian clung to him. Something must have happened… His pale face spoke volumes of the toil he had gone through. The schedule had been delayed more than expected, and it was probably even harder because of me.

There had been banquets and the Pope’s business to handle, and even after returning from the trip, Zerpell had no time to rest. While I was lying comfortably in bed, Zerpell didn’t get a moment’s respite. Perhaps it was because of the trip, but documents that needed his confirmation had piled up.

When Duke Bert arrived, there was a banquet. Camilla and Casa came to meet Zerpell together. Casa had said he would investigate separately, but it seemed he was acting alongside Camilla. The fact that Zerpell met with Camilla bothered me, but I trusted him, so I let it go. Besides, Zerpell seemed sorry about leaving me alone and continued to buy me gifts whenever he could.

I told him I was fine, that it was enough, but he wouldn’t listen. His gifts kept piling up, and I still hadn’t decided on anything to give him.

“What should I get for my master…? Clothes? Jewelry? Food, maybe…? I kind of want to give him something special…”

For a moment, the thought of giving him a statue of myself crossed my mind, but I quickly shook my head to dismiss it.

“Should I go see Aiden…?”

It had been a while since I last saw him, and he’d looked excited when I told him I was going on a trip. I decided to visit the lake to share my travel stories with Aiden. I wasn’t sure if he’d be there, but I headed out anyway. Luckily, I spotted a familiar back by the lake.

As I approached, Kir turned his head toward me, and when Aiden saw me, he enthusiastically waved his hands. Aiden’s face looked bright, and he seemed to have grown closer to Kir, as they were right beside each other.

I raised my hand high, but it slowly lowered again. Upon closer look, Kir was sitting on top of Aiden’s head. Couldn’t he have climbed up himself or been carried by another attendant? Does he really have to perch on a sick child’s head? Aiden was holding Kir’s torso with his arms.

Behind Aiden, a train of attendants followed—maids, servants, even knights… Why couldn’t he move around with just a few people like I did? Though it seemed more like the Empress’s doing than his own will…

The biggest change I’d noticed was that Aiden, who used to sneak out alone to meet me, now came with attendants. Had something changed in his heart?

Their presence made me cautious with my words.

As soon as Aiden came over, I picked up Kir. But instead of being relieved, Aiden looked a little disappointed and reached out both hands. It wasn’t like I was taking Kir away for good… Surprised by his reaction, I asked,

“Wasn’t it heavy?”

“N-no. I like holding him.”

[Did I not say so?]

Kir stretched his long body and slithered back onto Aiden’s shoulders. Even I found him heavy to carry for long… I stared hard at Kir. His smooth, glossy body suggested he’d been living well.

“If he ever gives you trouble, let me know.”

“Okay! But more importantly, how was your trip? I want to hear about the world outside the palace! I heard you healed people and made it rain! It rained for a while in the capital too.”

Aiden’s face lit up with excitement, cheeks flushed. His praise tickled my pride, and a smile crept to my lips.

“I used my knowledge. The illness was similar to one I knew. So it was easy to figure out. But the root cause turned out to be the water supply, which caused a shortage. That’s when I had to use my powers. Because of that, I spent a while in snake form though…”

Aiden clapped his hands like a seal.

“That’s amazing!”

[You are fulfilling the mission granted by the Water Deity well.]

Pleased, I wiped under my nose with the back of my hand.

“Oh, right.”

“What is it?”

“You know how I said my master gave me a gift during the trip…? I’ll show you.”

Since Aiden couldn’t leave the palace, I wanted to share even a piece of that scenery with him. The gift from Zerpell just so happened to be something that could do that. I pulled the snow globe from my pouch and handed it to Aiden.

“What is this?”

“Hm? A gift from my master. Try taking a look. If you flip it like this…”

When I turned it over and set it upright again, the petals that had sunk to the bottom floated gently down. Looking at it gave the feeling of standing in that very place.

“Isn’t it pretty?”

“…I’d really like to go there someday too.”

“You’ll definitely get the chance. Let’s go together someday.”

I patted Aiden’s head. Then I motioned with my chin for Kir to come over. He slithered over cautiously. Even if Aiden found out I could talk to Kir, I couldn’t risk word getting out about Aiden’s medicine. Also… I glanced behind Aiden.

Surely, he hadn’t told his attendants anything. But I felt uneasy about being overheard. If any of them were the Empress’s eyes and ears, that would be disastrous.

“How are things? The medicine? You’re… giving it to him properly, right?”

[Of course. What do you take me for? I didn’t expect caring for a human child to be so exhausting. My shoulders ache…]

“You don’t even have shoulders.”

[Humans say that when they’re tired.]

“…Right… I’m glad to see you’re doing well. You look like you’re living the life—your body’s all glossy, and you even seem bigger than before… You’re eating well, aren’t you?”

[That child adores me. Unlike you, he doesn’t feed me tasteless food.]

I let out a dry laugh. What’s wrong with steak? It’s delicious…

“Anyway, what about the medicine?”

[You have no idea how hard it is for me. Do you know how difficult it is to knock over a medicine bowl while watching out for that woman’s eyes? She even tried to eat my food… Fortunately, the child sneaks some to me when he can…]

Kir trembled with frustration. Withholding food—now that’s crossing the line. I nodded in agreement and patted his back. He had really been through a lot…

“The master?”

[Who else? So you don’t need to worry about whether the medicine’s getting taken. The real issue is I haven’t figured out a new method yet.]

While discussing it with him, an idea suddenly flashed into my mind. Wait. If he’s a god, shouldn’t he have some kind of treasure? Like a divine artifact? Strange that I’d only just thought of it.

“Kir.”

He lifted his head, puzzled by my tone.

“If you’re a god, don’t you have a divine item or something?”

[A divine item?]

“You know, like a legendary artifact passed down by the gods. If your power is divine, then what about sacred relics?”

[A treasure… I’ve never heard of one. If it’s a legend, humans would probably know more than we do. As you know, we’ve never left the forest. Our power itself is the gift—the treasure—bestowed upon us by the Water Deity.]

“I see. Also, stop turning into a human without warning.”

I reminded Kir of what happened the last time he transformed. He clicked his tongue and nodded.

[No need to worry. The surveillance is so intense that I haven’t even thought of it.]

“Good.”

[And you? Everything okay?]

“Hmm… Kir, just in case, can you absorb my power?”

[What do you mean by that?]

Kir tilted his head. I told him how, when I made it rain at the cathedral, I felt like my power had been absorbed. He thought for a moment, then said:

[So you felt like the bell drew your power in… Is that it?]

“Yeah.”

[That shouldn’t be possible… But alright. I’ll look into it.]

After finishing my conversation with Kir, I returned to Aiden’s side. He was still flipping the snow globe back and forth, watching the petals fall. When he noticed me, he looked up and smiled as he returned the gift.

“You must really like your master, huh?”

“Uh… yeah, I guess?”

The sudden comment caught me off guard. Aiden let out a pure laugh and hugged Kir. Then he tugged at my collar. I bent down to meet his eye level, and he whispered into my ear.

“I’m rooting for you two. You really suit each other.”

I’d figured he knew from the rumors, but to be cheered on like this… It felt like being accepted by his family. Embarrassed but happy, I watched him wave and disappear into the distance. At least I have someone on my side.

Absentmindedly, I fiddled with Zerpell’s gift.

“A gift… I need to give him something too…”

The urge to give him something grew stronger, but I still had no idea what or how. I tapped my feet impatiently.

Let’s just go find that pouch of tribute first.