*
"Beata Maria, you know I am a righteous man. Of my virtue I am justly proud (et tibit pater)"
**
Fleur City
After Y/n had departed with the others, Malleus remained silent, eyes still lingering on the path she had walked. The brief separation sparked a cool discontent in his chest, though the knowledge that he would see her again kept his mood carefully tempered. Soon... I will return to your side. He glanced toward the others, masking his impatience behind a composed expression as Group 1 continued deeper into the city.
"Where to next? According to the map, the shopping district is right up ahead..." Malleus murmured absently, holding the plantlet containing the map. But just then—
"Baaah!"
His ears twitched. Malleus lowered his gaze to find a small white goat staring up at him.
"Hm?" His eyes narrowed with quiet interest.
"Baaaaaah!"
"It's a white goat...and a small one at that." Jamil said, arching a brow at the animal as it trotted right up to Malleus without fear.
"A goat, in the middle of town? It doesn't have a collar, either. Does that mean it's wild?!" Riddle exclaimed, flustered.
"Look again-it has a golden earring." Malleus pointed out calmly. "It doesn't appear to be wild."
"Bah, bah."
Malleus's eyes narrowed slightly as the small white goat trotted closer to him again, unafraid. His gaze flickered with mild surprise—then intrigue—as the creature nuzzled against the hem of his cloak, completely enamored.
"Oh, you're right. It's friendly, too." Riddle remarked, a bit startled. "It's clearly used to being around people."
"DO NOT COZY UP TO MALLEUS, GOAT!" Sebek roared with such fury that even the goat flinched. Riddle groaned.
"Now you're jealous of a goat? This is so pathetic to watch." Jamil deadpanned, casting Sebek a withering glance. "I wonder if it ran away from its owner." He shifted his focus to the goat thoughtfully. "Though a goat is an unusual choice for a pet..."
"That goat is no pet." came a voice, cool and sharp as glass.
Footsteps approached, measured and precise.
They turned to see Rollo Flamme, his hands folded behind his back, expression unreadable.
"It's not wild either, mind you." he added, his eyes briefly passing over Malleus before lingering far too long in the direction Y/n had gone.
"Oh, hello there, Rollo." Riddle greeted with a polite smile. "Are you making your rounds?"
"Just so." Rollo replied, offering a nod, though his gaze was fixed on Malleus like a blade drawn but not yet used. "I was slightly concerned about how you all were faring."
"If the goat isn't a pet, and it isn't wild, then what is it?" Malleus asked, voice calm but cool.
Rollo's gaze returned to the goat. "It's cared for by the whole city. You might call it a community goat."
YOU ARE READING
𝒲𝒾𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝒲ℴ𝓃𝒹ℯ𝓇𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹： 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓌 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ ℱ𝓇ℴ𝓏ℯ𝓃 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉
FantasyA fairytale of a beautiful maiden, the beloved Frost Flower Princess was supposed to be staying in the comfort of her castle masquerading as a cage to protect her from the dangers outside, imprisoned by her own brothers. That is, until a mysterious...
