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Chapter 23
That night.
I slipped out of the mansion, weaving through corridors and avoiding detection.
I felt a twinge of guilt—Dad had told me not to go out recklessly at night without an adult. Of course, that was Alec’s father’s warning.
“Well… Alec’s dad probably wouldn’t care if I went out tonight or not.”
I headed straight to the western annex first.
I rolled the small carriage Theo had lent me near the lobby and then ran off.
After that, I made my way to the eastern forest.
It was quite far from the mansion, and it was exhausting.
“But still, it’s nice to be here.”
Above all, I was glad it wasn’t raining.
The night forest was calm.
The moon shone brightly as if it were broad daylight, so it wasn’t really dark. The atmosphere was different from daytime, but somehow I wasn’t scared even though I was alone.
“Maybe it’s because I feel like I’m with my friends.”
Even without using magic, I could feel it—
all the forest’s energy was welcoming me.
I walked steadily until I looked up at a large, old tree near the lake.
It had caught my eye ever since I came here earlier.
My magic quietly seeped into the tree.
The huge, lush tree seemed to have been watching over this manor for a very long time. Perhaps that was why it carried such a majestic and imposing presence.
It felt like a sage who had gone through countless years of training.
“Hello.”
A soft voice answered in my head.
[ Hello. ]
“I’ll be direct, but I have something to ask.”
[ I like it when someone’s direct. I also like showing off my knowledge. ]
Oh, of course.
I had suspected it was no ordinary tree.
“I get curious about things every five minutes, so I think we’ll get along pretty well. That’s a relief. Um… this magical artifact…”
I took out the protective magical artifact I had kept tucked away. The leaves quivered as if greeting a friend.
[ Oh my, it’s been a while. These are dormant seeds, aren’t they? ]
“You know about this?”
[ It’s a kind of magic circle in itself. When you make the seeds sprout, the circle activates, creating a powerful protective barrier. If you leave the seeds untouched, only a normal barrier will activate. ]
As I suspected!
“How do I… make the strong barrier activate…?”
[ It’s impossible with your current power, little one. ]
Wait, why so blunt?
“Why not?”
[ Making something grow requires a tremendous amount of energy. ]
The leaves shook low as if smiling.
[ Not many people know how to use this artifact properly. The line of Druid magicians has ended, after all. ]
‘Druid?’
It was a term I had vaguely heard but seemed unfamiliar. Was it a word for people with magic like mine?
I hugged the tree tightly, almost pleading.
“But they said my magic is the kind plants like. So, maybe I could use the strong barrier…?”
I felt as if the tree bent its branches slightly to look at me. The breeze brushing through the leaves tickled me.
[ Well… yes. Humans who can talk to me like this are rare… Still, I wouldn’t really recommend it. Are you sure? ]
I nodded vigorously.
I could do anything for Dad!
[ Stubborn, huh… ]
A fallen leaf gently landed on the crown of my head. The hair the maids had tied up skillfully was now loosely undone.
[ Alright. But with just the magic you currently have, it will be extremely difficult. ]
“What should I do then?”
The tree spoke after a short pause.
[ There will be a cost. ]
Blaine Winterwald enjoyed night walks.
In truth, he had been feeling gloomy these past few days.
He couldn’t even meet the gaze of the child he wanted to befriend the most.
‘There are two adorable kids in this mansion.’
Not only Lirin, but also the little Theo who mostly stuck to her like a sticker, making it impossible for him to approach.
From the first meeting, he had scared her and messed things up, so Blaine tried to avoid being noticed by Lirin, moving silently.
Whenever they happened to cross paths, he would quickly hide behind a tree.
But the moment he couldn’t resist the sound of small footsteps and peeked out, he saw the back of a small pink head, and it made his heart flutter.
‘She’s so adorable.’
Small, round, warm… and her voice, incredibly cute.
If he could just hug her once, he would have no other wish.
Blaine liked the child very much.
But with his size and appearance, children usually found him scary. Lirin was the first to run away crying.
‘I’m glad I could at least give the teddy bear as a gift.’
Today, by chance, he ran into Lirin while holding it and had to quickly leave it on the path.
Peeking at her from behind the tree, her back looked lively, maybe even happy.
Her chubby cheeks were slightly raised—perhaps a sign of joy.
What expression did she have? Was she smiling brightly?
There were still plenty of wooden dolls to prepare, so he would have to gift them little by little, secretly.
“…Huh?”
At that moment, a small wooden carriage hit his thick foot.
‘This is…’
It was something he had made.
The only difference was that a small note was tucked into the carriage.
Blaine unfolded the note. The handwriting was messy but seemed carefully written.
He covered his mouth with his hand, holding back emotion.
His hunched back straightened a little. Suddenly, everything in the world felt beautiful.
For this small, precious child, he would carve the most luxurious, exciting toy in the world. Something inside him poured out—endless inspiration.
Then Blaine abruptly stopped walking.
‘Huh?’
The note had a second page.
Boom. He clutched his heart and knelt. It was the most devastating letter since Elisa’s marriage proposal letter.
Perhaps because he had longed for this alone, it was even more touching.
Ah, what should I wear?
No, what kind of clothes should I make?
‘Something suitable for the lake.’
He also thought he should make a little outfit for Theo.
Inspired, Blaine spun around in front of the mansion. It was the night before the parade.
The four Winterwald branches protected every corner of the Etherion Empire.
When the head of a house changed, the former and new heads would go together to the imperial palace to greet the emperor. People gathered to watch this procession—the beginning of the commemorative parade.
It was a sacred ritual: to show gratitude and respect to the former head who protected the empire with all their strength, and to send support and trust to the new head who would protect the empire going forward.
Of course, nowadays…
“Raise the flags higher! Make them more visible! Let them flutter in an inspiring way!”
“What about the flowers and coins to scatter on the streets? This is all we have?”
“Make it double the amount of Summerlane! No, five times!”
It had become just a means to flaunt each house’s wealth and power.
“Sir, everything is ready. Shall we depart?”
Calec sat atop a white horse draped in a splendid banner. Hearing his aide, he slowly scanned his surroundings.
“Alright.”
A small but heavy voice.
The servants, fussing over last-minute preparations, froze in place.
Right. We have him…
The master of Winterwald was so perfect and imposing that even magnificent flags, luxurious flowers, and expensive gold coins were unnecessary.
His neatly arranged hair, perfectly dressed uniform, sharp eyes that could cut without hesitation, lips poised to strike at any moment—he looked flawless.
‘We have won.’
The servants smiled contentedly, seeing Calec’s procession off.
His presence alone filled them with pride.
“Where is Mother?”
“She’s following in the carriage behind.”
Calec nodded and slowly headed toward the main gate of the Winterwald estate. Behind him, a very luxurious four-horse carriage followed.
“She got into the carriage without opening the windows… she’s unusually quiet tonight.”
“Haha, she hates this kind of thing, so perhaps she wants it over quickly.”
“And Father is still holed up in the annex?”
“Yes. I’m sure he won’t come out for at least a week, no matter what anyone says.”
“I see.”
Listening to his aide, Calec tilted his head.
‘Quiet, huh…’
His gaze nearly drifted to the fourth floor of the main building.
He forced himself to stare straight ahead, only focusing on the approaching Winterwald gate.
‘Even the little ones are unusually quiet this morning.’
