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~Chapter 10~
“…It’s from the Magic Tower.”
Havel smiled, seeing the letter had come faster than he thought.
He had secretly asked the Magic Tower to help investigate the Selion family, but didn’t expect such a quick answer.
Usually, magicians took months to reply.
A soft blue light glowed from the center of the letter.
He touched it, and the seal opened as some of his magic left him.
“…The Magic Tower understands Your Highness’s request, but thinks it’s too early to get involved. For now, we will just watch the situation…”
The letter meant the Magic Tower wanted to stay neutral for now.
“Tsk. I knew it. The Tower never acts right away.”
Havel looked disappointed after reading the letter.
“There’s nothing for them to gain. Still, it seems like they’re interested, so maybe we’ll hear good news soon…”
It was better than a flat-out refusal, so Havel kept hoping.
If he could get help from the Rovellito family and the Magic Tower, things would go really well.
“Your Highness, I told you recently about strange movements in the backstreets.”
“Yeah. Is there new information?”
“Yes. Your informant says an unknown group seems to be searching for someone.”
Daniel’s report made Havel’s face darken.
“…Second Prince Calix must have noticed something. We need to act faster.”
Astia hummed a song and walked happily through the garden.
“Ruby, are you feeling good?”
“Pyu!”
Ruby poked his head out from her arms and closed his eyes, looking happy.
Astia smiled, enjoying the wind and the flowers.
“Wow. It always feels so nice here…”
The servants had been working hard in the garden, and now there were more Hineloti trees.
“Brother must have planted lots of Hineloti trees.”
Damian used to worry about their poison, but he trusted Astia and did research.
Soon, he learned the flowers were safe, just like Astia said, and let her drink the tea.
Even though his eyes were sad, he still listened and let her have the tea.
‘Now I can drink Hineloti flower tea without hiding.’
She decided it was fine to let everyone keep misunderstanding—at least she got what she wanted.
“Now I can drink the tea with no worries.”
“Pyu…!”
Ruby snuggled up to her, almost as if saying he was relieved too.
“Once I’m better, we’ll travel everywhere together, Ruby!”
She petted Ruby softly and laughed.
“Miss, don’t go too deep!”
“I won’t! Don’t worry.”
She smiled at Annie and kept walking.
How long had she walked?
“Hm?”
Suddenly, the wind stopped and everything was quiet.
Astia was deep in the garden.
It almost felt like she was in another world.
Ruby seemed to notice it too, his ears standing up and looking around carefully.
“Pyu! Pyu!”
He showed his teeth and let out a warning cry.
Astia felt a little safer with Ruby protecting her.
“I never knew this part of the garden was here.”
The Rovellito garden was huge—like a small forest—so it wasn’t strange for there to be secret places.
Ruby looked up into the trees.
“What is it, Ruby? Is someone there?”
“Pyu-pyu!”
Ruby started to shake with fear.
Astia felt scared, too.
Ruby had never looked so afraid before.
The Rovellito house was supposed to be safe, but nothing was perfect.
“…Let’s go back.”
Astia hugged Ruby tight and tried to go back the way she came.
Rustle—
Suddenly, there was a noise in the tree above.
‘Who is that?’
Astia froze.
“Pyu!”
Ruby leaned against her, noticing her fear.
Astia calmed down a little, cleared her throat, and spoke up.
“Who’s there?”
Rustle—
There was no answer.
The sound only got louder.
Astia started stepping backward, one step at a time.
Then—she tripped over a rock.
“Kyah!”
She was going to fall.
‘No!’
A hundred thoughts flashed in her mind.
She pictured Damian’s shocked face if he saw her covered in dirt.
‘No more going outside.’
She would probably be locked inside for a long time.
Maybe the garden would even be destroyed!
Astia squeezed her eyes shut, hoping for luck.
Thud—
But suddenly, someone gently grabbed her waist.
Strong arms held her steady.
“…Brother?”
She thought Damian had come after her.
Astia opened her eyes, ready for a scolding.
But—
“W-who are you?”
Astia realized something was wrong.
The person holding her wasn’t Damian.
It was someone she’d never seen before.
“That’s what I want to ask you.”
A soft, pleasant voice spoke from very close.
Astia’s eyes went wide.
‘Too close…!’
A man stood just a hand’s width away, looking down at her.
He had lighter silver hair than Damian, and noble golden eyes.
She had seen many handsome people, but the calm, powerful feeling around him made her heart beat faster.
“Uh… um… Who are you? Could you… let me go first?”
The man let go of her without any hesitation.
Astia almost stumbled, her face turning red.
‘So embarrassing…!’
She felt bad for nearly falling in front of a stranger.
But at least he had helped her, so she thanked him.
“…Thank you.”
“For what?”
He looked confused.
Astia’s eyes darted around. What a weird situation.
He blinked, really surprised.
‘I don’t think he wants to hurt me… I’m scared, but he helped me, right?’
Astia tried to look as innocent as possible.
Like a harmless, clueless twelve-year-old.
“Um, I almost fell, but you caught me…”
The man frowned, then nodded as if he finally understood.
“Right. Humans used to be like that.”
He stared at Astia.
“Who are you?”
“…Me?”
Astia’s eyes rolled around nervously.
How should she answer?
She was the only young lady of the Rovellito house, with the famous Duke as her brother…
But her thoughts stopped when the man spoke again.
“…How are you still alive?”
His long eyelashes trembled.
“Your magic flow… it’s all messed up. I don’t understand.”
He seemed to know about her sickness just by looking.
Astia felt emotional.
Not many people could notice her illness just from magic flow.
“Do you know about my illness?”
“A little.”
This was the first time anyone had said that.
Astia asked hopefully,
“Then, do you know the cure?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Ah… I see.”
She already knew how to cure herself, thanks to the story, but she still felt disappointed.
“I’d like to research it.”
The man bent down and reached for her face.
“Huh?”
He slowly closed and opened his eyes, looking at her with curiosity.
“You’re an interesting human.”
“Wait!”
Right before he touched Astia, Ruby cried out and ran at his leg.
That made the man step back, pulling his hand away.
“Pyu!”
Ruby bumped into his leg, then stood between Astia and the man, as if to protect her.
The man’s eyes widened a little.
“Haha… How interesting.”
He looked at Ruby like he had found a fun toy.
“Ruby, it’s dangerous!”
Astia quickly scooped up Ruby and backed away.
“Pyu-pyu…”
Ruby glared sharply at the man.
Now, Astia finally realized the situation was serious.
She had been too careless.
So she stood tall and looked the man straight in the eye.
“I don’t know who you are, but you can’t come into our house without permission. Will you leave before I call the knights?”
The man smiled at her bold words.
“Should I? But I don’t think anyone knows we’re here.”
“What do you mean?”
A golden light shone in his eyes.
At that moment, a hidden magic barrier became visible in the air.
“I made a barrier.”
