AOL 22

Chapter 22

“…!”

Isel’s eyes flew open. The familiar-colored ceiling looked down at her.

It felt as though she had been submerged deep underwater and was slowly rising back to the surface. Her senses returned bit by bit. The cool dawn air gently brushed her heated cheeks.

Isel slowly lifted a hand and touched under her eyes. Her fingertips came away slightly damp.

When she woke from a nightmare, her body usually trembled for a long time before she could calm down. But the dream she had just seen was not a nightmare.

Unlike the dream, the silver ring on her little finger remained exactly where it was, proving this was reality.

A tear that had been pooling in Isel’s eyes slowly rolled down her temple. She didn’t even think to wipe it away, only murmured a name that rose from her throat.

“…El.”

Her voice was thick with moisture.

It was a very old name, a very old memory. “El” was the childhood nickname her family used to call her. At the same time, it was also the name of the boy from her dream.

Nearly ten years had passed, but she had never once forgotten his face.

Those gently curved reddish eyes had always reflected her.

The first time she met him in the forest, Isel thought she was dreaming. He looked like an angelic statue she had once seen in a temple.

Black hair that shone like obsidian framed ivory skin, with a straight nose and smooth jawline that made him look almost like a doll. It was strange that something so perfect was breathing and moving.

Whenever the summer sunlight shone in his eyes, Isel would forget she was holding a carving tool and simply stare at those mysterious colors.

And every time, the boy would smile shyly and gently stroke her braided hair, as if handling something precious.

Maybe it really had been a dream. Maybe she had simply fallen into a deep nap beneath the elm tree in the forest.

The two weeks that felt both long and short had been filled with rustling leaves, soft laughter, and something warm and fluffy like a dream itself.

Isel fiddled with the ring on her little finger. It was the only proof that the boy had truly existed.

She recalled his words:

“I’ll give this to El. It’ll definitely help you.”

When Isel shook her head, refusing to accept the precious ring, the boy had said:

“I don’t need it anymore.”

“Why?”

“Because… I found something more precious than this.”

At those meaningful words, Isel had tilted her head in confusion, but never learned what he meant. She had decided to ask him next time—but after that day, she never saw him again.

She had returned to the capital without even saying goodbye. All she knew of him was his name—matching her own nickname.

If she went back to that forest… could she meet him again?

Isel traced the unanswered question with her fingers, leaning against her bedside as she waited for morning to fill the room.

Isel carefully looked around, holding her breath. The back of the manor was silent, devoid of any presence.

She tiptoed forward, making sure her footsteps made no sound.

This was the passage she always used when leaving the estate.

Her brother and father had left early in the morning, and the knights were busy training in the courtyard.

Al and Harris would think she was quietly carving in her room, and she felt a little guilty about deceiving them—but today, she had to go to the art shop.

She had not been able to bring herself to tell her master that she wanted to sell her sculptures. But after a sleepless night, she had made her decision.

She still didn’t want to place her beloved art on the same level as money.

And yet, she still wanted to continue carving. That desire was as firm and unchanging as the roots of a deep elm tree.

Taking a small breath, Isel gripped the fence tightly and lifted herself up, carefully climbing.

Just as she was about to shift her foot over—

“Isel.”

A voice she did not expect startled her. She turned quickly—and lost her grip.

“Ah—!”

“Isel!”

As she fell, someone caught her in strong arms.

“Isel! Are you hurt?!”

It was Leo, who had rushed over like the wind. He carefully set her down and checked her over.

Isel, still dizzy from the sudden fall, muttered weakly.

“Brother? Why…?”

She had clearly seen him leave for the palace hours ago.

Leo’s face darkened.

“Isel.”

His voice carried anger, and she lowered her head immediately.

“Just how did you think you could climb over the fence…!”

“……”

But Leo stopped himself. Her small shoulders were trembling.

Something hot surged in his chest.

He forced his voice to calm down.

“…Isel.”

“I’m sorry, brother…”

“….”

Seeing his silence, Isel looked up at him. Her pale green eyes trembled with anxiety.

Leo clenched his jaw.

She was his most precious sister—so fragile, so small, so vulnerable.

He knew he and their father often overprotected her. But this was not the expression he wanted to see on her face.

She used to smile freely… but now she looked like someone burdened with guilt.

Sneaking out, secretly carving, quietly crying…

His clenched fist slowly relaxed.

Thinking he was still angry, Isel clasped her hands nervously.

Leo gave a bitter smile and reached out, gently holding her hand.

“Isel.”

“Yes…?”

He leaned closer, meeting her eyes.

“Don’t ask anything. Don’t say anything. Just… let me come with you.”

Leo followed her without asking a single question.

In the crowded streets of Delion, he held her hand tightly, afraid of losing her.

His intention was clear—he wanted to protect her from danger.

Whenever Isel walked ahead, Leo followed closely, scanning the surroundings.

Honestly, it made Isel feel like she should be the one protecting him instead.

She glanced at him. His expression was a mixture of worry and curiosity.

When she passed a large art shop without hesitation, he opened his mouth slightly, then closed it again.

Eventually, they arrived at a small art shop.

Leo tensed behind her.

On the carriage ride, Isel had told him about her secret master.

When she mentioned her teacher, Leo had been shocked—but Isel had warned him not to reveal her identity.

In reality, her master—Seres—was the one hiding his identity due to circumstances involving noble aversion.

Isel didn’t fully understand the reason, but she didn’t want to break her promise with Rahan.

Blushing at the memory of his gentle smile, she opened the shop door.

A fresh herbal tea scent filled the air.

Seres, sitting with a teacup, looked up in surprise.

“Isel…?”

“Master.”

Seres froze completely as Leo entered behind her.

Their eyes met.

They looked strangely similar.

“This is my brother. He really wanted to meet you,” Isel said.

Seres glanced between them in shock.

“…Blisha household…?”

She immediately recognized him.

Leo Blisha.

Seres panicked internally.

He was someone she had met before.

Leo narrowed his eyes slightly, as if sensing something odd.

Before he could speak—

Ding!

The shop bell rang.

A new customer entered.

Seres sighed in relief.

But the moment she saw him—

She froze.

A man in a black robe stepped inside.

The atmosphere turned cold instantly.

He smiled faintly.

“Isel.”

It was Rahan.