INTEC 46

Chapter 46

Estina stammered in surprise. The two of them had met again at the magic school while hiding their true identities, one as a student and the other as a professor, and had rekindled their connection there.

Having first met when they were very young and now reuniting after eleven years, both had assumed that only they knew the other’s true identity, and that the other would not recognize them.

“Professor… why are you here…?”

“Ah, I’m currently serving as the advisory mage at the Aventador royal palace.”

Just as Estina was trying to process this, he continued.

“It’s also the place I was born as a prince… In fact, I’ve been coming and going in this palace with my royal status.”

Though he spoke lightly as if it were no big deal, Estina’s eyes widened. He had just revealed the identity he had kept hidden throughout their time at the magic school.

‘At the magic school, he said he was Professor Kal Levants from the magic tower…’

She had learned the truth by accidentally overhearing a secret conversation between Iskal and his subordinates at the magic school, but she hadn’t expected him to reveal it himself.

“I hid my identity at the magic school for convenience. I apologize for unintentionally deceiving you.”

Estina feigned a surprised expression and replied, intending to act as if she hadn’t known his identity all along.

“Ah… so you were a Grand Duke, Professor…”

Iskal shook his head slightly.

“That’s true, but I’d like you to just call me Kal. You said back at school that after graduation, you would call me that.”

Even though Estina had always addressed him formally as “Professor Levants,” Iskal had asked her to use his alias—and also his real name’s nickname—“Kal.”

He still remembered the words she had said eight years ago, just before her final vacation at home before graduation.

“Ah… that’s…”

Estina looked embarrassed and slightly dodged his request.

“At school, I didn’t know you were a Grand Duke, so I treated you too casually. I apologize.”

Because she wasn’t yet certain whether he, as a member of the Aventador royal family, was an ally or an enemy to the Hertenes, Estina maintained a pretense of ignorance and kept her distance.

Iskal had never imagined that Estina would suspect him in relation to the annihilation of her family. Seeing her put up a wall, he felt both hurt and compelled to hold onto her.

He had intended to remain unaware of her true identity until she revealed it herself, but her wall made him feel both disappointed and desperate. Acting on impulse, he spoke.

“Estina. It’s me, Iskal. We were engaged from birth, weren’t we? Surely you remember me?”

At his words, Estina’s eyes went wide as lanterns.

‘He really knew who I was all along?!’

As she struggled to respond, Iskal felt apologetic for pushing her so suddenly.

“I’m sorry. Were you very surprised?”

“Uh… since when? Since when did you know?”

Estina’s voice sank. Her anxious expression made Iskal’s voice grow softer as well.

“From the very beginning. I went to the magic school because of you.”

Estina’s mind became a whirlwind.

‘He knew I had entered that school despite using a false identity… Did His Highness, as a royal, monitor me at school and report back? Did he even know about the plan to annihilate my family? Even now… is he aware that I’ve infiltrated the palace? And I didn’t even realize…’

Her thoughts spun so fast that she closed her eyes tightly.

“Why… Did someone order you to watch me? Even now?”

Her sharp question made Iskal look at her in surprise.

“What? Why would you think that? It’s not like that. I… wanted to see you. I wanted to keep others from lingering near you. But as you know, my situation… could be dangerous. I couldn’t reveal my identity and approach you directly.”

Though his words were essentially a confession of having loved her all along, Estina, who had spent so long hiding her own identity, filtered out the emotional part and focused only on the practical details.

“Dangerous, Your Highness? You are serving as the advisory mage loyal to the royal family. How could there be danger for the second in line to the throne…?”

As she questioned him, Estina realized the truth herself.

‘Ah… because he is so close to the line of succession… If the king and the prince were gone, the throne would go to His Highness Iskal. So there are forces that could threaten him.’

Being so close to the throne meant that, despite his noble status, he could be attacked at any time. Even a mage of his power had to appear harmless until the critical moment. He couldn’t simply manipulate the king with his magic.

Sensing Estina’s misunderstanding—that he was loyal to the king—Iskal sighed quietly.

“Estina, I understand what you’re thinking. But whatever it is, I want to clarify first that thinking I’m not on your side is a complete misunderstanding.”

He looked into her eyes earnestly.

“I’ll tell you why I returned to this palace and what I’m doing. Please, give me a chance to explain.”

After a moment of hesitation, Estina raised her head.

“Alright, I’ll listen. But the palace always has ears. If it’s a secret, let’s talk somewhere else.”

Iskal’s face lit up at her suggestion.

“Your Highness, the day after tomorrow, in the evening, come near the main gate around the time I leave the library. And… ah, remember the child Jodin from the magic school? Please take that face.”

Since she still couldn’t fully trust Iskal, Estina chose the meeting place, time, and even which face he would assume.

“Understood. I’ll come at the appointed time, Estina.”

“Estina? In the palace, please call me Maria. There are people around who know ‘Princess Estina of Hertenes.’”

“Alright, Maria Ratbah.”

Iskal obediently answered and smiled with satisfaction.

Two evenings later, Estina carefully surveyed the library’s main gate and spotted Iskal waiting across from her. She approached him.

“Seeing Jodin’s face brings back memories from the magic school. Let’s go.”

Iskal teased lightly.

“Why specifically Jodin’s face? Did you miss that kid?”

Estina rolled her eyes at the absurdity, then replied jokingly in kind.

“Hmm. In that case?”

“Then I’ll stay in this face for now.”

At his words, Estina couldn’t help but smile slightly. Even in this tense situation where she couldn’t fully trust him, he seemed to have the power to disarm her.

Walking side by side while joking, she felt as if they had returned to their magic school days. But she quickly masked her expression and spoke with mock seriousness.

“Professor… no, Your Highness, you haven’t changed in eight years.”

“…I suppose not.”

Iskal glanced at her with a look that suggested he had something to say but soon diverted his gaze.

Outside the palace, the two followed Estina to a quiet street. She stopped in front of a small vacant house.

“Come in, Your Highness. I apologize for bringing you to such a shabby place.”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

The small one-room house was dusty, with furniture and utensils covered in a fine layer of dirt.

“Wait a moment.”

Iskal waved his hand and used magic to instantly clear the dust from the room. The furniture shone, and the metallic utensils gleamed.

Estina, impressed by how quickly the cleaning was done, thought to herself:

‘I could do this too… I just haven’t been able to use my magic properly for eight years for fear of being detected by trackers…’

She felt a mix of envy and frustration at Iskal’s ability to use magic freely. She called out to him.

“Your Highness.”

She wanted to ask if he had been monitoring her magical usage all this time as a royal agent.

By then, Iskal had returned to his original appearance. His ash-brown hair and deep sky-blue eyes radiated the same warmth as before.

Momentarily lost in past emotions, Estina forgot what she was about to ask. Iskal spoke gently.

“Estina, why don’t you take off your magic mask too? It’s just the two of us here. I want to see your real face after so long.”

Since Estina had chosen a place free from prying eyes, there was no reason not to.

“Shall I?”

Estina removed her face-altering magic for the first time in a long while. Her platinum hair, violet eyes, and delicate features were beautiful. Seeing her true face again made Iskal’s heart race.

After the annihilation, he had occasionally checked on her from afar, but since settling in Aibrie, she always altered her face when leaving home. This was the first time he had seen her real face since the destruction of her family.

“Your Highness, please cast magic so no one can spy on this house or detect the magic we use here.”

Iskal obediently cast spells on the windows. When he turned, he was surprised by the unexpected sight before him.

A small magical gate hovered in one of Estina’s hands, glowing with a strange light and swirling continuously.

“Estina, that’s…”

“Yes, it’s a miniature gate. I made it so that only the caster can close it or pass through. No one else can force their way in.”

Even though they were in a safe location, Estina was uneasy because of Iskal’s immense magical power and the possibility of his subordinates following him.

“I’m sorry for not trusting you, Your Highness.”