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~Chapter 11~
Astia tried to hide her trembling hands.
The man’s tone was calm, but Astia felt something unusual from him.
He had immediately sensed her physical condition, and the barrier he had made looked intricate—he was likely a very skilled magician.
Even the magical tools installed in the Rovellito Duke house didn’t react.
“He could kill me without anyone noticing.”
The man looked at her leisurely. Anyone could see he radiated a villainous aura.
If he lost interest, she didn’t know what he might do.
“What should I do…?”
Outwardly she acted bold, but she was honestly scared.
She had barely escaped death once after arriving in this world, and now another threat had appeared.
The only option was to emphasize her being a child and make him underestimate her.
“If a cute little child looks at you with innocent eyes, even a villain would hesitate.”
Astia believed that if she could just stall for time, Damian would come to save her.
“Wow! What’s that? The design is so beautiful!”
Astia stretched her hands wide, lips slightly parted, pointing at the magic circle. She tried to act as innocent as possible, like a child admiring something new.
“Pyu!”
Ruby’s eyes sparkled, following her gaze as if cheering her on.
The man, observing the small rabbit and Astia’s cute act carefully, narrowed his eyes.
“Ugh, cold sweat…” thought Astia.
“That… that! Did you draw a flower in the air? I want to try it too!”
“….”
“…Excuse me? I can’t?”
When the man didn’t respond, Astia brought out her secret weapon: the pretty smile that had knocked Damian and the servants over. She smiled like a flower, cupping her face with her hands.
“Please teach me!”
Her lips trembled at the corners. Forcing a smile to survive was exhausting, and she felt a wave of self-pity.
“I’m eating bitter flower petals to survive… I can’t die like this!”
As Astia thought of what act to show next, the man chuckled, covering his mouth.
“Hahaha…”
His eyes curved like a crescent moon. A strange atmosphere made it feel as if flower petals were scattering in the air. Astia was thrilled that she had finally caught his attention—but his next words made her expression stiffen.
“I was watching to see what you were doing… but… your acting is terrible.”
“…What?”
“Your eyes don’t move when you smile. It’s artificial.”
“And when you say you’re curious about the magic circle with a completely neutral expression, I don’t know how to respond.”
His calm words pierced her.
“You… that’s too much! It was acting… a struggle to survive!”
Astia pouted and muttered softly, clearly upset.
“Alright. I like it. Little one.”
“I’m not little…!”
Astia quickly smiled nervously and waved her hands.
“N-no! Haha…”
Her tension eased without realizing it.
The man took a step closer.
“What’s your name?”
“Astia Rovellito… And you?”
“Astia… Hmm. I am Ian.”
Astia had exchanged names with Ian unexpectedly. He didn’t reveal his family, perhaps not wanting to show his noble background.
“Ian….”
Recalling Damian’s words that magicians are unpredictable, Astia nodded.
“Are you part of the Magic Tower? I heard magicians belong there.”
“Hmm… sort of. I don’t go to the lower-level places.”
Astia was shocked. Usually, magicians were proud to belong to the Magic Tower.
“So he’s a bit of a genius who doesn’t care about rules.”
As her impression shifted, Ian added,
“Humans like to belong to groups. Pointlessly.”
Astia wanted to argue, but her life was more important.
“You’re amazing! I didn’t realize…”
She cautiously asked why he was in the Rovellito garden.
“…I passed by and found something interesting.”
His gaze landed on Ruby.
“And that rabbit. You too.”
“Ruby?”
Astia stroked Ruby, who bared his teeth at Ian but still looked adorable.
“You know he’s not an ordinary rabbit.”
“Is… Ruby sick or something?”
Ian seemed like he had more to say but stayed silent. He glanced at the magic circle and sighed.
“You’ll see me in the garden often. Farewell.”
Then his golden eyes flashed, and his adult figure shrank into a child. With a snap of his fingers, he disappeared.
“Wait…! This is our garden…!”
The magical barrier vanished, and Annie and the knights appeared, looking worried.
“Miss!”
“Annie! I’m here.”
Astia glanced at the spot where Ian had vanished.
“Ian….”
He seemed arrogant and villainous but not unpleasant. He had also noticed her illness immediately.
“His name Ian… isn’t in the original story.”
For the next week, Damian forbade Astia from walking in the garden.
[Astia… I’m so worried. I can’t live without you…]
She had to comply, so she spent much time in Damian’s office. Ruby was temporarily with Annie.
Astia watched Damian sorting documents from the couch. She thought about asking him:
“Brother, are there magicians not belonging to the Magic Tower?”
“Yes. Not many, but there are.”
“You have to be approved by the Tower to become a magician?”
“Exactly. Every magician must go through the Tower. You’re smart, Astia. How did you know that?”
“Uh… I read it in a book.”
Astia realized her intuition about Ian was correct. He was likely a very strong magician.
“I’ll ask him directly when I see him again.”
Later, she said with charm:
“Brother, I’ll watch your sword training tomorrow!”
Damian threw his papers aside, standing excitedly.
“I’ve been waiting just for that day!”
Astia smiled at him and left the office.
On her way to her room, she accidentally bumped into someone.
“Ouch…”
A tall, sharp-eyed servant bowed politely.
“Sorry, miss. I’m Dice. This is my first day here.”
Astia felt a chill from his gaze. Once he left, Annie came rushing with Ruby.
“Miss! Here you are! Ruby wanted to see you!”
Ruby’s sudden jump made Astia forget her earlier thoughts about Dice.
