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Chapter: 16
“How do you practice with a sword, Sir Knight?”
“What?”
“You have a sword as a tool, right? A sword is dangerous. It can hurt someone. But if you don’t practice with it, you can’t become a proper knight. Master, it’s the same for you. To use your abilities freely, you need practice.”
“Even if people get hurt?”
“I don’t think it’s right to assume someone will get hurt just because power is used. As you just showed, Master, you controlled your ability well. Isn’t it more dangerous when people try to stop you from using it, because they don’t know how you’ll handle it, which could lead to an outburst? And besides, there isn’t even an ant around here!”
Indeed, it seemed that no matter how long they stayed, there wasn’t a single person in sight. Perhaps because rumors said Heos was having a picnic in the garden. Miliana stared directly into the knight’s eyes, as if daring him to contradict her.
“J-Just because there’s no one around doesn’t mean he can freely use his power. The past incidents prove it! Every time the Master uses his power, there’s always an outburst—”
“Then isn’t it because you always stopped him from using it until it might cause an outburst?”
The knight couldn’t hide his embarrassment at Miliana’s bold words. Every reason she gave was accurate.
It was true that whenever Heos showed even a hint of using his power, they would stop him. In the past, every time it reached its peak, Heos, unable to control the ether, would end up in an outburst.
“You use your power, and it leads to an outburst…”
“I asked how you know that. Nobody can predict how it will turn out, right? Blocking overflowing ether isn’t a solution! Just like our body expels toxins, ether also needs to flow!”
“How do you know that?”
The knight’s eyebrows twitched.
Miliana, once just a maid, knew too much about ether. Knowledge of it was dangerous; as a commoner, she shouldn’t have known.
It was then that rose vines broke through the ground, wrapping around the knights and restraining them.
The thorned vines rising from the earth were intimidating, almost writhing as if alive.
The rose vines immediately subdued the knights, moving according to Heos’s will, before the knights could even react.
“Ahhh!”
One knight, hanging upside down in midair, shouted indignantly:
“See! He’s out of control!”
Miliana looked at him with disbelief. Heos was agitated, yes, but he wasn’t losing control.
“Out of control? Sir Knight, look carefully. He just saved me. Master, thank you for protecting me.”
“You’re okay…?”
Her smile at his concern warmed Miliana. He really was a child who cared for others.
“Yes. So could you release the knights now?”
Heos, seemingly threatened, stared at Miliana in confusion. Then, pouting like a sulking child, he turned his head away.
“No. You didn’t follow my orders.”
His puckered lips suggested he was annoyed by the knights’ behavior.
Suddenly, the knights were suspended midair. Whenever one tried to cut the vines with a sword, the vine would move just out of reach, almost playfully.
Miliana didn’t bother persuading him.
“Let them experience it!”
“This isn’t… an outburst?”
Heos looked dazed, surprised, and Miliana’s eyes were full of clarity.
“Sir Knight, you saw it. Using abilities isn’t inherently dangerous. Master, are you hurt anywhere?”
“No. I’m just annoyed, that’s all.”
Ignoring the knights’ clamoring, Miliana admired the roses Heos had grown.
“They really are beautiful flowers.”
Heos stared at the rose vines he had created, fascinated.
“They usually don’t listen to me and act on their own…”
“That’s because you’ve grown, Master.”
The writhing vines expanded around Heos and Miliana, and as they grew, the flowers bloomed even more beautifully.
The vines twined around Heos like playful tails. When he reached out, the roses wrapped around his hand.
“This is Master’s power. Of course it moves as you wish.”
Miliana casually adjusted a rose.
“I’ll make a crown for you. Is it okay if I pick some flowers?”
“Sure. But can you make a crown?”
“Yes. Just a moment.”
Curious, Heos approached her. Miliana’s hands moved quickly, recalling the many crowns she had made in the past.
Children of his age used to gather around her, waiting for her to make flower crowns. She could consider it a fond memory.
“At the orphanage, I was one of the older ones, so I had to take care of the younger children. To cheer them up, I’d make flower crowns for them. I liked seeing them smile.”
“Smiles?”
“Yes. Children are amazed by everything, laughing and crying at small things. So, Master, don’t always wear a cold expression. Smiling brings blessings.”
Heos recalled what Erfis had once told him.
“Heos, you are a great person. Never show a weak face to your servants. Always stay dignified and calm. Leisure is a luxury. You must be as excellent as your father. Read your books.”
Truly different. Those who cared for him before had always forced him to behave impeccably. But Miliana told him to act as he wished. Her gentle eyes gave love without demands.
“All done! I made it for you, Master.”
Miliana placed the finely-made crown on his head.
Though small, it suited him perfectly. Heos’s eyes widened as he held it with both hands—it was adorable.
He curiously touched the petals with his small hands. Seeing him, eyes sparkling with the crown on his head, Miliana couldn’t help but speak.
“You look like a rabbit.”
“Rabbit?”
“Oh! Sorry!”
Considering his status, comparing him to a rabbit was risky.
“Sorry. You’re just so cute… There was a rabbit I raised at the orphanage. Pure white with ruby-red eyes. It was so cute.”
“Am I cute?”
“Of course!”
Miliana nodded vigorously.
Blushing, Heos smiled shyly. As if expressing his feelings, several roses suddenly bloomed on the vines.
Black hair, crimson eyes, seeking affection from others—it was a flaw, but it made him endearing.
And his warmth toward others shone through.
“Where else could there be such a charming Master? People just don’t realize it.”
“But everyone…”
“No. Look at this sandwich, see? The chef ran to make it especially for you. He said he was happy you finished it all and was worried about your health.”
Miliana handed him the sandwich, urging him to eat and recover quickly.
A simple sandwich filled with vegetables and ham, but Heos’s eyes shone knowing it was made for him.
“Try it.”
Heos bit into the sandwich. Miliana smiled warmly.
“Tastes good, right?”
“…Yeah, it’s good. You eat too, Miliana.”
“Me?”
Slightly hesitant, she accepted the gesture, taking a small bite and leaving the rest for him.
Heos laughed joyfully, clearly in a great mood. The crown seemed to please him, as he kept it on while eating.
Footsteps on the grass were heard behind them.
“You two… seem to be having fun.”
A familiar, calm voice.
It was Kaiden. Miliana, briefly surprised, greeted him and glanced at Heos.
The faint smile disappeared. Miliana felt a pang of sadness; Kaiden was still an unwelcome presence, his bright smile gone.
“Ahem. What are you doing?”
Miliana’s eyes sparkled.
‘He spoke to the Master first, right?’
Perhaps because of her words, Kaiden approached Heos first. Heos fiddled with his clothes, looking slightly surprised.
“…Just taking a walk in the garden.”
“Do you like the garden?”
“…Yes.”
“But…”
Kaiden’s gaze shifted to the knights, still trapped in Heos’s vines. Miliana hurried to explain.
“I… Your Grace, that is…”
“It’s fine.”
“Eh?”
“There must be a reason. Right?”
Kaiden asked calmly. Miliana smiled broadly, pleased he supported Heos.
“Yes! That’s right!”
Surprised, Heos stared at him. Miliana saw her chance.
“Your Grace, why not sit and have a sandwich with us while we talk?”
Kaiden slowly stepped onto the mat. Heos, perhaps uncomfortable, moved slightly closer to Miliana.
Miliana tried to lighten the mood.
“The weather is nice, isn’t it? Perfect for an outing.”
But the two remained silent. She was the only one talking. Ian wasn’t here either, as he had to handle official duties.
‘Why aren’t they saying anything…’
Feeling déjà vu, Miliana glanced between Heos beside her and Kaiden across, then quickly averted her gaze. Kaiden’s eyes were still sharp and intimidating.
He had come to spend time with Heos, yet remained arms-crossed, silently observing.
Miliana realized she’d have to intervene herself.
