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Chapter 8
“Th–Uncle.”
As if she had been waiting for those words, Eleanor’s eyes crumpled at the edges.
“Eli.”
“I… I missed you too!”
Thump. Thump.
Eleanor leapt into Theremion’s arms and began pounding his chest and shoulders with her small fists.
It was pure, overflowing affection—childlike frustration that only a niece could show her uncle.
“Why… are you only here now? Sniff, hic…”
“I’m sorry. Uncle was wrong.”
“I slipped on ice and got hurt! Hic! I scraped myself on a tree and bled too! I… I was scared!”
“Now that Uncle is here, it’s okay, alright?”
“Why were you so late, Uncle! Waaah!”
“I’m sorry, Eli.”
To witness such a moving reunion in person—it was enough to make one feel faint. Her chest tightened so much she almost wanted to collapse on the spot.
To think the original story would destroy such a tender bond between uncle and niece—what was wrong with the author’s personality?
‘Hey, original author? Are you watching? Are you?’
Mass slaughter? Total annihilation? Absolutely unacceptable. How dare you write such an ending for a romance fantasy?
She would absolutely create a happy ending overflowing with dreams and hope.
For everyone to be happy.
She would not hesitate or fear just because she was thinking about the original plot anymore—that was Ailesia’s repeated vow.
‘I’ll tear everything apart and lay down a flower path just for my Eli.’
And as a bonus, she would save Theremion too—the world’s strongest candidate and a national treasure-level handsome man.
When Eleanor walked into her wedding, he would definitely be there, holding her hand and walking her down the aisle properly!
Watching their tearful reunion, Ailesia’s fighting spirit burned once more.
* * *
“So, how are you planning to take Eli back?”
Ailesia gently dabbed at Eleanor’s swollen, red eyes with a handkerchief.
Her eyes are completely rabbit-like now. She’d cried so much it was like someone had turned on a faucet.
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“How are you planning to take Eli back?”
And that rabbit’s uncle looked half-dead too.
He wasn’t crying, but Theremion’s eyes were slightly red, and his voice was subdued.
After clearing his throat a couple of times, he answered.
“First, we’ll return to the nearby village. I left the knights’ horses there for the time being.”
“And after that?”
“We’ll find a carriage, and if that fails, we’ll head to the nearest city.”
Theremion seemed to have a fairly solid plan, but Ailesia saw things differently.
“In this region, it’s hard to find a proper carriage. And the road to the city won’t be easy for Eli either.”
“Do you have a better idea?”
As if she had been waiting for that question, Ailesia answered leisurely.
“I’ll prepare a carriage. The rest is faster if you see it yourself.”
“A carriage?”
At his tilted head, she couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
By Earth standards, Theremion was still only a high school sophomore. Unlike his intimidating original image, he still had a naive side.
Was this how it felt to look at a younger brother? She wanted to tease him more because his reactions were so cute.
“Yep. I’m a witch, after all.”
“……”
Just from how easily he reacted to her teasing…
‘Even his glare is attractive.’
So this is what a top-tier handsome man looks like.
While they silently stared each other down, Eleanor tugged at Ailesia’s sleeve.
“Teacher, am I going home now?”
“Your uncle came to take you, so yes.”
“What about you, Teacher?”
“Well…”
She trailed off on purpose.
When she looked at Theremion again, he flinched slightly and pressed his lips together.
He still hadn’t fully decided.
But Eleanor seemed done waiting.
“If Teacher doesn’t come, I won’t go either! I’ll stay here with Teacher!”
“You heard her.”
The situation had already flipped.
With a subtle sideways glance and a hand patting Eleanor’s head, Ailesia watched as Theremion finally stood up as if surrendering.
“Please allow us to travel together.”
“Are you sure?”
Ailesia asked again for confirmation.
He looked much calmer now.
“If that is what Eli wants, there’s no other choice.”
“Even if I’m a witch?”
“…Please stop that, seriously.”
Theremion sighed, rubbing his face.
Maybe she was teasing him a bit too much. At this rate, it might become a habit.
“Uncle said we can go together.”
“Really?”
“You should say thank you.”
“Thank you, Uncle!”
“Yes.”
With a slightly sulky expression, he opened the door and went out first. But the faint curve at the corner of his lips suggested he wasn’t actually displeased.
Smiling lightly, Ailesia turned away from the half-open door.
“Sweetie, let’s get you dressed.”
“Yes!”
She placed the necklace back around Eleanor’s neck, then took out a prepared leather coat.
It had been permanently enchanted with all kinds of magic: cold resistance, heat regulation, insulation, breathability, anti-soil, auto-repair, shock absorption, and magical defense.
On top of that, it could resize itself as Eleanor grew.
It was practically a top-tier magical artifact.
‘I finally get to see her wearing it.’
She had made it all while waiting for Eleanor. In the process, she had even learned tailoring, cutting, and sewing.
“Wow.”
“Do you like it?”
“Eli pretty?”
“Of course. Our baby is the prettiest and cutest in the world.”
“Hehe.”
Wrapped in ivory fabric, Eleanor looked like a fairy from a storybook. The beige fur trim on the collar and sleeves added a warm, stylish charm.
The emerald buttons made from polished gems suited her perfectly—matching her bright eyes.
Delighted, Eleanor spun once in place, admiring her outfit.
‘Nothing else to prepare…’
All she needed was her staff.
Click.
Ailesia snapped her fingers, locking the house and activating the barrier to prevent intruders.
Now, within a 2-kilometer radius centered on the lake, no one could approach.
Humans would simply get lost and wander back out.
“Greetings, Your Grace.”
The knights waiting outside bowed formally. Some even showed slight friendliness toward her.
‘People don’t usually dislike whoever feeds them.’
Especially starving knights.
Not a single drop of stew had remained in the pot. Even Theremion had finished his portion without complaint.
“Where is the carriage?”
“Here.”
Ailesia casually waved her staff, clearing the yard and summoning a carriage.
It looked ordinary, but it was heavily enchanted. Even an elephant charging into it wouldn’t leave a scratch.
“Wait a moment. Whitey?”
A large white wolf that had been lying quietly nearby wagged its tail and approached.
Some knights tensed, but none moved. Theremion didn’t react either, so they held back.
“Can you call Blonky for me?”
“Awwooo!”
As soon as she spoke, Whitey raised its head and howled.
Even Theremion flinched slightly this time.
Within ten seconds, a jet-black wolf appeared, pressing itself against Whitey’s side.
“Have you been eating well?”
“Woof!”
“We’ll be relying on you for a while. Take care of things, okay?”
“Awooooo!”
“Waaah.”
Eleanor clapped happily as if she were used to it, but Theremion and the knights had gone pale.
‘Maybe they’re just not used to it yet?’
She had expected them to be a bit more comfortable with Whitey by now. It had been sitting beside them the whole meal, after all.
To avoid misunderstandings, Ailesia kindly explained.
“My pets don’t bite people.”
“……”
“They’re very gentle and well-behaved.”
“…I-is that so?”
“They’re basically just big, affectionate puppies. They don’t scratch or attack. Seriously. They even play with Eli all the time.”
Despite her repeated reassurance, Theremion’s expression only grew more uneasy.
He couldn’t possibly be judging her with his eyes, could he?
“Why? Did I do something wrong?”
“…No, nothing at all.”
Theremion quietly shook his head, pressing his lips into a tight line.
