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Chapter 7
“This should be easy enough for you to read, milady.”
“Thanks for finding it!”
I went to the sunlit window and opened the first page.
“…What on earth does this even mean?”
The text made no sense at all, so I looked down at the book with a small sigh of frustration.
“Are you returning it already?”
The librarian, who had been organizing the new arrivals, asked with a hint of curiosity as I walked toward the door with the book tucked under my arm.
I shook my head and replied,
“I’m going to read it in the garden. The weather’s nice today.”
“That’s a good idea. A place bathed in warm sunlight is perfect for reading.”
It wasn’t because it was a good idea—I simply couldn’t get into the book. But I couldn’t tell the truth, so I just smiled quietly.
The sound of my footsteps echoed along the hallway. I greeted the maids I passed cheerfully and headed straight for the garden.
Under the large, sprawling shade of a massive tree, I dropped the book and sprawled onto the grass.
“The weather’s so nice…”
It would be wonderful if things could just stay peaceful like this.
I looked up at the clear sky with not a single cloud and let out a deep sigh.
During the few days I had been ill, my memory had returned enough that I had learned a few additional facts.
I wondered if I should visit Nox, who was supposed to be Aria’s future fiancé, first—but recalling the timeline, Nox had not yet appeared at any official events at this point.
The reason was simple:
He was an illegitimate child of the Kainel family.
“It’s ridiculous that they bully someone just because he’s born outside marriage.”
Nox existed because Count Kainel had an affair, so he had no right to blame Nox.
Yet, as if it were natural, the bullying came primarily from Count Kainel himself.
It was hard to understand—how could someone torment their own child?
Of course, I worried that he was still being bullied for no reason, but being bedridden and weak, there was no realistic way I could help him.
How could I explain the situation to a boy whose name didn’t even appear in the Kainel family records? There was no way.
“I’ll need to approach this naturally…”
But no method came easily to mind. A ten-year-old girl, diagnosed with a terminal illness, couldn’t simply move around freely.
“I need to bump into him at the market or something.”
“With whom?”
“Ah! You scared me!”
Startled by the sudden voice, I jumped like a fish on a hook.
“You frightened me!”
It was Daniel.
My heart was racing uncontrollably, and I shouted. Even that only made my heartbeat tighten further.
‘Why does he move around like a thief, without making a sound?!’
I didn’t know whether he had used magic to appear or was just distracted, but I rubbed the cold sweat off my forehead with my palm.
“Did I scare you a lot?”
Daniel asked with a sullen face, like a soaked little puppy.
Say that now?
I pressed my throbbing forehead with my hand and let out a deep sigh.
‘He’s just a kid. Calm down. It’s fine. If he doesn’t know, just tell him.’
As Daniel smoothed his messy bangs and stood before me, his shadow stretched long across the grass.
“You were really startled, so don’t do that again. If you think I’m up to something, make your presence known first and call my name.”
Don’t start with what you want to say so abruptly.
I swallowed the rest and spoke, and he pouted.
“Okay. I’ll be careful from now on.”
Daniel looked at me with slightly disappointed eyes and asked,
“You went to the Magic Tower for class. Is it over already?”
“No, I just came back because it was boring.”
“…Is that allowed?”
“Nope.”
“Then why did you do it?”
“Being with you is more fun than attending class there. Isn’t that allowed?”
…Isn’t it supposed to not be allowed?
Having attended piano, debate, and taekwondo academies as a child, then a comprehensive academy in middle school, and late-night study sessions in high school, I couldn’t understand his words.
Actually, that’s a lie—I understood. Saying that playing is more fun than studying is as obvious as saying the sun rises in the east.
But in my previous life, I went to academies reluctantly despite hating them because I didn’t want to waste money, while he simply didn’t do what he didn’t want to.
Well, I guess he could still be called a student.
Perhaps noticing my silent gaze, Daniel leaned closer, tilting his head.
“Do you have a fever?”
His hand touched my forehead. In his eyes, bluer than the sky, I let go of my complicated thoughts.
‘Then is then, now is now.’
Feeling slightly comforted by his warmth, I smiled.
“I’m fine.”
“Hmm… really?”
“Yeah. Aria’s class will end soon too, so we can wait and play together.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Daniel’s brow seemed to furrow for a moment.
“Alright. Let’s do that.”
But with his playful scrunch and smile, I couldn’t help but place my hand on my left chest, which throbbed.
To be so flustered by a twelve-year-old boy…
I really must be hopelessly infatuated…
“Hey.”
Daniel was troubled. He was concerned because Riella had been acting strangely in the past few days.
“Can’t you hear me?”
Even the adults didn’t know what could cure her, so he had no way of knowing.
Her complexion had improved since he gave her the magic crystal necklace, but that alone wasn’t enough to reassure him.
He had also gone to the Magic Tower, hoping it could help cure her.
But reality was different. He spent the entire day researching and practicing efficient attack magic.
That wouldn’t help Riella in the slightest.
‘Still, it might give me the power to protect her.’
That was the only consolation. Without it, he would have stormed out of the Magic Tower.
“Are you ignoring me?”
Daniel let out a deep sigh, frustrated by the unresolved issue, and set down his pen.
“What’s the matter?”
In an irritated tone, Leonit laughed awkwardly.
“I called you several times. Why didn’t you answer?”
“I was thinking about something.”
“What is it?”
“You don’t need to know. Anyway, did you do everything the master asked?”
Leonit answered without hesitation.
“No.”
Daniel shook his head at his audacious attitude.
“Anyway, I’m not the one doing the work. I give orders, and you follow them.”
Not exactly wrong, so Daniel held his tongue.
To think he tries to catch Aria’s attention at a time like this—impossible.
Ignoring Leonit’s long-winded talk about his future greatness, Daniel picked up his pen again.
‘I need to research and find a cure quickly.’
Riella’s health was far more important than the empire’s fate.
Leonit remained lax, oblivious to Daniel’s intentions.
As a result, the chair, which cost more than a year’s living expenses for a family of four commoners, failed at its purpose.
“Anyway, tell me what Aria likes. From what I see, she doesn’t seem to care about expensive things like other girls. She’s different, obviously.”
Leonit twirled his pen thoughtfully, pointing at Daniel with its tip.
“So, what should I give her to earn points with her?”
He was probably referring to the magic crystal Daniel had brought as a gift last time.
Daniel didn’t say, “My sister loves expensive things. You just don’t like her.”
He only looked at him with a face full of disdain.
Though they had become friendly due to adults’ indirect requests, their personalities naturally clashed.
Moreover, Daniel had to serve as her future lord, so he worried that a wrong move might trouble Aria.
“She likes things with effort put into them.”
It would have been better to give her a hundred roses than a magic crystal. Though she might dislike it too.
Oblivious to Daniel’s thoughts, Leonit exclaimed in delight as if he’d received excellent advice.
“Why didn’t you say so earlier! I have a few ideas. Listen and give me your opinion.”
He climbed onto the chair as if giving a speech. Unsurprisingly, the chair failed to function.
Daniel moved his pen while ignoring Leonit’s excited chatter.
If asked whom he would save between Leonit and Riella, of course, it would be Riella.
Mentions of rings made from jewels found only in the western valley didn’t register at all.
“Leonit.”
“Huh? Do you think something’s okay?”
Does he not even realize what the problem is?
Daniel sighed at Leonit’s confused expression and looked at him with sympathetic eyes.
“Does it have to be Aria? There are other young ladies too, like the Garcia girl.”
At his casual suggestion, Leonit’s expression twisted in an instant.
But only briefly—he scoffed in disbelief and lifted his chin arrogantly.
