TLVGAJ 43

~Chapter 43~

‘Gasp.’

No. I shut my eyes tightly. My heart was pounding wildly.

Another magic outburst? Just from that tiny trigger?

I had experienced it a few times now, so I wasn’t as panicked as before.

But the unpleasant feeling of not being able to control my magic was the same.

And my heart felt like it was about to burst at any moment.

“Ugh…”

While I groaned with my eyes closed—

Whoosh.

A deep, empty scent came close to me. A man’s voice sounded clearly.

“Hold on to your mind.”

Even with my ears ringing from my heartbeat, his voice struck directly into my head.

Just like in Rome, Fabian hugged me from behind, as if telling me not to worry.

“You don’t have to care if your magic bursts right now. I’m here.”

“…Ha.”

“Breathe deeply.”

He let out a slow hoo, as if telling me to follow him.

“When magic goes out of control, calming the heart is most important. The best way is steady, deep breathing. The more you panic, the faster your heart will beat.”

“…Hoo.”

“Hoo.”

“Hoo…”

I slowly began deep breathing, following Fabian’s instructions.

Feeling my breath match his, I calmed myself inside.

It’s fine.

It’s fine.

Fabian is here. Just like he said, it’s fine even if my magic bursts right now.

I’ll just treat this as practice — calming this overwhelming magic.

You can do it, Irene.

Each second passing felt like an eternity.

How long had I been breathing in his arms?

‘Huh…?’

I opened my eyes wide.

My heartbeat was slowly calming.

The heart that had been racing dangerously fast was, little by little, slowing down.

Once I realized I was regaining control, my heartbeat calmed even more noticeably.

It felt like my heart, stolen by something, was finally back under my control.

When my heartbeat finally slowed to a normal pace—

…the magic inside me that had been ready to burst disappeared completely.

“…It worked.”

My eyes widened. My mouth opened.

“It worked, Fabian.”

I said blankly as I looked back at him.

“I did it. I calmed down without losing control!”

“…!”

I suddenly hugged Fabian, shouting in excitement.

Fabian, clearly not expecting it, just offered me the back of his neck to cling to.

“This is all thanks to you, Fabian. Really, thank you… Ah!”

We were still standing on the Spanish Steps, so as I clung to him I almost tripped again, but Fabian caught me quickly.

Hehe. I grinned at him.

Fabian stared at me silently, then glanced at his watch and said:

“…We should go back now.”

“Yes!”

I nodded energetically.

Now it was really time to leave Rome.

Choo-choo— the peaceful sound of the train came.

Wrapped in his cloak, we returned to my familiar cabin.

Looking at the quiet cabin, it didn’t feel real that I had just been in Rome. It almost felt like a dream.

While I stood there—

“Young Lady!”

“…Sophie?”

Sophie stood there with her hands on her hips, staring at us.

“Do you know how worried Deon and I were? You can’t just disappear like that. It’s shocking.”

“…Haha.”

Her face was flushed with worry and irritation.

“Even if someone is protecting you, it’s dangerous to go off without us. Fabian, please be careful too. Last time you also disappeared with her suddenly. I’m only traveling with you because of her orders… This is difficult. At least take us with you next time.”

“Alright. I understand. Sorry, Sophie.”

Thinking it was best to calm her, I nodded right away.

She coughed, her anger fading a little.

“So, did you enjoy the trip? Nothing strange happened?”

“Yes!”

I nodded brightly.

“I saw Vatican City, the Mouth of Truth, and ate gelato on the Spanish Steps. Oh! I threw a coin into the Trevi Fountain too.”

“…Why throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain?”

“…It’s a thing. Haha.”

Sophie tilted her head sincerely, and I gave a sheepish smile.

“Oh, and I almost lost control again… but thanks to Fabian, I calmed my heart.”

“Oh my, really? Another outburst? Are you okay?”

Her eyes went wide, fussing over me. I nodded.

“Yes, I’m fine. It’s all thanks to Fabian.”

I smiled at him where he stood silently beside me.

I was truly grateful.

Thanks to Fabian, I got to see Rome again, and I managed to control my magic.

If it weren’t for him, I might have destroyed the Spanish Steps and become the worst villain…

Growl—

Just then, my stomach growled. Sophie blinked.

“I’m glad you’re okay, but… wait, was that your stomach?”

“Mm… Yeah, I didn’t eat much so we could travel faster.”

I laughed awkwardly.

So Irene’s body could make this sound too…

“I’m going to order room service with Fabian. Could you bring the menu?”

“Ah, of course. Just a moment.”

Sophie went to get the menu from the drawer—

Knock knock.

Someone knocked on the door. Sophie tilted her head.

“Who is it? A staff member?”

She set the menu down, asked “Who is it?” and opened the door.

And there stood a familiar man.

“…Albert?”

I looked at Albert, sitting across from me.

Silence filled the cabin. We sat on either side of the tea table.

Because of this unexpected visitor, Fabian had returned to his own cabin. Sophie and Deon had also left at my request.

‘Sigh.’

Yeah, there’s no way Albert would give up so easily.

When he passed by me in the dining car earlier, I already thought it was strange…

Now, having found me, he just looked at me with sad eyes, saying nothing.

‘Come to think of it… he’s lost weight.’

Seeing him properly after a few days, Albert looked quite thin.

Like one of those sickly but handsome princes from romance novels.

Even so, he still looked stunning. If I were Emily, I would’ve been happily in love.

Why did he come to see me?

Time was short, so I asked directly:

“So, why did you come to see me, Your Highness?”