TVDML 14

Chapter 14

The Prasia Count family, where Lobelia was born, was originally endowed with magical power.

Anyone who inherits the family’s bloodline begins to manifest magical abilities around the age of ten.

Lobelia’s own magic wasn’t very strong—just enough to cast minor illusion spells on Baldwin. But Laila…

Soon, mages from the Magic Tower were scheduled to be dispatched to measure Laila’s magical power.

Others might not know it, but Lobelia could feel it.

Laila would not be able to refuse the fate that was approaching her.

Laila had been different since she was a child. Perhaps she could even rise to the position of Grand Mage.

Winter’s arrival felt frightening.

Because once winter passed and spring came, the children would leave Lorobante and enter a whole new world.

“…Winter is coming,” Lobelia’s voice trembled faintly.

*

It was late in the afternoon.

Between Laila and Baldwin—who had been catching up on sleep after a sleepless night—it was Baldwin who woke up first.

He blinked his red eyes.

In his brightened vision, he saw Laila, peacefully asleep and breathing softly.

Her dazzling silver hair sparkled under the sunlight as if soaked in light.

It was like stardust had been scattered across her head.

Baldwin carefully reached for her hand.

“Lala.”

“Mmm…”

Fast asleep.

She wouldn’t wake easily.

Even normally, once Laila fell asleep, she wouldn’t wake even if someone tried to carry her away.

Baldwin left her side and quietly got out of bed.

Snow was falling silently outside the window.

Though he bore Kaliban within him and didn’t feel the cold, Laila—who was frail—was particularly vulnerable to the winter chill.

Baldwin carefully pulled the blanket up to her chin.

Then, gently opening the balcony door, he stepped onto the railing.

From the position of the sun, it was almost time to prepare for dinner.

Though the sun hadn’t yet set, he could feel the bustle of people moving about.

There were no eyes watching Baldwin now.

He leapt off the railing.

His small, light body quickly landed on a garden tree, then fluttered like a butterfly over the wall.

Baldwin’s long black hair flowed gently in the wind.

It wasn’t hard to locate the Kaliban agents.

The sharp sense of the blade within him was pointing right to where they were.

“Ah! Young Master!”

Those hiding in the shadows quickly knelt on one knee.

Baldwin had already made sure no one else was nearby.

He smiled at them, a warm, gentle smile reminiscent of someone else.

But within that soft smile, they sensed a sharp, blade-like presence.

“Prepare yourselves. We’ll move soon.”

His voice was still young and clear, but the pressure it carried was immense.

The Kaliban agents instinctively understood.

Baldwin had perfectly completed his inheritance.

All those worries about him being too young had been meaningless.

“Yes, Young Master.”

In a sweet, soft tone, Baldwin muttered,

“We’ll turn the sky upside down.”

He would repay the pain of his father’s death, and aim his blade at those who stole what his father should have had.

All to survive.

*

No matter how hard you tried, time could not be held back.

The Empress Yulia’s son had been officially named crown prince.

It was the end of winter.

The power retrieved from Winchester had tipped too heavily in favor of Consort Caitlyn.

Emperor Lygos sought perfect balance.

But everyone knew that such a position could be overturned at any time.

And Laila—

“We can’t measure her magic!”

“She’s beginning her Awakening!”

—had awakened her magic.

She was now on a completely different path than the Laila from the original story.

‘Uh…? This isn’t right.’

Wasn’t she just a side character?

But Laila’s questions were drowned out in everyone else’s shock.

*

While the dazed Laila was gently put to sleep, the Duke and Duchess sat facing each other.

The candlelight flickered across the worried face of the Duchess.

“Lobelia…”

“I expected this, and yet… I can’t help but be scared.”

Lobelia whispered softly.

She had imagined this moment countless times while watching Laila grow up.

Laila had strongly inherited the blood of House Prasia.

Radiant silver hair and golden eyes that seemed to hold light itself.

They were identical to those of the first head of House Prasia.

Neither of her parents had such golden eyes, but Laila had been born with them.

A classic case of recessive traits passed through generations.

So Lobelia had always thought something like this could happen.

These days, the heavens could change at any time.

Lives were at the mercy of Emperor Lygos’ whims, and Leviathan’s power now reached the sky.

It was said that since the crown prince was appointed, Consort Caitlyn had gone to the Emperor every day in tears to plead her case.

Every single day, shaking him with her tearful appeals.

Just like Winchester had fallen due to the Emperor’s whim, the crown prince’s seat could change at any time too.

“We must hide it as much as possible, dear.”

“I will try. I’ve already spoken to the priests. I made a massive donation as well.”

“I’ll protect our children with everything I have.”

Lobelia clenched her hands tightly.

Baldwin and Laila, whom she had raised with love.

She wished she could pave their paths with flowers, but she knew it was impossible.

Because fate was pointing directly at both Laila and Baldwin.

“Laila needs someone to teach her magic. Secretly… I’ll write to the Magic Tower.”

“Do we have anyone who can help us?”

“I have a connection with the Tower Master. We trained under the same teacher. If she hasn’t forgotten me, she will surely help.”

Mages often had a strong sense of kinship.

They could see and sense things that ordinary people could not.

“May the gods have mercy on us.”

The Duke clasped Lobelia’s hands and prayed.

Lobelia smiled faintly.

She could endure all of this because she had a husband who always supported her.

She kissed the back of the Duke’s hand.

*

Baldwin gazed softly at the sleeping Laila, listening to her gentle breaths.

Her light grew stronger the more she matured.

Anyone who looked into the starry brilliance within her golden eyes would be captivated.

Baldwin could sense that Laila had inherited powerful magical talent from the Prasia bloodline.

It was something Kaliban had whispered to him:

‘That child will become a great mage. Stronger than anyone.’

Baldwin gently brushed Laila’s silver hair.

It felt like it was crumbling between his fingers.

Soon, Baldwin would leave for the knight academy.

And Laila would remain alone in this mansion.

Surely, the Duke and Duchess of Lorobante would do everything they could to protect her.

‘It won’t be enough.’

Baldwin didn’t want even the tip of Laila’s finger to be harmed.

If he could carry her around hidden in his pocket, he would.

After watching her sleeping face for a long time, he stepped out through the window again.

“Young Master?”

With long, silky black hair flowing, Baldwin sat on the wall, one leg crossed over the other.

The moonlight illuminated his bare feet peeking from his pajamas, pink from the cold yet showing no sign of discomfort.

“From now on, Kaliban will move with Laila at the center. Everything she does, everywhere she goes, must be protected under Kaliban’s watch.”

His clear young voice spread through the darkness.

Baldwin had just installed another safety measure for Laila.

Kaliban would always be with her.

Even while he was away from Lorobante.

Not even Kaliban could explain the feelings Baldwin held for Laila.

But Baldwin knew that what he felt for her was something beyond words.

If he were to lose her, he would surely break—no matter the form it took.

He was somewhat content with the life he lived, teetering between comfort and danger.

Because Laila was by his side.

She had become the standard that made him feel human.

“I will protect her. No matter what.”

At Baldwin’s calm but firm declaration, the agents met each other’s eyes.

‘……! She must be the future Duchess!’

‘Isn’t it a bit early for that?’

‘She’s Kaliban. Not just some little girl.’

‘Is that so?’

That was the general gist of their silent conversation.

*

“Yaaawn…”

Originally, the next heir to the Magic Tower wasn’t supposed to be me, but the Imperial Princess.

Princess Endia, Fidelio’s younger sister.

That’s why the Tower had reluctantly sided with Fidelio.

But now, I’m the one taking that role?

How did a side character’s life suddenly bloom into the life of a main character?

They say my eyes contain the light of Prasia…

No matter how hard I stare in the mirror, I don’t see anything.

I yawned and examined myself closely in the mirror. I mean, yeah, I’m pretty, but…

Hmm.

How did the novel describe Laila’s appearance again…?

I think it said her pigmentation was generally pale, so she was pretty, but not striking—especially when standing next to Camilla.