TVDML 15

Chapter 15

Well, of course. Camilla had blazing red hair and bright blue eyes.

“There’s a light in these eyes…”

“Lala? Are you trying to climb into the mirror?”

Baldwin asked, sounding baffled.

“No… It’s just, they said there’s light in my eyes. Didi!”

I jumped down from the vanity and ran to Baldwin.

I shoved my face close to his and blinked rapidly.

“Look, look. Can you see the light in my eyes?”

Baldwin frowned and pulled his face back.

Then, placing a hand on my shoulder, he said,

“Lyla, if you get that close, I can’t see anything.”

Baldwin’s red eyes scanned me carefully.

“Hmm.”

“‘Hmm’ what? You see a light?”

“Yeah. Your eyes are really pretty.”

“Agh, jeez!”

I patted Baldwin’s shoulder lightly.

“You’re embarrassing me. I know I’m pretty!”

“Your eyes are the prettiest of all. I could recognize them anywhere.”

Well, would you listen to him?

That’s it, Baldwin.

I put a serious hand on Baldwin’s shoulder.

“Baldwin, that’s what you do.”

“What do you mean?”

“Later, when you find someone you love, just do what you just did.”

“…Someone I love? What’s that?”

Whew. My baby kitty.

He’s still young, so it makes sense he doesn’t understand love yet.

“It’s when… you can’t see anyone else but that person.”

“You go blind?”

“So extreme! Not literally. I mean your heart. It’s your heart that sees only them. You’re happiest with them, and when you’re apart, you keep thinking about them.”

Baldwin looked completely confused.

“You always want them nearby. They look beautiful for no reason. When you eat something delicious, you want to share it with them. When you see something good, you want them to see it too. You want to give them gifts. Stuff like that.”

I explained it as gently as I could, but I wasn’t sure if my baby kitty understood.

“…So like, wanting to share the chocolate cake you’re eating?”

Was that quick comprehension?

“Chocolate cake? I don’t even like that…”

“Shhh.”

I put a finger on Baldwin’s lips, then pulled it away.

“That doesn’t matter. What matters is wanting to share what you like.”

Baldwin smiled sweetly and nodded.

“Got it. That’s what love is, right?”

“Exactly. And when you find that person, just do what you did earlier. Compliment them, tell them they’re pretty, show them you like them.”

That’s how you’ll win Camilla’s heart.

I figured I might as well teach him properly while I had the chance.

“But don’t do that with everyone. Just one person.”

That’s what makes a proper male lead. Got it, kid?

“Just one person…”

Baldwin echoed my words.

Then he smiled brightly and nodded.

“Okay.”

“You have to remember that.”

“Yeah.”

Such a good listener, my sweet baby kitty.

“Do you already have someone like that? Someone you want to share your chocolate cake with?”

Camilla! Camilla! Camilla!

“Uh… maybe I do.”

“Who is it?”

I asked casually—but really, I was being very direct.

The answer is obvious, Baldwin!

Camilla! Camilla!

Big sis is cheering you on!

But Baldwin shook his head and didn’t answer.

“I’m not sure yet, so I won’t say.”

“O-oh, really…?”

Well, at least there is someone.

The only person Baldwin’s been seeing lately is Camilla! Who else could it be?

I patted Baldwin’s head.

They say a face completes a person, and you’re already complete. You just need a bit of refinement, Baldwin.

His personality was a bit disastrous in the original novel, but lately, he doesn’t seem that bad.

You can do it, my one and only pick.

*

Baldwin smiled faintly as he looked at Lyla, who had fallen asleep on the sofa while they played.

It was a more mature smile than his usual expressions.

He gently brushed away the hair tickling her forehead and whispered,

“Lyla.”

“Mmm…”

He caught her carefully as she rolled toward the edge of the sofa.

“That’s dangerous.”

Baldwin gently nudged her back toward the center so she wouldn’t fall and said again,

“Lyla.”

It was the answer to the question he hadn’t answered earlier.

Saying he wasn’t sure was just an excuse.

The only person in the world Baldwin wanted to share everything he cherished with—was Lyla.

His red eyes burned with possessiveness.

He hadn’t said anything because he was being considerate of how young she still was.

Lyla acted grown-up, but she was like a child curled up in a cocoon.

She never crossed the line.

She was afraid of being hated by someone.

From what he knew through Caliban’s memories, that behavior wasn’t normal for a child.

Children usually throw tantrums to get what they want.

But Lyla didn’t do that.

And sometimes, she looked scared.

She was surprisingly good at hiding her feelings, so the Duke and Duchess of Lorobante hadn’t noticed—but Baldwin, who was with her all day, had.

He saw that there was more to Lyla than her cheerful exterior.

‘What could be scaring you so much?’

Baldwin tilted his head.

If only he knew, he could fix it all for her.

He couldn’t share his feelings with someone who was still so afraid.

When she’d asked him that question, she looked like she was expecting something—but at the same time, scared.

Baldwin gently held Lyla’s tiny, twitching fingers.

Something soft and warm bloomed in his chest.

He was certain.

This clear, unmistakable feeling would never change.

After all, darkness never forgets the first light it sees.

*

Robellia wrote a secret letter to the Magic Tower.

Using a method that only she and the Tower Master, Aldis—who had studied under the same master—would understand.

The Magic Tower often held more power than the Imperial family.

That was because the empire relied heavily on magic.

Scientific advancement was slow, to say the least.

That’s why the current Emperor of Rygos was pouring resources into scientific research.

But did that make the Tower back down?

Not at all.

The Tower’s Sage retaliated by cutting the electricity to the Imperial Palace.

Truly an impressive organization.

‘Aldis really is something else.’

The Tower even made the Emperor of Rygos surrender—and he promised never to defy the Tower again.

He pledged to respect it.

And so, the Tower and the science lab were now working together on joint research.

That much, everyone in the Empire knew.

As such, the Tower operated on power and strength.

[To the esteemed Robellia Lorobante.]

Robellia smiled.

Aldis clearly hadn’t forgotten what their master had taught them.

A transparent bird with a blue glow flapped its wings and chattered.

[We have received your letter well. It is with great joy that we hear Lila Lorobante possesses the magic of a Great Mage—something unseen in nearly a century. Please accept our heartfelt congratulations.]

Robellia turned to the Duke.

“Adolf.”

Adolf patted Robellia’s shoulder, as if to say it was okay.

She was worried that asking the Tower for help might backfire.

Bold as she was, Robellia was surprisingly anxious when it came to her children.

[Thus, the Tower would like to meet Miss Lila Lorobante in person and hear her esteemed insights.]

“Esteemed insights…?”

Robellia looked stunned.

Lyla had just turned ten. Esteemed?

“Aldis hasn’t changed a bit.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s always so serious and solemn. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile.”

Robellia clicked her tongue and repeated the phrase esteemed insights.

“Well, at least Aldis is reacting favorably. That’s a relief.”

“Are you thinking of taking Lyla to the Tower?”

“No. Her identity might be exposed.”

Robellia waved her fingers.

The semi-transparent bird sent by Aldis chirped in response.

“Go tell your master: I’d like him to come in person.”

She curled her fingers into a ring and breathed into them. The bird fluttered off the way it came.

“I should tell Lyla about this.”

Adolf kissed Robellia on the forehead.

*

Lyla and Baldwin were having snacks when Robellia came by with a tray of treats.

“My sweet babies. Studying hard?”

“Huh? Uh, yes…”

Lyla glanced at Robellia and quickly opened a book.

“Really…”

And yet the Tower wants to hear her insights.

Robellia clicked her tongue in disbelief.

Adolf followed her in, saying he missed the children.

“Lyla. Mommy has something to tell you.”

At Robellia’s words, even Baldwin stopped trying to stop Lyla from stuffing snacks into her mouth and looked at her.

“Mam haf somtin to say?” (Something to say?)

“Yes, something.”

Robellia brushed crumbs off Lyla’s cheek.

“You’ll be meeting the Tower Master soon. I think it’s time for you to study magic systematically.”