“Indeed, I’ve been thinking about that too…”
Nodding, Sylvia sipped her drink.
‘Why did I use informal speech with Feri?’
From the moment she first saw him at the entrance, his overwhelming presence was unmistakable. It was clear he was the protagonist of this world.
Felix, whom she met in her garden later, was a unique individual.
Yes.
She had thought of him as a child, an immature adolescent boy, despite him being a grown man.
Hidden behind his handsome exterior, his expression was, to put it kindly, melancholy, filled with gloom. It was so concerning…
It felt like looking at her own past self, and she couldn’t shake off the thought. She even remembered the middle schooler who boldly asked for a tattoo of a black dragon.
Was that why? Perhaps she found his ticked-off demeanor unexpectedly pleasing because he didn’t seem gloomy then.
That might have been the start of her provocations towards him.
To awaken his senses with spiciness, to draw his interest with juicy fruits he liked, to incite his curiosity about food by making it more delicious…
Every minor action of Sylvia’s was influenced by Felix. She justified her actions by claiming that the empire’s downfall would not bode well for her, following him under the guise of avoiding the Visconti duke.
Sylvia sat there, lost in thought, holding the wooden cup, even forgetting Hubert was there. As she aimlessly shifted her blurry gaze, she finally realized the answer to her dilemma, her face flushing red.
Her cheeks heated to the point of tears, appearing as if she was about to cry. Worried Hubert might notice, she hastily covered her face with the cup, blinking rapidly.
Why she couldn’t simply walk past that obsidian hairpin in the market of Caudatismum, among other trivial memories, flooded back.
From the very beginning.
From the moment she first saw him, Sylvia had fallen for him at first sight.
Yet, she hadn’t realized why until now…
The belief that she was in a novel world was subconsciously rooted deeply within her. However, things needed to change now. The events around him were hurtling towards the novel’s conclusion. Although not following the exact path of the novel, the destiState would undoubtedly be the same.
As Sylvia wandered through the foggy, dreamlike state, her awareness sharply returned. Even if she had transmigrated into the book or shifted dimensions through Aethernum’s power…
This place was, undoubtedly, reality, she reassured herself, even though it seemed she couldn’t touch the depths of her heart.
The notion of making him happy was presumptuous, she realized only now. She had no right to be by his side from the start…
‘It wasn’t just up to me to not want to send him to the female lead.’
Sylvia acknowledged that her actions, believed to be for his sake, were actually rooted in her selfishness.
‘How dull of me…’
Chiding herself for her slowness, Sylvia stood up. Hubert, who had been mid-conversation, stiffened his expression and awkwardly rose as well.
“There won’t be anything for you to worry about.”
Trying to smile through her flushed face, Sylvia levitated with wind magic. She quietly ascended to the tree, recalling the stories Felix had shared, and gazed at the silver moon.
“Really, the night scenery is prettier.”
[Sylvia.]
As Sylvia held the now cold hot chocolate, gazing up at the sky, Eryngium softly landed on her head, calling out.
“Eryngium.”
[Why are you out here not sleeping? I was worried when you disappeared.]
It felt like a long time since it had been just the two of them, making Sylvia unintentionally smile.
“It’s been quite a while since it’s just been us, huh.”
[Did you just realize? I’ve known for a long time!]
“Really? Sorry, sorry.”
[Hmph! It’s not like I wanted an apology.]
“Eryngium, Felix said he used to watch the moon with his mom.”
[I know because I heard.]
“Oh, I see.”
Gazing intently at the moon, Sylvia pondered deeply.
‘Alright, for now, let’s just think about Felix. Later… when the female lead appears, we can think about it again. It won’t be too late then.’
Even though it would be painful, she planned to quietly leave if he fell for the female lead as the novel described. She would simply cherish the memories and live on in this world in her own way.
Sylvia gently grabbed Eryngium, who was sitting on top of her head, and placed her on her thigh.
Looking into her round, purplish-blue eyes, Sylvia asked,
“Do you have to disappear?”
She had hoped that at least Eryngium would stay with her when she left. It seemed like it would bring her some comfort. Without answering her question, she poked the fairy’s cheek with her finger as she just looked up at her intently.
[Sylvia.]
“Yes.”
Eryngium, who had just been quietly observing, parted her adorable lips.
[We don’t disappear. We simply return to our original place. So, please, don’t be sad.]
The fairy flitted up, gently touched her nose, and lightly kissed her lips. Looking into Sylvia’s somber eyes, Eryngium said,
[We are all thankful to you. Don’t forget that, Sylvia.]
***
Upon arriving in the State of Caudatismum, Lucino was immediately guided by the guard to the jewel walls. The news of Duke Visconti’s arrival had reached the State’s royalty, who came to the walls themselves.
Aaron was dazzled by the sunlit jewel-filled walls, a sight that was vastly different from his usual dignified demeanor.
Unable to say anything, Aaron, with Lucino not looking much different, stood still in awe. They could create various jewels through jewel magic, but they had never seen nor made black jewels before.
However, the jewel tree proudly displaying itself before him was entirely black, with leaves shimmering in various colors. Even though it was his family’s unique magic, the jewels supporting the walls were unlike any jewel magic he knew.
Overwhelmed by the novelty, Lucino stepped forward briskly as if he had discovered something. The State’s knights, worried about theft due to it being a jewel, were guarding the vicinity. Upon noticing Lucino approaching, the knights blocked his way with their spears.
“Only those with permission may enter here.”
Lucino’s expression turned fierce, wanting to take a closer look. Just as Aaron was about to say something, the atmosphere became bustling.
“Clear the way for the knights!”
A long procession was approaching from behind Lucino. The person leading the procession dismounted lightly. Recognizing him, the knights saluted in unison.
“We greet the prince!”
“We greet the guardian of Caudatismum!”
The knights blocking Lucino sheathed their swords and spears and saluted in unison. A handsome man with silver hair tinged with blue and silver eyes approached Lucino swiftly.
“Duke Visconti.”
Recognizing the prince of Caudatismum whom he had seen at an imperial banquet hall before, Lucino bowed slightly. Although there wasn’t much difference between the position of the empire’s duke and the State’s prince, he showed respect because it was the prince’s homeland.
The prince, Karl Moltique Caudatismum, smiled warmly and took Lucino’s hand.
“I have been waiting for you.”
Karl felt a chill just remembering that day. It was when he had taken half the knights on a monster hunt. Since the castle was patrolled by guards, he hadn’t considered the possibility.
Who could have anticipated that monsters would breach the castle walls?
However, against all expectations, monsters did breach the walls, nearly causing casualties. It was a moment of panic, but the fact that there were no injuries was most important.
Moreover, with the help of a mage who wasn’t from their State’s mages, perhaps even from the empire, they overcame the crisis. How could the Duke not be welcome?
However, upon seeing Karl’s welcoming demeanor, Lucino’s expression hardened.
“It has been a long time, Your Highness.”
“Well, neither of us is someone who has much leisure. We’re both busy, after all.”
The knights were taken aback to see Prince Karl using honorifics.
“I would like to get closer to the walls to take a closer look if I may…”
“Let’s do that.”
At the prince’s gesture, the knights made way. Lucino hurried forward. The jewel seen up close seemed transparent but was dark inside, giving it an unfathomable depth.
Moreover, it resembled the jewel tree he had cultivated, yet it was subtly different. It felt like the vines Sylvia had grown…
In that moment, Lucino felt as if struck by lightning, feeling a shiver run through his body. He then meticulously examined the jewel tree.
From afar, it seemed like a shimmering wall woven tightly together, but upon closer inspection, the stems were intricately intertwined.
‘My goodness… Is that possible?’
Lucino remembered the ring with the jewel magic inscription he had given her. Only a few people had received such a ring from him.
But could that even be possible?
Lucino thought of Sylvia, who kept occupying his thoughts, and examined the jewel vine tree closely.
The tree, with its roots deep in the ground, was firmly supporting the walls. Lucino, forgetting Karl was beside him, became engrossed, comparing it to his own jewel magic.
Karl waited with an expectant look, hoping for any clue that could lead him to the benefactor who had saved his country.
Lucino stepped back with a confused expression, looking up at the immense walls, and called out to Karl.
“Your Highness.”
“Have you discovered something? The magic used wasn’t yours, was it?”
Lucino’s lips tightened, about to speak, when Karl’s words brought discomfort.
“How can you be so certain? You do know that jewel magic is our family’s unique magic.”
At the mention of his family, it was only Lucino left, unless Lucino had a child. Karl, noticing his stiff expression, spoke with a defeated look.
“I’m not doubting. It’s just that there were eyewitness accounts that led me to think so.”
“What kind of testimony makes you so sure it wasn’t me? I must find the person who used this magic.”
Lucino’s expression grew firmer as he spoke. Karl, wanting to find their benefactor, candidly shared the testimony.
“In fact, I’ve been wanting to find that mage, so we’ve been investigating. At that time, there were children playing around here… They said there was one person who protected them. When the parents came to pick them up, the children were safe under that person’s protection… That’s what I heard.”
“Did they see the face?”
“Unfortunately, they left with their children right away. They didn’t get a good look at the features.”
The more Karl spoke, the grimmer Lucino’s expression became.
“I don’t understand. Then why are you so sure?”
“However, the parents, who saw from afar, gave a brief but certain statement. The children said the same.”
“So, what exactly are those statements…?”
As Lucino’s words became sharper, avoiding the main point, Karl added,
“It was a woman.”
“…Excuse me?”
“It wasn’t a man; they said it was a female mage. Both the parents and the children said the same.”
Lucino, at a loss for words, thought of Sylvia. Even though he didn’t want to believe it, she kept coming to mind.
“Could it be… a woman with teal hair?”
Lucino’s expression twisted oddly as he saw Karl’s suddenly stiffened demeanor.
“How do you know that the person had teal hair?”
Frozen in shock, Lucino just looked at him, moving only his eyes. Despite seeing Karl’s desperate expression, Lucino did not answer. No, he couldn’t.
Even if he had given her a ring engraved with a jewel magic circle, unless she possessed their family’s unique element, she couldn’t use jewel magic. Yet, his suspicions kept pointing to her. Lucino could do nothing but freeze, unable to hide his confusion.
Karl was certain that he knew something. And he found another piece of evidence. The thought of soon verifying the identity of the benefactor his sister talked about daily excited him.
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