Chapter 113. Morning of Victory

Laila’s eyes wavered like a candle in the wind.

I waited patiently for her to speak. But Laila couldn’t answer and just trembled.

She seemed terribly frightened, so I was about to reassure her that it was okay and encourage her to speak, when she suddenly knelt and bowed deeply to the floor, begging.

“Your Highness, I-I’ve done wrong, p-please forgive me…!”

“Laila?”

“I-I just wanted Your Highness to sleep well…”

I was bewildered, unable to understand why she was so scared, as if I had threatened to devour her.

Then it struck me. Could it be…?

“Laila, are you perhaps an unregistered mage?”

That would explain her extreme submissiveness. Sure enough, Laila answered in a tearful voice, shedding big drops of tears.

“When I was young, my parents didn’t r-report my existence to the Mage’s Tower. They said it was a terrifying place… that once you go in, you can never come out…”

I understood the situation. It was a common occurrence. Parents often tried to hide their children born with magic.

The Mage’s Tower wasn’t well-known among civilians, leading many to perceive it negatively. Laila’s parents were probably among those people. Laila, having been influenced by their thoughts, believed the Mage’s Tower to be a dangerous place.

I slowly stood up and approached Laila. When I reached out my hand, Laila flinched greatly. I was only trying to help her up by the shoulder.

“It’s alright, get up. Let’s sit on the sofa.”

“Y-Your Highness…?”

“Don’t worry, Laila. I won’t report you to the Mage’s Tower.”

I led Laila to the sofa. Though she seemed bewildered, she followed my lead obediently.

On the low table beside the sofa, morning tea was prepared for after breakfast. I poured a cup of warm tea and handed it to Laila, who received it with trembling hands, her face still showing confusion.

“Drink. It’ll help you calm down.”

“Th-thank you…”

Laila sipped the tea cautiously, one small sip at a time. The warmth seemed to gradually calm her down.

After some time had passed, I felt it was appropriate to bring up the topic again.

“I sensed your magic last night, Laila.”

“……!”

All mages naturally become sensitive to magic. In other words, they can detect if someone nearby uses magic.

So it wasn’t strange that I sensed Laila’s magic. However…

“Then, Your Highness also…?”

“……”

What should I do?

To uncover Laila’s secret, I also had to take a risk.

From what I had observed, Laila was discreet and cautious. Moreover, she seemed very grateful to me for bringing her here.

Even if I revealed my secret, Laila wouldn’t go around spreading it.

And… if my guess was correct, Laila’s magic could…

‘Someday, it will help me. On the day I leave this castle.’

I had been pondering how to leave quietly, and with Laila’s help, it would be much easier.

I stood up and sat next to Laila. Looking straight into her eyes, I spoke.

“I am also a mage, Laila.”

“……!”

“But, yes. Like you, I’m an unregistered mage. Due to certain circumstances, I didn’t report to the Mage’s Tower. This has been a secret known only to the Grand Duke and me.”

“Then…”

“Now, there are three people who know the secret. I’ll keep your secret, so you must keep mine.”

Laila, wide-eyed and tense, nodded vigorously. Her innocent reaction was exactly what I expected.

“Now, tell me. What is your magic?”

“M-my magic is…”

After a brief hesitation, Laila answered.

Sleep magic.

A powerful mental magic that could put anyone to sleep if they heard her voice.

As I expected, I smiled faintly.

“Do you use that magic often?”

“N-no… It might raise suspicion… I usually don’t use it. But last night… I was worried about Your Highness suffering from insomnia…”

“I see.”

She risked being caught to use magic out of concern for me. Right, I must have looked like I was on the brink of death after several sleepless nights.

“Then, could you continue using your sleep magic for me? Thanks to you, I slept well.”

“…! Of course! If I can be of help…”

Laila seemed genuinely happy. Watching her innocent, joyful eyes reminded me of a harmless herbivore, like a lamb or a deer.

I chuckled and extended my hand to summon the Mirror of Foresight. Laila’s eyes widened as she stared at it. I explained to her.

“This is my magic. I can see the future through this mirror.”

“The future…?”

“Yes. But I don’t use it often.”

I didn’t mention that seeing the future came at the cost of my lifespan. Laila didn’t need to know that.

I quickly dispelled the magic. Laila remained dazed for a while before snapping back to reality and hurriedly speaking.

“I-I swear I’ll keep it a secret…”

“Alright, I understand. I’ll keep your magic a secret too.”

I smiled warmly at the innocent girl who had no trace of deceit.

After sharing our secrets, I felt closer to Laila.

Laila’s exotic appearance often reminded me of my mother, which might be why I felt an odd sense of attachment and familiarity toward her.

Now that we shared a secret we couldn’t tell anyone else, our relationship felt even more intimate.

“Well then… sleep well tonight, Your Highness.”

“Thank you.”

And most importantly, Laila’s magic. Thanks to her power, which allowed me to sleep deeply, I no longer suffered from insomnia. I felt immensely grateful for Laila’s presence.

I had stopped relying on foresight magic. Instead, I eased my anxiety with Laila’s card readings, convincing myself daily that Enoch would be safe.

‘I must recover my health before Enoch returns.’

I couldn’t greet him looking so pale and gaunt… I didn’t want to show him this frail appearance. I hoped he would never know that I was sacrificing my lifespan.

Even if someday the love spell breaks and he ends up hating me as a result…

I hope it will be only hatred. I hope he won’t feel any guilt or responsibility for using me.

So that you can always shine nobly like the morning star in the night sky.

Even if I disappear one day, I hope you will quickly forget about me and live your life…

* * *

A month had passed.

The news of the victory of the Freuden-Erinter Alliance came on the morning of August 25th.

“Congratulations, Your Highness!”

“Oh, what a relief. I was so anxious…”

“How about hosting a banquet for the retainers today? We also need to hurry and prepare a victory celebration banquet for the Grand Duke and the knight order who will be returning soon…”

“This is no time to be idle. I should quickly go to the forest! The gamekeeper said the partridges have gotten quite plump lately…”

As if the dark clouds had suddenly cleared and the sun had appeared, the atmosphere in Evitern Castle brightened rapidly.

Moreover, letters congratulating the victory poured in like a mountain from all directions. Some even sent gifts, and there were so many that I broke into a sweat sorting and organizing them.

“The Grand Duke is expected to return around August 30th.”

I nodded silently at Fernand’s report. It was as expected. There would be issues to coordinate with the Erinter side and a meeting with King Henry in the capital…

Anyway, Enoch would return soon.

My heart swelled with anticipation, feeling like it might burst.

I couldn’t wait to see him. I couldn’t bear not confirming with my own eyes that he was safe.

What should I say when we meet? First, I should congratulate him. And then… tell him how relieved I am that he returned safely, and that I missed him…

What expression will you make?

My heart ached and throbbed. Over the past month, I realized countless times, and now once again, I realized anew.

My heart is already filled with you.

* * *

The Rheinfelden-bound train had temporarily suspended civilian use due to the return of the Grand Duke of Bayern and his soldiers.

Every carriage of the train was packed with Bayern’s hunting dogs. The leader who controlled those fierce dogs like his limbs, Enoch Bayern, occupied a spacious private room alone, seemingly taking a nap… or so it seemed. Probably. His eyes were closed.

Warren Norbert nudged Enoch’s long legs with his toes. His legs, stretched out to the opposite seat, twitched, and Enoch frowned, opening his eyes slightly to glare at Warren. Warren shook the whiskey bottle in his hand and grinned.

“Want a drink? To celebrate the victory.”

“…Give it here.”

Of course, he wouldn’t refuse alcohol. Warren knew his friend very well.

The two sat side by side, drinking from the bottle. Soon the train started moving, and the scenery outside the window quickly passed by. Warren glanced at Enoch, who was silently drinking, and asked.

“Do you miss her?”

“…What?”

“Your pretty and lovely wife.”