Just then, I reached the door. I was about to turn my head to say we’d meet later when Yuri leaned against the wall and lowered his head toward me.

“Shall I show you what kind of magic I can perform?”

The sudden closeness made my heart race.

Magic, huh.

‘It seems clear that he can at least perform healing magic and teleportation.’

I had held back from asking because Yuri didn’t seem eager to talk about it, but magic was a subject that fascinated me. After all, I was living the same time for the third time, which was also due to magic.

“What kind of magic can you perform?”

Can you turn back time?

Did you turn back my time?

The questions I really wanted to ask lingered in my throat. I bit my lower lip.

“Look into my eyes.”

When I met his gaze, Yuri’s long eyes curved gracefully into a crescent shape. His blue eyes, shining brightly, seemed sweet and clear. I couldn’t help but think they looked like sugary candy.

Yuri’s lips slowly parted. With a voice as smooth as melting chocolate, he recited a magic spell with a snap of his fingers.

“You will fall in love.”

That was all he said.

For a moment, I stood there dazed, then pushed Yuri’s chest with both hands.

“…What is this? Are you teasing me?”

“Haha.”

Yuri burst into laughter. Even his laughter sounded as sweet as a shower of sugar stars.

To hide my flushed face, I flung the door open and shouted.

“I’ll be right out. If you’re going to say silly things, hurry up and change your clothes!”

“Yes, yes.”

Yuri raised his hands in surrender and walked calmly to his room.

I quickly rushed into my room. Leaning against the door, I bit my lips tightly.

Thump, thump.

The loud beating of my heart filled the room. It felt like my heart would leap out if I opened my mouth.

‘Did he really cast a spell on me? Why is my heart racing like this?’

There’s no such thing as a spell that makes you fall in love.

‘Or maybe it would be better if such magic existed…’

I slid down to the floor in a daze. I intended to change my clothes and go out immediately, but I couldn’t bring myself to stand up.

No matter how much I tried to ignore it and turn my head away, I couldn’t deny it.

This was a sign of love.

***

After finally managing to calm my emotions, I deliberately washed myself with cold water. It was meant to help me regain my composure.

‘I decided to live this life without being tied down by things like family and to focus entirely on myself.’

I had desperately created a place for myself to live that way, only to fall in love there.

‘Ah, I really can’t stand being swayed by others anymore!’

In a broad sense, I had said I wouldn’t get married, but ultimately, I wanted to reduce the influence of others on my life.

But love, in essence, is like handing over the steering wheel of my life to someone else.

‘Well, since I started as a tenant in Yuri’s building, I can’t completely separate myself from him in life. Just because I’m in love doesn’t mean Yuri is someone who would push me around.’

The moment I started having thoughts like these, I knew I was already doomed.

I ruffled my hair wildly and made a wry face again.

‘I don’t know.’

As I banged my head against the wall, Yuri called out to me loudly from outside.

“Titi? Are you ready yet?”

“I-I’ll be right there!”

Yuri wasn’t the type to call for me unless it was necessary, so I must have been in there for quite a while.

I hurriedly buttoned up my shirt and dashed out. Yuri widened his eyes and carefully touched the ends of my damp hair.

“Your hair is wet? You should dry it before we go.”

“Huh? Oh?”

I hadn’t even noticed the water dripping from my hair. I blinked in confusion, and Yuri clicked his tongue lightly at me.

“Good grief.”

With a soft laugh, he snapped his fingers, and miraculously, a cool breeze blew through my hair, drying it instantly.

“Whoa?”

Startled, I ran my fingers through my hair. Yuri chuckled as he watched me.

“You weren’t this surprised when we teleported in the forest, but drying your hair amazes you?”

“Well, I was too overwhelmed back then.”

And it’s true that magic used in everyday life feels more astonishing.

I grinned broadly and spoke loudly to us both.

“This is truly a useful spell. If you’re someone who’s busy in the morning, everyone would want you to use it.”

In response to my comment, Yuri twirled my now fluffy hair around his finger and replied.

“But I prefer drying hair with a towel myself. It’s an excuse to touch Titi’s hair.”

He made such a bold statement and then smiled brightly, clearly teasing.

I slipped my hair out of Yuri’s grasp and asked.

“Then why are you touching it now?”

“Because I want to.”

“……”

His straightforwardness made my face flush again. He spoke so confidently that I was left speechless.

Yuri chuckled and nudged me on the back.

“At this rate, we’ll be having dinner instead of lunch. Let’s hurry up and go.”

***

Autumn, who had come to the palace on his own because he was annoyed with Yuri, was sweating nervously.

‘This woman is Princess Sabina.’

It was the first time Autumn had come because of a request from Princess Sabina. His face turned bright red, and he bowed his head deeply.

‘She is a terrifyingly beautiful woman.’

He had heard countless times that Sabina was the most beautiful in the capital, but no amount of adjectives could do her real appearance justice.

“It’s my first time meeting this mage.”

Even her voice was lovely. As soon as she spoke, it was easy to understand why she was the emperor’s favorite daughter.

The princess, as beautiful as a fairy, spoke with innocent eyes shining.

“I only know Yuri as a mage… Yuri is still not at the magic tower, right?”

“Ah.”

Autumn’s face, who disliked Yuri, stiffened. Sabina quickly noticed the change in Autumn’s expression and, with a naive smile, skillfully changed the subject.

“But I believe you’ll create exactly what I want. You must be a very talented mage.”

“Of course! I’ll do my best!”

Hungry for praise, Autumn was easily flattered and eager to please.

After praising and pleasing Autumn for a while, Sabina spoke with a serious expression.

“You must keep the item I’m requesting today a secret.”

“An item? Are you asking me to craft an artifact?”

Autumn, who lacked confidence, was immediately filled with fear. Infusing magic and maintaining magical power within the limits of not breaking the ore was no ordinary task. It was impossible for a mage of his mediocre talent to create something worthy of royalty.

Sabina smiled with her eyes.

“No, what I want is a potion that can brainwash people.”

“What?”

Autumn jumped in shock.

Whether mental magic or potions, all were strictly forbidden by the master of the magic tower.

“That’s difficult, Your Highness.”

“Is it beyond your abilities?”

“That’s not it…”

His skills were somewhat lacking, but his pride wouldn’t allow him to admit it.

Sabina lowered her eyes with a disappointed expression.

“Everyone has been bothering me lately… But since I’m not good at getting angry, I always end up being pushed around. I just want to make them listen a little better…”

“It’s not that I don’t want to make it for you, it’s just that it’s forbidden. If I’m caught secretly making it, the master of the magic tower won’t stay quiet.”

“I see.”

Sabina looked dejected.

“I was recently betrayed… There’s a mage I want to give it to. Oh, that came out wrong.”

“A mage…?”

There was only one mage Sabina could be referring to.

Yuri Esrenche.

‘A potion that affects a mage’s mind in any way is deadly.’

Autumn looked at Sabina with trembling eyes.

Perhaps this was an opportunity to get rid of the person he hated most without lifting a finger.

***

The capital, which I visited after several days, hadn’t changed at all.

After having eggs benedict and buttered toast at a place we frequented, we headed to the flower market.

As we walked, occasionally waving to people we knew, I felt a sharp gaze from the side. Yuri was looking at me with a serious expression.

“Why?”

“It’s nothing, I’m just concerned.”

“About what?”

Yuri tapped his neck with his finger.

“Your neck should be completely healed by now. Does it still bother you a lot?”

Following his lead, I touched my neck with my hand and shrugged my shoulders.