***

Hot.

My entire body felt as though it were trapped in a boiling cauldron.

The unbearable heat made me desperately thirsty.

I tried to open my dry lips to speak, but they wouldn’t move.

My body felt as heavy as water-soaked cotton, unable to budge even an inch.

“Mel. Mel. Mel.”

A damp voice descended above my head.

A cold, wet cloth continuously swept over my forehead, cheeks, neck, and limbs.

“Young Duke, please go rest in the next room for a while. If you keep this up, you’ll collapse too.”

I heard Ann’s voice.

But Rory remained silent.

“Didn’t Brussel say earlier that it’s nothing serious and we shouldn’t worry? Once Brussel and Sprout figure out what that pit is, everything will be resolved. Until then, I’ll take care of the young lady.”

The pit’s identity…?

I vaguely recall being carried out of the pit in someone’s arms after I collapsed.

After that, I think we returned to where the cart was and met Ann and Brussel.

But I couldn’t remember anything after that.

Perhaps Rory and Ann brought me home first, while Brussel went back to check the pit with Sprout.

“No. I’ll stay here until she wakes up.”

Rory stubbornly refused.

I heard Ann sigh, seemingly resigned.

Knock, knock.

After hearing a knock, Ann went downstairs and quickly returned with Brussel and Sprout.

“Did you confirm it? What on earth is going on?”

“Well, it’s not a pit but a mine filled with condensed mana stones. The concentration of mana there is incredibly dense. Sprout fell asleep in the mine because of the mana stones. Mana stones have a magnetic pull on fairies. The diverse energy emitted by the stones makes the body and mind feel at ease.”

“Then why did the young lady collapse?”

“The young lady was born with immense magical power. However, she’s still too young and unprepared to fully manifest that power. When she touched the mana stone on the mine’s wall, her power exploded.”

“Exploded?”

Ann’s face turned pale with fear.

Rory’s eyes widened with unease, but Brussel nodded calmly.

“It means the vast magic that had been dormant suddenly woke up and surged. When magic awakens in a prepared state, it usually flows out naturally and circulates. But since the young lady is unprepared, her magic is blocked and trapped within her small body. That’s why she has a fever and feels so hot.”

“Then what should we do?”

Rory asked anxiously.

Brussel smiled and began pressing each of Merchen’s fingers firmly, and Rory quickly followed suit, grabbing her other hand and doing the same.

Sprout cautiously approached and started massaging her toes.

“Master, please tell us quickly.”

“We need to unblock the flow and allow the magic to circulate naturally. Has the young lady ever used her magic before?”

Rory’s eyes widened.

No way…

“Once. She evaporated a massive amount of water.”

“She evaporated water?”

“It was three years ago, before we came here. I was so shocked at the time that I didn’t realize it, but looking back now, it must have been magic. It was a moment that can’t be explained otherwise. But it hasn’t happened again since.”

When Rory added this, Brussel looked momentarily surprised.

Using magic at just three years old?

“Did anything physically change at that time?”

“Change?”

Rory pondered that day carefully.

The day they escaped through the underground waterway.

Merchen had nearly drowned, and suddenly, golden light burst from her body.

The light was scorching hot, and Rory still bore a small burn mark on his shoulder from that day.

The light had driven away the darkness of the underground waterway and illuminated their path.

And then.

“For a brief moment, the young lady’s eyes turned golden.”

“Her eyes.”

Brussel immediately placed his palm over Merchen’s closed eyes.

He murmured softly in an unfamiliar language, and Merchen’s body began to glow gold.

The golden threads, which had been swirling fiercely around her body like a vortex, unraveled all at once and burst outward.

In an instant, the room was filled with magic, spilling out like a cascade of stars.

Then, as the light faded, it disappeared as though nothing had happened.

Everyone stared blankly at the scene.

It was as surreal as the existence of fairies themselves.

“It’s done.”

Brussel removed his hand and stepped back.

Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead.

Only then did everyone snap out of their daze.

Merchen’s breathing had become noticeably calmer.

“After a deep and restful sleep, her body will fully recover. Until she gets a bit older, it would be good to regularly brew herbal medicine to strengthen her body. For now, don’t wake her. Her mouth must be dry, so gently moisten her lips with a damp towel.”

Rory, holding Merchen’s hand tightly, looked up at Brussel.

“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

The trembling voice conveyed just how shocked and anxious he had been.

***

Brussel nodded and left the room, leading a relieved Ann, who clutched her chest in relief, out with him.

When they reached the first floor, Ann saw him off, but he grabbed both of her hands.

“I’ve done a good deed, so give me a reward.”

Brussel wiped the sweat from his forehead, smiling broadly.

At that, Ann’s face turned bright red.

After hesitating for a moment, she quickly kissed him and pulled away.

Two years ago.

After Brussel confessed to her, Ann had spent a long time deliberating over their relationship.

But just as love and a sneeze cannot be hidden, Ann’s heart was eventually revealed.

Brussel, considerate of her shy nature, only attempted small, light gestures of affection and never rushed her.

Because of this, they hadn’t even shared a proper kiss, but fairies were a race uninterested in physical intimacy.

His request for a light kiss as a reward was simply because he wanted to see her face blush with shyness.

However, Brussel soon changed his mind.

He began to wonder what kind of expression she’d make if they went a step further.

“The reward seems too light compared to my efforts. Give me another.”

“D-Don’t tease me…”

“I’m serious. Did it sound like a joke?”

Ann’s face remained flushed as Brussel’s playful smile lingered.

As he watched her, he slowly leaned toward her.

Their lips met softly.

Out of spite, Ann lightly bit his lip, causing the usually composed Brussel’s ears to flush red.

But their joined lips didn’t part for a long time.

***

“Ribe.”

I dreamed.

In front of me, as I sat on a bed, a man knelt on one knee.

“Ribe. What must I do to win your heart?”

My name is Merchen.

No, actually, it’s Kim Ha-neul.

Why is he calling me by another name?