The delicate aroma of fruit tea filled the drawing room.

When he had finished the warm tea and cleared the plate of light dessert, he gave Ariel a satisfied smile.

“The cake was absolutely delicious. Thank you for the pleasure, my lady.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Would you like me to bring you some more?” 

It seemed that his earlier comment about skipping breakfast had been sincere, for the Tower Master had eaten with great enthusiasm. However, when Ariel offered to bring more, he shook his head with a polite smile. 

“No, this is enough. And now that I’ve been treated to such a wonderful meal, it’s only right that I give something back.” 

Reaching into an inner pocket of his robe, the Tower Master pulled out a silver pocket watch. 

“Here it is, your pocket watch, fully restored, my lady.” 

Ariel accepted the pocket watch, lowering her gaze to examine it as it rested in her palm. 

The cracks that had once marred the pocket watch were gone, and even the faded, time-worn areas had been fully restored.

It was as if the events at the Marquis of Bayern’s estate had never happened. The watch shone like new and a genuine smile spread across Ariel’s lips as she admired it.

“Thanks for fixing it, Tower Master.”

“It’s nothing, really. It’s the least I could do.”

Ariel lowered the hand holding the pocket watch to her lap and lifted her eyes to Aster. After a moment’s hesitation, she began to speak deliberately.

“I was wondering – why is the Tower Master helping me? And what exactly is this great debt you spoke of?”

“Ah, I see.”Aster replied with a slight nod, as if he had expected the question.

“No matter how much I think about it, I can’t remember any instance where we had a direct connection.”

“…” 

Aster remained silent, his expression unreadable. 

“Then it suddenly occurred to me. I’ve never met the Tower Master, but I have met someone who looks very much like you.”

Aster’s ever-present smile wavered slightly, the corner of his lips twitching.

Ariel continued, her thoughts reaching back to a distant memory. 

“Your younger sister. Princess Magicos.” 

Five years ago, at the Founding Festival banquet, Ariel had unexpectedly met Princess Faelin of the Kingdom of Magicos. 

Faelin, the twin sister of the Tower Master, had the same striking features as her brother, but their personalities couldn’t have been more different. 

While Aster was cheerful and effortlessly charismatic, Faelin was quiet and reserved, almost like a shadow cast by her brother’s brilliant light. 

In fact, although Aster Magicos was so famous that even children recognised him on the street, very few knew of his twin sister’s existence. 

Ariel herself had only learned of Faelin at the banquet. 

And it was on that day that she had stepped in to help Princess Faelin, who was being bullied. 

Ariel looked at Aster, whose usual smile had turned to a serious expression, and asked gently, 

“You’re helping me because I helped the princess all those years ago, aren’t you?” 

Aster held her gaze for a moment before nodding. 

“That’s right. Though, to be honest, I didn’t expect you to remember. After all, you only met Faelin once… But for her, it was an encounter she could never forget.” 

Back then, after ascending as a Transcendent and assuming the position of Tower Master, Faelin had been overshadowed and left behind by many. Ariel had been the only person to reach out to her during this difficult time. 

What might have been a simple act of kindness to Ariel had meant the world to Faelin. 

As Aster’s gaze momentarily softened with nostalgia, Lady Blante smiled warmly. 

“It may have been only once, but Princess Faelin is not one to be easily forgotten.” 

“She does look a bit like me, doesn’t she? We are twins, after all.”

“Hmm, it’s more that she didn’t seem like royalty at all. She treated people without prejudice, which isn’t often found, especially in someone of her status. She was truly pure and kind. 

Ariel smiled softly and Aster’s gaze wavered for a moment, a flicker of unspoken emotion crossing his face. 

Lowering his eyes slightly, Aster spoke in a low tone. 

“You’re the first.” 

“Pardon?” 

“You’re the first to see Faelin just as she is,” he said, raising his gaze just enough to meet hers. “Everyone else has always remembered her as my sister.” 

“Oh…” 

“But you’re right. Faelin, unlike me, is truly pure and innocent. A truly lovable… little sister,” he added with a faint smile, though his expression held a subtle hint of melancholy. Then, as if shaking off the heaviness, he continued, “She would be so happy to hear your words. Faelin thought very highly of you, you know.” 

Noticing the hint of sadness in his expression, Ariel chose not to comment, instead responding cheerfully. 

“It’s an honour to hear that the Princess thinks so highly of me. She’s doing well, isn’t she?” 

For a brief moment, Aster’s fingers trembled, though Ariel didn’t notice. He quickly folded them to hide the movement and lifted his gaze to meet hers. 

“Yes, she’s fine.” 

“I’m relieved to hear that.”

Ariel replied with a warm smile and picked up her teacup. After taking a sip, she gathered her thoughts and finally said what had been on her mind. 

“I am deeply grateful for all your help, Tower Master. But to repay me for helping the princess once in the past… this is far too much. You’ve already done so much – helping me at the party yesterday and repairing my pocket watch. That alone is more than enough. As for the guarantor thing… let’s consider it unnecessary. I’ll take care of it myself.” 

Ariel looked at him carefully, worried that her refusal might offend him. After all, his actions were born out of goodwill, and to reject them might seem ungrateful. 

But Aster didn’t seem the least bit bothered. On the contrary, a playful smile curved his lips, as if he found her words amusing. 

“I had a feeling you might refuse. After all, my gesture was rather one-sided. But, my lady, could I ask you to accept it, if only outwardly?” 

“Tower Master…” 

“The truth is, I have many regrets where Faelin is concerned. I couldn’t even act properly as her brother, let alone apologise for the things I should have done. So, if you’ll allow me, I’d like to extend my kindness to someone she held dear, if only as a way to atone. It’s the only way I can bear this guilt.” 

“Excuse me?” 

Ariel’s expression turned to one of confusion at his enigmatic words, unable to grasp their meaning. Aster, however, simply smiled softly and offered no further clarification. 

“I apologise for being so cryptic,” he said, “but one thing is certain. While my actions may serve my own conscience, I also believe that you are in a position where my help is truly needed.” 

“…” 

“If my offer has caused any discomfort, I sincerely apologise. But, my lady, please consider the reality – can you honestly say that you do not need my help?” 

His sapphire eyes held hers steadily, calm and determined. 

His gaze seemed to see right through her, as if he understood the desperate state of the Marquis of Blante’s estate and the weight of her hidden struggles. 

In that moment, Ariel couldn’t find it in herself to deny him. He was right. 

“…” 

She had held on as best she could, but the truth was that it had been unbearably difficult. 

The current situation of the estate was dire. With his guarantee, the overwhelming financial burden could finally be eased and the estate’s precious heirlooms would be safe. 

Lowering her eyes, Ariel ran her fingers along the smooth surface of the pocket watch in her hand. The cold metal seemed to reflect the harsh reality she had to accept. 

Finally, she raised her gaze to meet Aster’s steady eyes. 

“…Then, if it’s not too much to ask, I will gratefully accept your help as far as the guarantee is concerned. Thank you very much. I promise to do everything in my power to ensure that this never causes you any trouble.” 

“Oh, it’s hardly an inconvenience, so don’t worry about it. As I said, I’m doing this for myself as much as for you.”

Aster said with a subtle, enigmatic smile before finishing the last of his fruit tea. 

He set the cup down gently and glanced at the pocket watch in her hand. 

“By the way, my lady, do you remember me mentioning that this pocket watch holds a special enchantment?” 

Ariel remembered his earlier words – that he would reveal the details of the magic circle if she lent him the watch. 

“Ah, yes. You said you’d explain it to me.”

Aster’s blue eyes gleamed as he began to speak. 

“My lady, this watch contains an ancient…” 

Knock, knock. 

His words were cut short by a sudden knock at the door. 

“My lady, it’s the butler.”

Ariel gave the Tower Master an awkward smile as his words were abruptly cut off, then turned her attention to the door.

“Come in.”

The butler entered, his expression tinged with unease, and bowed deeply.

“I apologise for disturbing you, my lady. It’s an urgent matter and I’m afraid I’ve been rude.”

“What is it?” Ariel asked, her tone calm but curious.

“Someone from the Duke of Seyard’s household has arrived to see you, my lady.”

“What?” 

Ariel’s face froze at the butler’s words.

Could it be… Kylance? 

The thought came unbidden, but before she could dwell on it, the butler’s next words shattered the idea, almost as if mocking her assumption. 

“Sir Lowell Bristo, the Duke’s personal assistant, is here.”

“Ah.” 

Ariel sighed softly, surprised at her own reaction.

Did she really expect Kylance to come? 

After all the pain he had caused her… How foolish, how foolish. 

She scolded herself and quickly pulled herself together. Just then Aster, who had been quietly watching the scene, spoke. 

“It seems that an important guest has arrived, so I’ll take my leave now.” 

Ariel quickly turned to Aster, but he had already gotten up and was preparing to leave. 

Though she wanted to reassure him that he didn’t have to leave, her mind had already wandered, focused entirely on the visitor waiting outside.

Ariel lowered her eyes with a hint of apology as she stood with him.

“I’m sorry. We didn’t quite finish our conversation and now we’re suddenly wrapping things up. I’ll take you to the front of the estate.”

“There’s no need to apologise. We can always continue the discussion about the pocket watch later.”

“Still…”

“And if you need any more help, just look for a Markaran man at the Mondra Hotel on Teiran Street. I’ll be in the Empire for a while on business.”

He added with a slight smile,

“Oh, and the fact that I’m staying there is something only you know, of course.”

“Understood,” Ariel replied quietly. 

Aster’s eyes curved into a satisfied smile, as if pleased with her answer. 

“I’ll take my leave here. Thank you.”

With that, the Tower Master disappeared from her sight, leaving her standing alone.