Chapter 4

The streets were completely empty.

“Why is there no one around?”

“…I’m not sure either.”

Jehel sighed.

As they raced down the main road and approached the center of the capital, in front of the Imperial Palace, they finally understood where all the people had gone.

The closer they got, the louder the noise of the gathered crowd became.

Everyone, young and old, had flocked to the square in front of the Imperial Palace, creating a scene of chaos.

“Explain this! What in the world is going on?”

“Where is the Master of the Mage Tower?”

“Why has the barrier disappeared?”

“Your Majesty! What on earth is happening?”

Kanis and her group were guided by a soldier through the back entrance of the Imperial Palace.

The palace, said to have been remodeled from an ancient castle, bore the evident marks of time.

“The carriage step is high, so be careful.”

Michael, who had disembarked first, extended his hand to Kanis.

He appeared completely unaffected, making his earlier demeanor seem like a lie.

Whatever he felt, it wasn’t something Kanis needed to concern herself with…

Kanis placed her small hand on top of Michael’s.

“Michael!”

As Kanis was stepping down, the Emperor hurriedly approached from a distance.

Behind him trailed the chamberlain and a line of royal guards, like sausages strung together.

“Michael, what is the meaning of this? The news of the Master of the Mage Tower’s death… it must be false, right?”

“She is dead.”

“W-what?”

The Emperor clutched his arm, and the chamberlain scolded him.

“Your Majesty, you must compose yourself. If you collapse again, your health will be at risk. Please take a deep breath first…”

Michael, however, replied in a calm and definitive tone.

“Master of the Mage Tower, Kanis Riventi, is dead. Stop searching for her.”

“…”

The Emperor placed a hand on Michael’s shoulder.

“You…!”

“But we cannot reveal this truth to the people outside, can we?”

“D-do you have a better plan?”

Michael glanced at Kanis.

What? Me?

Kanis frowned at him, prompting Michael to turn his gaze away.

“Let’s discuss this inside. I’ll follow shortly, so please go ahead.”

“…You’d better have a full explanation. Do you understand?”

With that sharp retort, the Emperor, already drained, turned back.

Three chamberlains rushed to support him.

Michael knelt on one knee in front of Kanis.

“Kanna.”

“Earlier, you were so sure Kanis was dead…”

Michael shook his head.

“The Imperial Family needs to wake up to reality.”

“…”

Kanis sighed.

“What do you want me to do?”

“I brought you here against your will.”

Michael gave a faint smile.

Then, he reached out and gently patted Kanis’s head.

It was a tender touch.

“They’ll try to use you once they find out who you are. Knowing that, I still brought you to the palace. So, I won’t make excuses.”

“…”

“But I promise you this—I’ll protect you and ensure they don’t lay a finger on you. I’ll make sure you can return when the time comes.”

“…”

“So, will you help me?”

He leaned closer to meet Kanis’s eyes.

Since becoming a child, Kanis had grown used to looking up at everyone. She suddenly realized that Michael always made an effort to meet her gaze when they spoke.

Michael placed his hands on his knees and bowed his head.

“Even if it’s just one last time, I want to meet the Master of the Mage Tower again.”

Kanis furrowed her brow. What could be so urgent?

“Why do you want to meet her so badly?”

“…”

“Do you have some pressing business with her?”

Michael mulled over her words, then shook his head with a bitter smile.

“No. I just need to see her.”

Kanis couldn’t understand.

If there wasn’t any urgent matter, then why?

Why did he want to meet me?

In any case, it wasn’t a difficult task. After all, they had crossed paths once or twice a year before.

“Fine, but on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“I’ll help you, but only if you promise to fulfill all my requests to the best of your ability while I’m in the palace.”

Michael grinned and agreed.

“Alright. I promise.”

If what he had in mind were things a six-year-old might want, he was in for a surprise soon enough.

Kanis had no intention of warning him in advance.

Now that she had found a representative and secured a safe haven in the palace where she could live comfortably, all she needed was her body back. Meeting Michael once wouldn’t be difficult.

Feeling somewhat refreshed, Kanis smiled back at Michael.

“Well then, shall we go?”

“Huh?”

Kanis was suddenly lifted by her armpits.

“Hey, where are we going? Aren’t you meeting the Emperor?”

“Since I’m going to do whatever I want anyway, there’s no need to waste time.”

Michael strode forward without hesitation.

Kanis, sensing something ominous, grabbed Michael’s shoulder and squirmed.

“Hey, I can walk, you know?”

“This is my way of sparing you the trouble with your short legs.”

“If this is your idea of consideration, then bringing me to the palace must be for my protection too.”

“You understand perfectly. No need to thank me.”

Kanis imagined poking Michael’s eyes with her fingers.

She even envisioned him screaming and rolling on the ground.

It was her way of practicing self-restraint to avoid using magic in a fit of anger.

After all, no one suspected that the “Kanna,” who looked identical to the Master of the Mage Tower, was actually the Mage Tower’s master herself.

Thus, it was crucial not to reveal her ability to use magic.

Besides, her mana reserves were limited, and it was better to save them for emergencies.

Moreover, it wasn’t advisable to reveal that she was a mage at such a young age…

Just then, Kanis’s hair fluttered in the wind.

The midday sun poured down.

The noise of the crowd filled her ears.

Kanis widened her eyes.

Still cradled in Michael’s arms, she found herself on a terrace overlooking the crowd gathered in the square.

It was the same terrace where members of the Imperial Family would occasionally show themselves during major celebrations…

Kanis urgently whispered into Michael’s ear.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

Michael ignored her and stepped to the edge of the terrace.

“It’s the Crown Prince!”

“What’s going on?”

“Where is the Master of the Mage Tower? Your Highness!”

“Are we safe?”

When Michael raised his free hand, the noisy crowd fell silent.

“First, I deeply regret the misunderstanding between the Master of the Mage Tower and myself, which has caused inconvenience to everyone.”

Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?

“This child is the hidden offspring of the Master of the Mage Tower…”

Kanis forced a smile as countless eyes turned toward her.

What they saw was a face awkwardly twisted into a grimace, but still.

What was she supposed to say to explain this later when she returned to normal?

Whether or not he knew about Kanis’s inner turmoil, the crowd began murmuring again.

They speculated about the resemblance, expressed disbelief that the Master of the Mage Tower had a child, and questioned what would happen next.

“I assure you, the Master of the Mage Tower is alive and well. The barrier will soon be restored, as this was merely a result of her hiding due to our misunderstanding.”

At that moment, someone in the crowd shouted.

“What kind of misunderstanding? Did the Imperial Family make unreasonable demands on her?”

“I can only tell you this much. This child’s father is none other than me.”

For a moment, the crowd fell into a stunned silence.

Of course, Kanis herself felt as though lightning had struck her out of nowhere.

What?

“I’m sure you’re listening, Kanis! I was entirely at fault, so please just come back.”

Michael placed a hand over his chest, furrowing his brows as if deeply regretful.

“Our daughter, Kanna, is safe with me, so don’t worry.”

What—

What nonsense is this???

“But, Your Highness! A child? Didn’t the Master of the Mage Tower reject your proposal?”

“My proposal and this are separate matters.”

The questioner nodded as if convinced.

“Hmm. It’s possible to dislike marriage.”

What?

“If you have anything to say, Kanis, come to me anytime. I’ll be waiting.”

With a suspicious smile, Michael made his exit.

As the terrace doors closed, the buzzing noise of the crowd was abruptly cut off.

Kanis clung to her sanity as she managed to ask.

“What do you mean… you’re my father? Do you have a death wish?”

Ignoring the murderous intent radiating from her, Michael replied.

“I got the idea from the innkeeper’s misunderstanding. Don’t you think it worked well?”

Kanis grabbed Michael by the collar and yelled.

“Worked well? What worked well? Tell me, what worked well?!”

Michael, unfazed, even hummed a tune as he asked Kanis.

“How angry do you think she is?”

“What?”

“Don’t you think she’s mad enough to show up right now and confront me?”