Let’s Live Together - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

-46-

Hmm, after answering, I found Jafflin’s smooth acceptance of my words rather unfamiliar. Why is he suddenly being so agreeable? I’m used to his usual sarcastic demeanor, so this didn’t feel natural at all.

“Do you really believe I wasn’t wrong? Even though I didn’t explain in detail?”

“If a teacher doesn’t trust their student, who will? From what I’ve seen, you are not someone who doesn’t acknowledge their own mistakes.”

I was momentarily speechless, not expecting such sincere words of recognition from him without any hint of sarcasm.

Seeing my reaction, Jafflin spoke up.

“It seems you’re not very comfortable with compliments.”

“It’s not that, but,”

“Are you admitting you have a foul temper?”

He always finds a way to ruin the moment. He can’t go thirty seconds without making a snide remark. My mood soured instantly, and I waved my hand dismissively.

“Enough. That’s enough.”

“The Duke Roan seems quite worried.”

“About me?”

“Who else would it be?”

Jafflin asked with a face that said the answer was obvious.

“Right.”

I replied, giving Jafflin a wry smile.

“His expression was intense when he carried you out. I still can’t get used to that terrifying aura.”

“Have you experienced it before?”

Jafflin, who had been shaking his head, laughed at my question.

“Of course I have.”

When facing monsters, when calling her ‘Del,’ when talking with Delis,

When seeing her…

“Student.”

“Yes?”

“No matter how charming I am, you shouldn’t fall for me.”

“…?”

Delis looked at him with a face that asked what nonsense he was talking about.

“We are teacher and student. Once a teacher, always a teacher. Understand?”

“That sounds familiar. Enough, as a teacher, please teach me some magic.”

What is he talking about? I didn’t feel his silly comments were worth responding to.

“Have you succeeded with the spell I taught you last time?”

“No. It’s too difficult.”

I couldn’t feel even a trace of mana or anything. So there’s no way the spell would succeed. Sigh.

“But I’m trying not to be too impatient.”

“That’s good. Impatience is the quickest way to fail. Believe in yourself. I wouldn’t have taken you on as a student if I thought you would fail.”

“Yes. But, how did you start with magic, Master?”

“…Well, I started because I had nothing else to do.”

Jafflin nonchalantly made an infuriating comment. Saying he started magic because he had nothing else to do would make those who tried everything to become a mage but failed due to a lack of innate talent want to throw stones at him.

Becoming a mage was akin to a professional career in this world. If one managed to become a mage, they wouldn’t have to worry about employment or money. High-ranking mages were treated on par with high-ranking nobles regardless of their original status.

However, it was rare for commoners to become mages. The cost was the biggest barrier.

First, very few people knew about ‘Lena,’ and books on Lena were rare. Even if one managed to find a book, learning it usually required the help of mages who knew Lena, whose services were exceedingly expensive.

Most mages preferred accumulating their own knowledge and had little interest in teaching others, so free lessons were out of the question.

Thus, becoming a mage was almost exclusively a privilege of the nobility. Even among nobles, those with the talent to interpret Lena and feel mana were scarce.

Rich and idle as they were, even nobles struggled to learn Lena without an extraordinary mind capable of self-study and the innate talent to harness and feel mana. For commoners, becoming a mage was virtually impossible.

Such a dirty world. To make a lot of money, you need to have a lot of money first.

“That’s quite enviable.”

“Enviable, huh…”

He let out a faint laugh, as if to finish the trailing words.

“It was truly a survival choice. There wasn’t much I could do in this palace.”

Jafflin’s voice suddenly took on a heavy tone, not typical of him. He continued with a bitter smile.

“The life of a prince in a country where the crown prince is predetermined is not very hopeful. History proves that. Most princes in my position have either been killed or lived far away from the capital.”

Hearing the word ‘killed,’ I gulped and looked at Jafflin. Staring into space, he let out a self-mocking laugh. He spoke as if he were reciting a soliloquy.

“Of course, I know. My mother stands by my side, and my brother is not one to kill his siblings without reason.”

“…….”

“But… I was just tired of the situation. The stifling life of a prince. I have no interest in the throne, but the constant suspicion that I might, wore me down. And my mother harbored dreams that should never be realized. Though she has given up on them after my persuasion.

I believe she knew deep down that the imperial faction would never collapse as long as Duke Roan was behind my brother. It was a foolish thought. But I couldn’t blame her, as her actions were driven by a survival instinct.”

It felt like he was having a moment of confession.

Dreams that should not be pursued… Does he mean trying to make Jafflin the crown prince? Just mentioning that is dangerous. Is it really okay for him to tell me this? Saying outright that he once tried to remove Roan’s faction in front of Roan’s wife… My head felt muddled.

But Jafflin didn’t seem to care about such matters.

“So I learned magic. I despised the fact that the only thing that could prove my existence was the title of prince. Since I had nothing but that title, I learned magic to survive.”

…The weight of his words was palpable. Though he loved to wander, I hadn’t realized there was such a reason behind it. It made sense why Jafflin had roamed around so much.

“Perhaps that’s why I envied you, Duchess.”

“…Me?”

“You said you wanted to learn magic to protect. Though similar, our intentions differ greatly, don’t they? I was curious to see what someone with your mindset could achieve. The reason I decided to teach you magic was to…”

He paused for a moment before continuing.

“Understand you, and perhaps, become a bit more like you.”

“…Oh.”

I felt like I should say something, but as usual, nothing came to mind.

Just…

“Haha. I ended up confessing to you, Duchess. Don’t think too harshly of it. Compared to past princes, I haven’t lived that harsh life.”

Jafflin returned to his usual tone.

“It must have been tough.”

All I could think was that Jafflin must have had a hard time. Everyone carries the weight of their own life, but that doesn’t make it any less difficult to bear. I thought only Roan had a tough life, but this novel is full of characters with heartbreaking stories.

“…….”

I expected him to smile as usual, but this time, Jafflin didn’t. After a moment of silence, he turned to look at me.

“I’m glad I chose to be your teacher.”

Finally, Jafflin smiled, a genuine smile devoid of self-mockery or anything else.

For a moment, something seemed to shimmer in his eyes.

Pretending not to notice, I realized my thoughts about him had shifted slightly.

I couldn’t deny that his sincere confession had changed my feelings. Sincerity is powerful; it can move people’s hearts.

Alright, I truly recognize you as my teacher now.

“So, please teach me well from now on, Master.”

As I said this, I felt the oddness of our bond. Who would have thought that the person who seemed like the epitome of bad luck when we first met would become someone like this to me?

“Of course. I’ll teach you with all my heart.”

Jafflin added with a playful grin.

“But be prepared for some tough training.”

D*mn it.

***

After giving me a few pieces of advice, Jafflin ended the lesson, telling me to send him a letter once I could sense mana. And today’s remaining agenda…

“It’s time to get ready.”

It was time to meet with the noblewomen.

“Alright.”

Sigh. I briefly considered just skipping it.

Honestly, I had no great attachment to the social scene. The only reason I put up with the stress and discomfort was to avoid giving the Marchioness the satisfaction of thinking I was avoiding her. That redhead would surely assume she was right, that I hadn’t shown up because I was in the wrong. I couldn’t stand that. Even if it meant enduring indigestion, I had to go. I tried to reassure myself that I’d be okay.

I was almost ready when there was a knock at the door.

“Knock, knock.”

“Your Grace, it’s the Dowager Duchess.”

“Mother? Please let her in.”

It was unusual for her to seek me out at this time. What’s going on?

Alexandra entered, also dressed for going out.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes. Are you going somewhere, Mother?”

“Yes, I am. You’re going to Duchess Paltry’s invitation, right?”

“Yes? You too, Mother?”

“I received an invitation at the last birthday banquet.”

Ah, I didn’t know because I received my invitation before Alexandra came to the duchy.