Chapter 7.3

“Within the next three days… no, a week at most, I’ll try to resolve everything. I’ve failed a few times, but I have a stack of research on breaking love spells that’s as tall as I am. With a little more effort, I’ll figure it out.”  

Peter’s eyebrows drooped. Despite the chilly autumn weather, beads of sweat formed on his forehead.  

“…But it’s a bit strange. For a mage of the Commander’s level not to realize he’s under a spell, I could chalk that up to my extraordinary talent… but it’s odd that he can’t shake off a spell that’s already expired. Senior Mage Erina mentioned something about that, too.”  

Peter muttered to himself. After groaning for a while, he suddenly brightened, as if he had an epiphany.  

“I must really be a genius mage!”  

Oh, for goodness’ sake. 

If Erina had been standing next to him, she would have smacked his back and said, “Get a grip.”  

“By the way… this might sound a bit strange, but, Librarian Marianne…”  

Peter cautiously began, meeting Marianne’s gaze, which was accompanied by a smile.  

“…You look a little disappointed.”  

“Pardon? Oh, no.”  

“…”  

“…”  

“No, you definitely do.”  

The awkward atmosphere made Peter glance nervously at Marianne. He seemed to think some explanation was necessary.  

“When the spell breaks, only you and I will have to bear this secret, so… it’s okay to be a little honest, isn’t it?”  

“Of course!”  

“…Honestly, at first, I was glad the spell on Sylvester hadn’t broken.”  

The moment Marianne’s words fell onto the small café table, Peter’s mouth dropped open. Marianne continued.  

“So please, don’t feel too sorry for me.”  

“Are you saying… you wish the spell wouldn’t break?”  

“No. The spell must break. That’s why I came to you, albeit late, to ask you to resolve this.”  

“…”  

“But I sincerely hope you and the other mages don’t feel too guilty. The time I spent with Sylvester was truly happy.”  

Peter’s already crestfallen face grew even more pitiful. He looked like he might burst into tears if someone so much as tapped him.  

“So I think you should direct all future apologies to Sylvester, no, the Marquis. Once everything is resolved, don’t be too honest about it. Oh, I’m not trying to teach you how to do your job as a mage.”  

Marianne waved her hands, worried her words might have sounded offensive.  

“…No. I’ll apologize.”  

“…”  

“I’ll apologize to both you and the Commander.”  

Peter said.  

“I’m sorry, Librarian. For the next ten years, I, and all of Research Division 3, will be your loyal servants. I’ll even leave notes on the desks of the mages who’ve lost their memories. ‘I am a loyal servant of Marianne Lane.’ One line will do.”  

Marianne burst into laughter as she watched Peter, who seemed genuinely sincere. The previously heavy atmosphere began to lighten.  

“Librarian…”  

Still looking uneasy, Peter cautiously called out to Marianne.  

“Yes?”  

“When the spell breaks, and you’re the only one left with these precious memories… won’t it be too hard for you?”  

“…”  

“I know a mage who can use a memory-erasing spell. It can’t erase everything, only fragments, and the success rate isn’t great, but still…”  

“No.”  

In a firm voice, Marianne cut Peter off.  

“These memories are precious to me. I don’t want to forget them.”  

Marianne finished speaking with a small smile. That smile carried the happiness she had felt during her time with Sylvester. It was a happiness so profound that even someone as oblivious as Peter could sense it immediately.  

“…The Commander will cherish his memories with you as well.”  

Blinking his large eyes, Peter said to Marianne. His unexpected words left her momentarily speechless.  

“The Commander gave you a magic stone as a gift, didn’t he?”  

“…”  

“I remember that day vividly. When the magic stone research succeeded, the Commander looked genuinely happy. He’s usually so stoic, even when accomplishing incredible feats of magic. Well, he is a genius, so success probably feels ordinary to him, which is why he always seems so composed.”  

Peter continued.  

“But that day, the Commander looked truly joyful. He spent a long time examining the completed magic stone. And today… knowing that you received that magic stone as a gift, it feels strange.”  

“…”  

“Do you think the Commander wants to lose his memories?”  

Various magical formulas and circles floated through Peter’s mind.  

“As I mentioned earlier, even if the spell breaks, there might be a way to preserve the memories. It might take some time, but…”  

“No.”  

“…”  

“It’s better for Sylvester to forget me.”  

Marianne’s conversation with Sylvester’s father, Eirn, replayed in her mind. She also recalled the occasional mocking glances and remarks from others.  

“True love—not a love born from a spell—will find its way to the Marquis soon.”  

“…But what about your love, Librarian?”  

Peter asked Marianne. She didn’t answer that question. She simply smiled silently.  

The chilly autumn breeze swept across the outdoor terrace of the café. Feeling that wind, Marianne couldn’t help but think of Sylvester once more.

***

The low sound of laughter echoed through the office of Sylvester Amadeus, the Marquis of Velarc and the Commander of the Second Knight Order, which was also part of the Mage Division.  

‘……He’s lost it, completely.’  

Allen thought as he looked at the man who owned this office and was also his superior. Allen and Sylvester’s connection began during the Rift War. That connection had already entered its seventh year this year.  

For Allen, who had just turned twenty-five this year, seven years was by no means a short time. Four years were spent on the battlefield, and the remaining three years were spent in the capital, where Allen faithfully played the role of Sylvester’s right-hand man.  

But in all those seven years, Allen had never seen Sylvester act so strangely.  

Sylvester was an unlucky man. In this empire, that was practically a given, almost like saying, ‘Water is water, and mountains are mountains.’ But as the saying goes, blood is thicker than water, and Allen didn’t think Sylvester was entirely a bad person.  

Rather than calling him unlucky… it was more accurate to say he was a bit indifferent to others, spoke too beautifully (which was sarcasm), didn’t know how to be humble, rarely smiled except when mocking others, and was a self-centered person.  

The changes in Sylvester began exactly six months ago. Specifically, it started when he rolled up his sleeves to discipline the knights who had neglected the dogs at the back gate.  

Sylvester, by nature, had no interest in any living creatures. This included fluffy animals that were inherently lovable and adorable just by existing. And yet, he suddenly decided to take care of dogs he hadn’t even known existed?  

There was definitely something more to it.  

Being perceptive, Allen quickly investigated the dogs near the back gate. In the process, he learned the name of a woman who had been taking care of them.  

For now, Allen decided to observe Sylvester quietly. And during his observation, he noticed Sylvester, who had a perfectly well-equipped study of his own, repeatedly sneaking off to the library. Knowing that the woman who fed the dogs was an apprentice librarian, Allen had an epiphany.  

Could Sylvester have fallen for that librarian? That thought crossed Allen’s mind briefly, though he soon dismissed it.  

In seven years, Allen had never seen Sylvester show interest in others. Not even in the perfect noble lady, whom his father had introduced as a potential future partner. If someone like him couldn’t even feel love for a noble lady of such caliber, then love was out of the question. Allen concluded that Sylvester’s frequent visits to the library were simply because… well, maybe he liked the library itself.  

But about a month ago, Sylvester’s behavior became alarmingly strange. He greeted Allen in the morning—with a smile.  

Sure, a morning greeting wasn’t impossible. But if Sylvester laughed at Allen’s jokes? If he overlooked someone’s mistake? If he welcomed the Commander of the First Knight Order with a smile and dismissed the nonsense of nobles as if it were nothing?  

And when he reviewed the research results submitted by the mages—results that would usually have provoked sharp, biting remarks—he merely said:  

“Not bad. Keep going.”  

The mages, who heard this, dropped their magic stones, papers, and quills onto the floor in shock.  

In short, Sylvester had softened a little. If the intensity of his unpleasantness had been at 100 before, it had dropped to around 89 over the past month.  

The mages of the Second Knight Order began to tremble in fear, saying the Commander seemed far too cheerful lately. The knights of the First Knight Order also felt an inexplicable dread when they saw Sylvester smiling. The situation was serious.  

But Allen soon found the answer to this problem. He had followed his superior and Marianne. And within just five minutes of tailing them, he figured out the reason for Sylvester’s strangeness. It was clear just by looking into Sylvester’s eyes.  

‘Our Marquis has truly, truly fallen in love.’  

So? Allen decided to wholeheartedly support Sylvester. After all, the stranger Sylvester became, the easier Allen’s workload got—despite the odd feelings it gave him. Besides, after spending seven years together, even an unlikely friendship could form.