Chapter 52

As the sun was setting, the carriage carrying Louis traveled along, cutting through the red sky. Vivian watched it for a long time until it became very small, and then Tia came running out, calling Vivian.

“Young Lady!”

Vivian turned her gaze from the now tiny carriage to look at Tia.

“Aitor is said to be in Ian’s room right now.”

“In Ian’s room?”

Without waiting for Tia’s response, Vivian moved toward Ian’s room. She quickly climbed the stairs and stood in front of Ian’s room, raising her hand to knock.

However, before Vivian’s hand could touch the door, it swung open.

“Hello.”

With a sly smile on his face, Aitor greeted Vivian.

“Aitor. When on earth did you… Ugh!”

Vivian opened her mouth to ask Aitor when he had returned to the mansion, but she was interrupted by Zero, who squeezed between Aitor and the door, causing her to stumble back.

“Zero. Didn’t I tell you to be mindful of your size? Vivi almost fell.”

Aitor quickly grabbed Vivian’s arm as she lost her balance.

“Ugh…”

Zero’s ears drooped at Aitor’s words. At that moment, a brown head popped out between Aitor’s legs and Zero’s fur.

“Sis! When did you… Ow! Zero! Move aside a bit.”

“Snort!”

“Then, Aitor, you move aside.”

“I’m cramped too. Ian, can’t you move over there?”

“Aitor, you move!”

In the narrow space of the doorway, Zero, Ian, and Aitor were tangled together, grunting.

Vivian sighed and pulled on the other doorknob that wasn’t being opened. With the sudden creation of a wide space, the three of them awkwardly looked at each other.

As Vivian entered the widened space and closed the door, Aitor, Zero, and Ian followed her inside, trailing behind.

“Ian. How are you feeling?”

“Great! I’m very healthy!”

Ian rolled up his sleeves, trying to show muscles that were nowhere to be found.

“Who taught you that?”

“Rayden!”

At Ian’s answer, Aitor clicked his tongue, wondering if that guy was still doing that.

“When did you come back, Aitor?”

“Me? Just now!”

“Just now? I was at the door.”

Vivian had been standing there for quite a while after seeing Louis off.

“Aitor came in through the window!”

Ian excitedly approached the window. The terrace window was slightly open. Ian pointed to it.

“Here! He came in through here.”

“Why did you come in through the window when there’s a perfectly good door?”

“Well… it’s a habit, I guess? Haha.”

Aitor laughed awkwardly, scratching his head. Next to Aitor, Zero wagged his tail continuously, looking at him.

Vivian closed the window letting in the cold air and drew the curtains before sitting in the spot where the nanny had been knitting earlier in the day.

As Vivian sat down, Zero leaped onto the sofa with a light movement. After Zero settled on Vivian’s right, Ian scurried over and plopped down on the empty left side.

“What about me? Where do I sit?”

Aitor alternated his gaze between Zero and Ian. But both Zero and Ian avoided Aitor’s eyes.

Pouting, Aitor squeezed himself into the small sofa that originally belonged to Ian.

“Your Highness came and went, right?”

Before Vivian could speak, Aitor asked first.

“Yes.”

“Then you must know why I was there.”

When Vivian nodded, Aitor grinned and rested his chin on his knees, which were drawn up tightly.

“Sis. Did the Crown Prince come and go?”

Ian tugged on Vivian’s arm to draw her attention.

“But he just left?”

“Hmm?”

“He just left without seeing me?”

Vivian let out a small laugh. Ian, who had been on edge, was now visibly disappointed that the Crown Prince left without saying goodbye.

“Because you have a cold. It would be a big problem if he caught it.”

“Aitor greets me every day, though? And he never caught a cold?”

“Every day?”

Aitor, who had been slouched, straightened his shoulders at Ian’s words and lifted his chin proudly.

“I don’t lose to something like a cold.”

Ian’s eyes sparkled at Aitor’s words.

“Aitor is stronger than the Crown Prince!”

Vivian thought she understood why Aitor and Ian became fast friends. They both had eyes full of mischief.

“If you rest well today, you can come out of your room starting tomorrow.”

“Wow! Really? Is it true?”

Vivian nodded as she patted Ian’s hair, which was sticking up. Ian jumped off his seat and ran to Zero.

“Zero! We can play together again starting tomorrow!”

Zero licked Ian’s face all over. Ian wiped off Zero’s slobber, holding his stomach and laughing, saying it tickled.

Watching them, Vivian suddenly remembered they hadn’t had dinner yet.

“Shall we have dinner together?”

When Vivian suggested it, Aitor nodded. The two of them left Ian’s room and headed toward the dining room. Vivian subtly glanced at Aitor from head to toe.

“Why are you looking at me like that? It’s embarrassing.”

Vivian was curious about what they taught this child at magic school besides magic, as she watched Aitor button up his clothes with a sly smile.

“Wait a moment, Aitor.”

Vivian stopped Aitor as he was about to enter the dining room. Aitor, who had been looking down at his sleeve that Vivian held, erased his sly smile and looked at her.

“Why do you look so serious?”

“Aitor… You’re not doing anything dangerous, right?”

“What? I thought it was something else.”

Aitor, who had been frightened by Vivian’s expression, laughed like air escaping a balloon. He shrugged his shoulders and took Vivian’s hand that was holding his sleeve.

“I’m honored that you are so worried about me, Young Lady.”

Aitor gently placed his lips on the back of Vivian’s hand.

Vivian, realizing belatedly that Aitor was kissing the back of her hand, tried to pull it away in surprise. But Aitor was quicker, tightening his grip on her hand.

“But why are you so worried about me?”

Aitor lifted his lips from the back of her hand and looked at Vivian. His lips were still close to the back of her hand, and his warm breath tickled her skin.

“Be-because we’re friends.”

“Ah, I see.”

At Vivian’s answer, Aitor released his grip on her hand. As soon as Vivian’s hand was free, she quickly hid the back of her hand behind her back.

Aitor chuckled at her reaction and opened the dining room door.

“Uh, the meal isn’t fully prepared yet.”

“That’s okay. Don’t mind us and continue.”

Aitor flashed a friendly smile. The maid preparing the meal blushed at Aitor’s words and bowed her head.

Vivian watched from the hallway, rubbing the back of her hand on her dress, wishing to see the innocent Aitor from their childhood.

As Vivian and Aitor entered the dining room, the servants became busy. Thanks to their swift movements, delicious-looking food was soon laid out without a long wait.

Just as Vivian picked up a piece of pre-sliced bread and was about to take a bite, Aitor, who had set down his water glass, spoke.

“It would be a lie to say it’s not dangerous. I don’t want to lie to Vivi.”

Vivian put down the bread and took a sip of water at Aitor’s words. She wanted to hear it directly from Aitor, but he had been subtly avoiding the topic.

Though she felt it was impolite to ask when he didn’t want to talk about it, the thought of Aitor being involved in something dangerous kept her worry growing.

“I don’t know how much His Highness told you, but as you know, I’m quite famous at the Mage Tower.”

Aitor brought up the heavy topic lightly.

“Since I was recommended by His Majesty the Emperor, to them, I’m practically a spy planted openly by the Empire.”

“Aitor…”

“There’s no need to make that face. Not all the wizards dislike me.”

Aitor smiled at Vivian and took a large bite of bread. After savoring it slowly, he nodded, seemingly satisfied with the taste.

After chewing thoroughly and swallowing, Aitor continued.

“I have Zero, two close colleagues, a mentor who isn’t biased, Rayden who visits occasionally, and His Highness who keeps watching my back.”

Warmth settled in Aitor’s shining blue eyes.

“And there’s you, Vivi, who writes to me regularly even if I can’t reply.”

Aitor laughed. Just like when they first met at ten years old.

“Sometimes I do dangerous things, but I’ve never thought they were unjust.”

“Have you been hurt?”

“My friend is an excellent healing wizard. I’m fine!”

Though meant to reassure, Aitor’s words only added to Vivian’s worry.

Seeing Vivian’s expression harden, Aitor put down his bread, propped his chin on his hand, and watched her.

“Why are you so worried about me? Because we’re friends? Do you worry about all your friends this much?”

“Of course.”

“While working at the magic school and the Mage Tower, I’ve learned something. It’s not a high-level magic without a magic formula or complicated politics. Do you know what it is?”

Vivian shook her head.

“It’s that nothing is taken for granted.”

Vivian just blinked. Aitor’s playful eyes had turned into something like an ocean that could freeze you with just a dip.

“People who need me—or rather, need my abilities—approach me.”

A bitter smile crossed Aitor’s lips.

“The only person who approached me without needing anything was my adoptive father.”

Aitor shifted his gaze from Vivian to the cooling vegetable soup.

He picked up a spoon and stirred the soup he wouldn’t eat.

“When my adoptive father passed away, I thought no one in this world would worry about me unconditionally.”

Vivian wanted to say something, but her mouth wouldn’t open easily.

“But, Vivi.”

Aitor set down the spoon he had been stirring the soup with carelessly. The clear sound of the spoon hitting the bowl rang out.

“Did you know your eyes resemble my adoptive father’s?”

Aitor smiled at Vivian, his eyes crinkling. There was sadness and longing in that smile.

Aitor’s raw emotions pierced through Vivian vividly.

Unconsciously, Vivian looked away from Aitor’s eyes, lowering her head.

“Thank you.”

Vivian lifted her head.

“For worrying about me like you did when we first met at 10.”

The sadness and longing had disappeared from Aitor’s face.

Only affection remained.