Chapter 12: Burning Up

“Want to go to the market together for the first time in a while?”  

“Yes! Matil! Help me get ready to go out!”  

“Yes, My Lady. This way.”

As the maid Matilda and Ariel left, Seirin called Noah, who was staring out the window.

“I know it’s rude to say this, but you and the Marquis are too harsh on a ten-year-old child.”  

“……”  

“Noah. Ariel is—”  

“Sorry, Seirin. I don’t want to fight with you about this. I’m really sorry.”  

“Alright, but just remember this. I hope neither you nor the Marquis do anything you’ll regret later.”

Seirin sighed and rolled up her sleeves.

“And I’m going to meet every single kid who bullied Ariel and make sure they never run their mouths again.”  

“……Ha, Seirin. Anyone would think Ariel was your sister.”  

“Noah, you’re my precious childhood friend. So Ariel is like a real sister to me. We’re like family.”  

“……”  

“Noah?”  

“Yes, that’s right. We’re… I’ll get ready to go out too, so wait for me?”  

“Okay.”

Noah’s usual smile felt oddly cold to Seirin, but she brushed it off, thinking instead about how to teach those kids a lesson.

Noah, after glancing back at Seirin several times, entered his room and closed the door, scrunching up his handsome face.

“Why… Seirin, you only see me as a friend. Like family! I’ve never once seen you as just a friend or family.”

Noah, unable to say these words to Seirin, muttered them to himself as he sat down on the floor.

“If we hadn’t met as childhood friends… Would Seirin have seen me as a man? No… No. If I hadn’t even been her childhood friend, I couldn’t have even spoken to her. Seirin…”

Noah knew Seirin well, having watched her since childhood. Her only interests were books and magic. He gave a bitter smile, slowly stood up, and stood in front of the wall covered with photos of memories with Seirin.

They’d become friends thanks to their mothers, who were close from the time they started walking. He liked her smile, grew to like her more, and now loved her more than anyone. But today, Seirin seemed even more oblivious to his feelings, and Noah couldn’t give up.

‘I won’t drag this out anymore. Who knows, maybe Seirin will accept my feelings. Yes.’

Fully prepared, Noah changed into his outing clothes and returned, walking up to Seirin and Ariel, who were chatting and laughing.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go to Dr. Albert.”  

“Before that. There’s somewhere we need to go.”  

“W-where?”  

“You’ll see.”

Seeing Seirin’s eyes flash, Noah felt uneasy and quickly followed her as she strode ahead.

“Seirin, I have to ask, Lady Loretta is the Headmaster’s granddaughter at Ariel’s school…”  

“So?”  

“What do you mean, so?”  

“Just because she’s the Headmaster’s granddaughter, does that mean she can bully her classmates?”  

“That’s not what I meant…”  

“Noah, you know what kind of adults kids like that grow up to be. That’s why you have to nip it in the bud.”  

“Ha, alright.”

Noah knew that no words could stop or persuade Seirin, who was full of justice. Hoping nothing major would happen, he got into the carriage with her, deciding to use magic if things got out of hand, even if he had to face the consequences.

‘It’s better than Seirin getting scolded by the Duchess or getting a month’s probation like last time.’

Because of her inability to tolerate injustice, Seirin often caused trouble. For example, a few months ago, while picking out books at a bookstore, she saw a noble child bullying a commoner and couldn’t resist giving that noble a brief lesson.

She beat him up, then healed him, but when the Duchess heard about it, she scolded Seirin for acting like a thug and using violence instead of words. Seirin argued that words wouldn’t work with people like that, and that a beating was the only solution, but showed no sign of remorse and was put on probation for a month.

Noah, who had experienced these minor incidents with Seirin, decided to protect her this time as they arrived at Marquis Loretta’s mansion.

“Sister Seirin……”  

“Don’t be scared, Riel. I’m here.”

Seirin stroked Ariel’s trembling head, got out of the carriage first, and held out her hand to the child, gently taking her to the gates of Marquis Loretta’s mansion.

“W-We didn’t get word that you were coming, Lady Damarania……”  

“Sorry for coming without notice. It was urgent.”  

“Yes, p-please wait a moment.”

As a knight hurried inside, Marquis Loretta and his wife came out to greet the empire’s only Lady.

“May I ask why you have come to visit, Lady Damarania?”

“Hoho. Marquis Loretta, this might take a while. May we go inside?”  

“Ah, of course. Maid, why are you just standing there? At least serve some tea.”  

“Yes!”  

“Oh, tea isn’t necessary. I’ll just talk and leave soon.”  

“Ah, then please, come in.”  

“Thank you for welcoming me so kindly even without notice, Marquis.”  

“Haha, n-no need to mention it.”

Following the sweating Marquis, Seirin entered the mansion. At that moment, she saw Lady Loretta and her group of friends who seemed to be visiting. Seirin didn’t need to ask Ariel to know.

‘Those girls… And every single one of them…’

Seirin recognized Lady Loretta, who glanced at Ariel standing beside her, as well as the two ladies clinging to the child and three more familiar faces behind them. Seeing these young ladies dressed up with flashy decorations from head to toe, Seirin let out a wry smile and thanked the Marquis for leading her to the drawing room, then called Lady Loretta.

“I have something to discuss with Lady Loretta and her friends. Would you mind coming with me?”  

“U-Us, too?”  

“Hoho. I think Lady Loretta knows why I’m here.”  

“Uh…”

While Lady Loretta sweated nervously and the other ladies watched, Seirin said there wasn’t much time and led them all to the drawing room for a brief conversation.

“Lady Damarania, did my daughter somehow offend you…?”  

“Father! I…”  

“Be quiet!”  

“Now, now, please calm down, Marquis. Today is the first time I’ve met Lady Loretta.”  

“T-Then…”

Looking at Marquis Loretta, Seirin stood before his daughter, who looked utterly wronged.

“Lady Loretta.”  

“Yes.”  

“Ariel Cherbel, standing beside me, is your classmate, correct?”  

“Y-Yes, but…”  

“I’d like to know why you called Lady Cherbel the ‘daughter who killed her mother’ and teased her in the classroom.”  

“That!”  

“Oh! That brat!”  

“Dear!”  

Turning slightly, Seirin saw the Marquis clutching his throat, nearly collapsing, with his wife supporting him. Scoffing, Seirin turned back and saw Lady Loretta glaring at Ariel, who clung closely to Seirin.

“It seems Lady Loretta doesn’t understand the situation. No matter how young, you should know better by now.”  

“N-Not just me! These girls too!”  

“What!”  

“You teased Lady Cherbel first, Sera!”  

“That’s right! You teased her the most!”  

“You brats!”  

“Be quiet!”

At the Marquis’s loud voice, the children fell silent. Seirin sighed and turned to the Marquis.

“Marquis, no matter how young, there are things children should never say.”  

“Sigh. I failed to raise her properly. I’m truly sorry. Really, I am.”  

“Sniff. Sob.”

As Ariel covered her face and cried at the Marquis’s apology, Seirin comforted her and the Marquis promised he’d make sure this never happened again.

“Then, I’ll trust you, Marquis. But if Lady Loretta and her friends ever hurt Ariel again, I won’t stand for it.”  

“Y-You have my word.”  

“Hoho, thank you, Marquis. As you know, the late Marchioness Cherbel and my mother were close friends, so Ariel and I are practically sisters. I hope my Ariel won’t be hurt again. I apologize for coming unannounced and will send a gift later.”  

“No, that’s not necessary. I’m too ashamed to even look at you.”  

As the Marquis bowed repeatedly, Seirin laughed quietly at him glaring fiercely at his daughter hiding behind the Marchioness.

“Your daughter is still young. Marquis, please guide her well.”  

“Sigh. I will. I’m truly sorry, Lady Cherbel. And to the Heir of Cherbel, too.”  

“It’s fine. As long as you’re careful from now on.”  

“Haha, yes.”

“Then, we’ll go now. Sorry for the trouble, Marquis. And Marchioness.”  

“N-No trouble.”

As Seirin bowed, the Marquis escorted her to the gate.

“I heard you enjoy wine, Marquis. I’ll send some as a gift soon. I hope you’ll accept it.”  

“Haha, thank you. And I’m truly sorry.”  

“Hoho. Then.”

Seirin climbed into the carriage and ordered the driver to go to Dr. Albert’s mansion, placing a hand on Ariel’s bowed head beside her.

“Thank you so much, Sister Seirin.”  

“No need for thanks. From now on, I’ll protect you, Riel. So don’t struggle alone. If you do, it breaks my heart.”  

“Sniff. Waaah~”

As Ariel buried her small face in Seirin’s lap and cried, Seirin comforted her, glancing at Noah, who only stared out the window.

***

Dr. Albert, the family doctor, was also Seirin’s master who helped her freely wield magic.  

He was once a Grand Mage as skilled as Seirin’s mother and served in the magic army led by the Empress.  

He was also the savior of Seirin, who was born prematurely and nearly died. Though he quit being a doctor, he still gave free treatment to those who sought him, earning a good reputation.

“Dr. Albert!”  

“Oh, who is this? Lady Seirin.”  

Greeting her warmly, Dr. Albert hugged Seirin, and they sat on the sofa.

“Have you been well?”  

“Well.”  

“Ah, I heard you had your coming-of-age ceremony. Congratulations, though late.”  

“Thank you. Dr. Albert, I came because I have a favor to ask.”  

Seeing Seirin’s earnest expression, Dr. Albert asked with concern.

“I want to learn Memory Alteration Magic as soon as possible! You said you’d help me master it when I became an adult.”  

“Hm.”  

“Sir.”  

“You already possess two types of magic. The amount you use is considerable… If you add Memory Alteration Magic, your nerves—which are already sensitive—will get even more strained…”  

“I feel like I’m dying! I’d rather deal with nerve pain!”  

“Lady…”  

“Please, Sir. I really need this.”

Noah, who had never seen Seirin so desperate, watched as Dr. Albert nodded.

“If you get permission from His Grace the Duke and the Duchess, I’ll grant you the power immediately. Then you’ll be able to use it freely.”  

“Yay! Thank you, Sir! You’re truly my savior!”  

“Haha, savior is too much. But, just know this.”

Meeting Dr. Albert’s serious gaze, Seirin released his hand and placed hers neatly on her knees.

“Memory Alteration Magic requires strong mental power. If you make a mistake, you could damage someone’s brain and even cause death. Be much more careful than with other magic.”  

Swallowing nervously at Dr. Albert’s words, Seirin met his eyes.

“If you help me master it, I’ll be fine!”  

“Haha. Alright. It’ll be tough, but can you keep up?”  

“Of course! I’ll master it perfectly! I swear!”  

Dr. Albert praised Seirin’s unwavering spirit. Noah worried she might hurt herself, but—

‘I will! I swear! I’ll alter the Crown Prince’s memory! I’m burning up!’

Seirin’s resolve burned even hotter.