Chapter 15: Above the Running Lady, Flies the Crown Prince (3)
As soon as morning broke, Seirin brought Astana home. Her mother, Serpiana, was so shocked that her daughter, who had run away, returned with a woman who was actually a dragon in human form, she couldn’t even get angry. Seirin first apologized for her immature behavior and explained Astana’s situation, whose husband had returned to the demon realm, ending with the story she’d discussed with Dr. Albert.
“Seirin, you…….”
“Mother, you said yourself that you learned magic and became a Grand Mage because you wanted every living thing in the world to live happily and peacefully.”
“…….”
“I may not have become a Grand Mage like you, but I admired your wish to change the world, and that’s why I wanted to learn magic.”
“Seirin…….”
“Please forgive my previous rudeness. I was careless…….”
As Seirin was pulled into her mother’s arms, she was speechless and froze.
“Mother.”
“My beloved child. You know, I grew up with a soldier father and a strict educator mother, so I didn’t know how to give or receive love. It was only after meeting your father that I learned what love was. I’m truly grateful that your father cared for you with love in my place. Seirin, please remember this: For me, you and Sein are my precious children, irreplaceable by anything. I’m sorry. I love you, my dear.”
“Hic. Mother! Mom!”
“My child.”
For the first time since childhood, Seirin cried like a child in her mother’s arms. Once she calmed down, she asked her mother to let Astana and her husband live in the ducal residence.
“That’s…….”
“Mother, please. There’s a precious life in Astana’s belly.”
“Hm……. If she can live as a human, and if she causes trouble, Seirin, no matter how much you protest, I’ll have no choice but to act, just so you know.”
“Yes! Thank you! Mother. Also, I want to seriously learn memory alteration. I’m an adult now! Dr. Albert said if I get your permission, he’ll help me learn magic right away!”
“Alright, I see. But Seirin, why do you want to master such a difficult, energy-consuming, and risky magic?”
“That’s…….”
Her main reason was to alter the memories of the Crown Prince who had tormented her with proposals for twelve years. But if she said that, her mother would scold her, and if she admitted to altering the Crown Prince’s memories, her family would be executed for regicide and their line destroyed. So Seirin smiled and hid her true intentions.
“I want to master memory alteration to help Astana and Gertos. If I can alter their memories so they can live as humans in this world, nothing could be better. Plus, if I can manipulate the memories of the demons and monsters who always target this world, there’ll be no more pointless wars or vicious cycles of killing.”
“Seirin…….”
Though her mother’s gaze was a little intimidating, Seirin’s sincerity was genuine, so she looked at her mother with earnest eyes and continued.
“Mother, please. As your daughter, as the daughter of a former Grand Mage, allow me to learn memory alteration magic for the Empire… no, for this world.”
“Oh, my dear… Forgive this foolish mother for ever thinking you were still a child.
“Mother.”
“Call me Mom, Seirin. I like that better.”
“Mom!”
“Seirin, I’m truly proud of you. Your father will be proud of you too.”
Seirin smiled in her mother’s arms, then wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and asked her brother Sein, who nodded slowly.
“Brother, you’re still at home? Father seems to have gone to work already.”
“Ah—haha, well… His Highness is visiting the estate this morning.”
“Oh…”
Feeling good after reconciling with her mother, getting permission to learn memory alteration, and arranging for Astana and her husband to stay at the ducal residence, Seirin couldn’t hide her discomfort at the Crown Prince’s impending visit, but nodded since her mother was nearby.
“Rin. The Euclis Twin Princes are leaving today.”
“Oh. What about Princess Pesopotemia?”
“Haha. I’m not sure about that.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Don’t worry, Seirin. I spoke to them myself—they won’t bother you.”
‘Well……. Mother, I really don’t believe that at all.’
Hiding her true feelings and smiling, Seirin led Astana, who didn’t want to be around so many humans, outside to the old annex she used as a child.
“Where is this?”
“It’s the annex I used as a child. It’ll be livable once we dust it off. I’ll bring food and clothes.”
“Hm.”
“Oh! Right, I need to buy baby supplies in advance!”
“This child isn’t a human child.”
“Oh. Is it going to be born a dragon?”
Astana only nodded, and Seirin asked what she needed.
“I’d like a cradle.”
“Oh! Sure! I’ll prepare it. And cushions too!”
“Seirin.”
“Yeah?”
“Aren’t you afraid of me? Dragons used to eat humans.”
“I am scared. But I trust you. I promised your husband, and I’ll protect you until he returns. And your baby.”
“Really…….”
Astana smiled, and was stunned as the maids cleaned the room in an instant per Seirin’s orders.
“Here, Astana. Use this room. I’ll bring new bedding soon.”
“Thank you.”
“Is it hard for us to eat together?”
“Breakfast?”
Astana smiled and said,
“If it’s with you.”
“Oh! Remi, could you bring some food here?”
“Yes, My Lady.”
“Since Astana needs to eat meat.”
“It would be best if it’s raw meat.”
“You heard that, right?”
“Yes, My Lady.”
After Remi left, Seirin smiled, now that she had an excuse to learn Memory Alteration Magic and wouldn’t have to meet the Crown Prince against her will.
“Seirin, did something good happen?”
“Mm~ Something like that. Astana, just wait a little. I’ll definitely master Memory Alteration and help you, your husband, and your child live as ordinary humans.”
Astana answered Seirin’s words with a smile, then walked to the window and gazed up at the sky.
“Astana.”
Seirin called out to her as she turned from the window to look back.
“What kind of person is that Demon King?”
“He’s literally the Demon King. The one who controls demons and monsters. An absolute being whose face cannot even be glimpsed.”
“That formidable?”
“Yes, so…….”
Astana’s clenched fists trembled, and Seirin took her hands tightly.
“…….”
“Don’t worry. He’s your husband. Fathers and husbands are strong. My father also seems weak in front of my mother and me, but when it comes to protecting family, he becomes stronger than anyone. So trust your husband, Astana.”
As tears welled up and quickly rolled down Astana’s cheeks, Seirin threw herself into Astana’s arms, and Astana held Seirin’s slender body tightly, closing her eyes and wishing her husband Gertos would return safely to her side.
***
As promised, the Crown Prince of the Empire visited the ducal residence that morning, and Seirin greeted not only him but also the Euclis Twin Princes, who had said they’d return to their homeland after seeing her face.
“Seirin, are you feeling sick?”
“Is your body alright?”
“Yes, I apologize for causing unnecessary worry.”
Although the twins looked alike, their hairstyles and clothes reflected their different personalities, so Seirin could tell them apart. She bowed politely to the foreign princes who, though sometimes troublesome, always sincerely worried about her.
“For you, Lady Seirin, I’ll soon bring you some Mandrake that’s good for your health!”
“What?! Mandrake? That herb only exists at the border between life and death, in the mid-heaven……. How could you possibly, Prince Roel…”
“Who am I! I’m Roel Euclis! I’ll turn into a bird and fly to the mid-heaven to get that herb! All for you, Seirin! So become my wife! Aaagh!”
“P-Prince!”
As Roel’s body started burning with flames, Seirin shouted at Kasel, who stood with his arms folded and a crooked posture.
“Your Highness, please put it out!”
“I didn’t do it, Seirin.”
Seeing the Crown Prince blatantly feigning innocence, Seirin raised her voice, worried the house would catch fire.
“Please.”
The flames threatening to burn Roel out were extinguished just in time, but Roel fainted on the spot. His twin, Luel, glared at him, as if warning that he’d be next if he didn’t leave, and quickly excused himself to Seirin.
“Whew.”
“Seirin, are you feeling better?”
Looking up at the very gentle Crown Prince, Seirin forced herself to say what she didn’t mean.
“Your Highness, thank you for your concern.”
“Haha. It’s nothing.”
“By the way, Your Highness, didn’t Princess Eizel come with you?”
“Ah~ She seems to have a stomachache and can’t move at all.”
“S-Stomachache…….”
Seirin suspected something, and seeing the Crown Prince smirk, she let out a short, awkward laugh.
“Seirin.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I should get going. There’s much work to do.”
“Yes, please take care…….”
As Seirin bowed, she felt a gentle hand caress her cheek. Her eyes widened, and when she looked up, she met Kasel’s deep gaze. Her body froze, and her heart beat rapidly.
“I’ll miss you, Seirin. Next time, I hope we can spend more time together. Take care.”
“I…….”
He kissed the back of her right hand briefly, smiled, and left. Seirin was dazed for a moment until Remi’s voice snapped her back to reality.
“His Highness shows so much affection for you, My Lady…….”
“T-That’s why! Ah! I really want something sweet right now! Remi! Bring some macarons and chocolate to my room!”
“Yes, My Lady.”
Seirin marched quickly to her room, clenching her fists and strengthening her resolve.
“I won’t give in! Never!!!!”
***
In the carriage returning to the Imperial Palace, Crown Prince Kasel listened with his eyes closed and arms folded, while Sein proudly talked about his younger sister.
“So Seirin decided to learn Memory Alteration Magic?”
“Yes! Isn’t she amazing? Our Rin! She wants to learn it to create a peaceful world like our mother! That advanced magic! Really, it’s not just because she’s my sister—Rin is the most amazing person in the world!”
“Ha. Yes, she’s truly remarkable. There’s no woman as wonderful as Seirin.”
“Of course! Of course, there isn’t anyone as wonderful as our Rin! Our Rin~”
Once Sein started praising his sister, he didn’t care about his surroundings and just kept going. Kasel, no longer listening, looked out the window.
‘Seirin, if you learn Memory Alteration, then I… I’ll just master defense magic. Let’s see how you do, Seirin Damarania, Lady of the Duchy.’
Kasel’s lifted lips and sharp, sparkling eyes looked genuinely delighted.
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