Chapter 4 (Part 1)

“He says he likes me and is obsessed with me in the wrong way.”

At Meia’s words, Puring clicked his tongue and said,

“Men with obsessions are not popular…”

“He also desires the position of Crown Prince. If by any chance, I become the Crown Princess…”

Puring’s eyes wavered complexly upon hearing her story.

Demian would surely become more obsessed with Meia while whispering terribly sweet words.

She had experienced his hidden madness enough when she was young.

No matter how much she lived to become the Empress.

Even if she was forced out of her betrothed position by her cousin and uncle.

It was not that she loved Prince Demian enough to make him emperor.

Rather, she disliked him.

“Do you not wish to become the Empress?”

Is the position of Empress of the Carpen Empire that valuable to me now?

Is there a need to be greedy for something that has already left my hands once?

“Do you not have the desire to become the Crown Princess and take revenge on His Highness Patzraelli and Duke Luman?”

Puring asked seriously.

“There is no need to be in the mud. Isn’t beautiful forgiveness better than dirty revenge?”

Puring laughed heartily, feeling satisfied with Meia’s words.

“A beautiful ending is much better than a dirty beginning.”

“Moreover, the fact that my cousin became the fiancée is a success of my revenge in its own way.”

If Meryl and she were compared even once, it would be a small success of revenge.

And Meia would just laugh at that sight. That’s all.

“And I had fun traveling for the first time.”

She liked traveling while looking at the sea from the cruise ship.

Oh my God, there’s a whole world out there!

She found it quite interesting to meet in reality what she had imagined in the books she read every day.

“Experiencing idle time was also fun. So, Master.”

“Please speak. What do you want from me?”

“Would you register me as a Mage Tower mage?”

“Is there a master who would refuse a disciple’s request for help? Please wait here.”

“When can I get the qualification issued?”

“Since the Mage Tower wouldn’t refuse you anyway, please wait a moment.”

Meia sat comfortably on the sofa and closed her eyes, saying she expected it.

There is no need for a noble with magical power to register as a Mage to become one.

Of course, even nobles could take on magic-related requests if they needed money, but due to the pride of the nobles, there were more troublesome issues with the clients.

Therefore, the Mage Tower’s Tower Master and Great Mages were cautious about registering nobles as Mage Tower mages.

However, if one of the Great Mages strongly recommended it, the registration would be done simply.

Thus, with the permission of one Great Mage and the will of the Mage Tower, the registration as a Mage Tower Mage would be completed, and an official brooch would be issued.

About 30 minutes passed. Puring handed Meia the brooch proving her registration as an official Mage and congratulated her.

“Congratulations on your registration.”

“The registration is really fast.”

“If I strongly recommend it, it will be done quickly.”

“All thanks to you, Master. I will always set an example as a Mage Tower Mage.”

Puring looked at Meia with satisfaction.

In fact, he hadn’t said it, but he was very worried.

She was ignored by his only fiancé, denied all the time she had worked hard, and her beloved parents were gone.

Even if she looked like a sturdy tree, she was soft inside.

Puring was very worried that she might be uprooted by the approaching storm. He was relieved to see that she seemed to have overcome it well.

Above all, Puring was greatly relieved by the fact that she did not think of ‘revenge.’

If she had sworn revenge, Meia would surely have been ruined. Puring could never see that sight.

“Master, please don’t tell Grand Duke Florence that I registered as a Mage.”

Grand Duke Florence was the Grand Duke of the Sirius Empire who came with Meia.

It was known that he came to request from the Mage Tower.

Puring wondered if it was just his illusion that Meia seemed a bit expectant when talking about him.

Her eyes twinkling strangely looked joyful.

“He wants a Mage from the Mage Tower to be in the Grand Duke’s family. A Mage good at making magic scrolls and skilled in combat.”

Meia was good at making scrolls and skilled in combat.

Puring asked, wondering if it was possible.

“Are you thinking of going to the Grand Duke’s family?”

“Before Prince Demian comes, I plan to take the Grand Duke’s request and go. That’s why I asked you to register me as a Tower Mage, Master.”

“Have you become quite close with him?”

Meia nodded and enjoyed herself. Puring was worried about Meia, who was leaving for the Grand Duke’s family even though she could stay comfortably in the Mage Tower.

It was all because of Prince Demian.

“Master, you will understand my feelings when you see Prince Demian.”

“But why the Grand Duke Florence’s territory?”

“Grand Duke Theodore is not someone who would force anything on me.”

Not all people who request Mages are good people.

“Then, what kind of person is Grand Duke Florence in your opinion, Lady Meia?”

Meia thought deeply at Puring’s question and answered with a smile.

“Like a black retriever. He is cute like a big dog wagging its tail. And Grand Duke Theodore is kind and looks pretty when he smiles.”

Puring felt as if a nuclear spell had hit his head when he heard Meia’s praise of Theodore.

Even during the long engagement with Patzraelli, he had never heard her praise him.

“Don’t forget that wolves are also part of the canine family.”

“A dog cannot become a wolf even if it shows its teeth, Master. He is a cute person. And I have one more request.”

“Please speak.”

“After accepting Grand Duke Theodore’s request, please tell him that a Mage will be sent soon if he goes to the Grand Duke’s house first.”

Mages and clients usually leave together. Of course, it depends on the Mage’s personal circumstances, but most of the time, they leave together using teleportation.

“Are you not planning to go together?”

“I plan to stay a little longer with you, Master.”

“What fun is there in this old man…”

“You don’t dislike it, do you?”

“Of course not!”

“In fact, I plan to work on my artifacts and scrolls before I go.”

She had used a few against the pirates on the cruise ship, so she needed to make some to replenish.

And thinking of Theodore, who followed her around on the cruise ship, Meia laughed again.

“Why are you suddenly laughing, Lady?”

“It’s nothing.”

Thinking of Theodore, who was sad about the farewell, Meia laughed again.

She wondered what his expression would be like if they met a few days after being apart.

She was very curious about that expression.

‘Will he cry? Will he laugh? Will he be flustered? Will he be anxious? What kind of expression will he make?’

So she couldn’t take her eyes off him. She wanted to make eye contact, but he avoided her gaze with a red face. That appearance was so cute that she kept making eye contact.

“What are you thinking about that’s making you laugh?”

“I was thinking of Grand Duke Theodore. Thinking about it made me laugh.”

Seeing Meia’s smile, which had been absent since her parents passed away, Puring no longer stopped his disciple from going to the Florence family.

Rather, he thought it might be a better choice.

* * *

Theodore stared blankly at the stairs Meia had climbed, munching on the sweets in front of him.

They say eating something sweet lifts your mood, but he only felt more depressed.

“Sigh.”

Aethon sighed as he watched Theodore sigh deeply.

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t think of a way to bring Meia to the Grand Ducal house.

It wasn’t about money, status, or honor; she was a precious lady from another empire.

You need good bait on the fishing rod to catch a fish…