The Mage Possesses the Duke’s Illegitimate Child

Originally, Annie was an underachiever who had entered the Magic Academy solely because she was a duke’s daughter, despite her poor magical abilities. Her classmates didn’t think highly of her, but in this class, she created ice.

Braden, the practical skills instructor, looked at Siara with admiring eyes.

“Wow! That’s impressive, Annie!”

Siara casually smiled while creating a fist-sized piece of ice.

“Thank you.”

Braden was young and popular among the female students. When he tried to pat Siara’s head, a spark of flame suddenly flicked at his hand.

“Ouch!”

He quickly pulled his hand away and met Diego’s glaring eyes.

“Haha. I was just trying to praise her…”

Rumors had already spread through the faculty office that Diego had prevented Annie’s expulsion.

Some people had witnessed Diego intimidating Professor Dennis who had tried to expel Annie.

Honestly, no one could understand why the Crown Prince would protect Annie, whose appearance was so ordinary that she could be seen anywhere on the street.

Siara extinguished the flame that had also reached her with her ice.

“Is the test over now? Can I leave?”

Her tone was somewhat arrogant, especially considering class was still in session. However, with the Crown Prince standing behind Siara, Braden nodded.

“Alright. All students who have finished the test may leave!”

At his words, students rushed out.

Siara left empty-handed without even gathering her books, when Diego firmly grabbed her shoulder.

“…What?”

“Let’s go downtown.”

“Downtown?”

She wanted to return to the dormitory and complete the unfinished dimensional transfer formula. However, it would be too much for this body’s magical power.

Finding her original body still at the Magic Tower would be ideal, but she didn’t even know if it was alive or dead. So it seemed better to get accustomed to this place.

Having lived only in the Kingdom of Estain, she was curious about other countries. It felt like being on vacation.

“Sure.”

When Siara smiled brightly, Diego’s expression hardened.

As they left the school, Peter, Diego’s stoic-looking attendant of the same age, followed them.

“What’s your name?”

The attendant didn’t respond to Siara’s question. He only moved according to Diego’s commands.

Siara didn’t seem to mind being ignored. She casually spoke to Diego.

“Is there something you want to buy in town?”

“…I’ll buy you something to eat if you want.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“But… why?”

Siara was confused, and Diego looked ahead while speaking.

“You don’t have any money.”

“…!”

Perhaps because she was an illegitimate child, her dormitory room was old and worn. While other students received allowances from home to buy snacks, Siara had nothing. She had searched through the closet hoping to find some coins, but the pockets were completely empty.

Diego seemed to know her situation perfectly.

“Oh… thank you.”

Siara felt awkward receiving things from others. She was used to giving, but rarely received anything. However, as long as she remained in Annie’s body, she would continue to be indebted to Diego.

‘I guess… it’s okay?’

It seemed fine to accept his offer for now, as long as he didn’t later demand repayment of all debts at once.

Although he said he would buy her whatever she wanted to eat, the food here was different from where Siara had lived. They went to a place emitting a salty-sweet aroma, and the restaurant was packed with people.

“Let’s eat here!”

People were waiting in line with number tickets, but after Peter the attendant said something to the restaurant owner, the two were immediately seated at a table.

‘…So this is money, no, power?’

Suddenly, the sun seemed to shine above Diego’s head. Money and power—he had both.

“…Is there something on my face?”

“No. Haha…”

Without even having to wait, a pot of steaming hot food was served immediately.

They say people miss the taste of their homeland most when in foreign countries, but Siara didn’t feel that way. Above all, the food of the Stana Empire was sweet, salty, and even spicy, making it flavorful and easy to eat without being too rich.

“…You really like spicy chicken stew.”

“Yeah. This is really delicious!”

Diego found it somewhat strange to see her eating so vigorously while holding chicken bones. No noble he knew ate like this.

Unaware that his suspicions were growing, Siara ordered more chicken stew. The server placed the food on the table and remarked curiously.

“Usually couples don’t order spicy chicken stew, but you’re quite unique, miss! Oh, are you perhaps siblings?”

When Diego glared at him murderously, the server quickly ran off to another table.

Siara made smacking sounds as she licked the sauce off her hands.

“I’ve never eaten anything like this before! It’s really delicious.”

“…I’m sure it is. Nobles don’t usually eat food like this.”

Red broth would stain precious silk and be difficult to remove, so nobles typically avoided spicy foods. Eating meat off the bone was considered unsightly. Commoners enjoyed such food because they didn’t worry about how they looked while eating, but nobles considered eating meat with bones undignified.

Siara’s clothes were splattered with red broth in several places, and her lips looked like she had just eaten a mouse.

Peter diligently separated the meat from the bones in the bowl and placed it on Diego’s plate. Diego merely tasted it slightly.

“Quite… spicy.”

Diego drank water, unable to understand how Siara could enjoy food that he found inedible.

After finishing two bowls, Siara ordered again.

“Excuse me! One more chicken stew, please!”

“Yes!”

Diego stared at Siara as she ate with great enjoyment.

“…Eating so much spicy food will give you a stomachache.”

“It’s fine! It’s not like I’ll die from it.”

“Still, you might get sick, so it would be better to eat moderately…”

“I said I’m fine!”

Siara gulped down water and enthusiastically ate the newly arrived chicken stew. The sight of her gripping a chicken leg in her hand and tearing into it was quite barbaric.

Peter whispered to Diego.

“Perhaps Duke Light starved her because she’s an illegitimate child.”

A duke would never dine with his illegitimate child. So it would make sense if she didn’t know proper etiquette. Well, she might just be really hungry.

“…More importantly.”

“?”

“She’s been speaking informally to me. Annie Light has.”

“…Indeed.”

Diego spoke in a voice too quiet for Siara to hear, with certainty.

“Annie Light has never spoken informally to me. So there’s a high possibility that the person before us is not Annie Light.”

A murderous glint appeared in Peter’s eyes.

“…Could she be a spy sent from another country to kill Your Highness?”

“I don’t know. But I don’t mind.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t mind Annie Light treating me casually.”

Siara finished her meal.

“Ah, that was good!”

Her worn school uniform was splattered with red broth. Another girl might have been embarrassed, but Siara showed no such concern.

In that state, she left the restaurant and strode confidently through the streets. If anyone should have been embarrassed, it was Diego and Peter walking with her.

“Should we walk at a distance, Your Highness?”

“A little…”

Even Diego kept a slight distance from Siara.

Eyeing bread being sold outside, Siara tugged at Diego’s sleeve.

“That! Buy me that. It looks delicious, freshly baked!”

Diego was practically dragged along by Siara’s actions and paid for the bread.

Siara opened her mouth wide to bite into the hot bread. Despite being commoner’s bread, likely tough rather than soft, she found it delicious.

“Oh. The sun is setting. Let’s go back to the dormitory.”

“Sure. I’ll call a carriage…”

Siara interrupted Diego’s words and patted her bulging stomach.

“Let’s walk for exercise. I ate too much and I’m full.”

“Okay.”