Chapter 21: Birthday Gift (3)  

Chloe and Tehis wandered all over the Grand Ducal Mansion throughout the day. Although they took breaks in between, as promised, they truly spent a busy day enjoying their date.

First, the greenhouse. They took a warm stroll in the space, which was perfect for walking while digesting their meal.

It was an indoor garden meticulously maintained by the wife of the previous Lord of the Grand Duchy before she left the mansion after their divorce. It had since been neglected, but there was a backstory about how it had been hastily tidied up over the past few weeks just for today.

After admiring the colorful flowers and stepping outside, they found a snow-covered outdoor garden. Unlike the Imperial Palace, they hadn’t installed temperature-regulating magic circles outdoors, so the winter scenery was left untouched.

The two, who were wandering through the snowy fields, soon started a snowball fight, initiated by Chloe’s preemptive attack. Laughing as she hit Tehis, she was then struck squarely on the forehead by a snowball and quietly began casting magic.

Even for a top-tier Sword Expert, it wasn’t easy to withstand a snowstorm conjured by a mage. Although Tehis was utterly defeated by the wind-wielding magician and surrendered, his face showed satisfaction.

After warming up with a bath and changing clothes, the two headed to the library. With the crackling sound of the fireplace in the background, they spent a short time reading books.

Unlike the Mage Tower’s library, which focused on magic and mysteries, Escalante’s library mainly contained books on history, politics, and strategy. Chloe even teased Tehis when she discovered romance novels and guidebooks about mages among the collection.

After dinner, they had tea time. While sharing lighthearted conversations, the two went horseback riding before sunset—not on unicorns, but regular horses.

Still inexperienced in horseback riding, Chloe sat in front of Tehis as he guided the horse around the open space behind the Grand Ducal Mansion. Thanks to her magic, the outdoor excursion wasn’t cold at all.

Once their meal had been digested to some extent, they engaged in light exercise at the empty training ground. Chloe reluctantly agreed but grumbled throughout, eventually collapsing in exhaustion.

As she lay sprawled out, claiming this was mage abuse, Tehis carried her to the bathroom in a princess carry. When he asked if he should help bathe her, Chloe shrieked and kicked him out.

Including before their meeting, they somehow ended up bathing three times that day. Now thoroughly relaxed, they slumped on the sofa in the library.

To be precise, Tehis sat upright while Chloe, wearing a chemise dress, slouched down beside him.

“It’s been such a long day….”

“Wasn’t it short?”

“Time did pass quickly, but still….”

It had truly been a fulfilling day. As much fun as it had been, it was also an exhausting one.

‘When was the last time I played like this?’

For mages, “playing” usually meant locking themselves in a library and absorbing new knowledge, so she had rarely spent time like this.

Back when Lucas was around, they occasionally went out together, but after he left the Mage Tower, she had completely holed herself up in her lab.

“What did you enjoy most about today?”

“Reading.”

Chloe answered immediately. There wasn’t even a need to think—it was an obvious result. Any mage would have given the same answer.

Tehis nodded at her predictable response. Although there probably weren’t any books in his library that particularly interested her, he recalled the sparkle in her eyes when she spent time there. Perhaps she simply enjoyed the act of reading itself.

“What about the rest? Was it not enjoyable?”

“The snowball fight was fun too. I feel a bit sorry for overwhelming you, but you dodged pretty well.”

“If you weren’t a mage, I would have won.”

“Why would you challenge a mage to a snowball fight in the first place?”

“You were the one who started it.”

“Oh, was I?”

As Chloe chuckled softly, Tehis quietly observed her.

‘Only two things she enjoyed?’

I’ll have to keep that in mind for next time.

While mentally jotting down notes, she continued speaking.

“I also enjoyed walking through the greenhouse. Surprisingly, there were many rare plants. I didn’t expect the Grand Ducal Mansion to grow its own herbs.”

“Is there a plant you need?”

“No, you know who I am. I’m a senior mage council member who can get whatever she wants.”

Playfully boasting, she stretched her arms wide. Letting out a yawn, she spoke in a languid tone.

“Riding horses was nice too. It wasn’t as fun as riding unicorns, though.”

“Unicorns are certainly more thrilling.”

“Of course. They fly, after all.”

Chloe rubbed her half-closed eyes. Her frail mage’s body couldn’t handle too much outdoor activity. While she could stay up for days and nights for her research, this was a different matter entirely.

‘…Was it thanks to Mshuri’s essence?’

A mage, who barely ate properly and avoided exercise, naturally lacked basic stamina. She only managed to maintain her energy with a rare potion that provided a mild awakening effect without side effects.

Regardless, she finished her thoughts.

“Exercise was… well… for something that involves intense physical movement, it wasn’t too bad. I don’t know if it made me feel healthier as you claimed, but I suppose it’s good for the body.”

“So, in the end, you enjoyed everything?”

Tehis asked, sounding somewhat surprised. He had thought she might not like some parts, especially the exercise, but her responses exceeded his expectations. He hadn’t anticipated her giving even the training a favorable review.

At his reasonable question, Chloe smiled faintly. She pulled her knees up, hugged them, and rested her cheek against them.

From her perspective, he appeared slightly tilted. The world seemed just as skewed.

“…Yes.”

Her answer was drowsy. Tehis, worried she might fall asleep like this, looked at her carefully, and his gaze met hers.

For a mage, outdoor activities weren’t something they could simply enjoy. Regardless of enjoyment, the very idea of going out to play was foreign to them.

So, the reason she wholeheartedly participated in everything today was simple.

“Because I spent the time with you, Tehis.”

Because it was with him.

Chloe quietly watched as Tehis’s eyes widened slightly. Although he quickly regained his composure, she could still sense the subtle signs of his shaken emotions in the way his gaze wandered over her face.

His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but they closed again without a word. The woman beside him made a suggestion.

“Let’s extend our contract.”

Tehis froze in place. Staring at her blankly, he asked uncertainly.

“You mean the dating contract?”

“Yes. Let’s continue this relationship.”

Tehis experienced a surge of emotions.  

Numerous thoughts raced through his mind, but instead of responding immediately, he calmly asked:  

“Can I ask why?”  

“Because I don’t want to let you go.”  

Her answer flowed out naturally and was straightforward.  

Not wanting to let him go.  

Tehis, who felt strangely deflated, listened as Chloe continued.  

“And because I like you.”  

“Pardon?”  

“I want to keep things as they are now. To safely date you without marriage.”  

She wasn’t sure how long it would last, though.  

Chloe assumed Tehis would naturally accept. He was a man who practically shouted with his entire being that he liked her, so there was no way he would pass up this opportunity.  

That assumption remained firm as she waited for Tehis to fully grasp her words. Even after his widened blue eyes returned to their usual calm state, her belief didn’t waver.  

It was perfect arrogance.  

“I refuse.”  

“Then… what?”  

Chloe froze in shock at his unexpected answer. Her drowsiness vanished entirely, and she lowered the knees she had been hugging.  

What did he just say?  

‘Did I hear him correctly?’  

Her face reflected her doubt, wondering if she had misheard due to exhaustion, but Tehis gave her a definitive answer.  

“I will not extend the contract.”  

“Why not?”  

The question escaped her lips before she could stop it. She hadn’t even considered the possibility that he would let her go so easily, and she felt a pang of betrayal.  

If that was the case, why did he even bother showing signs of affection? Why treat me like someone precious?  

‘No, was it all just my imagination?’  

While Chloe was lost in confusion, Tehis explained.  

“That contract was bound to end someday anyway.”  

“That’s true, but…!”  

“And if you look closely, it’s not all that different from a normal relationship.”  

“That’s… true?”  

“Which is why, Chloe.”  

Tehis placed his hand on his chest, just as he had when he first proposed the contract. Looking straight at her, he earnestly made a new proposal.  

“Please date me officially.”  

Naturally, he wasn’t talking about another contract, but a real relationship. A connection between Tehis and Chloe, not the Grand Duke and the mage.  

Chloe, who hadn’t anticipated this turn of events, froze in place.  

It was clear that she liked him. She also knew that he liked her. By all accounts, there was no issue with them dating.  

But to actually have a real relationship? An elder mage of the Mage Tower, with Escalante, the Grand Duke of the Empire?  

“I can’t.”  

Without even needing to think, her first response was to reject him. She bit her lip and anxiously explained.  

“You know this, Tehis. I can’t give up the Mage Tower.”  

“I’m not asking you to leave the Mage Tower. I’m also not demanding marriage from you. I simply won’t extend the contract, but I still intend to follow all the terms written in it.”  

“Then why…?”  

Chloe couldn’t understand. If he intended to follow the contract anyway, why change the nature of their relationship? Wouldn’t it be better to stick to the clear boundaries they already had?  

Tehis thought differently. If the outcome was going to be the same, he didn’t want her reasons for staying with him to be tied to a contract. He wanted everything she did for him to come from her genuine feelings.  

Spending idle time together like this.  

Sharing intimate moments even when no one was watching.  

Caring for and protecting each other.  

When they acted for one another, he didn’t want the word “contract” to linger in the background.  

In short, it all boiled down to one reason.  

“I like you, Chloe.”  

Because Tehis Escalante liked Chloe.  

“I want our relationship to be real.”  

He wanted to be her true lover.  

Even if, in the end, he might have to let her go.