✪ Chapter 7 ✪
I nodded as we stepped into the magic elevator that had just arrived.
“That’s useful information.”
“But… what do you mean by ‘water’?”
“I mean water mages.”
“His Highness is always happy to meet anyone with the water element.”
I understood what he meant.
If I were the applicant and he were the interviewer… I’d definitely pass.
But Lucas already loved someone.
That someone was my best friend.
His simple way of thinking made me smile.
“Then I suppose I’d fall in love pretty quickly too.”
“…”
“It’s been over a hundred years since a Great Water Mage last appeared.”
“The Magic Tower has been missing one ever since.”
“If my blind date were someone like that instead… I’d be much happier.”
Which was exactly why…
I had to be even more careful.
Ding.
The elevator stopped at the floor where the Security Department was located.
“Oh.”
“We’re here.”
The chilly midnight air drifted in through the open doors.
The early morning really was cold.
“Aren’t you getting off?”
Only then did Sir Carlo quietly press a hand against his forehead, as though it had suddenly started hurting.
At first…
I hadn’t realized how unusual my power was.
It was late spring, shortly after I awakened as a water mage.
Elline had encouraged me to apply for the Security Department’s special recruitment for water mages.
At the time…
I spent every day memorizing magic spells while preparing for the interview.
Especially the first question every mage was asked.
“To what extent can you use your magic?”
Elline had always said my magical spectrum was exceptionally broad.
I didn’t really believe her.
After all…
One day she would become the Great Mage.
Her magical power would eventually surpass mine dozens of times over.
Then one day…
I let my guard down.
I drew out the deepest power hidden inside me.
Whoosh—!
“Huh?”
With nothing more than a small wave of my hand…
A massive tidal wave appeared before me.
Even after I managed to stop the spell…
The water soaked me all the way up to my waist.
I looked like a drowned rat.
The front yard of the mansion instantly became a sea of mud.
Elline happened to return just then.
The moment she saw me…
She screamed in shock.
Even now…
I had never properly explained what happened that day.
But there was one thing I knew for certain.
“It’s been over a hundred years since a Great Water Mage last appeared…”
Maybe…
That person was me.
Still…
If possible…
I intended to keep that secret until the day I died.
Of course, I showed about a quarter of my real ability during the interview.
I wanted to pass.
Nothing more.
The true extent of my power…
Had to remain a secret forever.
Maybe Elline or Lucas could handle the burden of becoming a Great Mage.
But someone like me—
An extra—
Couldn’t.
Besides…
I’d rather not be the protagonist anywhere.
I wanted to live an ordinary life.
Once Elline becomes the Great Mage… everything will work itself out anyway.
This world’s ending was a happy one.
Whether the people living here understood that the continent’s water magic was slowly falling out of balance…
Or not…
It wasn’t something ordinary people worried about.
Only the Magic Tower cared.
Besides…
Being one of the few water mages already meant I was drowning in work.
The fact that I hadn’t quit yet…
Was already enough.
No one had the right to lecture me about justice.
And besides… I’m already protecting world peace.
I deserved an award for being the best transmigrator.
Nearly eighty percent of the Security Department’s barrier designs had passed through my hands.
Yesterday…
Thanks to Sir Carlo’s advice…
I actually left work before dawn.
And now…
I’d just woken up.
Lying in bed…
I enjoyed the warm sunlight for the first time in ages.
I almost cried.
“Hehe…”
“I’m so happy.”
How long had it been since I’d relaxed at home?
Waking up in the Stein mansion felt so wonderful that I kicked my blanket in excitement.
Now…
All I needed was the head chef’s special brunch.
Who needs alcohol?
This place is enough to make me drunk with happiness.
Just as I reached for the bell rope to call for breakfast—
Knock. Knock.
“Come in.”
“Miss Elline Ross has just arrived at the Count’s estate.”
“Shall I bring her to your room?”
“…At this hour?”
I stared in disbelief.
What’s going on?
This is the perfect time to stay wrapped up in bed like a dust mite.
“The current time is five minutes before noon.”
“So technically… it’s almost lunchtime.”
The head maid winked cheerfully.
Since I hadn’t left my room all morning…
Elline had apparently come to find me herself.
“It’s time to get up, Miss.”
“No!”
“I only slept for nine hours!”
“We usually call that sleeping very well.”
That’s not enough!
You’re so cruel!
The blanket I’d wrapped around myself like a cocoon was neatly pulled away.
Elline’s unexpected visit almost brought tears to my eyes.
“At least let me eat an amazing brunch before I die.”
“One so good I’d never notice even if someone died beside me.”
“Please watch your language, Miss!”
“There isn’t anything beautiful in this world.”
“Except soft beds and warm blankets.”
“Elline.”
“What brings you here?”
“I actually know.”
“I know that you already know about His Highness… and me.”
I stopped halfway through lifting my omelet with my fork.
Her unexpected words made my head spin.
…Wasn’t I supposed to pretend I didn’t know?
Elline looked unusually serious.
She gripped her glass of water tightly.
For a moment…
I thought she was about to do something dramatic.
But instead of throwing water at me…
She made a solemn declaration.
“I’ve already broken up with His Highness a long time ago.”
“So… even if you marry him… I won’t mind.”
…What?
This wasn’t some relationship where people casually switched partners.
I coughed awkwardly.
When did the culture of dating your past life’s ex spread to this world?
The brunch on the table was slowly getting cold.
Unlike her determined expression…
Tears had already filled Elline’s eyes.
That’s such a bad habit.
It makes me want to listen to everything she has to say.
I let out a helpless sigh.
Then I picked up the fork lying in front of her.
Without another word…
I placed a sausage into her mouth.
“Alright.”
“Finish eating first.”
“Then we’ll talk.”
“Mmph… It’s delicious… I mean… but…!”
“You remember the coffee house we always went to?”
“I heard they’re opening the terrace today.”
“They say the view is beautiful.”
“…Really?”
“As soon as we finish eating…”
“We’re going together.”
Elline swallowed her food.
Color immediately returned to her face.
A moment later…
Her fork started moving much faster.
She’d been pretending she wasn’t hungry.
But she’d obviously been holding back.
You’re really something.
I smiled as I watched her soft pink hair sway like flower petals every time she moved.
“A few new hats arrived at the salon.”
“They’re completely your style.”
“Take one.”
“What should I do, Rosé?”
“I love it so much!”
Of course you do.
It belonged to you from the very beginning.
All the gifts Lucas had sent me as “wedding presents” perfectly matched Elline’s taste.
Standing in front of the mirror…
Elline spun around several times.
She looked happier than anyone else in the world.
Even after we arrived at the coffee house and sat down…
She couldn’t stop touching the wide-brimmed hat decorated with ribbon lace.
Her light pink hair fluttered gently in the breeze.
She truly looked like the heroine of a story.
Compared to her…
I swallowed the rest of my thought.
Then rested my chin in my hand as I looked out at the scenery.
Stop putting yourself down.
I’m not bad-looking either.
I just happened to have ordinary brown hair and brown eyes…
Which didn’t match my name at all.
There was still some time before our tea and desserts arrived.
During the wait…
Elline quietly continued the confession she hadn’t been able to finish.
“Even if it’s a political marriage…”
“A marriage is still a marriage.”
“I’ll accept it.”
“I can accept it.”
She sounded incredibly mature.
But…
That was only her determination.
A quiet promise she was trying to convince herself to believe.
…So she still hasn’t truly accepted it yet.
