AME 77

Chapter 77

‘Who would doubt you’re a nobleman’s son?’

The only reason Ferdinand had managed to maintain its power despite fighting monsters for so long was because it was fundamentally wealthy. And as the second son of Ferdinand, how much more privileged could Kaon be?

Of course, they say money can’t buy everything—not even a bird like this—but if she probed that thought too deeply, she wouldn’t be able to ignore Kaon Ferdinand’s heart. So she didn’t.

Instead, Alessia recalled the day he suddenly asked her, “Aren’t you afraid of birds?” He’d tossed the question out so casually that she answered without a second thought and promptly forgot about it.

The result of that offhand conversation was this clever little bird. He must have been preparing for this ever since then.

Thinking about Kaon going to such lengths to prepare something for her birthday—a day no one else ever cared about—made her feel strange inside. Her own blood relatives hadn’t done a thing for her.

“Are you okay? Okay?”

Sensing her sudden change in mood, Philly tilted his head and peered at his owner. Alessia silently reached out and gently stroked the bird’s round head.

Nia would be going back soon. Alessia had already made her intentions clear to Leonidas. It was too late today for Nia to return immediately, but she would be leaving the castle as soon as possible.

This is the right thing to do.

Rationally speaking, it was the obvious decision. Alessia didn’t have the strength or resources to take responsibility for anyone else. She’d struggled so hard just to adapt and survive here.

This peaceful life had been so hard-won. Nia wasn’t particularly valuable to Ingelos, so even if she stayed in Ferdinand, Richard probably wouldn’t throw a fit—but Alessia didn’t want to leave even that possibility open.

So it was definitely the right choice. And yet… Nia’s cries kept echoing in her mind.

“Alessia!”

Once, back when Nia was very small and didn’t know anything yet—

The little sister had seen her elder sister surrounded and beaten by cousins for the first time. She was so shocked she cried. At the time, Nia was still very young, and the adults had high hopes for her. The cousins, not wanting to cause trouble for themselves, simply walked away.

“Alessia, Alessia… are you okay? Does it hurt?”

Crawling over while sobbing, Nia had asked the question in clumsy baby talk. Her tear-streaked face looked so much like Alessia’s, and her hands were sticky with a mix of snot and drool.

With those hands, she stroked Alessia’s hair.

“Alessia, crying? Don’t cry, don’t cry…”

Over and over, she repeated those words as she stroked her sister’s hair—while crying herself.

What had Alessia thought, listening to that trembling little voice telling her not to cry? She couldn’t remember. She never would. It was all in the past now.

But even after that day, Nia would sometimes cry. She cried even when Alessia no longer shed tears—she cried for her.

Until one day, Nia began to distance herself. As she grew, she began to understand reality.

First, she realized what kind of position her sister held in the family. Then, what happened if she stayed close to her sister. And finally… that having Alessia around made her own shortcomings less noticeable.

Step by step, as she faced reality, Nia grew closer to the cousins. She blended into their circle and copied their behavior.

She stood by while they bullied Alessia. Sometimes she even chimed in. And sometimes…

Sometimes she just avoided Alessia’s eyes. Even on the day Alessia left Ferdinand, Nia couldn’t meet her gaze.

The little sister never completely shed her flimsy guilt, nor did she ever gather the courage to speak up.

Alessia never intended to blame her. Back then, she didn’t want Nia to get involved with her anyway. That feeling hadn’t changed.

“Hey, you busy?”

As Alessia tickled Philly’s cheek to steady her thoughts, Kaon’s voice drifted in from beyond the curtain.

“What?”

“I don’t get this part. Can you take a look?”

He must have hit a wall while studying the ancient language again. Recently, Kaon had shown an interest in it. He said his goal was to read books about monsters written in the old tongue without difficulty.

He’d never cared much before since dealing with monsters followed a pattern, but after the recent incident, it seemed he’d developed a sense of urgency.

“What is it? Bring it here.”

“Bring it! Bring it!”

When Alessia replied, keeping her expression composed, Philly mimicked her words in a cute voice.

Soon, Kaon pulled back the curtain and stepped into the room. Philly fluttered up, tapped the book in Kaon’s hands with his claws, then returned to Alessia’s shoulder—as if asking, “This again?” Kaon’s expression turned sour.

“I swear that thing’s mocking me.”

“Are you trying to frame a bird that can’t even speak?”

“It talks.”

Philly flapped his little wings as if to say he didn’t understand, then nuzzled Alessia’s cheek. The affectionate gesture made Alessia smile softly.

“This one?”

“…Yeah, that one.”

Alessia deftly took the book from Kaon’s hand and examined the marked section. Her face grew slightly puzzled. The sentence was a little long, but it wasn’t beyond Kaon’s ability to interpret.

Did I overestimate him?

But no—Kaon was objectively intelligent. He just lacked interest in studying, which held him back. Considering his talent as a knight, that was understandable.

She almost told him off for bothering her over something so simple—but swallowed the words. From the worried look on his face, she realized his real reason for coming wasn’t to ask about ancient language.

“If you’re that curious, just ask.”

“…What? I didn’t say anything.”

“It’s written on your forehead: Are you okay?”

He must be wondering what happened with her sister. He probably wanted to ask but worried it would trouble her, so he used a question as an excuse to come by.

For someone with a complicated heart, Kaon Ferdinand’s expression was painfully honest—his thoughts practically written all over his face.

“It’s nothing. She’ll be going back soon.”

Technically, Alessia should inform Ingelos first, let them know Nia was here—but she intended to pay out of pocket to send Nia away immediately. Richard wouldn’t care where Nia was anyway. Neither would their parents.

“Still curious? Want me to tell you?”

She didn’t really want to revisit the past, but there was nothing to hide from Kaon. He already knew the gist of what she’d been through. Knowing a little more wouldn’t change anything—so if he wanted to know, she could tell him.

“No, it’s fine. As long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters.”

He meant it sincerely, but when he looked down at her, he shook his head. His voice was casual, but the warmth behind it was unmistakable.

“Even if you get curious later, I’m not telling you. Got it? And this is…”

Alessia pretended nothing was wrong, joked lightly, and turned her gaze to the book. She didn’t have the energy to look straight into Kaon Ferdinand’s heart just yet.

She translated the long sentence at once and handed the book back. Sure enough, Kaon didn’t ask further—confirming that his question had never been the real reason for coming.

“Big sis, you awake?”

The soft knock and tiny voice came just then.

Alessia froze with her arm still raised. She’d given Nia her own room and told her not to come again. She knew Nia wouldn’t give up easily—but she hadn’t expected her to come this soon.

When no response came from inside, Nia spoke again, sounding anxious.

“Can we talk for just a bit? I won’t make a fuss, I promise.”

Feeling the weight disappear from her hand, Alessia snapped back to herself. Kaon had taken the book and was looking at her with calm eyes.

“Alessia.”

His low voice sounded above her head. She slowly lifted her gaze to meet his.

“Whatever you do—follow your heart. No one’s going to blame you for it.”

His large hand barely pressed her hair before falling away.

Follow my heart…

Alessia quietly clenched her fist.

“What do you want to say?”

Alessia led Nia, who stood anxiously by the door, into an empty room. Her eyes were swollen from crying so much, but she hesitated to speak, glancing nervously at Alessia.

“If you’ve got nothing to say, go to bed.”

“I’ll go back! I’ll return to Ingelos!”

As Alessia turned to leave, Nia spoke desperately. Alessia stopped, half-turned, and waited for her to continue.

“I’m sorry for showing up like this. I know it was wrong…”

“You don’t need to apologize. I just don’t want this happening again.”

“…”

Nia’s face darkened even more at the cold reply. Her eyes dropped to the floor, and her jaw tightened as if she were holding back tears—but Alessia ignored it.

Nia Ingelos had nothing to do with her. Not before, and not now. Even if they were both failures, Nia’s circumstances were a little better—she could eventually escape Ingelos on her own.

Not right away, of course, but if she endured a few more years, she’d find a way. That was the power of being a mage.

Alessia had no business pitying her. She herself had only just begun to hope—barely daring to use magic. Why should she worry about her younger sister, a mage in her own right?

She steeled her resolve again and reached for the door handle—

“Big sis… I’m sorry…