<CHAPTER 13>

Someone gets too flustered to speak!

I froze, unable to get a word out.

Herace Miles Osborne reached out and gently stroked my head, as if understanding my reaction.

“That was too difficult a topic for you. Sorry.”

He seemed to think he had chosen words too difficult for me.

For me, it was extremely, very! humiliating.

Even if not as good as the royal education, I’ve read plenty of books!

“I just wanted to help you since you helped me.”

I immediately pushed Herace’s hand away with a delicate gesture.

“Don’t treat me like a child. And it’s not that I didn’t understand….”

But I hesitated, unable to continue my next words easily.

Even though it was a ridiculous misunderstanding, Herace gained courage to stand again because of it.

But should I really shatter that illusion?

…Still, I can’t leave it be!

If I don’t correct the misunderstanding, it’s like I’m lying.

Above all, if I don’t clarify it now and later receive resentment, that would be a problem.

“I’m sorry if you got your spirits up because of me, but I’m not as sick as you think.”

But Herace’s reaction was lukewarm, making my big declaration seem pointless.

He briefly rolled his eyes and nodded gently.

And I knew exactly what that expression meant.

‘He doesn’t believe me at all!’

Well, he must have heard rumors that I might die anytime…

“Really. At least until I become an adult, there’s no way I’ll die anytime soon!”

“Sorry if I seemed presumptuous. I just wanted to tell you how amazing I think you are.”

I spoke with determination and clarity, and Herace tried to calm me, still not fully believing me.

It wasn’t the reaction I wanted, but the responsibility was now Herace’s.

‘Ugh. I hope I won’t feel embarrassed later!’

I said all this with a serious face, talking about salvation and such, all by myself.

“So, what do you think about learning magic?”

Herace changed the subject smoothly, glancing at me with a playful tilt of his head.

‘By the way, what should I do?’

If asked whether I want to learn magic, of course my answer was yes.

The strange events that happened to me, like prophetic dreams, strongly hinted at magic.

‘It makes sense if suddenly seeing the future in dreams is also magic.

I still don’t know why I had prophetic dreams.

Maybe I’ll find out once I start learning magic.

But if Father finds out, he’ll definitely be shocked.

He might forbid me from learning magic from a prince.

Most likely, he’ll try to prevent his precious daughter from getting into dangerous situations.

But learning magic from a genius like Herace doesn’t come often.

Yes. I’ll keep it secret from Father, at least until I can handle magic myself.

After organizing my thoughts, I nodded at Herace, who was waiting for me.

“Alright. I’ll be in your debt.”

“Really? That’s a good choice!”

He smiled broadly, a rare sight, and welcomed my response.

“Will it be okay? I have nothing to give in return.”

“Actually, this is my proposal to repay you. Ah, though being friends with me would probably excite you.”

“How could I dare become friends with a prince?”

“Still so harsh.”

I snorted at Herace pretending to be offended, yet not hurt.

He was someone I could never truly dislike.

“It’s too late today, so let’s meet in a week.”

Herace stood, picked up the pendant I had left on the table, and put it around my neck himself.

“The coordinates are engraved here. Use them the same way to return.”

Even with my doubtful gaze, he continued speaking.

“I made this when I still had magic. Consider it a gift to commemorate becoming friends.”

‘I said I’m not becoming friends!’

Also, is it okay to give something he made before losing his magic?

He’s really peculiar!

Herace waved until I disappeared from view, marking the unofficial end of our first lesson.

Returning to my room felt like waking from a dream rather than leaving a forest filled with nature.

That night, as usual, Father came to say goodnight.

I lay on the bed, watching him with complicated feelings.

…Should I tell him or not?

Feeling my deep gaze, Father stroked my forehead and asked.

“What are you thinking so deeply, my dear?”

“What if I’m different from what you expect, Father?”

After all, Father didn’t know much about me.

He didn’t know I had prophetic dreams, had grown somewhat mature because of them, or could use magic.

Perhaps the me he sees and the real me are completely different.

Father paused for a moment, then smiled faintly.

“Well, I think I still don’t fully know you. No parent can fully understand their child.”

Really?

I widened my eyes and listened carefully to him.

“Still, I love my daughter. Even if I discover unknown sides, it won’t change anything.”

He spoke in a gentle and tender voice.

“Even if you suddenly became a magician?”

Silence followed.

I watched Father’s thoughtful face and quickly recovered with a joke.

“Just kidding. That could never happen.”

“Don’t misunderstand. Whether you’re a magician, a god, or even a demon, I will love you. But…”

Father closed his eyes briefly, frowned, then said resolutely.

“Just imagining you facing demons chills me. If that ever happens, I’ll hide you somewhere safe.”

…Exactly as I expected.

And that expression was sincere.

He really intends to hide me where no one knows.

‘I’ll keep it secret for now!’

I pretended to get sleepy to avoid answering and closed my eyes tightly.

A week later, I went to Herace’s cabin for the promised magic lesson.

“Welcome, Leila.”

I knocked on the wooden door, and he called back from inside.

Opening carefully, I saw Herace with thick books down to his chin.

He clumsily placed all the books on the desk.

Clang! Startled, I shrank back, and Herace put his hand on the books and said.

“I brought some books that are good to read as basic preparation.”

Basic? Just a little? What is this?

Lies!

Seeing my shocked face, Herace smiled wryly.

“It would be good if you read them before the next lesson.”

“Alright… I can do it.”

“Good attitude.”

Refusing would hurt my pride more, so I answered half stubbornly.

“And today, we’ll first train to sense magic.”

Herace led me outside the cabin.

In the cool forest breeze, he held out both hands to me.

“Since your senses aren’t developed yet, I’ll help you.”

Hesitating, I held his hands, and he spoke softly.

“Now close your eyes and focus. Feel the magic inside you.”

I obeyed, closed my eyes, and focused completely on myself…

Just as a warm sensation spread inside me, suddenly strong force gripped my hands.

“What’s wrong?”

Startled, I opened my eyes to see Herace’s serious face.

His pupils looked like someone who had seen something forbidden…