Chapter 13

The Karnian family held power in the Empire largely because they protected it from the monsters that crossed the northern mountains. That was what most of the citizens believed—even I had thought so.

But there was another reason.

“We protect the spirit.”

More precisely, the spirit stone in which the fire spirit slumbered.

Its sealed location was a top-secret matter, but those with greed always found a way to discover it. Even ten years ago, a spirit stone that had strayed from its place had to be recovered.

At that time, I—or rather, Minuelle—had touched it.  

A force that even seasoned knights, mages, or apostles of the gods couldn’t endure had been borne by a mere child.

‘So that’s how the real Minuelle disappeared.’

There had been knights and my mother at the scene, of course, but it was said that none of them noticed Minuelle’s approach, as if entranced.

“It’s pathetic to admit, but even now, none of us can remember how you slipped through our defenses.”

The contact had lasted only a moment, like touching a scalding pot and letting go immediately.  

Minuelle had screamed and collapsed right after.

Yet, that fleeting moment had allowed a portion of the fire spirit’s power to enter her body, leaving behind a scar on her hand that would never fade.

“A spirit…?”

As I listened, I instinctively pressed a hand to my chest.  

As always, I could feel the pulsing heat beneath.

‘Wait, this wasn’t “rage.” Was it leftover spirit energy?’

At this point, shouldn’t this be the kind of thing that turns the story into “the noble lady hides her powers”?  

But no. I couldn’t use it. It was just… a chronic illness.

“Leaving you at the temple was not just to ensure you received a steady supply of divine power—but also because there are too many insane mages in this world.”

Mother added that for the sake of research, many of them wouldn’t hesitate to kidnap a noble lady, even a duke.

Magic was deeply intertwined with everyday life in this world.  

Mages were everywhere.

But thankfully, there were exceptions.

A place where mages didn’t come and go freely.  

A place where weakened life could be preserved and nurtured.  

A place close enough to the Karnians to keep this secret safe.

That place was the temple of Plendena.

“Dear, I know why you’re asking this now. It’s because of that Fire Cult that’s recently appeared, isn’t it?”

In truth, I just wanted to understand why I had absorbed the fireball.

The idea that the masked assassin was the Second Prince was still just a theory.  

But if it turned out to be true, then—as Esadien feared—the prince would likely target me as well.  

Especially the more Esadien’s heart leaned toward me.

‘He also saw me use that weird power, after all.’

Still, I could tell my mother continued to feel guilty for failing to stop Minuelle from touching the spirit stone.  

I didn’t want to burden her with more worries.

“There is no information linking that cult to the spirit. So Minuelle, if you ever—”

“Mother.”

I just want to live a peaceful and comfortable life.

“I hate cults. Absolutely.”

Though my thoughts were a tangled mess, I was relieved that my parents seemed reassured by my words.

* * *

After my parents confirmed that I was healthy and well, they gave me permission to go out again. Naturally, I wasted no time and dashed straight to Esadien.

‘It’s hard enough trying to win over Esadien—why do all these major events keep blowing up around me?’

At least I could investigate the Second Prince on my own. But spirits? I couldn’t meet one, couldn’t talk to one—there was no clear way forward.

‘I want to be healthy too…’

Until now, things had been fine. The temple was peaceful, and Ramande had always been by my side.  

But after this recent incident, I realized how unpleasant it felt to always be standing behind someone else when danger struck.

‘Was my body really this frail from the start?’

Esadien, perhaps because he lost his mother early, seemed to dislike weakness too.

‘What I can do for now is… carry lots of potions and always bring Ramande when I go out.’

As I was desperately plotting how to survive, a soft finger poked me in the cheek.

“Are you thinking about His Highness again?”

“Huh…? Um…”

I wasn’t, but I had been so deep in thought I couldn’t come up with another excuse. My mouth opened and closed uselessly.

“Excuse me, adorable little miss? Could you spare a little attention for your big sister over here who’s been talking nonstop next to you?”

“Sorry, sorry!”

Juela, clearly miffed, tugged my cheeks out in both directions even though I smiled apologetically and begged forgiveness. Her hands were merciless.

“Do you admit your guilt?”

“I-I do… I totally do…”

She didn’t let go until I had said I was sorry five times.

“Ow… that hurts…”

I rubbed my stinging cheeks and glared, but she didn’t bat an eye.

“You need to start preparing next week.”

“R-Right. The date is already that close…”

With everything going on—Esadien, the spirit situation—I had completely forgotten about one very important event:

Juela’s wedding, just a month away.

“Don’t tell me our youngest forgot about her big sister’s wedding?”

“No way! O-of course not! Hahaha!”

Sharp as ever.

Though she didn’t show it much around me, my sister was a perfectionist nobody could beat.

‘It’s thanks to that personality that she earned our mother’s trust and now runs the family’s trading business.’

I had thought she’d never find anyone good enough to meet her standards. The fact that she was getting married made me oddly emotional.

‘Hmm…’

I silently counted the days in my head and came to a decision.

‘If I want to prepare a gift for Esadien before the wedding prep kicks off, I’ll have to pull an all-nighter.’

I wanted to give him a gift—something to thank him for the date, and to apologize for the way I’d been a wreck by the end of it.

But more than that, once the wedding preparations began, I’d barely get to see him for nearly a month.  

So I wanted him to look at my gift and think of me.

“Alright.”

I clenched my fists with determination, but Juela must’ve mistaken it as me psyching myself up for wedding prep.

“Our baby sister’s all grown up, helping her big sis with the wedding…”

Her voice trembled as she smothered my face with kisses, clearly emotional. Just moments ago, she was yanking my cheeks!

“Aah! Don’t tell me you scheduled the wedding around my coming-of-age ceremony on purpose?”

“You.”

Her eyes, beautiful as rubies, crinkled with a dazzling smile.

“I was aiming for maximum efficiency.”

Seeing her smile like that, I didn’t even have to meet my future brother-in-law to know he probably went through a whole drama series’ worth of heartache to get here.

“Yes, yes. Your will is my command, ma’am.”

I replied playfully, and she grinned right back and tickled me mercilessly.

“Where did you even learn to talk like that, you little rascal?”

“Ack! No! Hahaha! Stop it!”

Laughing so hard I could barely breathe, I rolled around the sofa—until my gaze caught the clear blue sky outside.  

The sun was slowly setting, its red light spreading like spilled ink across the water.

‘Ah, I’ll make Esadien’s gift the color of his eyes.’

I already missed him again.

* * *

“I’m heading off now, Your Highness.”  

Minuelle said with a bright smile. Esadien’s gaze flicked between her face and the clock.  

“Now?”  

“Yes.”  

Her crisp reply caused his long, straight eyebrows to twitch ever so slightly.

Since her recovery after their “date,” Minuelle had resumed her regular visits to the Prince’s palace.  

At the same time, a letter arrived from the second daughter of the Duke’s household—the same one who managed their trading firm—along with a mountain of crates.  

Stripped of its flowery language and formal niceties, the letter basically read:

“My little sister barely eats as it is, and it got worse after she fell ill. We’ll provide what she needs to eat, so please cooperate. Refusal would be… highly unfortunate.”

The final line bordered on a threat, but Esadien took it seriously.  

Minuelle really was too small and slender. It was one of the reasons he found it so hard to reject her relentless advances.

So from that day on, whenever Minuelle visited, Esadien made sure she ate something—without fail.

“You’ve eaten? Already?”  

“Yes, I had something before coming…”  

“Then think of this as a snack and eat it anyway.”  

Minuelle seemed slightly puzzled, but she never turned down his offer.

That rhythm had almost become their routine.  

But now, for the third day in a row, she stood up to leave before he could offer her even a bite.

“I’ll just have tea today and be off.”  

“But—”  

“It’s fine. You don’t need to prepare meals for me for a while.”  

Esadien swallowed the question that nearly escaped his lips:  

Why?

Ordinarily, she would linger until sunset, only leaving after he offered to escort her out.  

Yet recently, Minuelle had been drinking her tea and promptly heading home—as if trying to avoid something.

“Minuelle.”  

“Yes?”

Those clear eyes met his, and Esadien once again found himself at a loss for words.  

It felt odd to ask why she was leaving early, or whether someone was waiting for her.  

It wasn’t even his place to ask.

“…Never mind.”  

“Hmm?”

She tilted her head in confusion, and each flutter of her long lashes sent a faint heat rising in Esadien’s ears.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll miss you!”  

At least her parting words hadn’t changed. That was a relief.  

Yet, Esadien didn’t even realize he’d considered it a relief as he puzzled over it all.  

‘What on earth is going on?’

A sudden image of a priest with violet eyes flitted through his mind, but he shook his head to banish the thought.

Then came the fourth day.

“Your Highness, I missed you again today!”  

As energetic as ever, Minuelle greeted him as she entered the room. The moment she set down her teacup, she gave him a gentle smile.

“Your Highness, I’ll be off now.”  

“Leaving already?”  

“Yes.”

Esadien’s gaze swept across her face—and then paused.  

There, under her usually pristine eyes, was something odd: a faint shadow.

“D-Did I get something on my face?”

It was the first time Esadien had stared at her that intently, and Minuelle flusteredly patted her face in alarm.

“No, it’s nothing.”  

The words came out reflexively.  

Assuming she’d imagined it, Minuelle gave another farewell and left.  

Esadien stood at the window, watching as she climbed into her carriage—and suddenly, a realization struck him.

Since their “date,” Minuelle hadn’t called his name even once.

“Why not?”

He still called her by name, every single time.

Unable to find an answer, Esadien spent the night wide awake.

And then came the fifth day.

The dark circles under Minuelle’s eyes had grown unmistakably worse—deep enough to rival Esadien’s own sleepless nights.

“Oh my, Lady Karnian. It’s been a while, and I see you’ve turned into a raccoon!”  

Just then, Theodore happened to arrive at the Prince’s palace around the same time as Minuelle and jokingly teased her.

“R-Raccoon? Is it that bad?!”

Minuelle’s soft cheeks turned red like an apple.