Chapter : 6
Just confronting Everett wouldn’t solve anything. I had to keep him occupied long enough for my master to have a chance.
“I need a reason to spend time with Everett.”
The most natural excuse was to claim I needed treatment.
The question was whether Everett, a high-ranking priest, would take the time for someone like me… but I wouldn’t know unless I tried. For my master, I was ready to throw myself into this.
“Come on, self. You can do this.”
I clenched my fists and silently cheered myself on. My master’s sharp gaze was easy enough to ignore.
The carriage stopped at the shop of Calante, a famous designer whose schedule required a six-month wait even if you booked immediately.
Akilan glanced at the overly extravagant exterior visible through the window, far too ornate for a simple clothing shop.
“A single dress costs as much as a house, they say.”
Rider had recommended this place the most, so I picked it. The price was high, but it didn’t matter to him. His wealth, accumulated over a long life, had dulled any sense of economy.
Akilan stared at the luxurious building with an expressionless gaze, then got out of the carriage. He instinctively reached for Temis’ hand but then remembered her words from earlier and lowered it. Habits were frighteningly ingrained.
“I wonder what’s made our student change so much.”
He had mostly ignored Temis, assuming she would grow well on her own, but every unexpected side of her gave a refreshing stimulus to his otherwise monotonous life. People only change for a reason. Temis’ sudden shift in attitude must have one too. Akilan was curious about it.
“…Master, this shop is ridiculously expensive.”
Temis muttered seriously as she stopped in front of the door.
“Even a student shouldn’t burden their master with debt.”
“I don’t consider this a debt.”
“But I’m not at ease.”
“Then pay it off gradually.”
“Is that possible?”
“I’ll bill you later.”
It was a lie. Not because he was short on money or petty enough to charge her for a dress, but because he knew Temis would only agree if he said so. A well-intentioned lie.
“Then I shall do so.”
Temis finally relented, which was peculiar. Who refuses gifts from the master of the Mage Tower? She gladly accepted books but vehemently refused dresses. It didn’t make sense. After all, all of it was pocket change to him.
“I can’t always rely on my master. I’ll do my best.”
Her excuse-like addition was almost laughable.
“You’re a child I could support easily.”
“I’m fine.”
With determination, Temis went into the shop first. Watching her back, Akilan felt an unfamiliar sensation. A feeling he had never experienced in his life.
He pondered the emotion he was feeling. Was it the sorrow of a parent watching their dependent child step into the world? Or was it irritation that her once blindly loyal gaze had changed?
“Either way, it’s bothersome.”
He understood that Temis’ social growth would benefit both her and himself, yet selfish feelings kept creeping in.
“Not that I intend to stop her growth.”
Human emotions are not easily controlled. Akilan checked the time and narrowed his eyes.
“It’s going to be a long day.”
He had to stop by the temple, escort Temis back to the Mage Tower, and then attend the emperor. The emperor had requested him to be the princess’s tutor, citing the royal family’s long-standing pact with the Archmage. This was also a request to protect the princess as her official guardian.
The princess in question was the sole legitimate heir of the royal family. After a fire nearly wiped out the royal line 19 years ago, finding her was a stroke of unprecedented luck. They feared losing her again.
“It’s certain that ‘they’ are targeting the princess.”
The emperor never fully identified the culprits of that fire, and he believed remnants still lingered. In preparation for her palace entry, the royal family intentionally spread the information that the princess was staying at Akilan’s retreat. Akilan would face no real risk.
During her stay, Akilan used magic to deceive people’s eyes, and an actual terror attempt occurred—aimed at assassinating Princess Aria. Investigations revealed that the carriage she would ride contained a mana core capable of inducing heart attacks in unstable individuals. Had Aria truly been in it, she would have died without a chance.
“Such a carriage couldn’t have been made without a high-ranking mage recognized by the Tower… Involving the Tower itself makes this troublesome.”
There was a rat within the Tower. Someone conspiring with the royal family’s enemy… possibly linked to past attempts on the princess. With many unknowns, Akilan had to be careful.
“I need to ask Everett to keep a close eye on Temis.”
There wasn’t enough time before the banquet celebrating the princess’s palace entry to follow Temis constantly. Everett, being one of the few reliable people, could be trusted to watch over her. At that time, his presence was a benefit—before the uneasy tension between him and Temis began.
Akilan’s life, built on long experience and the ability to read people, had proceeded as expected… until Temis’ change disrupted everything.
Calante’s shop was smaller than expected. I had assumed it would be large with many staff due to its popularity.
“Perhaps its popularity comes from operating with an elite few?”
I pondered this when Calante herself approached us.
“It’s an honor to have the Archmage and his student visit our shop.”
Calante was a woman in her mid-thirties, with strikingly high-set blue hair.
“It’s been a while since someone greeted me like that too.”
Even the doctors I met today treated me as a shadow, so this was unexpected.
“Since your time is limited, we’ll proceed immediately. Archmage, will you wait here?”
“As you wish.”
As soon as Akilan spoke, Calante took me to a room and measured me herself.
“It’s an honor to meet someone accompanying the Archmage.”
“The honor is mine.”
“I didn’t realize you were so beautiful.”
Even knowing she was being polite, my face flushed.
“Not at all.”
My master rarely gave compliments, and I had little experience receiving them from others, so it felt awkward.
“Dark colors would suit you well. Would you like to try one?”
“Yes.”
The dress she prepared was deep navy, reminiscent of the night sky, with a flowing line from the waist down.
“I never thought such elegant dresses could suit me.”
Compliments and beautiful dresses alike had seemed distant to me. But seeing myself in the dress, I felt as though I were walking on clouds.
“Your slender figure suits this simple dress. After final fittings and detail finishing, it will be perfect.”
“Good.”
“Would you like to try other dresses as well?”
Calante showed me three more dresses, one by one, but I preferred the first navy one. It reminded me of the night sky, like my own name.
“Now it’s time to show the Archmage, but may I fix your hair a bit first?”
“Yes.”
I lightly responded and smoothed my hair. Looking at the mirror, I felt insignificant compared to the dress.
“No dress is more beautiful than the person wearing it.”
Perhaps sensing my feelings, Calante handed me a headband.
