Chapter 29
Thanks to Ethan’s consideration, the time at the Clovis Grand Duke’s residence passed quickly.
Today marked the third day since we had arrived at the Clovis estate, and we were to return to the Mage Tower together.
I stood with my back to the Clovis mansion, watching the morning sun glint in the sky.
The reason I stood motionless was simple… there was nowhere left to retreat, and no path forward either.
“I need to return to the Mage Tower. I mustn’t forget the reason I spared your life.”
In front of me was a ferocious, maddened dog eager to tear me apart.
“Eunice, you! Do you really want to see me lose my mind? Do you know how lonely I’ve been without you for three days and nights? If you don’t come back this time…!”
Behind me was a damnable Mage Tower master who couldn’t wait to command me.
No matter which way I looked… there seemed to be no corner to escape to.
Eventually, I quickly accepted the reality given to me and started preparing to leave for the Mage Tower before Ethan could threaten me again.
Turning toward the Clovis mansion, I kept my lips tightly sealed, lost in thought.
A mischievous voice filled my mind, disturbing my mood once more.
“…They must’ve needed someone to rely on too.”
The strange emotions Ethan had shown a few days ago still rattled my mind.
Was it because these were the first feelings I had ever experienced from him?
Since he left those meaningful words, I couldn’t forget that voice.
I never expected to face such a sorrowful emotion from none other than the mad dog, Ethan… or so I thought.
I merely pondered silently.
“Was it just my imagination that Ethan looked the saddest when he said that?”
He usually just threatened me without a second thought. Why show a weak side that didn’t suit him?
Stomping my heel into the ground in frustration, I kicked aimlessly, my emotions meaningless.
“What are you doing, Eunice?”
A familiar voice fell over me as I kicked uselessly.
I raised my head, still in a daze, and let out a small, absent-minded sigh.
“…Wow, insane.”
As I lifted my gaze, my heart nearly broke and tears threatened to spill.
I had no idea how to respond to that voice, so I simply trudged forward.
Stopping under a black shadow, I felt a scrutinizing gaze on me.
Yet I ignored it, lifting my head and covering my mouth in surprise.
My emotions had leaked without filter, and he would have noticed them instantly.
With one hand over my mouth, I grabbed his arm with the other.
Normally, he would’ve furrowed his brows and shaken my hand off, but today, he quietly observed what I did.
Relying on his unexpected patience, I spoke in a trembling voice.
“No! You… are the one I’ve lost…!”
Those cold black eyes calmly watched my foolish display.
Under that gaze, I boldly shouted his name.
“Claude!”
I removed my hand from my mouth and called his name in delight.
The black-haired, black-eyed young man standing before me was Claude.
Even teasing him lightly would make those deep black eyes wobble… teasing Claude had been so much fun!
“Claude! It’s really Claude!”
Excited, I grabbed Claude—no, Ethan’s—arm tightly, ignoring his stern expression.
I even leaned forward confidently, staring into his dark black eyes.
Those bottomless eyes met mine without hesitation, capturing me completely.
Delivering my heartfelt greeting, I finally looked directly into his eyes.
‘As expected. Ethan looks better with red eyes than black.’
Thinking how dangerous it would have been if Ethan had overheard me, I even stood on tiptoe, leaning closer to him.
“Wow, it’s really Claude! Right? Isn’t it?!”
I shouted “Claude” to Ethan in a voice full of excitement.
Yet Ethan remained silent, his lips pressed together.
Seeing Ethan in Claude’s form made my heart ache a little.
‘I never imagined this would happen… not when I teased Claude so excitedly… not even when Theodor introduced him!’
I didn’t know how my situation had turned out this way…
Feeling a pang of disappointment, I naturally raised my hand to touch Claude’s face.
Thwack!
“Ah!”
Even though Ethan didn’t push my hand away immediately, I still looked at him with longing, staring at Claude’s face.
Then Ethan, frowning, snapped sharply.
“Don’t be annoying.”
Hearing Ethan speak in Claude’s face with such a rude tone brought me back to reality.
‘Damn it… it’s Ethan.’
The joy of seeing Claude again vanished instantly.
I slumped visibly, shoulders drooping, withdrawing my face from Ethan.
“Ah… my excitement’s ruined. You take responsibility.”
“Even in the early morning, that mouth of yours is outrageously free. I’ll have to correct it.”
“Ah? Fine, I’ll stop. You could’ve said that beforehand.”
The cute, shy Claude was gone.
What remained was…
“Stop talking nonsense and let’s depart. I don’t want to see the Mage Tower master whining any longer.”
Only rude, annoying Ethan remained.
‘Rude and annoying… so all Ethan has is his good looks.’
Tsk. He’s got everything.
Thinking that, I followed Ethan obediently.
Getting from the Clovis Grand Duke’s estate to the Mage Tower wasn’t difficult.
Since we were both mages, there was no need for a cumbersome carriage—we could easily teleport to the tower.
I had often wondered why we insisted on carriages instead of the convenience of teleportation… today, I understood.
‘Sometimes it’s necessary to drag things out…’
Especially in situations like this, facing Theodor’s constant nagging.
I gazed at the tower hidden in the somber atmosphere and sighed deeply.
According to my promise with Theodor, I should have returned at least a week ago.
Yet, it took a full week before I finally made it back to the Mage Tower.
Which meant…
‘Theodor must be really prepared for this.’
In other words, a week’s worth of Theodor’s annoying scolding had accumulated.
‘And if he sent my dear Claude… no, Ethan, to catch me, it says it all.’
I shivered at the thought of Theodor leeching my magic yet again.
Then Ethan, who had been observing me, suddenly spoke in a low, calm voice.
“Get a grip, Eunice.”
“Huh?”
Even with my mind preoccupied by Theodor’s nagging, Ethan’s warning caught my attention.
I looked up, dazed, and he hardened his expression.
“Be careful not to reveal your identity. Both of us are, after all, just the Mage Tower master’s damn student here.”
“…I’m not really his student.”
“Judging by how tightly he hides and clings to you, the Mage Tower master must have some reason.”
“Oh, that?”
I gave a short, cynical laugh at my own absent-mindedness.
Ethan seemed amused by my awkward smile and observed me with a glint of interest.
“That’s because of my magic.”
“What?”
“When he first tried to tempt me, he said he wanted my magic. Since then… every day, he’s been siphoning my magic, really…”
“Fell for such a clumsy trick, huh?”
“Well, I needed Theodor back then, so it wasn’t a bad trade.”
…That was before you appeared, sir.
I swallowed the rest of my words, nodding to Ethan to indicate I wasn’t explaining further.
Ethan, not wanting to press, merely hummed lightly.
“Anyway, we should not forget our objective.”
“…Is it okay to say that with the Mage Tower right ahead? Better not disrespect our master.”
“Who’s disrespecting me!”
In the quiet, a sharp voice pierced the air.
Ethan and I immediately turned toward the source.
“See?”
“Yes. We need to be careful.”
I didn’t glance at Ethan as I spoke.
He, too, focused on the voice and silently agreed.
The person rushing toward us hadn’t heard our last conversation.
This man, wearing an expression that didn’t suit his usually cynical blue eyes, smiled lightly…
“Long time no see. Seems you’ve managed well without me, Master of the Tower.”
“Indeed. I almost grew tired of waiting, Disciple.”
Surprisingly, it was Theodor, the Mage Tower master.
‘…Is that really surprising?’
Well, anyway.
I stepped forward, speaking in a slightly calmer voice, trying to soothe him.
“Oh, come on. You know I’m always scared when you call me that. We’re not that awkward to call each other Master and Disciple, are we?”
“Yes, true! But how dare you sneak up on me like this, Eunice!”
“…Huh?”
Taken aback by Theodor’s sudden outburst, I tilted my head.
Glancing at Ethan behind me, I noticed he seemed a bit surprised as well.
Unaware of this subtle reaction, Theodor, excited, turned his voice toward me… no, both of us.
“I knew it! I know everything you’ve been hiding!”
…?
Sir, seriously?
I couldn’t even think of denying Theodor, only turning slightly to look at Ethan.
Ethan seemed equally taken aback, shaking his head slightly at me.
‘…Did we get caught before we even started spying properly?’
