Chapter 64
…Could it be that the person sitting in front of him wasn’t actually Iolene, but some unidentified entity wearing her face?
Frowning deeply, Thermion blurted out something far harsher than he intended.
“Have you been overexerting yourself lately? You shouldn’t be experiencing delirium at your age yet.”
“You brat—have you no respect for your elders?!”
Smack!
“Ack!”
With lightning speed, Iolene flicked him sharply on the forehead, making Thermion cry out.
“You insolent boy. Hmph.”
“…I admit I deserved that, but still—you went too far.”
“Quiet. It’s a hundred times better than pointless political marriages and power games between noble houses.”
“You do realize I’m only seventeen, right?”
“Who said anything about marrying right away? From the way Teacher treats you, it doesn’t seem like she has no feelings at all.”
“Based on what?”
Thermion snapped back flatly, as if the idea were absurd.
Romantic interest—from Ailesia?
From a human standpoint, perhaps. But as a man? No matter how he thought about it, he saw nothing appealing about himself.
To her, he was probably just someone who needed protection and care. How could she possibly see him as a romantic partner?
It was the same when he nearly died to the drake. The way she rushed to save him was probably no different from how a parent runs toward a child left unattended near water.
“What are you planning to do with that handsome face, then?”
“Ailesia liking my face is probably no different from her finding her wolves cute.”
“…Enough. Just think of it as an old woman’s joke.”
“Then was that supposed to be a joke? Were you being serious?”
He felt it was best to be absolutely clear now.
His expression hardened as Thermion spoke firmly.
“I’ve already told Ellie this, but please—never bring up marriage or anything like that in front of her. It’s not something to speak of lightly, and above all, it’s disrespectful to our benefactor.”
“So now you’re lecturing me? Even without you glaring and threatening me like that, I have no intention of treating Teacher carelessly. Enough.”
“…I apologize.”
“No. I spoke too harshly as well.”
A brief silence followed. Seeing Thermion’s still-dark expression, Iolene fell into thought.
This boy… he doesn’t even understand his own feelings.
Unlike ordinary noblewomen, Iolene had spent many years as an adventurer in her youth. As a result, she had considerable experience when it came to relationships between men and women.
His discomfort with receiving help from Ailesia, combined with his overly sensitive reaction just now, made things clear.
Even this emotionally barren child had encountered his first love.
But if the other party might be a dragon, I can’t exactly tell him to go all-out and seduce her.
Though it was only speculation, Iolene couldn’t help being cautious.
According to records, dragons immediately cease all activity and return to their lairs once their identity is discovered during “play.”
Some stories even claimed that particularly ill-tempered ones would devastate their surroundings for having their amusement ruined.
“In any case, try your best to maintain a good relationship with Teacher. As you said, she’s a benefactor to our house—and Ellie adores her.”
“At the very least, I won’t let her leave Letis feeling disappointed.”
“That’s enough. You never know how people change. If you grow attached over time, things may turn out differently.”
“…Do you like Ailesia as well, Grand Madam?”
Only now did he ask the most important question. Iolene’s eyes widened slightly before she burst into a clear laugh.
“Oh hoho, of course I do. She dotes on Ellie, saved your life, and I heard everything from Sir Dayfold.”
“…Heard what?”
Kubera had indeed been grinning and saying, ‘It seems spring has finally come for His Highness,’ but that particular story was best left buried.
“What’s certain is that Teacher’s magical ability is above even mine.”
“…Pardon?”
“Her spatial transfer magic. That’s not something an ordinary mage can use.”
“Then…?”
“A spell that leaps across space using overwhelming magical power without calculating dimensional coordinates. In academic circles, it’s called Dimension Pass. And being able to use such magic means…”
This, too, was merely conjecture. She could be using an extremely rare artifact.
But considering everything so far, even if Ailesia wasn’t a dragon, one thing was undeniable—she had reached the absolute pinnacle of magic.
“Teacher may be what they call an Archmage.”
“…A mage who has reached the Ninth Circle?”
“Yes. The first in 180 years—since Luthes Windrake, the Grand Mage of Azure Flame.”
* * *
Nearly two weeks had passed since the New Year began.
After briefly enjoying a lively holiday season with the people of Letis—something she had always spent alone—Ailesia found herself shuttling endlessly between the ducal castle and the imperial capital.
Before she knew it, the morning of the imperial palace’s New Year’s banquet had arrived.
“…How did it come to this?”
Ailesia muttered weakly as she sat before the vanity.
Reflected in the mirror was a splendid dress hanging on the opposite wall—the outfit she would be wearing to the banquet.
When she heard that not only Thermion and Iolene, but also Eleonora would be attending, she initially thought it was a good thing.
Nobles usually brought one or two attendants to banquets.
She’d been racking her brain for a way to tag along under the pretense of accompanying Eleonora, when Iolene made an unexpected proposal.
“Teacher, would you attend the banquet as Thermion’s partner?”
“Pardon? Me?”
“If we asked a young lady from another house, it would only create unnecessary complications. If it wouldn’t offend you, I’d like to ask you.”
“Uh… but I’m not a noble.”
“I can guarantee your status. We’ll also prepare all the attire and accessories you’ll need.”
“…So I just need to go and stand there quietly?”
“Of course. You only need to enter together. Wouldn’t this be a good chance to see the imperial palace?”
At that point, she had little room to refuse. Insisting on attending as a mere maid might have raised even more suspicion.
Looks like our master accidentally had her wish fulfilled.
That was something Rubia used to say endlessly—that her disciple was the most beautiful in the world and deserved to show it off.
She’d even gone so far as to personally sew dresses using rare fabrics and jewels.
And so, Ailesia finally took out clothing she never thought she’d wear in this lifetime.
It was something she had carefully preserved from her days as a noblewoman in the Northern Continent.
Even Iolene—who had suggested hiring a professional designer—had been left speechless upon seeing that dress.
Knock, knock.
“Teacher, may I come in?”
“Yes.”
The person who entered was Lady Herman. Behind her, Eleonora appeared, holding Hilda’s hand.
“Teacher!”
Eleonora ran over and buried herself in the folds of the dress. Lifting the child onto her lap, Ailesia smiled warmly and asked,
“What brings you here, my little one?”
“I came to watch Teacher get pretty!”
“Hm?”
Confused, Ailesia glanced at Hilda—but without a word, Hilda opened the door wide and stepped aside.
Only then did Ailesia notice the ten or so maids waiting outside.
“…Who are all those people?”
“They’ll assist with your makeup, hair, and dressing. They’re specialists, so you may trust them.”
“I—I just need to put on the dress and tie my hair, don’t I? Makeup seems unnecessary.”
“What are you saying?”
Lady Herman’s expression turned stern—far removed from her usual gentle smile.
“As you’re attending as the Grand Duke’s partner, you must possess a presence befitting that role.”
“No, ‘partner’ is just a title. I’m basically decorative, right? I’m just a private tutor.”
“Hem!”
At the sudden shout, Ailesia flinched—and then heard something utterly unexpected.
“This is a gathering of not only royalty but the most eminent nobles of the empire! You must overwhelm them so thoroughly that no lady or young noblewoman dares utter a word!”
“…Overwhelm them? How exactly?”
