Chapter 17
‘You don’t speak gently, and you’re not affectionate either—how could anyone feel at ease leaving a child with you?’
But… the more they acted like this, wouldn’t Ezekiel dislike the idea of taking me even more?
Hope slowly lifted its head. Right. He hadn’t liked me much from the start. By now, maybe he’d already decided that the moment we arrived, he’d leave without even looking back. The thought improved my mood considerably.
“So where are we going from here?”
“To an inland city called Helios. Since there are many of us, and Your Highness is still very young, it would be difficult to use teleportation repeatedly in succession. We’ll spend a day there and depart the following day.”
Helios, huh. From there, we’d need to stop at about three more intermediate points before reaching the capital. If we rested a day at each, it would take about a week in total.
A week was more than enough time to scrape away any lingering attachment without a trace. Feeling reassured, I looked around at this fascinating place I was seeing for the first time.
In Asha’s body, I’d only experienced small-scale magic circles. And when I had been Beatrice, Mother hadn’t liked teleportation much, so we’d only used small circles when absolutely necessary. Naturally, I’d never had the chance to see a grand teleportation circle of this scale.
‘Wow…….’
It was even more…
‘…incredible than I imagined.’
Marquis Matilda set me down. To use the magic circle, one had to stand on it oneself. The moment my feet touched the ground, I waddled forward as fast as I could toward the circle.
‘This is… amazing.’
I didn’t even know how to describe it. Even if I had truly been just a three-year-old child, I would have been overwhelmed. It was enormous, perfectly symmetrical, and exquisitely intricate. I was almost embarrassed at my lack of vocabulary in calling it simply “amazing.”
I had never actually used magic, but I wasn’t unintelligent, and I had studied to the point of near death in my previous life. Theoretically, I was confident I wouldn’t lose to most mages. And yet, I couldn’t even grasp the full scope of this circle at a glance.
Perhaps the word “flawless” existed for this very sight.
Instinctively, I focused, trying to find the starting point of the circle.
Gradually, the surrounding sounds faded into the distance. In their place, something like a soft humming filled my ears.
Welcome. I’m glad you’ve returned.
I’ve been waiting for a long time… for you.
“Ah!”
Suddenly, something large and cold covered my vision. Like being doused in cold water, my dulled senses snapped back.
“…That was dangerous.”
It was Ezekiel.
“You mustn’t stare too long. Especially not someone like you, with exceptional magical sensitivity… Though of course, you wouldn’t have known that yet.”
His voice, laced with a sigh, almost sounded relieved.
For some reason, I couldn’t find my voice right away. Instead, I raised my hand and felt what was covering not only my sight but almost my entire face. Cold and firm, yet unmistakably human skin.
…It was his hand.
He continued,
“It’s not malicious, but it’s excessively powerful magic. There’s nothing good about being ensnared by it.”
So I had almost been ensnared. Only then did I take a deep breath. If what he said was true, it really had been dangerous. If swept away by magic I couldn’t control—especially ancient magic of this magnitude—simply disappearing without a trace would be the fortunate ending. Something far worse could have happened.
‘T-thank goodness… that’s terrifying.’
A chill ran down my spine belatedly. I didn’t even think to protest that Ezekiel had covered my face without warning. I just nodded quietly.
“O-okay……”
“You can speak now?”
“I think so……”
“I’ll keep your eyes covered a little longer. You probably haven’t fully come back yet.”
I obediently nodded. Gradually… like water draining from my ears, the sounds around me began to return.
Is the Princess alright? …Suddenly the magic circle reacted—what in the world happened—? …Why couldn’t we approach—?
“Ah!”
Without warning, Ezekiel removed his hand. At once, the previously muffled noise exploded around me.
“Your Highness! Are you alright?!”
While I blinked blankly, Marquis Matilda rushed over, knelt, and examined me. The moment she confirmed there was no obvious harm, she pulled me tightly into her arms.
‘Her arms are trembling.’
She must have been truly shocked… Well, it really had been close…
My mind was still somewhat foggy. Even her sharp questioning barely registered in my ears.
“What exactly happened? The magic circle suddenly surrounded Her Highness like a barrier—”
“She hadn’t consciously awakened her magic, but her sight was already open. And it seems she’s fairly compatible with this place.”
“Then—”
“Say no more. It’s best we leave at once. Form up!”
Ezekiel’s voice, amplified by magic, rang out. The murmuring and whispers of the startled group ceased instantly.
“Anton, as planned, you lead the first unit and depart ahead. If there are no issues at the destination, send the signal and we’ll follow. Tollen will remain until the end, send off the rest of the group, and then follow.”
“Yes, sir!”
The people moved in perfect unison. Soon, the first unit—composed of elites—departed without luggage. Shortly after, the pocket watch in Ezekiel’s hand glowed blue.
“Let’s go.”
The second group consisted of Ezekiel, me, Marquis Matilda, Charlene—and Mother’s coffin.
In truth, the most important things in this procession were me and Mother’s coffin. Wherever we went, elite protection had to remain right beside us.
Ezekiel strode ahead into the center of the magic circle. At once, the wavering, mind-clouding energy vanished as if washed away. It seemed he was exerting full control from within.
“Sister.”
“Yes. We must go.”
Snapping back to attention at Charlene’s call, Marquis Matilda lifted me—less gently than usual—and hurried to stand beside Ezekiel. Charlene quickly followed.
“It’s fine. Put the child down.”
“But—”
“We’ve already delayed. It’s more important to leave here as quickly as possible.”
“….”
Marquis Matilda carefully set me down. My toes touched the ground and I flinched slightly, but thankfully nothing happened. Instinctively, I could tell the magic circle was now obeying Ezekiel, who stood at its center.
“…How are you doing it?”
“I’ve simply infused it with power. We’ll arrive at our destination shortly.”
Destination?
The moment I heard that word, what flashed into my mind was the Ricardt ducal estate in the capital. A wave of rejection surged up, and I frowned without realizing it.
And at that exact, ill-timed moment—
“We’re leaving now. Close your eyes.”
Now? If we leave now, I feel like something bad will happen—
The instant that thought formed, the fully awakened magic surged up from my feet and swallowed me whole. Soon, it felt as though my feet had left the ground. All sensation vanished.
And then, like before, that humming—not words, yet strangely clear—echoed again in my ears.
Let’s go anywhere. We can go anywhere.
To the place you desire most,
to the place most vividly etched in your memory.
No, wait—whatever this is, it feels really bad.
But I didn’t even have time to finish thinking, So please just leave me alone.
The overwhelming current rushed in, and I was swept away without resistance.
