Chapter 85
Whenever the magicians of the Tower were dispatched to a domain, they would always send a signal upon entering its borders. That signal was a brilliant display of fireworks visible from afar.
Through the signal, they announced their arrival and flaunted the Tower’s presence. The dazzling colors that filled the sky were so breathtaking that they made magicians seem all the more mysterious.
Hearing the sudden booming sound while deciphering formulas in her room, Alessia leaned out the window and stared blankly at the sight.
She had already heard weeks ago about the Tower’s visit and their flashy method of arrival, but seeing it in person was something else entirely.
‘Casting magic on that scale isn’t easy. Could it be that the Tower has that many powerful magicians?’
The last magician dispatched from the Tower had been skilled to some degree, but Alessia instinctively sensed that this time the one she would meet was in another league altogether.
“Why make such a fuss when they’re late?”
“Fuss?”
Still gazing at the endless patterns of fireworks exploding, Alessia heard an irritated voice beyond the wall and questioned it.
“Yes. That’s excessive. The Tower always sends signals when their magicians come out, but never like this. It looks like blatant showing off. The mana is bursting through the air. He’s definitely not a normal one.”
Alessia almost said that magicians were rarely “normal” to begin with, but kept her mouth shut.
Kaon had surely seen far more Tower magicians than she had. If even he was surprised, then this was indeed no ordinary case.
“Come to think of it, this is the first time you’ve seen the Tower’s signal, right?”
“Yes. The Tower never comes as far as Ingellos.”
Relations between Ingellos and the Tower were not good, so there was rarely any exchange.
That didn’t mean no Ingellos magicians belonged to the Tower, but the noble house itself was not close to it. The Tower wanted Ingellos under its control, while Ingellos dismissed the Tower as nothing but a gathering of riffraff.
Thus, Alessia had never seen such a signal in Ingellos Castle. Their way of doing things was especially surprising and novel to her, since Ingellos despised wasting mana on meaningless displays.
Just what kind of magician could afford to spend his power so recklessly?
“Alessia! Sis! I hear something strange!”
As Alessia was gazing up at the sky with a pang of envy at such skill and confidence, her younger sibling Nia’s urgent cry reached her ears. It seemed the sudden boom had startled her into running over.
Burying her familiar inferiority for the moment, Alessia left the glittering sky behind to explain the situation to her sister.
By late afternoon, the carriage bearing the Tower’s flag arrived at the castle gates. Those preparing to greet the guest quickly arranged themselves in a neat line.
The Ducal House and the Tower were not in a superior–inferior relationship. Regardless of status, they were partners, and so proper hospitality was required.
Alessia, as Kaon’s fiancée, stood in the welcoming line. Leonidas stood at the very front, followed by Kaon and Alessia. Nia, as a magician, stood a step behind Alessia, nervous and hesitant.
The castle was hushed as they awaited the guest. Alessia stared at the grand open doors with a peculiar feeling.
Once, she had entered Ferdinand Castle as a guest herself. Now, she stood as family to welcome guests in return.
Everyone stood together, facing the same direction, united under one name.
And Alessia was naturally among them. No one seemed uncomfortable with her presence, all treating it as if it were the most natural thing. As though silently telling her: We trust you.
That trust brought with it an unfamiliar sense of responsibility and a subtle tension. Her chest felt ticklish and warm as Alessia suddenly realized:
‘I belong here.’
For the first time in her life, she felt true belonging — both a pleasant tingling and a dull ache.
Did she truly deserve it? Did she have the right to receive such trust from them, when she had deceived them until now and still had a long way to go before she could fully stand on her own strength?
The guilt she tried to ignore came surging back. Alessia bit her lip, feeling as though the heavy emotions pressing on her heart might spill out at any moment.
Tap.
Kaon brushed her lightly, as if to get her attention. When she looked at him, he pointed discreetly at her. Then, tilting his head, he gestured at the others standing firmly in their places.
He seemed to want to say something, but she couldn’t quite understand. As she waited, he pointed at her again and mouthed the words:
“You’re…”
Then he turned his finger to himself.
“…our…”
The boy, now nearly a young man, gave a broad grin and raised his thumb high.
“…magician.”
“So don’t be nervous.”
His playful whisper, meant for her ears alone, was as gentle as ever.
Alessia was struck speechless. Kaon Ferdinand, who knew all her flaws, was still giving her such unwavering trust.
You are our magician.
Repeating those words again and again, Alessia slowly, very slowly, nodded.
Before long, a man appeared at the entrance. To face the gathered hosts alone should have been intimidating, but he walked in with perfect ease.
As he stepped into the hall with sunlight at his back, low murmurs of admiration rippled through the crowd.
The man’s radiant golden hair gleamed as though it had absorbed the sun itself. His attire drew just as much attention — a pristine white coat over a frilly shirt so flamboyant it bordered on gaudy.
Yet even such extravagance could not outshine his striking looks. If even the servants, accustomed to the beauty of the Ferdinand siblings, were impressed, that said it all.
“I am Elliot, of the Eastern Tower. By the Tower’s command, I have come to Ferdinand to carry out my mission.”
His soft-spoken voice matched his delicate appearance. Elliot approached Leonidas, ready to kneel and show courtesy—
“You!”
Kaon stormed forward with frightening force, seizing Elliot by the collar and lifting him into the air.
Alessia’s eyes flew wide open. It was startling enough that Kaon could hoist the slim magician as if he were a child, but even more shocking that he would treat a Tower envoy so roughly.
“You’re that bastard from Belliom. Why are you here?”
At those words, Alessia belatedly remembered him — the strange man she and Kaon had encountered during the Belliom festival.
His face was far too striking to forget, but with everything that had happened since, it hadn’t come to mind right away.
“Oh my… Young master, you have quite the memory.”
Dangling in midair, Elliot struggled to speak through his tightening throat. What was strange was how his gaze slid subtly toward Alessia.
Kaon noticed. His expression hardened further, his grip tightening on the man’s collar—
“Kaon, release our guest immediately.”
“This bastard isn’t a guest—!”
“Now.”
At Leonidas’s rare raised voice, Kaon ground his teeth but obeyed, loosening his hold. Leonidas personally supported Elliot, helping him to his feet as he coughed and sputtered.
“A grave offense against an honored guest. How shall we ever be forgiven?”
“Haha, think nothing of it. There was a misunderstanding worth having, after all. You see, the young master and I once happened to meet in Belliom.”
As Elliot spoke, his eyes turned again to Alessia.
“It has been some time, my lady. To think you’d be here! What an extraordinary coincidence for me to experience.”
“…Coincidence, perhaps.”
“Or fate, maybe? Ah, I much prefer the latter.”
“Stop spouting nonsense.”
At Elliot’s blatant interest, Kaon immediately stepped in front of Alessia, shielding her. Though still rude, Leonidas did not intervene this time. Instead, he positioned himself between them, his cool gaze fixed on Elliot.
“The one you are looking at is my brother’s fiancée. Your interest is inappropriate.”
“Ah, fiancée… I hadn’t known. I must apologize. Having lived within the Tower, I’ve grown ignorant of the outside world. My ignorance has led me to cause unintended offense. Forgive me, my lady.”
Elliot bowed with perfect courtesy. Kaon still looked displeased, but Alessia accepted the apology.
Of course, she didn’t believe it. She doubted he was truly unaware of her, and “coincidence” sounded dubious at best. But with no way to prove it, she chose to let it pass — for now. Especially since Kaon had already intervened.
“If I am to serve here for three months, I shall devote myself to Ferdinand’s peace.”
“And Ferdinand shall provide every support to the Tower’s envoy.”
“On behalf of the Tower, I extend my deepest gratitude.”
With Leonidas stepping in to restore order, the commotion ended there. Yet in the quiet that followed, Elliot’s gaze drifted once more to Alessia.
As their eyes met, with his curved lashes framing that beautiful gaze, Alessia couldn’t shake the feeling: this was not the end, but the beginning.
