Chapter 08
“U-uncle…”
The moment Eleanor spoke, her eyes crumpled like she’d been waiting desperately to say that one word.
“Ellie.”
“I—I missed you too!”
Bang, bang.
Eleanor threw herself into Thermion’s arms and began pounding his chest and shoulders with her small fists.
It wasn’t real hitting—it was the kind of emotional, affectionate tantrum only a beloved niece could throw at her uncle.
“Why did you come so late? Hic… sniff…”
“I’m sorry. It’s Uncle’s fault.”
“I slipped on ice and hurt myself! Hic! I got scratched by a tree and bled! And I was scared!”
“Uncle’s here now, so you’re okay, right?”
“Why were you late, Uncle?! Waaaah!”
“I’m sorry, Ellie.”
Watching their heart-wrenching reunion right in front of her eyes, Aylesia felt light-headed.
A scene this precious? She could die right now and have no regrets.
To think the original author destroyed this beautiful uncle-niece relationship later…
What kind of sick personality did they have?
Are you watching this, original author? Huh???
Massacre? Tragedy? Villainess ending?
Absolutely unacceptable.
Who puts a bleak ending in a romance fantasy? Over her dead body.
She would definitely give them a sweet, fluffy, hopeful happy ending.
Everyone deserves happiness in this story.
No more being scared of “following the original plot.” No more hesitation.
Aylesia had repeated this vow thousands of times.
I’ll break the entire original storyline if I have to. I’ll pave a flower-covered road for our Ellie.
And Hermione—world-building’s strongest candidate AND a national-treasure-level beauty—
She would save him no matter what, too.
On Eleanor’s wedding day, she would make sure he walked her down the aisle healthy, smiling, and alive.
Watching the two cry and cling to one another, Aylesia felt her determination ignite all over again.
* * *
“So, how exactly are you planning to take Ellie back?”
Aylesia gently dabbed Eleanor’s puffy, tear-swollen eyes with a handkerchief.
She really looked like a little rabbit. The way she cried just now—it was like a faucet had burst.
“…Pardon? What was that?”
“I asked, ‘How are you planning to take Ellie home?’”
And that rabbit’s uncle was still a little dazed.
He hadn’t shed tears, but his eyes were faintly red, and his voice sounded a bit shaky.
After clearing his throat twice, he finally answered:
“First, we need to return to the village near the forest. The knights left their horses there temporarily.”
“And after that?”
“We’ll try to find a carriage. If that fails, we’ll stop by the nearest city.”
He seemed to have planned things out carefully.
But Aylesia had a very different idea.
“You won’t find a proper carriage around here. And the road to the city isn’t exactly comfortable for Ellie.”
“Do you have… a better method?”
Aylesia responded with a relaxed, almost smug smile.
“I’ll prepare a carriage. And the rest—you should see for yourself.”
“A… carriage?”
Thermion tilted his head in confusion, and Aylesia couldn’t help letting out a small laugh.
In Korean age terms, the kid was barely a high school junior.
Despite his scary image in the original story, there was still some innocence left.
So this must be what it feels like to tease a younger brother.
His reactions were cute enough that she wanted to prank him more.
“Yep. I’m a witch, remember?”
“……”
He fell for it so easily—again.
Even the way he glares is attractive.
The world’s-prettiest-man status truly showed.
While they exchanged looks, Eleanor tugged Aylesia’s sleeve.
“Teacher, are we going home now?”
“Your uncle came to get you, so we should, right?”
“What about Teacher?”
“Well… that depends.”
She intentionally trailed off and glanced at Thermion.
He flinched and opened his mouth, but he still hadn’t fully decided.
But Eleanor wasn’t going to wait.
“If Teacher doesn’t go, Ellie’s not going either!”
“There you have it.”
The situation flipped instantly.
While stroking Eleanor’s head, Aylesia shot Thermion a sly look.
Finally, he stood up—completely defeated.
“…Please accompany us.”
“Are you sure?”
When she asked again, he answered with a calm, resigned tone.
“Ellie wants it this much. I have no choice.”
“Even though I’m a witch?”
“…Please… stop that.”
Thermion rubbed his face with both hands, his voice crushed and miserable.
Aylesia wondered if she should stop teasing him at some point.
He might actually get used to it otherwise.
“Your uncle said you can come, sweetie.”
“Really?!”
“Thank your uncle.”
“Thank you, Uncle!”
“…Yeah.”
Thermion marched out the door with an annoyed expression—but the slight curve in his lips betrayed him.
He wasn’t really upset.
Aylesia chuckled as she watched him go, then turned to Eleanor.
“Okay, darling, let’s get your clothes on.”
“Yes!”
Aylesia placed the pendant around Eleanor’s neck again, then pulled out the leather coat she had prepared.
It had every support enchantment she could think of—
Cold-resistance, heat-retention, waterproofing, tear-resistance, auto-repair, impact cushioning, magic defense —
and even automatic size adjustment so it could grow with her.
Basically, a top-tier magical artifact disguised as a coat.
I finally get to put this on her!
She had spent countless hours crafting it while waiting for Eleanor—
even learning tailoring and sewing from scratch.
“Woooow…”
“You like it?”
“Am I pretty?”
“You’re the cutest and prettiest in the whole world, my baby.”
“Hehehe.”
Wrapped in the ivory coat, Eleanor looked like a fairy straight out of a picture book.
Beige fur around the collar and sleeves made her look even more adorable, and the emerald buttons perfectly matched her sparkling green eyes.
She twirled in place, checking every corner of the coat with shining excitement.
Nothing else to pack.
Aylesia needed only her staff.
Snap.
She locked the door and activated her forest barrier.
For the next 2 km around the lake, no outsiders would be able to approach.
Humans would get confused, wander, and exit the forest without realizing it.
“Your Ladyship.”
The knights waiting outside bowed politely to Eleanor—and even gave Aylesia a respectful nod.
A faint hint of fondness reached her.
Of course. Nobody hates the person who fed them.
Especially starving knights.
The pot of stew she’d made earlier?
Not a single drop had survived.
Even Thermion ate without complaining, so it must’ve been good.
“Where is the carriage?”
“Right here.”
With a light wave of her staff, Aylesia cleared the yard and summoned the carriage.
It looked ordinary enough but was fully reinforced with powerful magic.
Even an elephant charging into it wouldn’t leave a dent.
“Hold on. Whitey?”
The white wolf that had been lying quietly lifted its tail and padded over.
A few knights stiffened, but none drew their weapons—
because Thermion didn’t react negatively.
“Can you call Blanky for me?”
“Awooooo!”
Whitey tilted its head back and howled.
Even Thermion flinched at the sheer volume.
Less than 10 seconds later, the black wolf Blanky raced in and sat neatly next to Whitey.
“Have you boys been eating well?”
“Woof!”
“I’m going to rely on you two for a while. Take care of us, okay?”
“Awooooooo!”
“Woooow!”
Eleanor clapped excitedly like she’d seen this countless times.
But Thermion and the knights—
All of them paled at the dual-wolf chorus.
Guess they’re still not used to it.
Aylesia had thought they’d warmed up to Whitey at least.
The wolf had sat beside them the whole time during lunch.
Before they could misunderstand, Aylesia added kindly:
“My babies don’t bite people.”
“……”
“They’re gentle and sweet—big puppies, really. They don’t scratch or hit. Seriously. They play with Ellie all the time.”
Even with her reassurances, Thermion’s expression grew increasingly doubtful.
Was he glaring at her in his mind?
“What? Did I do something wrong?”
“…Nothing.”
Thermion tightly pressed his lips together and shook his head.
