Chapter 36
The expectant whispers among the nobles fell silent, and at the Emperor’s gesture even the orchestra held its breath.
Lea’s hair fluttered softly in a faint breeze.
A wind blew upward from below, and only the spot where Lea stood was wrapped in its current, the hem of her dress swaying as if alive, dancing on its own.
Into Lea’s red eyes slipped lights of many colors.
“Oh my…”
“They say mages must be incredibly intelligent—how can such a small head possibly…?”
“‘Genius’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.”
“The future looks bright.”
“She isn’t using some kind of magic tool, is she?”
“Oh, come now. Why so suspicious? Do you doubt His Majesty, who appointed Lady Lea as a Sage?”
“Goodness, Baron Rompel! How could you say such a thing about His Majesty? That’s not what I meant at all—”
The young lord who had spoken waved his hands in alarm at the old man’s words, shaking his head frantically as if to insist he had no such intention.
It was a sight so mystical and beautiful that gasps burst forth.
Standing before it, I had to use all my strength just to keep myself from stepping back.
That was magic.
Magic that had already vanished—magic that should not exist.
It felt as though all the blood drained from my body.
Why is she demonstrating magic in the imperial palace?
I couldn’t understand it at all.
Why hide here, pretending to be human?
If she were discovered to be a god, wouldn’t she be torn apart and killed?
If we had to run, what should we take first?
What would happen to Rodea now?
If a Second Divine Dragon War were to break out, what would become of Rueta—of our Titia?
“Oh my, look at that!”
At a noblewoman’s cry, the nobles leaned in closer.
A wineglass set on the floor began to tremble, rippling in perfect circles.
Soon, a coin-sized, red, transparent droplet rose from the glass and slowly floated into the air.
Lea’s gaze, focused on the fluffy, drifting droplet, was solemn beyond her years.
Fine beads of sweat clung to her forehead, wisps of hair plastered to her skin.
It seemed lifting even that small sangria droplet required intense concentration.
“My goodness…”
The droplet rose slowly, yet without stopping, wobbling upward.
At times it paused, or drifted sideways as if losing strength, but one could feel its stubborn struggle as it pressed on.
Watching the red, translucent droplet doing its utmost to rise, a doubt crept into my mind.
Do we really need to run?
The anxiety churning in my chest gradually settled as I watched this modest magic unfold.
For something done by a dragon, wasn’t it ridiculously trivial?
If that droplet could make a sound, it felt like it would be shouting “Uuuh—!” as it strained upward.
Yet, unlike me, those watching Lea gazed at her with awe and reverence.
“May glory abound in the Empire’s future…”
The red droplet spun several times around me, then gently returned to the wineglass.
Silence hung over the banquet hall—then thunderous applause erupted.
“To think I’d live to see magic with my own eyes…”
“How fascinating.”
Am I the only one feeling oddly empty?
Everyone bustled about praising Lea’s magic.
Lea, however, looked clearly exhausted even after such a short demonstration.
Prince Miles hurried over and tightly held her hand.
“When Nyea grows up, I’ll be even more amaaazing.”
At the child’s ambition, the adults smiled fondly and patted her head.
Lea trotted over to me, beaming, and bowed slightly.
“Thank you for earlier, Unni.”
“You did well.”
I barely managed to force the words out.
This child was undoubtedly a dragon.
Using magic was proof enough.
Even if her power was still weak, it was undeniably dangerous.
At the very least, shouldn’t I tell Titia?
But if that led the gods to catch her scent…
The safest option would be to tell only Titia, then flee far from the Empire.
She didn’t seem threatening enough to warrant that… but should we still go that far?
I don’t want to run if I can help it.
I wanted to stay in this place I was only just growing accustomed to.
My thoughts tangled into an unmanageable mess.
“Unni.”
Hehe—smiling, Lea stretched her hand out toward me.
It looked like she wanted me to take it, but instead of reaching out, I turned my head away.
“Why didn’t you come see Lea the whole time?”
“……”
“Nyea really wanted to see Unni a lot.”
Her shy little hands fidgeting were so adorable that the nobles burst into laughter.
I was the only one whose face remained stiff.
“…I was sick for a while. I’m sorry, Sage.”
“Huh? Where did it hurt? I hope Unni gets better soon.”
“Children really do love beautiful things.”
“Of course—they’re even more particular than adults. Once, my eldest even followed a pretty young lady she saw passing by…”
As the nobles chatted idly, laughing away, they began to eye me strangely for not taking Lea’s hand.
Lea smiled bashfully, gently waving her outstretched hand at me.
“If it’s okay, let’s go see the flowers together.”
“I’ll go too.”
Prince Miles, who had been hovering behind Lea the whole time, quickly cut in.
Miles Rendolan—
light brown hair tinged with gold, fine-textured strands, and blue eyes.
The Second Prince resembled Duke Bernard far more than the Empress.
“Why you?”
At Lea’s pouty question, Miles flustered, stepping closer as if afraid she might leave him behind.
“I’m your brother. Father said it’s a big brother’s job to look after his little sister.”
Miles stood beside her and offered his hand—
but Lea sharply turned her head and buried her face against my leg, shaking her head.
“I’m going with Unni, just the two of us!”
“You said I was your favorite earlier!”
“That was earlier. Right now, Unni’s my favorite.”
Clutching my thumb tightly, Lea made Miles’ eyebrows droop in defeat.
This is driving me crazy.
Normally, I would’ve watched the scene with a warm smile—
an older brother trying to take care of his little sister, and a little sister snapping without understanding his feelings.
It was picture-perfectly adorable.
But…
I couldn’t reconcile the horrifying dragon I knew with this lovable child.
How was I supposed to accept the gap between a dragon whose magic could burn the sky and this pitiful little spell she had just shown?
Before I knew it, having somehow become their romantic rival, I stood awkwardly between Prince Miles and Lea, feeling his jealous gaze.
“Shall we go see the flowers, Lea?”
The intent was obvious—we needed to talk alone.
Lea beamed and nodded vigorously.
“Yeah! Miles isn’t coming.”
“……”
“I’ll leave her in your care. Since it’s Lady Derman, I can trust you.”
Pouting, Prince Miles still tried to act grown-up as he entrusted Lea to me.
“She tends to suddenly sit down or trip while walking, so please hold her hand well.”
“Unni is always kind. Not mean like Miles. I love her.”
“Alright, alright. The grumpy one will stay here—go carefully.”
The nobles smiling warmly parted to make way for us.
As we passed the banquet hall entrance, two of Lea’s guards followed behind.
“I’m going alone with Unni.”
“But Sage, His Majesty ordered that you must never be separated—”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll tell Father.”
“Sage, please—”
“No! If you follow me, I won’t eat today!”
At Lea’s sharp shout, the guards exchanged troubled looks.
“Then… we’ll follow from very far away. Very far.”
“No! Don’t even talk!”
As Lea plopped down on the floor, eyes filling with tears, the guards hurriedly retreated.
“W–well then… since it’s Lady Derman, we’ll allow it just this once, Sage.”
“Mm!”
“Lady Derman, please take care of her.”
“…Yes.”
“Adults worry way too much.”
Lea sighed shortly, shaking her head side to side as if there were nothing to be done.
“Well, it’s all because Nyea is cute.”
Unlike the guards who looked ready to die, Lea laughed brightly and held out her hands to me—clearly asking to be picked up.
“Um, Lady Derman?”
When I just stood there, one of the guards asked in confusion.
Reluctantly, I reached out and helped Lea to her feet. She naturally took my hand and pulled me along.
“Today we’re going to the rose garden.”
“So you like flowers, Sage.”
“Mm, I like it better if you just call me Lea.”
“Then I’ll call you Lady Lea from now on.”
“Okay!”
I forced my stiff lips into a smile and nodded.
Would she ask how I was still alive, like Philip did when he first saw me in Osman?
Or would she say she was relieved because the monster had been told not to kill ‘big sister’?
Guiding me familiarly toward the garden, Lea chattered nonstop.
“I practiced all week. During practice, the droplet kept falling, so I was worried.”
“It must have been hard.”
I half-listened, responding appropriately as she complained about how hard she’d worked, how she couldn’t sleep, couldn’t rest or play, and how upset she’d been.
She really is a dragon.
The part of me that had been denying it slowly accepted reality.
Even weakly, she could use magic—silent magic at that—which was proof enough.
As we exited the palace grounds, the pillar of light rising from the World Tree filled my vision.
When it looked thin and distant, I felt nothing.
Droplets of light floated around the pillar, and the World Tree still stood firm.
I gazed up at it in a daze—
the divine power pouring forth, the majestic sight.
“It’s pretty.”
“…But your body is still down there.”
How did you escape?
The World Tree was rooted in the dragon’s heart. As long as it stood, the dragon’s seal shouldn’t be broken.
I asked without looking away.
Contrary to my expectation that she’d harden her expression, Lea merely shrugged lightly and tugged on my hand.
She toddled forward in silence for a while.
“….”
A magic display far below expectations, a tiny body that seemed incapable of much.
And everyone in the palace genuinely seemed to cherish Lea.
When we reached the garden, the rich scent of roses washed over us. Only then did Lea finally speak.
“Were you surprised because of Nyea?”
