Chapter 07
I watched in stunned silence as Eustian, clearly flustered, muttered incoherently and vanished into the trees.
Turning away, I dropped to my knees and began digging with my bare hands. With that annoying boy gone, I could finally get back to making the flowerpot.
“Pipi!”
Just as I was transferring soil into the prepared pot, Mandeukie emerged from the brush with a cheerful chirp.
I smiled and gestured toward the pot. Mandeukie clambered in, stretching out his limbs in the center. I carefully poured the purified soil into the spaces between.
“Pii! Pii!”
I patted his head as he squealed in delight. That’s when I heard a rustle beside me—someone approaching. An arm suddenly reached out.
“A mandragora? I’ve read about them before. It looks exactly like the picture.”
It was Edric. His deep blue eyes sparkled beneath his glossy black hair. Even earlier, I’d noticed—he gave off a strangely androgynous aura. Not in appearance, necessarily, but… perhaps it was the eyes. There was something hauntingly captivating about them.
I nodded silently. Edric grinned, then poked the ground beside my digging spot and began helping transfer soil to the pot.
“Like this?”
“Your hands will get dirty!”
“So what? I’ll just wash them later. Anyway, do I fill it all the way up?”
“No… just to here.”
I pointed to the desired line on the pot with my soil-covered finger. He gave a short nod and resumed his task. As I watched him out of the corner of my eye, my head tilted.
‘Is he not from Heideirik?’
He seemed noble, but not local. I’d heard that while purple eyes were a Heideirik hallmark, they weren’t absolute—especially in diluted bloodlines.
‘Hmm…’
I found myself unsure how to treat Edric. With Eustian, who was part of the family, I could be casual. But outsiders were different.
Tap, tap.
Before I knew it, the pot was full. I patted the surface flat and stood. Edric rose as well.
“Thanks for the help.”
“No problem. Honestly, this is just a tiny repayment for the entertaining thing I heard.”
“Entertaining?”
While I tilted my head, his moved subtly—his expression unreadable.
Whoosh—
Just then, the wind blew. My hair flew into my face, and I reached up to hold it down—
Plop.
Something warm landed gently on my head. I glanced up.
It was Edric’s coat. He’d placed it over my head.
“Your hands are dirty. You’ll just mess it up if you touch it.”
“It’s fine, really.”
Back home, I used to dig through dirt all the time gathering herbs. I’d been filthy plenty.
When I was younger, my hair had been so long it trailed on the ground when I crouched. Uncle Gaius had finally trimmed it, unable to bear the sight.
“Still. It’s a waste to dirty such pretty hair.”
Edric’s calm voice belied his age. He smiled again, and the wind returned, tossing his hair.
Whoosh—
Wind rustled through his coat.
Dark strands danced in the air.
And those blue eyes shimmered like—
“Azcasha Lake.”
“Huh?”
Edric paused, adjusting my hair more neatly as he looked down with a small smile.
“You remind me of Azcasha Lake.”
“…Me?”
I gave a small nod.
Shadows formed by wind and willow branches… and a serene, crystal-blue lake. The view just behind the house where I used to live. It was all right here, in front of me.
“Your eyes. They’re beautiful. Very, very beautiful.”
“….”
“Pipi!”
“Oh no, I forgot your food! I have to go! See you, Edie!”
I bowed and turned, grabbing the pot and running off. It wasn’t until I reached my room that I realized—
“Oh no! His coat!”
I’d run off wearing Edric’s coat.
Edric stood in silence, watching the direction Ilenia had gone. His eyes stirred like waves, the emotions within him difficult to place.
“You remind me of Azcasha Lake.”
“Your eyes are beautiful. Very, very beautiful.”
Her voice echoed with the breeze, brushing his ear like a whisper.
“Your Highness’s eyes are always so cold.”
“Even though he’s still so young, he’s already frightening.”
“Edric… perhaps try to look at people more gently? Everyone’s afraid of you.”
Murmurs from his past filled his head. People had always looked at him with fear—never warmth.
Born the first son of the Emperor and Empress, with a string of younger sisters after him, he was the de facto crown prince, even if not officially named. But power drew snakes. Many approached out of loyalty—but far more didn’t.
So he learned to be guarded.
That, over time, hardened his eyes… and the atmosphere around him.
But… she’d called them beautiful.
“…Like a lake?”
“What was that?”
“…?!”
Startled by the voice, Edric jumped. Eustian had walked up beside him unnoticed.
“Geez, why so jumpy?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Embarrassed, Edric gave a shaky laugh and scanned Eustian’s face, wondering if he’d overheard anything.
‘Seems not.’
He exhaled in relief.
“So, what did the Duke say? Was it true?”
“…He said it was.”
“What?”
“She’s not just some stray. She’s the daughter of Preldin.”
“…Who?”
“Preldin. That Preldin. The Archmage. One of only three in Imperial history.”
Edric’s expression turned thoughtful.
“And now, thanks to that, the family tree is a disaster. That little squirt? She’s my great-grandmother. To my father, she’s his grandmother.”
“What?! Pfft—!”
“Don’t laugh! This isn’t funny!”
He could already imagine the scene: Eustian standing stiffly before little Ilenia, bowing deeply and saying, ‘Grandmother, have you caught a chill?’ and Ilenia, responding with a smug little, ‘Ahem—thank you, dear!’
The image was so absurd, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Emperor himself paid gold to witness it.
“Hehehe… I can’t. That’s hilarious.”
“Glad to know my life’s a comedy show for you.”
“Come on, she’s adorable.”
“You think that gremlin is cute? Your eyes must be broken. She looked like she wanted to murder me.”
“Well… maybe. But that was after you drew your sword on her first.”
“What?”
“Did you apologize?”
“Apologize?”
“From your face, I’ll take that as a no.”
“….”
Eustian fell silent, his expression stiffening. Edric glanced toward the freshly leveled flowerbed.
No trace of disturbance remained.
Most eight-year-olds would’ve just dug and left it. But she tidied up. That means she’s aware. Thoughtful.
“Even grown adults panic when a sword’s at their throat. Imagine how an eight-year-old must feel.”
“….”
“She didn’t cry. You should be grateful. And how many times have I told you? Stop pulling your sword on a whim.”
Eustian clenched his lips, then sighed.
“You’re right. I’ll fix it. I didn’t even apologize for scaring her.”
“Do it when you see her next. You will see her again soon.”
“…Okay.”
Edric walked over and gave Eustian’s cheek a soft tap.
“Let’s go.”
“…Yeah.”
The two walked in silence for a moment, until Edric spoke again.
“Hey, Eustian.”
“Hm?”
“Do you know where Azcasha Lake is?”
“Nope. Why?”
“It’s… not important. Just…”
He trailed off. A cool autumn breeze stirred his hair again. He brushed it back, his smile bright beneath the golden light.
“…I think it’s going to become important soon.”
