TLVGAJ 41

~Chapter 41~

“Good morning, traveler. I’ll prepare your breakfast.”

When I entered the dining car, where the morning sunlight streamed in, the staff greeted me kindly.

I sat down at the table as usual, ready for breakfast.

Knock.

While enjoying the view of the vast forest outside the window and placing my napkin on my lap, someone lightly tapped the table.

I looked up and smiled at the man standing there.

“Fabian. You’re here.”

“……”

“Good morning. Have a seat.”

Fabian silently sat in the chair across from me.

As I watched him unfold his napkin, I spoke.

“Did you find a good room? How was your first night on the express train?”

“…There happened to be a first-class room available, so I took it. The facilities weren’t bad.”

“That’s lucky. Good thing there was a room left.”

Although we had decided to travel together in case my magic went out of control, there was no need to share a cabin. There was little chance of an outburst inside a room, so we agreed to only stay together when moving around the train or traveling.

Soon, breakfast arrived.

The Ramiere Express’s breakfast menu changed slightly each day, and today the main dish seemed to be French toast.

While I was enjoying the sweet aroma of toast, the staff poured tea into my cup.

“Then, please enjoy your meal. Let us know if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

Smiling at the staff, I watched them leave.

When I looked forward, Fabian was calmly observing the breakfast in front of him.

“Well… let’s eat.”

“…Alright. Enjoy your meal, Fabian.”

We picked up our forks and knives and began eating.

With soft classical music playing, only the occasional sound of utensils clinking could be heard.

I glanced at Fabian while eating.

‘Just like in the novel, he doesn’t talk much.’

Fabian was the type to avoid unnecessary conversation.

He ate quietly, without even making a sound.

…Always like a shadow.

Like a shadow, Fabian had stayed by the heroine Emily’s side.

That actually made it comfortable for me — especially for someone who preferred to travel alone.

‘Well, it’s peaceful and not bad. At least better than Albert…’

Suddenly, my gaze shifted to the table next to us.

A man was reading a newspaper there.

‘Huh…?’

Just as I thought his long fingers holding the newspaper looked familiar, he lowered it and our eyes met.

It was Albert von Hashit — with beautiful silver hair.

“……”

“……”

He looked at me for a while, seemingly surprised.

This was the first time we met since I’d told him about my terminal condition.

We hadn’t run into each other in Rome, so seeing him now felt oddly like meeting him after a long time.

Albert’s gaze then shifted to Fabian, who was quietly eating in front of me.

Only then did I flinch, unconsciously watching his reaction.

Right — he was seeing me with another man again.

‘Will he misunderstand again after seeing me with Fabian…?’

But this time, there really was nothing like that — Fabian was traveling with me for an actual reason.

While I was wondering if I should say something first—

Rustle.

Albert folded the newspaper and stood up.

He placed it down, set his napkin on the table, and turned to walk away.

Oh…?

‘Wait, did he just avoid me?’

I tilted my head. I couldn’t believe what I’d just seen.

‘Could it be… he’s actually keeping his distance because I told him not to come near?’

My heart pounded with excitement.

Finally… my last resort worked?

So telling him about my terminal fate actually paid off?

‘Yes… well done, male lead!’

If he had kept his distance earlier, things would’ve been even better.

It felt like our relationship was finally being normalized(?) now.

Good. I was sure — this was how I should continue traveling.

“Mmm.”

“…?”

I started humming without realizing it, and Fabian glanced at me.

I laughed.

“I’m just in a good mood. Breakfast on the Ramiere Express is always so good. Don’t you think?”

“……”

While Fabian was looking at me silently, a staff member approached our table.

“Did you enjoy your meal? I’ll bring dessert.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I answered cheerfully.

What dessert would it be today? Fruit? Cake? Yogurt?

The staff placed something in front of us.

“This is fresh strawberry gelato, made with the best ingredients. Please enjoy.”

The bright red gelato looked refreshing.

“…Sigh.”

“…?”

Fabian looked at me again, as if wondering why I sighed.

“It’s just… I’m sad I couldn’t sightsee in Rome.”

I took a small spoonful of the gelato.

The sweet strawberry flavor filled my mouth, making me even more downhearted.

Rome had been one of the places I wanted to visit the most in my previous life — yet because of my magic outburst, I’d missed my chance.

After my talk at the Magic Tower, by the time I returned to the train, it had already departed from Rome.

“One of the countries I was most excited to visit, and I ended up leaving like this.”

I hadn’t expected to collapse in Rome of all places. Realizing the train had already left made me feel so bitter.

‘Come to think of it…’

I wondered if Harry and Finn had seen me collapse.

I’d heard Sophie had explained things somehow.

Now we wouldn’t be traveling together, and I hadn’t even said goodbye.

“Do you want to see it?”

Lost in thought, I heard a low voice.

I looked forward — Fabian was watching me.

“Rome. Do you want to go back and see it?”

“Yes. Of course, if I could.”

Was there a way? I tilted my head, then suddenly widened my eyes.

‘Wait… Fabian has teleportation ability, doesn’t he?’

In the novel, Fabian often appeared here and there in an instant.

Even when he’d “kidnapped” me to the Magic Tower, he’d used teleportation.

Whenever Emily needed him, he would appear like a genie from a lamp.

‘Is he… offering to take me back to Rome because I’m sad I missed sightseeing?’

Fabian checked the time on a wristwatch — a type of magical tool — then looked at Deon and Sophie.

“Let’s be back before the next station.”

“…Yes?” Sophie looked uneasy.

Fabian reached his hand toward me — a refined hand, as if telling me to take it.

I slowly took it. Despite his blunt personality, his hand felt warm.

Fabian swirled his cloak like the veil of night.

At that moment, a vast universe enveloped me — and countless distant stars poured toward me.