Side story episode 2
As soon as I returned to the Grand Duke's residence, I took Silian to his room. Silian, belatedly excited by his encounter with the Wood Fairy, chattered for a while before falling asleep without even realizing it.
I listened to Silian's ragged breathing and carefully got up from my seat. Then, holding Julian's hand, I left Silian's room.
After I confirmed that the door was closed, I turned to face Julian and whispered with a nervous face.
“We need to strengthen security at the Grand Duke’s residence immediately.”
Julian nodded at my words.
“Don’t give that direct order.”
Julian immediately showed himself to give instructions. The moment I saw his broad back, I felt a sudden surge of fear. I pulled him into my arms. Julian embraced me and slowly stroked my back.
“Madam, look at me.”
Julian pulled me away from his embrace and grabbed my cheeks. His firm fingers slowly stroked my earlobes and jaw.
Then, the fear I'd been holding back surged back like a flood. I placed my hand on his large one and looked up at him.
“No matter how stubborn the wizards are, they cannot take our son away as they please.”
Julian stared at me with his red eyes shining with determination.
“What you worry about will never happen.”
I, too, believed Julian's words. This was Duke's territory. Not even the Emperor could treat it lightly, so even the most inexperienced wizards couldn't enter it at will.
But why am I so anxious...
Julian wrapped his arms around my shoulders, practically cradling me in his arms, and led me to the master bedroom. I fell asleep, clinging tightly to his embrace.
A few days passed, and as we'd expected, wizards began to flock to Duchzan. Even if they couldn't visit in person, many sent letters to the magic tower. Sitting in my office, I touched the rim of my teacup and asked.
“What do they say?”
Anna answered cautiously, her hands clasped together politely.
“A few days ago, they felt a large amount of mana from Duchzan, and they said they wanted to invite the future archmage to the magic tower.”
I took a deep breath and spoke calmly.
"Tell them I'm the owner of that magical power. Tell them I have no intention of belonging to the Magic Tower."
Despite my clear intent, Anna still refused to back down. When I looked at her, as if to ask why, she lowered her head even further, her concern evident in the slightest hint of her forehead.
"Actually, I relayed that as well. However, they claim that everyone knows that Her Highness the Grand Duchess never uses magic carelessly, and that there were no dangerous situations in Grand Duke's territory that day, so it couldn't have been the Grand Duchess's magic."
“They are very honest people!”
And it made sense. I possessed the qualities of a brilliant wizard, but I didn't particularly enjoy magic. Perhaps it was because of memories of being branded a witch in my past life and breaking up with Julian. But it would be foolish not to use my abilities, so I used magic only when absolutely necessary, in moderation.
So, the act of launching a massive magic ball that lit up the entire night sky a few days ago was not something I would do. This was a fact that all the magicians who coveted my talents knew.
The wizards hadn't originally flocked to Duchzan to target me.
Not long after, Tien, who had accompanied the wizards, entered my office. Instead of his usual lively demeanor, his face was drained of energy.
“Long time no see, ma’am.”
Tien hadn't come to fetch Silian. However, Tien was not only my best friend but also a close ally of the wizards. So, the wizards must have brought Tien here to persuade me somehow. Thinking about that, I wasn't happy to see Tien after such a long time.
I slammed my palm against the desk in my office. The teacup shook violently and spilled, but I didn't care.
“Sillian is only seven years old!”
Tien clutched his forehead as if in embarrassment.
"The Magic Tower will even take in and raise a newborn baby if they possess the qualities of a wizard. You know that, don't you?"
"A child raised like that will never see the clear sky again, and will end up growing old and dying in that narrow tower, poring over books. Even if I die, I will never raise Silian like that."
“I agree. The magic tower isn't a good environment for a child to grow up in.”
Tien nodded. Seeing him, always boisterous, calmly calmed my heart. I straightened my crooked teacup and offered Tien a seat. I, too, stood up and sat across from him, letting out a long sigh. Tien looked at me and asked.
“I understand your feelings, Madam. But what will you do when he grows up?”
I didn't answer, but then answered as if I had no choice.
“...I don’t want to send him to the magic tower.”
“It’s written all over your face.”
“Then why do you ask?”
Tien and I bickered for a while. The closer we became, the louder his voice seemed to become. After a long argument, I grumbled and placed a hand on my hip.
“If he enters the Magic Tower, he will no longer be Duchzan!”
Everyone who enters the Magic Tower must abandon their castle. It's an act tantamount to a pledge to dedicate their lives to research.
“Family honor is important, but individual happiness is just as important!”
That was certainly something Tien would say. But that wasn't what I was talking about.
"Of course! But that's not what I'm talking about. I want my son to always live safely. I want him to live a life free from storms and waves. Duchzan, as he is now, is perfectly capable of doing so. Why would he abandon that name?"
I felt a sudden surge of dizziness and placed my hand firmly on my forehead. Anna came over and grabbed my arm. I leaned against her, breathing heavily.
"I would cheer for anyone in the world who becomes a magician of the Magic Tower, and I would help even my enemies to avoid corruption. But that's not Sillian. I don't want Sillian to go to the Magic Tower!"
I declared, and a solemn air filled the room. Tien groaned and slumped his shoulders, and Anna patted my back. I quietly bit my lower lip.
Papers lay scattered on the soft carpeted floor. Silian, with his angelic face like his mother, Layla, seemed clumsy when it came to organizing. Silian was lying face down on the carpet, doodling on paper with a colored pencil.
Julian approached Silian and sat down next to the child. Sitting on the floor was unthinkable for him, but he was the very picture of a friendly father, always open and at Silian's side.
“Sillian, what are you drawing?”
When Julian asked affectionately, Silian moved his small lips while drawing long lines with a colored pencil.
“It’s a magic circle.”
Julian's fingertips flinched at the innocent reply, but he soon calmly stroked Silian's blond hair. His large hands were large enough to cover Silian's head, but they weren't threatening at all. Rather, they were gentle.
“I see. Where did you learn that?”
“Here.”
Silian held the book tucked under his arm and handed it to Julian. It was a magic book. It was undoubtedly the one Layla had kept in her study and read.
Julian knew nothing about magic, but he knew full well that Layla was a formidable wizard. There was no way she would read such a low-level spellbook.
Julian thought about it for a while and then asked calmly.
“I guess your mom lent it to you?”
Then Silian shook his head, covered his mouth with his index finger, and made a strong, hissing sound.
“Mom is afraid of Silian learning magic. So keep it a secret!”
What should I do? Dad had no choice but to tell Mom. But instead of saying so, Julian nodded, saying he understood. Silian seemed to believe it, and with a look of relief on his face, he lay down again and grabbed his colored pencil.
"Dad."
Julian looked at his son, who didn't even look at him but only called out to him, with a look of concern, yet a deep affection. Silian swayed his legs back and forth as he asked.
“There are a lot of great wizards in the Magic Tower?”
Julian was always a father who answered his son's questions carefully, and this time was no different. He paused for a moment at the difficult question.
Julian had many bad memories of the Magic Tower, but he had also received help from it. When Julian's response was delayed, Silian raised his head.
"Dad?"
Julian answered, stroking Silian's head.
“Yes and no. Not all wizards are the same.”
“Like a knight and a thief?”
When Julian looked at him with a puzzled expression, Silian immediately explained.
"My mother said so. Knights and thieves both wield swords, but one protects people, the other harms them. Wizards use magic too, but are some evil and some good?"
It wasn't something that could be simply divided into good and evil, but for a seven-year-old, it was a profound enough story. Julian nodded. He looked straight into Silian's round eyes and declared.
“I promise you one thing: the greatest wizard in the world will be by your side.”
Silian's eyes widened at those words, but soon he smiled as if he understood.
“Mom?”
"Yes. Your mother is a skilled wizard, but she's always working hard to protect wizards. I think that's what makes someone an even better wizard."
Silian seemed to find the words difficult, but he nodded his head broadly and smiled brightly, as if he understood them in his own way.
“Then I don’t have to go to the magic tower. I have my mom.”
At those words, Julian felt a secret sense of relief, thinking a weight had been lifted. Whether or not he understood his feelings, Silian picked up his colored pencils again and concentrated on drawing shapes on the paper. Silian was memorizing and drawing complex formulas without a second thought.
Julian and Layla knew better than anyone else in the world that Silian had the makings of an archmage.
‘Is it really right not to raise this child as a wizard...’
Julian swallowed a sigh and tidied up the colored pencils Silian had left in disarray. His worries only deepened.
As soon as I returned to the Grand Duke's residence, I took Silian to his room. Silian, belatedly excited by his encounter with the Wood Fairy, chattered for a while before falling asleep without even realizing it.
I listened to Silian's ragged breathing and carefully got up from my seat. Then, holding Julian's hand, I left Silian's room.
After I confirmed that the door was closed, I turned to face Julian and whispered with a nervous face.
“We need to strengthen security at the Grand Duke’s residence immediately.”
Julian nodded at my words.
“Don’t give that direct order.”
Julian immediately showed himself to give instructions. The moment I saw his broad back, I felt a sudden surge of fear. I pulled him into my arms. Julian embraced me and slowly stroked my back.
“Madam, look at me.”
Julian pulled me away from his embrace and grabbed my cheeks. His firm fingers slowly stroked my earlobes and jaw.
Then, the fear I'd been holding back surged back like a flood. I placed my hand on his large one and looked up at him.
“No matter how stubborn the wizards are, they cannot take our son away as they please.”
Julian stared at me with his red eyes shining with determination.
“What you worry about will never happen.”
I, too, believed Julian's words. This was Duke's territory. Not even the Emperor could treat it lightly, so even the most inexperienced wizards couldn't enter it at will.
But why am I so anxious...
Julian wrapped his arms around my shoulders, practically cradling me in his arms, and led me to the master bedroom. I fell asleep, clinging tightly to his embrace.
***
A few days passed, and as we'd expected, wizards began to flock to Duchzan. Even if they couldn't visit in person, many sent letters to the magic tower. Sitting in my office, I touched the rim of my teacup and asked.
“What do they say?”
Anna answered cautiously, her hands clasped together politely.
“A few days ago, they felt a large amount of mana from Duchzan, and they said they wanted to invite the future archmage to the magic tower.”
I took a deep breath and spoke calmly.
"Tell them I'm the owner of that magical power. Tell them I have no intention of belonging to the Magic Tower."
Despite my clear intent, Anna still refused to back down. When I looked at her, as if to ask why, she lowered her head even further, her concern evident in the slightest hint of her forehead.
"Actually, I relayed that as well. However, they claim that everyone knows that Her Highness the Grand Duchess never uses magic carelessly, and that there were no dangerous situations in Grand Duke's territory that day, so it couldn't have been the Grand Duchess's magic."
“They are very honest people!”
And it made sense. I possessed the qualities of a brilliant wizard, but I didn't particularly enjoy magic. Perhaps it was because of memories of being branded a witch in my past life and breaking up with Julian. But it would be foolish not to use my abilities, so I used magic only when absolutely necessary, in moderation.
So, the act of launching a massive magic ball that lit up the entire night sky a few days ago was not something I would do. This was a fact that all the magicians who coveted my talents knew.
The wizards hadn't originally flocked to Duchzan to target me.
Not long after, Tien, who had accompanied the wizards, entered my office. Instead of his usual lively demeanor, his face was drained of energy.
“Long time no see, ma’am.”
Tien hadn't come to fetch Silian. However, Tien was not only my best friend but also a close ally of the wizards. So, the wizards must have brought Tien here to persuade me somehow. Thinking about that, I wasn't happy to see Tien after such a long time.
I slammed my palm against the desk in my office. The teacup shook violently and spilled, but I didn't care.
“Sillian is only seven years old!”
Tien clutched his forehead as if in embarrassment.
"The Magic Tower will even take in and raise a newborn baby if they possess the qualities of a wizard. You know that, don't you?"
"A child raised like that will never see the clear sky again, and will end up growing old and dying in that narrow tower, poring over books. Even if I die, I will never raise Silian like that."
“I agree. The magic tower isn't a good environment for a child to grow up in.”
Tien nodded. Seeing him, always boisterous, calmly calmed my heart. I straightened my crooked teacup and offered Tien a seat. I, too, stood up and sat across from him, letting out a long sigh. Tien looked at me and asked.
“I understand your feelings, Madam. But what will you do when he grows up?”
I didn't answer, but then answered as if I had no choice.
“...I don’t want to send him to the magic tower.”
“It’s written all over your face.”
“Then why do you ask?”
Tien and I bickered for a while. The closer we became, the louder his voice seemed to become. After a long argument, I grumbled and placed a hand on my hip.
“If he enters the Magic Tower, he will no longer be Duchzan!”
Everyone who enters the Magic Tower must abandon their castle. It's an act tantamount to a pledge to dedicate their lives to research.
“Family honor is important, but individual happiness is just as important!”
That was certainly something Tien would say. But that wasn't what I was talking about.
"Of course! But that's not what I'm talking about. I want my son to always live safely. I want him to live a life free from storms and waves. Duchzan, as he is now, is perfectly capable of doing so. Why would he abandon that name?"
I felt a sudden surge of dizziness and placed my hand firmly on my forehead. Anna came over and grabbed my arm. I leaned against her, breathing heavily.
"I would cheer for anyone in the world who becomes a magician of the Magic Tower, and I would help even my enemies to avoid corruption. But that's not Sillian. I don't want Sillian to go to the Magic Tower!"
I declared, and a solemn air filled the room. Tien groaned and slumped his shoulders, and Anna patted my back. I quietly bit my lower lip.
***
Papers lay scattered on the soft carpeted floor. Silian, with his angelic face like his mother, Layla, seemed clumsy when it came to organizing. Silian was lying face down on the carpet, doodling on paper with a colored pencil.
Julian approached Silian and sat down next to the child. Sitting on the floor was unthinkable for him, but he was the very picture of a friendly father, always open and at Silian's side.
“Sillian, what are you drawing?”
When Julian asked affectionately, Silian moved his small lips while drawing long lines with a colored pencil.
“It’s a magic circle.”
Julian's fingertips flinched at the innocent reply, but he soon calmly stroked Silian's blond hair. His large hands were large enough to cover Silian's head, but they weren't threatening at all. Rather, they were gentle.
“I see. Where did you learn that?”
“Here.”
Silian held the book tucked under his arm and handed it to Julian. It was a magic book. It was undoubtedly the one Layla had kept in her study and read.
Julian knew nothing about magic, but he knew full well that Layla was a formidable wizard. There was no way she would read such a low-level spellbook.
Julian thought about it for a while and then asked calmly.
“I guess your mom lent it to you?”
Then Silian shook his head, covered his mouth with his index finger, and made a strong, hissing sound.
“Mom is afraid of Silian learning magic. So keep it a secret!”
What should I do? Dad had no choice but to tell Mom. But instead of saying so, Julian nodded, saying he understood. Silian seemed to believe it, and with a look of relief on his face, he lay down again and grabbed his colored pencil.
"Dad."
Julian looked at his son, who didn't even look at him but only called out to him, with a look of concern, yet a deep affection. Silian swayed his legs back and forth as he asked.
“There are a lot of great wizards in the Magic Tower?”
Julian was always a father who answered his son's questions carefully, and this time was no different. He paused for a moment at the difficult question.
Julian had many bad memories of the Magic Tower, but he had also received help from it. When Julian's response was delayed, Silian raised his head.
"Dad?"
Julian answered, stroking Silian's head.
“Yes and no. Not all wizards are the same.”
“Like a knight and a thief?”
When Julian looked at him with a puzzled expression, Silian immediately explained.
"My mother said so. Knights and thieves both wield swords, but one protects people, the other harms them. Wizards use magic too, but are some evil and some good?"
It wasn't something that could be simply divided into good and evil, but for a seven-year-old, it was a profound enough story. Julian nodded. He looked straight into Silian's round eyes and declared.
“I promise you one thing: the greatest wizard in the world will be by your side.”
Silian's eyes widened at those words, but soon he smiled as if he understood.
“Mom?”
"Yes. Your mother is a skilled wizard, but she's always working hard to protect wizards. I think that's what makes someone an even better wizard."
Silian seemed to find the words difficult, but he nodded his head broadly and smiled brightly, as if he understood them in his own way.
“Then I don’t have to go to the magic tower. I have my mom.”
At those words, Julian felt a secret sense of relief, thinking a weight had been lifted. Whether or not he understood his feelings, Silian picked up his colored pencils again and concentrated on drawing shapes on the paper. Silian was memorizing and drawing complex formulas without a second thought.
Julian and Layla knew better than anyone else in the world that Silian had the makings of an archmage.
‘Is it really right not to raise this child as a wizard...’
Julian swallowed a sigh and tidied up the colored pencils Silian had left in disarray. His worries only deepened.
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