Side story episode 3
The bedroom was shrouded in darkness. I sat on the bed, not lighting a single candle, staring into space, as if the answer to this question might just appear.
But it was none other than Julian who emerged from the darkness. He opened the door and, even in the darkness, looked at me clearly.
“Silian just fell asleep.”
Julian spoke calmly, as if he didn't find me strange, just staring into the darkness. Then he walked over, sat down on the bed, and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.
I let myself be led by him, but my eyes remained wide open. Julian called out to me, as if concerned.
“Layla.”
I held onto Julian's arm tightly. Anxiety surged through me like water overflowing a glass, and I had no choice but to cling to the world's strongest supporter. I leaned against Julian's embrace, my lips trembling as if my teeth were chattering.
“The wicked wizards are still lurking right before Duchzan's nose.”
At my words, Julian sighed and pulled me closer into his embrace.
“They have no coercive power to take our child away.”
“...Actually, I’m not afraid of them themselves.”
I raised my head and looked longingly at Julian. Moonlight from outside the window cast a gloomy light on us. I placed my hand on Julian's chest and opened my mouth. Before I knew it, my throat was choked with sobs, and I was uttering a choked sound.
“You know, Silian wants to be a wizard.”
It was impossible not to know. Silian preferred magical stories to fairy tales, easily grasped difficult geometry, and found satisfaction in achieving something with his magic.
I hugged Julian with both arms.
"You can't force your child, who grew up without listening to his parents, to become a wizard! What a horrible thing that would be!"
I spoke, almost screaming. Julian stroked the back of my head and let out a sound I couldn't tell if it was a laugh or a sigh. He hugged me and sat me on his lap, bringing us very close together. I rested my cheek against Julian's chin and closed my eyes.
Julian's low voice reached my ears.
“Layla, send a letter to the palace.”
I raised my head slightly.
“Is this the palace?”
"Yes. Let's talk to the Emperor about this matter. Is it possible to remain in the Magic Tower without having to abandon the castle? Or is it possible to receive training as a magician at the Magic Tower without joining? Is there any such assistance available?"
I thought for a moment and then spoke carefully.
"It's impossible. Each magic tower wants a wizard who will stay with it forever. Not just for honor, but even for death. That's why they're abandoning their castles. And since the decision to join a magic tower is a personal one, even the Emperor can't interfere."
Julian tapped my forehead lightly with his index finger. I rubbed my forehead and opened my eyes wide.
"But Silian wants to learn magic at the Magic Tower. So, it's practically mandatory for us."
“That’s far-fetched.”
“First, try to be stubborn, ma’am. Then I’ll take care of the rest.”
I was about to ask how to solve it, but I simply kept my mouth shut. If Julian said he would solve it, he would. I nodded obediently. I leaned back into his arms and spoke.
“I will write a letter to the Emperor.”
“Madam, I have received a call from the palace.”
As soon as I heard those words, I kicked my desk and stood up. The Emperor's letter was delivered to me in a luxurious box. As soon as I finished my brief explanation, I opened it and checked its contents. It was written neatly in Aslan's now familiar handwriting.
"The magicians are a force that has grown without any protection, so even the state cannot intervene. If he refuses to abandon Duchzan Castle, no Magic Tower will accept him, and I cannot force him to do so. Furthermore, I cannot understand why the Grand Duchess sent this letter. How could you send Duchzan's precious only son to the Magic Tower? I hope that the Duchzan House will continue forever and be connected to the imperial family."
It was nothing but pointless words. I sent it because Julian asked me to, but... What was the point of sending this letter? I sat listlessly at my desk in my office, my hand on my forehead.
Seven years have already passed since Silian was born. During this time, the passionate love between Julian and me has never cooled, yet we haven't had a second child.
Julian and I had talked several times about having lots of children and having a big family, so after two years, I called the doctor to confirm.
The doctor said that it was just a strain on my body due to the hardship I had endured during my first pregnancy and that it wouldn't be a serious problem, but five more years passed, and the baby still didn't come.
If more children were born, and if one of them wished to continue the Duchzan lineage, Silian would be free to pursue his dreams without the burden of being the only son of the Duchzan line.
I put the Emperor's letter back in its box and laid down on my desk. Then, as if hearing the news, Julian entered my office. He walked over with heavy footsteps and gently pressed his hand against my lower back.
“Madam, there’s no need to be disappointed.”
“Without even reading the letter.”
“I think I can tell just by looking at your face.”
“Not all of them, I guess.”
I pulled the letter back and handed it to Julian. Julian's eyes sharpened as he read it. He knew I desperately wanted a child, and for that reason, he had forbidden anyone in the Grand Duke's residence to even mention it. Apparently, even if that person was the Emperor, he wouldn't be happy about it.
I looked up at Julian with a bitter smile. Julian gently rubbed my cheek with his thumb. He seemed to know what I was worried about, but spoke calmly, as if it didn't matter.
"There's no problem finding the Duchzans' successor within the Winsley family. Duchzan is your family and mine."
At those words, I looked at Julian pitifully and rubbed my cheek against his hand.
Two years ago, Ruin and Nife had given birth to healthy, beautiful twins. Adam had also recently been engaged to a lively noblewoman from the Count's family, so it was clear they would have children someday. Julian had stated that he was open to making any of them heirs to the Grand Duke's family if they so desired.
It was a touching story, but I wasn't entirely happy.
"Should I finally send Silian to the Magic Tower? He's so pretty, just like you. Do you know that? When he sleeps, his lips are shaped exactly like yours. If I go to the Magic Tower, I won't be able to see that anymore... Then how am I supposed to live?"
“Calm down, Layla.”
Whenever I said Silian resembled Julian, Julian would always reply, "Silian resembles you," but this time it was different. He picked me up and led me to the sofa in one corner of the office. He sat down next to me and gently took my hand in his. He looked straight at me and said.
“I will build a magic tower in Duchzan.”
I opened my eyes wide. I could feel my pupils shaking.
“Will the Emperor permit it?”
“You asked me to give you permission.”
Julian gestured to the desk in his office, where a letter from the Emperor lay.
"No matter how sympathetic the Emperor may be to the Duchzan, he probably won't allow the construction of the Magic Tower. However, the Emperor has already rejected my wife's request, that of the Grand Duchess of Duchzan."
I looked into Julian's red eyes with emotion and continued speaking.
“It would be difficult to refuse twice, as he still needs our support.”
“We must reassure them that we will remain loyal to the royal family.”
“It’s like soothing a child.”
Julian kissed my forehead as if to confirm what I said.
“The tower to be built in Duchzan will take a different path from the existing towers.”
“How?”
"They will be affiliated with the Duchzan Grand Dukes, but they will only be able to study within the Magic Tower, without any surname. They won't be required to completely remove themselves from the family register. And there's no reason for them to be confined to the Magic Tower. Rather, we'll support them in their freedom to roam the world."
If that were the case, Silian would be able to learn magic at the Magic Tower and simultaneously enjoy the protection of the Duchzan family. Furthermore, he would be able to travel the world and enjoy the vast expanse of the world without having to be confined to the Magic Tower.
With every word Julian spoke, the corners of my mouth rose. I threw myself into Julian's embrace, and he accepted me lightly.
“I love you.”
At my words, Julian laughed in my ear.
“There is no greater price to pay than to hear you say you love me.”
We locked eyes, smiled, and then kissed. The kiss, even more passionate and passionate than our first kiss, showed that our feelings for each other hadn't changed one bit.
The bedroom was shrouded in darkness. I sat on the bed, not lighting a single candle, staring into space, as if the answer to this question might just appear.
But it was none other than Julian who emerged from the darkness. He opened the door and, even in the darkness, looked at me clearly.
“Silian just fell asleep.”
Julian spoke calmly, as if he didn't find me strange, just staring into the darkness. Then he walked over, sat down on the bed, and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.
I let myself be led by him, but my eyes remained wide open. Julian called out to me, as if concerned.
“Layla.”
I held onto Julian's arm tightly. Anxiety surged through me like water overflowing a glass, and I had no choice but to cling to the world's strongest supporter. I leaned against Julian's embrace, my lips trembling as if my teeth were chattering.
“The wicked wizards are still lurking right before Duchzan's nose.”
At my words, Julian sighed and pulled me closer into his embrace.
“They have no coercive power to take our child away.”
“...Actually, I’m not afraid of them themselves.”
I raised my head and looked longingly at Julian. Moonlight from outside the window cast a gloomy light on us. I placed my hand on Julian's chest and opened my mouth. Before I knew it, my throat was choked with sobs, and I was uttering a choked sound.
“You know, Silian wants to be a wizard.”
It was impossible not to know. Silian preferred magical stories to fairy tales, easily grasped difficult geometry, and found satisfaction in achieving something with his magic.
I hugged Julian with both arms.
"You can't force your child, who grew up without listening to his parents, to become a wizard! What a horrible thing that would be!"
I spoke, almost screaming. Julian stroked the back of my head and let out a sound I couldn't tell if it was a laugh or a sigh. He hugged me and sat me on his lap, bringing us very close together. I rested my cheek against Julian's chin and closed my eyes.
Julian's low voice reached my ears.
“Layla, send a letter to the palace.”
I raised my head slightly.
“Is this the palace?”
"Yes. Let's talk to the Emperor about this matter. Is it possible to remain in the Magic Tower without having to abandon the castle? Or is it possible to receive training as a magician at the Magic Tower without joining? Is there any such assistance available?"
I thought for a moment and then spoke carefully.
"It's impossible. Each magic tower wants a wizard who will stay with it forever. Not just for honor, but even for death. That's why they're abandoning their castles. And since the decision to join a magic tower is a personal one, even the Emperor can't interfere."
Julian tapped my forehead lightly with his index finger. I rubbed my forehead and opened my eyes wide.
"But Silian wants to learn magic at the Magic Tower. So, it's practically mandatory for us."
“That’s far-fetched.”
“First, try to be stubborn, ma’am. Then I’ll take care of the rest.”
I was about to ask how to solve it, but I simply kept my mouth shut. If Julian said he would solve it, he would. I nodded obediently. I leaned back into his arms and spoke.
“I will write a letter to the Emperor.”
***
“Madam, I have received a call from the palace.”
As soon as I heard those words, I kicked my desk and stood up. The Emperor's letter was delivered to me in a luxurious box. As soon as I finished my brief explanation, I opened it and checked its contents. It was written neatly in Aslan's now familiar handwriting.
"The magicians are a force that has grown without any protection, so even the state cannot intervene. If he refuses to abandon Duchzan Castle, no Magic Tower will accept him, and I cannot force him to do so. Furthermore, I cannot understand why the Grand Duchess sent this letter. How could you send Duchzan's precious only son to the Magic Tower? I hope that the Duchzan House will continue forever and be connected to the imperial family."
It was nothing but pointless words. I sent it because Julian asked me to, but... What was the point of sending this letter? I sat listlessly at my desk in my office, my hand on my forehead.
Seven years have already passed since Silian was born. During this time, the passionate love between Julian and me has never cooled, yet we haven't had a second child.
Julian and I had talked several times about having lots of children and having a big family, so after two years, I called the doctor to confirm.
The doctor said that it was just a strain on my body due to the hardship I had endured during my first pregnancy and that it wouldn't be a serious problem, but five more years passed, and the baby still didn't come.
If more children were born, and if one of them wished to continue the Duchzan lineage, Silian would be free to pursue his dreams without the burden of being the only son of the Duchzan line.
I put the Emperor's letter back in its box and laid down on my desk. Then, as if hearing the news, Julian entered my office. He walked over with heavy footsteps and gently pressed his hand against my lower back.
“Madam, there’s no need to be disappointed.”
“Without even reading the letter.”
“I think I can tell just by looking at your face.”
“Not all of them, I guess.”
I pulled the letter back and handed it to Julian. Julian's eyes sharpened as he read it. He knew I desperately wanted a child, and for that reason, he had forbidden anyone in the Grand Duke's residence to even mention it. Apparently, even if that person was the Emperor, he wouldn't be happy about it.
I looked up at Julian with a bitter smile. Julian gently rubbed my cheek with his thumb. He seemed to know what I was worried about, but spoke calmly, as if it didn't matter.
"There's no problem finding the Duchzans' successor within the Winsley family. Duchzan is your family and mine."
At those words, I looked at Julian pitifully and rubbed my cheek against his hand.
Two years ago, Ruin and Nife had given birth to healthy, beautiful twins. Adam had also recently been engaged to a lively noblewoman from the Count's family, so it was clear they would have children someday. Julian had stated that he was open to making any of them heirs to the Grand Duke's family if they so desired.
It was a touching story, but I wasn't entirely happy.
"Should I finally send Silian to the Magic Tower? He's so pretty, just like you. Do you know that? When he sleeps, his lips are shaped exactly like yours. If I go to the Magic Tower, I won't be able to see that anymore... Then how am I supposed to live?"
“Calm down, Layla.”
Whenever I said Silian resembled Julian, Julian would always reply, "Silian resembles you," but this time it was different. He picked me up and led me to the sofa in one corner of the office. He sat down next to me and gently took my hand in his. He looked straight at me and said.
“I will build a magic tower in Duchzan.”
I opened my eyes wide. I could feel my pupils shaking.
“Will the Emperor permit it?”
“You asked me to give you permission.”
Julian gestured to the desk in his office, where a letter from the Emperor lay.
"No matter how sympathetic the Emperor may be to the Duchzan, he probably won't allow the construction of the Magic Tower. However, the Emperor has already rejected my wife's request, that of the Grand Duchess of Duchzan."
I looked into Julian's red eyes with emotion and continued speaking.
“It would be difficult to refuse twice, as he still needs our support.”
“We must reassure them that we will remain loyal to the royal family.”
“It’s like soothing a child.”
Julian kissed my forehead as if to confirm what I said.
“The tower to be built in Duchzan will take a different path from the existing towers.”
“How?”
"They will be affiliated with the Duchzan Grand Dukes, but they will only be able to study within the Magic Tower, without any surname. They won't be required to completely remove themselves from the family register. And there's no reason for them to be confined to the Magic Tower. Rather, we'll support them in their freedom to roam the world."
If that were the case, Silian would be able to learn magic at the Magic Tower and simultaneously enjoy the protection of the Duchzan family. Furthermore, he would be able to travel the world and enjoy the vast expanse of the world without having to be confined to the Magic Tower.
With every word Julian spoke, the corners of my mouth rose. I threw myself into Julian's embrace, and he accepted me lightly.
“I love you.”
At my words, Julian laughed in my ear.
“There is no greater price to pay than to hear you say you love me.”
We locked eyes, smiled, and then kissed. The kiss, even more passionate and passionate than our first kiss, showed that our feelings for each other hadn't changed one bit.
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