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A little distance away from the banquet hall, on a terrace where people’s gazes did not reach.

The open terrace, offering a view of the landscape outside the castle, was quiet, akin to a different world compared to the bustling banquet hall filled with voices.

Instead of the chandelier hanging from the ceiling of the banquet hall, the moon and stars illuminated this place, and their small lights were more than enough to admire the expansive scenery outside the castle.

Standing alone there, he pulled a small vial from his pocket, opened the cap, and poured the unknown liquid into his mouth.

As it slid down his throat, it instantly warmed his body. No matter how cold the winds of Merohim were, they could not freeze him; yet, the reason he drank this incredibly strong liquor was not merely to warm himself.

“Would you like to take a sip too?”

He asked as he passed the vial to the boy who now stood beside him.

Even in the dark of night, the boy’s crimson hair stood out vividly. The boy politely declined his offer and stood silently, gazing up at the night sky. The man clicked his tongue briefly at the boy’s actions and began to drink the remaining liquor in the vial.

“Richard. Usually, one would drink something like this to feel more comfortable at times like this.”

“…How would you know that, Father?”

The boy’s question went unanswered, as the man merely held the vial to his lips again.

The boy smiled faintly at his father’s demeanor and stood there for a while, looking at the stars, before leaving the terrace without saying a word.

“Poor kid…”

What kind of family is Ertuven?

It was one of the three duke families in the empire, which could be considered the ruler of the continent. Even if you set aside the framework of the empire, it is one of the most prestigious families bearing the name Twilight, the pillar of the magical world. There are hardly few things that Ertuven could not obtain in this world.

However, despite being born as an heir to such a family, Richard was a child who didn’t particularly desire anything from it. If one were to point it out, it was simply a foundation to aspire for higher realms, and it was rare for Richard to seek help from Franz even once.

Nonetheless, at such a young age, he had reached the fifth tier, known as the wall of wizards, through his own strength. As a father and mentor, how could one not take pride in that?

And that was the first infatuation he had held.

Having previously shown no interest in anything but magic, the boy had begun to cast his gaze towards other things for the first time. Although their conversations were trivial exchanges that hardly warranted the title of dialogue, there was nothing more delightful than witnessing his son’s expressions changing in real-time.

Elena, who had captured Franz’s heart, was also a genius wizard with talents comparable to Richard, which was why Franz had, in a way, started to think of Elena as a daughter-in-law. Thus, news of her engagement was a major shock to both Franz and Richard.

Even for the seemingly omnipotent Ertuven, there are indeed untouchable things.

If she were a typical noble’s daughter, Franz would have used every means at his disposal to unite Richard and her. But Elena was not just any noble’s daughter; she was of the Edelweiss family, and Damian, whom she was engaged to, was not just any count’s lesser house but rather the Lesser House of Kraus.

Even if Ertuven could establish a nation, touching upon Edelweiss and Kraus was almost an impossible endeavor.

More than anything, even if he managed to obtain Elena somehow, Franz knew full well that Richard would not want that. Ultimately, all he could do was hope that his son could endure the pain of unrequited love while he grumbled about the present situation.

“It’s a pity, but what can be done if it’s not destiny… But, the thought that that brat Arthur took her away suddenly irritates me.”

“What do you mean he took away?”

“Is he here…?”

Franz’s face clearly showed his displeasure at his own inadvertently uttered remark. The one who had responded to Franz’s monologue was, of course, Joachim, who had sensed his presence since the beginning.

There was neither annoyance nor anger in Joachim’s eyes as he looked at Franz. It was indeed rude for someone uninvited to step into his banquet hall, but their relationship was not one that would be strained over such matters.

Having suddenly invaded the Kraus castle a few days prior and teleported a carriage right in front of everyone else, Franz couldn’t muster the spirit to complain.

“How dare you set up barriers in my castle, you’ve got some guts, Franz.”

“I just wanted to have a quiet conversation with my son. Well, though we barely exchanged a few words. Who does he take after with such silence?”

“At least it’s not you.”

Franz smiled quietly at Joachim’s reply.

He tried to offer Joachim a drink, but the bottle in his hand was empty; someone had drunk it all. However, the liquor was not solely in his hand.

“Surprisingly, you’ve withdrawn more readily than I expected. I was concerned you might cause a ruckus in the banquet hall, taking after me.”

“What? Should I not say that in front of you?”

“What of it? The person concerned isn’t here at the moment.”

“I am right here, you madman.”

Franz pouted at Joachim’s words and quickly gulped down the fruit wine in his glass. As the sweetness spread in his mouth, his face began to relax. Yet, he still gazed at the moon with sorrowful eyes.

“How great it would have been if Elena had ended up with Richard.”

“Let me assure you, I have never forced any choice upon my daughter.”

“I know. I’m aware of that. It’s just that it wasn’t meant to be. Still, it’s unavoidable to feel a sense of loss. I also wanted a cute and lovely daughter-in-law. Damn it. Arthur is such a lucky guy.”

Both of them had deep connections among the seven top adventurers, and it was not the first time that Richard and Elena had met.

They had built a friendship strong enough to call themselves friends, which is how Franz came to have such expectations. But Elena chose an engagement with Damian, which had begun as a jest between their fathers, not Richard.

What could be done regarding the choices of the parties involved?

As he contemplated such thoughts, Franz naturally recalled the face of the boy he had met today. A boy resembling his long-time friend. Remembering his encounter with Damian sent ripples through the drink in his hand.

“Indeed… they say no hound can be under a great lord, but that lad was anything but ordinary.”

“What do you mean? Of course, he isn’t. Why would he be?”

“Hey, be honest. What did you say to Elena? Something feels off when I think about it.”

Damian Kraus.

The meeting with the boy who became engaged to Elena, displacing his own son, left Franz with unforgettable feelings.

That boy didn’t just resemble the friend he remembered; his piercing gaze and the chilling aura he emitted brought back memories of a friend seen only on the battlefield.

If he had not prevented the boy from drawing his sword then, he couldn’t easily fathom what might have happened afterward. No, even knowing that, the pride of being hailed as a grand wizard forbade him from contemplating the aftermath.

Franz, absently rubbing his neck, desperately denied that possibility.

‘It must be a simple misconception…’

After all, he’s only sixteen.

Though he seemed to have made quite the achievement as a knight, still, to think that a grand wizard at the eighth tier would be threatened by a mere boy who isn’t even a sword master is absurd. It would be more fitting to assume he was merely intimidated by someone who bore an uncanny resemblance.

But even so, the thought gnawed at Franz’s pride all the same.

“Anyway, this is all because of that brat Arthur.”

“You should start mending your habit of blaming everything on him. How long will you keep that up?”

“Shut up… This is all that brat’s fault. Seriously, he’s never done anything to help my life. I was just following my father’s advice to choose my friends wisely.”

Even as he said that, Joachim remembered that Franz, during their academy days, was always hanging around Arthur, having the most fun. With a frosty gaze, he looked at Franz.

Perhaps due to the increasing alcohol intake.

As if on cue, Franz began to list off the series of misfortunes stemming from his entanglements with Arthur, and just like always, Joachim used a detoxifying spell to dispel the effects of the alcohol while continually refilling Franz’s glass.

It was obvious that Franz would suffer from a hangover the next day, but what could be done? Just as the lad said, it was his fault for choosing the wrong friends.

*

Although this banquet was primarily held for my honor, the actual time I spent in the banquet hall was quite short. The original purpose was to announce my engagement to Elena, and thus, there was no reason for me to linger in that noisy space.

Staying in the banquet hall would only lead to unnecessary exhaustion from being surrounded by people.

While being the representative of the Head of Kraus was not a position where one could casually strike up conversations, since I look rather young, there were always people eager to engage with me.

Still, the reason I hadn’t made a move to leave the banquet hall was that I thought Elena might be enjoying it.

In the original novel, she appeared indifferent toward banquets, but the Elena standing beside me today looked happier than usual, making it difficult for me to suggest going outside.

“Damian. Shall we step outside?”

“Elena, I’m fine.”

“What do you mean fine? It’s all written on your face.”

Is that so? Even when I looked at my reflection in the glass, I couldn’t pinpoint anything unusual, yet she seemed to see right through my heart, uncovering my true feelings in an instant.

Although Elena had previously understood my feelings perfectly, it was becoming suspicious, as time passed, that she might possess a supernatural ability related to this.

“And you don’t need to think I’m just being considerate. I also didn’t particularly want to stay in the banquet hall.”

Elena said this, but I couldn’t genuinely believe her words.

After all, since entering the hall, she had never shown a single sign of distaste. Yet, when I insisted again that I was fine, she looked at me with a pout, displeased.

“Are you trying to make me a liar, Damian?”

“Oh, no. That’s not it at all.”

“Then why do you keep refusing even when you say you’re fine?”

I hadn’t anticipated that she would make such a face while speaking.

Could it be that she truly disliked the banquet?

But in the banquet hall, she had remained smiling, and it would be difficult to think that her smiles were anything but genuine.

I spoke the truth about this contradictory situation without hesitation.

“I’m sorry. You look like you’re enjoying yourself, so I thought you were having a good time at the banquet.”

“What? What do you mean by that…?”

At my answer, Elena seemed to think deeply for a moment before suddenly turning her head away and extending her hand.

“You… you must be mistaken, Damian.”

Ah, I see. I was the one who misunderstood.

It felt too obvious to think this way.

I chose not to speak out about why she was able to smile at a banquet she didn’t particularly enjoy. I had no desire to showcase Elena’s situation to others, so I took her outstretched hand without any further words.

And so we left the banquet hall.

We heard the sounds of disappointed people behind us, but that did not hinder our steps.

Elena took the lead to our destination. Unfortunately, I was nearly ignorant of the geography of Winter Castle, and all I knew was the path from the banquet hall to my room and to hers.

It was as if our roles had completely reversed from when I stayed at the Count’s house.

Since we didn’t have much time, Elena wouldn’t be hoping to give me a full tour of the vast Winter Castle.

If so, where was she taking me?

Strangely, my heart began to flutter as I walked alongside her, knowing nothing.

Could this be merely curiosity, or did I feel another emotion? I buried those thoughts deep within my heart, surrendering myself to her lead.

After a considerable walk, we arrived at a particular door.

Elena, standing before the door, had an expectant expression, as though she was curious about what my reaction would be. What kind of place could have such an effect on her? The curiosity bubbled within, but it was all resolved in an instant as she swung the door wide open.

“This is…”

“What do you think, Damian? This is my favorite place in the Winter Castle.”

Inside the room was another world, entirely different from before.

Flowers of various colors bloomed harmoniously, and the climate felt markedly different from outside. This was a small garden—Winter Castle’s garden that had been created to grow flowers in the cold, barren northern land.

I knew this place.

“Well, it might look a bit underwhelming to you, Damian.”

“That’s not true. It’s beautiful.”

As Elena introduced me to this place, she spoke in a shy tone, but I was genuinely in awe of the environment she had crafted.

After all, this garden was hers, created entirely without help from anyone else.

No matter how exceptional a wizard Elena was, I knew just how much effort it took to cultivate this garden on her own. This was not merely a garden; it was the result of her hard work, her sanctuary.

Knowing that I stood in a space that had only been allowed for Elena and her family in the novel made it difficult to express my feelings in words.

As she led me through her garden, she began to explain each plant one by one, and I quietly listened, admiring this small sanctuary.

Though smaller than the garden at Count Kraus’s castle, it felt no less significant. The feelings conveyed were different; rather, it was like stepping into a cozy room.

The fluttering in my heart was stronger than when I entered her room.

Was it because this place was where she had found her only peace from her weary days in the original story? Knowing what this place meant to her only heightened my feelings of wanting to share in her precious memories, leaving me unable to steady my trembling heart.

But it seemed I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. Elena spoke to me in a quivering voice.

“Do you remember what I mentioned last time? Just as you shared with me, I wish to share the things I love with you as well.”

“Yes. I remember.”

“This garden is where I created my first magic. It all began with a few wildflowers growing here in Merohim. As my skills improved, I could create a more diverse environment, and it eventually became what it is now.”

She smiled as she gazed at the flowers blooming in the lowest flowerbed. It was easy to discern that this was the flowerbed she had first created. Simultaneously, I could imagine how that young girl might have tended to it.

Stepping away from her past memories, Elena turned to me again, beaming brightly.

“I wanted to show you this place so much. I want to embed my memories in here with you as well.”

Her cheeks blushed shyly as she spoke her wishes to me, and I found her utterly endearing.

 

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