The sound of footsteps gradually faded into the distance. The little girl had gone, but I waited until her voice completely disappeared before I opened the door to my room. "Would it be so bad to marry me?" Her words suddenly echoed in my mind, and the expression on her face at that moment... Was she really just joking?

What am I even thinking? I knocked my head hard, frustrated. Could I really have such thoughts? I’m a necromancer, and she’s a princess! Moreover, she’s just a young girl, barely an adult, though admittedly, quite well-developed for her age.

I lay on the bed—so soft, so comfortable. But soon, I will be leaving. Leaving this place. On my travels ahead, I doubt I’ll ever experience such luxury again. What will become of this kingdom once I’m gone? I wonder who the little girl will choose as her husband. It certainly won’t be Ethan, judging by the look on her face when she mentioned him at the ball. No one could mistake that for affection! How absurd that the future king of a country depends on the whims of a young girl... Ridiculous! But none of it concerns me. I’ll be leaving soon, and everything that has happened here will be nothing more than a memory...

Suddenly, black flames rose before me. "It" appeared, its form growing clearer and clearer in the fire, nearly solidifying!

"What do you want?" I stepped back in panic. "It’s over! I have nothing to do with you anymore! Disappear! You shouldn’t be here!"

"Nothing to do with me? As long as you bear this mark, we are inseparable... Ha ha ha... From the moment I marked you, you became mine. The curse of the gods has been placed upon you. You have no one but me!"

"Shut up! You forced me to fulfill my pact, and now we are through. I belong to myself!" A surge of courage rose within me, and I stood firm, shouting back.

"Ha ha ha..." The laughter echoed as the black flames wavered, then suddenly lunged at me. "You belong to yourself? Prove it!" The fire encircled me, suffocating, burning my body. "If you strip away your disguise, what will others see? You hide behind a mask, nothing but a facade! Ha ha..."

"No!" I screamed, jolting upright!

It was just a nightmare! I looked around—I was still in my room at the palace, sitting on the bed. I touched my face; the mask was still there. It was only a dream, a meaningless dream. I let out a breath of relief, then glanced at the window. Dawn had already broken. Time to get up. As I dressed, I noticed my undergarments were drenched in sweat.

Today, I’m supposed to teach the little girl some magic, though it’s really just the basics, a mere introduction. I have only one day, and no matter how skilled I am or how bright she may be, it’s impossible to grasp the true mysteries of magic in such a short time.

I walked through the long corridor toward her chambers. I wasn’t exactly early today—she should already be waiting for me. Suddenly, I heard the sound of an argument. One voice, high-pitched and youthful, clearly belonged to the little girl. The other, I couldn’t place. Quickening my pace, I wondered what could be happening. Not many in the palace would dare argue with a princess!

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I pushed open the door to the garden, and both turned to look at me. As expected, one was the little girl, and the other was an unfamiliar middle-aged woman.

"Mr. Ryder, you're here!" The little girl ran over, grabbing my hand cheerfully. "It's fine now, we can start!"

"Ah... alright!" I glanced at the woman. From her attire, she seemed like a simple maid, but to be able to argue with a princess (even a young one) suggested she wasn’t just an ordinary servant. The woman’s face paled when she saw me looking at her. Without a word, she rushed past me, her footsteps echoing on the marble floor.

"What was that about? Who is she?" I asked, watching the little girl’s face. She looked up at me with those big, innocent eyes.

"She was sent by my father... She told me not to stay with you! My father never wanted me to learn magic. He’s always said girls don’t need to know combat skills!" She lowered her head. "But I really want to learn magic... If I knew magic, maybe I could help my grandfather... Maybe he’d still be here with me." Her voice trailed off.

Her grandfather... He must have been a gentle and kind old magician, like my mentor. For a fleeting moment, the face of my teacher, with his long white beard, flashed before my eyes, lingering painfully in my mind. My heart clenched, as if a sharp blade had suddenly pierced a tender wound.

"Ryder! What’s wrong? You look pale!" The little girl’s voice jolted me back to reality.

"It’s nothing!" I forced a smile, trying to appear normal. "Let’s begin."

"Alright!"

"Do you understand?" I asked. The little girl was indeed talented. Her memory and comprehension exceeded my expectations. In just one morning, she had grasped the basic principles of magic! I had thought it would take until night, but now it seemed we would finish early.

"Yes!" She nodded.

"Good! I’ve taught you all I needed to." I stood up, feeling my role as teacher was complete.

"Ah, it’s so late! The sun’s already setting..." The little girl glanced at the sinking sun, then turned to me with a smile. Stretching lazily, she said, "Let’s have dinner together!" Her smile, bathed in the golden glow of the sunset, was breathtaking—like a rose in full bloom.

"No need!" I turned away. My duty here was done. Perhaps I could take my leave of the king now.

"Will you teach me tonight?"

"No, it’s finished." I replied softly.

"Can’t we start again tomorrow? I feel like there’s never enough time to study magic... The day just flies by!" Her eyes were filled with hope, but I shook my head.

"I’ve taught you all I can."

"All? But... but I haven’t learned how to cast any spells yet... I’m still the same as before. I can’t use magic!"

"I told you I would only teach you the basics, an introduction to magic. Another teacher will come to guide you in the future. Besides," I averted my gaze, "I’ll be leaving tomorrow... Maybe even tonight..."

"Leaving? Where are you going?"

"I don’t know..." As the words left my mouth, I realized I had perhaps said too much.

The little girl jumped forward, clutching my robe tightly. "Why are you leaving? Isn’t it good here?" Her desperate expression softened my heart for a moment, but I knew I couldn’t stay in one place for long—I had known that since the day I became a necromancer. I turned my gaze away, reminding myself I must leave before anyone discovered my true identity.

"This place is fine... But it’s not for me." I replied, then turned and walked toward the door. The little girl’s hand slipped helplessly from my robe. She must have realized by now that no amount of pleading could make me stay. I had made up my mind. I would leave tonight, after dinner, and take my farewell from the king.