Circe opened her eyes to a familiar view of the ceiling. As she groggily rose from the comforts of her bed, Zeke looked at her from his seat beside the bed, placing down the Witch’s Codex onto his lap and asked in a quiet voice. “Hey, good morning. How are you feeling?”

“…I’m aching all over,” Circe responded, feeling the soreness settling into her muscles as she fumbled with the blanket. Seeing the bandages on her feet, she let out a long sigh. “Did I sleep long? How’s everyone else?”

“Not really, you slept for around twelve hours, it’s noon right now,” Zeke pointed towards the window with his chin. Beyond the glass shimmered the afternoon sun, its light barely filtered despite the thickness of the curtains. “I ran into Lilia earlier, she went with Cleo to your estate and cleared everything up for you again. Apparently, your sister was very shaken since it was the first time she saw a real monster, let alone blood.”

“…To be honest, I don’t really care about Cleo…Is Lilia alright?” Her tones shifted dramatically as she mentioned different people. She spoke plainly about her sister, but showed genuine concern when it came to her personal maid.

Zeke seemed to share the same sentiment, as he simply skipped over to Lilia’s matters when he responded. ”I asked her the same thing, she’s fine. Most of the servants were hiding in the kitchen and they fended off any stray wolves with the utensils there.”

The image her mind concocted made her smile. “That’s funny to think about, I can imagine Lilia bonking a wolf with a frying pan.”

Her contagious jest spreaded to Zeke. “Haha, I didn’t think of it like that, it does sound funny,” but Circe noticed that his smile appeared slightly weak. “Oh yeah, my mother invited us for tea, though she said that you don’t have to come if you can’t.”

”…You look a little worn out, is something wrong?” Circe couldn’t help but focus on the tried look in his eyes, frowning slightly with worry.

”Oh, it’s nothing, I just came back from my morning lesson with Einar,” Zeke waved, as if brushing off the topic as a simple matter. “I’m starting today…and even though he knows I’m a mage, he trained me like he was expecting me to be some sort of magic swordsman hybrid.” Judging from his loose tunic and rolled up pants, it seemed as if Sir Einar had ordered him to run through a storm.

Now that she’d heard his whinings, Circe’s furrowed brows creased into a smile. “Well, your strength stat is lower than a girl’s, so I’m not surprised if you struggle to even hold the sword properly.”

Energy returned to his eyes as Zeke’s head snapped towards her, the frustration overriding the fatigue. “Hah? I carried you back last night! Stats are just a number.”

“It’s because I’m light as a feather,” Circe shrugged sarcastically, her smile growing into a mischievous grin. “A sword is not a feather, Zeke.”

“Besides that,” Zeke let out a huff as he straightened his back. “I have my strength scrolls, so technically I have eight points in strength, that’s above average.”

“Above average for a teenager, but still low for a teenage boy.” Circe laughed.

Hearing that, Zeke’s expression soured. “Fuck, it’s because Silas was too busy ruining his health by underage drinking. I had to get down on my knees just for Einar to let me use the buffs while training.”

“…Speaking of underage,” Circe leaned her back against the headrest. “We’re sixteen, right? The empire’s laws state that children can get engaged and even marry at fifteen…does that mean our wedding will take place once we’re seventeen? Usually engagements last one year, right?”

Zeke tilted his head with a blank look. “Don’t they last one year because it takes a long time to book a wedding? Or it’s just that the couple wants to wait before…tying the knots,” shrugging, he continued. “I’ve been single my whole life, and my only source of information on romantic relationships came from my bragging friends. But since this is an arranged marriage, maybe our fathers have the final say in the end.”

“…I’m surprised you’re not freaking out about the idea of marriage now,” Circe made a dramatic look as she clapped. “Talk about character development.”

“Really? That’s what you want to focus on?” Zeke narrowed his eyes in disbelief. “Since you’re not going to care either way, I’m not going to embarrass myself by getting worked up again.”

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

“Aw, how unfortunate.” Circe scoffed as the marchioness’ invitation crossed her mind. “Oh, and about the tea party, I’m joining you too. I want to eat something sweet right now.”

“You’re going to walk with those injuries? You got really scary blisters on the soles of your feet.” Zeke looked at her with widened eyes, but she could see genuine worry in his surprised expression. “I can have the doctor get you a wheelchair.”

“…Wheelchairs exist here?” Circe tilted her head, perplexed by the revelation.

“Of course?” Equally as baffled, Zeke replied. “You think an empire that’s managed to mimic electricity couldn’t think of something like a chair with wheels?”

“That’s a fair point…” Circe blinked, nodding in acknowledgement. As she looked down at her plain nightgown, she glanced at Zeke from the side. “…By the way, who changed me out of my clothes?”

For some reason, Zeke simply stared at her blankly, refusing to answer. Circe couldn’t help but feel suspicious of his sudden silent behavior, but after a moment of thought, she laughed. “You almost got me there, very funny Zeke.”

A small smile crept to Zeke’s lips. “Damn, can’t you be a little less keen?”

“I mean, who else but the maids would change me? Duh, I’m not stupid.” She rolled her eyes.

”It was worth a try,” Zeke got up from his chair, walking towards the door. “Alright, wait here, I’ll have a maid tend to you while I go get that wheelchair.”

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.

.

The marchioness’ living quarters stood on the far, opposite side of the main estate. Enchanted by the beautiful paintings and antiques, an entirely different atmosphere radiated from the marble walls as Zeke and Circe traversed through the hallway. Unlike the stern interior of the marquess’ side, Esmeralda had breathed life and energy into the decorations around them.

Lilia gently pushed Circe’s elegant wooden wheelchair along while Zeke followed right by her side. “My lady,” the maid spoke softly, her excited smile contrasting her gentle tone. “Marquess Peregrine has given you permission to stay at the Salvador’s estate until the royal banquet. Isn’t that wonderful? You get to spend more time with Lord Silas.”

“It’s not like that guy wants me back home.”

Circe chuckled at the brunette’s joyous voice, thinking that she sounded happier than the mistress herself. “Unfortunately, the banquet is only two weeks from now. I wish I could stay here forever,” she flashed a bright smile towards Zeke. “Right? Lord Silas?”

“Indeed,” Zeke responded without missing a beat. “Though, at least we’ve gotten two weeks because the banquet got pushed back due to some issues in the royal palace…that’s what my father told me anyway.”

“If I could offer my insignificant input,” Lilia started. “I’ve heard rumors that the crown prince got himself hurt while horse riding, but some people were saying that the second prince deliberately crashed into him.”

“Well, the second prince has always been a bit of a brute,” Zeke recalled some details he’d read in the past as they made a turn. Using Silas Salvador’s imperfect memory, he guided them through the maze-like hallways. “It’s not surprising that people would start pinning the blame onto him, especially when the crown prince’s faction is getting sensitive these days—Ah, looks like we’re here.”

Soon, the sight of a beautiful greenhouse welcomed them. Vines and other flora gleam like gems under the permeated sunlight, shining down on the pearlescent tea table in the middle of the flushed jungle. The aromatic, yet delicate scent of flowers hung in the air, inducing serenity with each breath they took.

When Zeke walked closer, Esmeralda Salvador looked up at him with a smile as bright as the afternoon sun. “Ah! Hello Silas, and Lady Ruelle. I’m grateful that you can join us despite your injuries, I hope my invitation didn’t put too much pressure on you.”

“No no, that’s not the case at all, Marchioness,” Circe returned the woman’s gentle smile as Lilia wheeled her to the table. “I’m actually craving for some sweets, so I simply took advantage of your invitation. You don’t need to worry about me at all.”

Her jesting words enticed a soft chuckle from Esmeralda, bringing her fingers up to her lips. With her immaculate beauty, a graceful aura envelops her every move, even a simple brief laughter made her shine like an angel sent from the heavens. “Oh my, please wait a moment, then, my maid is currently on her way here with our tea and treats,” She placed her hands on her lap. “I actually call you here because I wanted to thank you, Lady Ruelle.”

“Thank me?” Genuine surprise widened her eyes.

“Yes, I’m glad that you’re Silas’ fiancee, Lady Ruelle,” Despite her smile, Esmeralda had a forlorn look in her eyes as she shook her head, sighing in disappointment. “I am ashamed as a mother, since I couldn’t even set my son’s behavior straight. I never got to know about his antics until after several months had passed…” She suddenly faced Zeke, causing him to flinch. “You don’t still drink, do you? I know fifteen is the legal age but no woman would like a drunkard as a husband.”

“…No, mother. I’ll only drink on special occasions from now on,” it took Zeke a moment to gather himself, forcing a smile as he replied. Soon, a maid walked in with a trolley and brought their tea and desserts to the table.

“That’s good,” Esmeralda’s smile grew wider when she saw Circe chuckling quietly to herself from the corner of her eyes. “I’m glad you’re marrying someone you feel genuine affection to, at the very least, you’ll have a friend you can lean on for the rest of your life.”

Her words reminded Zeke of some stray information he’d read while playing Silas Salvador. Out of all her children, Esmeralda adored Silas the most, perhaps because Creston would take the kids almost immediately after they were born, she never got the chance to grow attachment to any of her children. Silas was the black sheep of the family, a child that Creston couldn’t shape to his image, and so Esmeralda wanted to give her young son the love that his father didn’t give him.

Even if that same child refused to spare her any time of day.

”…Mother,” Zeke’s solemn voice garnered a blank look from Esmeralda. “I’m sorry for causing you any worry and pain until now, I will make it up to you starting today, if you could please forgive me.”

His unexpected apology brought a heavy silence to the atmosphere between them, but Esmeralda’s warm smile instantly shattered the icy tension. “Oh, Silas, my baby…” Her murmurs choked from the tears swelling in her eyes. “…I’m your mother, Silas, how can I not forgive you?”

Zeke didn’t expect this reaction from Esmeralda either as he frantically stood up, bolting to her side. By then, tears had trickled down her cheeks. “Mother, please don’t cry,” a panging pain stung his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. “Did I make you sad? I’m sorry, I never—“

“I’m not sad, Silas,” her maid handed Esmeralda a handkerchief. While she wiped the tears from her face, she smiled at Zeke. “These are tears of joy, from a mother that’s happy to see her son grow up.”

Having sat in stupefied silence this entire time, Circe decided to lift the mood, nodding along with the marchioness’ words as she spoke. “Yes, Lord Silas has been quite childish until lately…Or at least he’s still kind of am.”

“Lady Ruelle…” Zeke looked at Circe with a smile, but no one but her would be able to see the threatening glimmer in his crescent eyes. “That’s quite a hurtful thing to say about your fiance.”

Their lighthearted laughter replaced the somber atmosphere.