CHAPTER 76: A FRIEND?!

Daliah peeked out just a little, one blue eye barely visible past Rowan’s arm. Her cheeks were still red, and she looked like a cat caught doing something embarrassing.

Rowan let out a chuckle and gently nudged her forward. "Come on now. You were the one who attacked me with hugs. At least say a proper hello."

"But you should have told me sooner..." she mumbled again with a slight pout and then shot a glance at Logan before looking down quickly.

Logan didn’t mind. He simply gave a small smile and added, "I was just surprised a bit. Not many people greet with that much energy."

That made her lift her head again, just a bit. "I was excited... I was waiting for my gift... but I didn’t know a guest was coming..."

"Well, now you do," Rowan said, placing a hand on her head. "Logan is our guest. You can consider him as one of my friends as well. He’ll be staying here tonight."

Daliah slowly stepped out from behind him and gave a tiny nod with slight confusion. "Friend? Really? I don’t remember you ever having one before."

Then, her eyes narrowed a little. "But you still forgot my gift."

Rowan winced. "Come on, now. I will really get you a big one tomorrow."

Daliah tried to look like a proper lady this time. "You better."

Rowan caressed her hair and marched forward, Logan following behind.

As they stepped through the grand doors, the cool breeze of the palace interior greeted them. The hallway ahead was quiet, polished floors shining under floating lights that hovered in mid-air like tiny stars.

None of the core members of the family were present because it was already late. Only the staff were present.

"Everyone has probably gone to bed already," Rowan said as they walked. "Dinner should be ready and warm though. I told the kitchen to keep it ready just in case we arrived late."

They passed through two more corridors before entering a cozy dining room. Compared to the enormous banquet hall Logan had imagined, this space was much smaller—meant for personal meals, not political ones.

A long wooden table sat in the center with three chairs. The food had already been set—plates covered with silver lids, steam still rising from the edges.

Logan and Rowan took their seats. Daliah didn’t sit with them directly. She hopped onto a small cushioned bench near the window and curled up like a cat, clutching a small teddy bear that she grabbed from the nearby table.

"I already ate," she said softly, looking outside. "So I will not be joining you."

"So what? You can eat again," Rowan said with a smile.

Daliah, who had chosen to sit separately near the window, pouted and replied,

"Yeah right, so that I turn into a balloon and fly away."

Rowan laughed. "Well, at least you’ll be the cutest balloon in the palace."

Daliah stuck out her tongue in return but couldn’t hide the little smile tugging at her lips.

Logan glanced at her for a second before turning back to Rowan. Logan hadn’t felt this kind of warmth and liveliness in a long time. Alice was the one closest to him, but her personality felt like it was shackled by the house politics.

She had always been kind, but the weight of the Smith name always lingered behind her smile. Here, laughter felt easier. Real.

"She’s... different from you."

Rowan smiled faintly while pouring water into a goblet. "She’s more lively than me, that’s for sure. Gets bored easily, asks too many questions, always running around like a little whirlwind."

"I heard that," Daliah said, not turning her head.

"You did?" Rowan replied with a grin.

Logan chuckled quietly.

The food was simple but refined—roasted meat with sauce, a creamy vegetable soup, and soft bread on the side. Nothing too heavy. The kind of meal nobles preferred before bed.

As they ate, the conversation stayed light. Rowan asked Logan what he thought of the palace so far. Logan just said it was "really amazing" and "captivating."

"Glad you liked it," Rowan felt satisfied. Not because he wanted to flaunt, but because Logan liked it.

"I’ve seen too many big buildings," Logan answered calmly. "But this one really catches your eye."

Rowan seemed to like that answer. He nodded slowly. "You are right."

Daliah finally spoke again, eyes still looking out the window. "Did you also participate in the tournament?"

Both Logan and Rowan paused.

Rowan was the one to answer. "Yes. Not only did he participate, he did excellent."

Logan spoke with a humble tone, "It wasn’t that great. You give me too much credit, Prince."

"Are you stronger than my brother?" Daliah asked again. Daliah didn’t know why, but this newcomer had piqued her curiosity a bit. Same age as her but composed, well-behaved—not like those nobles who only knew how to brag. And most important, her brother called him a friend.

Both Logan and Rowan looked at each other.

Rowan took the initiative again. "That’s hard to say."

But Logan glanced at the little girl and said softly, "I don’t think that matters."

"...Why not?" Daliah asked back.

"...Why not?" Logan paused.

"Because being strong isn’t about comparing it with others," Logan said. "It’s about knowing when to use it. And what purpose it serves."

Daliah went quiet after that.

After dinner, the plates were cleared away by a servant who entered and bowed to Rowan first. Rowan stood up, stretching lightly.

"It’s already night," he said, looking at the grand clock on the wall. "You must be tired. I’ll take you to the guest wing."

They walked side by side again, with Daliah skipping behind them.

"The royal library is on the second floor," Rowan added. "Tomorrow morning, after breakfast, I’ll show you around. There’s a lot to see. Ancient books, elemental theory scrolls, even some records on dungeons."

Logan nodded. "Sounds good."

They reached a tall wooden door with carvings of phoenixes on each side. Rowan pushed it open to reveal a clean room with pale golden curtains, a large bed, a small fireplace, and a desk near the window. Everything looked untouched.

"This will be your room," Rowan said. "If you need anything, just pull that string beside the bed. A servant will come."

"Thanks."

Rowan gave a short nod. "Get some rest. Big day tomorrow."

Just before he left, Daliah peeked in again, waved shyly, and whispered, "Goodnight."