“... Young Master?”

    A sudden rustling broke the tense air. Derol jumped off Ardion’s table and rushed towards me.

    “Derol? What are you doing here...?”

    “Rowell has arrived,” he replied, his voice filled with urgency.

    I glanced at Ardion, whose expression was a mix of concern and surprise.

    “Forgive me, Master. I heard a stranger saying bad things about Ardion in the duke’s office, so I told him first. I thought you should know too.” Derol wrung his hands, genuinely remorseful.

    “It’s alright, Derol. You have nothing to apologize for. But we need to leave now. Rowell is looking for you.”

    However, Ardion held onto my hand firmly. “Why?”

    “Why?”

    “I don’t want to run away.”

    “But...”

    “Rowell is in the duke''s office, right?”

    As Ardion moved towards the door, I sprinted in front of him.

    “Young Master, if you go now...”

    He gave a light smile. “Laila, why are you so desperate? Is it perhaps that you love me?”

    Silence enveloped us. All I wanted was for Ardion to be safe.

    But why was he speaking of love now?

    Before I could respond, he leaned his face closer to mine, coming just inches away from me. I instinctively stepped back.

    He studied me, his intense gaze making me falter and my heart race. Just as I gathered the courage to speak, he walked past me and opened the door.

    I stood frozen, unsure of what to do next, my mind blank.

    “Are you alright, Master?”

    Derol’s voice snapped me back to reality. I hurriedly opened the door, but Ardion wasn’t outside. Without hesitation, I headed towards the duke’s office.

    The door was wide open. I quickly stepped inside. Rowell sat inside. He shared a resemblance to Ardion, but his presence was distinct from him.

    With his blond hair and piercing blue eyes, he was undeniably handsome. Our gazes locked.

    “Are you Laila?” His smooth voice cut through the tension.

    Ardion stood before him, an edge of worry in his sharp features. I awkwardly greeted him, but Ardion shot me a fierce glance.

    “Nice to meet you. I’m...”

    “No need for formalities. I appreciate your efforts. It must have been tough dealing with my brother’s temperament.”

    I was speechless. I had always heard Rowell was arrogant—this was consistent with the story.

    Yet the man before me, praising me and thanking me for my struggles, seemed like someone entirely different. He wore a smile that suggested he was above wrongdoing.

    Just then, Duke Orchid spoke up. “Your Highness, it’s all thanks to my support. Without me, Laila would never have been able to eliminate his mana.”

    I immediately spoke up. “Actually, I taught Ardion how to hide his mana. He...”

    Ardion looked at me, shaking his head to stop me.

    “Who is lying here?” Rowell’s smile widened, twisting his face into a cruel expression.

    Ardion looked at Rowell at him and stated, “Laila has always treated me well. She’s only saying that for my sake.”

    But his brother smiled at him in amusement, clearly entertained by the show he was watching.

    “Someone is lying here.” He glanced between Ardion and me, then chuckled softly and signaled to the magician.

    “If we are to eliminate anyone, it might as well be someone unnecessary. They are responsible for this mess.” He looked at me with a smile.

    I stood frozen, paralyzed by dread. Was this my fate all along?

    In the original story, Laila was destined to die, just under the protagonist’s hands. A wave of despair washed over me. If I had known, I would have fled sooner.

    Suddenly, Ardion’s voice broke through my gloom. “Rowell, Laila is innocent. Punish me instead. I’ll do anything. Please...”

    As he pleaded, Rowell slowly turned his gaze back to him, seemingly enjoying the spectacle. “Then, Ardion, I have a proposition.”

    Ardion lifted his tear-streaked face filled with remorse.

    “Since one of you lied, then someone among you should bear the consequences. This is only fair, don’t you think?” Rowell settled into a chair, locking eyes with Ardion. “Ardion, if that’s what you want, sending you to the border could work.”

    Ardion nodded, tears falling. “I’ll go. Just don’t kill Laila.”

    Rowell’s smile broadened, sending chills down my spine. He was more sinister than Duke Orchid. He was willing to sacrifice his own brother. Then he stood abruptly. “Pack your things at once. The border is far away, so you must set off immediately.”

    Ardion exited the room. Simultaneously, the binding magic on me dissipated, allowing me to move again. I rushed out.

    Ardion gathered his belongings in silence.

    “Young Master.”

    As I approached, he avoided my gaze, keeping his gaze on his bags.

    If only I had fled when I had the chance... Frustration bubbled inside me.

    Then Ardion turned to face me and stride closer, his tear-streaked eyes filled with anguish. “I have no intention of giving you my mana.”

    He stepped even closer. With nowhere to retreat, I backed up against the wall. He grasped my trembling hand and kissed the back of it, his green eyes ablaze with intensity.

    “We’ve already come this far, but you still won’t say anything, right?”

    I blinked in response and watched as his smile turned bitter. Afterwards, he pressed his lips against mine. I finally realized what was happening. His warmth embraced me, leaving me breathless.

    Just as my back hit the wall, I finally regained my senses. “... Y-Young Master!”

    I pushed hard against his chest, but he only moved back slightly.

    “I love you, Laila.”

    “...”

    “My birthday was during the festival.”

    Ardion gulped. While I was still lost in thought, he swiftly left through the door, giving me no chance to stop him.

    And... that was the last time I had a glimpse of him.