It was a path connected to the cemetery, but because it was so secluded and narrow, hardly anyone used it.
I planned to go see the grave through that path after everyone had left.
But someone was coming out that way.
Startled, I quickly hid among the bushes.
"What if someone hears us?"
"This path is gloomy and rumored to be haunted, so no one comes here. You don't have to worry. If anyone appears, it'll be Aen Lixus, that bastard, as a ghost! Haha!"
The man was mocking and insulting Aen, whose funeral had just ended.
Who is it?
Who is doing this to Aen?
"I knew that guy would end up like this, ever since he pretended to be righteous and kind. Disgusting bastard."
"So, is Commander Zelark taking over as the commander of the Magic Knights?"
"Well... the vice-commander will probably take over for the time being, but he's just a vice-commander, how long will that last? They'll elect someone new soon!"
"Then, Commander Zelark will definitely be elected as the commander of the Magic Knights!"
"Ahahaha, wouldn't that be the case!"
"You're amazing!"
They chattered and walked past me, hidden among the bushes, and disappeared into the distance.
But in the end, Zelark Mallid was not elected as the commander of the 1st Magic Knight Division.
That position, which was vacant for a long time, was later filled by his disciple, Banshees.
Zelark Mallid...
'I'll never forget that name.'
I never thought I'd see him again like this.
'I'll cut him down to size.'
And to cut him down to size...
I felt an intense gaze and looked up.
I made eye contact with Banshees, who was still lingering around.
Banshees' body twitched.
Then he strode towards me, pointed his finger at me, and shouted.
"You, you! What were you thinking when you accepted the duel? You don't really think you can beat me, do you?"
Why isn't he leaving and keeps bothering me?
I thought about ignoring him, but it seemed like he would keep hovering around, so I replied.
"Why are you so sure I can't beat you? I might win, you know."
"What? Are you serious?"
"I am."
"Ha!"
Banshees let out a loud, mocking laugh.
"Do I really have to explain the reason? You're small and skinny."
"You're just as small."
"...!!"
I casually poked at Banshees' complex.
His face instantly turned red.
"You!!"
He looked like he was about to explode.
'Is he going to lash out?'
Is he going to unleash his magic power like before?
That might be an opportunity for me.
If Banshees gets punished, the duel might be canceled.
'It's Banshees' fault, so it won't turn out to be disadvantageous for me.'
I held onto that hope.
"Hoo... I'll go easy on you."
Contrary to my expectations, Banshees didn't lash out.
He even seemed to calm down by taking a deep breath.
He's not usually like this. Why is he acting like this all of a sudden?
"Hey, I'm giving you sincere advice. Cancel the duel now. You could really get hurt."
"...Why do you care if I get hurt?"
"...! I, I do care!"
"Why?"
"That's...!"
I stared at him, as if to say, 'Let's hear it.'
Banshees' eyes darted back and forth.
'Look at him.'
He's at a loss for words because he doesn't have anything to say.
'He's just being stubborn because he doesn't want to lose to me.'
Suddenly, I felt like I was wasting my time dealing with him.
It's a waste of time.
It seems like the conversation in the office will be longer.
'Should I just go back to my room?'
I can always visit Aen's quarters later.
I have class tomorrow too.
I made up my mind and was about to turn around.
"If, if you get hurt again..."
"What?"
"Ugh, never mind! You look perfectly fine. Do whatever you want! Break your head again, or just die!"
Banshees muttered to himself, had a fit, and then ran away.
'He's really out of his mind too.'
Well, how many sane people are there in this family?
Only Aen, maybe...
That's when it happened.
Click.
"Then, I'll be going now."
Aen, whom I had been waiting for, came out of the door.
"Commander."
I immediately ran up to him.
"Lady?"
His troubled face widened his eyes when he saw me.
"Were you waiting here?"
"Yes, I thought we should plan for the future together."
"Haha... That's my Lady. You're so smart. Shall we go to the garden? Oh, it might be cold."
"It's okay. I like it."
"Then let's go."
Aen and I walked side by side into the garden.
Perhaps because of the cold, there was no one in the garden.
'Hmm, it is cold.'
I was too exhausted to even feel the cold during the test in the morning, but the air of the season transitioning to winter was definitely chilly.
Whoosh-
Shiver.
A cold gust of wind passed by, and I unknowingly shivered.
Aen noticed that brief moment and looked at me.
"Lady, excuse me."
"Yes? Hyaa!"
He suddenly lifted me up.
And as if that wasn't enough, he sat me on his arm.
"Co-Commander?!"
"It'll be a little less cold this way."
Then he wrapped me in his coat.
"My daughter says it's warm and nice this way. How about you, Lady?"
Perhaps because he was thinking of his daughter, Aen had a gentle smile on his face.
...I'm jealous.
I nodded unconsciously.
"Yes, it's really warm."
I wasn't lying.
Aen's embrace was really warm. I've never felt such warmth before.
"Haha, that's good. It would be terrible if you caught a cold, since I suggested we come out. I'd get fired."
He said naturally with a smile.
"Oh, right. I know a place. Would you like to go there?"
I tilted my head at his words.
"Where is it?"
Then Aen smiled meaningfully and replied.
"It's a secret. But I'm sure you'll like it too."
His voice was filled with certainty.
I nodded without hesitation.
Actually, I would like anywhere as long as I go with Aen.
"Okay. Let's go."
"Ah, wait. I'm not cold anymore. You can put me down now."
He's not thinking of going like this, is he?
I felt a little embarrassed and sorry, so I quickly said it, but sure enough, it was exactly as I feared.
"It's too late."
"Yes? Ah...!"
Aen started running with me in his arms.
He was so fast.
I believed that Aen wouldn't drop me, but regardless of belief, I instinctively grabbed onto his clothes.
And I thought.
Of course.
'I knew it.'
Aen is a kind and gentle person, so I expected that he wouldn't let me down easily because he wants me to be comfortable.
But I didn't expect him to start running recklessly.
Aen's unexpected ways sometimes make me bewildered.
But...
'It's warm.'
Even with the fast speed, his embrace, which was so stable, was cozy and warm.
'I can't help it.'
I had no choice but to give in to him.
"How is it, is this place okay?"
The place where Aen had taken me was a greenhouse in the forest.
"It's abandoned, but the magic's effect must be remaining because it's still warm. No one comes here, so it's perfect for spending personal time."
He carefully put me down.
I looked around and was impressed.
'There was a place like this.'
Indeed, the greenhouse looked like it had been abandoned, as if to match the words, and hadn't been taken care of at all.
Empty flower pots with no plants were scattered around, and dust had accumulated on the iron table in the center.
It was like a ruin.
"Is it a little gloomy for you, Lady?"
"No. I like it."
Because it seems like I don't have to worry about anyone here.
'I was so cooped up in my room that I didn't even know there was a place like this.'
As I looked around in wonder, he wiped the dust off the table and chairs and offered me a seat.
"I wiped off the dust, but would it still be too dirty for you to sit on?"
At Aen's worried words, I shook my head and sat on the chair with a bounce.
'This is nothing.'
I lived in a room filled with dust, so sitting in a slightly dirty place was nothing.
The warm air and the coolness coming from the iron chair felt very nice.
"You're a unique Lady."
He chuckled briefly and sat across from me.
We looked at each other in silence for a moment.
To be exact... I was the only one looking at Aen.
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