Chapter 55

I waited until Tristan’s magic calmed down.

‘What you really want to say is something else.’

His pale face looked particularly ashen. There was another person as tactless as the Grand Duke.

How could I convince someone who tortures himself instead of simply saying sorry? I called his name with a sigh.

“Tristan.”

His purple eyes, clouded with pain, stared at me blankly.

Unable to contain my impulse, I flicked my finger against Tristan’s forehead. With a snap, his face crumpled.

He still had the expression of someone who didn’t understand what foolishness he was committing.

“You’re an idiot.”

“…What?”

“You’re more foolish than a sea squirt, sea cucumber, sea anemone, and amoeba combined.”

“Are you insulting me right now?”

Not even knowing what creatures I was talking about, Tristan wrinkled his nose bridge and growled.

I raised my voice to stand my ground.

“So what if I am? I told you everyone is fine!”

“You don’t know anything. That’s why you speak so lightly.”

“What do I need to know?”

“How dangerous I am.”

To say such a thing in this situation.

I couldn’t deny that his magical power was tremendous. But there was no need to fear the power he possessed.

It was his innate talent, and also a blessing.

“You’re the one who doesn’t know anything, Tristan.”

Unlike a sword that needs training to be effective, magic exerted its power in its innate form. Especially in cases like Tristan’s, where the magic itself had an elemental property, he could manipulate that element without spells.

If only he wouldn’t give up using his power out of fear…

“If only your talent had been mine… I wouldn’t waste it like you do.”

Lucas probably said that because he knew this, too. Even my past self as an Archmage would have coveted his talent if I had seen him now.

“You can’t get rid of what you were born with. So you have to accept it.”

“Do you know how it feels to be born with power you never wanted?”

“I do.”

When I answered without the slightest hesitation, Tristan’s face showed emotion for the first time. I looked into his face and spoke again.

“…I do know.”

Having seen my abilities in the library, Tristan couldn’t easily refute me. I never thought I’d be having this conversation with him in prison.

I recalled the concerns I had long ago when I was an Archmage. Having gone through those painful times, I had advice to offer.

“Tristan. Your magic is a blessing.”

“A blessing? Don’t say whatever you want! You and my brother got hurt because of me! How could this be a blessing?”

“Yes. You’re right. It’s because of you.”

There was probably no point in denying that fact itself.

“But that’s because ‘current’ you is still inexperienced.”

“….”

“It will be different later. I said something similar to Lucas, too.”

“To my brother, too?”

“Yes. I believe you both will become stronger in the future.”

Because I know the original story.

I covered his face with my palm, deliberately blocking him from my view. I thought Tristan wouldn’t want me to see his current expression.

Feeling his breath tickle my palm, I added.

“I know what you’re afraid of. But I won’t dislike you just because of that.”

“You and my brother got hurt.”

“I’m fine because I know you didn’t want it to happen. Lucas might feel differently, though.”

“What if my future self can’t control my power?”

“That won’t happen.”

He would become a powerful magician, as shown in the original story, earning the awe of others. A cruel magician who could create miracles with a single gesture.

I smiled slightly at the future that appeared as vividly as a picture.

“You can achieve anything as long as you don’t overestimate your power.”

The process might be lonely, though.

Whatever ending is predetermined, I hope you can live as yourself. Having decided to save Lucas, I also needed to change the relationship between Tristan and Lucas.

I might regret this decision I made today.

“Tristan, Lucas is jealous of you. He doesn’t hate you.”

“My brother? Jealous of me? How could that be when he’s so amazing?”

His reaction of disbelief confirmed my guess. Even geniuses tend to be insensitive to emotions surrounding them.

“Lucas had to work hard for the power that you had from the beginning.”

“My brother, jealous…”

“Have you ever thought about why Lucas wants to become stronger? He wants to be strong so he won’t lose anyone.”

“I’ve never thought about that. My brother is just amazing.”

His voice, sounding empty and hollow, was tinged with self-loathing.

“Why didn’t I think about it?”

The lonely and desolate boy was smart enough to understand my words. He seemed to realize where their relationship had gone wrong.

“…My brother is just like me.”

My palm covering Tristan’s face became wet. I hoped this dishonest boy would find comfort.

I wished for their relationship to improve, even if just a little.

‘You are family to each other.’

Both Lucas and Tristan were essentially lonely children. The world wasn’t warm enough for them to navigate alone with just their individual strength.

After a silence, he hesitantly spoke up.

“Liat.”

I slowly removed my palm from his face. His tear-stained face looked unsightly but contained a faint light.

“Why are you doing all this for me? Because you like my hair color?”

“…Hmm.”

“Tell me the real reason.”

“Maybe because your magic is cool?”

I made up something random.

His magic, flickering like flames, seemed to have a will of its own. Its flamboyant and free-spirited nature matched Tristan’s image well.

“It suits you. Show me again next time. But without losing control.”

“You’re really funny.”

At last, the shadow on Tristan’s face disappeared. His lightened expression made me feel relieved, too.

Only then did I remember the snack basket I had forgotten.

“If we’re done talking, shall we eat some snacks?”

“Are you going to feed me?”

“You have hands, Tristan.”

I unlocked Tristan’s restraints with the key the knight had given me earlier. When all the chains binding his body fell to the floor, Tristan moved his freed hands and raised the corners of his mouth.

His fully charged magic swirled around his body. When he snapped his fingers, a bright light spread out, changing the surrounding space.

***

The scent of flowers rushed in from all directions. As the wind blew, purple flower petals swayed all at once.

“This is…”

It was the field of Kal flowers where the Grand Duchess’s grave was located, which I had visited before.

“Why are you standing there blankly?”

Tristan, standing among the flowers, snatched the basket I was holding with a grumpy face. I followed him as he walked ahead without hesitation.

‘Is this okay?’

I became troubled as I briefly thought of Sen and the knights waiting in the prison. I’ll have to explain the situation and apologize to them later.

The gravesite was a very beautiful place in daylight.

“By the way, Tristan, where are we going?”

“A good place to rest.”

With flowers everywhere, it seemed like any spot would be good for resting. After walking for a while, Tristan stopped on a low hill overlooking the flower field.

He plopped down on the precious flowers and pulled my hand.

“So, little one, what do you like? What’s your favorite food?”

What’s with this personal survey in a flower field?

Tristan’s face, resting his chin on his hand with a bored expression, overlapped with Lucas’s face. Lucas had also sent a letter recently with similar, strange questions.

[Please answer sincerely. From your dear Lucas.

One. List just ten favorite foods.

Two. Tell me in detail about sports or games you’d like to do together.

Three. About my bear outfit, isn’t it quite stylish? (omitted)]

The brothers are exactly alike. Exactly.

The bewilderment I felt when I first received that letter was perfectly recreated. I endured the annoyance and answered his questions one by one.

“I like sweet things. And delicious things.”

“Little one. Have people told you that you lack social skills? You should be more specific.”

“If I told you everything, we wouldn’t be able to leave here even after sunset.”

“Then you can just stay with me. Keep talking.”

At this rate, I might get tired before we even eat the snacks I brought. I shoved a muffin from the basket into Tristan’s mouth as he was being annoying.

“…Mmph?”

“Chew thoroughly.”

Tristan, with a disgruntled expression, moved his mouth as instructed. Soon his indifferent pupils dilated and became bright.

‘I know that feeling.’

It was natural for his eyes to roll back after tasting sugar when he’d been hungry for so long.

“It’s decent.”

Despite his casual words, he eagerly reached for the basket. I watched as he stuffed bread into his mouth indiscriminately.

After devouring the bread at a pace I couldn’t interrupt, Tristan rubbed his slightly bulging stomach. His mouth, covered with bread crumbs, relaxed into a smile.

It was the gentlest expression I had seen on his face so far.

“Little one. Got any more of these?”

“No.”

“And you know I didn’t eat because I was hungry, right? I ate it as a favor to you.”

Then you should have left some for me.

I looked into the basket with distant eyes, then shook my head. Tristan, now in a good mood, lay down on the ground to enjoy the breeze.

“Hey. Little one.”

His long eyelashes gently covered his purple eyes. After exhaling a languid sigh, he continued.

“I’ll find your fairy doll friend for you.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t hate me.”

His curly hair swayed from side to side in the wind. Finding this an unexpected windfall, I readily accepted Tristan’s request.

“Thank you, then.”

It would be faster for him, a magician, to find it than for me. Actually, I hadn’t been very anxious about the spirit disappearing, unlike when the dog took it.

‘Because I saved Lucas.’

Suddenly, I thought that this life was worthwhile just for that.

“I’m glad neither Tristan nor Lucas got hurt.”

I wiggled my hips to sneak closer to him. Instead of pushing me away, Tristan closed his eyes and exhaled a shallow breath.

I quietly stayed by his side until he collected his emotions.