Chapter 81

★ Anastasia ★

It had been years since I last returned to the high elf mansion, yet I adapted to life here as if it were second nature after just one day. The mansion, built entirely of wood, was combined with special magical materials, making it extremely durable. The perfectly transparent windows, which were rarely seen in other countries, were specially made using the abundant magical power of the high elves. The elves, who considered serving the high elves the highest honor, would replace the intricately designed curtains, paintings, and furniture with new ones every few years.

"Your Highness, I shall take my leave now."

The maids, who were also elves, bowed deeply after tending to Anastasia and left the room.

"…I thought this kind of life was like a dream."

The stimulating days spent with Raze in the "hidden world" and the days treated as a guest in the Rief Magic Empire felt like events from a dream, which was strange.

"…Perhaps, when you think about the long life of a high elf, these are just fleeting events…"

She had already reunited with her father, the king, and her other siblings, but their responses were restrained, as befitting royalty. Only Yuri and Matvey, the twins, showed their emotions openly, initially expressing joy but soon turning sad. Aisha thought they must have felt sympathy for her, who had returned to fulfill her duty as a high elf.

"Still, I cannot shirk my duty."

She had watched helplessly as her family fulfilled their duties through magical singing, feeling frustrated. She wanted to sing with them. However, achieving that desire and staying with Raze forever were incompatible. She knew this all too well. If she could help Raze's sister by returning to the mansion, Aisha was determined to do so joyfully. She had already told the king about the "secret potion" to restore vitality. The king, as always, had a gentle expression, but Aisha thought he looked much older. He was always hard to read, and this time was no different. He immediately agreed to "prepare it."

All she had to do was send it.

She could fulfill her duty.

Raze would be happy to see his sister recover and set out on an adventure—

"…No."

She mustn't imagine herself by his side. The more she imagined it, the sadder she became. The fading memories would come back vividly.

The nights she spent alone with Raze. The first time she filled a bath in the dragon village. The battle with a giant goat in the dark elf village.

And that night, when Raze came to her room in the Rief Magic Empire.

The night he helped her regain her "voice."

A feat that seemed impossible to Aisha, but Raze accomplished it so easily. He didn't boast or act superior; he simply smiled and said, "It's good, isn't it?"

Whenever she thought about it, her emotions wavered. Wavering emotions were troublesome and didn't easily return to normal.

Aisha closed her eyes and tried to forget. She told herself to calm down, that the pain was only temporary—

"…Hmm, what is it?"

At that moment, Aisha felt something.

The mansion was as quiet as usual. Despite the many elves working there, they were trained to move silently, leaving no trace. Yet, she felt a stir in the mansion.

When she stepped out of her room, the wide corridor was empty. She walked, holding the hem of her long dress, which she hadn't thought about during her adventures in riding gear. Her wooden shoes clicked on the floor.

As she walked down the long corridor, a flustered maid ran towards her and bowed her head when she noticed Aisha.

"What's wrong?"

It was unusual for a maid to run, and even more unusual for her to react so strongly to seeing Aisha. Her heart raced, thinking something must have happened.

The maid hesitated for a moment, perhaps surprised that Aisha had spoken. She had only spoken to the king, her siblings, and a few maids before.

"…No, nothing. But, Your Highness, please return to your room."

"Why should I return if nothing is wrong?"

"It's just…"

Aisha couldn't get any more information from the hesitant maid and continued down the corridor. The maid let out a small "ah" but said nothing more.

Aisha turned the corridor three times. The next area was the entrance hall. From the second floor, she could see the entrance clearly—she could tell it was bustling.

What had happened?

Aisha walked, her wooden shoes clicking—then she heard the voices of the Secret Service.

"…You cannot meet Princess Anastasia."

"…No, the king has given permission."

It sounded like Matvey. Aisha was confused. If it was Matvey, there should be no need for permission to see her, and she didn't understand why Polina was stopping him.

But the next moment, her heart nearly stopped.

"…Let's go, Mr. Matvey. Arguing here won't help, and we don't want to keep the king waiting."

That voice was impossible to forget.

—Don't be afraid, it's okay.

That night, he took her hand and helped her regain her "voice."

—Aisha!

He called her by the name she had asked him to use, even though she now thought it was a frivolous request. He called her by it, despite his confusion.

—No matter how long the journey, it is made up of one step at a time. All I can do is walk steadily.

When she was about to give up on herself, thinking she could do nothing, he said this.

His words pushed her forward.

Guiding the dark elves, a task that should have been easy for a royal but felt burdensome to her, became possible because of his words.

One step at a time, forward.

Thinking this, she realized that the "duty" of a high elf royal was also "one step."

She decided to take one step at a time, as Raze had said, to fulfill her duty.

"!"

Before she knew it, she was running.

Reaching the entrance hall, she grabbed the railing and looked down.

Noticing her footsteps, many people looked up.

The Secret Service, maids, butlers, and her siblings.

But Aisha's eyes were fixed on one person.

Just one person was enough.

"Mr. Raze…!"

Just seeing him was enough.

But, having made the decision to take her "step" and leave her feelings behind—

Seeing his face, her resolve crumbled like sand.

"Why… Mr. Raze…"

There were many things she needed to say, but her emotions choked her, and tears overflowed.

"Aisha."

Despite being surrounded by so many people, Raze was already at the top of the stairs in front of her, much to the shock of the Secret Service.

"Even though you might not have wanted it…"

Raze's face, smiling wryly, hadn't changed at all.

"I came."

Aisha threw herself into Raze's chest. Her emotions were out of control, and flames burst forth, likely frightening the elves. But she couldn't stop herself. Raze, looking slightly troubled, probably used [Wind Magic] to extinguish the flames. His warmth as he gently placed his hand on her shoulder—everything about Raze.

(…I love you… from the bottom of my heart, only you)

She couldn't lie to herself anymore, couldn't hide her feelings—Aisha felt this.

Aisha, who had stopped holding back (yeah).