Chapter 22

With children present and considering Anniina's health, the party was concluded around dinnertime.

Most of the guests returned to their homes in the capital, but Julius's mansion was located in the outskirts, so he had informed everyone in advance that they would be staying overnight. Of course, Julius and Laila would share a room.

(Lady Isabella had such a wonderful smile when she said her goodbyes...)

She greeted Laila with a warm smile before bedtime and whispered something to Julius, tugging at his sleeve. Right after that, Julius, with a slightly troubled look, said, "That's not going to happen, so don't worry."

I have a pretty good idea what Isabella said, but Laila decided to pretend she didn't notice.

The guest rooms in the grand mansion were spacious, even the living room alone, and each room had its own bathroom.

Since the maid Helka had already warmed the bath, Julius and Laila took turns soaking in it before heading to the bedroom.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Don't worry about it... Laila, your hair is still wet."

When Laila hurried to the bedroom, Julius, who had been reading a book in the still-lit room, squinted at her.

"You'll catch a cold like that."

"Um... I'm sorry. I didn't want to keep you waiting... Usually, Helka dries it for me—ah!"

"Here, just stay still."

Julius walked over and placed his hand on Laila's head, and a warm breeze tickled her hair. It was the same heat wind magic that Helka used.

Since Julius had more magical power than Helka, he dried Laila's hair in a shorter time and finished by blowing a cool breeze to style it.

"Done. ...Is everything okay?"

"No, it's fine. Thank you, Julius."

"Actually, I've always wanted to dry your beautiful hair like this. So, thank you."

Laila's cheeks flushed, not just from the warm breeze, as Julius whispered with a chuckle.

"Well... I haven't seen you use magic much before... I've been surprised all day."

"True, that's also the case."

Laila, embarrassed, looked up, but Julius, without saying anything, led her to the bed and sat down. After a moment, he embraced her shoulders and buried his face in them.

(He must be tired...)

As Laila stroked Julius's perfectly dry, lustrous hair, he called her name in a muffled voice.

"I haven't used magic much in front of you, as you said. But it's not that I dislike using magic."

"Right... You put me to sleep on our first night, didn't you?"

"Yes, that's true. I use magic when necessary. It's more convenient, and it helps me avoid an excess of magical power."

Julius paused and let out a round sigh.

"At the party, the children asked you to use magic. How was that?"

"Huh? ...Well, the light that fell was very ethereal and beautiful, and I was a bit surprised by the roses, but they looked very cool."

Incidentally, the white roses he produced are now in a vase in the next room. She plans to take them home tomorrow and return them to the vase in the hallway. Vernele might be panicking right now, thinking the number of flowers has decreased, she laughed as she told this story before the bath.

Laila's honest feedback made Julius chuckle, which tickled her a bit.

"Thank you. I'm glad you said that..."

"..."

"What is it? Magic is convenient, and I understand that I should use it more often. Besides, if I were to get serious... I could probably turn this capital into ashes in an instant."

Laila said nothing.

Julius isn't trying to show off his power or intimidate her. She understood that, but she still couldn't grasp his intentions, so she remained silent, urging him to continue.

"But... I don't want to use magic for that. I'd rather people think it's beautiful than be afraid. I'd rather hear 'amazing' than 'painful.' I want to hear 'thank you' with a smile, not 'scary' with a look of fear."

Laila felt the strength in Julius's grip on her shoulder, as if it were a cry from his heart.

She didn't know what he had experienced or why he was shouting. She had never been told, so she couldn't know.

He was rescued around the age of seven. He once said he hated vegetables because he used to eat only roots and withered leaves.

(Julius, you—)

What are you carrying?

But the question wouldn't come out of her mouth. She knew she shouldn't ask lightly, at least not now.

So Laila reached out and gently pulled Julius's head to her. Since he was hunched over, she could rest her cheek on the crown of his head, which she usually couldn't see.

"The magic you showed me earlier... and the glimpses of magic you've shown me before, were all amazing and beautiful. Your magic has never hurt me."

"..."

"Even when the children asked you earlier... you could have used more flashy magic, but you chose to use beautiful and wonderful magic. Magic that doesn't hurt anyone, gentle magic."

Even if he were to get serious, he could burn the capital to the ground in one strike. He could eliminate those who speak ill of him in an instant.

"I like your magic."

"..."

"I don't know anything about you, and I have no magical power. But at least now, I think you are very kind, and your magic can make people happy and make the world more convenient, a wonderful thing."

I can't definitively say that you are a kind person or that your magic is harmless.

But I can judge things based on what "the current Laila" knows and honestly express what "the current Laila" thinks.

So.

"Whenever you feel like it, please show me your wonderful magic again."

"..."

"Whether you create light and flowers, or pull flowers out of nowhere, or dry my hair, I'm very happy."

Julius's head moved slightly, and his hazel eyes looked up at Laila. His eyes, which had grown brighter over the past two months, gazed steadily at her, making her heart race.