Chapter 28

After that, Laila and the others walked through the fortified city under the guidance of the person in charge.

(The city is a bit smaller than the capital, but the shops are well-stocked and lively. Plus, the security seems to be solid...)

There were many people on the streets, and if it weren't for the unsettling factor of being so close to Oluva, it would be a pleasant town to live in.

The gazes of the passersby on Laila and the others were also noticeable—

(...Hmm... Is Sir Julius getting a lot of attention?)

Julius, walking confidently beside Laila, was indeed drawing attention. However, it seemed to be more than just attention as a great mage.

Young women who passed by were squealing and giggling at the sight of Julius. A young girl, probably in her early teens and looking like a vendor, blushed and seemed enchanted, and even married women were staring at Julius intently.

Julius's appearance was very striking.

So much so that almost every woman who passed by couldn't help but turn and stare.

(Maybe... Sir Julius is even more handsome and popular than I thought...)

Laila had been living with him for a few months.

The gaunt appearance he once had was completely gone, and now he looked like a dignified young noble with a slender build.

(...Am I standing out too much next to him?)

Suddenly, she felt uneasy.

It would be better to stand out a little than to be a presence that diminishes Julius's dignity.

Thinking this, a chill ran through her, and Laila tightly gripped the hem of Julius's jacket.

She thought this action would only be noticeable to Vernelle and Helka, who were right behind her, but Julius, noticing the tug on his jacket, lifted his left hand and firmly held Laila's hand.

(What!?)

"Sir Julius..."

"Let's hold hands and walk."

When Julius, who had been looking stern, leaned in and relaxed his expression, Laila could only nod, blushing deeply.

It seemed that everyone around them could see Julius holding hands with the woman next to him, and squeals and joyful laughter could be heard from various directions.

(A little embarrassing... But... I feel safe.)

More than anything, it was heartwarming that Julius immediately noticed her feeling weak and responded in the way that would make her happiest.

The autumn breeze made the town a bit chilly, but the hand she held was very warm.

After that, Julius went to the mage training facility, and Laila accompanied him.

As expected of a school for mages, it was different from the academy Laila had attended in the capital. The large courtyard had areas for practicing casting spells and even a spacious square for mock training.

Since Laila was not a mage, she had to avoid being hit by the spells cast by the children, so she decided to watch Julius from a distance with Helka. However—

"Kyaa!"

"Yeah, I think you did well. But it's unstable, so it's easily negated. ...Okay, next."

"I-I'm going! ...Uh, whoa!?"

"Hmm... Your abilities are high, but your anxiety is palpable. When you feel weak, you give your opponent an opening. Try to calm your mind. ...Next."

About ten children, who seemed to be in training, were casting spells at Julius, only to be easily blown away. Each time, Julius gave a brief piece of advice and had them cast various spells.

At one point, it turned into a situation where Julius was facing five children at once, surrounded on all sides. Julius created precise magical barriers to defend against the attacks, and sparks and lightning flew, leaving Laila captivated by the scene.

(That's... amazing... This is practical magic training...)

"It feels like I'm seeing a whole different world."

When Laila muttered this, Helka, who was sitting next to her, chuckled.

"It might look that way to you, Lady Laila. Sir Julius is very interested in the training of young mages."

"Do you mean he likes children?"

"Rather, he wants to cultivate excellent successors. I haven't heard that he particularly likes children."

"I see."

"But if you and Sir Julius have a child, I'm sure he will dote on them."

"Ah...!?"

While they were having a casual conversation, Helka suddenly said something that made Laila's heart skip a beat, and she quickly looked away from Julius, who was surrounded by the children.

(Well, it's true that I'm Sir Julius's fiancée, and we might get married as early as next summer, and... um, yes. That's right!)

Seeing Laila's blushing face, Helka laughed and casually ran her fingers through her long hair, then looked at Julius.

"...If it weren't for you, Lady Laila, we might never have seen Sir Julius so lively."

"...My condition is rare, right?"

Vernelle had mentioned that Laila's condition was very rare and not often discovered.

However, if they searched thoroughly, they might find someone with a similar condition.

"Yes. But like you, Lady Laila, a mana-absorbing constitution is not detectable with ordinary instruments. Therefore, it's possible that more people have the same condition than we think, even if there are no recorded cases."

"...That's true."

—If another woman had this condition.

If a woman with the same condition had been at that ball and had touched Julius, perhaps it would have been her, not Laila, who was chosen—

(...No, that's not right. Sir Julius said...)

Julius had told Laila that he fell in love with her at first sight, and that he had already fallen in love with her twice before. When he realized her condition, he chose to propose rather than hire her as a maid.

She should have confidence.

The Julius who is now active with the children exists because his fiancée is Laila.

Laila's value in being chosen is indeed real.