TPM 11

Chapter : 11

“……Step back.”

When Aria obediently pushed the maid aside, I took out a small vial from my handbag.

“This is a potion I made using my power, ‘Darkness.’ It’s weak, but it should help stabilize your mana core.”

Honestly, even as I handed over the sedative, I had my doubts.

Would the princess, who was seeing me for the first time today, trust and drink this mysterious potion? She had just entered the royal palace and had almost been killed by some unknown force immediately upon arrival. I could understand if she refused.

“You’re Themis, right?”

As usual, Aria addressed me politely, staring at me for a moment before accepting the potion.

“I’ll drink it.”

She gulped it down in one breath. The effect was immediate: her color returned, and her previously uneven breathing became steady again.

Smiling brightly, Aria said,

“I’m glad I trusted you. I’ll make sure to remember the name Themis from now on.”

“The potion only helps temporarily stabilize your mana core; it’s not a cure-all. You’ll need to receive proper treatment from a priest later.”

“Even just relieving the pain is amazing. You’re an excellent mage, Themis.”

“I’m still just a fledgling compared to my master. My master is far more extraordinary.”

I took the opportunity to emphasize my master.

“Your master… do you mean the Archmage Akilan?”

“Yes. I am his only disciple. Thanks to what I’ve learned from him, I was able to make this potion.”

Upon hearing that I studied under Akilan, Aria’s eyes flickered slightly.

“Could I… or rather, could I also make something like this if I learned?”

“Since you are a mage of a different attribute than I am, I cannot say for certain, but your master would know the answer.”

“Is it because the Archmage is a mage of the same attribute as me?”

“Yes.”

Good. With this, Aria’s interest in my master surely must have risen…

“Still, I like you, Themis, better.”

She doesn’t seem to lose.

“Huh?”

“I wanted to help you even before I knew you were a princess.”

That was really just because your groaning was too loud to ignore.

“I’ve only seen people being kind to me because I’m the princess here, and it’s a bit exhausting.”

It seems that she interpreted it differently.

“…I also heard you originally came from the streets, Themis.”

Hearing the rest of her sentence made me understand better. She already knew about me, so she was less guarded. Talking like this made her feel like a normal person rather than the future lover of my master or a princess.

“I really am of humble origins, but you’re different, Princess.”

“I’m still confused.”

She was wandering.

“…Everything is so difficult.”

For her, even a small kindness would feel immense. In the original story, Everett’s kindness had a particularly strong impact on her for the same reason.
…My master is actually warm-hearted too, once you get to know him.

‘The princess needs a chance to see my master’s kindness.’

But my master is not someone who is that kind to people outside his circle of interest.

“Princess, I will regularly send you this sedative. But in exchange… may I ask a favor?”

Aria’s eyes went wide.

“A favor? From me?”

“Yes. Something only you, Princess, can do.”

“I’ll listen first and then decide.”

I took a deep breath and continued.

“I’ll be away soon for a monster hunt. But I worry about my master being alone while I’m gone.”

“…Why would I worry about a fully grown adult male? He’s lived hundreds of years, hasn’t he?”

Her slightly reluctant voice made me realize I needed to clarify. No, that’s not what I meant!

Hastily, I added,

“As you know… I’ve never left my master’s side since he saved me. I worry that he’ll feel lonely without me nearby.”

At the mention of always being together, Aria’s expression softened as if recalling something.

“Could you spend time with my master outside of your magic lessons?”

“Just the two of you?”

The words “just the two of you” caused a pang in my heart for a moment, but I quickly convinced myself it was just an illusion and nodded.

“Yes.”

I pictured Aria spending quiet time alone with my master and continued.

“I’m not asking for much. Just having tea with him once a week is enough.”

Nobles or royals usually spend a couple of hours for tea, but once a week wouldn’t be too burdensome for either the princess or my master.

Aria, still staring at me, muttered,

“Themis really cares deeply about the Archmage.”

“He’s the one who changed my life.”

I spoke sincerely.

“But what if the Archmage doesn’t want to have tea with me? I don’t know his feelings.”

Aria said, troubled, but I shook my head firmly.

“I’m sure he’ll allow it.”

I smiled at Aria.

“I’m certain.”

Akilan leaned against the wall, waiting for Themis.

‘Why is she trying to distance herself from me today?’

Seeing Themis dressed differently than usual made me uneasy leaving her alone. But unlike usual, Themis kept refusing and pushing away my offers.

‘I’ll have to ask her once she comes out.’

I was waiting, thinking I’d need to understand the change in her mood.

“Master! The princess is inside too!”

When Themis finally came out of the lounge, she wasn’t alone. In that short time, she seemed to have grown close to Princess Aria. Suspicious, since she isn’t normally that social.

But something else seemed strange.

“I can’t just let the princess go into the banquet hall alone—”

Why did she say this when she had asked me herself…

“Master, please go with the princess.”

Seeing her expression, as if on the verge of tears, I couldn’t understand her at all.

I watched blankly as my master and Princess Aria stood side by side.

‘…It hurts.’

A corner of my heart ached. I’d never realized it before because my master never showed interest in others—but now I felt it. I don’t like seeing someone else next to him.

‘This isn’t right.’

I knew it was selfish, but I couldn’t help feeling this way. I’d monopolized my master’s side as his only disciple for so long.

‘Now I will build my own relationships.’

The past Themis, who was always holed up in her room or trailing behind her master, no longer exists.

‘I’m reborn!’

I clenched my fist and steeled myself. Now was the time to give my master and Princess Aria a chance to get to know each other.

‘Even encountering the princess in the lounge might have been the divine plan helping my scheme.’

I quickly raised my hand.

“Then Master, I’ll go in first. You can talk with the princess.”

Wasn’t this a perfect finish? I felt proud even saying it.

“No, come with me. What could I have to discuss with the princess?”

But my master’s response was much more indifferent than expected. Honestly, I had predicted it. Yes, my master isn’t the type to fall in love at first sight; he gradually seeps into someone’s heart. So I just needed to create the opportunity.

“The princess just experienced pain due to her unstable mana core. She’s calmed down, but still needs more time.”

“Also, it’d be great if the Archmage Master could take a look too,” I added quietly. His eyes narrowed slightly. I waited silently for his answer. If it involved mana core research, he would surely be interested.

“…Still an unstable, novice mage, huh.”

Finally, my master looked at Princess Aria.

“I’ve heard from His Majesty that the Archmage is the only one who can stabilize a mana core. But I’ve never had a proper conversation with her, so I am curious.”

Since I set the stage, Aria added a small comment. They had only exchanged names briefly before, so she looked a bit awkward. But she gathered courage to say more.

“…To stabilize such a rampaging mana core perfectly—that’s amazing. I want to follow your example.”

Since Aria hadn’t been a mage for long, this was probably her first major experience with the pain of an unstable mana core. It deepened her curiosity about my master.

“…If it’s okay with you, I’d like to ask something.”

Aria hesitated but spoke to my master. This was natural and a good flow.

“If it’s alright with you both, I have something I’d like to ask.”

This was a moment where I should not intervene—just the original protagonists.

“Then I’ll go first! You two talk!”

I shouted loudly and turned away from them, running full speed toward the banquet hall.

“Themis, you….”

I heard my master’s voice, but I didn’t look back. If I made eye contact with him, I might turn back… and I couldn’t let that happen.