Chapter 64
“Mother, please take your medicine.”
“I’m not a child. I can take it myself…”
A few days had passed since Alicia’s incident. She hadn’t left her room since, seemingly trying to lie low. Even her meals were taken inside.
Isel gently heated the medicine sent by the Magic Tower and handed it to Diana. In the letter Rueeri had enclosed, he said it was a powerful remedy made from a variety of rare herbs that only grew in the magical forest.
“I just wanted to take care of you. We haven’t had many chances to do that.”
“Thank you, my daughter.”
Diana accepted the cup of medicine with a gentle smile.
“You two look good together, Sister.”
“Rueeri!”
Rueeri tapped on the locked window. Diana’s face lit up with joy as she rushed to open it. Her cheeks flushed immediately upon seeing him. Isel watched her mother curiously, observing her reaction closely.
“Hello, little lady.”
“Hello!”
Isel grabbed the hem of her dress with both hands and gave a graceful bow.
“Are you feeling better? I wasn’t sure if we could have our lesson, so I came just in case.”
“Thanks to you, I’m feeling much better.”
There was an odd tension in the air between them. Isel glanced between her mother and Rueeri, then grinned as she grabbed the doorknob.
“Then I’ll leave you two alone. Enjoy your lesson, Mother!”
“Alright. See you soon.”
Diana watched Isel’s retreating figure for a while, then turned back with a warm smile.
Rueeri, too, was looking at Diana with even warmer eyes.
“Ah, sorry. I must look like such a doting mother, don’t I?”
Diana tucked her hair behind her ear and spoke shyly. Rueeri shook his head, his warm smile never fading.
“Not at all.”
Then, instead of his usual playful grin, he gave her a soft, serene smile that overflowed with happiness.
“You look beautiful.”
Diana’s already flushed face turned beet red. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest.
Ugh, get a grip. Rueeri’s just naturally friendly…
She fanned herself with her hand, trying to calm her pounding heart—but it wasn’t easy.
“S-So then, since I’m feeling better, should we start our lesson? About the ice spear we were working on last time…”
She released her mana hesitantly. In an instant, a sharp ice spear jutted out of the ground.
“See? I practiced hard, just like you taught me.”
Her eyes sparkled like a puppy begging for praise.
The ice looked dangerously sharp at the tip. Diana’s previously bright face slowly darkened. A wave of exhaustion hit her. After returning from her regression, constantly staying alert and calculating had clearly taken its toll.
Even at what should’ve been a joyful party, she had to plan, calculate, and remain wary of Alicia.
Rueeri, who had been quietly watching her blink slowly, finally spoke with a serious tone.
“Sister.”
“Yes?”
He smiled again playfully and asked:
“How about an outdoor lesson today?”
“Outdoor… lesson?”
She asked again, but Rueeri simply opened the window wide.
A warm breeze filled the room. Diana’s honey-colored hair fluttered beautifully in the wind.
“The weather’s too nice to stay indoors.”
He smiled brighter than the sun itself. Enchanted, Diana nodded.
“Alright.”
“Then, my lady. May I have your hand?”
Rueeri held out his hand playfully. Diana let out a soft laugh and placed her hand in his.
“Hold on tight, Sister.”
The moment he said it, a pale green magic shield enveloped them.
“H-Huh?”
“Let’s go.”
Her body lifted gently off the ground like she was inside a soap bubble.
Startled, Diana grabbed his hand with one hand and his waist with the other, eyes tightly shut.
In the blink of an eye, they were standing in the middle of a bustling street.
Hearing the chatter of people around her, Diana cautiously opened her eyes.
They had arrived at the most luxurious district in the Edith Empire—a place filled with fine mansions, gourmet restaurants, and elite boutiques, mostly frequented by nobles.
“This is…”
Even after touching the ground, Diana still held onto Rueeri’s hand.
“Magic always amazes me, no matter how many times I experience it.”
“Right? If you keep training, you’ll get there. You’ve got an amazing teacher, after all.”
Rueeri winked playfully.
“Liar. I’d have to be an archmage to teleport like that.”
“Nah, you’ve got potential.”
He laughed brightly. Then his gaze drifted to her hand still holding his. He stared quietly.
Noticing his gaze, Diana gasped and let go immediately.
“Oh! I’m sorry!”
She looked away, face red with embarrassment.
“Why? You can hold it as long as you like.”
“Don’t tease me, Rueeri.”
Rueeri clicked his tongue playfully, pretending to pout. Diana pouted back, but a small smile tugged at her lips—she didn’t really mind his teasing.
“Alright then, let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“Just follow me.”
Diana trailed behind Rueeri as he led her somewhere.
They stopped in front of Millennium Tower, one of the Empire’s top restaurants.
Diana stared at Rueeri in surprise.
She couldn’t imagine what kind of lesson they were going to have in such a luxurious place.
Unable to hold back her curiosity, she asked:
“A lesson? Here?”
“Let’s go in.”
Rueeri smiled and grabbed her wrist gently, guiding her inside.
Her wrist tingled from his touch. It was nothing—but why was she so aware of it?
To hide her reaction, Diana took a deep breath.
She might’ve planned revenge against Calypso, but at the end of the day, she was still a married woman. Feeling this flutter of excitement toward someone who was only trying to help her made her feel guilty.
“Let’s sit.”
Rueeri led her to a private room in the back. The table was overflowing with a grand, luxurious feast.
“Did you reserve this? I heard you have to wait a month just to get in.”
This place didn’t care about power or status. You waited your turn, period. It was Diana’s first time here too.
“Ah, my parents are friends with the owner.”
Rueeri pulled out a chair for her. Diana adjusted her dress and sat down.
The food was so stunning it looked too beautiful to eat.
It felt like being inside a gemstone boutique. The dishes sparkled like finely crafted jewels.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Right? I really wanted to come here with you. It tastes just as amazing as it looks.”
“But… what about the lesson?”
“Sorry. That was an excuse. You treated me to lunch last time, remember? Let me return the favor.”
Well, that’s fine. Diana smiled and nodded.
“Let’s eat. Here, try this.”
Rueeri served her a pink, flower-shaped dish. The petals sparkled like crystal.
She cut it in half and took a bite—inside was minced meat, juicy and flavorful.
The combination of beauty and taste made her smile without even realizing.
“Good, right?”
“Yes. It’s really delicious.”
Though Diana had eaten plenty of gourmet meals, this was something else.
If only I had brought Isel. She would’ve loved this.
Diana savored the flavor, thinking of her daughter.
Rueeri, reading her expression instantly, said:
“I asked them to pack some to-go.”
“Huh?”
“You’d want to bring some to your daughter, right? Try this one too.”
How does he always know what I’m thinking? Diana was amazed.
“Can archmages read people’s minds?”
“Nah, not even the Tower Master can do that.”
Rueeri watched her eat with a satisfied expression.
Embarrassed by his gaze, Diana said:
“You should eat too. Why are you just watching me?”
“Why? Watching you eat is enough to fill me up.”
“Rueeri, come on…”
If only I had met someone like this from the start… A kind husband, a lovely daughter… that would’ve been a dream.
Because of Calypso and Alicia’s affair, her marriage had been a complete failure. That truth always stabbed her heart.
Her face, which had brightened thanks to the delicious meal, suddenly darkened.
“Sister, are you okay?”
“…Yes.”
Get it together. This time with Rueeri is precious.
Diana forced a smile and pushed her plate toward Rueeri.
“You eat too.”
“But you should have more…”
“I’m only happy when you’re eating too.”
“…Really?”
Rueeri’s smile slowly faded, like a candle flickering out. His face turned more serious than ever.
“Happiness, huh…”
“Rueeri?”
Startled by his sudden change in expression, Diana tilted her head and called his name. Rueeri lowered his head, lost in thought, then met her gaze.
“Are you happy right now?”
“Why do you ask something like that?”
Diana looked puzzled, but Rueeri didn’t answer. He simply dropped his gaze.
She stared back at him, noticing the sadness in his blue eyes.
What was that sadness? Why did Rueeri sometimes look at her like that?
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t figure it out.
Diana looked at him with uncertain eyes.
Rueeri slowly raised his head, blinked slowly, and finally said:
“Because I want you to be happy.”
He gave her a wistful smile, as if hoping that what he said would come true.
“I just want you… to be happy.”
