AMLA 16

Chapter 16

“Yes.”

Lian answered immediately, without hesitation.

“Lian, you must be busy. You really don’t need to do this.”

I clenched my teeth.

“I’m not busy.”

“No, you’ve got your studies. You don’t need to worry about me too.”

I turned my eyes away from Lian, thinking he wouldn’t listen, and appealed to Count Luchelonia instead.

“Hmm… still…”

The Count seemed to agree with my point, falling into contemplation once again.

“Felice, you’ve been in your room practicing magic alone for the past two days.”

Antony, standing beside me, spoke up again.

‘Antony, please, just stop.’

I frowned slightly as Antony continued fussing like an overprotective mom.

“Felice, if you need help, say so. You were frustrated earlier because your magic wasn’t working, remember?”

Antony spoke with a look of concern etched deeply on his face.

He had seen how hard I tried in those two days, how frustrated I’d been.

And now, tears were welling up in the corners of his eyes.

“Felice, were you really stuck in your room for two days just practicing magic?”

The Countess, having heard everything from Antony, dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.

‘Ugh, this is humiliating…’

Did they really have to say all of this in front of everyone?

“No, it’s not like that…”

I could feel my cheeks heating up in embarrassment.

“Oh, come on. Just be honest with Father and Mother.”

“Yes, Felice. When you need help, you should accept it.”

Antony and the Countess took turns comforting me, while Lian watched the whole scene with a faintly amused smile.

‘Seriously, I said I’m fine!’

Just as I silently screamed with frustration—

“Felice.”

“…Yeah?”

‘What the heck. Why does his voice sound so nice now?’

Lian’s voice, deeper than in the game, rang in my ears.

“I’ll teach you. Magic.”

Lian looked me straight in the eyes, delivering his words with unwavering resolve.

“……”

For a moment, I almost got lost in those deep blue eyes of his and couldn’t say anything.

“That’s great. Lian, I know you must be busy, but please take care of Felice.”

The Count tapped the table lightly, clearly pleased, and smiles appeared on the faces around us.

Everyone except me, who sat there speechless with a dazed look.

After the meal, the Count and Countess left the dining hall arm in arm.

Felice remained at the table, mumbling to herself in defeat, and Lian stood up from his seat.

“Lian.”

Antony followed after him, calling out.

Just as Lian was about to exit the dining room, he paused. Antony stood in front of him, meeting his gaze.

“Do you have a moment to talk?”

“……”

Lian stared silently at Antony, who understood the look meant “Go ahead.”

“There’s a birthday banquet tomorrow for Young Master Bayron. How about attending it together?”

“……”

“Most of the Empire’s nobles will be there.”

“Most of the Empire’s nobles…?”

Lian, who would normally show no interest, seemed curious, prompting Antony to smile and continue.

“Yeah. The Bayron Marquisate is the wealthiest merchant house in the Empire. So almost all the nobles will be there. Now’s your chance to get acquainted with them—”

“Will the Duke of Spencer be attending?”

Lian’s sudden question about the Duke caught Antony off guard.

“No, he won’t be attending.”

He remembered how happy Felice had been when she heard that this morning.

“She was all smiles when she found out,” Antony recalled.

“And the Spencer sons? Will they be attending?”

“No, they’re busy too. Why do you ask?”

Given how Lian had never shown interest in anything outside magic, Antony found his curiosity rather strange.

“…I won’t go.”

After a brief silence, Lian firmly made up his mind.

“Well… if you don’t want to go, I won’t force you.”

Antony nodded, realizing there was no changing Lian’s mind.

Besides, Lian hadn’t received an official invitation from House Bayron, so they wouldn’t be offended.

“All right. Ah, and take good care of Felice. I’m sure you’ll teach her well.”

“Yes.”

Antony gave a faint smile as he walked away.

At that moment, Felice was also leaving the dining hall, muttering to herself.

“I’m doomed. It’s all over.”

Everything had gone in the opposite direction of what I had hoped for.

“All of it’s ruined… now I…”

I hung my head and left the dining hall, overwhelmed by a dark and uncertain future.

“Felice.”

Someone called out to me, and when I stopped, Lian blocked my path.

‘What now?’

I slowly lifted my head, nervous.

Lian stared at me with an unreadable expression.

“What?”

I replied as coldly as I could.

‘Right. Do the opposite of the game’s strategy. Act stupid and unfriendly instead of smart and passionate about magic.’

Just like with Dustin—if I act the opposite of the capture method, his affection level shouldn’t rise.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yeah.”

I nodded and tried to walk past him, but Lian didn’t let me go so easily.

“Felice…”

Unlike his usual short and blunt responses, he seemed like he wanted to talk.

“What? You got something to say?”

“Why are you learning magic?”

‘Ah, this question.’

It was the same one Lian always asked in the game.

He was someone who seriously loved magic.

The more passionate you were about it, the higher his affection would rise.

‘In the game, the answer was always “because magic brings equality and harmony to the world.”’

That was why Lian loved magic—because it wasn’t tied to status.

You didn’t have to be a noble or a commoner to possess powerful mana.

Of course, families like the House of Madonia had strong bloodlines, but still.

“Magic? It’s just cool. I can use it whenever I need it.”

Using magic for personal convenience.

That was the thing Lian hated most.

‘Though later on, he becomes obsessed with Felice and ends up using it personally too…’

“I see. If you use magic, it’ll definitely help when you need it.”

Instead of frowning, as he usually would at such an answer, Lian gave a faint smile.

‘What? Even that didn’t work?’

I was the one caught off guard by how unfazed he was.

“For the lessons, we’ll focus on offensive and defensive spells.”

“Offensive magic?”

In the game, Felice focused on pure academic magic, not combat.

‘At most, she used spells to water plants…’

I tilted my head in confusion, but Lian continued seriously.

“I’ll teach you the kind of magic that can cut off someone’s arm if they try to hurt you.”

“Uh, okay… thanks.”

‘Actually, that might work out better. Offensive magic could help me fend off the male leads too.’

“But Felice…”

Lian still had something else to say, his voice turning serious again.

“Yeah?”

“I heard from the Count…”

“What about?”

“That there’s talk of marriage between you and the Spencer family.”

“Oh, right. The Duke wants me to marry one of his two sons.”

“Are you going to marry them?”

‘What should I say?’

A lot of thoughts flashed through my mind in that brief moment.

If I said no, Lian might misunderstand.

“I will. One of the Spencer sons.”

I looked him straight in the eyes and said it clearly.

Not only to make it clear, but to tell him: Go back to the Magic Tower, Lian.

“I see… Just as the Count said…”

Lian lowered his head, looking disappointed.

‘Yes. Give up on me now.’

Despite the calm and slightly sorrowful tone in his voice, I was inwardly celebrating.

Success.

Just as I was feeling smug,

Lian slowly raised his head and locked eyes with me—his deep blue eyes like the ocean.

‘Wait… why are your eyes looking at me like that?’