~Chapter 11~
“What’s wrong?”
Rosedale smiled awkwardly at the three men staring at her.
“You really don’t get it? What are you…?”
“Cain.”
Lukas cut Cain off before he could interrogate her further.
Rosedale paused to make sense of the situation. Lukas explained it.
“Rosie, all the magicians disappeared over a hundred years ago. Not just from the Empire—everywhere.”
“What?”
“You’re the only person left who can use magic.”
“…”
Rosedale was so shocked, she didn’t even blink.
All the human magicians were gone? No wonder they were treating her like some kind of anomaly.
Her books were clearly outdated—written more than a hundred years ago by fairies who had once visited the human world. That explained why everyone was looking at her like she was strange.
“How do I get out of this?”
Even Rosedale, good at thinking on her feet, was stumped.
“Rosedale. Who are you really?”
Cain pressed her.
“You said you came here recently. So you’re not from the Empire? Where did you learn magic?”
“I… I…”
Rosedale bit her lip in panic.
She couldn’t tell them she was a fairy or a divine messenger. Humans, like fairies, feared things that were different. If they found out, they’d either worship her or treat her like a monster.
Neither option sounded good.
“I can’t tell you.”
She lifted her head and looked Lukas straight in the eye.
“I get it. It’s hard to trust someone you just met. But I’m not a bad person. I won’t harm you or your Empire.”
“And how should we believe that?”
“As your friend.”
“…”
Even now, calling herself his friend made Lukas speechless.
It felt like the connection they’d built was slipping away, but she didn’t look away.
“You didn’t tell me you were the Emperor—but you weren’t trying to hurt me. I’m the same. I’m still Rosedale, the one who laughed and ate with you today. Just like you’re still my friend, no matter what title you have.”
They locked eyes in silence—like they were looking into each other’s souls.
Lukas remained unreadable, but Rosedale waited patiently, trusting the time they’d spent together.
Finally, he opened his mouth.
“Lukas Daniel de Iveria.”
“Huh?”
He held out his hand.
“Let me introduce myself again. I’m Lukas Daniel de Iveria, Emperor of Iveria. And you?”
“I’m Rosedale. Rosedale Bell.”
She smiled brightly, shaking his hand.
Their eyes met warmly, just like when they’d first shared a meal.
“Your Majesty!”
Cain looked like he might faint seeing his emperor shake hands with a stranger.
But Lukas ignored him, smiling softly at Rosedale—the same gentle look he had when he watched her eat.
“Rosie, you said you don’t have a home. Do you have anywhere to go?”
“Well… kind of just… anywhere?”
That sounded like she planned to sleep outside. Cain nearly collapsed.
“Then come with me to the palace.”
“The palace?”
“I want to hire you. Work for the Empire as a magician.”
“Huh…”
Cain couldn’t even form words. If Burnett weren’t holding him up, he’d be on the floor.
“I won’t ask about your identity. We’ll write a contract, pay you, and give you a place to live. Since you’re the first magician in 100 years, I’ll even grant you a noble title and proper treatment.”
“Hmm…”
Rosedale looked unsure.
She understood why Lukas made the offer. A magician suddenly appearing would be a huge benefit to the Empire.
And truthfully, staying close to Lukas would help her investigate the golden arrow.
But…
“The palace, huh…”
She already hated rules and formality—growing up as the fairy king’s daughter was enough of that.
Still, she reminded herself:
“I’m Eros’ messenger. With freedom comes duty.”
She straightened and looked Lukas in the eyes.
“Alright. I’ll go with you.”
Lukas beamed with a smile that lit up his whole face.
But before he could say anything else—
“But I need to make something clear.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll work for you as a magician—but I won’t swear loyalty to the Empire. I’m not staying long, either.”
Elpis could come looking for her at any time, so she couldn’t risk being too visible. She only planned to stay briefly to help Lukas and solve the arrow mystery.
“So I don’t need a noble title. But I will take food, shelter, and payment. Humans need those to live, right?”
Lukas’s eyes drooped like a sad puppy. He couldn’t hide his disappointment.
“How long can you stay?”
“Hmm… maybe three months?”
“That’s way too short. What about a year?”
“Can’t. I’ve got circumstances.”
“Then six months?”
“Six months? Hmm…”
“Let’s try six months first. If things go well, maybe extend it later.”
“Alright. That works.”
They shook hands like sealing a contract.
Cain finally couldn’t stay quiet anymore.
“Your Majesty, but—”
“Cain. Think logically.”
Lukas’s voice was firm.
“She’s the first magician in 100 years. Imagine what it means for the Empire to have the only magician in the world.”
“…”
“With her, we could solve problems that arose after magic disappeared. We could recover from the war faster too.”
Cain had no response—because everything Lukas said was true.
But he still didn’t look happy about it.
Rosedale sighed.
“Then I’ll swear an oath.”
“An oath?”
“Yeah. I’ll swear never to harm Lukas, the Empire of Iveria, or any good human.”
“Ha!”
Cain laughed sarcastically.
“How could we believe that?”
“Then you try it, Cain.”
“What?! Me?”
“Yeah. Try making the oath and see what happens.”
Rosedale gave him a sly smile.
“If that works, I’ll call you ‘Lady Rosedale’ for life.”
“Then I guess you’ll have to speak politely to me too, right?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“Great.”
With a snap of her fingers, a glowing scroll appeared in front of Cain.
He read it aloud:
“By this oath, I swear to respect and honor Rosedale and never belittle her.”
“Go ahead. Sign it.”
“Ugh, fine.”
Cain signed the scroll with a feather pen, still chuckling in disbelief.
“As if this will actually—”
“I swear, I’m doing this just because of Lady Rosedale—huh?!”
He suddenly called her “Lady Rosedale” without meaning to.
The scroll and pen disappeared. Cain’s jaw dropped.
“Lady Rosedale! Lady Rosedale!”
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop speaking politely.
Panicking, he covered his mouth with his hands.
“Pfft.”
Lukas burst out laughing. Burnett shook with silent laughter too.
“Don’t laugh at me, Your Majesty!”
“Ahaha!”
Even as Cain yelled in embarrassment, Lukas only laughed harder.
It had been a long time since he laughed this freely—and Rosedale smiled proudly.
“See? Now you have to keep your word.”
“Cancel this right now!”
“Sorry, magical oaths can’t be broken. Unless someone stronger than me does it.”
“No way…”
Cain collapsed, completely defeated.
Rosedale turned back to Lukas, her crimson eyes shining.
“Now do you believe my oath?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Then I swear.”
A scroll and pen appeared in front of her.
“I, Rosedale Bell, swear never to harm my friend Lukas, the Empire of Iveria, or any good human.”
Her gentle, musical voice echoed as the words formed.
Even Cain stood and checked the scroll closely until it vanished.
He couldn’t deny it now.
But he still looked uneasy.
“Your Majesty, even if we believe her… the nobles and ministers will be suspicious.”
“True.”
“Then how about this?” Rosedale offered quickly.
“Say I’m a magician secretly raised in the palace—the last of the magician bloodline. I was protected until I awakened my powers and am only now being revealed to the public.”
“That’s… actually a great idea.”
Lukas praised her, and Rosedale scratched her head shyly.
Cain, still unhappy, quickly spoke up again.
“T-then… please give us time before introducing Lady Rosedale to the nobles!”
