Episode 60
“Hehe! I love this place!”
The happiest about camping in the forest was, of course, Koseliko. The little bird flapped his wings joyfully as he flew around, marveling at the trees, grass, and flowers.
While he played, Miel steadily went about setting up the campsite.
“Miel, leave it. I’ll do it.”
Just as Miel was positioning the magic tent, Jade approached after finishing the barrier spell.
Paaat—
He lightly infused the magical tools with mana, and tents of considerable size were quickly and neatly set up.
Then, with a wave of his hand, nearby branches gathered and stacked themselves into a neat campfire pile.
“Miel, you light it. You need to keep practicing the basics if you want to improve.”
Jade smiled as he encouraged her. Miel immediately extended her hand toward the campfire.
Paaat!
Bright red mana surged forward and sparked the fire. Though a bit small, the flame caught and burned steadily.
Troy silently watched. The world of mages was certainly fascinating.
“Miss Miel, is there anything I can help with?”
Troy approached after observing for a while. Miel shook her head.
“No, Your Highness. You can rest for a bit. I’ve camped quite a lot too.”
“She’s right, Your Highness. My student has traveled all over on missions from the Magic Tower.”
Jade shrugged with a smirk.
“I see.”
Troy stepped back. Meanwhile, Miel continued her preparations busily.
“Ugh…”
As she tried to lift a large box from the carriage, Troy instinctively moved to help—but Jade’s magic was faster.
Whoosh—
The box floated through the air and gently landed in front of the campfire.
“That’s Puke’s food box, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. I think I need to improve the lightening spell on it.”
“Hm, alright. I’ll enhance it for you.”
At their exchange, Troy fell silent for a moment.
“Your Highness, it’s dinner time.”
Miel called to him with a smile as she opened the food box. Inside were fresh skewers that looked like they’d just been made.
“All we need to do is grill them. The magic box keeps them fresh.”
“Understood.”
Troy smiled and approached the fire. Jade used magic to create smooth stone seats around the fire for everyone.
Miel began grilling the skewers over the fire. The meat sizzled as it cooked.
“Miel! Look! There’s an apple tree here too!”
Koseliko flapped back with an apple bigger than his own body.
“Really? How does it taste?”
“Hm… Not as good as those Hurow apples you gave me before, but still edible.”
“Haha, then eat up, Coco. I’m having meat.”
“What?! I want some too!”
“Okay, come here.”
Miel sat by the fire with Koseliko. Jade, who had just finished finalizing the campsite, joined them. Troy sat down as well.
“The meat’s done. Please help yourselves.”
Miel handed them their portions, then picked up her own skewer, blew on it, and shared some with Koseliko.
“Here, try it.”
“Mmm, Poki’s cooking is amazing.”
“Right?”
Miel and Koseliko giggled quietly as they ate together. Jade and Troy watched them with warm expressions.
However, Troy couldn’t completely hide the uneasiness he felt, even while eating.
After finishing the simple yet satisfying meal and cleaning up, Troy suddenly spoke up. It was already quite late.
“Tower Master, what should we do about night watch?”
He asked Jade, who was yawning by the fire. Jade got up and brushed off his robe.
“No need. I set up protective wards.”
“Ah, right.”
“Then I’ll turn in first. Miel, you should get some rest too.”
Jade casually waved and headed to his tent.
“Yes, Master. Good night, Your Highness.”
Miel also said her farewells and entered her tent with Koseliko.
Troy stood still, staring at the two tents. For some reason, he felt out of place.
That feeling only grew stronger once he entered his own tent.
—
Inside, the tent was clean and simple. A cot, a small heater, fresh fruit, and water—everything was neatly prepared.
Magic really is something…
Still, he felt strangely unsettled. He lay down to try to sleep but couldn’t. The more he tried to relax, the more alert he became.
Eventually, in the deep of night, he stepped outside.
Only the sound of chirping insects greeted him.
He took a deep breath and slowly walked toward a nearby stream.
Splash…
He washed his face in the cold water.
Since birth, I’ve never truly envied anyone.
As a direct descendant of the royal family—third prince, crown prince, and future emperor—there was never a reason to be jealous.
But the more time he spent with Miel, the more he wished… he were a mage too.
And today, that thought had been stronger than ever.
He had even felt a twinge of resentment toward Jade.
I’ve… never felt this way before.
Rustle—
Suddenly, a sound came from the nearby grass. Troy turned instinctively.
There, stepping into the moonlight, was a small figure—Miel.
Her silver hair shimmered under the moonlight.
“Miss Miel? You’re not asleep?”
“Oh, Your Highness, there you are.”
She smiled as she approached the stream.
“I was playing with Koseliko while eating fruit, but the juice spilled on me.”
She crouched down and started rinsing her stained clothes.
“Be careful. If you fall in…”
“Haha, it’s okay. Even if I fall, I can dry myself with magic.”
“…I see.”
Troy quietly stayed by her side. Even though Jade’s barrier surrounded the area, he wanted to protect her himself.
Splash… splash…
A quiet moment passed between them. Only the sound of water echoed softly.
Then, Troy spoke up.
“The Tower Master… he seems like a perfect person.”
Even as he said it, he couldn’t believe himself. It was a clear sign of jealousy.
But Miel didn’t react strongly. She finished rinsing her clothes, stood up, and looked up at him.
“Really? I don’t think anyone’s perfect.”
She replied casually.
“…What?”
Troy asked without thinking. Miel tilted her head slightly.
“Master is kind of a weirdo. You know that, don’t you?”
She said teasingly. Troy’s mouth parted slightly in surprise.
“…Yes, that’s true.”
He couldn’t help but smile at her grin.
“Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. It’s just a matter of how you express them.”
Her golden eyes sparkled under the moonlight like stars.
“To me, Your Highness is a perfect person.”
Thump, thump.
Troy’s heart pounded loudly. He felt an overwhelming urge to pull her into an embrace.
He clenched his fists tightly, trying to suppress his emotions.
But no matter how much he tried to hide it, a bit of it leaked out.
He took a step closer to her.
“Miss Miel.”
“I… I…”
Just as he was about to continue…
Rustle—
A large shadow emerged from behind the bushes.
It was Jade.
He rubbed his temple lightly and asked,
“Hm, did I interrupt something?”
Miel tilted her head.
“Not really. We were just talking.”
“Is that so? Then go to sleep now. You won’t grow taller otherwise.”
Jade teased. Miel frowned slightly.
“Yes, I’ll go, tall Master.”
She muttered as she turned around, and Jade chuckled quietly.
Once she was gone…
Jade’s gaze turned noticeably colder as he stared directly at Troy.
