Chapter 28
Damian accidentally swore and seemed surprised at himself, covering his mouth quickly.
But only for a moment.
He relaxed his hands as if letting fate take its course and started scanning me carefully.
“Have you perhaps entrusted your life to someone else?”
“…Why?”
“Why? Do you even get to ask why right now?”
He laughed, clearly exasperated.
Yeah, I understood how he felt. But this was the best way for me too.
“Your Highness the princess… are you a dragon, hiding your heart somewhere? I was uneasy when you said you were coming to the magician’s land, but I followed because of your father’s words, and now…”
Damian sighed deeply, like he couldn’t believe it.
A long, heavy sigh. He looked genuinely exhausted.
“The mage tower? You expect them to let you in? Down there, you’d probably be roasted faster than anything else.”
“Roasted? That’s harsh.”
“This is impossible as it is.”
“What’s impossible?”
“A girl who hasn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony and a tiny bundle like you tagging along.”
“…Hmm.”
I had nothing to say. He wasn’t wrong. Objectively, our power was terrible. Even if Damian alone could handle things, with me tagging along, a single mage from the tower would be dangerous.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because I want the Archduke to get stronger quickly.”
“Do you know how many times you’ve said that already?”
“I’ll say it often from now on too.”
“Now is not the time for jokes.”
Damian looked at me sharply, his eyes serious. He really seemed worried.
“If your intention is just to cause trouble, we should turn back now. I won’t take responsibility beyond this.”
“I understand your concern, but nothing like a battle will happen, so it’s okay.”
“What confidence…?”
“Overflowing, of course.”
I smiled faintly and grabbed his hand.
It was reckless to come like this, but not without a plan. Damian paused slightly as our hands met, looking down.
“This way.”
I ignored him and led him through the forest on the opposite side of the mage tower, where the mountains began.
“What? You said you had business at the tower, so why are we here?”
“Shh.”
I put a finger to my lips, signaling him to be quiet. Damian still looked puzzled but stayed silent and followed.
The air in the forest felt different. Fresher, clearer. No magic traces at all. Soon, a forest filled with colorful glowing plants appeared before us.
‘…Wow.’
Water flowed somewhere in the distance, and small lights floated around the puddles. It felt like stepping into a fairy tale. A scene impossible to see in the capital.
“What is this…?”
“Pretty, isn’t it?”
Damian was mesmerized, looking around like a naive boy seeing the world for the first time. Now at sixteen, his expression seemed almost childlike.
I, too, wanted to marvel, but if I did, he might look at me distrustfully. So I pretended to be composed as we crossed the forest.
‘It should be around here somewhere…’
After scanning the area, my gaze stopped at a spot.
“Ah, found it.”
Among thick grass by a small flowing stream, a little furry creature curled up on colorful leaves. Its golden fur rose and fell as it breathed.
‘So cute.’
It was unbelievably adorable. Small enough to hold in my arms. Round body, soft fur.
Damian, trailing a half-step behind, tilted his head in confusion.
“…Is that the target?”
“Cute, right?”
“I’ve never seen a golden weasel before.”
“It’s the magician’s land.”
Creatures unseen in the capital were everywhere.
Then Damian suddenly drew his sword sharply.
“Are you going to catch it?”
“What are you talking about?”
I panicked, slapping his shoulder.
“Put the sword away!”
“Why are you hitting me?”
“Put the sword away, quickly!”
“Wasn’t it supposed to be caught?”
“No! Put it away!”
Reluctantly, Damian sheathed his sword. Good—if he had swung it, we both would have been in danger.
“So… is it a capture mission then?”
“…Never mind. Could you give me some dried fruits from Zeda?”
“Weasels are carnivores, Your Highness.”
He handed me a piece of jerky instead, almost mocking me.
‘I wasn’t asking for fruit because I didn’t know that!’
I sighed, keeping my mouth shut, and clutched the jerky tightly.
“Stay here a moment.”
“…Yes?”
“Don’t move. Stay still.”
Leaving a puzzled Damian behind, I slowly approached the weasel.
The little creature noticed my presence and peeked at me, its tiny purple eyes sparkling.
“…So cute.”
It was too adorable. The tension I had felt vanished. I kept a safe distance and extended the jerky with a harmless smile.
“Hello, little weasel. Want some of this?”
The weasel sniffed and then happily grabbed the jerky from my hand.
‘Looks like it likes it!’
It chewed quietly, making cute little sounds in the quiet forest. I rested my chin on my hand, watching it for a long time.
‘I shouldn’t, but it’s really cute.’
I had completely forgotten my original mission, just enjoying the weasel’s adorable antics.
Then I felt a sharp gaze from behind. Hidden in the bushes, Damian glared at me, clearly asking when I was going to catch it.
‘I said we’re not catching it.’
The weasel finished eating, perked its ears, and met my gaze with its strange purple eyes. My heart skipped a beat.
“Hello, Master of the Mage Tower. Can we talk?”
