/
Siervian didn’t know who the ‘old man’ Karmen kept mentioning in his thoughts.
However, after having a glimpse into his thoughts, she wondered why he had become so taciturn later when he’d later be an adult.
“You shouldn’t be alone this late. You don’t know just how scary the palace guards are.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
“But you’re also alone.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
“I-I’m fine though? I’m taller than you!”
Was he someone else? He was so different from the cold Karmen that she knew, so she had reasonable grounds to doubt him.
Come to think of it, the status window next to him was also quite strange.
Karmen ‘Kasselov’?
Karmen, the Magic Tower’s Lord, was from the slums and had no last name. She never heard of him having one.
It was also mentioned as such when he was formally appointed by the Emperor as the youngest master of the tower in history.
”Even my father refused to give me a last name. He said that I was not fit for it.”
What was Karmen doing here so late at night? And he was close to the Princess’ Palace.
She was on her way to investigate the food waste incident, but this encounter made her nervous. He was one of the people who despised Siervian for the incident.
“What’re you doin’ here?”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
“…I was taking a break from my Master’s* lessons.”
{ tl/n: not like an ‘owner’, but he refers to him like this, just like how martial artists call their teachers ‘master’. }
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Thoughts: That tower lord old man. I ran out to avoid his scolding, but he’ll be furious once I go back. I don’t wanna go.
Siervian took a peek at his status window, startled to find out who the old man he was talking about was. She was curious why he was so scared to go back just to be scolded.
In her memories, he was the fearsome Karmen whose magic talent could rival even the Emperor’s abilities.
“Oh, that’s why…”
As he mentioned his master, Karmen kicked the ground in front of him. His full lashes, which glimmered subtly, matched this secret lilac garden very well.
‘Handsome.’
This time, Siervian was amazed by Karmen’s face instead of the flowers. He had a reticent expression on his face, but his handsome looks didn’t go away.
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Thoughts: I wanna go home. But I have to work hard so they can eat… Annoying. Those fellows are doing well.
He looked livelier now instead of being aloof, and the thoughts he had made Siervian see him in a new light, too.
She knew that he didn’t have a family, but he must have been continuing to work hard with his magic training because of the kids he considered younger siblings.
“Wh-what is it?”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
When she came to her senses, Siervian realized that she was patting his head unintentionally. Karmen, embarrassed, revealed his emotions slightly. It was an angry expression.
[ Favorability: +100 ]
However, his body was frozen and he didn’t back away from her hand. He even bowed his head so that the short Siervian could pat him better.
“Stay stwong.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
Seeing that, she wanted to cheer him up again.
The mage’s robe that he laid down on the ground was obviously too big for a child.
He was the same age as the Crown Prince, three years older than Siervian. However, right now, he was only an eight-year-old child.
‘I guess it’s really hard to learn magic.’
In her previous life, she had no talent in magic, so she wasn’t given any magic lessons. She didn’t know how difficult they were.
But it must have been so hard that he had to find a hiding place like this while he thought of his younger siblings.
“Must’ve been hard…”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
So Siervian patted his head for a long time. It was a little awkward to pat someone’s head who was much taller than her.
[ Favorability: +100 ]
It wasn’t long until Karmen stepped back, then spoke aggressively.
“Stop it now.”
“Okay.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
But when he moved away, she saw how his ears were extremely red. And it was like he was hesitating to move away from her.
While thinking his hair was as soft as it looked, Siervian still somehow felt sorry for him.
“Don’t touch me.”
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Favorability: +100
Thoughts: Damn… I want you to pat me more, but my pride is hurt.
Rubbing his ears roughly, Karmen went far away from her.
“Okay, okay.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
She replied, not being hurt by what he said. Her body was a child’s, but her mind was an adult’s, so she could comfort him this much.
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Thoughts: Your hands are so so so cute, too. How can you be so small?
Although she didn’t know why Karmen’s thoughts were more mature than how he spoke rudely.
“But you. What are you doing here?”
Karmen looked down as he asked.
After getting up to pat his head earlier, she sat back down again. Maybe because she was a little tired, but she felt like she needed to use this opportunity well.
“I’m looking for somethwing.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
“Tell me what it is. It’s annoying, but I’ll listen to you.”
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Thoughts: Then I’ll have to come with you to find it. It’s dark and dangerous at night, so I can’t let you go alone.
Unlike his words, Siervian looked at his inner thoughts that seemed to be cooperative, then chose her words well. It would look suspicious to others if she said she wanted to go to the tower’s garden, so she should just say she’s looking for flowers.
“It’s a pwetty flower like this.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
A detailed description was difficult to enunciate, so Siervian took a small stone from the grown and did her best to draw the Cassia flower on the ground.
“Do you know?”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
“…Yeah.”
Karmen was being very cooperative, and he focused intently on the drawing that Siervian’s dainty hands drew.
She thought he’d definitely recognize it, but the status window betrayed her expectations.
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Thoughts: What is that… A worm? I thought you’re looking for a flower.
“…”
Siervian looked at Karmen with complex emotions. She thought he was a blunt person so he’d just blurt out thoughts like this, but it was surprising that he was being considerate.
When their eyes met, the status window changed again.
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Favorability: +100
Thoughts: It really looks like a worm, but it’s cute. How can your cute fingers do that?
Even though inside, he was full of rude thoughts.
“Like this… small and yellow.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
“Aha.”
“It’s Cassia!”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
She stammered for a long time trying to describe the flower’s appearance, but she eventually said the name.
Karmen tilted his head to the side as if he was lost in thought.
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Thoughts: Is it the flower in the old man’s garden?
‘That’s it!’
Her eyes glistened and she jumped up. Karmen’s expression twisted as he looked at her, who had her hands clasped together.
“What are you looking at?”
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Favorability: +100
Thoughts: I must be crazy. You’re so cute. I’ll have to pick all the flowers in that old man’s garden. I’ll get you a whole cart of it.
No, wait, she didn’t need that much.
“Um… only thiiis much.”
If Karmen went to pillage the garden, he’d be in big trouble.
So Siervian opened her open palm up to him and said that, meaning that she only needed about five.
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
Then suddenly, the status window flashed so much that she got dizzy.
Karmen flinched back as she reached out her hand. His heart was beating dangerously.
“S-Stay away from me.”
“Okayyy, I got it.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
Since Karmen knew where the flowers were, Siervian decided to listen to him. But when she stepped back a bit, Karmen’s face looked like it was twisted in pain.
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Thoughts: Ahh, you’re so far away now. Crazy. Why did I say that? Idiot!
His inner thoughts were full of bitter self-criticism.
That’s why Siervian, who was still being cautious, took one step closer to Karmen.
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
“Ahem. Um. It’s dark out, so stay really close to me.”
“…Okay.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
It occurred to her that it was a bit difficult to match his mood swings.
“There’s about five over there.”
“Really?”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
“Yeah. Come with me.”
Karmen scurried out through a gap between the branches of the lilac tree without waiting for her answer. The rows of lilac trees were shining softly under the moonlight.
“Here. Is it this one?”
As Karmen said, there was a patch of Cassia flowers under a large tree nearby.
“Ah!”
Siervian rushed on her tiny legs toward that spot.
She was wobbling as she ran, so Karmen followed closeby, pretending not to be worried.
Siervian slowed down and found the Cassia flowers, then immediately sat on the ground to dig out some flowers.
“Geez.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
But it was hard for her to dig up the soil with her small hands. In the first place, she was an Imperial Princess, so she had never done this before.
“So you’re just gonna take it like that? Stand up.”
Watching her from behind, Karmen said this as if he was frustrated, then crouched to the ground and dug out the flowers for her.
Although his tone was blunt, Siervian knew he was working hard for her, so she thanked him.
“Thank yew.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
[ Favorability: +100 ]
Karmen turned around, then suddenly spoke.
“…I’m just trying to do this quickly because I don’t have time. Understand?”
“Yeah.”
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Favorability: +100
Thoughts: How could I make your small hands do this. Let me do it.
“I’m really lazy. This is a one time thing.”
“…Okay.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
Siervian was really thankful. But she still thought he was a difficult person to deal with.
Was Karmen like this in her previous life?
“But why do you need the roots? Are you going to plant it somewhere else?”
“Nope! To eat!”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
“…For food?”
Diligently digging the soil on Siervian’s behalf, Karmen’s face crumpled. She realized that she didn’t explain well, that’s why she got to see this expression.
“This one… for ouchies.”
[ Favorability: +100 ]
However, despite her clearer explanation, Karmen’s suspicions were still not cleared.
“You’ll use this flower for medicine? Are you hurt?”