Merria and Reukis were leaning side by side against the railing of the terrace, looking at the night sky.
Merria, who was gazing at the prettily seated full moon, put her left hand next to it.
The ring on her hand shone as she moved.
The gemstone, which is brighter and clearer than the yellow full moon, caught her eye.
âBut what kind of gem is this? Is it citrine?â
Reukis answered with a light smile hanging on his lips.
âYellow sapphire. Do you like it?â
âItâs so pretty. I feel like Iâm looking into your eyes.â
In the past, I thought it was quite unusual to see Serinia dressed like an emerald-human being.
Having experienced it herself, she seemed to know.
My heart is filled with even such a small thing.
Merria smiled broadly as she leaned her head on him.
âSerinia probably went back around this time, too.â
Now she was about to return to the banquet hall.
A familiar face appeared in the garden a little away from the terrace.
The face of the person who had turned back was not visible, but the one who looked similar was Deston.
Come to think of it, it was the first time I had encountered Deston since my last visit to the Ministry of Magic.
On the day of the banquet, two men and women are having secret meetings in the corner gardenâŚ
So was the young noble lady standing in front of him, his private acquaintance?
From the first park, the Fabroâs mansion, the Academyâs library, and even the magic shop that I happened to visit.
Most of the time, Deston was alone when he encountered Merria.
It was the first time he had seen Deston with someone else, so it seemed unfamiliar for some reason.
Since I had no hobby of watching others secretly, I straightened up my back which was leaning.
Then she was about to tell Reukis to return to the banquet hall.
Seeing the face of the person who was having a close conversation with Deston, Merria stood tall.
It was obviously Shannon who was saying something with a serious face.
It was a dark night, but that face was surely Shannonâs.
Shannon, facing Deston, pointed somewhere.
However, Merriaâs gaze was focused on a different place instead of where Shannon was pointing.
Merriaâs eyes, looking at Shannonâs fingertips, slowly widened.
It was because of the familiar object in her slender fingers.
Merria looked around hurriedly.
The place where she was now was on the terrace on the second floor.
Reukis, who was standing next to her, asked Merria as she rolled her feet from a distant height.
âMerria, whatâs wrongâŚ?â
âUhm, watch over those two! If they disappear while Iâm going down, you have to tell me where they wentă
Ąâ
Merria immediately jumped out of the terrace, entrusted with a heavy duty.
In her dilemma, she didnât even think that Reukis was running faster than her.
The sound of Merriaâs shoes echoed in the hallway.
It seemed like it was the first time I had run with such power.
She quickly descended into the garden and headed to where Shannon and Deston had been.
It wasnât long ago, but the two had already disappeared.
Reukis appeared behind Merria, who was staring at the empty place in vain.
âThe two disappeared from the garden as soon as Merria left the terrace.â
He walked over to Merria and wiped her forehead with a handkerchief.
Merriaâs hair, which was blown by the wind while running, was also calmly brushed down with a gentle touch.
Merriaâs eyelashes flickered quickly as Reukis was doing what he was supposed to do.
Even when Merria shut her eyes tightly and opened them, he was still in front of her.
âWhen did he come? I didnât feel he was following meâŚâ
Moreover, he was in a clean state without any disruption.
Of course, since Merria and his basic physical strength are different, Reukis wonât get tired of this distance.
Recognizing Merriaâs puzzled gaze, Reukis nodded slightly.
âI came by teleportation. Because you left me behind.â
If Merria hadnât run out first, he would have brought her here.
Before he could answer anything, Merria left.
Thanks to this, Reukis had no choice but to wait for Merria here after teleporting alone.
I was sorry that I couldnât do her favor to watch on the terrace, but this one was better.
Otherwise, the roads might have crossed in the middle.
When Merria made a shrill sound, Reukis let out a small laughter.
âI thought it was just convenient, but does magic also work like that?â
Looking at the overly convenient function, the brows twitch.
I thought that it wasnât that wizards were treated special for nothing.
âI didnât even know you could teleport. But then, thereâs no need to ride a horse-drawn carriage, right?â
At Merriaâs question, Reukis shook his head.
âInstant movement consumes much more mana than other magic, so I donât use it whenever possible.â
âIf you think about it like that, even nowâŚâ
I donât think it was the right time to use it.
Merria tried hard to smile.
It was because I thought it was useless to argue with Reukisâ mana, which was not mine.
Reukis said, stroking her hair.
âYouâll be able to if Merria wants too.â
Of course, even if heâs a wizard, it was definitely not something anyone could do.
In order to use advanced magic such as teleportation, the amount of mana you possess must be abundant, and the precision of handling mana must also be high.
Otherwise, he could move to a completely distant place, not where he wanted.
âI donât have mana?â
Merria answered, shaking her head lightly.
Realizing his own mistake, Reukisâ mouth widened.
At the suspicious reaction of Reukis, Merriaâs brows furrowed.
As Merria stared at him, Reukis swept her finger.
ââŚActually, this ring contains a little bit of my power.â
âI did it for my satisfaction, but I couldnât tell you in advance.â
Merriaâs eyes narrowed as Reukis lowered his gaze and confessed.
Even to her words, Reukis could not easily answer.
âIs it like a location trackerâŚ?â
Did his monopoly desire for Merria eventually twist like that?
She waved Reukisâ hand as if to answer quickly
Reukis was contemplating how far to confess his true feelings.
Giving something that contains a wizardâs magic was like a kind of sign.
With a promise of weight equal to giving away a part of themselves.
In a sense, it weighed more than a proposal.
But right now, I was satisfied with conveying my heart, so I didnât say anything.
It was because I was worried that Merria would refuse because she felt burdened.
And it also contained the boundaries for that winehead that approached Merria in a very little but friendly way.
Since he was also a wizard, Reukis thought he would figure out what Reukis meant.
If Merria asked anything, Reukis couldnât refuse.
However, if there was one thing that even Reukis could not accept, it was to mention the proposal in this way.
Without those common flowers and rings, marriage could not be said alone under the garden of the Imperial Palace. Itâs not enough to make the best proposal after preparing everything.
Moreover, Reukis had been dreaming of a future with her for a long time, but Merria had only accepted his heart yesterday.
It was his thought that marriage would be too early for such Merria.
Reukisâ coolness, which was only displayed at such times, was doing his best to stop himself.
Therefore, Reukis began to explain the purest purpose.
âI donât want that to happen, but if thereâs a problem that endangers your safety, Iâve put my powers to protect you.â
Still, there was a sneaky feeling that something wasnât right.
Reukis hoped Merria wouldnât notice that it wasnât everything rolled to look elsewhere.
âItâs a really good thing.â
At her positive reaction, Reukis glanced at her.
Of course, Merria, ignorant of magic, did not know the meaning.
She was fully aware of the extent that mana stone was precious.
As the wizards are rare, the mana stone was also a valuable item.
âIt used to be precious, but now it has become more precious.â
Merria smiled softly as she touched her ring.
âBut can I really teleport with this?â
âSince the amount of mana was limited, it wonât be possible many times, but I think itâll be possible at least once. If you want, Iâll put a spell together.â
Teleportation was a very difficult experience.
Merria expressed her positive affirmation with her heart, which she would use even when she went to Eriene at the very least.
Reukis placed Merriaâs hand on his.
His black magic flowed through his fingertips and permeated to the sparkling gemstone.
Although it may be said that it wasnât a very bright sight, the sensation transmitted from the ring was very soft and warm.
As if Reukisâ thoughts for Merria were materialized.
âAre you done?â She asked with her fingers slightly bent.
âOnly Merria is allowed to use it. Itâll start naturally if you want.â
Merria glanced at the ring with twinkling eyes.
âBecause Iâm Leukisâ lover, itâs nice to be able to receive something like this.â
Merriaâs reaction was more positive than he had expected, and Reukis was already picturing the next gift in his head.
Merria brought Leukis, who had naturally thought of a ring for marriage, back to reality.
Reukis nodded slightly as he looked at her.
âYouâre not asking why I came running?â
At her words, Reukis paused for a moment.