“Mister! Over there too!”
“Uh...”
“And there too!”
“That’s enough.”
“Huh? Ceres... hehe... when did you get back?”
A laugh wasn’t going to get her out of this situation.
As if realizing she was in trouble, Julia, who had been waving happily, put on an awkward smile.
“What are you doing?”
“Keeping her entertained.”
“Ceres! Mister is the Snow Queen!”
“Not queen.”
...You literally just called him mister. It’s not like you can’t tell the difference.
Ceres let out a quiet sigh and shot Kainel an incredulous look.
I didn’t give you more time just so you could waste your powers like this.
The Persia family’s freezing ability was something passed down through their bloodline, yet he was using it to play with a child.
The entire shop was covered in ice. The walls were frozen, the tables were frozen...
“It’s already winter in here! Isn’t it amazing?”
“Yeah. You’ve had enough fun, so put everything back.”
“Huh?”
“Now.”
“...Alright.”
“......”
When Ceres’s gaze grew colder by the second, Kainel and Julia hurriedly cleaned up the frozen shop in silence.
.
.
.
Chapter 20: The School Festival
“Cough!”
“Are you alright?”
“Coug—hmm... yes. This happens sometimes. Please don’t worry.”
Cheion watched Alex cough into his hand while drinking tea, his eyes filled with concern.
“What did the healer say?”
“The same thing as always.”
Alex answered casually with a faint smile before lifting the teacup to his lips again. Cheion’s expression sank further.
Having watched Alex since childhood, Cheion knew exactly what the healers always said.
“You don’t have much time left.”
“At this rate... soon... my apologies.”
“Tonight will be the critical point.”
They always spoke as though death was right at his doorstep. The fact that Alex was still alive was practically a miracle.
No one knew the cause of his illness. They didn’t even know the name of the disease itself. Ever since Alex was born, he had suffered from constant sickness and had nearly died countless times.
The Ellesia family had summoned renowned physicians from all across the continent, yet not once did any treatment show real results.
“Have you seen His Majesty?”
“No. Not yet...”
“Why not?”
“He’s busy.”
“Even if he’s busy, he should still make time to see you. Do you know how worried His Majesty has been?”
Cheion furrowed his brows and deliberately put on an annoyed expression. Alex used to cling to their father even more than Cheion did when they were children, so when had he started acting so distant?
“Yes. I’m planning to visit the Imperial Palace soon.”
As if he had read Cheion’s mind, Alex reassured him with a smile.
“Though... am I making things difficult by staying here?”
“Of course not.”
Cheion immediately shook his head.
When Alex returned to the capital and said he wanted to stay at the Magic Tower, Cheion had gladly welcomed him. He was just as happy to be with his younger brother again after so long.
“By the way, Brother.”
“Hm?”
“How did you meet her?”
“Who?”
“Lady Drow.”
“Ah, Ceres?”
A gentle smile spread across Cheion’s face at the mention of her name.
“I was looking for something.”
“What?”
“A mana stone.”
“A mana stone?”
“Yeah. Ceres happened to have a rare one.”
“Hm. If you’re calling it rare, then it must’ve been remarkable.”
“It was. I’d never seen anything like it before.”
Cheion went on to tell him their stories, from how they first met to everything they had done together afterward.
“She seems like a good person.”
“She is. Though do you know what she called me the first time we met? A beggar...”
Alex watched Cheion speak with a smile that never once left his face. A teasing smile slowly appeared on his own.
“But I’m a little disappointed.”
“Hm?”
“I thought I was the person you cared about most, but these days, it feels like you like her more than me.”
“What are you talking about? You’re still the younger brother I cherish most.”
“More than her?”
“Huh?”
“......”
“...Huh?
“......”
“......”
“I’m joking, Brother.”
Alex chuckled. Cheion’s expression had stiffened as he struggled to come up with an answer.
“You’re still really bad at lying.”
“...Just eat your snack.”
“Alright.”
The corners of Alex’s eyes curved softly as he accepted the cookie Cheion handed him. He took a bite.
“By the way, Alex.”
“Yes?”
“Where did you go last night?”
“Last night?”
“Yeah. I stopped by your room, but you weren’t there.”
“Ah, then you must’ve come while I was out for a walk. I was feeling a little stuffy, so I went outside for a bit.”
“You went alone? That’s dangerous. Next time, call me so we can go together.”
“Alright. I will.”
Alex nodded obediently like a well-behaved child.
***
“Christine.”
“Mother!”
The gates of the Imperial Academy, located in the center of the capital, swung wide open.
With everything from the school festival to the swordsmanship tournament being held that day, crowds of people passed through the front gates and entered the academy.
“Father came too?”
“Of course. What kind of parent would miss a day like this?”
A lavishly dressed couple smiled brightly at their young daughter. The woman was Countess Lucia, who had visited the stew shop looking for Ceres the other day, along with her husband.
“Oh my, Father, you shouldn’t say that. Some children here don’t have parents.”
Christine, dressed just as elegantly as her parents, lightly scolded Count Lucia before turning with an apologetic look.
The one she looked at was Julia, who was standing alone nearby.
“I’m sorry, Julia.”
Christine clasped her hands together as she apologized. Julia shook her head.
“It’s okay. My sister said she’s coming too.”
“Your sister? Ah... I see. But she’s not your parent.”
“Huh?”
“Well, it can’t be helped. Don’t be too upset, okay? It’s not your fault you don’t have parents. At least your sister is coming, so that’s good, right?”
“Yes! I’m really happy my sister’s coming!”
“...I see.”
Christine’s expression stiffened slightly at Julia’s bright smile, as if she genuinely didn’t understand what was wrong.
What an idiot.
What was the point of mocking her if she couldn’t even tell?
Christine turned sharply and walked right back to her parents.
“Isn’t that Count Lucia?”
“Oh my, Countess. Fancy running into you here.”
Before long, people began gathering around them. The Lucia family was fairly influential, so there were plenty of people eager to approach them and show off their connections.
Standing proudly at her parents’ side, Christine smiled brightly once more.
Then, almost deliberately, she glanced toward Julia. Her face was full of satisfaction, like a victor enjoying her triumph.
“I was so surprised when I heard the news. I naturally thought Christine would get the lead role.”
“So did I.”
“Which family was that child from again?”
“I heard she doesn’t have parents.”
“Oh my goodness. Really?”
The women gathered around Countess Lucia whispered among themselves while sneaking glances at Julia.
“I was worried about the festival myself, so I went to meet the child’s guardian... but they weren’t the sort of people worth associating with.”
“Oh dear.”
“What can we do? We can only hope she doesn’t ruin the performance.”
The women didn’t bother hiding their displeasure. After all, they were already unhappy their own children had failed to land the leading role. What made it even worse was losing to a child they considered insignificant.
“Uh...”
Julia had tried her best to endure it calmly, but under the adults’ sharp gazes, her expression crumbled.
Why are they looking at me like that? I didn’t do anything wrong.
Without realizing it, Julia slowly lowered her head. Somehow, everyone’s gaze hurt.
Christine, who had been watching her the entire time, smiled even wider. She felt like some of the frustration from losing the lead role had finally eased.
If only she had known her place and stepped aside from the beginning...
“Huh? Uh...?”
“Oh my, oh my!”
Just then, voices began rising from outside. By the time the commotion reached the classroom where Julia was, it had grown even louder.
Step.
A single person entered under everyone’s gaze. The room instantly fell silent.
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