Departures, Flowers, and Hidden Doubts
Time flew by unexpectedly, and the day came for Seria to return to her territory. Staying too long as a guest wasn't ideal. Abel agreed it was right for him to head back to the academy after some quality family time. But now it seemed there was a hidden motive behind her insistence.
"Hey, Seria. Do we really have to go?"
"Of course! Think of all the preparations our parents made for the Winter Duchy guests!"
"Can't we just... stay here?"
"No way. Come to my territory with me."
Something had clearly passed between Seria and the Scandia sisters without Abel knowing. More precisely, Seria had pushed hard, and the two princesses had gone along with it after some hesitant mumbling.
"We could stay longer."
"Seria could go alone."
"Pa. Ra. Mount. Is. Nec. Es. Sar. Y. Your. High. Ness. Es."
A few days earlier. Ever since she'd learned the princesses had snuck into Abel's room in the dead of night wearing thin nightgowns, Seria had been on high alert. With her own departure looming, she couldn't shake the worry of what those fox-like princesses might do in her absence.
Abel said there was nothing to worry about—he'd turned them away coldly—but she still felt uneasy. The Abel she knew had a cool exterior but a warm heart. If those sly princesses kept clinging to him, he'd eventually give in and let them closer.
'No way! That can't happen!'
She knew it was cowardly. She had no right to interfere. She even felt guilty for being so selfish. But what could she do? She couldn't bear the anxiety otherwise. And now that the princesses had accepted her invitation, she had the perfect excuse!
"We want to stay here longer."
"We need to be with Abel."
"But we made a promise."
"A promise is a promise."
Abel suddenly wondered just how Seria had convinced them. When he asked, she brushed it off casually.
"You know my territory's famous for its flowers, right? I mentioned there are flowers that bloom only in summer and asked if they'd like to see them. They accepted right away."
Come to think of it, that bath salt she'd used before was flower-based too. He'd found it odd at first, but now it made sense—the twins must love flowers. It fit; in the harsh Winter Duchy, vibrant blooms would be the rarest sight.
"Ahem. Um, Abel... Are you upset that I invited the princesses without asking?"
"Not at all."
Northerners had endured harsh lands for generations, forging incredible tenacity. Even princesses raised in luxury retained that nature. Abel was sure they'd barge into his room again today, tomorrow, right up until departure day. It was already burdensome. He could laugh it off once, but not repeatedly. His brain wasn't equipped to juggle romantic dilemmas on top of his ability concerns.
"You did the right thing, Seria."
"..."
"Great job, Seria."
Calling her by name brought a radiant smile to her face. She was already stunningly beautiful, like a romance novel heroine, but her smile elevated her further. It was easy to see why all those perfect male leads in stories threw logic out the window for their heroines.
And she'd played it smart. She got what she wanted without embarrassing anyone: the twins went to her flower-filled territory, she gained peace of mind, and Abel got a brief respite.
"Well then, I'll be off. Thank you so much for your hospitality."
She hesitated, lips parting as if to say more. Abel scratched his head and took the initiative.
"You can come back anytime."
"Come back any— Y-Yes?!"
"I'll invite you during break too. Stay longer next time, Seria."
This was an ability-user world, so awakenings happened like in power fantasies. It was a romance fantasy, so romance followed suit. Even as an extra, he was part of it now—he couldn't escape the flow. Fighting it only looped him back in. Better to play along within controllable limits and bail when possible, Abel figured. Whether true escape was feasible was another matter; the world didn't bend to one's will.
"Are the two princesses okay with this? Not upset?"
"Hmm. A little."
"But flower viewing sounds fun."
Irshu and Tarshu decided to step back for now. They knew pushing too hard would backfire. Northerners were tenacious, but they also knew when to retreat, observe, and read the room.
They were confident anyway. Sooner or later, they'd claim Abel. They had numbers on their side—two against one. Men couldn't resist women who clung so eagerly. And foxes knew how to stalk and pounce at the perfect moment.
"Besides. That girl. She's strong."
"That girl. Very intriguing."
"Ah-ha."
Abel chuckled. Right. As if they'd only care about flowers. That was unlikely. Seria was a special case—one of the rare few who'd achieved Awakening. Her fire had evolved into butterflies. Two strength-lovers like them couldn't ignore that. They might even seek awakening secrets to follow suit.
'Tough. Really tough.'
He had a hunch. Seria's awakening wasn't luck or desperation. It was the world's order—a rule. Like an extra power bestowed on those fated to stand at the center of it all.
"And. Abel."
"One thing. We want."
Want? What now? As Abel waited, Irshu and Tarshu stepped closer.
"Call us. By name."
"Use our names."
"Pardon?"
They'd been jealous inside that he called Seria "Seria" so casually, not "Seria miss." It bridged the gap between them—real, not imagined.
"But Seria's from the same kingdom and nobility, so that's one thing. You're princesses from another nation, daughters of a grand duke. Calling you by name casually would be... improper."
"Irshu permits it."
"Tarshu permits it."
The two princesses flanked him slyly, each taking one of his hands.
""We'll allow it.""
"..."
With them pressing like this, refusing felt awkward. In the end, Abel agreed to call the princesses by name too, figuring they were side characters or extras like him—no big deal.
"Alright then, Irshu, Tarshu. We've got about ten days left. See you at the academy."
"Abel. See you then."
"Answer us then."
"You're persistent, aren't you."
Seria, Irshu, and Tarshu boarded the carriage. They opened the window and waved. All three crowding one window instead of using both sides drew an involuntary chuckle from Abel.
As he laughed quietly, his parents approached from behind and patted his shoulder.
"Abel. You don't have to pretend it's no big deal. It's normal at your age."
"Father?"
"Hohoho. So, what now? You won't see her for over ten days. Why not follow Seria after all?"
"Mother?"
They'd thoroughly misunderstood. Abel protested his innocence, but the baron and baroness just smiled, cooing that he didn't need to be shy.
"Abel."
"Brother, don't tease me. I'm really fine."
"Strong denial means strong affirmation, they say. Anyway, that's not why I'm here. Word just came—a guest arrived at the territory border."
"A guest?"
Abel echoed, and Eberin nodded.
"Yeah. They asked for you specifically, came all this way."
"For me?"
Strange. Who would visit him? Seria, or maybe Irshu and Tarshu—but they'd just left as guests here. One of his four friends? No, the territory wouldn't be this calm if so.
"Introduced himself as Kallun."
"...Kallun?"
"Said he's academy staff who worked with you before."
He remembered. After the academy attack, during the retaliation op. Kallun was the mental ability user who'd helped evacuate the villagers safely.
"He's come from the Empire all the way here?"
"Hear the details from him yourself, Abel."
What could it be? Abel had no clue at all.
* * *
"Mr. Kallun. Long time no see."
"Abel! Good to see you!"
In the drawing room, they shook hands and took seats. They exchanged brief pleasantries—how he'd been, academy updates.
"Well, time to get to why I'm here."
"I've been waiting."
"Hahaha. I waffled on coming, but curiosity won out."
Kallun asked if Abel remembered that day—the counterattack on the Supremacists, when he'd used his ability to evacuate the villagers. Abel nodded; his first glimpse of a mental ability had stuck with him vividly.
"That makes this easier, Abel."
Seriousness filled Kallun's eyes. He lowered his voice, signaling secrecy.
"Are you... hiding your ability?"