Memories Resurface
“…….”
“If it’s too difficult, I’ll stay until the duke arrives that morning and activate the statue before leaving. The artifact is quite sensitive, and I worry about the verification records leaking if misused. I only need you to handle the middle and final steps.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Thank you!”
Ben clasped Pay’s small hand tightly, expressing his gratitude.
Ben… the mage who always brings me trouble.
Yet it was never intentional. Looking back, he simply cleared the path I was meant to walk. He’s like a prophet.
After several more moments of hesitation, Pay decided to take on the task. To ease Ben’s mind, she even told him he could accompany her to the Magic Tower when the time came.
Time passed, and the day before the duke’s arrival arrived.
Despite her resolve, her heart felt heavy. Unable to sleep, Pay lay in bed tossing and turning before slipping on a robe over her nightclothes and stepping out into the corridor.
She simply wanted to walk and clear her mind.
Then her eyes met his.
“…Lucius.”
“Is Momo asleep again? Even while you’re wearing such a troubled expression?”
His fingers reached out to gently caress her cheek.
The tension in her body melted away at once, though she couldn’t help thinking how improper it would look if someone saw them like this. Pay caught his hand and lowered it, whispering, “Just leave it.”
“You spoil him too much, so he acts bold. He needs to be reminded who’s in charge sometimes. More importantly, if you can’t sleep, shall we go up to the roof of the Magic Tower?”
“What? We can do that?”
Pay’s eyes widened.
According to the tower’s rules, only those with sufficient power could occupy the higher floors. Pay had never sought a higher level, and Lucius had no plans to move, so they remained in their originally assigned quarters.
Though Baroa had stayed around the middle floors in his own peculiar way.
Anything above the sixtieth floor required prior permission and couldn’t be accessed freely.
“What can’t I do? If you want it, I’ll make it happen. Let’s go.”
Lucius stepped closer, pulled her into his arms, and cast a teleportation spell.
“Ah…?”
Pay blinked in the sudden darkness. Moments later, she looked down at the open space beneath her feet and gasped.
This really was the roof of the Magic Tower!
“You wrap yourself in a Windy Shield before teleporting. That’s common sense. Remember it.”
“…Will I ever need to cast teleportation myself?”
“Why not? You’re more than capable.”
Lucius smiled warmly while holding her close.
The wind was strong, though not as fierce as during a Drakan flight, likely because of the tower’s immense height.
Ever quick with magic, he spread the thick robe he had been carrying across the stone floor.
“……?”
“Lie down. You can see all the summer constellations.”
Pay lay down half in doubt and let out a soft exclamation.
“Wow…!”
The night sky stretched endlessly above them, cloudless and glittering with countless stars.
The ground beneath her was warm and soft, and Lucius lay beside her. The sight was so beautiful it seemed to define the very meaning of romance.
A wave of delight washed over Pay, and her back twitched. If she were alone, she might have thrown propriety aside and stretched out freely.
“It’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
She gazed at the stars in silence for a moment before asking, “Lucius, what would you have done if I’d stayed in bed and never come out?”
“What else? I would have called it a wasted night and gone back inside with the robe.”
“Heh!”
His utterly ordinary tone made her laugh.
He always tries so hard for me.
He must have waited outside her door, hoping she would appear.
Somehow, she no longer feared what tomorrow would bring.
I can do this. That certainty came from love.
“Thank you.”
“No need.”
“I’ve realized something lately. I only know one dragon—Lucius—but among all dragons, you’re the most human of them all.”
“You know that wasn’t a compliment, right?”
His tone wasn’t gentle, but that was fine. In fact, she preferred it. It reminded her of when they first met.
And she could only say such things because the one beside her was Lucius.
She suddenly rolled over and pressed against him.
Thud.
When Pay’s body—far warmer than words could describe—clung to him so openly, Lucius flinched belatedly.
Even he possessed desires. Until now, his pride as a dragon had always taken precedence, so he had forced himself to look away.
“G-get off.”
“I don’t want to.”
“This won’t end well for you!”
Pay nestled deeper into his collar and giggled.
“I’m cold.”
“Then shall we go back inside?”
Lucius kept inching backward until he reached the edge of the robe.
Pay, now close enough for their noses to touch, lightly licked his lips before slowly sitting up.
Teasing someone could be this fun! She had never known before.
She wanted to continue, but if Lucius fled again, it would only cause trouble.
“…Don’t do that again. Hah, ugh.”
Lucius rose much later than she did, coughing for some reason.
Countless stars drifted across the sky above the silent Pay and the mage whose face remained flushed.
* * *
‘Hoo.’
Pay pulled her hood low so only her bangs showed and sat waiting for the duke.
Click.
‘He’s here…?’
She didn’t want to see him, yet it would be a lie to claim she wasn’t curious why he had come. Klein Duke, still looking vigorous, removed his hat and greeted her with dignified words.
“It’s been a while, Lady Morgana.”
“Good evening.”
The duke seemed rather pleased by her simple, unadorned greeting. Since he had come for an important matter, he preferred to skip unnecessary pleasantries.
“Hmm.”
“I’ve already heard the gist of your request. This is the Truth-Reading Statue.”
“Can it be used right away?”
“Yes. There are some restrictions, of course.”
The Klein Duke let out a low sigh.
“…Very well. I came because there’s something I must know. No need for further words. I ask this of you.”
The gargoyle perched atop the statue had a rather grotesque appearance.
With its surly face, bulging muscles, and claws sharp enough to tear through anything, it was hardly a pleasant sight—especially with its fanged maw slightly open.
Just as Pay approached and channeled her mana into the lever—
Whoosh!
“Ah…!”
A cold gust burst from the gargoyle’s mouth and swept over her head.
Her hood flew back, and she stepped away as the duke voiced his concern.
“Lady Morgana, are you all right?”
“Yes…”
She turned instinctively.
The duke stared blankly at her brilliant pink hair—reminiscent of a pink sapphire—her slightly deeper green eyes, and her pale face.
In that moment, he was pulled into distant memories of the past.
‘That face, that expression… even when standing right in front of me, she tries to turn away. I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before. Where…? This is only the second time we’ve met alone, so why does it feel so familiar?’
A strange conversation surfaced in the duke’s mind.
“If the abbess recommended her, she must be talented. I’ll trust her.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Please take good care of Morgana. I have no doubt she’ll make an excellent Eina.”
Contradictory dialogue. Impossible titles. What did it all mean?
‘What is this…?’
“…Your Grace?”
Pay had pulled her hood back on and now faced him directly, but the duke gave no reply.
Lost in memories of the past, he ignored her call and remained dazed.
‘You… are…!’
“Ugh!”
Fire flashed in his eyes. At the same time, a flood of memories crashed into him.
“Your Grace?!”
Sensing something was wrong, Pay rushed toward him.
Once again her hood slipped back, bringing her face closer.
The duke, kneeling on one knee and groaning, finally recognized the girl before him.
The pitiful child who had endured every difficult task and target he gave her without complaint.
The child who, despite her shabby appearance and pale face, stayed up all night to finish whatever was asked of her.
That was the Morgana he had known?
No. He had never invited her to the ducal residence. Of course not—Tiana had disliked the idea. Tiana? Tiana… Did you know all along?
Was that why you never mentioned her from the very beginning?
A few months ago, at the imperial palace, Scholar Poshette had praised the mage Pay lavishly.
Because his wife disliked the topic, the duke had never spoken of it at home, though he had felt proud deep down.
At the same time, he had wished his daughter Tiana would take after Lady Morgana.
‘But… the abbess and her daughter died on the same day. I couldn’t send that crying child back to the monastery. Since the crown prince was attending a ball for the first time in nearly five years, I thought we had to let her go.’
The duke pieced together the fragmented information in his mind and was shocked once more.
Five years? No—the crown prince had ended his seclusion three years ago. And both the abbess and Priest Cheryl were still alive. Then what…?
What were these distorted memories?
“Your Grace?”
“Quiet… just a moment.”
The duke tried to look away from the green eyes fixed on him.
Yet no matter where he turned his head, those clear, vivid eyes remained in his sight.
Then it happened.
A haughty voice echoed in his mind.
“My Eina, Morgana, may have suffered, but we’re from the same monastery. She even knows my alias. If we go around together, people will point fingers and say we’re monastery classmates. I hate that.”
“Of course, Tiana! Just wait a little. Once we announce you as the duke’s daughter, I’ll send her right back.”
Even his wife spoke the same scripted lines?
The Klein Duke in his memories frowned at the mother and daughter’s conversation.
“Wife, Tiana. Think again. The dormitory where she lived for so long burned to ashes. Sending her back so suddenly is too cruel.”
“She cries every night saying she wants to return to the monastery. Let her have her wish!”
“Clearing the fire-damaged area and rebuilding will take time. It would be better to give her more time to collect herself.”
The duchess grew irritated.
“The graves have already been prepared. Let her go offer flowers. Besides, the monastery isn’t completely destroyed. What’s the problem? If she misses it so much, sending her back would be doing her a favor.”
“Wife!”
“Enough. Tiana doesn’t want her here. Once preparations are done, send her immediately.”
The duke finally saw the duke’s daughter hiding behind her mother’s wide dress, pretending to be timid while pushing her own opinion.
Tiana… you…?
This story was different from the reality he had known, yet you behaved exactly the same. Were you born with such a vicious nature from the very beginning…?