It was already early morning.
I woke up but did not immediately get up. I lay in bed to meditate for a moment. That is my habit to start the day.
After finishing my meditation and getting up, I went out to the terrace. The cool sensation of the terrace floor felt through my bare feet and the refreshing air brushing against my skin took away the remaining sleep and fatigue.
The dawn brightens on the horizon. Leaning against the railing and watching the sunrise quietly makes me feel the greatness of the universe again. No magic in this world can be greater than that.
A maid knocks on the door. She enters with washing water. I wash my face with water so clear that it reflects in the surface. Then I rinse my mouth with saltwater given by the maid.
“Are you well today, Miss?”
I simply nodded. They say I don’t show any emotions. I am not surprised, nor happy, nor sad. But that’s not true. I am surprised, happy, and sad. However, I just don’t express them as much as others do. It’s just a habit. Yes, just a habit.
I comb my hair and put on clothes. I try to wear them as comfortably as possible. People say I don’t look like a noble lady. But I don’t care much about it.
I go to the dining room for a simple breakfast. One bite of bread, one spoonful of soup, two grapes. I eat just that much and prepare to go out. Today, too, I am going to the southern branch office.
Lately, I have been going to the southern branch office every day. Ever since he came. Actually, it’s the first time I visit so frequently.
He is amazing. He improved the boundary magic of the southern front in just three days. He must be a genius.
His understanding and interpretation of circuits are original and revolutionary. I meet him every day to exchange knowledge and information about circuits.
Sometimes, I visit the garden when I need some fresh air. There is a beautiful place only I know.
One day, he was there. He was drawing a picture there.
“This place is so beautiful, Miss. I want to keep it in a painting.”
He draws pictures. He draws many beautiful pictures.
“I would like to draw you next time if I have a chance. Is that okay?”
I agreed. I was curious how the picture of myself drawn by him would turn out.
I study and research magic circuits every day in the research center. Through this incident, I decided to revisit old-fashioned circuits that were once dismissed. I heard that there are more mages like me now.
“Miss, studying deeply how the runes have been improved over time will greatly help you.”
So, I studied the history of runes by referring to numerous magical books. It was truly amazing. Our ancestors had already shown us the direction of development through runes.
It was enjoyable. A continuous string of days as enjoyable as counting on one hand.
I looked forward to meeting him. Sometimes, looking at his paintings was really fun.
“Miss, shall we go out to the square? Have you ever seen the market stalls?”
It has been a long time since I went to the square. I’ve only heard about the market stalls, never seen them.
I agreed. When I returned to the castle and told the maids, they said it was a date. I told them it wasn’t and it was just us two exploring the square. The maids only smiled mysteriously.
After hearing the word “date,” I couldn’t fall asleep. I kept thinking about him. His image floated in front of my eyes. Even though I said it wasn’t a date, the maids’ mischievous smiles came to mind.
And then that day came. I dressed up neatly. I stopped the maids from putting on more makeup. I emphasized again that it wasn’t a date.
“Yes, Miss. Of course.”
I said we would discuss magic circuits in the square. I definitely intend to do that. I must.
The maids pinned a pretty hairpin on my head, which I like.
I met my older brother in the hallway. He asked where I was going dressed like that.
I said I was going to study. His eyes strangely narrowed.
“Alright, study well and come back.”
I headed to the southern branch office first. In front of the small fountain in the garden, he was drawing. A flower bloomed beautifully in his hand. It seemed like magic.
I wanted to wait until he finished drawing the flower. But my escort made an unpleasant sound and cleared his throat. Not even able to wait for this, what a man without romance. This might be why men often miss gentle ladies.
His eyes widened as he looked back at me. He wiped his charcoal-stained hands.
“Miss, you’re here.”
Yes, sorry for disturbing. Shall we go now?
We walked side by side. He said to me,
“You look beautiful. Your hairpin is so pretty.”
Oddly, my back felt itchy. It was hard to respond. Still, not saying anything would be impolite.
I thanked him, and said he looked handsome too.
We continued walking. We walked in silence for quite a while.
But it was fine. My heart strangely raced.
The sky was clear without a single cloud. The warm sunlight felt pleasantly on my skin.
How long has it been since I went to the city? It feels like ages, almost forgotten.
I forgot my resolve to talk about circuits because the weather was so nice.
“It’s peaceful and good. I wish it could continue like this forever.”
I agreed that I wished for the same. He looked at me and smiled. I looked down and saw the patterns on the cobblestones.
We soon arrived at the square. The square with the towering clock tower was very peaceful.
He led me to a corner and suggested we sit there. He spread a few papers on the ground. I sat on top of them.
“May I draw you, Miss?”
I allowed it. He sat in front of me, placed paper on a board, and started drawing. From the gaze he occasionally gave me, I felt unusually hot in my face and chest.
The drawing didn’t take long. He handed me the paper. The harmony of thick and thin lines was incredibly beautiful. I stared at my portrait for a long time.
“Do you like it?”
Of course, I like it.
I wanted to give him something as a gift too. But I hadn’t prepared anything. I realized my mistake.
We started walking again. This time, toward the market stalls in the square. The street was crowded with people. People were shouting from all directions.
All sorts of items were displayed on the street. I was captivated by the strange objects. Weapons, statues, jewels, ornaments, books, herbs… there was nothing missing.
He suddenly stopped in the middle of the street and bought something to give me.
“It’s a charm that brings luck.”
I’m sorry, but I don’t believe in superstitions. But hearing him say so, it seems like it might bring luck.
I wanted to buy one for him too, but I didn’t know what it was. Eventually, after much deliberation, I bought a statue. The escort hinted that he thought it was too expensive.
I gave him the statue as a gift. It was an owl statue. Owls symbolize wisdom in the magical world. It’s a good meaning.
He smiled and thanked me with a wink. This time, I didn’t avoid his gaze.
We walked side by side down the street and returned to the branch office.
That day ended like that. We didn’t talk about circuits at all. I couldn’t think of it until the end.
Since then, I felt closer to him. He often gave me gifts, and I did the same for him. I liked his drawings. I framed them and hung them in my room.
Sometimes, I would stop reading a magical book and just stare at his paintings. Then, his face would appear in my mind. So would his smile.
I go to the branch office every day.
I meet him.
I talk to him.
I walk in the garden with him.
I see his paintings.
I am with him.
Yes, I am with him.
Since when, yes.
“Miss, I leave tomorrow.”
For a moment, I couldn’t think of anything. I really couldn’t think of anything.
“Thank you for the joy of being together these past days.”
I still couldn’t think of anything.
“Thank you for treating me like a friend despite my humble self.”
He called me a friend.
A friend. Yes, he was a friend.
“I’ll definitely visit again. Next time, I’ll tell you more stories and show you more paintings.”
I couldn’t say anything. I just bowed my head foolishly.
Why didn’t I realize it until now?
He was a wandering mage. He was someone who needed to leave.
I raised my head casually again and told him to go well.
Yes, that was it. I returned to the castle a little earlier than usual.
I felt strange. My mind was blank.
During dinner, my parents asked several times if I was okay. I said I was fine.
My older brother came to find me.
“Angel, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
I’m fine. I’m okay. I’m not bothered, I said.
I’m not bothered.
Night fell.
I couldn’t sleep.
I closed my eyes.
My breathing became heavy.
I opened my eyes again.
Strangely, I couldn’t bear it.
I stayed awake all night.
Though I lay in bed, I couldn’t sleep a bit.
Morning had already come. He probably left early in the morning.
Suddenly, I felt suffocated. I called for a maid. I hurriedly changed my clothes.
“Miss? Why all of a sudden?”
Then I left. I headed towards the branch office.
But he was gone. He had already left.
In the end, I returned to the castle again.
I entered my room and slumped into a chair.
Then, I noticed his painting.
Ah.
On the walls of the room, his paintings were…
His paintings were all over the walls.
His paintings.
His paintings filled my room.
Only then did I understand.
Yes, that’s right.
What is this?
Now I understand.
He left.
But his paintings remain.
In my room.
In my heart.
Yes.
This is where the story ends.
Yuric.
Until next time, goodbye.
