Chapter 28
Damian unknowingly muttered a curse and then, surprised at himself, clamped his mouth shut.
But it was only for a moment.
Resigned, as if letting things take their course, he withdrew his hands and began surveying me carefully.
“Have you entrusted your life somewhere else?”
“…Why?”
“Why? Are you really asking why right now?”
He laughed as if completely exasperated.
Yes, I understood his feelings.
But for me, this was the best way.
“Your Highness the Princess is a dragon, perhaps hiding your heart somewhere separately. I was uneasy from the moment you said you were coming to the mage’s land, but I followed because of your father’s orders….”
Damian let out a long, heavy sigh, as if he simply could not believe it. He looked genuinely exhausted.
“Well, the mage tower? Do you think they’d let you in? Down there, Your Highness would be roasted whole before you could even blink.”
“Roasted whole? That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?”
“This situation is absolutely unacceptable.”
“What situation are you referring to?”
“A young novice who hasn’t even come of age, carrying nothing more than a tiny bundle.”
“…Hmm.”
I had nothing to say.
He wasn’t wrong. Objectively speaking, our strength was pitiful. Even Damian alone could handle only so much, and with me trailing behind like a goldfish’s droppings, even a single mage from the tower would pose a serious threat.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I just hope the Grand Princess grows stronger quickly.”
“Do you know how many times you’ve said that already?”
“I’ll keep saying it.”
“Now is not the time for jokes.”
Damian’s eyes sharpened, focusing on me.
They were serious, truly worried.
“If your intent is to cause unnecessary trouble, we should turn back now. I can’t take responsibility beyond this point.”
“I understand your worries, but there won’t be any battle. It’ll be fine.”
“Confidence…?”
“Overflowing, yes.”
I smiled faintly and took Damian’s hand.
I may have arrived rather recklessly, but that didn’t mean I came unprepared.
Damian paused, lowering his gaze at the sudden contact of our hands.
“This way.”
Without caring, I led him toward the dense forest where the mountains began, on the opposite side of the mage tower.
“What is this? You said we had business at the tower—why here?”
“Shh.”
I raised a finger to my lips, signaling him to stay quiet.
Damian looked puzzled but complied, following silently.
As we entered the forest, the air changed.
It was clearer, fresher. There was no trace of magic.
Soon, a forest filled with plants of every color spread out before us.
‘…Wow.’
I could hear water flowing in the distance, and around a small pool, glowing lights floated gracefully.
It felt like stepping into a fairy tale.
A view impossible to see in the capital.
“What is this…?”
“Pretty, isn’t it?”
Damian, captivated by the unfamiliar scene, couldn’t help but look around in awe.
He looked just like an innocent boy seeing the world for the first time. Finally, he seemed to have a sixteen-year-old’s face, which I found quite remarkable.
I too felt the urge to marvel at this magical sight, but I pretended to remain composed, knowing he’d give me a skeptical glance if I acted otherwise.
‘Somewhere around here, it should be….’
Scanning the surroundings, my gaze finally stopped at a particular spot.
“Ah, found it.”
Amid the thick grass, by a small flowing stream, a tiny furry creature curled up comfortably on a bed of fallen colorful leaves.
Its golden fur puffed gently with each breath.
‘So cute.’
It was truly adorable.
Small enough I could hold it in my arms.
Round little body.
Soft, fluffy fur.
Damian, trailing half a step behind, tilted his head in confusion.
“…Is that the target?”
“Cute, isn’t it?”
“I’ve never seen a golden weasel before.”
“It’s the mage’s land.”
Things unseen in the capital are everywhere here.
Then—
Swish.
Damian drew his sharp sword with a menacing motion.
“Catch it?”
“What are you talking about?”
This man was about to cause a disaster!
Panicked, I smacked his shoulder, urging him to sheathe the sword.
“Why are you hitting me?”
“Put the sword away!”
“Weren’t we supposed to catch it?”
“No! Put it away, quickly!”
Reluctantly, Damian returned the sword to its sheath, still giving me a scrutinizing glance.
Thank goodness. If he had drawn it, both of us could have died.
“So, are we capturing it then?”
“…Never mind. Could you give me some dried fruits from Zeda?”
“Weasels are carnivores, Your Highness.”
He answered disdainfully, as if I should have known better. Then, proudly, he handed me a piece of jerky instead of the fruit.
‘Do you think I didn’t know that and wanted fruit instead?’
I sighed but held my tongue, clutching the jerky Damian had placed in my hand.
“Stay right there.”
“…Huh?”
“I said stay still. Don’t move.”
Leaving the baffled Damian behind, I quietly approached the weasel.
The creature, sleeping unaware, peeked its head up as if sensing me.
Its tiny, violet eyes sparkled.
“…Adorable.”
I shouldn’t be doing this, but it was genuinely cute.
The tension gripping my body seemed to vanish entirely.
Keeping a safe distance, I extended my arm as far as possible and offered the jerky with a harmless expression.
“Hello, little weasel. Would you like this?”
The weasel’s gaze locked on the jerky.
It sniffed, shook its body lightly, and came forward to grab the treat.
‘It likes it!’
Holding the jerky in its small paws, it sniffed around before chomping down happily.
In the quiet forest, only the soft sound of chewing could be heard.
I straightened my posture, resting my chin on my hands, watching intently.
‘I shouldn’t, but it’s so cute.’
It truly was.
I completely forgot my original purpose, focusing instead on the weasel’s adorable behavior.
Meanwhile, I felt piercing eyes on me from behind.
Damian, hidden in the bushes, glared at me fiercely, clearly wondering when I would attempt to catch the creature.
‘I’m not catching it, geez.’
Just then, the weasel, having finished the jerky, perked its ears and stood upright.
Its mysterious violet eyes met mine.
My heart raced.
Now, the real moment had begun.
I lowered my body to the weasel’s level and, in a gentle tone, said:
“Hello, Master of the Mage Tower. May we have a conversation?”
