A Young Lady Who Wants to Be Honest

The silence dragged on.

When someone couldn't even come up with an excuse, wasn't that practically an admission?

Ashley regarded the elf with narrowed eyes, tapping her Witch Note lightly against the carriage window frame.

“I know what you did. There's no point pretending otherwise. I expect you to remove the block.”

“….”

“It would be wise to do it while I'm still asking politely.”

The elf clenched her fists. Who does she think she's ordering around?

She fixed Ashley with a fierce glare.

“Young lady, you seem to misunderstand. Even if I had blocked your Witch Note, I would have no reason to release it.”

“I see. Then leave it as it is.”

The ease of Ashley's agreement was suspicious. The elf blinked in confusion.

“Since you refuse, I'll tell Sir Theorad what happened,” Ashley said calmly. “He hasn't received my messages because you blocked them.”

“Young lady…?”

“I wonder how he'll react when he learns the truth. He already dislikes you. Perhaps he'll be disgusted.”

Ashley held her notebook close as she watched the elf's reaction. The elf looked visibly uncomfortable; her anxious gaze and the sweat at her temples gave her away.

At last she muttered, so quietly that Ashley almost missed it:

“I'll remove it. Not that I did anything…”

The denial was the last scrap of pride she could salvage.

Ashley considered pressing her harder, then stopped. If she humiliated an elf of such terrifying power, the consequences might fall on Theorad instead.

“I hope it doesn't happen again.”

She gave the elf a contemptuous look and turned to leave.

“Don't be so conceited.”

The sharp words caught her from behind. Ashley paused.

The elf's lips were pressed into a thin line.

“Master is going to the Mage Tower with me. Not with you.”

Why had she said it? The elf could scarcely explain it herself. Jealousy had risen inside her without warning, vivid and impossible to conceal.

“So enjoy being smug while you can.”

The meaning struck Ashley painfully. She drew a breath and clutched the hem of her skirt.

I mustn't let her see she's hurt me.

The elf would only become more arrogant if she saw Ashley's distress. Ashley forced herself to keep walking without looking back, hoping the breeze would dry the tears gathering in her eyes.

---

After wiping her face, Ashley opened the drawing-room door with a quiet sigh.

Theorad stood by the window, watching the garden. Her father was nowhere in sight. Whether the Count had left to give them privacy or had been called away on business, she didn't know. She was grateful all the same.

Sunlight lay across Theorad's neatly trimmed black hair. His light brown eyes and faint, dignified smile seemed to embody everything she admired in a nobleman.

Sir Theorad…

She felt her cheeks grow warm. Clearing her throat to hide any trace of the tears she'd shed outside, she approached with measured steps.

“Were you admiring the garden?”

Theorad turned with his usual kind smile, though a mischievous light shone in his eyes.

“Not so much the garden as you.”

“M-me?”

“Of course. Look over there.”

He placed an arm lightly around her shoulders and directed her attention through the window. A flock of small birds darted and hopped among the leafy shrubs.

“Are those bellbirds?”

“Yes. They've been competing for food out there for some time. They're so amusing to watch.”

Competing for food?

Ashley looked up at him, affronted.

“Are you comparing me to a bird scrambling for something to eat?”

Theorad let out a laugh. She frowned harder, which only made him struggle more to regain his composure.

“Of course not. Look closely at them.”

“At what?”

“Their bellies and outer tail feathers have a lovely golden sheen. They remind me of your beautiful blond hair—though of course the birds' feathers can't compare to it.”

Ashley couldn't stay angry in the face of that. Theorad continued, taking advantage of her hesitation.

“And they're rather endearing, aren't they? Their charm reminds me of you too. No wonder seeing them makes me smile.”

That's unfair.

His words flowed so naturally that her irritation melted away, replaced by a warmth she couldn't conceal.

He could tease her without the slightest hesitation, and she couldn't bring herself to remain angry. That was the unreasonable thing about being in love.

“Since you've put it that way, I'll forgive you. Just this once.”

Theorad nodded, apparently untroubled. He turned back toward the birds, and Ashley watched his profile with a small smile of her own.

For a while they stood together in comfortable silence, looking out over the garden.

Time passed. The light outside grew dimmer.

“Sir Theorad.”

As dusk settled over the garden, Ashley looked up at him, sadness creeping into her expression.

“I hear you're going to the Mage Tower.”

He went quiet. He hadn't told her yet; she must have learned about it when she went outside.

“Will you have to stay long?”

The question weighed on him. He had wanted to speak with her before his meeting with the Count for precisely this reason.

After hesitating, he answered honestly.

“I won't be able to come back immediately.”

“How long?”

“The detailed schedule hasn't been settled. At a rough estimate, perhaps a month.”

A month…

Ordinarily, Ashley could have endured that long a separation, however sadly. This time would be different.

He'll be somewhere I can't reach him…

The elf would spend the entire month at Theorad's side.

“So enjoy being smug while you can.”

Now Ashley understood why the elf had taunted her. With so much time together, the elf would surely try to draw Theorad away from her.

It wasn't that she had no faith in him. She simply couldn't quiet her fear.

Theorad gave her a reassuring smile and patted her head gently.

“Don't worry. I'll return before you know it. I'll bring you plenty of souvenirs, too.”

Ashley knew he was unlikely to come to physical harm while such a powerful magician accompanied him.

It was his heart she feared losing. If even a little affection for the elf took root, what might happen to the bond she'd treasured for so long?

“Ashley? Would you rather I didn't go?”

“I…”

She wanted to say yes. The words almost escaped her.

But this was the Imperial University's Mage Tower, not some trivial invitation. She couldn't stand in the way of Theorad's future merely because she was afraid.

I mustn't be selfish just to ease my own heart.

“…It's all right, Sir Theorad.”

Her voice shook. Seeing her distress, he drew her into his arms.

“Whatever you're afraid of, it won't happen. I swear it before the God of Light and on the honor of House Deharem.”

She couldn't answer. If she tried to speak, she was afraid she'd begin crying.

He held her for a long while before releasing her.

“Well, I should be going. They didn't say exactly when I must arrive, but it would be rude to keep them waiting.”

He smiled ruefully and turned away.

Ashley watched him go, struggling to swallow her tears. It was foolish, perhaps, but she felt that if she let him leave like this, something precious might slip beyond her reach.

“Theo…”

At last she abandoned her carefully cultivated restraint and ran after him.

“Theorad!”

She reached out and caught his hand. It was the sort of impulsive act she'd normally never permit herself, and the realization made her tremble.

Her breathing came fast, her face burning. But she refused to let embarrassment stop her now.

“You aren't leaving for the Mage Tower this very moment, are you?”

Theorad turned back, bewildered, and nodded.

“Then…”

She did not want the elf to take him away. Just for today, she would allow herself to be selfish—even if others thought poorly of her request.

“Please… sleep with me.”

Her voice trembled with sorrow and determination.