VWTBS chapter 22

[– He was always, in the unreal moonlight –]

 

Led by Lumins arm, I was escorted to the terrace. As I stepped outside, the breeze was cool, not cold. It suited the weather of late spring that was approaching.

He leaned silently against the railing, with the moon at his back. If the jewels decorating his black attire hadn’t reflected the moonlight and sparkled, I might have worried he’d completely dissolve into the darkness, blending perfectly with the moonlit night.

His golden eyes fixed sharply on me. Whenever I spent nights like this with Lumins, it always felt as though reality was slipping away.

“Lumins, your body is nothing but skin and bones…”

As soon as we reached the terrace, I couldn’t help blurting out what I felt while holding onto his frail arm.

“I’m not meant for slaughter, so does it matter if there’s no meat on my bones?”

“Is this the time to joke?! It’s good that you’re working hard, but your health should come first!”

“It’s fine, I haven’t overworked myself to the point of worry.”

I shot him a doubtful glare, but Lumins only smiled gently, as if to reassure me.

“…..You’re not going to do any more work now, are you? You’re okay, right?”

“Yes. The overall system structure is complete, so all that’s left are minor tasks. It’ll be fine even without me.”

“System structure….?”

“The magical defense system, to be precise. Everything from enemy surveillance to reporting and communication. It’s a field His Highness the Crown Prince has shown interest in, so the approval and execution were quick.”

“……….”

Even someone like me, who lacks a solid foundation in magical theory, could tell he’d just accomplished something monumental. Isn’t this like single-handedly planning, designing, and building the backbone of a country’s defense system if we were to compare it to modern Korea?

“….After accomplishing something so incredible, doesn’t the royal family give you anything? Luminus, you can’t just do this for free!”

That’s unpaid labor! I can’t let that slide!

“Well, they mentioned something about granting me the rank of Special Class Mage. But such things don’t really matter to me.”

“……….”

It’s not something that doesn’t matter….

The mage ranking system in the Kingdom of Faynance feels akin to a civil service hierarchy. No matter how skilled or brilliant one is, the highest rank achievable through individual effort is Level 2. That’s why Lumins is currently a Level 2 Mage.

To reach Level 1, the state has to evaluate your achievements and recognize them officially. If you don’t already hold a noble title, you’ll be granted one along with a landholding. Level 1 Mages are so rare that only one or two emerge every few years. And a Special Class Mage…?

Special Class Mage status is reserved for individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the nation. Has there ever been a precedent in the Kingdom of Faynance for someone in their 20s to become a Special Class Mage?

The title of the first Special Class Mage in their 20s was supposed to go to Velkina, the hero who saved the world. But now, how on earth……

“Ah, it’s convenient to take off that annoying cape while working and replace it with a medal.”

“….You’re probably the only person who’d have such an underwhelming reaction to becoming a Grand Mage, Lumins.”

When I spoke in a resigned voice, Lumins just chuckled softly.

Well, considering this was the same person who’d rejected inheriting the title of Duke, what use would money, ranks, or estates have for him anyway?

“Anyway, enough about me. How have you been, Senephin? I heard you passed the critical stage, so I left the follow-up care to the royal medical staff.”

“I’ve been so overprotected that I don’t even know what to do with myself. Did you know? For about three days after I woke up, I wasn’t even allowed to feed myself, thanks to Jin and Velkina.”

“That sounds like them.”

He narrowed his eyes and smiled.

It had been a while since I last saw Lumins, and he was heartbreakingly beautiful—but I was also a little mad. Does he even know how I’ve felt this entire time…?

“….And honestly, I haven’t been doing well.”

“Huh? What happened?”

His expression grew serious, and he leaned closer, looking me straight in the eye.

“You weren’t here, Lumins……! I was so overprotected because of my condition that I couldn’t even come to see you myself. All I heard were rumors about how overworked you’ve been to the point it’s worrying! Do you have any idea how much I’ve been worried about you?!”

“……”

“And now, when I finally see you, you’re so gaunt! From now on, I’m going to make sure you eat three full meals a day! With only nutritious food!!”

I let out everything in one burst, but I bit my lip when I felt tears welling up.

I regretted it a little. Was it okay to speak so bluntly, even though Lumins wasn’t just my irreplaceably precious favorite person but also my fellow mage and friend? Had I gone too far, spilling out my honest feelings like this?

He looked at me for a moment, slightly startled, then gave me a faint, bitter smile. Raising his hand carefully, he stroked my cheek.

“You look like you’ve lost some weight too, Senephin.”

“….N-no, I’ve been eating plenty, enough to get chubby, really.”

“Detoxification takes a toll on your body. That’s probably why you seem thinner.”

“Forget about me, I’m worried about you…!”

The warmth of his hand, chilled by the cool night air, felt awkward against my cheek. Without meaning to, I averted my gaze and muttered another complaint.

As if confirming the outline of my face, Lumins gently caressed it, whispering in a voice so sweet it could melt me.

“I’m sorry. I missed you.”

Why does he have to act like he’s straight out of a romance comic, going all in to fluster me?! Stop it, my heart!

I was already trying to calm down my overexcited chest, weakened by seeing Lumins again after so long.

“….T-that’s enough teasing! You can’t keep doing that anymore, got it? Promise me!”

“I still have to maintain the magic defense systems and perform maintenance, so I can’t guarantee it, but I’ll try.”

It wasn’t a perfectly satisfying answer, but I figured I could monitor him from now on. For now, I decided to let it slide.

Lumins kept smiling at me, as if he found everything amusing, while his hand, which had been playing with my cheek, slowly trailed down to brush against my neck.

“I’m happy to hear you were worried about me, Senephin. But why were you so concerned?”

“Well…!”

Because you’re my favorite, and saving your life is my top priority…!

….. Of course, I couldn’t say that, so I answered timidly.

“Lumins, you’re my precious friend. Of course I’d be worried.”

“…………”

The hand that had been wrapped around my neck suddenly froze. His expression stiffened as well.

Uh, huh? Did I say something wrong?

Lumins pulled back his hand and propped his chin on it, muttering quietly.

“Friend…. Friend, huh.”

“L-Lumins…? D-Don’t tell me I’m the only one who thinks we’re friends…?”

Oh no, was I the only one building a sense of closeness while talking about being friends!?

“….No, it’s not that…”

Maybe it was because my face showed too much blatant panic, but he added, “Don’t make that kind of anxious face.” and let out a deep sigh.

“You’re way too familiar with your friends, Senephin. Are you like this with all your other friends too?”

Not understanding the intent of his question, I blinked.

“Well, of course. I’m always clinging to Jin’s shoulder, and Velkina and I lock arms whenever we talk.”

“……… So those guys are the problem.”

“Pardon?”

With a perfect smile that seemed to chill the air, he shook his head.

“No, it’s just… I’d rather you didn’t act like that with anyone else.”

“Ahaha, that goes without saying. Besides, I’m not really close with anyone else.”

“….For someone who says that, you danced with Prince Hugo without hesitation.”

“Dancing doesn’t mean much, does it? I’m also supposed to dance with the Crown Prince later.”

“…………”

Lumins, who had been silently brooding, removed his hand from his chin.

“Fine. I’ve decided I’ll never leave your side from now on.”

“You understand how much I care now, don’t you!?”

“Yes, deeply.”

I didn’t completely understand, but as long as he recognized my concern, that was enough.

If he ever skips meals again, Lumins, I won’t let it slide! I made this vow internally as he leaned back against the railing and looked down at me.

“More importantly, you didn’t call me here just to scold me about my health, did you? What is it you want to talk about?”

“Ah…”

I clasped my hands tightly in front of me. It was a bit difficult to articulate what I had been keeping to myself all this time.

After thinking for a moment, I made up my mind and raised my head.

“You don’t like beating around the bush, so I’ll just say it. Lumins, it’s about what happened the last time we saw each other.”

“Yeah.”

“You saw through me and realized I had a secret. You asked if it had anything to do with my true identity.”

That kept bothering me. There’s no way Lumins knows that I was someone who played a game featuring them in another world.

Even so, there’s a possibility that Lumins felt something off about me. I mean, of course. Someone who used to be like a typical villainess suddenly turned over a new leaf and became best friends with Velkina. It wouldn’t be strange for him to be suspicious from the start.

However, for the sake of our journey ahead, I want to get along with Lumins without any awkwardness.

“Yeah, why?”

“….What exactly is Lumins suspicious about when it comes to me?”

I wanted to confirm that.

Lumins tilted his head slightly, narrowing his eyes.

“Well, I think I told you back then that you don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. And didn’t Senephin say that if the day ever comes when you can explain, you’ll tell me? So, I don’t really think much about it.”

“…Still, I don’t want to be misunderstood. I was wondering if I’d drawn some completely wild suspicion.”

When I urged him to tell me, Lumins showed an unreadable smile.

“There could be a lot of possibilities, don’t you think? Maybe you’re a pawn of a magical spirit disguised as a human, or perhaps a spy from a foreign land across the sea.”

“Then, are you going to report me and have me arrested?”

His words weren’t serious, I could tell from his playful tone. Playing along with his joke, I threw back a response, but this time, he answered seriously.

“No.”

“For someone who’s worked so hard in national affairs that it nearly ruined your face, you’re rather careless.”

“It wasn’t really out of patriotism.”

“……”

“It must be cold. Let’s head back inside.”

I could tell he wanted to wrap up the conversation there.

Was it okay to just bury my lingering doubts like this?

As if reading my hesitation, he called my name.

“Senephin.”

“…Yes?”

“My answer hasn’t changed. If you don’t want to talk, you don’t have to.”

“…Doesn’t it bother you? That someone like me is pretending to be your friend?”

Maybe that was what I feared the most.

Was it okay for me, someone hiding my true identity, to consider them my precious people? Was it okay for me to act as if I was someone precious to them?

Even as I enjoyed our close proximity, that fear had always been lurking in the background.

He stared at me for a long moment, then took a step closer.

Softly, he took my hand and spoke.

“Whatever you are, you’re still you.”

Standing there with a presence darker than the night itself, he smiled radiantly, as if gathering all the light in the darkness.

“More importantly, when we return to the ballroom, will you dance with me, Senephin?”

“O-Of course…!”

“I seem to have missed the first dance, so at least let me have the last.”

Pulling my hand to his arm in a graceful escort, he whispered,

“I’ll wait as long as it takes, whether it’s for a dance or for the day Senephin chooses to explain.”

Those were the words I might have wanted to hear the most.

So easily, he offered them to me.

That simple string of words felt like salvation.

Feeling as if I had been completely forgiven, I gripped his arm tightly and lowered my head.

He always had a way of making people cry under the surreal light of the moon.