Chapter 51

(How do I feel about my (former) fiancé?)

Settling on the terrace beyond the third-floor balcony, Magnolia spoke up immediately.

“I’ll make you my friend.”

“…Huh?”

Honestly, I thought this was about His Highness Lian, so I was caught off guard.
Seeing my confusion, Magnolia tossed her hair with a hmph.
Her perfect vertical curls were, as always, impeccable.

“That way, I won’t need to come up with excuses to visit the castle.”

“I see.”

Magnolia was upfront about it.

She’s likely been finding reasons to visit the castle, aiming to interact with His Highness Lian.
Having the pretext of visiting me, who’s staying here, would indeed make it easier.

But her bluntness left me a bit stunned.
I gave a vague response, but she didn’t seem to mind, tossing her hair proudly with a hmph.

“Now, let’s bond! First, I have a question, Witch. What exactly can you do?”

(…So direct!!)

Does she dislike the noble art of subtle phrasing or veiled speech?
That said, not having to decipher hidden meanings or read into glances and gestures is a relief for me.
I’m not exactly skilled at noble wordplay myself.

Magnolia looked straight at me, getting to the point.

“Can you break His Highness’s magic?”

“Well…”

Could I say maybe here?
If I could return to Tsaobera five hundred years ago and infiltrate the Abercrombie ducal estate, perhaps.

I hesitated, unsure if I should say it outright.
This isn’t just my issue alone.
Seeing my hesitation, Magnolia frowned, tossing her hair.

“You can’t?”

I chose to dodge the question.

“I don’t know. The unique magic cast on His Highness Lian was completely unknown in my time. Without documents on charm magic, I can’t say.”

“Can’t you do something with your witchy powers? You’re a witch, aren’t you?”

I gave a wry smile, lowering my lashes.
Then, raising my face, I smiled awkwardly and looked at her.

“For some reason, I’m called a witch now, but I’m just a noble’s daughter born in the Tsaobera Dynasty. I have no special powers.”

“Oh my.”

Answering honestly, Magnolia’s eyes widened.
Then, placing a hand to her mouth, she spoke clearly, though with a hint of hesitation.

“What? So you’re just… someone who time-traveled!?”

“That’s about it… I don’t know why I ended up in this world five hundred years later.”

Nodding somberly, I confirmed.

“No way!?”

Magnolia stood up with a clatter, nearly kicking her chair.
Her crimson eyes widened as far as they could.
I get how she feels.
But I’m the one who wants to say that.

If I had some special power—a rare unique magic—arriving five hundred years later might’ve felt a bit like ‘This is like a story!!’ and I might’ve been slightly, just a tiny bit, excited.
With memories of a past life, I might’ve even felt like a story’s protagonist.

(But in reality, the only unique magic I have is erasing my presence!!)

Clenching my fists, I thought fiercely.

Maybe I have some time-transcending ability.
But it’s not certain, and judging by how uncontrollable it seems, it might be inconvenient.

Summing it up—

(I’m like a Level 1 villager storming the Demon King’s castle with a stick in hand…!!)

Yeah, that captures my mood perfectly.

(If only I could understand what magic power is.)

Recalling the candy stone His Highness Lian gave me, Magnolia spoke, looking at me with a troubled expression.

“So you’re not a witch.”

It’s the truth, so I nodded.
I probably can’t live up to expectations of unknown powers…
Magnolia sighed, clearly disappointed.

“What a letdown… My plans are ruined.”

She likely wanted me to break His Highness Lian’s unique magic.
Realizing that might not happen, she seemed deflated.

Losing interest, Magnolia tapped the table and asked,

“So, Felicia? Why are you allowed to stay at the castle? Because a person from the past is rare, for research? If so, wouldn’t a university or research institute be better? How long will you stay here?”

(All questions I can’t answer…!!)

I nearly told her to ask His Majesty, who’s in charge, but held back. With a wry smile, I answered,

“I don’t know His Majesty’s thoughts. But His Highness Lian is working to help me return to the past.”

“Hmm? His Highness oversees the Ministry of Magic, after all. …Felicia, I looked into you, you know. Though, since almost no documents from the Tsaobera Dynasty remain, I didn’t find much beyond what I already knew.”

Magnolia paused, fixing me with a serious, probing gaze.

“You were the fiancée of Felix, the last crown prince of the Tsaobera Dynasty, weren’t you? Do you like him? Love him?”