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Paulton instinctively sensed that the person before him was someone of high status.
At a glance, the expensive-looking dress and accessories gave it away.
And there was that air of arrogance, typical of someone who had spent their life surrounded by people of lower rank.
She must be one of the guests expected today.
"The Marquess' son? But… I don't recall him having a son around my age."
Paulton froze, his face draining of all color.
His existence was supposed to be a secret.
Just imagining how his father might react if his identity were exposed was horrifying. It wouldn't end with a simple beating.
Desperately, he stammered out an excuse.
"N-no, that's not it. I… I'm just a servant. I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…"
"…"
"P-please, I beg you… pretend you didn't see me…"
The girl, Aidelica, studied Paulton's face closely before speaking.
"But you…"
"…"
"You look far too much like the Marquess."
"Ugh…"
"Are you… an illegitimate child?"
Her deduction was sharp and precise, far beyond her years, and it filled Paulton with despair.
He opened his mouth, searching for something to say.
Should he deny it? Beg her again to keep quiet?
His mind spun, unable to settle on an answer, while his eyes darted nervously.
Then, the girl crouched down and suddenly grabbed his wrist.
"Hm."
"W-what…?!"
Startled by her sudden action, Paulton froze as she toyed with his thin wrist.
"You're awfully skinny."
"Ugh…"
"What's your name?"
"P-Paulton."
He answered honestly, too flustered to even think of giving a fake name.
"I see, Paulton. Whether you're a servant or an illegitimate child, the fact that no one knows about you means… you're treated no better than a servant, isn't that right?"
"…"
Her words hit like a blade. They were true, and because they were true, they hurt.
It wasn't that he wanted to boast of being the Marquess' son.
It was the painful realization that, even as someone's child, someone's family, he was denied acknowledgment.
"In that case, I suppose I could demand to take you with me. No one would stop me from taking a mere 'servant.'"
"…!"
"What do you think? Would you like to come with me?"
What was the right answer?
Refuse her, beg her to keep his secret, and quietly return to his attic?
Then live the rest of his life as nothing more than an unwanted, nameless illegitimate child until the day he died?
No.
He didn't want that.
Paulton lifted his head.
"Please… take me with you."
"…"
"I'll follow you."
"Oh?"
A satisfied smile spread across Aidelica's lips.
"You've got some spirit after all."
"…"
"Very well. Come with me. I will protect you."
Sunlight streamed in from behind Aidelica as she stood by the window.
Her eyes, shining amidst the dazzling light, were fixed solely on Paulton.
It was a sight he knew he would never forget for the rest of his life, not even on the day he died.
Paulton rose to his feet, guided by the firm grasp of the girl's hand.
***
The Marquess, unable to reveal Paulton's existence, had no choice but to let Aidelica take him when she claimed to like the "servant."
Thus, Paulton was moved into the Grand Duke's household, serving as the Grand Duke's daughter's attendant.
"Well, if you want, you could dig up the Marquess household's corruption and take revenge. Or you could simply live a quiet life forever."
"…"
"But above all, find your own dream."
The straightforward girl demanded nothing of him. She only told him to live his own life.
Paulton wasn't sure what the right answer was. But one thing was certain, he wanted to become someone who could be of help to Aidelica Colluima.
"…Do you also have a dream, my lady?"
"Of course. To become a great Grand Duke, one who won't bring shame to the people of the territory."
"Then I want to help you. I'll make that my dream."
"Hmm, deciding something like that so quickly isn't great… Why not start by learning a variety of things? The more you study, the broader your perspective becomes."
Aidelica arranged tutors for him.
It turned out that Paulton was gifted in many areas, but above all, he had a natural talent for magic.
She rejoiced as if it were her own achievement.
"Amazing! If you had rotted away in the Marquess' household, no one would have ever known of this talent!"
"If I master magic… could I be of use to you, my lady?"
"Well, you might make a fine bodyguard… but that would be a waste. The Tower Master is already throwing a fit, demanding that I hand you over."
"The Tower Master…?"
"Yes. That stubborn man is making such a fuss that, if you enter the Magic Tower, you might even become his successor. Of course, you'll need to prove your skills for that."
Paulton blinked in surprise. He knew of the Magic Tower's existence, but he had no idea what it truly meant to be the successor of its master.
Aidelica chuckled at his bewildered look and explained.
"The Magic Tower keeps itself apart from the Empire's politics, but it wields immense power. Even the Imperial Family doesn't dare treat them lightly."
"…"
"If you join the Tower, you won't need to serve me as though you were a lowly servant. Members of the Tower, even without noble titles, stand equal to the aristocracy."
But Paulton had no interest in the Magic Tower. What he truly wanted was to remain by Aidelica's side.
"And you, my lady… do you think that's what's best?"
"Your will matters most, of course. But yes, I do think it would be good for you."
She gave him a mischievous smile.
"Then, maybe you'll start treating me like a proper friend."
"…!"
Paulton's heart pounded.
Until now, he had only ever seen Aidelica as a savior, someone to whom he owed a debt of gratitude.
"F-friends…?"
"What? Was I the only one who thought we were friends?"
"B-but… I couldn't possibly…"
Aidelica pursed her lips and poked his nose.
"There's no 'couldn't possibly' about it. I simply acted on a whim. I saw someone my age and decided I wanted to be friends with him, so I dragged you out of that Marquess household, that's all."
"…"
"You don't want to be my friend?"
"No! That's not it!"
Paulton shook his head so hard it was almost violent.
"…I'll go to the Magic Tower."
"Good choice! Then we'll truly live like friends from now on!"
"Y-yes…"
"Great. From now on, I'll call you 'Paul.' And you can give me a nickname too."
"A nickname…?"
"Yeah! My name's too old-fashioned and long. It's a hassle to say, isn't it? You choose one for me."
"…"
Paulton hesitated for a while before finally speaking.
"Deli...ca."
"Delica, huh. Not bad."
"Is… is it okay?"
"Of course it's fine. But tell me, even when you're at the Magic Tower, do you plan to keep speaking to me so formally?"
"…!"
"You should start getting used to it now."
Paulton opened and closed his mouth like a fish, before finally managing to muster up the courage to say a single syllable.
"…Yeah."
Aidelica laughed brightly, pleased with his answer.
As Paulton gazed at her face, captivated, he thought, he really did want to stay by her side.
But he didn't yet know that this desire would soon start to change shape.
***
Under the Tower Master's protection, Paulton achieved much and brought about many changes.
He even grew close enough with Aidelica—whom he had once regarded only with reverence, as if she were his master—that the two could exchange lighthearted jokes.
He succeeded in completely erasing the Marquess' household, leaving not a single trace behind.
By immersing himself in magical research to the point of self-abuse, he earned the qualifications to challenge for the rank of Master faster than anyone else.
All of it was because he wanted, somehow, to be of help to Aidelica, to reach a position where he could have influence by her side.
And so, three years ago, he chose seclusion training without hesitation.
It was the final trial he needed to be recognized as the Tower Master's successor.
For three hellish years, Paulton endured by thinking only of Aidelica.
And at last, when everything was finished and he finally returned to the present world where Aidelica awaited him...
"…I… want to run away from home."
Those were the utterly absurd words that Aidelica spoke.
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