Siervian didn't know who the 'old man' Karmen kept mentioning in his thoughts.
However, after having a glimpse into his thoughts, she wondered why he had become so taciturn later when he'd later be an adult.
"You shouldn't be alone this late. You don't know just how scary the palace guards are."
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"But you're also alone."
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"I-I'm fine though? I'm taller than you!"
Was he someone else? He was so different from the cold Karmen that she knew, so she had reasonable grounds to doubt him.
Come to think of it, the status window next to him was also quite strange.
Karmen 'Kasselov'?
Karmen, the Magic Tower's Lord, was from the slums and had no last name. She never heard of him having one.
It was also mentioned as such when he was formally appointed by the Emperor as the youngest master of the tower in history.
"Even my father refused to give me a last name. He said that I was not fit for it."
What was Karmen doing here so late at night? And he was close to the Princess' Palace.
She was on her way to investigate the food waste incident, but this encounter made her nervous. He was one of the people who despised Siervian for the incident.
"What're you doin' here?"
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"…I was taking a break from my Master's* lessons."
{ tl/n: not like an 'owner', but he refers to him like this, just like how martial artists call their teachers 'master'. }
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Thoughts: That tower lord old man. I ran out to avoid his scolding, but he'll be furious once I go back. I don't wanna go.
Siervian took a peek at his status window, startled to find out who the old man he was talking about was. She was curious why he was so scared to go back just to be scolded.
In her memories, he was the fearsome Karmen whose magic talent could rival even the Emperor's abilities.
"Oh, that's why…"
As he mentioned his master, Karmen kicked the ground in front of him. His full lashes, which glimmered subtly, matched this secret lilac garden very well.
'Handsome.'
This time, Siervian was amazed by Karmen's face instead of the flowers. He had a reticent expression on his face, but his handsome looks didn't go away.
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Thoughts: I wanna go home. But I have to work hard so they can eat… Annoying. Those fellows are doing well.
He looked livelier now instead of being aloof, and the thoughts he had made Siervian see him in a new light, too.
She knew that he didn't have a family, but he must have been continuing to work hard with his magic training because of the kids he considered younger siblings.
"Wh-what is it?"
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When she came to her senses, Siervian realized that she was patting his head unintentionally. Karmen, embarrassed, revealed his emotions slightly. It was an angry expression.
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However, his body was frozen and he didn't back away from her hand. He even bowed his head so that the short Siervian could pat him better.
"Stay stwong."
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Seeing that, she wanted to cheer him up again.
The mage's robe that he laid down on the ground was obviously too big for a child.
He was the same age as the Crown Prince, three years older than Siervian. However, right now, he was only an eight-year-old child.
'I guess it's really hard to learn magic.'
In her previous life, she had no talent in magic, so she wasn't given any magic lessons. She didn't know how difficult they were.
But it must have been so hard that he had to find a hiding place like this while he thought of his younger siblings.
"Must've been hard…"
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So Siervian patted his head for a long time. It was a little awkward to pat someone's head who was much taller than her.
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It wasn't long until Karmen stepped back, then spoke aggressively.
"Stop it now."
"Okay."
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But when he moved away, she saw how his ears were extremely red. And it was like he was hesitating to move away from her.
While thinking his hair was as soft as it looked, Siervian still somehow felt sorry for him.
"Don't touch me."
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Favorability: +100
Thoughts: Damn… I want you to pat me more, but my pride is hurt.
Rubbing his ears roughly, Karmen went far away from her.
"Okay, okay."
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She replied, not being hurt by what he said. Her body was a child's, but her mind was an adult's, so she could comfort him this much.
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Thoughts: Your hands are so so so cute, too. How can you be so small?
Although she didn't know why Karmen's thoughts were more mature than how he spoke rudely.
"But you. What are you doing here?"
Karmen looked down as he asked.
After getting up to pat his head earlier, she sat back down again. Maybe because she was a little tired, but she felt like she needed to use this opportunity well.
"I'm looking for somethwing."
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"Tell me what it is. It's annoying, but I'll listen to you."
[ Karmen Kasselov ]
Thoughts: Then I'll have to come with you to find it. It's dark and dangerous at night, so I can't let you go alone.
Unlike his words, Siervian looked at his inner thoughts that seemed to be cooperative, then chose her words well. It would look suspicious to others if she said she wanted to go to the tower's garden, so she should just say she's looking for flowers.
"It's a pwetty flower like this."
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