Chapter 68

I knew that Werner had always been popular. From the girls in nearby villages to apprentice sorcerers learning at the Magic Tower, noble young ladies, and even crown princesses—everyone had a crush on Werner. Some even mustered the courage to confess their feelings, handing him chocolates or handmade handkerchiefs.

But Werner was the kind of guy who never learned how to politely reject confessions.

“What? A handkerchief? I already have plenty of those. And seriously, a handkerchief as a gift? You could’ve bought something better at the market for a few coins.”

“What? You fell in love at first sight, so you want to date? Why? Are you only thinking about your feelings? I don’t like you. Is it all about you? Wow, you’re so selfish. I hate selfish people, so get lost.”

“Uh… I’m not into guys. Just because my hair is long doesn’t mean I’m into that… Huh? You’re a girl? Oh crap, that’s… Why are you crying now?”

“Your dad’s a duke? So you’re saying it’d be good for my future to date you? Haha, go eat dirt. What, your dad won’t just sit back? Try it. Dukes don’t survive magic spells, you know?”

“You’ll give me chocolate if I date you? Even if I were starving for a week, I’d still reject that. Do you think I’m some idiot who’d be swayed by food? Seriously, you’re annoying… Aren’t you leaving?”

He made over seventy women cry with his harsh words. And that’s just what I saw—there were probably more. One day, I had business at the Imperial Palace and made plans to have lunch with Werner. By chance, I saw him being confessed to by a crown princess. The princess, radiating grace and beauty, confessed her feelings in an elegant manner.

After listening to her five-minute-long confession, Werner responded:

“Ugh, that was way too long. You could’ve said it in ten seconds, but you went around in circles, stretching and twisting it. And please, go easy on the perfume. My head feels like it’s about to explode. Did you bathe in perfume or something? Ugh.”

Leaving the shocked attendants and the crying youngest princess behind, Werner walked over to me and grabbed my hand.

“Hey, I found a place that serves killer tripe stew. Let’s go there and order some salmon carpaccio and pork schnitzel too.”

“Hey, Werner…”

“Oh, you like veggies, right? Don’t worry, they have great stir-fried veggies and tomato stew.”

“Wait, are you really okay with rejecting the princess like that?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? Come on, let’s go. I’m starving.”

At the time, I also had feelings for him, so I was scared of being found out. I was terrified of hearing harsh words from Werner like the ones he’d just said. I wanted to be content with just being friends, able to talk face-to-face peacefully.

I wanted to keep watching him eat, getting sauce all over his face.

“What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?”

“Yeah, you’ve got something, dummy.”

I took out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth. His face softened, and he didn’t resist my touch.

“You’re such a mess. Do the girls you like eat with food all over their faces too?”

“At formal events, they’re too busy with etiquette or whatever to do that. Though I’m not sure if that’s a meal or torture.”

“Then why do you eat like a starving beast in front of me?”

I started to worry if he mistook me for a guy. He could be a bit clueless, so maybe he really did think that.

“You’re the only friend I feel comfortable around.”

“What about the other heroes?”

“My older brothers and sisters are different. They’re like family, but they’re not friends, right?”

“Am I… the only one?”

“Yeah, you’re the only sorcerer I acknowledge and my only friend.”

At that time, our relationship was perfect. If I had confessed…

“What? You and me? Get lost, seriously, you’re annoying. Aren’t you leaving? Ugh.”

I might have heard something like that. I wanted to stay in that comfortable relationship, grow old together as friends, and never marry. But, to my surprise, the day after we fought, Werner called me to a valley and handed me a rose, saying:

“You really like stargazing, right?”

“Yeah, it’s so beautiful that all my worries disappear when I look at the stars.”

“That’s why I like looking at you. Your face is better than the night sky.”

Embarrassed by his words, I accidentally blasted him with magic and ran away. I wondered if he’d gotten some weird advice from the heroes, but it was clearly a confession. For a moment, I imagined building a happy life with him—getting married, having kids, growing old together, holding hands. I prayed that this dream could become a reality.

But, just like the day my mother passed away, God trampled on my prayers.

I was thinking about how to accept his confession and what to say to make it a memory that would last a lifetime. But suddenly, he contacted me, saying the daughter of one of the heroes had gone missing and asked for help. He went alone to the hideout of a suspicious organization called the Black Round Table. I wanted to follow him, no matter what he said.

But as the sole successor of the Magic Tower, I was bound by too many restrictions. When he finally returned, he was bleeding heavily from his side, holding a dangerous-looking magic sword. He asked me to investigate the sword and then left abruptly.

The sword’s identity was shocking. It was “Varishada,” a magic sword that kills sorcerers by destroying their mana circuits. Most sorcerers would die instantly if struck by it.

I went to him and told him the truth. In my own way, I accepted his confession. I told him to stay by my side forever, that I’d take care of him. But he looked at me with anger in his eyes—a look I never wanted to see—and said in a tone I never wanted to hear:

“Shut up… Why? Are you happy? So happy you want to dance? Do you think I’ll be beneath you?”

I never wanted Werner to be beneath me. I wanted us to stand side by side, facing each other.

“Shut up! You have a powerful family to rely on even without magic! I… I…! Without that, I’m nothing!”

It was because of that family that I couldn’t go help him. How heavy those chains were.

“Get out of my sight!”

So, the feelings you had for me weren’t love after all. I was the only one misunderstanding, twisting your words to suit my own feelings. Was I really your only friend?

I had to turn my back. I didn’t want you to see my face, ugly from crying.

I had to run. I didn’t want you to hear me sobbing.

“You jerk! You’re such a jerk!”

And so, my first love at 13 ended like that.

—

“Young Lady, Lord Werner has arrived at the Magic Tower.”

“Ekaterina, does my outfit or hair look weird?”

“No, you’re as beautiful as ever. Have you forgotten who styled you?”

But compared to Ekaterina, I felt lacking. Especially in the chest area… No, that’s just fat. Werner isn’t some pervert who judges people by their chest size.

Besides, I was confident my face could overcome any shortcomings in that area. How many young sorcerers had pursued me? But in my eyes, none of them measured up to a true sorcerer.

Yet, that guy rejected me and now hangs out with three women? Unforgivable.

How should I act? I was deep in thought when the door opened. Werner entered, looking nervous, with blood dripping from his neck. He must have scratched himself on something. If it were a sword wound, the person who did it would have to be a master.

The memory of him returning with blood pouring from his side came back, and my mood soured. That day, our entire relationship fell apart.

“… You’re here, Werner Altan.”

He just stood there, fumbling, staring at my face without saying a word. I had so much I wanted to say, but it seemed he had nothing to say to me.

All the suppressed emotions, the happy memories, the pain in my chest from that day’s screams—everything burst out at once.

I ran to Werner and delivered the kick Ekaterina had taught me.