(A little sweetness. If you're here for plot, feel free to skip.)
——
"Maybe I need to be more honest too..."
"Allen, he..."
The sound of the pen scratching against paper stopped.
Roxy stared at Allen's name for a long while.
Honesty.
She blinked, then pulled out a new piece of letter paper from the side.
She took a deep breath.
Should I praise Allen?
This "desire" thing—if it shows up in swordsmanship, maybe it's something like confidence?
Yeah.
Might as well ride the momentum while I have it.
——
Dear Allen, (the handwriting was flamboyant)
——
As soon as she wrote it, Roxy gasped and tore the paper. She immediately switched to a fresh sheet.
——
Dear Allen,
How have you been lately?
According to your letters, these past two months at the Boreas family have been full of excitement.
I'm actually a little envious of you.
That famous, hard-to-discipline young lady... Is her proud and even reckless appearance just a facade?
You said that once she accepts someone in her heart, she's actually quite honest and kind of cute?
That makes me a little curious.
And Ghislaine, the renowned fourth-ranked Sword King of the Sword God Style—is she really kind of clumsy in everyday life?
But why compare that to my clumsiness?
And you said her clumsiness and mine give off a different feel—mine being more... charming?
Allen, just what are you trying to say?
If you keep this up, I'll get angry, you know.
Well...
Just kidding.
Hmm...
From your description, Mayor Philip seems like a sly politician, like a forest fox.
Honestly, I'm not very good at dealing with people like that.
But Lord Sauros matches my expectations—like you said, he walks like a saber-toothed tiger... or a maned wolf...
Hmm, comparing people to monsters does create a very vivid image.
——
At this point, Roxy stopped writing.
Allen's latest letter didn't mention a "madam" at all.
Which did match what Sylphy had written in her own letter.
She paused, shaking her head to clear her thoughts.
Mentally, she reminded herself:
Don't think about anything else—focus on praising him.
She blinked again, and an image came to mind.
She picked up her pen and continued.
——
It reminded me of the time during our group training.
Do you remember when I read the story of the Red Dragon and the Maned Wolf to Sylphy and the others?
Maybe you've forgotten.
I said then—"The dragon's rage ignites flames, and not even the bones of the maned wolf remain."
It's funny... two weeks after that, I swear I saw that very scene outside the city of Rigritt, in the 'Red Dragon's Beard' area.
Only later did I realize—
That night, in the forest, the flames left behind by the Inferno Sphere were still raging. The smell of scorched bodies was so strong.
And you stood beside the flames.
I looked at you, but it was as if I couldn't smell a thing at all. (Blacked out)
It made me think of this line:
If I were to describe you using a monster—
You would be the Red Dragon.
At least, that's how I see you.
——
Roxy scratched her face awkwardly at this point.
Her eyes shifted to the sentence she had blacked out and a tinge of frustration crossed her face.
Her deep blue eyes shimmered, and the pen moved once more.
Now the words flowed effortlessly, as if she no longer had to think carefully about how to praise Allen.
——
Sorry, I'm getting lost in memories again.
Let me talk about my current life as a royal tutor.
Last time I told you that, based on your suggestion, I changed my teaching method with Prince Pax.
It worked wonders.
He became more mature and started respecting me a lot more.
Looks like...
Allen, you're not only talented in swordsmanship—you might even be more gifted as a teacher than I am.
I'm kind of jealous.
But what's funny is, you keep telling me to see the prince's potential—while also repeatedly reminding me in your letters to punish him with Fire Wreathe if he misbehaves.
Haha...
Well...
I did use it.
Many times, actually.
Why?
Because over the past two months, the prince seems to have developed... an interest in sex.
He's been completely unfocused in class.
Though, perhaps because I've established the image of a respectable teacher in his eyes, he hasn't tried anything improper with me.
But...
He's been doing something that left me absolutely speechless—
He's been harassing passing maids right in front of me, during class.
Brazen behavior.
Multiple times. Multiple victims.
Seriously, Allen—at that age, you used to blush just from holding my hand! (Blacked out)
How can he be like this?!
Does he have no shame?
The royal contract clearly states I'm allowed to punish him as I see fit if he misbehaves.
And I remembered your words.
So every time he acts out, I use Fire Wreathe—
I even resisted the urge to use something more destructive, like Frost Smash.
Only now do I realize—
You must have predicted this kind of thing might happen.
That's why you emphasized using Fire Wreathe—so I wouldn't go overboard.
Truly, Allen—you're so thoughtful and well-planned.
You're amazing.
No—I must stop thinking like this or I'll start disliking the prince even more.
Speaking of punishments—
Surprisingly, after receiving a few, Prince Pax started restraining himself.
He still looks at the maids like a leopard eyeing rabbits... but he's much more subdued now.
And instead of preying on multiple maids, he seems to have settled on just one.
Well...
I can't say I'm pleased.
But the King of Xilon actually praised my teaching skills because of this.
Apparently, the other princes are all obsessed with women, and Pax now looks relatively 'disciplined' in comparison.
He praised me highly.
I didn't expect that at all.
Even the people in the palace are showing me more respect.
But...
Is going from harassing multiple maids in broad daylight to harassing just one at night really something to be praised for?
Forget it.
In the end, it's all thanks to you.
Maybe Pax's behavior... is actually a 'talent' in its own twisted way.
Speaking of talent—let me share something with you.
To be honest, before teaching Rudy, I was a little... full of myself when it came to magic.
That's part of why I clashed with the teachers at the Magic University and ended up leaving.
Then I met Rudy.
His magic talent crushed my arrogance—
He constantly overwhelmed me.
His gift for magic is simply breathtaking.
But then I met you.
And then Sylphy.
One after another, gifted people entered my life.
Yet this time, I wasn't crushed by it—I came to accept that talent differs between people.
Perhaps that's what my old teacher felt, watching a cocky girl like me act so proud.
If I ever get the chance, I should apologize to him.
I may be somewhat gifted, but I'm far from being a real genius.
Now that I think about it, I've met way too many geniuses these past two years.
In magic, Rudy is the real deal.
Sylphy also has a lot of talent.
And you—
Without a doubt—
You're a genius in swordsmanship.
Even if I don't know much about swordplay,
I'm pretty sure a nine-year-old Sword Saint is someone at the top of their game.
——
Roxy paused, scratching at her bangs awkwardly.
Maybe I shouldn't praise him so much?
It's starting to feel like I'm bragging.
Why do I feel like this?
She scratched her head in frustration, peeking through her bangs at the letter.
Is it because I subconsciously favor Allen more than I realized?
Maybe he's not as perfect as I imagine?
But Allen said even Ghislaine treats him kindly.
And she's the fourth strongest in the Sword God Style.
Her opinion must count for something.
So... maybe my views aren't that biased?
Even if people say I'm partial, it can't be too far off.
Yeah.
Roxy nodded to herself and picked up her pen again—
But when her eyes drifted to something on the desk, she suddenly stopped.
She let out a deep sigh.
Truthfully, using Fire Wreathe to punish Pax...
Doesn't really suit her personality.
She had expected some madness in the palace from the start—Allen had warned her in his letters.
But the real reason she acted this way...
—If she kept doing this and "went too far,"
Maybe the King of Xilon would think she was unfit as a tutor.
Maybe he'd get angry and expel her from the palace.
Then she'd have a valid reason to return.
Without having to pay for breaking the contract early.
And she'd have a solid excuse to see Allen and the others again.
She had already realized this, two months ago, while writing to Sylphy.
When she wrote "One year? Two years? Maybe longer?"—
She knew, deep down, she just missed Allen.
Roxy was genuinely worried about Allen's state.
So she acted quickly.
But two months later—
Reality was cruel.
In front of her now—
Was a pouch full of gold coins.
One hundred.
For someone who once earned only two silver coins a month—
It was an unfathomable amount.
But to her—it was just one big headache.
"Ughhh..."
Roxy messily ruffled her hair, then collapsed onto her desk.
These gold coins were a reward from the King for her successful tutoring.
A reward for her.
In other words—
Her "harsh punishment strategy" to get herself kicked out...
Had failed.
Utterly.
With that much money in her hands, she couldn't possibly break the contract now.
She wasn't shameless enough to just take the money and run.
Besides, the Boreas household hadn't reached a crisis point yet...
She sulked at her desk for a while before sitting back up and staring at her letter again.
Once more, she found herself tugging at her bangs.
She realized her writing to Allen was much more casual and relaxed than her writing to Sylphy.
She always used more colloquial phrases with Allen...
Wait—
Would they compare their letters?
Being honest is so hard...
In this, Sylphy is definitely better than me.
Thinking that, Roxy blinked and picked up her pen.
And with one sentence, she wrapped up the letter to Allen.
——
Lately, my mind is full of memories of being with you (crossed out).
Of our time together.
Allen.
How have you been?
——Roxy.
——
After finishing, Roxy carefully rewrote the letter, removing all the blacked-out sections.
The phrasing was more polished and formal this time.
Only then did she breathe a long sigh of relief.
She turned—
And stared at the half-finished letter she had started for Sylphy.
Squinting at it for a while—
She smiled faintly.
Allen really is so charming.
Sylphy is totally head over heels for him now.
Come to think of it, in just two months, Allen would be turning twelve.
Time had flown.
Wait—Prince Pax developed sexual curiosity at twelve...
Would Allen, who once blushed just from holding her hand, also...
Roxy gulped stiffly.
She looked down at herself—still as flat as always, twenty-six years and counting.
She froze, then sniffled a little.
"At this rate..."
"Won't Sylphy catch up to me in just two years...?"
"Aaah..."
"What should I do..."
She muttered in her usual calm tone.
Moonlight from Xilon spilled through the window.
Soon after, the sound of pen on paper resumed.
Time flowed gently beneath her pen.
Sunlight and moonlight took turns flowing across the desk.
And in the blink of an eye—the pattern on the desk had changed.
No, not the desk.
This was the Fittoa region, in the Boreas estate, at the writing desk by Sylphy's bed.
The white-haired girl stood up, holding the letter she'd just received from Roxy.
Her hair now reached her shoulders—smooth and neatly kept.
She had grown half a head taller since ten months ago.
And her demeanor had matured significantly.
There was a knock at the door.
"Sylphy! Eris skipped class again!!"
It was Rudy's voice.
Sylphy looked away from the letter, placed it down, and walked to the door.
Sunlight passed over the last lines of the letter.
Written by Roxy in Xilon, under the night sky of August.
The sound of horses and carriages echoed faintly.
It was now October.
——
Sylphy, why do you think my praise alone will help him?
Words on paper are always so pale.
I can't see his expression.
And he can't see mine.
With so much time between each letter...
How much good can it really do?
I miss you all.
But... I still can't leave Xilon just yet.
So I want to ask you—
You, who are always by Allen's side.
You, who can see his state anytime.
Please help him.
Because—
Don't forget, the adventurer party belongs to all of us.
Whether it's you, or Rudy, or Allen who's in trouble—
There will be times when we're apart.
And it's up to those who remain to carry the responsibility.
Even if it sounds like I'm running away—
Please believe me—
I'm with you.
I miss you.
I miss Rudy.
And I miss Allen too.
——
Today I swung by the hospital and… yep, diagnosed with cervical spondylosis.
And I'm only level 1...
What kind of "rich person's illness" is this…
(End of Chapter)
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