Chapter 6: The Monster of The Berhi Castle (6)

　　In high spirits, she stacked the wood by the entrance and retrieved a small handcart, just big enough for Astina to pull. It had been three months since their last trip to the market, and the cart was thick with dust. Brillin squatted and began to clean it with painstaking care, wiping away the grime and checking the wheels, being careful not to use too much force. Astina would have to pull this by herself.

　　Brillin could accompany her to the edge of the village, but she knew all too well the chaos that would ensue if she set foot inside. She would have to hide, unable to protect or help her little sister. Life without a guardian had never been easy, but on days like today, she despised her form more than ever. She heaved a sorrowful sigh, though to the men watching her, it looked like a silent, furious roar.

　　It was Theo who finally broke the silence.

　　“You seem to be going somewhere.”

　　“Hmph. Grrrr.”

　　“And judging by the cart’s size, I assume Lady Astina is going with you.”

　　“Grrr.”

　　Brillin nodded. She held the clean cart under one arm; it was obviously not for her.

　　Theo smiled gently.

　　“What if I were to accompany you and push the cart in your stead?”

　　“Huh?”

　　Brillin’s eyes widened. She was already uneasy about sending her sister to the market alone. A companion would set her mind at ease, and the thought of Astina not having to pull the heavy cart was especially appealing. The only problem was that her sister would almost certainly refuse.

　　As Brillin stroked her chin, deep in thought, Astina emerged from the castle, a huge bundle of black cloth in her arms.

　　“Brillin, wear your robe so you don’t get covered in snow.”

　　She began to unfold the large robe, stitched together from old castle curtains, then froze, her eyes narrowing as she spotted the four men standing awkwardly nearby.

　　“Why are they here again?”

　　“Grrr, grrr!” Tina! They helped chop the firewood! Brillin interjected with a grumble before Astina’s temper flared.

　　Hafen had, after all, split one log, so it wasn’t entirely a lie.

　　Astina, who had been about to chase them off, paused. She glanced at Hafen, who offered an awkward smile, axe still in hand. Seeing him beside the woodpile, she supposed her sister was telling the truth. She still didn’t like them, but she couldn’t lash out at someone who had helped Brillin.

　　She snorted, turning away haughtily.

　　“Hmph. A miracle they weren’t just in the way.”

　　“Grrr.”

　　“I know, I know. Now, put this on.”

　　As Brillin slipped her arms into the robe, Hafen set down the axe and sighed in relief. It was a small victory, but a start. He was searching for an opportunity to speak when Brillin, now fully cloaked, posed a question.

　　“Grrr, grrr. Grrr?” She grumbled, implying, Theo offered to pull the cart. What do you think about him coming with us?

　　Astina glanced at Theo, who smiled and gave a slight bow. She immediately looked away, her expression cold. Tiptoeing to fasten Brillin’s hood, she muttered, “No. Who knows what he might do to you.”

　　“Grrrr.”

　　“He wants to do research. What if he hurts you again?”

　　“Grrr, grrr.”

　　Theo, catching the gist of their debate, carefully interjected.

　　“Lady Astina, I swear I will never do anything to harm either of you. Please, just give me a chance.”

　　“And why should I trust you?”

　　Astina’s golden eyes were sharp with suspicion. The ‘research’ conducted by the scholars her parents had hired had started innocently enough, too—plucking a few strands of fur. But as time passed with no results, their methods had grown more aggressive, more painful. It was a nightmare she refused to relive.

　　And yet… despite everything, she found herself staring at his mouth, waiting. She didn’t trust people, but she was helpless to save her sister. If there was even a sliver of a chance…

　　Looking into her clear eyes, which reflected his own face, Theo removed the necklace from his neck and held it out to her.

　　“This is the Tower Master’s Insignia, passed down only to the master. I will entrust it to you. Please, trust me.”

　　“What’s a necklace supposed to prove? I was always told never to trust a mage from the Tower.”

　　“Don’t trust me,” Theo said, his smile faint and sad. “Trust in your own power, and the Countess’s. Without this, I cannot use proper magic. Far from harming anyone, the two of you could kill me with ease.”

　　He was Theovlin Jesuph, the genius mage who was also called a fraud. The previous Tower Master’s only disciple, his knowledge of magical theory was unparalleled. But he had a fatal flaw: a laughably low affinity for magic. He could barely hold a spark of power in his body. He was a mage who couldn’t even cast a single proper offensive spell.

　　The insignia was his inheritance, his claim to the title of Tower Master. But the Tower had rejected him. He had fled with only the necklace, his former colleagues hunting him for it. If he couldn’t obtain Varius’s magic, he would lose not only the insignia, but his life. He was desperate enough to wager his master’s most precious keepsake.

　　Astina studied his sorrowful face, then looked up at her sister. Brillin nodded emphatically. Theo was right. They could kill him or chase him away at any time. And to free her beloved sister from this curse, she would try anything. Besides, this man had recognized their curse from the start. Perhaps the Master of the Magic Tower truly was different. A pleased rumble escaped her throat.

　　Not wanting to spoil her sister’s high spirits, Astina reluctantly took the necklace.

　　“One wrong move, and I’ll kill you.”

　　“Yes, my lady. Please do,” Theo replied, his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

　　They were the color of the morning sky, and his silver hair, a mix of snow and sunlight, seemed to flutter in the still air. His dazzling smile seemed to flash for a moment in Hafen’s direction.

　　Hafen, catching the brief, mocking glint in the mage’s eyes, grew frantic. He stepped forward, shouting, “Countess! Lady Astina! You are far too naive! Do you truly believe a word this snake from the Tower says?”

　　He had their attention, but Astina’s gaze was glacial. She opened her mouth to speak, but Hafen cut her off, fearing the words would be kill him or scram.

　　“Think, Countess! How can you know if he speaks the truth?”

　　“Grrr…” Brillin’s red eyes turned on Theo, flashing ominously.

　　Theo shook his head frantically, shooting a venomous glare at Hafen for ruining his hard-won progress.

　　“What are you saying? I have no reason to lie to them!”

　　Hafen ignored him, striding toward Brillin.

　　“I will protect you! Whatever tricks this man attempts, I swear he will not lay a single finger on you.”

　　“Tricks? Your Highness, what trick is this!”

　　“Grrr!”

　　“Enough!”

　　As the men’s voices rose, Brillin and Astina shouted in unison. Silenced by Brillin’s sharp ferocity, Hafen and Theo fell quiet, their eyes darting nervously between the two sisters.

　　“Hah.” Astina let out a humorless laugh, fixing Hafen with a withering glare. “First you want to kill her, then marry her, and now you want to protect her? Have you lost your mind?”

　　“I apologize for my rudeness. There was a misunderstanding, and my proposal was rash. But my offer of protection is sincere. Please, believe me.”

　　“And why should we?”

　　At Astina’s question, Hafen’s expression grew solemn. He glanced at the sky, a clear, cloudless expanse of winter blue. A fierce determination settled in his eyes.