Unnamed Memory - Volume 4 - Chapter 5

5. Other Side of the Mirror

Ten days after Druza’s plot came to light, Tinasha was sitting in a chair with her legs crossed. Her room in Farsas Castle was streaked with rays from the setting sun. The partially analyzed spell floated above the scrying bowl before her. Mila looked impressed as she inspected it thoroughly.

“Do you know where Druza is creating their forbidden curse?” Tinasha inquired.

“I do… But I can’t tell you,” answered Mila.

“Why not?”

“Because if I do, I know you’ll just go directly there to kill them,” Mila countered.

Tinasha fell silent, unable to deny that. In this situation, it could cause a diplomatic crisis if Farsas made the first move. However, if she went out solo, disarmed the threat, and came right back…

“You really can’t do that. Touching that curse while it’s being developed is very dangerous. Killing the spell caster will make that magic run wild and create all kinds of trouble,” Mila pointed out.

“Ugh.”

“Also, while you’re definitely powerful, mages are rear guards. You’re not meant to act alone! Despite the odd circumstances, you were kidnapped only a few days ago. You’d be in for a world of hurt if you took on anyone besides a mage. Recall how Unai almost killed you?” Mila lectured.

“Yes, I remember,” Tinasha said sourly, appearing as though she’d just swallowed some bitter medicine.

When Tinasha fought Leonora the witch four hundred years ago, Leonora’s right-hand man was a swordsman and the one who’d come the closest to ever slaying Tinasha. Senn, one of her spirits, had taken over the battle with Unai for her at the time. However, when Tinasha had abdicated, she returned all but one of the twelve spirits. Without them, it was foolhardy for her to charge off into uncharted enemy territory on her own.

Although she was from a long-gone era, Tinasha had been asleep that entire time and possessed no more experience than any other nineteen-year-old. If Oscar used Akashia in a duel against her at close range, he would defeat her instantly.

As Tinasha reflected on her own limitations, Mila went on in a solemn tone of voice. “Using Akashia against the curse is the way to go. I understand how you feel, but it’s best not to take direct action.”

“But I thought Druza was the main reason why everyone agreed I should take over the throne…”

King Calste of Tuldarr had informed Tinasha that Druza’s movements of late appeared suspicious, and he wanted to revive the mystical spirits as a deterrent.

Yet ultimately, Druza’s weapons were trained on Farsas. They must have decided that if they were going to craft a forbidden curse, it would be easier to attack Farsas with it—even factoring in Akashia—than to go up against the Magic Empire.

“And it was during my reign that Molcado got away… I’m the war criminal here…” Tinasha sighed.

“You needn’t bear every responsibility! Molcado and Druza threw the first punch—you were merely saddled with the task of handling the threat. Stop trying to take on everything yourself,” Mila chided.

“But Farsas can’t withstand five shots from a forbidden curse of that scale, even if they do have Akashia. They can put up a normal barrier, but those who cast it will die,” Tinasha objected.

That was the outcome she hoped to prevent the most. That was why she wanted to go in first and take care of everything. Losing him was unacceptable, even if that meant sacrificing herself.

Tinasha’s eyes were cast down, and a very grown-up grimace crossed Mila’s girlish features. “If it comes to that, then you can be the one to provide that barrier. If you go out alone, and something happens to you, it’ll be that Akashia swordsman who suffers for it.”

Mila pointed at the spell floating above the scrying bowl. Tinasha remembered her true mission and fell silent.

She’s absolutely right.

Talented though she was, Tinasha couldn’t handle it all by herself. She didn’t possess enough combat experience.

A sigh skimmed across her alabaster knees. Oscar’s coronation was set for two weeks from now.

After the Farsas council meeting, invitations to the coronation ceremony had been extended to many nations, including Druza and Cezar.

Both countries had turned down the offer, sending their regrets. No one was sure whether to be relieved or concerned by that, however.

Naturally, security for the ceremony was incredibly tight, which meant that two layers of surveillance secretly monitored the dignified foreign guests in attendance. The first was the guards of Farsas, while the other was a spell Tinasha had cast over the whole castle.

An hour before the function, Tinasha’s hair was done up, but she was still in her everyday attire. She knocked at Oscar’s dressing room door, then pushed it open upon his reply.

The sight of him outfitted in all the finery of a king was enrapturing.

Lustrous silver armor and a crimson cape set off his toned physique beautifully. Akashia was in King Kevin’s hands presently, so Oscar had another longsword belted at his waist.

A somewhat annoyed expression creased his handsome features. Though Tinasha said nothing when she entered, he cast her a skeptical glance. “What’s wrong? And why aren’t you dressed? Did you mix up the date for the ceremony?”

“I know what day it is! I’m going to change after this,” Tinasha insisted, turning aside with reddened cheeks. He looked so different that she found herself unable to look at him head-on. She had almost forgotten why she came.

Pressing her hands to her red cheeks, Tinasha turned back to face him properly. “Excuse me, but I need you to let me cast a protective barrier around you.”

“Sure, but this isn’t some field that automatically kills anyone who comes into contact with it, is it?”

“Of course not! It’s just for protection!” exclaimed Tinasha.

Shrugging, Oscar sat down on a chair. Tinasha came before him and began an incantation.

“My definition shall span three worlds. Let meaning lose its meaning, and any definition that diverges shall fall apart and the words turn to dust.”

A spell configuration made of silver threads floated up before her. It was such a strong embodiment of magic that even Oscar could see it, and as the incantation went on, and the array swelled in size, the threads intertwined in increasingly complex ways. He watched with rapt fascination.

“My life supersedes every manifestation. May these words and this power interfere with everything that may befall.”

As the recitation concluded, the spell twined itself around Oscar’s entire body, sank into it, and disappeared.

Once that was complete, Tinasha exhaled. “It’s only meant to protect you from magic. Thank you for your patience.”

“I’m the one who should be thanking you,” replied Oscar, which made Tinasha break into a pleased grin.

He stood and almost patted her on the head, but he retracted his hand when he realized her glossy black hair was swept into an elegant updo. “Go get changed. Prince Legis is coming, so don’t be late.”

“O-oh, is he? Yes, I’ll be leaving now,” Tinasha said, bobbing her head at Oscar before teleporting out of the room. Her departure was so sudden that Oscar snorted, but only for a moment. Soon enough, his expression turned grave and serious.

Back in Tinasha’s room, Sylvia and some ladies-in-waiting helped her quickly change and apply makeup. Her formal Tuldarr royal family robe was white and deep blue. All her jewelry doubled as magic implements, including the silver chains draped across her forehead. The robe hugged the lines of her slender body before flaring out in a graceful curve.

Tinasha checked herself in the mirror, then muttered, “It’s been so long since I’ve worn such garments.”

“You’re a sight for sore eyes!” chirped Sylvia, pot of rouge in hand.

Just then, a lady-in-waiting entered. “His Highness Prince Legis has arrived.”

“Coming,” Tinasha replied. On paper, she was the princess of Tuldarr, so she and Legis would attend the ceremony together as representatives of their country.

The young woman tapped into the spell stretched across the castle, confirmed that nothing was out of the ordinary, and headed for the cathedral where Legis awaited.

It had been a while since the two had seen each other, and when Legis spotted Tinasha clad in her formal robe, his eyes widened. Then he broke into a smile. “That looks wonderful on you. Truly beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she answered. He held out a hand to her with perfect poise, and she accepted it. Aware that she was attracting attention, Tinasha proceeded with him into the cathedral. It was already full of guests who had taken their seats.

A short while later, King Kevin made his entrance along with Oscar; Akashia was hanging at the king’s waist. Tinasha watched them while concentrating on her spell.

Once the two royals reached the altar, Kevin gave his opening remarks. Tinasha listened as she contemplated Akashia, the royal sword.

It was a weapon of exceptional power—the only one of its kind in all the world—said to have been gifted to Farsas by an inhuman being.

Although generally believed to only be a blade that neutralized magic, it could destroy and dismantle magic spells, as well as diffuse the magical power of those who touched it. Tinasha knew as much from experience; the sword’s owner taught her about it when she was a girl.

Akashia deserved its reputation as a mage’s worst enemy, and it could kill witches, too.

Most people thought Oscar had inherited Akashia before becoming king because of his unparalleled swordplay. However, Tinasha suspected it was to hide the seal on his own vast reserves of magic. Still, she was hesitant to confirm her suspicion, so for now she kept such thoughts to herself.

When Tinasha looked up at the altar, Kevin was taking a step down as Oscar stood from his kneeling position. Cheers and applause burst forth in the cathedral at the birth of a new king, who brandished Akashia high above him.

Tinasha followed their example and clapped for him, too, unable to take her eyes off the sight of Oscar standing tall before the audience.

After Oscar made an appearance in front of the common people, he stopped by his chamber to change his clothes before proceeding to the great hall.

No sooner did he enter than guests crowded around. He made polite conversation with them, a practiced smile on his lips, as he scanned the room. Legis and Tinasha stood by a window, smiling and laughing together. When the latter of the two noticed Oscar, she gave him a little wave.

Tinasha in her formal robe looked far lovelier than the young ladies in their gowns, and all eyes were drawn to her. The men nearest her kept stealing glances, quite preoccupied with Tuldarr royalty. Yet because she looked so close to Legis and because the two appeared so well matched, none approached her.

Oscar met Tinasha’s gaze, his eyes carefully devoid of emotion, but then someone nearby addressed him, and his attention returned to his guests.

As Tinasha observed the new king, she offered her commentary, sounding as if it had nothing to do with her. “Poor thing. That looks exhausting…”

“You’ll be in a similar situation before long,” Legis reminded her.

“Yes, although I’d like to bow out because I’ve already done it once before,” she replied. Earlier, Tinasha and Legis had made their rounds of the room as he introduced her to the important people from various countries.

All were astonished at the sudden appearance of a new Tuldarr queen, but Legis proved an adept conversationalist. By and large, Tinasha was received favorably. She gazed up at the man next to her, impressed. “In any case, Your Highness, that was amazing. Perhaps it’s because I only just emerged from the Dark Age, but I’m really no good at that sort of thing.”

“I wasn’t proficient at it initially, either. It’s simply a necessary skill to have. There’s an everlasting wealth of things to learn, which I find fascinating,” he answered sincerely, and she smiled.

Legis was smart, sensible, and hardworking. Tinasha mused regretfully that if she hadn’t shown up, he would have made an excellent ruler.

But if they managed to evade Druza’s threats, would she need to take the throne?

Excessive power wasn’t a necessity in peacetime. Tinasha had abdicated for that same reason once. If the deterrent of her power lost its meaning once the enemy nation ceased to be a threat, then a ruler specializing in sheer might would also no longer be a priority. When Tinasha considered that, she had to wonder if taking Tuldarr’s throne as requested was wise.

Sighing, Tinasha glanced at the stone embedded in her right wrist brace, a crystal acting as the core of her castle surveillance spell. Its transparent glow indicated that nothing was amiss.

While she was at it, the young woman inspected Oscar’s protective barrier and found that he was walking along with a lovely young woman in a rose-pink gown. It was someone Legis had introduced Tinasha to. She racked her memory, trying to recall. “That’s…Princess Nephelli of Yarda, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. Yarda and Farsas are currently enjoying quite the friendly relationship,” answered Legis.

It was only ten years ago that the two countries warred. Upon its defeat, Yarda lost a small portion of its territory, and after that, Farsas helped its former enemy recover. At present, the two nations were on friendly terms. Yarda, surrounded on all sides by the Great Nations of Farsas, Cezar, and Gandona, would not have been able to survive after that defeat had it not cozied up to one of them. The fact that Yarda chose to approach Farsas was undoubtedly due to Kevin’s genial personality.

“While it’s merely a rumor, apparently Yarda offered Princess Nephelli as a bride for Farsas after its defeat. The proposition was rejected, but I can’t imagine why, so it’s probably just gossip,” Lazar explained.

“Ah, I see…,” Tinasha muttered. She could certainly think of a reason—the curse she labored to break. So long as that remained, Oscar couldn’t agree to marry anyone.

However, soon that pretext would vanish, and when it did, would Oscar take this princess as his wife?

Thinking about it put Tinasha in a sour mood. Her eyes followed Oscar and Nephelli across the room, though she maintained a tight smile.

Legis smiled awkwardly. “Your magic has become erratic.”

“What?! Oh… I’m sorry,” Tinasha said, flushing in guilt. As a vessel for so much powerful magic, her emotional fluctuations could sometimes influence that energy. Legis was a capable mage himself, so he could sense it.

Tinasha buried her face in her palm, and Legis gave a placid smile. “I have to admit: I’m quite jealous.”

The meaning of his statement was obvious, but Tinasha was at a loss on how to respond. A faint smirk formed on her lips. “…It’s like I imprinted on him. I don’t quite understand it myself.”

Now that she had compartmentalized the past as such, she was trying to approach Oscar from square one. He was nothing more than the man she had met upon waking in this era, someone she had nothing in common with.

But Tinasha didn’t know what she wanted to accomplish by doing that. What was Oscar to her?

Presently, she couldn’t put it into words. It was incomprehensible. The heat that seared her heart still lacked definition.

Still, Tinasha understood that she had to save and protect Oscar. There could be no conceding on that point. She refused to forget.

Sentimentality left over from her adolescent years or not, it made no difference. Tinasha expected no repayment from him for any of it. That was also why she wanted to look ahead and face the future. Nothing had even started yet.

After three hours of conversing with guests who came for his coronation, Oscar took his leave as the banquet drew to a close. Making his way down the hallway, he stretched out his tight shoulder muscles.

Making polite, diplomatic small talk wasn’t difficult for him, but it did prove tiring.

Fending off the incessant advances from a string of young ladies proved especially exhausting. Nephelli’s personality was more straightforward compared to the rest, making it easier to spend time with her. However, the others, with their cloying perfumes, sapped his energy. If Oscar didn’t take a bath and wash off all the scents, he would develop a headache.

Just then, a woman called out to him from behind. “Oscar, can we talk?”

It was someone who was difficult to deal with in an entirely different way from the other ladies. Turning back, Oscar spotted Tinasha with an apologetic smile. Her long eyelashes fluttered over eyes wavering with apprehension, and her red lips were deeply bewitching.

In makeup and dressed in her formal robe, she looked wholly unfamiliar to him. He was half enchanted by it yet hid his reaction well as he replied, “What is it? Has Legis gone back?”

“I’m going to see him off right after this. Before that, I wanted to undo your protective barrier. I’m sorry to bother you,” she said.

“You could’ve done that anytime.”

“Well, you had a steady stream of girls around you all night. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, though.”

Tinasha may have meant that mockingly, but the sulky tone of her voice made her true feelings obvious. Instead of pinching her cheek, Oscar replied evenly, “They all want to be queen, hence their incessant sales pitches. I am grateful that you’ll break the curse.”

Was he to grow older and remain unmarried, people from the countries around Farsas would notice and grow suspicious. It would incite sinister schemes that Farsas didn’t need. Twenty was a perfect age to lose his curse.

At that, a line formed between Tinasha’s shapely brows, something Oscar had almost been expecting. “I’m glad you’ll have your pick of candidates. I hope you select the one most useful to you.”

“Don’t make it sound like I’m choosing some new court adviser. She can be totally useless, as long as she doesn’t get in my way.”

“That sounds like someone who would be the polar opposite of me.”

“Oh? So you are aware of that?” Oscar drawled, getting ahold of Tinasha’s face half out of instinct. She pouted, her soft cheeks trying to puff up, making an expression like a cat grabbed by the scruff of its neck. Oscar couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the sight.

“Why are you chuckling when you’re the one doing it to me…?” Tinasha questioned softly.

“It gives me so much joy to tease little kids,” he replied.

Tinasha sighed when she heard that. Her long eyelashes trembled, casting shadows along her ivory cheeks. The melancholy expression on her beautifully made-up face had its own terribly powerful charm.

“Do whatever you want… I have my own job to take care of. However, you have as many enemies as you do women vying to be your queen. Let me know if something happens,” Tinasha stated.

“What would you do if I did?” questioned Oscar.

“I’d take care of it,” she answered firmly. Her words were heavy with pure, genuine fighting spirit.

Oscar frowned at that glimpse of her being coolheaded. Evidently, Tinasha truly wasn’t aware that her strong emotions were grating on her. That was why she kept trying to sacrifice herself any way she could—and why she didn’t balk at the idea of getting hurt.

“Listen—”

“Mm, I’ll undo the barrier first,” Tinasha interrupted, walking right up to Oscar and reaching out to touch him. In a hushed voice, she intoned the recitation.

The new king could not imagine this delicate, fragile frame of Tinasha’s defeating a witch. She had admitted she was unsure if she could do it again, and it must have been just as she said—a close, risky fight. Although the young woman had lived through many challenges, it didn’t mean she could keep it up forever.

Oscar suppressed a heavy sigh. “…How much longer do you think ending the curse will take?”

“A little under four more months. Sorry for the wait,” Tinasha replied.

“Do you need anything more from me?”

“Not at present, although I may after a bit more progress.”

After finishing her incantation, Tinasha looked up. Her dark eyes were trained right on Oscar.

She didn’t make the slightest effort to hide the innocence of her heart. It was doubtful she even knew how to do so. For a woman like that to be queen during the Dark Age must have meant she lived every day treading on thin ice to keep her country safe.

Yet she was embroiling herself in the conflicts of a new era now.

That notion helped Oscar come to a decision. Keeping his face expressionless, he commanded, “Go back to Tuldarr already.”

His voice was cold, and Tinasha didn’t immediately comprehend what he meant.

After a moment, she opened her eyes wide with surprise. “Go back? Why?”

“It doesn’t matter. If there’s nothing you need here, then you can work on things in Tuldarr, can’t you? And you can come here whenever you do need something—or call for me.”

“True, but…,” Tinasha protested faintly, feeling as if her vision was darkening. She didn’t understand why this was affecting her so much. Her heart was pounding wildly.

Massaging her temples, she met Oscar’s gaze. “What happens if war breaks out? You may have Akashia, but no living person can withstand a forbidden curse.”

“You’re not from here, so that’s not your concern, and you certainly shouldn’t be getting so involved,” he retorted coolly, rebuffing her.

Tinasha made her face go blank. She had the sense that behaving normally would only make her look weaker. The temptation to lash out in resentment rose, but she quelled the urge. “I won’t get in your way. Use me in the fight.”

“No. What if something happens, like how you got kidnapped? I don’t want to make an enemy out of Tuldarr just because we have a lot on our plate. Run along back to your country already.”

The words wounded Tinasha so much that she felt ready to burst into tears.

She went from massaging her temples to digging her nails into the skin there, and yet she didn’t feel a thing. Tinasha had no idea if she was still standing up straight. The young woman wanted to throw her arms around Oscar but couldn’t manage to reach out.

Instead, she eked out a choked whisper:

“Let me stay close to you…”

Oscar regarded her expressionlessly but ultimately gave a little sigh and stated, “Don’t cling to me. It’s annoying.”

For a second, Tinasha’s dark eyes froze upon hearing that. She couldn’t breathe, and the noise of something breaking sounded in her ear.

Oscar’s eyes filled with shock, but Tinasha remained oblivious to that.

Her head hurt.

She felt sick.

Something was shattering—at her temple, in her ears, in her hands. She couldn’t control her emotions.

Tinasha didn’t need anything in return. She didn’t care if he despised her, so long as he didn’t reject her attempts to protect him. If he denied her that, then she didn’t know why she was even there. Why had she come through time?

Tinasha shut her eyes tight, though she didn’t know if that was because she couldn’t see anything or because she didn’t wish to.

There came a little sound, and Tinasha’s earrings cracked apart, startling Oscar.

One sliver cut her fair cheek, sending blood running along the soft skin there. The sealing ornaments adorning her could no longer hold back her powerful magic, agitated by her feelings. One by one, the objects broke under the pressure.

She squeezed her eyelids tight and knit her brows to bear the pain.

“Tinasha,” Oscar called, reaching out with the intent of picking her up.

That was when the aftereffects of the magic surge shattered the windows in the hallway. It must have alerted someone, for there were audible footfalls as a person ran from the end of corridor.

When he took in the sight of the two of them and how Tinasha’s magic was massing together, Legis shouted, “Tinasha! Don’t!”

He dashed over and embraced her slender frame from behind. He poured his own magic into her, offsetting her energy as it leaked out. “Calm down… Can you hear me?”

After a while, Tinasha gave a little nod. Legis’s face relaxed in relief. “Take some deep, slow breaths. Control your magic… It’s all right; you can do it.”

“Okay…,” she said. Little by little, the strain faded from her face until it was like an expressionless mask. Oscar watched in silence.

Holding her in his arms, Legis reached out and healed the cut on her cheek.

“I’m very sorry… It wasn’t on purpose,” she whispered.

“I understand,” he replied.

Oscar gave a small sigh. Tinasha’s eyes were still shut tight. After one more look at her lovely face, Oscar straightened up to face Legis. “We’ve borrowed her from you all this time, but I’m sure she has many things to do before her coronation. I believe this is a good opportunity for you to take her back to Tuldarr. Thank you very much.”

Once Legis heard that, he understood why Tinasha had flown into chaos. He glanced at her, unsure how he should reply.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

Tinasha stared straight at Oscar, her eyes as deep and dark as an abyss.

There was an unbridgeable distance there that made her so very far away.

Tinasha gave the slightest jerky nod.

The young woman gazed at Oscar searchingly for just a moment before breaking into a sweet smile. “I’m truly sorry you witnessed that spectacle. You are quite right. I will return to my country and continue my studies there. I can’t thank you enough for all the kindness you’ve shown me during my stay.”

After that, she sank into a gracious curtsy. Legis was baffled, but she only took his arm and turned to walk away.

That last sweet smile she gave Oscar seemed to him like she was on the verge of sobbing. He felt a slight pang for causing her to look like that.

Still, he had already made up his mind. It was only a matter of whether she left sooner or later.

“That girl is one fine piece of work…,” he muttered.

Once she was out of sight, Oscar shook his head as if to stave off the last bits of her presence and then continued on his way.

Voices ranging from the gleeful to the concerned echoed around the cavernous space.

An old man said bitterly, “A new king has taken over Farsas, and he’s shown himself to be far shrewder than the old one.”

“So we still don’t have Akashia? That damn Jarno, couldn’t live up to his claims,” a woman cut in, tutting disapprovingly.

“No matter how strong Akashia is, its wielder is only human.”

“The only question is how efficiently we will win. It has been four hundred years since our forefather Molcado was chased from Tuldarr in disgrace. We inherited his forbidden curse but are still denied the recognition we deserve—forced to skulk around underground. Yet soon enough, our time will come. All will know how powerful we truly are. Yes, just like we once did during the Dark Age.”

Silence reigned over the room. The old man cackled loudly.

“If we can invade and conquer Farsas, we might be able to have our revenge on Tuldarr. However, the king and his royal council still doubt our power. We’ll need to show them some overwhelming proof. Don’t you agree, Valt?”

The old man directed the last bit to one corner of the dark room, where a young man had been sitting silently the entire time.

Valt smiled. “Yes. Though, we’ll need to be wary of growing overeager.”

He glanced at a door on the far wall, which led to the chamber where the forbidden curse was being crafted. Even now, massive waves of power seeped from it.

The schemes being crafted here would forever change Druza’s fate.

“Am I really that clingy?!”

“You are. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have slept for four centuries,” Mila replied.

Tinasha’s face grew tight. Her hands trembled around the book she was holding. “It’s just to repay a debt! I don’t feel anything for him here in the present!”

“I’m not so sure,” Mila replied doubtfully.

Tinasha had practically fled Farsas with Legis. Now back in her chamber in Tuldarr Castle, she was ranting bitterly about Oscar. Legis sat next to her, sipping tea with a wry look.

Mila gave a very humanlike shrug from her spot in the air. “You’re pretty and powerful, so most men are either going to fall for you or fear you, but he’s the Akashia swordsman, and he’s probably got lots of girls to play with. You just chose the wrong man. Ah-ha-ha-ha!”

“I was not pressing him to marry me!”

“I guess you were just too attached. I bet it turned him off,” Mila concluded.

“I… I could just kill that man!”

“Should we go kill him?”

“Not literally!” Tinasha insisted. She jammed the books in her hands onto a shelf. Numerous sealing ornaments adorned her ears and fingers. If not for those, the room they were in would be a maelstrom of loose sheets and tomes. “I’ll still break his curse, though! And maybe I’ll put some really weird hex on him in its place. Like one that makes him hate vegetables!”

“Don’t waste all that magic on petty revenge,” Mila retorted.

After listening to the two go back and forth with a pained smile, Legis set down his teacup and spoke up. “He doesn’t wish to get you involved in a war. You should recognize that for what it is.”

“Regardless, he’s naive to think he can handle it on his own!”

“Lady Tinasha, I could say the very same thing to you,” Mila interjected.

“How lovely it must be to view things so objectively!” Tinasha snapped, stomping over to the scrying bowl in the center of the room. Unfurled above it was the spell she was analyzing.

Too low for anyone else to hear, she grumbled to the unspeakably beautiful spell, “And here I got my hopes up the littlest bit.”

When Tinasha decided four hundred years ago to put herself in a magic sleep, a small part of her had hoped he might fall in love with her.

In the erased history, she and Oscar had wed in the 527th year of the Farsas calendar. Accordingly, she had requested that Mila bring him to her in that year. However, Oscar had shown up a year early, and like a foolish child, Tinasha hoped it meant he had come to make her his wife.

It didn’t take long for her to learn she was mistaken, and now she understood that the man she met a long time ago and the one she knew now were very different. Even so, she had held out a bit of hope that maybe they could start something from the beginning.

Sadly, the reality was that Oscar didn’t have any interest in Tinasha, and she thought it wrong to put her desires above his. She had come to free him from his distress, the way his wife had done in the original timeline.

After letting out a long, deep sigh, Tinasha attempted to bolster her spirits. “For now, I’m going to analyze the curse and break it at lightning speed. After that, I don’t care! My role in his life will be done!”

“You should do as you please,” Legis remarked with an exhale of his own as he beheld the highly entertained spirit and her fuming master.

When Lazar heard what had transpired, his jaw dropped. “You chased Princess Tinasha away? And you even said all that to her?”

“It would’ve been the same no matter what I said,” Oscar countered.

“No, it would not! How could you say such cruel things to her? What if she decides not to break your curse now?” Lazar cried.

“She won’t. Tinasha has too strong a sense of duty. At most, she’d probably give me some weird curse instead,” Oscar replied.

“…”

Lazar threw Oscar a reproachful, appalled stare, but the king ignored it and calmly went about his work.

He had just arranged to send a considerable number of troops to the northern fortress at Ynureid in an effort to remain vigilant against Druza. The stronghold would be ready to deploy forces no matter what the enemy did.

With a disappointed sigh, Lazar shook his head. “I just know she would have stood by you no matter what.”

Oscar didn’t answer, instead working on the documents before her.

Lazar groaned in the face of such audacity. “Your Highness…no, Your Majesty. I was always convinced that you liked her, no matter what you said.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s going to become queen of Tuldarr. Even if I did like her, nothing could come of it,” Oscar replied.

As Lazar realized the implied meaning there, his eyes grew wide. “…Wait, so does that mean…?”

“Just do your job. Here, take this,” Oscar instructed, shoving a stack of papers into Lazar’s arms. Though the beleaguered attendant looked like he still had more to say, he left the study. Once the door clicked shut, Oscar’s neutral expression finally darkened into a scowl.

Oscar didn’t like her.

He found her entertaining and unpredictable.

Tinasha’s distant gaze used to irritate him, yet now something different was riling him up, making it hard to relax.

There was nothing more to it than that. He didn’t feel anything more for her.

Even if Oscar entertained the notion that he was attracted to her, she was to become the queen of a foreign power. Among the smaller countries to the east, there was once a king who fell for the queen of a neighboring nation. He razed it in order to have her—and spent the rest of his life resented by the woman he loved, justifiably.

That was a rather extreme example, but Oscar believed that keeping Tinasha with him was still asking for trouble. He couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing simply because he desired to—which was why it was best not to pay those feelings any mind.

Regardless, Tinasha had Legis. The two of them looked plenty close. Oscar didn’t know why she still bothered associating with him.

“…I don’t feel like becoming her plaything,” he muttered, aggravation flaring up. As he signed documents, his grip on the pen tightened.