The boy, Licht Babylon, was running.

“Huff, huff!”

His hair and clothes, prepared for the banquet, were all in disarray. But right now, that didn’t matter.

The voices of his older brothers laughing filled his ears.

“Father has gone and brought in a tracking magician.”

“They said the magician wants to check something with the children. That’s why a separate banquet hall was prepared?”

“Well, probably. If the nobles knew, they would oppose it. So they kept it quiet.”

“How do you know that?”

“Little brother, you must keep your eyes and ears open everywhere. That’s how you become the crown prince.”

It had been careless thinking.

Licht could not imagine planting people close to the Emperor. He had thought his only enemies were his older brothers.

“Please... no!”

He still did not know Rubian’s full identity. But just in case.

What if... Rubian was a magician?

‘I thought Father could hold out longer... but to bring in a magician so quickly!’

He had thought the matter of the magical tool would be solved after returning to the capital. But he heard the tracking magician had requested permission to search the Ibsen Spring Festival. That made Licht unable to hold back.

‘Why target the north... does this mean Rubian is a runaway magician?’

His mind was tangled. Confused. Unsure who to go to.

His breath caught. He had never run like this before.

Strangely, in this moment, he realized something.

‘I don’t want Rubian to be in danger!’

More than dying, he hated that idea. He wanted to protect her no matter what.

At first, it was simple curiosity.

From when he first met her at the capital shelter.

‘She seems like a girl, but why pretend to be a boy?’

That thought stayed with him. Eventually, he couldn’t help but chase after her to the north.

When he met Rubian again... she still hid her gender, but she shone brightly, like sunlight.

She was a girl. Licht was certain.

“Licht, let’s play!”

Rubian could easily see through his masked face, though the act seemed clumsy.

Even knowing his smiling face was an act, she still...

‘She was kind.’

She played with him, spoke with him.

Honestly? Licht enjoyed it. The time he spent with Rubian.

That’s why...

‘I must protect Rubian!’

During the kidnapping incident, he had recklessly chased after her. That had only made things worse.

Licht’s hurried footsteps stopped at a large door.

The answer to solving this situation and protecting Rubian was clear.

“Lady Zebret!”

The magician’s hand stopped right before my eyes.

I stepped back quickly.

My body trembled. I bit my lips to hide my fear.

I thought I had gotten better living here with my family... but my body remembered differently. Adults approaching with hostility still scared me.

The hard memories of that time still bound me like a trap.

I gritted my teeth and stood firm.

Thankfully, I could hide my expression.

“May I ask why you are covering your face? Could it be...”

The magician smiled strangely. His hidden eyes glistened oddly.

“I think I know you.”

I knew him too. Even as my head spun, I pulled at my memories.

You were the fourth child of the Demon King.

An opportunist who always joined his family’s schemes, chasing only what benefited him, causing trouble for us on the battlefield... the Demon King’s pawn. A worthless man.

‘But...’

I stared at his thin, dry, branch-like hand.

“Let’s see... what’s under that mask?”

At that moment, I clearly saw a kingdom crest revealed between his rolled-up sleeve.

‘There was a brand on his right forearm.’

And... in my dream, the magician had the same one.

“The price for opposing our king will be harsh.”

The brand was on his right forearm. The magician who kills my father in the original story.

My eyes went cold. But my heart raced and my head grew hot.

“This cloth... I’m wearing it because I’m not feeling well. And I’ve never seen you before, magician.” 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

I spoke calmly, stepping back.

The magician smiled faintly.

“Is that so? Then let me cast a healing spell for you. Please lower your cloth for a moment.”

“No, I’m fine...”

His hand reached out again, and this time I saw the World Tree’s branch slip from his sleeve.

Twisting away, I stumbled.

“No...”

Just as I was about to fall, someone grabbed me firmly.

“Stop.”

A long sword blocked the way.

“Sir Leon...”

The blue-haired knight stood firmly behind me. His fierce presence made the magician step back.

Sir Leon looked down at me, standing between us.

“Our Lady was involved in an incident and is unwell. She doesn’t want magic. I will not allow you to come any closer.”

It seemed he had been guarding me under Father’s orders.

The magician lowered himself slightly, apologizing.

“My apologies. Then, may I still give her the pendant as a gift?”

“That’s...” Sir ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) Leon frowned.

“Here. Take it.”

The magician pushed the pendant into my hand without hesitation. Sir Leon tried to stop him again, clicking his tongue.

My pendant began to react faintly.

“Let’s see.”

The magician’s lips curled into a smile.

The stone shimmered, glowing brightly. Inside it was...

“A bright red.”

“No magic.”

His face showed a rare shock, unlike before. I clenched the cold pendant.

“Is there... a problem?”

My voice was calm. I looked at the magician, who hesitated, biting his lips.

“I think I gave you a broken pendant. This one!”

“No, no!” he insisted, pulling out more pendants. But the result was always the same—red. No magic.

After trying three times, I placed the fourth pendant on the table.

“That’s enough, magician!”

Sir Leon blocked him again, his calm face now showing hostility.

“I will not forgive any more rudeness.”

Even the palace guards looked at him warily. I forced a smile, making a glowing squirrel with magic.

“Thank you for the gift.”

I turned and quickly walked down the stage steps. The magician lingered, muttering behind me.

“It really wasn’t...”

He stayed in the hall a while longer, giving pendants to girls my age. But soon, only boys like Void, Liam, and Khalid were left in line.

“I have urgent matters. I will leave the rest. Please take them.”

He hurriedly left, leaving the box behind. Servants handed out the rest. Khalid refused his pendant.

“Phew...”

I finally sighed in the noisy crowd. Sir Leon looked at me with concern.

“Are you alright, Rubian?”

“Yes. Thank you, sir. But how did you get here so fast?”

“It’s His Majesty’s order. He was very angry.”

“You knew the magician had come? Where is he now?”

“He is meeting the Emperor privately.”

I thought: so he went to confront him.

“What about food?”

“I lost my appetite... I want to leave.”

I needed fresh air. Time to sort out my thoughts.

Sir Leon nodded silently and followed me, offering muffins from his pouch.

Children laughed and played, making the banquet feel meaningless. I passed through them, my legs weakening.

Just as Sir Leon reached for me, a hand stretched out beside me.