After laughing for a while, the old woman began to squeeze out the moisture from the cloth that had almost all of its stains removed.

“Ah, Jade. Finding you was truly fortunate. Life in this forest is peaceful, but not that entertaining. However, these days are quite enjoyable!”

“Um… I’m glad if I’ve been of help.”

“Yes, yes. But I’ll be the one to scold you.”

Then Ollie lightly slapped Jade’s forehead with her wrinkled hand.

Though it was a very weak force, Jade was startled. It was both because of the crisp sound and because it was the first time in her life that she had been hit on the forehead.

While Jade was flustered, Ollie spoke in a stern voice.

“Young magician, if you were a bit younger, you would have been spanked.”

“Why, why?”

Ollie smiled gently and gazed into the purple eyes full of indignation.

“How can you throw yourself so easily into dangerous situations? Even postponing it as much as possible wouldn’t be enough.”

“But there was no other way…”

“Even so, it’s something to consider only after trying everything else.”

The magician, still much younger than the old woman, looked bewildered. From that expression, Ollie could guess that this magician probably didn’t have a proper guardian.

“You don’t care much for yourself, do you?”

Jade shook her head.

“It’s not like that. I thought of the most efficient and fastest method-”

“The most efficient way, but one that could harm you. Isn’t that right?”

Ollie shook out the well-wrung cloth and hung it on the long-stretched rope.

“Axel had reason to be angry. Jade, don’t do that. If you don’t care for yourself, it makes it very difficult for those around you.”

Jade frowned as she watched the cloth swaying in the breeze and the sunlight pouring down, unusually warm for winter.

Axel cares about me enough to get angry over such words? Someone who doesn’t even ask me a single question? I’m not so sure about that.

But did I really say those things just because I don’t care for myself?

Ollie was already herding the chickens and locking them in the pen. Jade stared blankly at the scene for a moment before speaking to the old woman’s straight back.

“That’s not it.”

“What? What’s not it?”

Jade spoke clearly and deliberately.

“It’s not simply because I don’t care for myself.”

“Oh my, then what is it?”

Jade grinned, dusted off her hands, and cheerfully exclaimed,

“I should tell Axel that first. I’m leaving now! I’ll fetch water for you next time. Together with Axel. Goodbye then!”

Watching the young magician run off excitedly, the old woman chuckled.

“My, my, what good times. I wonder how long it’s been since I’ve seen such energy. I wonder if Axel is feeling the same way I am.”

After a very brief moment of contemplation, Ollie nodded.

“Well, it’s the first time I’ve heard that boy call a woman’s name. Haha!”

Returning to Axel’s house, Jade shook her head at the obviously empty space.

She wanted to reconcile with Axel before sunset. Not by reluctantly bumping into each other at the doorway, but in an open space! At a moment they truly desired!

She ran to the back fence and met eyes with the horse peacefully chewing on hay.

“Hello there.”

This fellow was either ridden out by Axel or always wandering around on its own, so there weren’t many chances to meet like this. She had also been a bit more careful because it was clear how much Axel cared for it.

Just like she had occasionally seen in the forest, the horse was magnificent with long legs and all muscle. Its large build was intimidating, but the way it stared blankly at her didn’t seem fierce.

“Shall I brush you?”

As she approached casually holding a brush, the horse just snorted once and remained still.

Jade chattered away while vigorously scratching its back.

“Aww, are you bored? I wonder why Axel didn’t take you out today.”

Despite its appearance, it was an extremely gentle creature. Even with her clumsy handling, it only occasionally showed irritation, enduring patiently.

“You look much more splendid than the horses in the capital. Really. I once saw a very famous horse before, what was its name again? Anyway. You’re better than that one.”

Jade praised it as if talking to a person. It was actually true, and animals that had spent a long time with humans could often read such tones.

The beautiful horse showed clearly that it understood this to be true.

After being petted by Jade for a while, it suddenly turned its head, sniffed around, and walked forward.

“Oh-”

What the horse was pushing with its head was the saddle and reins that Axel had hung on the fence. Jade grinned.

“Clever one. Alright, let’s go!”

Since Axel had been riding the horse around for the past few days, the horse would head to familiar places. Right to where Axel is!

Riding through the forest path on horseback felt very different from walking.

Due to the speed, only the larger things caught her eye, making the surroundings seem like one big mass. Only the subdued colors remained clearly visible.

The black horse naturally headed towards the lakeside. Its lively movement suggested that this was a frequently visited place.

“He tells me not to come to the lakeside, but he’s been enjoying all the pretty sights by himself.”

Jade grumbled.

The light reflected brilliantly off the water’s surface, enhancing the pale appearance of the winter forest. The trees surrounding the area stood firmly like soldiers with spears, guarding the lake.

Though the beauty was almost blinding, what Jade was looking for was someone who had probably gone out dressed all in black.

Finally, the horse slowed down completely. With the now slow and comfortable pace, Jade stroked its mane and jumped off the saddle.

Holding the reins and walking slowly, she could see a figure standing in the distance. The backlighting prevented her from seeing the face clearly, but she could recognize who it was just from the silhouette.

“Axel!”

She called out joyfully, and it seemed the gaze turned towards her, though she still couldn’t see properly.

Jade quickened her steps, feeling impatient. She almost tripped over an exposed root. The short trees growing near the water’s edge had their roots intertwined like a net.

While she was fumbling, he strode over first. Now she could see his face clearly.

Dark eyebrows, clear eyes that seemed to reflect everything like the lake she had just seen, a prominent nose bridge, and tightly closed lips.

There was no friendly emotion visible anywhere, but knowing he had approached out of concern, Jade smiled brightly. And she shouted,

“I’m sorry!”

Axel’s expression remained cold. But Jade didn’t back down and began to babble on.

This wasn’t in front of the king, nor in front of the grandmother or uncle who troubled her. It wasn’t important to deliver words neatly and cleanly; only sincerity mattered.

“I might be overestimating myself, but anyway, I’ve participated in monster subjugation quite often. I’ve even volunteered to be bait a few times.”

As if until now it had been like spring sunshine, his expression changed to that of a stormy winter day. It was surprising that it could become even colder than before.

Jade hastily continued.

“Of course, back then I could use magic, and there were many people with me. I know it’s different here. But there’s only one reason why I said I’d be the bait to lure out the monster.”

“What is it?”

Though his voice was irritated and seemed sarcastic, how many days had it been since he last responded? Jade was on the verge of tears, moved by even this much.

But now that she had the chance, it was her turn to let him know. Jade shouted as if bursting out a held breath.

“Because I trust you!”

“…What?”

For a moment, indescribable things swirled in the man’s ash-gray eyes.

Being inherently difficult to understand, she didn’t try to comprehend it. Jade was just focused on the thought that she had to express her own thoughts.

She’d had enough of sleepless nights!

“I guess I really trust you a lot. That’s why I did it! I thought that even if I were standing right there facing a monster, it wouldn’t be dangerous. Because you would catch them anyway… Oh, of course, it’s a very, very stupid thought. I didn’t even ask for your opinion!”

“……”

“That’s why I said it was okay to be bait. If you’re angry because I took it for granted that you’d protect me, I’m sorry. But I’m not the type to think it’s natural for someone to protect me outside the forest either. I’m not that shameless…. Well, no excuses needed, I’m just sorry!”

Having poured out all her words, Jade panted heavily, catching her breath.

Ugh, this is hard. Damn, was an apology supposed to be me rambling on my own like this? Wasn’t it supposed to be something with appropriate responses interspersed?

But he was still staring at her without answering. His large hand rubbed his mouth and then lingered nearby.

Jade mumbled awkwardly.

“Can you answer…”

Me?

Then she blushed at the sound of a low laugh.

“Why are you laughing…”

“Because it’s funny.”

“What’s funny?”

“You’re completely different from what I thought.”

As his hand fell away from his face, his lips were curved in a faint smile.

“I’m sorry too. For suddenly ignoring you.”

It was an unexpected apology. Jade was surprised but grumbled as if it was nothing.

“Yeah. That wasn’t nice. It would’ve been better if you just got annoyed.”

“Why? Did it hurt your feelings?”

“Isn’t it obvious? It felt like something was being cut off.”

As if to say that wasn’t the case, Axel shook his head and took the reins from Jade to lead the horse. They walked together along the lakeshore.

Neither of them said anything, but it was comfortable because they were sharing the beautiful scenery in a stable atmosphere, not in the uncomfortable silence of the past few days.

It was quite an unfamiliar feeling, but since the feeling wasn’t bad, Jade was busy trying to suppress the corners of her mouth from twitching upwards.

The truly funny thing was that Jade had never fought like this with someone her own age before.

With her uncle who threatened her life, it felt like she was really fighting with a knife. With her grandmother, who always looked at her with dissatisfaction and suspicion, she couldn’t even fight. When talking to the king, she was desperate not to reveal her true thoughts.

She maintained appropriate friendships with other magicians but found it difficult to completely let her guard down. After all, today’s ally could become tomorrow’s enemy.

But with Axel, she didn’t need to worry about that. He, who had voluntarily entered the Athanase Forest, giving up everything outside, had no motive to betray her.

No, even if he had a motive, she was convinced he wouldn’t attack her. Now Jade trusted him completely.

She trusted him so much that, while she had come to trust him because they met in the Athanase Forest, she now felt regretful that he might stay in the Athanase Forest in the future.

Jade wanted to meet him outside as well.