Why did it have to start then? It was the day I had seen Ron after a long time, and I felt like it was the day I had intended to talk to him.

‘Why do I feel like he’s avoiding me?’

Even if I wanted to think otherwise, that nagging feeling that kept rising from deep within my chest bothered me.

“Ken.”

“Yes.”

“Is he avoiding me?”

“I’m not sure. I sincerely apologize for not fulfilling my role as the escort knight of Empress Mama. I will sternly address this matter…”

Ken carefully opened his mouth, perhaps thinking that my anger was due to his absence.

“Ah, no, I was just asking. You don’t have to say anything. He’ll come when the time is right. Just leave him be until he returns.”

“Understood.”

I turned my head to look at him. Ken always followed us, standing half a step behind. A strange feeling came over me.

I felt and thought that we could entrust our backs to this man. Despite being Ron’s brother, there was something about Ken that inspired trust.

“Shall I let the guests know to come here?”

“Yes.”

With that, Ken disappeared somewhere.

The children were still busy playing among themselves.

“Shasha. Lurdello.”

“Yes?”

“Yeah, sis!”

“Guests will be arriving soon.”

Upon hearing this, both children simultaneously stood up.

“Guests? Just the thought is boring. Snow rabbit. Let’s go play over there.”

“Okay!”

Even though I hadn’t finished speaking, the children shook their heads as if bored.

How much had they been troubled to have such a reaction? Shasha and Lurdello headed for the mat without a word and sat down. They busied themselves playing, and I waited for the guests.

‘Guests…could it be Sehelus from the tower? Or maybe the child who got along well with Shasha in the tower. If it’s Sehelus, I haven’t thought of an answer to his question yet…’

I hoped it wasn’t him. If it was Sehelus, I felt like a terrible person.

Despite the time I had given, I still hadn’t understood or even considered his words, which pricked at my conscience.

But there would be no other visitor to the star palace, would there?

Especially since he said he would bring the child who got along well with Shasha in the tower.

“It’s been a long time.”

He used to dress like a magician that anyone could recognize, but today, he was neatly dressed. He was still wearing glasses, and his black hair was longer, but it was quite a change.

“Sehelus.”

I stood up to greet him.

“I see you remember me.”

“How could I forget such a strong impression?”

I smiled awkwardly at him.

“I’m relieved. It would have been a little sad if you didn’t remember me. Anyway, I have different business today.”

Sehelus patted the shoulder of the child standing behind him. The child, still wearing a deep hood, looked familiar.

“Ah… you are.”

The child who had opened the door for me when I went to the tower and had asked me a question at the end. This was the child who had been friendly with Shasha.

“Do you remember… Empress Mama. Ah…no. Firstly, greetings to Empress Mama.”

“Today you’re wearing the hood so low again. How could I not recognize you?”

Seemingly deflated until now, the child grinned brightly upon realizing I remembered him.

“I’m happy. Empress Mama remembers me.”

“Why wouldn’t I be happy? Have you been well?”

At that, the child shook his head vigorously, and thanks to that, the hood slipped back slightly. His hair was even darker than pitch-black. Why would he wear a hood with such pretty hair?

“Yes!”

“Let’s start with introductions.”

It was then. As the hooded child started to speak enthusiastically, Sehelus stopped him. Only then did the child seem to remember to introduce himself.

“I’m Merkin!”

“Ah, Merkin… wait, Merkin?”

Wasn’t Merkin the new entity Sehelus had mentioned last time?

“Uh… by any chance, are you…”

“Yes?”

“The new entity?”
Ah! Yes, it was just for a moment. I was the last one to enter the tower, and moreover… There’s no one currently who became a mage at a younger age than me… So Lord Sehelus chose me as his new apprentice.

Ah, I see.

“You’ve become a mage.”

If the previous tower master had been in charge, this child wouldn’t have even become a mage. The tower master primarily appointed wealthy and influential people as mages. After that, he chose from the applicants.

Despite using children from the orphanage like that, he never accepted any of them as mages.

Because if he did, he couldn’t use them as he pleased since all their activities would be traceable. His promise to make useful children from the orphanage into mages was never fulfilled.

“Yes… that’s what happened!”

Merkin scratched his head as if embarrassed.

“Congratulations.”

“No, it’s all thanks to Empress Mama.”

“My doing?”

“If Lord Sehelus hadn’t become the new tower master, I would’ve continued to be exploited. When I first came to the tower, I was happy to become a mage, but as time passed, I was worn out from being treated even worse than in the orphanage.”

I pressed down on Merkin’s head as he said that.

“It’s because you’re good, not because of me. Got it?”

“Th-thank you.”