"Who are you?"
As soon as Elisia flung open the door, a cold blade pressed against her throat.
She twisted instinctively, and fire mana flared in response to her emotions, coiling around her like a shield.
The crimson glow deflected the attacker's sword, putting space between them.
The assailant seemed stunned by her mana and didn't press forward.
Elisia seized the moment, gripping her dagger tighter and raising it to her chest.
A spark ignited in her green eyes as she assumed a defensive stance.
"State your identity."
Her voice remained steady despite the tremor in her hand.
Her eyes darted anxiously, searching for Franz.
As she feared, he lay collapsed in the bathtub.
Seeing his pale, terrified face, she bit her lip hard.
'I need to call for help.'
If this was an assassin, she couldn't face him alone.
Elisia had never received formal sword training.
This dagger was merely a tool she'd prepared for self-defense.
And if her opponent was a professional killer, how long would she last?
Not long.
At minimum, she needed to buy time to summon Lucius.
She drew a deep breath and raised her voice: “Who’s there—!”
“You must be the second prince’s wife.”
Before she could fully project her voice, a gentle tone came from the other side.
Elisia fixed her gaze on him, keeping her guard up.
A man with soft light-green hair and gray eyes stood before her.
A rare sight in Laurent.
Elisia studied him carefully.
He wore a dark black cloak that enveloped his entire frame.
His face was so pale it made the cloak appear even darker.
He carried a refined air, unlike Franz.
Where Franz seemed as if the world's beauty had taken human form, this man bore an unnatural, almost otherworldly allure.
Elisia furrowed her brows.
'Who is this man?'
If she'd ever seen him before, she wouldn't have forgotten him—he left a strong impression.
With a face like that, rumors would have spread through Calebs or the Imperial Palace.
But she'd never heard of him before.
While Elisia silently examined his striking, sharp features, the man spoke again: “I apologize.
I thought you were a hired killer.”
He lowered his sword politely.
“…Aaron, correct?”
Elisia answered, still wary.
“How did you know me?”
His eyes widened—the answer was right.
Only then did Elisia exhale in relief and lower her dagger.
She hadn't immediately recognized his voice from behind the door, but upon reflection, she realized it was indeed him.
“I just heard you.
I'm staying right in the next room.”
She glanced at the door she'd just exited.
Aaron shrugged with a smile.
“I understand.”
Though she looked at him, her grip on the dagger tightened further.
For some reason, his smile gave her goosebumps.
She felt like he might turn and attack her at any moment.
“I apologize for disturbing your sleep at this late hour, Your Highness.”
Aaron returned his sword to his cloak and continued: “But, what brings you here at this time?”
“I didn't know I needed permission to visit my husband's room,” Elisia replied, locking eyes with him sharply.
“I think I should ask you this question.
What are you doing here at this time?”
Aaron chuckled nervously, then let out a faint laugh.
But even his laugh seemed unnatural—like a doll attempting to smile.
Something about him rubbed her the wrong way.
"Don't evade the matter by laughing.
Your Highness suffers because of his misfortune, yet you stand here?
Explain yourself."
“You worry about the Second Prince, Your Highness.”
Aaron's features shifted to mild surprise.
Then he turned from her and moved toward the basin.
Right before her eyes, Franz's unconscious body lifted into the air.
His body hung limp and helpless.
Aaron placed his hand on Franz's forehead and began murmuring incantations.
A faint silver light radiated from his palm, enveloping Franz's entire form.
Elisia panicked and lunged toward him: “What are you doing?!”
“Shh.”
Without looking at her, he gently silenced her.
Elisia gripped her dagger and stared at it intently.
But Aaron continued chanting softly beneath her sharp gaze.
When he finished, Elisia's grip on the dagger eased.
Whatever he'd done, Franz's face looked much calmer now.
Also, his wet body became completely clean and dry.
Aaron clearly adept at using magic.
But could he be trusted to help her?
Only moments earlier, he'd advised Franz to stay away from her.
Whatever his true intentions, she didn't need to know.
If he stood in her way, he was an enemy.
Even if Franz trusted him, for Elisia, he warranted caution.
"Don't worry.
I serve the Second Prince."
Aaron gently laid Franz's body on the bed and spoke softly.
When he noticed Elisia still staring at him with intense eyes, he furrowed his brows slightly.
He seemed sincere in his desire to earn her trust.
“I am the one who brews the potion that calms His Highness’s mana.”
"What exactly are you?
A wizard?"
Aaron scratched the back of his head at her question, looking around hesitantly before clicking his tongue.
“How should I introduce myself…”
"Why are you asking me?"
"I have many faces.
But I don't know which face I'm allowed to show you yet.
My master hasn't told me."
He studied the dagger in her hand intently, then raised an eyebrow.
“May I do you a small favor?”
"What-?”
Before she could finish, Aaron extended his hand and touched her dagger.
The blade hummed, emitting a faint glow.
Light flowed along the blade and spread out until it reached Elisia's hand.
She stared at the dagger, entranced.
The glow was warm.
The moment he touched her, she felt strength surge through her body.
She didn't know what trick he used, but the bond between her and the weapon grew stronger than ever.
“Even if it's just a small self-defense dagger, it should carry some power.
I've made some modifications.”
While she raised the dagger and inspected it, Aaron explained to her.
Then he looked at Franz on the bed and added: “My master will undoubtedly agree to help protect his wife.”
“…Thank you.”
“If I have the honor of helping, I am proud.”
Elisia looked away from the dagger and fixed her gaze on Aaron again.
He had placed his hand on his chest and bowed politely—as any servant would.
As she regarded him, she finally voiced the doubt that had haunted her:
“Aaron...are you related to Harunaka Ron Melakazerna?”
When asked, Aaron froze.
He stared at the ground in silence before slowly straightening.
A blue light glowed in his gray eyes as his gaze met hers.
Elisia narrowed her eyes, watching the subtle shift in his features.
It wasn't dramatic, but the moment she asked, something crossed his face.
The inhuman coldness in his eyes suddenly filled with warmth.
“May I offer you one piece of advice, Your Highness?”
He looked at her sincerely.
She'd expected an answer from Harunaka Ron—but his question confused her.
Still, she nodded.
When she gave him permission, a faint smile touched Aaron's lips.
Then he moved toward her at a slow pace.
“Never make a foolish mistake.”
“What kind of mistake?”
“What kind do you think?”
His question made her frown.
She reached out and grabbed his cloak as he began to walk away.
"I am waiting."
She walked toward him and looked up at him sharply.
Her green eyes sparkled.
“This isn’t advice.”
“Excuse me?”
“Vague words like these aren’t advice.”
Aaron looked confused for a moment after her rebuke.
But she held his gaze.
"Try again.
Give me real advice."
Elisia's green eyes sparkled.
She wasn't going to let Aaron go.
If someone knew more than her—she needed to hold onto that knowledge.
Especially if he knew anything about Franz's secrets.
This was the best she could do facing an uncertain future.
"Tell me what you know.
What kind of mistake should I avoid making?...Can you see the future, Aaron?"