Olivier’s breath hitched at Almeida’s words.
She had somehow anticipated this. As a woman, she understood that Almeida, who called Jared her beloved disciple, harbored feelings beyond those of a master for her student.
Olivier wasn’t sure if Almeida’s feelings were romantic, but she knew they were affectionate. While Olivier couldn’t discern if it was a teacher’s affection or a familial love like that of a mother or older sister, she easily grasped what Almeida desired.
“I don’t want you to misunderstand – it’s not that I dislike you. As I said before, I like you, I truly do. If you’re going to marry Jared, I think you’d be a good match.”
But then, Almeida’s expression clouded over.
“Jared is still developing as a magician, and he has a lot of potential for growth. I want to give that dear boy, who is like a younger brother to me, many possibilities. But right now, he has too few choices. Do you understand?”
Olivier didn’t want to answer.
“Jared Murphy will become a Court Mage after gaining some experience as a Court Mage Candidate. I guarantee it. He can absolutely become a Court Mage without any issues, at least in terms of skill.”
“You say ‘at least in terms of skill’?”
“A little while ago, Court Mages were primarily for combat. But now, in addition to being a fighting force, they are magicians involved in the petty factional disputes of the nobles. How many are truly serving the Royal Family, I wonder?”
Court Mages were directly under the Royal Family. Only the King or a designated member of the Royal Family could command them. Requests could be made through the Mage Association. However, current Court Mages had nobles supporting them. Recently, Dennis from the Mage Association had mentioned that the Court Mage Candidates, other than Jared, had connections. It was the same for Court Mages. Few had risen solely on merit. In that regard, Jared’s late mother, Liz Murphy, was one of the rare true powerhouses who became a Court Mage based on skill alone.
Although Court Mages served the Royal Family, they might also use magic for the nobles who supported them if necessary. It would be fine if they unconditionally protected nobles as citizens, but it became a different matter if noble ambitions were involved.
“Jared has no future other than becoming a Court Mage. But is that really the case? Have you ever considered it? Isn’t there someone somewhere else who needs Jared?”
“That is—”
“Being a Court Mage certainly sounds impressive. But from my perspective, I don’t want him to be confined to just being a Court Mage, a magician who only fights.”
Olivier understood Almeida’s feelings all too well. She herself realized that she, more than anyone, was stifling Jared’s potential. Her position as the Eld of the Ducal Family, her younger brother Conrad, and the fact that her father favored him all prevented Jared from pursuing paths other than becoming a Court Mage.
Although he himself seemed to be aiming to be a Court Mage like his late mother, Olivier sometimes doubted if that was truly the case. Even if he couldn’t become a Court Mage, the Duke Alway would not let Jared go. No, he wouldn’t need to let him go. If he married Olivier, he would become family. And although not master and disciple, he had promised to teach Conrad magic. From the outside, Jared already belonged to Duke Alway.
There was a high possibility of him becoming a vassal of the Alway Ducal Family from the moment he became the grandson of the loyal Baron Daum. However, Jared himself wanted to live freely. Even if he was approached by the Mage Association about becoming a Court Mage, or if his grandfather Baron Daum intended to pass on his aristocratic title, it was uncertain if he would have accepted. But Jared chose to aim to become a Court Mage. And one part of the reason for that was Olivier Alway.
At first, perhaps she couldn’t refuse due to her position. But then Jared learned of Olivier’s circumstances. He, who was kind and gentle, couldn’t just leave Olivier alone and became increasingly ensnared. Before she knew it, he was so deeply mired he couldn’t escape.
She had wondered countless times if this was really alright. Every night, when she closed her eyes, she felt anxious, wondering if she could truly afford to be this happy, yet she was grateful to Jared. At the same time, she understood that her current happiness existed because Jared was there. If Jared were gone, this happiness would end. Pfeil might still be there, and her relationship with Yeny would change, but they could likely remain friends. However, without Jared, Olivier would not be happy.
“Don’t look so close to crying.”
Olivier, who had been lost in thought, was pulled back by Almeida’s words. Wondering what her expression looked like, she touched her face, but couldn’t tell. Olivier took a deep breath. Facing Almeida, who looked at her with deep eyes despite her wry smile, Olivier met her gaze with strong determination.
“I admit that I am stifling Jared’s potential. I also understand that you deeply care for Jared. However, I love Jared. I can’t be with anyone but him. I’ve finally met someone I want to be with forever—I don’t want to leave him.”
She knew she was saying something terribly selfish. Almeida would surely be tired of her. Olivier herself hadn’t realized how dependent she was on Jared, but she truly couldn’t be with anyone else.
“Yes, you pass.”
“—Huh?”
Confused by what she had suddenly heard, Olivier let out a foolish sound. Almeida, unlike before, offered a gentle smile.
“I’m sorry for saying harsh things. But I wanted to test how serious you were about becoming the wife of my dear disciple. Because I can say what I want without worrying about aristocratic titles, I had to ask you directly. Even if you ended up disliking me, though I’d hate it, I could have endured it.”
“Um, I don’t dislike you, Madam Almeida.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Then let’s be good friends from now on.”
“Of course. But, about this ‘passing’…”
Olivier asked hesitantly, and Almeida nodded.
“I won’t take Jared away from you.”
“Thank you.”
Olivier let out a sigh of relief, but then—
Almeida continued, her words like a warning.
“It’s true that you are stifling some of Jared’s potential. In the same way, I think Jared is also stifling your potential, but marriage is like that. Things you can do alone become harder with two people. But there are also many things you can only do together.”
“I understand.”
“Then that’s fine. What I ask of you is this: understand that your potential may decrease by marrying him, and truly love him. And then, give him new possibilities. I ask this of you in place of Jared Murphy’s late mother.”
“I promise.”
Olivier nodded with determination to Almeida, who, not as a master, but as a mother, worried about Jared’s future and wished for his happiness. She wanted to repay Jared, to whom she already owed countless debts and happiness, with love.
“Also, I’m fine with being the lover, so please take care of me.”
“Yes—wait, WHAAAAT!?”
Olivier, let out an undignified scream, as if wondering where the serious conversation had gone, to Almeida, who wore a playful smile, unsure if she was teasing or serious.
“We’ll get along from now on, my dear Olivier.”
