The Runaway Maid is Loved by the Archmage - Chapter 37
As they exited the gate, the air felt different, almost like a lie. The air, once dark and damp in the Crown Prince’s palace, had become warm and refreshing. Roina suddenly realized that it wasn’t just the air—it was mana. The dark and unpleasant mana that had taken root throughout the Crown Prince’s palace was flowing, as if through veins, like blood.
But here, it was filled with a clear, fresh energy, like water. The scent of old books and warm sunlight harmonized, and everywhere, there were bookshelves, magic circles, ink, and spirits like butterflies. It felt like a mystical library with high ceilings.
“……”
In the middle of it all, there was a man.
A man with neatly tied long black hair and golden eyes.
Lutan.
Roina felt an unexpected wave of tears rising. Tears started to fall, one by one, and eventually, she began to sob.
Thud thud…
She felt the man approaching her. He gently brushed her hair away and quietly embraced her.
“It’s all right now.”
At the words “It’s all right,” Roina broke down and cried for the first time since coming to this world.
***
Afterwards, having cried her heart out, Roina fainted from exhaustion, and only after sleeping for half a day did she awaken.
When she woke up, Maili was constantly grumbling in front of her.
“Honestly, I’m the one who risked my life to come save you, and yet you’re crying and hugging that so-called archmage?”
“Ah… I also thank Her Ladyship…”
“Hmph! Thank you, what?”
Maili turned her head away as if sulking, her ears turning red. This time, she had tied her long hair up high and wore riding clothes, looking much more natural and vibrant than when she was all decked out in the palace.
But there was something unnatural about Maili’s appearance—her left ankle was wrapped in a bandage. Roina silently watched her and smiled wryly. The wound had been from the previous night, when Maili had saved her. Roina hadn’t seen Maili holding a sword before, but it felt incredibly natural and full of life, as if she had wielded a sword for years. She must have held a sword for a long time.
The ankle of a knight wielding a sword was important. It couldn’t be without consequence.
“Maili, I will definitely… for the rest of my life…”
“Oh, enough!”
After grumbling about why Roina had only looked at the archmage, Maili snapped when Roina tried to apologize. Roina didn’t know what to do, so she just quietly watched her. Then, Maili glanced at Roina from the corner of her eye, her face turning bright red as she muttered something quickly.
“What?”
Of course, not hearing it clearly, Maili blushed even more and shouted.
“Call me Maili!”
“……What?”
“Eek!”
Maili suddenly jumped up, screamed “Ah!” and grabbed her ankle before collapsing to the ground. Then, she swiftly lifted her head and glared at Roina, shouting.
“Call me Maili, and stop with that honorific!”
“……Huh?”
Her entire face was now bright red, and she shut her eyes tightly before speaking.
“Let’s be friends!!!”
With a loud thud—
“Are your wounds okay…?”
It was at the same time that Lutan opened the door and asked. He let out a short exclamation, “Ah,” before immediately closing the door again.
“I’ll come back a little later.”
He left only that remark before shutting the door.
“……”
“……”
For the first time, Roina felt like she had witnessed how red someone’s face could truly become.
“AAAH!!!”
Soon, Maili’s scream echoed through the room.
