The Runaway Maid is Loved by the Archmage - Chapter 44
The place Roina fled to from the Crown Prince’s palace was the Archmage’s Tower—a place visible from every corner of the continent and accessible from anywhere to those who had been invited. However, those without an invitation were barred by magic from even approaching.
In reality, the tower was located deep within the Kailak Mountain Range, known as both the resting place of the Golden Dragon and the very backbone of the Kailum Empire.
Roina gazed outside the tower with a fascinated expression. She hadn’t noticed it before when looking at the tower from the outside, but now that she was inside looking out, she found it strange that all she could see was a vast, dense forest.
Maili, after making such a commotion about becoming Roina’s friend the day before, had left in satisfaction with only a brief, “I’ll be back after handling some business!” Though Roina felt uneasy recalling Maili’s words about killing the Crown Prince and stealing the crown, there was nothing she could do about it at the moment.
In the peaceful Archmage’s Tower, Roina found herself with nothing to do. The household chores were all taken care of by spirits, and with Maili gone, there was no one looking for her. In this vast tower, only she and the Archmage remained.
Once her strength had recovered, she found herself terribly bored. In the end, Roina went to seek out Lutan again.
“You want work?”
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Roina nodded.
“If… if it’s alright, could you give me something to do? You can think of me as a disciple—no, an assistant—and have me do anything.”
At her request to be given anything to do, Lutan stared at her with an unreadable gaze. Roina, for some reason, felt self-conscious and her face grew even hotter.
“You don’t need to do anything, Roina. However, if you feel uneasy without something to occupy yourself with… there is a small task you could take on.”
Whew. She let out a sigh of relief. Lutan had been staring at her so intently that she had begun to wonder if she had done something wrong.
“Yes! I’ll do my best. A-and also…”
Lutan waited silently for her to continue. His normally cool and composed expression seemed somewhat softened.
“If it’s alright… could you also teach me how to use magic?”
As she spoke, Roina clasped one arm with her other hand and turned her head away. Her face darkened.
Ever since that first day, she hadn’t been able to control her magic. Now, as if mocking her, her mana refused to obey her at all.
“That’s perfectly fine, Roina. It is only natural that you cannot control your magic yet.”
Surprised, Roina lifted her head.
‘But don’t all Archmages freely wield magic the moment they awaken?’
Lutan, as if finding her reaction endearing, let out a soft chuckle.
“You are not an ordinary Archmage. You are the Second Star.”
“The Second Star… how is it different?”
“Yes. You do not have the memories of the Archmage.”
“Pardon?”
Lutan naturally rose to his feet, brushed the dust off her hair, and walked toward the alchemy workstation in a corner of the laboratory.
“Yes. It is not publicly known, but when an Archmage is succeeded, the predecessor’s memories are also inherited.”
Lutan spoke in a calm, almost reciting tone.
At that moment, Roina suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head, her vision blurred, and something else appeared before her eyes.
In an instant, the Archmage’s laboratory was replaced by a desolate wasteland.
In the middle of the wasteland, a man knelt on the ground. With short hair, a sturdy build, and a strong, resolute expression, his golden eyes burned with an unyielding will.
He was shouting something at her with a desperate, anguished expression. The man with those golden eyes—he was…
“…Roina?”
The Archmage’s laboratory came back into focus. Roina was holding her head with one hand while using the other to brace herself against the wall.
Lutan, his face filled with concern, had reached her in an instant.
“I-I’m fine! I must have dozed off for a moment. Please, continue.”
“…….”
Lutan was silent for a moment before positioning himself at her side, ready to support her at any time, and resumed speaking.
“Yes. An Archmage is meant to inherit memories, but Roina, you have no predecessor to receive them from. That is why you are not as adept at handling magic as other Archmages. However, you will grow accustomed to it in time. You are already using it instinctively, little by little.”
“Then, Lutan, do you have the memories of the previous Archmage?”
“…Yes, I do.”
As he answered, his expression dimmed slightly.
That look on his face reminded her of the man she had seen in her vision. The intensity of those golden eyes—they were identical to Lutan’s.
As Roina stood there in a daze, lost in thought, those very golden eyes moved closer.
Lutan placed one hand against the wall beside her, enclosing her in his space, and then, without warning, captured her lips.
The kiss was sweet and gentle.
His tongue traced her lips as if savoring them before parting them and slipping inside. Roina, caught completely off guard, received the kiss without resistance.
A tingling sensation rushed through her once more, accompanied by the cool clarity of mana. Her legs gave way before she could stop herself, but as if he had anticipated it, Lutan wrapped an arm around her waist.
Chok—
The kiss ended quickly. His soft lips pressed against hers once more, gently sucking before pulling away.
It had only lasted a moment, but it was intoxicating. Her mind went blank, leaving her unable to think of anything. She gasped for breath.
Lutan gazed at her for a moment, as if reluctant to part.
“…I apologize for kissing you without warning.”
Even as he said that, his eyes burned as they remained fixed on her. His hand, caging her against the wall, and the other wrapped around her waist had yet to withdraw. It felt as if he might seize her lips again at any moment.
