But when she reached for a bag, he lifted it high, out of her reach.
“As I recall, you’re not the only one she asked for help. After all, she bid me help and protect you, yes?”
“I… I’m in your debt, then.”
Emma prudently decided that hounding him wouldn’t be the wisest move. Instead, she bowed her head again in gratitude. Satisfied by her surrender, Glen spoke.
“Where did all that menace from earlier go, eh? Looking at you now, I feel like I imagined it.”
“Ack…! P-Please forget you ever witnessed such an unseemly display. Even my closest friend Annette isn’t aware of it.”
“Well, well, now I’m even more intrigued. Why do you hide it? I found that side of you quite entertaining.”
“It isn’t appropriate for a lady to entertain others in such a disgraceful manner.”
“Hm. Perhaps you have a point, societal mores considered… Shall we be on our way then?”
They boarded the carriage, and part of the ride was silent. But by no means was it an awkward one where two people struggled to choose a topic of conversation. Instead, anticipation charged the silence with the excitement of discovering a potential new friend with whom one might get along like a house on fire. At least that was how Emma felt. She wondered what Glen thought.
When Emma braced herself against the vigorous rocking of the coach, Glen cast a spell to stabilize its rhythm.
“Thank you very much. Truthfully, I can’t handle the swaying of a carriage very well. It’s so bad, I often get queasy whenever I’m in one.”
“Think nothing of it. I’d be happy to ease your difficulties any time with such simple magic.”
The gentleness in his voice relaxed Emma.
“Lord Glen… You have an affinity for the element of time, don’t you? The magic you used earlier can only be used by such individuals.”
“You’re correct. I thought… Well, the little girl was hysterical with fear. I thought she might calm down once she saw the criminal in such a silly position.”
“Pfft…”
Though Emma found his consideration at the time misdirected, she knew she shouldn’t laugh at his reasoning. But she couldn’t stop a stream of giggles from escaping.
“How unusual… You have such an expressive face, Miss Emma.” The confident, easygoing attitude Glen had until now broke as a hint of shyness crept into his eyes.
“The truth is, I possess a time affinity too,” she confessed.
“Oh, really? I heard such individuals are quite rare in Reauxvil, though.”
He remained still, his eyes probing Emma’s. The rays from the setting sun slanting through the carriage windows gilded his pale purple irises, making them even more beautiful.
“Indeed. The country provides me with many generous protections, including safeguarding my future by arranging my betrothal to a wonderful young man so I can live a full life even after my power stops working.”
“If memory serves, the Monarchy of Reauxvil has strict temporal regulations on time travelers, yes?”
“You are correct, but… Does that mean it’s not the same in your country, Lord Glen?”
“Well, I’m a special case, so I can’t speak for others… Hold on, though. If you have a fiancé, won’t this impromptu shopping trip cause trouble for you?”
He technically answered her question, but Emma realized he also skillfully sidestepped it. Which told her she shouldn’t inquire further, so she smiled at him.
“Not at all, as it was a request from a teacher. Although…it wouldn’t hurt to keep silent about it unless someone asks, hm? We can’t have any unsavory rumors tarnishing our reputations, Lord Glen.”
“Hm… You really are a fascinating young lady. Initially, I had you pegged as an easy mark who would go above and beyond for her friend, whether or not she deserved it. But you surprised me with your energy earlier in town—very at odds for a lady. On top of that, you’re perceptive as well.”
“Those in Reauxvil whose magical affinity is time are forced into the company of adults from the moment their ability awakens. Naturally, we become adept at wearing a mask because that’s what our circumstances unfortunately dictate.”
Emma smiled mischievously. Over the years, she became skilled at deflecting serious conversations like this with a pat reply and a quick laugh. Others’ inevitable sympathy for her plight always made her uncomfortable. Responding like this lulled them into thinking she didn’t mind her fate, which allowed them to redirect their sympathy into relief, freeing her as well. Usually, her quips and facade ended such conversations quickly, and it should have been the same with this one.
“You know, I can relate powerfully to your words. But sometimes I wonder what my original face looks like after wearing the mask for so long.”
Emma blinked in surprise, not expecting Glen to follow up with a remark that hit so close to home. It made her realize they were cut from the same cloth. She’d never experienced this sensation before.
“And yet… We have no choice but to soldier on, ever playing the acts we must in order to survive,” she replied. “I plan on fulfilling my role to the end, even should my mask be cast off someday.”
“Ah, I must say it makes me glum to hear you say so. I was mesmerized by the real you, so brave and defiant.”
“My goodness, please, please forget you ever saw that.”
Smiling at each other within the confines of the carriage, Emma and Glen arrived on the school grounds. They disembarked and headed toward the school building. Their path took them through the garden. Just as they walked past a secluded spot near the common area, Emma heard familiar voices.
“Lord Bernard, please. It would be such a scandal if someone discovered us here!”
“Don’t worry. Emma should be returning to the dormitory about now, after she finishes up in the storehouse.”
Lord Bernard? Emma…? At first, she assumed it was a random pair of lovers having a clandestine meeting. Once she heard her own name and her fiancé’s, Emma’s heartbeat sped up. In the shade of a tree, she spied two people nestled so closely together that they merged into a single silhouette. The westering sun made it difficult to discern their features, though their voices belonged to people she cared about. Ostensibly knew. Wait… What’s the meaning of this?