AND then, something happened about a month after Charles adopted her. By then, Fiona had adapted to her new life bit by bit and had slowly started interacting with the people around her. That was also when she finally understood Linus’ position as a prince of this nation, but she hadn’t yet figured out how friendly or distant she should be with him. By then, she’d also learned that princes couldn’t play forever. So, hoping for normal friends, she started playing with the neighborhood children.
On that fateful day, Fiona accidentally heard the children’s parents talking.
“Her black hair. I don’t know where she even came from, but she would be an easy target to find if someone was searching for her. I hate to say this…but she might be a criminal from a foreign country.”
“Well, I know black hair is a sign of a saint. But she seems to be a useless freeloader. I feel awful for Lord Everett because a man in the prime of his youth shouldn’t be forced to take in a child like that.”
“I heard the prince comes to see her secretly, so perhaps the situation is akin to keeping an exotic pet.”
“I heard she talks to him like they’re equals and even touches him. I understand she lacks common sense, but goodness, there has to be a limit.”
Unable to withstand the mocking laughter, Fiona ran, desperate to flee that awful place. She just wanted to go somewhere where no one was, and before she knew it, she found herself on top of a small hill. It was the same place Linus had taken her countless times. She loved it because of the wonderful view of the city from the hilltop.
The places she knew, the house she lived in, and even the name Fiona were all things given to her. The only reason she could even live this life was thanks to Linus and Charles. And yet, on top of being useless, all she did was cause trouble for them.
There was no guarantee she wasn’t a criminal; Charles’ prospects for marriage became distant after adopting her, and as far as Linus was concerned, she was simply a good deed. Someday, a day might come when they grew weary of her. When she became a hindrance…and when it did, they would throw her away.
As soon as she realized this, tears welled up in her eyes. She clenched her fists, trying her hardest not to cry, but she couldn’t stop her vision from blurring.
Though Fiona could speak, she had only recently learned the alphabet. She still lacked a proper understanding of many general customs, and since she was still a child, she doubted anyone would hire her even if she sought work. Not to mention, her striking black hair would probably be the first reason no one would employ her.
Despite seeing the shambles her life would be in if Linus and Charles abandoned her, a different emotion dwelled in her heart.
“…I’m scared.”
As the words spilled from her lips, she slowly crouched down. With the way her head hung down, her tears fell freely, creating tiny, wet splotches on the ground.
Linus and Charles were so incredibly kind, and she didn’t think they’d abandon her. But those dark thoughts were born from the helplessness and fear Fiona felt at the thought of separating from them, the two who were the root of who she was now.
At the very least, she needed to make herself useful. Not just take, but also be able to give. If she gained a little more confidence in herself, could she stay by their sides?
She helped Ada with chores like cleaning and laundry and could even cook a few simple dishes now. However, Fiona didn’t have to be the one to do all those things. Anyone else could do them.
“Oh, I see now… I want to be needed.”
She didn’t want to cause trouble for Linus and Charles. She just wanted them to want her to stay. Fiona felt like she understood the true colors of the vague apprehension overwhelming her and that knowledge lightened her heart a bit.
“Fiona!”
When she jerked her head up in surprise at the shout, she saw Linus running toward her. Unlike his usual relaxed self, he looked panicked. She wondered if something happened.
Standing up, she stared in a daze at his silver hair gleaming brilliantly under the sunlight. The closer he got, the more thunderous his expression grew.
“What happened?!”
As soon as he was in front of her, he reached out and touched her cheek. For several long moments, his beautiful indigo eyes ensnared hers before she finally remembered she’d been crying. Fiona rushed to wipe away her tears, and he offered her his handkerchief. That was when she saw the red streak in his hand.
“Your Highness, you’re hurt!”
“It’s just a scratch. Don’t worry about it. You’re more important, Fiona.”
Fiona held on tightly to his hand, wiping her tears with a handkerchief, not wanting to let go. A kind boy who put her tears first even though he himself was hurt. At the very least, she wanted to give back something to him.
“If only I could heal your wound.”
In response to the words she blurted out without thought, tiny spheres of light appeared around Fiona. The little lights flickered cheerfully in the air, unconcerned by her shock, then just as quickly vanished.
“What were those lights just now…?”
When she first met Linus, many beads of light, just like them, had danced around her, but this was the first time she’d seen them since then. Bemused, she dropped her gaze, and the red streak in his hand was nowhere to be found.
“I believe that was healing magic.”
“So you can use magic, Your Highness?”
“No. I’m almost positive it was yours, Fiona.”
She didn’t remember having magic, but Linus wouldn’t lie to her. Did that mean Fiona had the disposition to utilize healing magic? The moment she realized that, it suddenly felt like she saw things in a new light.
“I heard that healing magic is fundamental for the clergy.”
“That’s right. The strength of each person’s power varies, but that’s the minimum requirement to enter the Temple.”
“Then—I’ll become a priestess.”
Since Charles was a priest, she generally understood what the job entailed. Aside from using healing magic, priests and priestesses also used the power of prayer to drive monsters away. They played a vital role in society. She’d heard that not anyone could become a clergy member, so Fiona wondered if she worked hard enough, they would accept her.
Even if the healing magic she just used was a fluke, she knew that by dedicating herself wholeheartedly to her studies and putting in her best effort, she should be able to control the magic on her own.
“But, Fiona, you’re—”
“I’ll work hard. I’ll do my best to be useful to you and everyone else, Your Highness.”
What if someone told her she couldn’t take on such an important duty because she was an outsider? Then, she would ask Charles to at least teach her healing magic.
Linus stared at her contemplatively for some time before he sighed deeply.
“You know you don’t have to try to be useful or anything like that… All you have to do is just be there.”
“I’m sorry?”
She knew he said something, but his voice was so low that she couldn’t make out the words. At her questioning comment, he narrowed his eyes and gently patted Fiona on the head.
“All right. I’ll ask Charles to have you accepted as an apprentice priestess.”
“Thank you very much, Your Highness!”
Now, she could help Linus and the others, even if it was just a little, and repay the debt she owed them. A smile bloomed on her face, and in her joy, she unconsciously squeezed his hand tightly in hers. Then, with a gasp of realization at what she’d done, she hurriedly released it. He didn’t miss a beat; he scooped her hand into his this time and held tight.
“Why did you let me go just now?”
“Your Highness, you’re a prince, so casually talking to and touching you demonstrated a severe lack of common sense.”
“Who was it? Who said something so stupid and unnecessary?”
The aggravated click of his tongue didn’t suit his lovely face, but not a second later, Linus cupped her hand between both of his.
“You can do whatever you want to me, Fiona. Talking, touching, you’re free to do as you like. I’ll touch you too, so that makes it fair, right?”
Well, in a sense, it was fair, but she had the distinct feeling that they were two ships passing in the night as far as the core of their discussion was concerned.
“The truth is, I, too, want to be free to do as I wish, but I have a lot of things to take care of before I can accomplish that. I promised Charles. So, for now, I’ll content myself with your hands and hair.”
Fiona didn’t know what Linus meant, but she at least understood he would be touching her hair and hands.
“Your Highness, you don’t dislike black hair?”
“Perish the thought. Who could ever hate such a beautiful color? In fact, I don’t just like it…I love it.”
Then he picked up a lock of her hair and grinned. Today, as well, he melted her worries with his smile and words. He accepted her as she was, flaws and all. The warmth unfurling in her chest comforted her to no end. All she wanted to do was let herself be spoiled by his kindness…but she couldn’t do that.