With her odd onesie, Yulisse didn’t feel the slightest bit cold. The counting break helped her regain some energy, and she finally had the chance to take in the scenery around her. There seemed to be a village at the foot of the mountain beyond all the snow, with buildings tightly huddled together as if for warmth. Further away, she could spot the opulent roof of the mansion where she and Raphael were staying. Speaking of Raphael, he had a hand in the spring water, and both eyes clamped shut. He was muttering words in some unknown language, and as if in reply, glinting lights gathered about him on the surface of the water.
That’s beautiful.
The lights flickered and bounced, brushing plaintively against Raphael’s palms. Slowly, his eyes opened, and he solemnly took stock of the light motes around him. Yulisse had never seen him look so serious; it set her heart aflutter. As long as he stayed quiet, he was handsome and wealthy and had already sworn to love and protect her forever.
No… I can’t.
She shoved those too-persistent thoughts back deep inside her and refocused on the slope she’d been tasked with.
“Eh…?”
Burning crimson eyes glared back at her. It looked similar to the deer that had visited the pool moments before. Ordinarily, she would feel safe enough near the herbivores. This stag, however, had abnormally large antlers that split into countless razor-sharp spikes, reaching further into the sky than Yulisse was tall. The horns glowed with an unsettling pale blue light.
“L-Lord Raphael?” she called as loudly as she felt safe, her gaze still locked with the creature’s.
He must’ve heard her and turned around, as she heard the soft crunch of boots on snow behind her. When he put his hand on her shoulder, she realized for the first time she’d been holding her breath.
“Looks like it’s a monster now,” Raphael told her softly.
His frivolous tone was almost reassuring now. Yulisse looked away from the monster stag and at her master as he stepped between her and the beast.
“What’s got you all bloodthirsty, big boy?” He cocked his head to the side, fake ears flopping. “I’m just a harmless little bunny, see?”
Oh, he’s got to be kidding! It’s too late for that!
The monster, unfortunately, shared her opinion.
“KYIIIIIIIIIIII!”
It released a menacing roar, and its horns glowed with far greater intensity than before. The light quickly gathered in the tips, turning to flame as the stag crouched and shook its mighty head to and fro. Then, with a shrill whistling sound, the flame pulled itself free and exploded into the ground, blasting snow into steam. Yulisse could only watch in horror from behind her protector and screamed a wordless warning at him.
She’d never seen real magic before. While the manacite supposedly had a Charm spell that rubbed off on her—whatever that meant—she had no concept of actual magic outside of Raphael’s offers to try his latest spells on her.
That would kill anyone, wouldn’t it?! I knew it; he took me out here to get me killed, after all!
In response to the roaring flames, Raphael extended his hand. “Drago Rainia,” he intoned calmly.
The words were gibberish to Yulisse, but as she watched, the snow around him rose and reformed into a thick, silver-scaled body.
“A d-dragon?!” she gawked.
“One made of water, but yes. Don’t worry, it’s on our side.”
Sure enough, the wave of blasting heat dissipated as it collided with the dragon’s body.
The monster recoiled. “GWUH?”
Raphael chuckled. “See? We may be cute little bunnies, but we’re far stronger than you, even in your monster form. Drago Firia!”
A spout of flame shot from the wizard’s hand, forming a dragon nearly identical to the first. The scaled twins loomed over the monstrous elk—and the fury in its eyes died before their eyes. After a moment, it shook its head in frustration, though it was clearly a gesture of surrender instead of a new attack. It turned from Raphael and bolted back down the slope and away from the pair.
So that’s magic!
Yulisse’s eyes were still wide with awe. Her mother had always told her about the elite magic-using nobles, and after witnessing Raphael’s miraculous feat of animism, she knew it to be true. Raphael’s eyes lingered on the monster a few moments longer, but as soon as it passed out of sight, he spun around and made a heart shape with his hands.
“So, Yulie? What’d you think? Fall in love with me all over again, did you?”
She didn’t grace that with a response.
“No?” he continued. “Why, you look like I just ruined the moment.”
“What?! N-No, I never said that!”
She shook her head frantically. He didn’t ruin anything—rather, she was taken back by the difference in his attitude. Raphael was in a league of his own, the kind of nobleman she could never otherwise approach in a million years. Despite that, he kneeled—no, fell to the ground to try to pull her out of the swampy mess that was now her life.
What’s so good about me that he’d go so far?
Raphael noticed the consternation on her brow and chuckled. “Oh, I love how freely you wear your heart on your sleeve! I appreciate it almost as much as your brazen greed or the way you glare at me with such concern for your safety!”
“Th-That, um…”
Those aren’t compliments.
Raphael tousled her hair and chuckled coyly. “You were so eager to reach for the throne, but you’re too scared to seize control of one tiny marquisdom, aren’t you?”
“L-Lord Raphael, I don’t…”
Before she could ask what he meant, he’d already turned and begun to walk away, his symbolic wizard’s robe billowing in the wind behind him. Fearing she’d be left behind, she hurried after him.