* * *
“Oh, the door’s open again today.”
Dressed in formal attire, I arrived at Ian’s quarters with Anna escorting me.
The open door, left ajar as usual as if he didn’t mind people passing by, had become a familiar sight.
“Lord Dowoon, I’ll wait here.”
Anna positioned herself not too far from the room, smiling as she bid me farewell.
Only a few attendants lingered outside Ian’s room, with no additional security.
Likely, there were unseen shadows around, as before.
As I approached the room, the attendants quickly cleared the way.
Hmm?
They seem to be a bit more disciplined than last time. Is it just me?
“Ah, Wizard! You’ve arrived. Good morning.”
Ian’s welcoming voice came just as I heard the door close behind me.
Fortunately, a large window on one side of the room was open, giving the space a refreshing openness.
Turning to face him, my steps halted.
“…All this?”
I was going to greet him, as usual, but my eyes took in the scene before my mouth could catch up.
The table was laid with an elaborate feast.
It was overwhelming, like a buffet from a festival banquet.
“Your Highness, are you expecting other guests as well? What is all this…?”
Forget greetings—I was too astonished, and my mouth moved on its own.
Wait a second… is that… rice cake soup?
Rice cake soup?!
What’s rice cake soup doing in a fantasy world?!
I wish the author would stop making it so obvious they’re Korean!
“I felt like I’d only been offering you drinks, so I prepared something light for breakfast. Thank you for coming.”
“Haha… I think I should be the one thanking you.”
Ian’s serene expression softened, likely mistaking my surprise for awe at the food, as he gestured for me to sit.
And the table was packed with food, no space left empty.
For him to call this “simple”—it seems his idea of simplicity is far from ordinary.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Ah, thank you…”
I sat across from Ian with a bewildered expression, feeling as if the food was about to devour me.
…Starting with the food will only lead to a string of bewildered exclamations, so maybe it’d be better to steer the conversation elsewhere.
“But, Your Highness, why do you always leave the door open?”
At my question, Ian’s face brightened.
He glanced towards the open window and extended his hand towards the air.
“In the East where I grew up, the breeze always carried a sweet scent. The palace grounds were filled with flower gardens, and the Peros River, the continent’s lifeline, flowed nearby. I loved the fragrance of the flowers and the breeze, so I lived with all the doors open.”
His voice, though cheerful, was calm, and his words floated to my ears like a melody.
Each word resonated, and they were phrases all too familiar.
It made sense; this was the line Ian recited in the original work when he looked back at the East with longing as he left.
Even after returning to the capital, he’d often recall the East like this while looking at the sky.
It wasn’t strange for him to consider the East his true home, having grown up there, though I’d thought he’d adapted well here.
But now I could see it wasn’t entirely true. His face instantly softened with nostalgia at my simple question.
“But Your Highness, here…”
“Yes, it’s not the same. There’s no fragrance at all. But I leave the doors open to remember that time. Of course, when I have guests, I do keep them closed.”
Ian’s gentle laugh filled the air, and it was a pleasure to hear.
In the original work, his laughter was described simply as “a quiet smile,” and this sound perfectly matched that description.
A faint sense of sympathy stirred in me.
Ian had stayed in the East under the pretense of studying, but it was really to avoid being caught in the power struggles surrounding the throne.
He never wanted the throne; he only wanted to live peacefully, studying herbalism.
In fantasy novels, it’s common for protagonists who have no intention of becoming emperor to excel when they finally take the throne.
‘The Catastrophe of Initia’ was precisely that kind of story, with the protagonist resisting the world but ultimately finding himself at the center of it all.
In other words, Ian was the very epitome of this classic trope.
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, he wouldn’t be able to become emperor because of Baek Yigang, the story’s hidden antagonist, who would suddenly declare himself the emperor.
‘Huff-’
A subtle breeze swept past my hand.
A soft breeze, carrying the scent of flowers, gently swirled around us.
I’d never been to the East, so this was just an imitation, but it was probably close enough.
“Wizard this is…?”
Ian’s eyes widened, noticing the breeze.
He dropped the piece of steak he was holding and reached out into the air.
“Haha… I may not be able to send you back to the East, but I can at least offer a small comfort for your nostalgia.”
Scratching the back of my head awkwardly, I let out a shy smile before slowly lowering my hand as the realization of what I’d just done hit me.
It’s true that I usually try to breeze through things without much thought, but this was the first time I acted out of impulse rather than logic.
I wasn’t exactly trying to be nice.
It’s just… since I also sometimes miss Korea, I felt a sort of kinship with him.
Not that I’m particularly homesick myself.
Anyway, it was a reflexive gesture born from a sense of camaraderie.
Ah, geez! Baek Yigang should’ve seen this!
He might not like Piel, but he doesn’t seem to dislike Ian.
Maybe, just maybe, seeing me looking out for his little brother would make him see me in a new light?
…Or would it make no difference at this point? Tch.
“Wizard, could… I see this breeze again some other day?”
“As long as Your Highness wishes, anytime.”
Ian, who had been savoring the breeze with a look of wonder, smiled smoothly.
Then, his smile suddenly stopped.
Huh?
What’s wrong?
Didn’t he seem to like it just moments ago, grinning from ear to ear?
Watching him with a perplexed gaze as he stared back with an almost disgruntled look in his deep blue eyes, I waited for an answer.
“But, Wizard.”
“Yes?”
Ian paused, looking at me with a hardened expression.
My nerves were starting to fray.
No way, don’t tell me we’re already on the rocks before we’ve even held hands?
I can’t let that happen!
“When it’s just us… didn’t we agree you’d call me by my name? And speak casually, too.”
…Wait, what?
When did I make such a cheesy promise…?
‘Hahaha, Wizard! Let’s do another toast! Cheers!’
‘Hey, how long are you going to keep saying “Wizard, Wizard?” Come on, call me by my name!’
‘Can… Can I really? Then… Ian, you should call me by my name, too! Just between the two of us, that is!’
‘Alright, alright! Ian! Ahaha!’
…Now that I think about it, that might’ve happened while I was drunk.
I figured he’d forget since I was tipsy, but apparently, even with a half-faded memory, he remembered.
“Wasn’t that just the alcohol talking?”
If it were, I’d be more than willing to let that embarrassing memory stay buried.
But Ian shook his head vigorously, as if to say it was no joke.
“I don’t say things I don’t mean, even when I’m drunk. Isn’t that true for you too, Wizard?”
Watching him place a piece of salad into his mouth with such elegance, smiling so calmly, I found myself at a loss for words.
Hey, when you put it like that, you’re leaving me with no way out! I bet a lock of Baek Yigang’s hair he’s doing it on purpose!
It’s true I wanted to get closer to Ian, but only so far as being able to interact freely.
I wasn’t looking to build a personal relationship!
His easygoing manner, his bright smile, and the way he clearly has the air of someone destined for greatness – it’s overwhelming!
“Alright then… I’ll do that.”
As I stammered my response, Ian’s eyes narrowed into a gleeful squint.
Wow, I thought only Baek Yigang smiled that menacingly… though Ian’s version isn’t quite as intense, it suits him surprisingly well.
Wait, why am I admiring it? Why is he smiling like that?!
Could it be that he’s expecting me to call him by name now?
I thought even dogs don’t bother people during meals.
“…Ian?”
“Yes, Wizard.”
Seeing his soft smile made it clear that this was exactly what he wanted.
He really is just a kid, getting so happy over something like this.
“Well, then, Ian, you can call me casually too.”
“Can I? Thank you. Actually, I’ve wanted to call you ‘Cheong Dowoon’ myself.”
His gentle smile looked just like the warm glow of late afternoon sunlight.
…Ugh, nibbling away at the purity of such a gentle soul makes me feel a bit guilty.
But that doesn’t mean I’m stopping my flow of spiritual energy anytime soon!
“Ian, to celebrate our newfound closeness, could you hold my hand?”
“Sure!”
As soon as I extended my shameless hand, his warm one covered it.
Ah, world, see how easy it is to siphon off energy like this?
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