Chapter 16: Bonds of Warmth and Pain

Elin, who had been hugging Luke tightly for a while, hesitantly pulled away.

“…Sorry.”

There was no need to ask what she was sorry for.

Her reddened earlobes.

The way her stray hairs twitched awkwardly.

Luke, who had earned a master’s degree in Elin Studies and was now pursuing a doctorate, understood immediately.

She was embarrassed by having clung to him like a child.

“It’s fine.”

He patted her head and popped a piece of cake into her mouth.

As the sweetness spread, the corners of her lips subtly lifted.

“It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad.”

Watching her nibble on the cake sparked a fatherly affection within Luke.

Is this why people raise daughters?

“When’s your birthday, teacher?”

Having swallowed the cake, Elin posed the question.

It must have been an earnest thought.

Since the teacher celebrated her birthday, she likely wanted to celebrate his next time.

The idea, born from a child unaccustomed to receiving love, was touching enough to bring tears to his eyes.

But he couldn’t answer easily.

“Well…”

“…?”

Whenever asked about his birthday, Luke hesitated.

That’s because the birthday before he transmigrated and the one after he transmigrated were different.

To acquaintances, he would casually share his post-transmigration birthday—Luke Bucklin’s birthday.

However, it felt strange to him to receive congratulations on a day that wasn’t truly his birthday.

“I’ll let you know when I remember.”

So he pondered.

Should he share the real birthday he considered his own with Elin?

Or should he tell her the one he’d been using?

Since Elin no longer seemed like just a game character to him, the dilemma weighed heavily.

“…Alright.”

Did she read something in his gaze?

Though she seemed to want to ask further, Elin held her words back.

“Teacher, you should eat too.”

Instead, she offered him the cake piece she was about to eat herself.

“Are you sure, Princess? This is your cake.”

“Yes. Eat.”

She pushed the fork toward him insistently.

Though the cream ended up smudged all over his lips, it was fine.

“It’s delicious.”

“Isn’t it?”

Elin’s smile reappeared after feeding him the cake.

Once her expressions were freed, they became remarkably vibrant.

“I like chocolate the best.”

“I’ll keep that in mind for next time.”

In the softened atmosphere, Luke and Elin shared the cake.

As the cake dwindled, Elin asked, “Is tomorrow also a day off?”

“No, we’ll resume lessons tomorrow.”

“Manners lessons?”

“Yes.”

“Hm…”

An unrefined sound escaped Elin’s lips.

Its meaning was clear.

Disappointment, regret, a tinge of frustration.

“Don’t worry. Magic lessons will start again soon.”

He immediately offered the answer she wanted to hear.

“…How? You saw it. I faint when I use magic.”

“That’s what we need to fix.”

How? Before Elin could ask, Luke spoke first.

“Do you know the Academy’s greatest strength, Princess?”

Suddenly, it felt like a quiz.

Even though it was supposed to be a day off, it felt like a lecture. Not that Elin minded.

“Not sure.”

Having never attended the Academy, she couldn’t answer confidently.

“The answer is: a vast network of connections.”

Since it was a day off, Luke didn’t keep her waiting for the answer.

“When you graduate at the top of the Academy, you end up knowing people from various fields.”

He pulled out a sheet of parchment from his dimensional space.

“So, I’ve reached out to people who might be able to help with your curse.”

“With that?”

“Yes. This is a long-distance communication letter I developed.”

Elin’s expression transformed into one of astonishment, as if humanity had just discovered the smartphone.

“…That’s possible?”

“Well, I am rather capable.”

He joked, putting the letter back into his dimensional space.

“So don’t worry about anything, Princess. I’ll make sure you can use magic again.”

“…I trust you.”

Elin nodded.

After clearing the plates, she hesitated before inching closer and perching beside him.

“Are you going to send me back now?”

Then she tilted her head to gaze up at him.

“It’s late, so you should brush your teeth and get some rest.”

Luke glanced out the window.

The sun had long since disappeared.

Since the birthday party began in the afternoon, it made sense.

It was time to prepare for tomorrow after enjoying the day.

“Can I sleep here tonight?”

However, Elin seemed reluctant to let the happiness end so soon.

She fidgeted with her fingers and looked up at him.

“Is there a specific reason?”

“I just… want to stay with you a little longer.”

“Hmm… I feel the same, but I’m afraid it’s not possible tonight.”

Luke regretted turning her down.

It wasn’t because her request carried any suggestive undertones.

In fact, if he ever found himself attracted to Elin, he was prepared to gouge out his own eyes.

“I contacted many people today, so I’ll likely be busy deep into the night.”

He declined solely for her benefit.

Tonight, Luke would pull an all-nighter with his soulmate, iced Americano.

He needed to resolve her curse as quickly as possible.

“…Okay.”

Elin slid off the chair and shuffled toward the door.

Whether it was because her legs were short or her reluctance lingered, she took a long time to reach it.

“Thank you for today. Sleep well.”

Returning to her usual expressionless demeanor, Elin waved.

“Goodnight.”

“Make sure to wake me up tomorrow,” she added before slowly closing the door.

“She’s really improving.”

Luke smiled warmly and took a long sip of caffeine.

“Time to get to work.”

He needed to follow up on the inquiries he sent to figure out her curse.

“1100…”

A feeling of agony shot through his back as he woke up.

“…What time is it?”

His cracked voice reached for coffee… only to realize he’d finished it last night.

He pulled another cup from his dimensional space and turned to check the time.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains.

It was already morning.

He had fallen asleep at his desk.

He must have dozed off after sending inquiries about the curse.

As he straightened his aching body, a soft blanket slid off his shoulders.

“…Princess?”

Next to him, Elin was nodding off, clearly fighting sleep.

When had she come in?

It must not have been during the night.

Luke had stayed up late.

So she must have come in at dawn.

“…It’s not breakfast time yet.”

Checking the clock, it was earlier than when Elin usually woke.

They weren’t even close to morning mealtime.

Then why had she come in, only to drape her blanket over him?

The best way to find out was to ask.

“Princess.”

He gently tapped her shoulder.

Elin, no longer startled by such gestures, stirred awake.

“…You’re up?”

Still half-asleep, she rubbed her eyes before unexpectedly nuzzling her cheek against Luke’s hand.

Like a stray cat choosing its owner, she behaved so tenderly.

“Ah…”

Then, as if realizing her actions, she stiffened and pulled away, her stray hairs sticking up.

It seemed her earlier gesture had been a reflex from being half-asleep.

The sight was so endearing that he wanted to record it, but there was a more pressing matter.

“What’s this?”

He gestured at the rabbit-patterned blanket on his shoulders.

“My blanket.”

Elin responded as if it were obvious.

“Why did you give it to me?”

“You looked cold.”

That was truly touching.

But something nagged at him.

“When did you come into my room?”

“At dawn.”

“May I ask why?”

“…”

After readily answering his earlier questions, Elin suddenly clammed up.

“Did something happen last night?”

It seemed straightforward enough.

Last night, Elin wanted to stay, but Luke refused.

Reluctantly, she left.

And later, she sneaked back in while he was asleep.

It seemed like an innocent act of wanting to stay close, but—

Something didn’t add up.

Elin wasn’t the type to go against Luke’s word.

And how had she known he had fallen asleep?

Elin’s expression darkened.

“My father came.”

The words struck Luke like a bolt of lightning.

“…The Duke came to see you?”