Rosalin’s gaze stayed locked on the trembling leaves. At first, she thought it was only the wind teasing the bushes, but she was terribly, terribly wrong.

From within the moving bushes, a slender, sinuous shape began to reveal itself, gliding across the grass.

Her eyes widened in shock.

It was a snake!

And the creature was slithering slowly toward her.

A cold chill spread through her chest.

Her fingers curled weakly against the blanket on her lap. Her inner voice was screaming at her to pull away, but her body would not listen.

Well, how could it be otherwise?

She was crippled!

Then, she tried to calm herself, but her breathing grew shallow.

"A-Anielle..."

Panic seized her, and her voice trembled as she tried to call for the head servant.

But what came out of her lips was little more than a fragile breath, swallowed by the air before it could reach anyone.

Even uttering that single name caused a faint ache to spread all over her body.

"Anielle..."

Even so, she tried again.

The second attempt came slightly louder, yet still far too weak. Her eyes returned to the snake, which continued moving at her.

In the end, Rosalin closed her eyes, while steadying her breathing.

She remembered hearing somewhere that any sudden movements could provoke wild creatures. So if she stayed still, perhaps the snake would simply pass by without taking notice of her.

The garden fell quiet once more.

’Is it... gone now?’

Rosalin was still afraid to open her eyes. She preferred that it was better to remain just like this until her head servant came.

But then, unexpectedly, a small sound broke the silence.

She heard a light giggle.

"Fufu~ you’re alright?"

The voice drifted in, impossibly close... soft, lilting, and almost ethereal.

It carried the innocent luster of a child’s tone, yet wrapped itself around Rosalin with a strange, disarming warmth that could chase away any fear.

Slowly.... so, so slowly, Rosalin pried her eyes open.

There, standing before her, was a girl.

She looked about the same age as Rosalin, maybe just a little older. Silvery-white hair cascaded down her back, shining faintly in the garden light.

Her posture faced forward, while her head tilted slightly, just enough for her luminous blue eyes to find Rosalin’s.

For a short moment, Rosalin forgot to blink.

Then, the girl smiled. It was radiant, wondrously so, as if overflowing with a tender brilliance that felt far too pure.

’Ah... the snake...’

Only then did it return to her.

She had completely forgotten about it!

All the fear from before, the tight feeling in her chest — it was gone now, like it had been gently pushed away by the girl’s presence.

Slowly, Rosalin lowered her eyes, for the snake that had been inching toward her just moments before. And there it was, just as she feared, still lying where it had been.

But...

It wasn’t moving anymore.

The snake had gone completely still. Its body had gone stiff as stone, while a fragile coating of frost clung to its scales.

’The snake... it had turned into ice!?’

How...?

Rosalin’s thoughts tangled in confusion. But more than that... who was this girl? Where did she come from?

Slowly, she lifted her gaze again.

The white-haired girl had already turned fully toward her. With a bright, carefree smile, she raised her hand and flashed a peace sign. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Hehe~ there’s no need to be afraid anymore..."

"Because I am here!!" the girl declared, folding her arms as she gave a small, self-satisfied nod, her chin lifting with quiet pride.

"Hmm~ I think I could’ve done that better..." she murmured, tapping a finger to her chin.

Then her eyes lit up.

"Ah, yes... ahem—"

She cleared her throat dramatically and straightened her back, placing both hands on her hips and said...

"Yes, it is I, the future greatest mage in the entire world, is now here!" she proclaimed, lifting her face proudly before dissolving into a bright, tinkling giggle.

Hearing that, Rosalin simply blinked, her eyes widening in faint disbelief, completely unprepared for such bold confidence.

"Hmm... what’s with that look? You don’t believe me?" she said, tilting her head with a small frown.

"Fufu... fine then!"

"Listen carefully, okay? I will only say it once," she added, lifting a finger as if giving an important lesson.

"First, I’m going to learn more magic than anyone else!"

"Then, I’ll get super, super strong!"

"And when that happens—" she paused, grinning.

"You’ll see!"

"I, Calyra Arcanis, will be the greatest mage in the whole world!" she finished proudly, puffing her chest.

*****

Anielle arrived not long after Calyra had shattered the frozen snake into fragments of ice, a single soft slipper carefully held in her hand.

She seemed to be in a rush — well, after all, Anielle had also been tasked with fetching and taking care of a certain young guest this morning.

But the moment she stepped into the garden, her footsteps faltered.

"...Lady Calyra?"

There, beside Rosalin, stood the very girl she had intended to escort. For a brief second, surprise flickered across Anielle’s usually composed face.

Earlier, Anielle had been instructed personally by the Lord to bring Lady Calyra to the garden, who had just arrived with his father, so the two young ladies could share a proper tea together...

...but it seemed like Lady Calyra had taken it upon herself to arrive on her own before she could even fulfill that duty.

"...My apologies, Lady Calyra. It appears I was unnecessary," Anielle said, lowering her head slightly.

Calyra only grinned, clearly unbothered.

"Hehe~ It’s okay. I am just excited to see Lady Rosalin."

Anielle let out a soft sigh before turning her attention back to Rosalin. Gently, she knelt and helped her slip into her slipper.

"Well then, since both young ladies are already here, we should not keep everything waiting."

She rose to her feet and gestured toward the nearby table.

The servants had already arranged everything beneath the shade. A finely white cloth lay over the table, upon which exquisite porcelain was carefully set.

With a caring touch, Anielle pushed Rosalin’s wheelchair forward, guiding her to the table, while Calyra followed beside them with a bright, cheerful smile.

Once both girls were seated, Anielle gave a small, satisfied nod.

"Please enjoy your time, my lady."

She offered a respectful bow to both of them before stepping away.

Turning, she made her way back toward the manor, her pace measured as she prepared to inform the pastry chef.

For a short while after Anielle left, the garden grew quiet again.

Calyra sat upright in her seat, hands resting neatly on her lap. The bright confidence she had shown earlier had faded into a small, uncertain pause.

Her eyes shifted at Rosalin, then at the table, then back again. Honestly, Calyra did not know how to begin their conversation.

Her father had already told her about Rosalin beforehand. About her condition. About how she could not move freely, and how even speaking could be painful at times. And he had also told her that Rosalin was getting better, even if it was slow.

But knowing something and facing it directly were two very different things.

This was their first meeting, after all.

Moreover, Calyra had not really spoken much with girls her own age before either. Most of her time had been spent studying. So, casual conversation, especially like this, felt strangely difficult.

Yet she understood why it had to be her.

Her father had clarified it clearly.

This visit was not simply a matter of courtesy between nobles. It was a request from Rosalin’s father himself. He wished for them to become close friends, just as their fathers once had.

At that thought, Calyra quietly tightened her hands over her lap.

Then, she lifted her head.

If that was what had been asked of her, then she would do it. No matter what, she would try her best to become Rosalin’s friend.

And more than that... after hearing of Rosalin’s condition and all the pain she had endured, a tender ache stirred in Calyra’s heart.

She wanted to bring smiles where there had only ever been sorrow, to fill that lonely world with a little warmth and happiness.

Because of that, with all the earnestness in her heart, Calyra wished to be...

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 115: Her Saviour]