Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 145

Vanessa barely suppressed a scream, muffling the sound.

“A-Are you crazy?”

“Why? I’m just sitting on the window.”

“This isn’t just any window!”

“If it’s not just any window, what is it? Ah, is it the Duke and Duchess’s bedroom window? It’s more modest than I thought.”

Against the backdrop of the large moon, Bam Vandaloo was sitting on the windowsill!

His smirk was so infuriating that Vanessa almost screamed, forgetting Gideon was asleep.

‘What if he got caught sneaking into Valder Castle! And we’re not married! What Duke and Duchess?’

Just then, there was a rustling sound from behind. Vanessa quickly turned her head to see Gideon moving his arm, seemingly missing the warmth of her embrace. But just before he could stir from his light sleep, Bam Vandaloo hummed a tune. Gideon relaxed again, completely still.

“What did you do?”

“Just put him back to sleep. It’s hard to have an honest conversation with an obstruction in the way.”

“Who are you calling an obstruction? Aren’t you the one?”

Vanessa retorted curtly, then smoothed the rumpled blanket where she had been, ensuring Gideon wouldn’t get cold.

He usually fell asleep later than Vanessa, so seeing him with his eyes closed felt like a novelty, and she stared for a moment, captivated.

“Is that magic harmful to the body?”

“…….”

Bam Vandaloo watched them from behind, thinking, ‘It’s quite a sight to see her fussing over such a large man like that.’

“Why did you come so late at night? If you had come during the day, I could have offered you something better! Gideon also said he wanted to see you again.”

The great wizard scoffed.

“You were too out of it to notice, but do you know how fiercely he glared at me the day I brought you to Fiedom? He looked like he could kill someone with his eyes alone.”

“Oh, come on. He must have been flustered.”

“He was growling while grabbing the hilt of his sword. I was dumbfounded. I! Brought! You! Here!”

Remembering him with a pale face, on edge and hostile to others when she first opened her eyes, it seemed plausible. Vanessa cleanly gave up on defending him.

“So, what brings you here? Is there something you need?”

Seeing the young wizard with wide eyes, wearing only a thin nightgown, Bam Vandaloo smiled. Suddenly, a yellow blanket fell from the sky, draping over Vanessa’s shoulders.

“Uh….”

“I came to ask you something. A night with a bright moon is a good time for questions and answers. It’s moderately dark and moderately bright, you see.”

From the distant past to the present. What could the wizard, who had witnessed everything, be curious about? Vanessa tilted her head. Bam Vandaloo was still sitting on the windowsill, dangling his legs.

“Please, speak comfortably.”

“Don’t be silly. It’s not a fair trade! One question from me for one question from you. Ask first. Isn’t there anything you’re curious about?”

Vanessa stared at the wizard with a dubious expression before suddenly opening her mouth. The catastrophe of this evening came to mind.

“Didn’t I lose all my magical power?”

“Something happen?”

Seeing her curious face, Vanessa quickly explained what had happened earlier, and Bam Vandaloo laughed, shaking his whole body. He seemed very amused.

“Oh, my goodness. I really am a genius. It’s all falling into place as expected.”

“…….”

Vanessa frowned, remembering the time she suffered while fixing the magic circle. It was true, but it was annoying.

“Good question. You did lose it. There’s nothing left in your body.”

Bam Vandaloo straightened his small finger and pointed to the floor.

“But it remains below. Like underground water hidden beneath the earth, it flows fiercely.”

Vanessa, who had been staring at him blankly, stammered.

“D-Do you mean I used the power flowing through the magic circle?”

“Correct. The central magic circle you poured your power into doesn’t have a magic stone, but it needs a huge amount of power for the initial activation. It’s also structured to absorb power. But the power you gave was greater than the amount used, it seems.”

Bam Vandaloo tapped a glass vase near the window. It made a clear sound.

“What a pity, some was left over after using it! But I can’t return it? So, your power will flow through the magic circles hidden throughout Priba for a very long time.”

“But it ignored the magic prohibition circuit? The window just shattered….”

“Of course. The basis of the magic prohibition circuit I devised is to suppress the magic power emitted from subjects like people or magic stones. But your magic power didn’t come from your body; it surged from the ground of Priba, so it wasn’t affected by the prohibition circuit.”

Vanessa looked at her hands with a bewildered expression. ‘If the Royal Palace found out about this, she wouldn’t even be allowed near the First Star [likely a location of strategic importance]. She could threaten the King!’

“Then, if I use my power, will the flow going through the magic circle be messed up or something….”

“It’ll be fine unless you perform a miracle-level magic. Like making it rain in the desert, or something. Once that magic circle is activated, it doesn’t consume much more power.”

Suddenly, Vanessa remembered that cold and frightening night a few months ago and glared at Bam Vandaloo.

“Why are you telling me this now?”

“It was just a hopeful prediction. It could have been wrong. This is like a gift created by a very small deviation. Let’s call it a miracle created by your pure intention of pouring all your magic power without thinking.”

Seeing the boy shrug nonchalantly, Vanessa muttered nasty words under her breath.

“It seems like short meetings are the best. It was a v-very pleasant night. I’m going back to sleep now.”

“Hey, you have to answer my question too!”

Vanessa waved her hand in the air, telling him to ask whatever it was and leave quickly. Bam Vandaloo chuckled.

After laughing for a while, Bam Vandaloo stood up straight. A smile still lingered around his eyes. For some reason, Vanessa was reminded of the large portrait hanging in the Academy. Full of kind wrinkles around the eyes. Smiling as he watched the students passing below.

“Vanessa Rose.”

“Yes.”

“Are you okay?”

At the unexpected question, Vanessa’s eyes widened before she blinked twice. Then, she smiled brightly without answering. A smile without a hint of regret or lingering attachment, bright enough even in the moonlight to leave no shadows.

Bam Vandaloo looked at her quietly and nodded.

“The exchange is over. Good.”

The small body climbed back up to the window. Against the backdrop of the open window, Bam Vandaloo smiled.

“Take care.”

A cool breeze blew. Vanessa waved her hand.

“You too.”

They didn’t need any other farewells. The boy jumped down. By the time Vanessa looked out, there was no trace left. Only the open window proved it wasn’t a dream.

Vanessa closed the window. She lay back in bed, drew the curtains, and snuggled into Gideon’s arms. Even though he was in a deep sleep due to the magic, he naturally pulled her close, fitting their bodies together securely. There was no gap between them.

He was healthy, and the world was peaceful.

Vanessa smiled briefly and closed her eyes.

It was perfect.

The last letter.

It was very late at night. For some reason, many people clung to him until the end today, so he couldn’t possibly return early. He had informed Vanessa in advance, so she wouldn’t be too worried.

Thinking about that, he was glad that Vanessa would be at peace without waiting for him, and depressed that she would be at peace without him. As the King said, he was a madman.

Gideon loosened the tie that was suffocating his neck with one hand and took a moment to catch his breath. He was now in front of the most beautiful guest room on the third floor, which had become more familiar than his own bedroom.

He carefully opened the door and entered. The inside was dark, so he silently summoned light with magic.

However, despite his efforts, Vanessa was already asleep.

It was clear that it was because he had returned late, but he was slightly disappointed. Watching Vanessa fall asleep beside him had become a joy.

Vanessa sometimes worried that she was overstaying her welcome. With one more person to take care of, she wondered how uncomfortable the servants must be.

Gideon always avoided the topic. Only Vanessa didn’t know it was a completely unnecessary worry.

‘You can stay forever,’ he wanted to say. ‘This place is too cold without you, and I only feel warmth when you’re with me.’ But he swallowed the words, afraid that Vanessa would flatly reject him.

But because they were all sincere, he was just waiting for the best day to say them.

He carefully checked whether the magic circuit was working properly, whether the window was closed properly, and whether the temperature inside was moderately cool so she wouldn’t get hot while sleeping. Once all the checks were complete, there was no longer any excuse to stay by her side. He still had work to do.

Gideon whispered a greeting.

“-”

So quietly that no one would know his desires.

Vanessa was still fast asleep without a sound. Gideon stared blankly at her, unaware that affection was pouring out of his eyes, before turning away regretfully.

‘I’ll wake up earlier tomorrow, get ready, and have breakfast with Vanessa when she wakes up. I should also see what her appetite is like these days. I’ll tell the kitchen to prepare things she likes….’

Gideon was about to leave the room, meticulously planning for tomorrow, when he saw something on the table illuminated by the light he had summoned with magic.

What caught his eye was a letter shining white.

There was nothing special between Vanessa and Gideon. Because it was their connection and medium.

However, the words written on the envelope caught his eye.

「To My Beloved Teacher.」

Teacher?

Gideon picked up the letter with a puzzled look. He glanced at the bed before grabbing the letter and leaving the room.

He went to his office and leaned back in the chair with the firm backrest. He didn’t even have time to change his clothes. He tore open the letter, impatient to know its contents.