Chapter 14 - 10

In the middle of the night at the castle of Argaint Kingdom. Illuminated by silvery moonlight. Now everyone except the guards was asleep soundly on their bed. But in a certain room, there are still a pair of humans who are still awake. One girl and another is a boy. They are Princess Aishia and Ziel Grisel. When it looks by someone else. They will be accused of immoral acts.

"Aishia, this is already the 15th day since your treatment. Your mana has also started to stabilize, and your ability to control the flow of mana is in the expert level category. Just a little more you will be able to recover completely from your previous condition." Ziel explained to Princess Aishia about his condition.

"Nn.... It's all thanks to you." Princess Aishia replied softly.

Ziel was allowed to call her name directly without honorific since they returned from the festival. This is the 15th night since Princess Aishia's first treatment. He treats her every night since then. Currently, Princess Aishia could easily control the flow of her mana. But still, need the help of Ziel.

"No... It's all thanks to your efforts and talent that you can heal so quickly. Normal people can probably be up to 1-2 months." He told her the truth.

"Because you taught me well. I can also learn well." Princess Aishia said it shyly and her face blushed.

The atmosphere between them became awkward after a moment of silence, Princess Aishia broke the silence first.

"Ziel, may I ask you something?" She was a bit afraid to ask.

"Sure." Ziel allowed it.

"Who exactly are you? And what is your purpose in working as a servant?" Princess Aishia asked the most she wanted to know.

"I'm just a butler. And my goal is only 1. Live quietly and peacefully in this world." Ziel replied in a calm tone and Princess Aishia simply nodded to hear it. She understood Ziel didn't want to talk much about his personal matters.

The treatment that night ended. Before Ziel leaves her room. Suddenly Ziel took out a box from his pocket. A small black box with white ornaments.

"This is for you Aishia." Ziel gave the box to her.

"What is this?" Princess Aishia asked while tilting her head cutely.

"This is a gift. Tomorrow is your birthday. So I gave it early. Because there's no way I can give it to you in front of a lot of people." Ziel explained to her.

Princess Aishia receives a gift given by Ziel. She held it tight as if she was afraid the gift will be taken again.

"Thank you... Can I open it now?" She was curious about the contents inside the box.

"Of course... Open it." Ziel allowed it.

Princess Aishia opened the box. When she opened it she could see a gray light emanating from the object inside the box. She took out the 'thing' that was in the box. That's a beautiful gray bracelet with ornaments like snow crystals. Princess Aishia shook when she look and touched the bracelet.

"Ziel this is...?" Princess Aishia's hands tremble.

"That bracelet is your birthday present." Ziel simply nodded softly at Princess Aishia's question.

"That's not what I mean!!" He subconsciously shouted at Ziel.

"So what do you mean?" Ziel was confused by her words.

"This bracelet is made of dragon bones?"Princess Aishia asked in a trembling voice.

She knew how priceless the materials used to make the bracelet were. She just wished Ziel denied it. Because the gift was too precious to her. On the other hand, she felt very happy because Ziel gave her a very precious gift.

"Yes, you are right. The bracelet was made of dragon bones. Your eyes are pretty sharp." Ziel nodded again at her question.

"Of course I know. Because Otou-sama also has an artifact in the form of a ring made of dragon bones that can double his power temporarily." Princess Aishia said it honestly.

"The bracelet you're wearing is also an artifact." Ziel said it flatly.

Princess Aishia could only open her mouth wide when she heard it.

"Am I allowed to have this bracelet?" She asked Ziel doubtfully.

"Of course it's your birthday gift. You wear it." Ziel nodded softly to convince her.

Princess Aishia then wore a bracelet in her right hand. The bracelet looked very suitable in her hands. She smiled when she looks at the bracelet on her wrist.

"Ziel, You previously said that this bracelet is an artifact. So what does it do?" She suddenly remembered that.

"The bracelet has two functions. First, it will protect you when you are in danger." Ziel explained his function to Princess Aishia.

"And the second?" She asked curiously.

"The bracelet will help you control your mana. Do you remember what I said when I first did your treatment? I said, 'I'll find a way that you can do your own treatment' So I made this bracelet." Ziel explained calmly.

Princess Aishia's body trembled and her eyes are moist. She refrained from tears dripping. Then she asked Ziel with Fear adorns her face.

"What do you mean? Don't you want to see me again? Did I make a mistake until you hated me? If that's the case I apologize to you. But please don't hate me!!" Princess Aishia suddenly panicked at the function of the bracelet.

Ziel simply shook his head at her response. He then stood up from his seat and looked directly towards her eyes.

"No... You never did anything wrong Aishia. And I never hated you. What I give you is for your good. Because it's dangerous if I go in and out of your room in the middle of the night longer than this. Someday maybe someone else will know. And your reputation as a Princess will collapse." He said it seriously.

Princess Aishia could only be silent to hear what Ziel said. Everything he said made a lot of sense. But she still couldn't take it. She felt very empty and lost at this moment.

"So Aishia, tonight is the last night of treatment from me. Your condition has improved considerably too. And you can take care of yourself with that bracelet. Soon you'll be able to properly stabilize your mana. And become a great mage." Ziel comforted him a little.

"I understand." Princess Aishia only replied briefly.

She tried to refrain from crying. Ziel who saw it immediately said goodbye to her. Get out of that room as soon as possible.

"Then I excuse myself first Aishia." Ziel is getting ready to go.

"..." But princess Aishia was Just silent and kept her head down.

"That doesn't mean we can't meet again. Remember I was still a butler from Princess Elise. And we can still meet tomorrow as usual." Ziel could only sigh seeing Princess Aishia like that.

"..."

Seeing her remain silent. Ziel decided to leave the room immediately.

"Then, good night Aishia." Ziel immediately rushed out of Princess Aishia's room. As soon as he closed the door. He could hear the sad cries from inside the room. Ziel could only sigh when heard it.

(I'm sorry, I can't even feel anything for this world and the people in it. How can I love someone? But it's possible that someday if this curse disappears... Maybe someday)

While walking in the corridors of the castle, Ziel suddenly stopped. Then he looked towards the Alba mountain range. He narrowed his eyes and speaking in a low tone without anyone else being able to hear it.

"It looks like tomorrow there will be a big storm. It's very troublesome." He muttered softly.

Ziel again walked down the corridor and disappeared into the darkness.