If I noticed it so quickly, perhaps other mages of the Mage Tower might have as well. I glanced around subtly and then headed towards a group of mages.

They seemed to be in their own casual hangout spot, chatting in small groups.

“Oh, what brings you here?”

A mage who noticed me approaching greeted me casually.

“Just got a bit tired from walking around.”

“Haha, it’s good to take a break. Want something to drink? We have apple juice.”

“Yes, please.”

At my response, one mage immediately went to fetch the drink.

The remaining mages’ gazes were fixed on me, almost to a point of feeling overwhelming.

“So, Camilla, did you find anything curious while exploring? Feel free to ask.”

A mage initiated the conversation.

Curious? Not that I don’t have any.

I spoke without hesitation.

“What do you think the Mage Tower Master thinks of His Highness, the Crown Prince?”

“Hmm? Well…”

Caught off guard by the question, the mage seemed puzzled.

Another mage chimed in.

“She probably thinks highly of him. They are quite close, after all.”

“They’re almost like friends.”

It seemed no one had caught on. Maybe I was just too well-informed about Irmin.

‘I must be on the right track, though.’

I was certain of that.

Meanwhile, the mage who went to get the drink returned.

“Here’s your juice. Anything else you want to see?”

“No, I’ve seen everything.”

“And I see you’ve got a gift too.”

“Oh, Phil. That’s stingy. Isn’t that a bribe?”

“Don’t talk about bribes in front of a kid.”

The camaraderie among the mages seemed very strong.

Sipping the apple juice, I fell into thought.

‘It really is a great working environment.’

It was inevitable to compare it with the workplace I had known.

With the Mage Tower Master being so affable, it was clear why the workplace atmosphere was so harmonious. The importance of leadership was once again profoundly felt.

“Done exploring―?”

Laila approached, with Irmin by her side, as expected.

“I got this.”

“Ah, a Vision Orb. Phil gave it to you, right?”

“Yes.”

The mage who had given me the Vision Orb must have been Phil. I nodded, piecing it together.

“You can take as many pictures as you like in the Mage Tower.”

“Is that really okay?”

“We don’t have many secrets here― it’s all fine for personal collection.”

Wow, I should take some pictures to show Hans. I immediately turned on the Vision Orb.

“Shall we visit the scroll-making area next? Or is there somewhere else you want to go?”

“Hmm…”

Honestly, I was more curious about the Mage Tower’s everyday living spaces than its research areas.

If asked why, I’d simply say, ‘I’m just someone who enjoys seeing such places,’ reminiscent of when I used to ensure checking out the welfare facilities during my job-seeking days.

“Do you have a lounge or dormitory?”

“Sure― let’s start with the lounge.”

We moved towards the lounge.

The lounge was tidy and spacious too. Several mages were leisurely enjoying snacks or chatting. It was a sunlit space.

“And this is the dormitory.”

Next was the dormitory. It seemed to be one person per room, equipped with a bed, wardrobe, drawers, and so on.

‘The facilities are amazing…’

I could sense the level of welfare in the Mage Tower.

“Do you like it here?”

Seemingly reading my thoughts from my expression, Laila asked.

“Yes.”

“Good. It would be nice if Camilla could work with us here in the future―”

“That’s not happening, no.”

Irmin and Laila seemed to have differing opinions, each wanting to pull me to their side.

A mage of the royal palace or a mage of the Mage Tower.

If I had to choose one, I could make the decision even now.

“I want to become a Mage Tower mage.”

It was the moment a new dream was set.

* * *

We returned to the reception hall on the first floor and sat down at a round table.

Irmin seemed a bit disappointed after hearing my decision.

“I was hoping you’d become a mage of the royal palace…”

Wishful thinking. I preferred the free atmosphere, so the Mage Tower suited me better than the royal palace.

On the other hand, Laila was very pleased.

“It’s a welcome addition to have an outstanding talent like Camilla―”

“But I will still be the one teaching her.”

“Ahaha, of course. Camilla can start working after becoming an adult. She’ll need to attend the academy as well.”

Speaking of which, I need to attend the academy.

“How old do you usually need to be to enter the academy?”

“You can start at the academy in the capital from eight years old and attend until eighteen. It’s a boarding school.”

That’s next year…

It’s not as far away as I thought.

“You don’t have to go to the academy if you don’t want to. I can teach you myself!”

“No, I’ll go.”

I should make some friends too. I can’t just stick by Irmin’s side learning magic my whole life.

“Camilla, do you know what kind of work the Mage Tower does?”

“No.”

“And you decided you want to work there without knowing?”

Irmin looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it. I had simply chosen my path based on liking the atmosphere.

“The Mage Tower has a contract with the royal palace, providing magical tools and scrolls― as I mentioned earlier, it also educates children who find it difficult to attend the academy.”

“If the palace mages focus on combat and training, the Mage Tower is more about creation.”

“I’m relieved. I really dislike fighting.”

It seemed I had indeed made the right choice.

Originally, my plan was just to be a good duchess, but as Irmin said, it would be a long time before I could take that position.

‘Having my own profession isn’t a bad idea.’

A job for my twenties, maybe even up to my forties.

Although it was still far off, I was already looking forward to it.

‘So this is what it feels like to have a dream.’

I was overwhelmed with emotion. Excited.

To me, a job was just something I had to do. I never even considered something I wanted to do.

But now, for the first time, I had a dream.

“…That’s nice.”

A smile naturally formed on my face. Laila and Irmin were also smiling as they looked at me.

“Camilla, are you preparing for the academy entrance?”

“Not yet. First, we need to talk to Camilla’s parents.”

“My parents will surely give their permission.”

They had allowed me to stay in the Heyward domain. There was no reason for them to oppose my attending the academy.

“Is Owen going too?”

“Yes, he has to. Are you planning to send him?”

Hans would come with me if I went.

So, starting next year, would I be attending the academy with Hans?

‘That would be fun.’

I began to look forward to the future.

My life, free from Anais, was turning out to be quite perfect.

* * *

“Mom.”

“Camilla!”

I returned home after a long time. It was right after the tour of the Mage Tower. My mom and dad were very happy to see me.

As their only daughter who was mostly away for studies, I was almost like a prodigal daughter.

“And who is this?”

“Hello, I’m a servant from the royal palace, attending to Miss Camilla.”

Of course, it was a lie, and it was Irmin in disguise.

My parents were obviously taken aback.

“What brings a servant from the royal palace here…?”

“His Highness, the Crown Prince, sent me to seek your consent for something.”

As mentioned before, it was about attending the academy.

Irmin settled down and began to explain everything systematically.

My parents’ reaction was not negative. They seemed a bit disappointed about the boarding aspect, but after learning about the academy’s safety, they appeared relieved.

‘Irmin is quite persuasive…’

In that moment, I truly felt he was someone destined to be an emperor.

And so, I received their permission without any issues.

I decided to rest at home for a few days. It was just me who came out to see Irmin off.

“You’ll be busy from now on. Frequent visits to the Mage Tower and preparing for the academy.”

“It can’t be helped.”

The situation was overwhelmingly gracious for someone of humble beginnings like me.

“Owen needs some rest too. I’ll bring him over soon.”

“Okay.”

The Grand Duke’s family had been kind, but this place felt more like home. It seemed like Irmin intended to give Hans a break while I was resting.

After Irmin left, I re-entered the house. My parents were discussing the academy pamphlet he had left.

Their bright expressions suggested they were okay with the decision, not just reluctantly consenting.

‘Still, I can’t help feeling a bit guilty.’

Being their only daughter, I rarely stayed at home. And now, I was about to be away for ten years. It must be disheartening for them.

“Camilla, can you come here? We have something to tell you.”

“Huh?”

Something to tell me?

Their expressions were still bright, so I had no clue what it could be.

As I approached, my mom said with a bright smile,

“Camilla, you’re going to have a sibling!”

“…….”

Thankfully, someone appeared to fill the void I was leaving.

* * *

“If I had known earlier, I would have bought a bouquet or something. That’s a pity.”

“A bouquet for what! Your words are enough, Owen.”

“You’ve got quite the grace, spending time in the Grand Duke’s estate.”

During dinner, Hans also heard about mom’s pregnancy.

They hadn’t known for long either.

‘A sibling for me.’

It was my first time having a sibling.

‘Or maybe not the first time.’

When I was Anais, I did have a sibling. Though now, we had no relationship.

“…….”

The image of Finley’s expression at the ballroom kept coming to mind.

Why did Finley look at me with such disfavor? A belated curiosity emerged.