“Actually, I invited the court magician today.”
“The court magician?” Iris responded, her confusion growing deeper. She had no clue what this could be about.
“Citis.”
At the prince’s call, the court magician, Citis de Sade, appeared. With his long blue hair loosely tied back and wearing black-rimmed glasses, his melancholic sapphire eyes sparkled. The black robe he wore was the mark of a court magician.
Citis, about ten years older than Iris at twenty-three, belonged to the noble Sade family known for their magical prowess. He was a young but prominent figure in the court.
There he was—the Citis from the “Thousand-Year Slumber” route, the true end of the game and a nightmarish Merry Bad End that had sparked memories of her previous life. In this route, touted as the worst yet most sublime true end, Citis is the heroine’s half-brother, which they discover only after falling in love.
A genius magician, Citis found the world dreadfully dull. He had lost his mother early, his surrogate motherly maid suddenly disappeared, and his lover was taken by illness. Devoid of affection, he lived solely for his work. However, upon meeting the holy maiden Camille, his world turned upside down. Despite possessing less magical power, she held charms that Citis never knew. Though ten years his junior, she showed him a world he hadn’t seen, and her presence brightened his dim life. Camille, who grew up without a father, found comfort in Citis’s inclusive embrace, and they were drawn to each other.
But they were half-siblings by blood. Their love was not accepted by society. Driven to despair by their forbidden love, Citis used his magic in a fit of madness to set the royal city ablaze.
Terrifying, truly terrifying.
Frozen in place, Iris stared at Citis, who frowned back at her in displeasure.
“I am Citis de Sade.”
His voice, rich and sultry, caused Iris a momentary dizziness. The same voice from the game—dangerously charming yet perilously alarming.
Regaining her composure, Iris introduced herself, “I am Iris de Chevalier.”
Then she turned to Prince Rezeda, “Why the magician?”
“He’s here to look at your arm scars.”
Rezeda’s kind words startled Iris. In the game, Iris had abused her family’s influence to use Citis personally, forcing him to cast spells to hide her pox scars. This led to a fallout with the heroine, culminating in either the heroine’s murder or Iris being killed by Citis, surrounded by flames in a cage—the contrasts of red and green had been striking. The “Thousand-Year Slumber” route, with its catastrophic end where the city burns down and the heroine stabs the hero before falling into a sleep with no guaranteed happiness, was terrifying.
Could today be the catalyst for that?
No, no! I didn’t ask for this! Is this what they call game correction? But I refuse, absolutely refuse to start down that route!
Resolved, Iris spoke, “Prince Rezeda, I appreciate your concern, but I believe magic won’t heal these scars.”
“Why not?”
“They’ve already healed. If the wounds were fresh, perhaps a healing spell could lighten them, but now that they’ve closed, it’s impossible.”
“That’s what Citis told me, too. But we won’t know unless we try, right?”
“No, Your Highness. Magic won’t regrow a lost limb, and it’s the same with these scars.”
Iris replied with a smile, observing Citis and Rezeda’s exchange. Citis had come thinking this was merely the whims of a foolish girl, something he’d been reluctantly dragged into considering his future prospects. But witnessing Iris’s level-headedness, he reassessed her.
“Citis is right. While we can use a temporary spell to make the scars less visible, it won’t last.”
Rezeda’s eyes lit up.
“Then let’s do that!”
“Your Highness, that’s not advisable,” Iris firmly declined.
Citis was surprised she didn’t leap at the chance. Everyone wanted to hide even the smallest of pox scars, seen as ominous marks.
“Citis, how long would such a spell last?”
“About two weeks.”
“So, I’d live in fear of the spell fading. That’s no way to live.”
Indeed, game Iris had lived in constant fear, her secret meetings with Citis to renew the spell raising the heroine’s suspicions, ultimately exposing Iris’s secret.
“Just renew the spell before it fades. There’s nothing to worry about,” Rezeda tried to reassure her.
“I cannot ask for the court magician’s time so frequently, can I?”
“But, Miss Iris…”
Iris cut him off, “Moreover, a man and woman meeting regularly in such a manner would look improper. And Citis, you might have a lover, correct?”
Citis averted his gaze, and Rezeda looked at him in surprise.
“Citis has a lover?”
Was that supposed to be a secret?
Citis coughed lightly and blushed, “Well, meeting regularly isn’t ideal for Miss Iris’s reputation.”
Ah, he didn’t deny having a lover. Good, keep him alive and happy. Don’t leave any room for the heroine!
Iris internally cheered but maintained a composed exterior.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for your thoughtfulness. But it’s wrong to rely on a spell. I know about my scars; I can’t lie to myself.”
Rezeda was at a loss for words, and Iris bowed to Citis, “I apologize for the trouble. Please, don’t worry about my scars.”
Citis was impressed, “Miss Iris, you are a remarkably thoughtful young lady. You don’t need deceptive beauty. Why not visit the magic academy? It’s not just the two of us there, and it will preserve your dignity. The academy has many books, including on folk remedies that might lighten your scars. How about it? If Miss Iris prefers, I could provide an environment where she can find her own solutions.”
Citis realized the young prince was trying to win Iris’s favor by inviting her under the pretense of magic. Offering his assistance might curry favor with the prince.
“The magic academy is within the palace. It would give Prince Rezeda a reason to see you, and I’ve taken a liking to you, Miss Iris. My mother died of pox; had she lived, I wonder if she could have been as positive as you. I’d like to help a spirited girl like you.”
Unaware of Citis’s thoughts, Iris’s eyes sparkled at his offer.
Really? I’ve always wanted to see the magic academy in the game—it was my favorite place!
“Would that be alright?”
“If Miss Iris wishes it,” Rezeda agreed.
“Prince, please.”
Iris bowed deeply.
“Citis, are you sure?”
“Yes, I’ll show you around.”
Iris practically jumped for joy, her mint green hair bouncing with her.
Rezeda and Citis both laughed at her excitement, charmed by her genuine reaction.
