The prince broke the silence first.
"I've decided," he said calmly. "I will start attending the academy. And I will take you with me."
Even as he spoke, his hand was still holding Aisha's.
Aisha blinked, then spoke carefully, "I already know that, Your Highness. If you go anywhere, I will follow you. I am your personal maid… I think you forgot that."
She glanced down at their hands, her voice growing quieter. "…But why are you holding my hand, Your Highness?"
The prince looked at her, confused. I can't hold your hand?
Aisha shook her head quickly. "No that's not what I mean. You can, because I am your servant. You can give me orders… you can make me work."
The prince tilted his head slightly. "Anything?"
Aisha's face flushed. "N-No! That's not what I meant, Your Highness. I mean I can do any work you assign to me."
"…I see," the prince said slowly. "So I misunderstood."
She gathered her courage and spoke again, her voice soft but firm. "Your Highness, please let go of my hand. If someone sees us like this… it won't be good for you."
Her gaze dropped to the ground. "I'm just a servant. I'm not worthy of this."
The prince was silent for a moment.
Then, slowly, he released her hand.
"…Fine," he said quietly. "If that's what you want."
Aisha stepped back, her heart still beating fast.
The prince broke the silence once more.
"How about this," he said calmly. "You and I will train magic together."
Aisha looked up in surprise.
"You've only learned magic from books," he continued. "You lack physical practice. If you continue like this, you'll never become truly strong."
His gaze sharpened, serious and sincere. "You possess powerful mana. I won't allow it to be wasted."
Aisha opened her mouth to speak, but he raised a hand.
"I know you are a servant," he said. "But I give opportunities to anyone with talent."
He turned slightly toward the path leading out of the garden. "From now on, you will be my training partner."
Aisha's heart skipped. "Starting tomorrow, you'll come with me to the training grounds. We'll train together."
Then his tone softened. "For today, go and rest. Your duties are over."
He began to walk away.
"Y-Your Highness…!"
Aisha hurried forward and stopped him.
He turned back.
"Please," she said urgently, lowering her head. "Please don't tell anyone about my mana… or my power."
The prince studied her expression. "…You haven't even told your mother?"
She shook her head. "No. No one."
"Why?" he asked. "With your talent, you could become a castle mage. Your status would rise. You could even become a noble."
Aisha clenched her fists. "I don't want that," she said quietly but firmly. "I'm happy being your personal maid."
She lifted her head, her eyes filled with fear and determination. "If others find out about my mana… both good people and bad people will notice me. My family would be in danger."
Her voice trembled. "Nobles from other kingdoms might try to buy me… or kidnap me. They could do anything to take me."
The prince's expression darkened.
"…I understand," he said after a moment. "If your power is revealed, it could bring harm to your family."
He met her eyes. "I swear I won't tell anyone."
Relief washed over her face. "Thank you, Your Highness," Aisha whispered.
He nodded once. "Then it's decided. You'll train in hidden places areas no one visits. No one will know about you."
Turning away, he added, "This secret stays between us."
And with that, the prince left the garden, his footsteps fading into the quiet.
Aisha remained where she stood, her heart pounding.
Training. Magic. Secrets.
From tomorrow on, her peaceful life would truly begin to change.
Aisha remained standing alone in the royal garden.
The flowers swayed gently in the breeze, but her heart was far from calm.
…What even happened today? she thought.
My power was revealed.
She clenched her hands. He knew from the very beginning.
For two whole years, she had tried to hide her mana—carefully, desperately. Every day, she suppressed it, afraid that even a small mistake would expose her secret.
And yet… he found it anyway.
That's not fair… If he could see mana, then why didn't he tell me from the start?
If he had told her back then, she wouldn't have spent every day living in fear. All that effort… all that worry… It feels like it was wasted.
But her expression slowly softened.
…Still, I'm happy.
He understood her situation. He didn't expose her. He even offered to help her.
She hugged her arms lightly. He really is kind… even if he doesn't realize it himself.
Then another thought surfaced, making her cheeks warm.
Today… he suddenly grabbed my hand.
Her heart skipped. I know I'm a servant. I know I'm just a child… But still, shouldn't he ask first?
Her fingers curled nervously. When he came so close… why did my heart start beating so fast?
…I don't understand.
She shook her head quickly. Stop thinking about that.
Then something else came to mind.
…The golden book.
Her eyes widened slightly. I almost forgot about it.
Even now, she could still remember the strange warmth it gave off. She had only been able to read a few pages. The rest remained blank—silent, as if waiting.
I should try reading it again.
With that thought, Aisha turned away from the garden.
Her small footsteps echoed softly as she walked back toward the castle.
Aisha walked quietly through the castle hall, her steps slow and absent-minded.
Her thoughts were still tangled around the book.
The golden light. The blank pages. The words that appeared only for her.
She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice someone approaching from the side corridor.
"Aisha."
She flinched.
Safiya stood there, arms crossed, looking at her with concern. "Aisha, why are you walking like that?" she asked gently. "What are you thinking about? And why are you here at this time? You're supposed to be with His Highness. Did you forget you're his personal maid?"
Aisha blinked and looked up at her mother. "M-Mother…"
She quickly lowered her head. "His Highness told me I could take half a day off," she explained. "He said I needed some rest, and that he would call another maid if he needed help."
Safiya studied her face closely. "…Are you feeling unwell?" she asked. "Do you have a fever or something?"
Aisha shook her head, forcing a small smile. "Don't worry, Mother. It's just a little headache. If I rest for a while, I'll be fine."
Safiya sighed softly, then nodded. "…Alright. Go back to the room and rest," she said. "I'll look after His Highness today."
She placed a gentle hand on Aisha's shoulder. "Drink some water, and don't push yourself. If anything happens, call me immediately, okay, honey?"
Aisha nodded. "Yes, Mother."
She turned and walked away down the long hallway, her figure slowly disappearing into the shadows of the castle.
Safiya watched her go, a faint worry lingering in her eyes.
And Aisha, as she returned to her room
Clutched her secret tightly in her heart.