Oriane Evermore — POV
I'm so stupid. So, so stupid. Why did I say that?
Those words loop in my mind as I lie curled on my bed, tears soaking into my pillow. I regret everything I said earlier. Luthar… he's such a strange person. The way he speaks and acts feels like he's an adult trapped in a boy's body. And he's so strong—stronger than any child I've ever met. Watching him fight that bandit, he looked like a trained knight rather than some ragged kid from nowhere.
I wanted to be friends with him, truly, but he always feels so distant, like he's standing outside the world everyone else lives in. So I tried to mimic adults, thinking maybe he would take me seriously. But he still calls me a kid, and that makes me angry every time. And when we went to the library earlier, he looked so much happier reading dusty books than playing with me.
"That dummy… why doesn't he want to play with me?" I mutter into my pillow.
A soft knock breaks my sulking. I sit up quickly, wiping my tears just in time to see my father stepping into my room.
"Little angel," he says gently, "I heard about your argument with Luthar."
"How?" I ask, confused and embarrassed.
"I was heading toward the library and overheard the two of you."
My face turns hot as I cover my cheeks. Father continues, "I spoke to him afterwards. He said he wasn't angry about your outburst—only surprised. And he apologized if he made you uncomfortable."
Hearing that makes a wave of regret crash over me. I feel ashamed—ashamed that I threw a tantrum like a child after trying so hard not to be one.
"Father… how do I say I'm sorry?"
He laughs softly. "Just go to him and say it. Simple as that."
Simple. Right. Except my heart is pounding and I'm terrified he'll reject me.
"Okay… where is he?"
"He's still in the library."
I nod, gather my courage, and slip out of my room. The hallways feel longer than usual. When I finally reach the large library doors, I pause outside, take a deep, shaky breath, and peek inside.
Luthar is sitting at a desk, quietly reading. His black eyes scan the pages with calm focus. His jet-black hair is washed and neatly combed now, and his clothes are clean—he looks completely different from when we first met. Back then he was scary—bloody, disheveled, exhausted. But he saved me. He was terrifying to look at, yet kind when he spoke, and unbelievably strong when he fought that kidnapper.
As if sensing me, he looks up. His face softens, and he stands, giving me a small polite bow.
"I'm sorry for calling you a kid," he says before I can even open my mouth.
His sudden apology surprises me so much I bow my head quickly. "No—no, it was my fault! I'm sorry for what I said. Can we… still be friends?"
He gives a warm, rare smile. "Yes. It would be an honor, Lady Oriane."
I giggle, relieved, and sit beside him. "What are you reading?"
"The history of the Solara Empire," he replies.
I settle in to listen.
Luthar — POV
After making up with Oriane, I return to the book while she sits beside me, leaning slightly toward the pages as if she can absorb the words by proximity alone. The library here is massive—much larger than anything Master owned. At Master's house the shelves were filled with books on magic, runes, and the ancient world. Here, there are books on everything.
The history I'm reading now is incredibly detailed. From what I gather, the empire I've landed in—Solara—is located on the eastern side of the continent of Vardorim, facing the Horizon Sea.
So that's the name of the continent.
The book says the first emperor was Solarius Imperion, who founded the empire a thousand years ago. The imperial family wields sun magic as their bloodline ability.
Bloodline magic… I've never heard of such a thing. Is that why they can use sun magic? I'll have to ask Master—if I ever see him again.
According to this book, only three members of the imperial family remain: the emperor, his younger brother, and the imperial princess. The book was written four years ago, so this information should still be accurate. But it's strange. Why is the imperial line so small? Back on Earth—before I came to this world—royalty often had concubines or large families to secure succession.
Here, the emperor's brother holds the title of Archduke, since he carries imperial blood. Below them are four dukes who rule major regions of the empire.
The first duke listed is Duke Leonard Ashford, who governs—
Wait… am I reading this correctly?
A floating city.
Luminary, the fifth-largest city in the empire, floats in the sky. My eyebrows rise at that. Magic in this world truly dwarfs anything Master ever taught me.
Next is Duchess Renna Solmist, who doesn't govern land but oversees Sol's Academy City, the fourth-largest city. The position is appointed directly by the emperor, and her title cannot be inherited.
"Oh, that's where we are," Oriane says beside me.
I glance at her. "We're in the duchess's territory?"
"We're one of the only marquis families in this region," she explains proudly. "Since the duchess runs the academy, Father manages most of the surrounding lands and handles noble affairs."
I look back at the book, and she's right—the Evermore family is listed under her domain. It seems dukes govern large territories, while barons, viscounts, counts, and marquises work beneath them. But under the duchess, the Evermore family seems especially important—almost like a fixed anchor in her administration.
I glance at the little girl beside me. "Looks like you're going to have a tough future. A lot of responsibility."
"What do you mean?" she asks, confused, tilting her head. I laugh softly and continue reading.
Next is Duke Cardon Thalen, who governs Leoht, the second-largest city, a port city by the ocean.
The third duke is Duke Orin Faircrest, who rules Ceto, the third-largest city. It's built on a gigantic lake, with canals running through the streets.
This place sounds like Venice. If I ever get the chance, I'd love to visit.
Lastly, the capital—Leoht, the empire's shining heart—lies at the center of the country under direct imperial rule.
When I finish reading, Oriane suddenly brightens. "Can we play now?"
I close the book with a sigh and a tiny smile. "Sure."
She grabs my hand and drags me out of the library with a strength far greater than her tiny frame suggests.
As we leave, one lingering thought sticks with me:
If even a single continent is this huge…
How big is this world?
Bigger than Earth, that's for sure.