Chapter 48: Daughters Always Grow Up

“Charlotte, tell me honestly, why did you really come to be Lilia’s tutor?”

Ryan finally couldn’t hold back and threw out the question that had tormented him for days.

Now that Charlotte was willing to open up and talk about cooperation, of course he wanted to clear up the mystery that had lingered in his heart.

“So the Duke has always been curious about this?” Charlotte raised his eyes, his tone as calm as ever.

“Don’t tell me you actually came for that fifty gold coins monthly salary?” Ryan raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing it.

Charlotte was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, “Actually, this is a deal between Lady Cecilia and our Mistmoon Family.”

“My wife?”

Hearing that name carved into the depths of his heart, Ryan’s gaze instantly softened, his thoughts drifting uncontrollably back to those years spent with Cecilia—those were the warmest, happiest times of his life, even the cold winds of the Northern Region felt warm then.

“She once helped the Mistmoon Family in a time of crisis,” Charlotte continued. “This time, I’ve come to fulfill our promise and grant her a wish.”

“My wife’s wish?”

“I’m sorry, that I can’t say.” Charlotte nodded slightly, his tone sincere. “But, honestly, it’s not such a difficult wish to guess.”

“I see…” Ryan thoughtfully traced the rim of his teacup, then suddenly shifted the topic with a bit of probing, “I thought you really wanted to marry Lilia, that’s why you got close to her on purpose.”

“Duke Ryan.” Charlotte’s tone became more serious, but still kept a suitable warmth.

“My reason for coming here has always been to fulfill the Mistmoon Family’s promise to Lady Cecilia. That much is absolutely true. Becoming Her Highness Lilia’s tutor is not just a formality, either. I have no ulterior motives—whatever I said that night, just take it as my careless words.”

He paused, then added, “As for Her Highness Lilia’s feelings, I can’t be sure.”

Ryan and Charlotte tacitly understood—both were well aware there was a pair of ears pricked up just outside the door. Lilia was eavesdropping.

“You rascal… Could it be that my wife’s wish was for you to marry Lilia?”

Charlotte didn’t answer, merely replying with silence.

Originally, Ryan thought this would put an end to Charlotte’s evasive words, but Charlotte’s silence at this moment caught him off guard.

Charlotte’s silence at this point could only mean he was admitting what Ryan said was true.

“Sorry, Lady Cecilia’s wish, I can’t tell you. It’s our family secret. For a thousand years we’ve kept our promises to friends, I can’t break the rules in my generation.”

Charlotte just felt innocent, repeating the same words from before with a blank face.

Ryan truly had nothing he could do about Charlotte.

“Alright, alright, I get it…” Ryan now seemed like a child who, unable to get the upper hand, simply dropped the topic.

“If you’re done here and have nothing else, go and help me comfort Lilia. She’s been locked at home by me lately and keeps thinking badly of me. I’ll leave it to you.”

Ryan finally gave up entirely—he knew well, it wasn’t Charlotte approaching Lilia, but rather Lilia who was determined to get close to Charlotte.

“Of course.” Charlotte nodded. “As her tutor, this is my duty.”

“Duty, huh… Hahahaha, hearing that word from you really puts my mind at ease.” Duke Ryan laughed, letting go of his worries.

Then his smile faded. “Actually, my daughter really likes you.”

“I’m sorry, Duke Ryan, at that time I really wasn’t…”

“Enough, no need to apologize. With your strength, if you wanted to take Lilia away, you wouldn’t need my permission.”

“I’m really doting on my daughter. That’s something the entire Kalishi Empire knows. Because I love my wife very much—Cecilia was truly the brightest light in my life. So I’ve always protected Lilia carefully, she’s the gift Cecilia left for me…” As Ryan spoke, he slowly stood and looked out the window.

He gazed at the flowers and grass in the courtyard, recalling the time at the Duke’s Mansion in the Northern Region, hand-in-hand with that silver-haired elven girl.

“Since Cecilia chose you, then you must bear your responsibility. Whether that’s being Lilia’s teacher or any other role. That’s enough, go on, don’t disturb my work any longer.”

As Charlotte stepped out of the reception hall’s carved wooden doors, he caught sight of a small “busy” figure at the end of the corridor.

Lilia was pretending to pass by, her toes tapping on the marble floor, her round eyes darting all around uncontrollably, fingers unconsciously counting the raised patterns on the wall—her attempt to cover up was as obvious as a kitten stealing a peek at candy.

Of course, Charlotte wouldn’t expose her little game, and simply took the opportunity to speak up, “Lilia, what a coincidence. I just finished talking with your father about you.”

“Ah—Charlotte!” The girl bounced over like a startled fawn, her elven ears twitching, cheeks tinged with pink, her tone barely hiding her eagerness, “Already finished? I thought I’d have to wait a long time.”

“I’m here today to test your studies too.” Charlotte’s voice was gentle but carried an unquestionable seriousness. “Come on, let me see if you’ve been keeping up with your lessons lately.”

“Hmph, how could I fall behind!” Lilia puffed out her small chest, her eyes sparkling with a burning passion for Magic. “I really, really want to learn Magic! I can’t wait to cast spells myself, Charlotte, will you teach me today?”

Charlotte agreed, “As long as you have the basics down, Lilia, I will teach you.”

As it turned out, Lilia’s eagerness to learn exceeded expectations. In just a few days, she had devoured the thick “Basic Introduction to Magic,” absorbing it all.

Her answers on the Exam Paper were clear and logical, and even when Charlotte randomly quizzed her on obscure points, she responded fluently, her train of thought sharp beyond belief.

Charlotte paused as he flipped through the Exam Paper, looking at the bright-eyed girl before him.

“Maybe Lilia really is ready to become a true Mage.”

He turned to the maid who had quietly stood behind Lilia the whole time and nodded politely. “Miss, I’d like to take your young lady somewhere.”

The maid bowed, her tone respectful and steady. “Of course, Master Ryan gave specific instructions that as long as Marquis Charlotte is present, there is no need for us to worry about Miss Lilia’s safety. But… please be sure to return Miss before Sunset, and if that’s not possible, please pay extra attention to her safety.”

“Safety? With Charlotte, what safety concerns could there be?” Lilia was puzzled.

Charlotte felt a bit awkward. “It’s nothing, Lilia, better not to ask.”

Then he turned back to the maid. “Don’t worry, I’ll bring your lady back safely.”

The maid nodded as well. “Miss Lilia, I will take my leave for today. I wish you and Marquis Charlotte a pleasant time.”

“Great!” Lilia was so excited she nearly jumped on the spot, her cheeks flushed bright red, and her fingers trembled as she clung to Charlotte’s sleeve—was she really about to join the ranks of Mages?

Charlotte didn’t hesitate any longer, a faint teal glow rose around him, and the Wind Element swirled gently by his side like a quiet stream.

“Lilia, give me your hand.” Charlotte offered his right hand like a gentleman.

“Ah… Okay!” Lilia’s cheeks burned, and she shyly placed her hand in his. The moment her fingers touched his palm, she felt a steady strength flow into her.

“Hold on tight. This might get a bit exciting.” Charlotte’s voice held a hint of laughter.

“Eh?” Before Lilia could react, the teal light around Charlotte blazed up, and a huge Magic Circle of wind element unfurled beneath their feet, complex Runes shimmering with dazzling light.

With a crisp snap of Charlotte’s fingers, the two of them shot into the air.

The rush of wind made Lilia instantly feel weightless, her heart giving a tiny leap.

She couldn’t help but cry out in surprise:

“UwAAAH——!!!”

This sudden flight was both novel and thrilling. The wind roared past her ears, her skirt fluttering wildly, but she didn’t dislike it at all—on the contrary, her whole body seemed to come alive.

“We’re flying! Charlotte, we’re really flying!” She waved her free hand excitedly, unable to suppress her joy.

“Do you like this feeling?”

“Of course! It’s amazing!” Lilia nodded hard, greedily looking down at the familiar courtyard below.

“Then let’s circle the mansion once so you can get used to it.”

As he spoke, Charlotte controlled the Wind Element to slow down, the teal trail of Magic drawing beautiful arcs through the sky like flowing emerald.

Inside the reception hall, Duke Ryan was holding his teacup when he suddenly heard a commotion outside, the sound of flowers rustling in the wind.

He frowned, about to reprimand whichever servant was being so careless, when his eyes happened to glance out the window—outside, Charlotte was soaring through the sky with Lilia.

The girl’s surprised cries and clear laughter mixed together, drifting into the courtyard on the wind.

Ryan looked at his daughter’s face, radiant in a way he’d never seen before, and the words of scolding stuck in his throat.

He set down his teacup, his gaze complicated as he watched the two figures. A bittersweet comfort welled up in his heart.

His daughter no longer needed him.

As a father, it was time for him to accept that.

His daughter had grown up, and already found someone who could protect her.

His gaze landed on Charlotte, watching the youth calmly casting all sorts of wind Magic, his magical aura steady and powerful. Ryan knew that kind of power very well.

A flash of shock crossed his eyes as he murmured, “Charlotte… you’re already a Fourth-Tier Mage?”

An eighteen-year-old Fourth-Tier Mage… Even in the Creation Age, such a genius had never appeared in history.