My Husband Is Not the Magic Tower Master - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 38

Deep in the night at Stein House.
“I’m sorry—what?”
I blinked slowly, my mind blank.
It was only a single sentence.
But it carried the weight of so much more.
In an instant, fragments of memory flashed past like scenes in a panorama, tumbling through my thoughts in rapid succession.
When the world began to spin before my eyes, I pressed my forehead and let out a small, hollow laugh.
“Are you… confessing your feelings to me right now?”
“I haven’t said anything about liking you yet.”
“That’s the same thing.”
Why does he always circle around the point like that? So confusing.
As I furrowed my brow in protest, Carlo’s expression remained as composed as ever, and he blinked at me—slowly, deliberately.
The already frigid air of dawn froze solid in the oppressive quiet that settled between us.
‘He’s not going to answer me, is he.’
At this rate, there would be no proper farewell either.
I was walking toward the entrance of the mansion with Carlo when I suddenly veered off onto the opposite garden path instead.
I couldn’t send him back to the Mage Tower like this—not with things left so unresolved.
Once the sun rose, what was I supposed to do about this ambiguous situation?
The wretched male lead and I were getting married in days, and there were too many eyes watching.
Was I supposed to be caught red-handed in some dime-novel romance with another man?
Before I could turn down the opposite path, I grabbed Carlo’s arm and pulled him along.
“Don’t leave yet. We’ll finish this conversation first, and then I’ll see you off.”
“…Where are we going?”
“The pond. My mind is too unsettled.”
If you walked toward the farthest annex at the deepest part of the estate, you’d eventually reach a small lake.
Since it wasn’t particularly large or deep, I’d called it the pond ever since I was a child.
‘Maybe I’ll think more clearly if I speak while looking at the water.’
Without realizing it, my grip on his arm began to tremble.
Carlo glanced down at the arm I held, then quietly matched his pace to mine, as if in silent agreement.
“I’ll explain everything.”
“…But you know it won’t work out anyway.”
Next month, I’m supposed to be married.
“However, Rose already knows—”
“Wait, what are you saying—!”
Already knows what?
I turned back to Carlo, wondering if I’d misheard him.
In that moment, I felt a presence approaching from a distance.
“…!”
Both startled, Carlo and I immediately yanked our linked arms apart.
“Ah!”
“Ugh.”
Thud!
We lost our balance and tumbled down the embankment into the tall grass below.
Before the pain could register, I heard voices murmuring from above us.
“Miss Rose, where have you gone!”
“We need to search this way more thoroughly…”
Standing where we’d been moments before were none other than the servants of Stein House.
Only then did I remember the water bucket I’d carelessly left at the base of the first-floor stairs.
‘Ah. I should have left a note.’
…If I had, they wouldn’t have been startled into patrolling in the dead of night with torches in hand.
I’d slipped out without ringing the servants’ bell because I didn’t want to disturb them, and now look—I’d caused an even greater commotion.
‘But…’
I couldn’t very well crawl back up from the grassy slope where we’d tumbled and admit we were here all along.
How could I explain without dying of shame.
Two Mages who were supposedly competent managed to stumble without even deploying Defensive Magic, falling helplessly through the air.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t get up.”
So you’ll just have to bear with it for a moment.
I found myself unfairly burying my face against Carlo’s chest, waiting.
Waiting until the echoing noise faded far away from this place.
“…They’ve gone.”
“You’re sure?”
“…I confirmed it with Tracking Magic. Don’t worry—you can get up now.”
Carlo, who had been lying on the ground, murmured low.
As we were falling into the tall grass, he’d pulled my arm, held me against his chest, and taken the brunt of the impact himself.
We’d both panicked and grabbed at each other.
But his strength had won out.
Thanks to that, I’d fared better off than I might have, so I offered him an apologetic look and cautiously lifted my head.
“You’re all right, aren’t you?”
“I should be.”
“You’re neither saying you’re fine nor that you’re hurt. What exactly does that mean?”
I stared at him incredulously.
His crimson eyes, which had been wandering without direction, met mine head-on.
“…”
“…”
Silence fell at the sudden meeting of our gazes.
No, this wasn’t right.
Sensing the atmosphere shifting strangely, I hastily pushed myself up from his chest.
Well, I tried to—and failed.
“Ow—”
After not being able to cast a single spell properly and tumbling to the ground, the result was terrible.
I clutched my startled waist and barely managed to collapse onto the spot beside where Carlo was lying.
He seemed startled by my pained groan and briefly tried to sit up, but his assessment was no different.
“…It seems to be bruising.”
Carlo dusted off his shoulders and arms, diagnosing himself simply.
When he then reached his hand to my forehead, it was wrapped in a thin layer of Mana.
“…No major issues elsewhere, but your left wrist muscle seems startled, Rose.”
“I’ll handle the treatment myself. Healing is my specialty with the Water element, after all.”
“No. Let me treat—”
“Then hold my hand.”
When I took the arm that was touching my forehead, he obediently interlocked his fingers with mine.
Healing was the specialty of the Water element.
No matter how skilled a Mage, using magic of a different element consumed tremendous vitality.
Carlo seemed intent on treating me regardless of my reluctance.
So I decided that Mana Transfer through contact would be better.
Our Mana had already been linked for some time.
“When the Mana mixes and turns violet, that’s when you use it.”
“Does Mana connection work through hands alone?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve only ever tried it with hands so far.”
It was just as I answered helplessly, still holding his hand.
The moment it struck me.
“Ah. That is to say—”
“…So other points work too, it seems.”
I opened my eyes abruptly, which I’d been keeping closed.
“Y-you’re not planning to receive the transfer through somewhere else, are you?”
“…”
“It’s just because hands are the most proper method.”
As I hastily turned my head, Carlo was lying in the grass beside me, just as I was.
Only now, there was a narrow distance between us—much closer than before.
The moment our eyes met once more in silence, I held my breath.
The Healing Magic hadn’t started yet, but a shadow was slowly falling across my face.
Soon I heard a soft rustling as something slowly peeled away from the grass.
Carlo’s face was drawing closer to mine.
No, this wasn’t right. It couldn’t happen.
At last, one of his hands braced itself beside my head, and our breaths drew near.
It was the moment when hot breath, cutting through the crisp dawn air, was about to touch my lips.
“Ah.”
I covered my mouth with my hand.
“We can’t. Not here.”
“….”
“We’re not that kind of people.”
To let ourselves be swept away by the moment and act so recklessly would be a betrayal of what each of us had to carry.
Carlo was the male lead’s childhood friend.
And I had to marry the male lead, the one Eleine loved.
“I’m not ignorant of it, Carlo.”
“….”
“I know. I know, but there’s simply nothing I can do about it.”
With my lips covered, I spoke in a trembling voice.
Right now, there truly was nothing I could do.
Once my lips touched those of someone I held feelings for, it seemed like there would be no turning back.
He held my gaze for a moment before his movements stilled, then tilted his head slightly.
“I didn’t say lips.”
“…I’m sorry?”
“I asked if other places were allowed.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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