However, the next moment, he heard Sophia’s words:

“I can’t teach you magic, but I can teach you swordsmanship. As for magic…” Sophia glanced at An, already working on his second roasted fish.

An looked up, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Wait—you don’t mean…”

“Exactly. My magic was granted by fairies. You’re different. I’m sure you know some human magic too,” Sophia said to An mentally.

“Well…”

“You were the one who suggested keeping him. Don’t you owe a little responsibility?” Sophia fixed him with a cold stare.

Under that gaze, An drowned in regret.

*Why did I open my big mouth!?*

Yugo watched the girl fall silent mid-sentence. He stayed quiet too, waiting obediently.

“Fine. I *do* know human magic and could teach him. But not yet. Not now,” An sighed, shooting Yugo a strange look.

Sophia frowned. “‘Not now’? What does that mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

“…”

She stared at An until she found nothing useful in his eyes, then looked away.

Her gaze returned to Yugo. Throughout the exchange, he’d stayed silent, watching her with quiet focus.

Sophia gave a slight nod—approval flickered in her eyes.

“I’ll teach you swordsmanship. Magic… not yet. We’ll talk later,” she told Yugo, weaving An’s words into her own.

A trace of disappointment flashed in Yugo’s eyes—but joy washed it away instantly.

“S-so you mean…”

“Mm. You may follow me.”

Relief and delight lit Yugo’s face.

“My name is Sophia. Call me that.” She withheld her surname, cautious.

For Yugo, it was more than enough.

“Sophia… Sister.” He added the honorific instinctively, feeling “just Sophia” too bold.

Sophia’s eyes shifted—peculiar.

An smirked, shooting them both a knowing glance.

“W-what’s wrong?” Yugo asked, flustered.

Sophia waved a hand. “Nothing. Call me what you like.”

*If anything, this title might spare me trouble.*

“Mm!” Yugo beamed.

*Gurgle…*

A rumble escaped Yugo’s stomach. Sophia glanced at his flushed face.

She eyed the roasted fish under An’s paw—but he snatched it and darted aside.

“…”

Sophia looked at the last fish in her hand. A flicker of disappointment vanished. Calmly, she offered it.

“Eat.”

“Ah…”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Th-thank you…”

An watched, a mocking glint in his eyes.

*Little princess… still too kind.*

…

By noon, Sophia resumed her journey—with a small boy trailing behind.

She glanced back. Obedient. Quiet.

*This little follower suits me. For now.*

Sophia disliked noise. It echoed palace memories…

Even she didn’t know why she’d agreed. An’s “suggestion” aside, impulsiveness wasn’t her style.

She was still a wanted fugitive of the Regan Empire. Trust was a luxury.

Yet under Yugo’s gaze… she’d softened without thinking.

*Was it the familiarity in his eyes? Or just boredom craving distraction?*

She didn’t care to dig deeper.

Besides…

…

“Little Sophia, why dislike Duke Weile? He’s so kind.”

“Father… you found proof of his crimes! Why trust him?”

“Hehe… Little Sophia, evidence can be forged. Do not employ those you doubt. Once employed, do not doubt them. Remember this.”

“But…”

“Trust a person’s eyes—they’re the window to the soul. Duke Weile is truly noble.”

…

Sophia remembered the wisdom gleaming in her father’s eyes.

And later—when nobles betrayed the throne—only Duke Weile stood before the king.

He died shielding him.

Even as his eyes closed, he shoved the king away: *“Run.”*

*Someone with eyes that pure… can’t be evil. Not to me.*

“Sister Sophia… where are we going?” Yugo ventured, uneasy with the silence.

Voice cautious.

Without turning, Sophia gazed down the forest path. “The Eus Empire.”

“Eus… Empire?” Yugo tilted his head, confused.

“Mm. To find someone.” A half-truth, lightly offered.

Yugo’s curiosity sparked. “A… friend?”

Sophia shook her head.

“Then—your family!?”

“…”

Silence stretched. She glanced back at the starry-eyed boy, lips tightening. Then forward again.

“I have no family left.”

Her voice stayed flat—carefully, deliberately calm.