Non and Emily sat at the dining table. versation flowed easily as they openly discussed wind magic.

  Emily, still excited by her ret progress, shared her experiences aions with Non, who listetentively, subtle advid corres.

  The topiagic captivated the i of the nearby servants, who discreetly stayed close, listening to every detail with such tration it seemed they were takial notes.

  “It’s really iing how you feel the flow of the wind when you focus the mana in the core,” Emily said, her eyes shining with excitement.

  “Yes, once you have trol of the mana, the magiuch more naturally,” Non respohoughtfully. “But the most important thing is how you mao maintain that stant flow. That’s what will allow you to trol not just the wind, but any magic.”

  Before they could tinue, one of the maids appeared, bringing in the food.

  As she pced a pte in front of Emily, she smiled gratefully.

  “Thank you very much,” she said warmly as the maid withdrew with a small bow.

  Non, meanwhile, had already beguihusiastically, dispying his usual appetite.

  The aroma of the meat stew with fresh herbs filled the room.

  The stew had a thick sistency, and the earthy fvor of the vegetables blended perfectly with the juicy pieeat.

  o it, there was a small portion of freshly baked bread, crispy oside and soft on the inside.

  When Emily tasted it, she noticed how the bread plemehe warmth of the food, while Non quickly finished his portion.

  Ohey were both satisfied, Noed his elbows oable, rexing a bit before breaking the silence.

  “Emily, I’ve been thinking… how would you feel about staying at the mansion?”

  Emily looked up in surprise, almost dropping her fork.

  “What? Staying here? Really?” she asked incredulously, her eyes wide.

  Non smiled at her rea.

  “Yes, why not? There’s plenty of space.” He turned his head towards the servants standing nearby in the room. “Are there any avaible rooms?”

  One of the servants nodded respectfully.

  “Yes, sir, there are several avaible rooms.”

  Emily, still in shock, tried to process the offer.

  “But… why do you wao stay here?” she asked curiously.

  Non looked at her, amused by her fusion.

  “It’s fun teag you magic,” he said with a shrug. “And besides, I think things will get a bit problematiorrow.”

  Emily blinked, even more surprised.

  “Why do you say that?”

  Non paused before responding.

  “I received a letter from Princess Iris,” he began to expin. “She told me she couldn’t stop the rumors about my visit to the church, so it’s likely that starting tomorrow, we’ll have more eyes on this mansion. We’ll o increase security.”

  Emily was left speechless.

  “Are you that popur?” she asked with a mixture of amazement and fusion. “I didn’t know…”

  Non smiled, but there was a hint of disdain towards the situation.

  “So it seems. Although I don’t fully uand it.”

  “Why don’t you agree to give an interview then?” Emily suggested, remembering something she had seen in the capital. “It’s something important people do to calm the public’s curiosity. Maybe if you give ohe i will decrease.”

  Non looked at her, slightly puzzled.

  “An interview?” he repeated, doubtful.

  It was clear he wasn’t familiar with the cept.

  Emily nodded, excited to expin.

  “Yes, it’s when journalists ask you questions, and you answer so that people know more about you. Maybe if you give an interview, everyone will calm down and stop b you.”

  Non observed her, thoughtful, and then nodded slowly.

  “That makes sense… I suppose. I hadn’t thought of that.”

  Emily, feeling useful, smiled with satisfa.

  She had mao offer him a good idea, and that made her feel proud of herself.

  Seeing her so animated, Nouro the initial versation.

  “So, what do you say? Will you stay here?” he asked again, with a slight smile.

  Emily, still impressed by the proposal, lowered her head and thought out loud.

  “Well… I’d have to ask my grandparents for permission first.”

  “Yrandparents?” Noed, somewhat curious. “Right, I’d like to meet your family.”

  Emily quickly waved her hands, trying to dissuade him.

  “No, no! It’s not necessary. If you go in person, it would cause a big otion, and they’d end up overwhelmed trying to take care of you. Everyone in the vilge would find out.”

  Non raised an eyebrow.

  “And isn’t that a good thing?”

  Emily nodded slightly, but then remembered the versation with her grandmother and how they had suggested she ask Non for money.

  Just the thought made her feel unfortable.

  Her grandmother’s words echoed in her mind, but she couldn’t say them out loud.

  Non, notig her ge in expression, tilted his head to the side, curious.

  “So, what I do to help them?” he asked sincerely.

  Emily, visibly embarrassed, blushed.

  “No, no… it’s nothing,” she said quickly, trying to ge the subject.

  Non, with a mischievous smile, crossed his arms and looked at her ily.

  “If you don’t tell me, I won’t keep teag you magic.”

  Emily’s eyes widened in disbelief, and, uo help herself, she made a face of surprise that drew a soft ugh from Non.

  “That’s not fair!” she protested, her face flushed. “That’s manipution!”

  Non burst out ughing.

  “Well, I’ve said it. It’s up to you.”

  Emily, with a resigned sigh, lowered her head.

  “Money,” Emily murmured quietly, feeling embarrassment wash over her.