Chapter 87: Unable to Speak

Seeing that Victoria was about to unleash an attack spell on him, Rowen shivered involuntarily; judging by the furious cold radiating from that ice lotus, it was clear this was far more dangerous than simply freezing him into an ice sculpture. In this cramped cave, faced with the full force of a fifth-level mage's attack, he had no way to escape unscathed. His mind raced, searching desperately for something, anything, to convince her to believe him. He now realized that Victoria didn’t merely doubt he’d emerged from the cave—she seemed not to believe that he was “Rowen” at all.

What could he say to make her believe he truly was Rowen? At this moment of life and death, Rowen’s thoughts grew exceptionally clear. Suddenly, inspiration struck, and he cried aloud, “Victoria, do you remember the bonfire fireworks behind Porter Academy a year ago?”

At these words, most of Victoria’s doubts vanished instantly. The bonfire fireworks behind Porter Academy marked the only time since entering the academy that she had truly let down her guard—a moment when the crushing burdens upon her delicate shoulders were, for once, lifted. She had carved that beautiful memory deep into her heart. Now, hearing Rowen mention this secret that only the two of them knew, she instantly dispersed the ice lotus before her.

“You really are Rowen!” Victoria’s voice trembled with emotion.

Rowen nodded vigorously, like a pecking chick. At this moment, the little black donkey also wandered over, blinking sleepy eyes. After being chased away by Rowen the previous night, the donkey had intended to get some fresh air at the cave entrance, only to find the way blocked. It tapped the entrance with its hooves, but when nothing happened, and fearing to disturb Rowen by making too much noise, it simply fell asleep at the entrance. A loud bang in its sleep startled it awake, and drowsily, it ambled inside.

“Right—look, here’s my magical beast, Blackie. It was with us by the bonfire that night; you must recognize it!” Rowen quickly patted the donkey’s large head.

To further convince her, Rowen explained, “Miss Victoria, when I came out from inside the cave, I found you lying on the ground, wounded and poisoned. I only wanted to help you—detoxify you and tend your wounds. See, your injuries should be healed now, right?”

Upon seeing Blackie, all of Victoria’s doubts vanished. At Rowen’s mention of her wound, she quickly checked herself and was delighted to find she had completely recovered. She knew just how severe her injuries had been, and the poison spreading from the wound had rendered her unconscious after she’d run out of antidote. She hadn’t expected Rowen to heal wounds so grave.

But just as a wave of gratitude swelled within her, her cheeks flushed bright red. He had tended her wounds, which meant he must have seen those most private parts of her body. From childhood, apart from her family, she had never allowed such intimate contact with anyone; even walking or talking with a boy was rare for her. Today, Rowen had broken that precedent. Though he was only a twelve-year-old boy, for an ice-cold beauty like her, what he had done was almost unbearable. She shot Rowen a glance full of shame and anger, thinking, “This boy is too much! To mention it right in front of me—how am I supposed to face him now? As if I wouldn’t have realized it myself even if he hadn’t said anything!”

Rowen, seeing her strange expression, thought she still misunderstood him and, not knowing any better, tried to explain again. “Miss Victoria, just now, when we were… er, embracing each other, actually it was you who, last night, put your arm around my neck…”

“Ah!” She didn’t let him finish. Overcome by shame and anger, Victoria cast an ice spell on the spot—a hard block of ice slammed into Rowen’s behind, sending him flying.

Rowen writhed on the ground for a long time before finally struggling to his feet, rubbing his burning backside, and looked at Victoria in confusion. Seeing her about to cast another spell, he quickly waved his hands and cried, “Wait, Miss Victoria! I swear it’s all true. Yesterday, you even—ow!”

A larger block of ice struck his rear with even greater force.

This time, when Rowen got up, he clamped his mouth shut, refusing to say another word. High above, Kus, who had been floating and watching the whole scene, was now convulsed with laughter. He had never expected this usually clever boy to be so hopelessly dense when it came to matters between men and women. Clearly, he would have to give Rowen some proper instruction in the future, or else the boy would be an embarrassment to Lord Kus.

After a few hints from Kus, Rowen finally understood. If only he’d calmed down, he might have realized how inappropriate his words had been. But he’d been so desperate to clear up any misunderstanding with Victoria that he’d created that embarrassing spectacle.

Now, seeing Victoria’s cheeks still flushed and her expression mortified, Rowen hurried over, putting on his most sincere face. “Miss Victoria, I’m sorry—I spoke out of turn just now. I only wanted you to believe that I am really Rowen. I meant you no harm.”

Hearing this, Victoria’s expression softened a little. Seeing Rowen still massaging his wounded backside, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt: after all, he had saved her life, and yet she’d struck him with her ice magic. But as she recalled his earlier words, her shame and anger flared again, and she stamped her foot in secret, thinking, “Serves him right!”

“Rowen, you—you come here!” At last, Victoria regained her composure. Seeing Rowen standing nearly thirty meters away, she called out in a low voice.

“Er… Whatever you want to say, you can say it from there. I can hear you,” Rowen replied, genuinely afraid she’d target his backside again—another hit and he’d be done for.

Victoria nearly laughed at his apprehensive look. She softened her tone, “Rowen, come here. I have something to discuss with you. Don’t worry, I won’t use magic on you again.”

Realizing she wasn’t trying to trick him, Rowen hesitated, then inched his way to within five or six steps of her and stopped. “Whatever it is, just say it. I’m listening.”

Victoria ignored his caution and took a deep breath. “Rowen, when we return, I hope you won’t mention what happened in the cave to your dormmates—especially not my brother. Do you understand?” As she spoke, she glanced at him with a hint of embarrassment.

Realizing this was her concern, Rowen patted his chest reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Miss Victoria. Once we leave this cave, I won’t breathe a word of healing your wounds to anyone.”

“Thank you, Rowen,” Victoria replied, her tone genuinely grateful—her thanks were for both his discretion and for saving her life.

Just as Rowen was about to offer some polite words in reply, a sudden sound interrupted him—

“Grrr…” A very particular noise, caused by hunger, echoed through the silent cave. Though not loud, it was all too clear in the quiet.

Victoria’s face, only just returned to normal, flushed red again—for it was her stomach that had made the noise. She remembered all too well that the last time by the bonfire, her stomach had betrayed her in just the same way. And now, it was happening again!