Chapter 08
An Unexpected First Encounter
From within the carriage, a voice echoed, catching Ebony off guard. She quickly looked around, but no one was there.
<“Hey, over here, dummy!”>
The playful voice was filled with mischief.
Following the source of the voice, Ebony turned her head to see a tiny spirit.
“…Wade?”
Looking closer, she realized it was Wade, the water spirit she had summoned.
“You’ve grown since I last saw you,” she noted, surprised.
What caught her attention was how much he had changed. Wade, who used to be a mere droplet, now had a human-like form. Unlike before, when he could only manage a few words, now he was speaking fluently.
“Thanks to Violet’s parting gift, I grew quickly.”
“My mother?”
“Yep. I regained my strength because of her. Your powers must’ve improved too. My growth depends on your abilities, after all.”
Ebony felt a surge of emotion. Violet had left her with yet another precious gift, one too big to ever repay.
“Alright, save the tears for later! We’ve got more important things to focus on.”
Noticing her teary eyes, Wade sighed dramatically.
“Remember, you said you needed a bargaining chip?”
“Yeah.”
“Use me. The most valuable thing you have—me!”
Wade lightly tapped her nose as he spoke.
“Use you…?” Ebony repeated, slowly grasping his meaning.
She was the world’s only Spirit Caller. No matter how noble and powerful Diego Magnus was, Ebony’s unique abilities were unmatched. And with the power her mother had left her, her skills were stronger than ever.
“My abilities could bring enormous benefits to the duchy,” she realized.
Spirit Callers, who could command pure souls, were natural enemies of the dark creatures that plagued the northern lands where the Magnus resided. The North constantly struggled with these monsters, and Ebony’s abilities were the perfect solution.
Additionally, with Wade, the water spirit could purify the polluted rivers and lakes, providing clean water—a problem even the mages couldn’t solve.
“This will work. It has to…” she murmured.
A sense of hope lit up within her as clarity replaced her confusion.
The one thing the powerful duke didn’t have was something only she could offer. In this newfound glimmer of hope, Ebony felt as though she had the world in her grasp.
“Ebony!”
As she stepped down from the carriage, Ebony was greeted by Leonhardt’s warm embrace. His familiar, comforting presence brought a smile to her face.
“Was the journey difficult?”
“No, thanks to you.”
Leon’s gentle hand ruffled her hair, his affection evident in his gaze.
“You didn’t write to me all this time… I was hurt, you know.”
“I’m sorry. It seems there was some mix-up with our letters. I didn’t receive any of yours either.”
Both had felt hurt by the lack of communication, though Ebony chose not to mention Irene’s meddling. If Leon found out, he would go to great lengths to confront her, likely causing unnecessary trouble.
Thankfully, Leon didn’t press further. He wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and led her into the mansion.
“Welcome, Lady Ebony,”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Ebony. I’m Helene.
Please, feel free to call me that,”
The staff greeted her warmly, and Leon’s wife, Helene, approached with a radiant smile. Hugging Ebony, she exuded a friendly warmth that felt comforting.
“You must be tired. Shall we eat first?”
Dinner was a feast prepared just for Ebony—cabbage soup, tender lamb steak, roasted vegetables, and her childhood favorite, crepes.
The meal, entirely tailored to her preferences, left Ebony a bit overwhelmed.
“…Can I eat all this?”
“Of course! It’s all for you,” Leon assured her with a grin.
“I feel bad that everything’s been adjusted to my liking…”
“Whatever you love, we love too. We’re family.”
His response brought tears to her eyes, though she tried her best to hold them back.
The warmth of the meal and the stories shared during dinner—their struggles, joys, and even humorous anecdotes—wrapped around her like a comforting blanket.
“Leon, I’m so glad you’ve found such good people.”
“I’m lucky to have them. But, Ebony, I hope you find people who care for you just as much. Don’t let loneliness trap you. More people love you than you think.”
His words struck a chord, but Ebony couldn’t fully believe them. Could someone truly love her in a world that seemed so cruel?
On the fourth day at Leon’s estate, Ebony woke up later than usual. When she finally got up, she noticed a bouquet and a note on the table.
“I’m meeting a friend today—yes, the grumpy but lovable one I mentioned. I’ll probably have lunch with him. Don’t skip your meal; I’ve arranged for a late breakfast for you.
While I’m away, why not explore the mansion? Helene has decorated it beautifully—you’ll love it.”
The note brought a smile to her lips. It wasn’t just Leon’s thoughtful words; it was the opportunity this absence gave her.
While Leon and Helene were kind, their presence made it hard for her to gather the information she needed. Now, she could start her investigation.
“Lucia, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, my lady!”
Her first target was Lucia, a maid Leon had assigned to accompany her.
“Since my brother has served in the royal knights for so long, I imagine he’s acquainted with the palace officials?”
“Certainly! He’s even personally escorted some of them.”
“Then… would he happen to know Duke Diego Magnus?”
Lucia tilted her head, puzzled by the question. Was it too direct?
Just as Ebony was about to explain, Lucia spoke up.
“Of course! Lord Magnus is one of Sir Leonhardt’s closest friends.”
“…What?”
Memories of Leon mentioning his grumpy yet lovable friend flooded back.
“Wait… is that grumpy yet adorable person…?”
“Yes, that’s Duke Diego Magnus.”
The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. Leon’s best friend was Diego Magnus, the very man she needed to meet.
Even better, Diego was visiting the estate today.
Rushing to get ready, Ebony decided this was her chance to make a good impression.
As she made her way to the drawing room, she spotted a tall man approaching from the opposite direction. His imposing figure reminded her of a castle guard.
As he came closer, his features became clearer—dark hair like the night, striking crimson eyes, and a strong, chiseled face.
“Ebony, you’ll know the moment you see him. His presence is like no other,” Irene’s words echoed in her mind.
Ebony instantly realized who he was.
“…Diego Magnus.”
Even against the light of a chandelier, he seemed to glow. As their eyes met, his indifferent gaze swept over her.
