IMMSFL Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Diego’s calm face showed a flicker of irritation, and a faint laugh escaped his tightly closed lips. He didn’t look flustered, effortlessly declining yet another proposal he had undoubtedly received countless times before.
“Didn’t Leon explain that part to you? I’m not marrying anyone.”
“…”
“There isn’t a single proposal that meets my standards.”
His red eyes scanned Ebony from head to toe with clear arrogance, as if there was no way this woman could have anything that might interest him.
“Yes, my brother never mentioned that. He only told me not to lose my heart to you, but he didn’t warn me against proposing.”
“Now that you know, you can head back home.”
“No, I don’t need to. I’ve come prepared with something that meets your standards. I told you, I have something you don’t.”
Diego’s lips curled into a crooked smile, dismissing her claim as a mere display of youthful defiance. He adjusted his posture and finally spoke, his tone cool and calculated.
“Alright, let’s hear it. You might not realize this, being so young, but marriage is one of the biggest deals I’ll ever make. Even the emperors of Evgenia and neighboring nations covet the idea of an alliance with me.”
“…”
“So, what exactly do you have to offer in exchange?”
He assumed she’d bring up trivial assets like jewels or mines—things that, even if converted into gold, wouldn’t amount to much. As he debated how best to rid himself of this audacious girl, he waited for her reply.
“I can give you the most valuable thing in the world.”
Ebony’s confident words were followed by the sudden appearance of a water droplet on her hand. It grew larger, floating gently toward the ceiling.
“Water?”
She hadn’t changed any spells, nor did she carry a wand like most magicians. How was this happening?
Before he could ponder further, the water droplet floated closer, surrounding him like delicate blossoms. When one of the droplets touched his nose, the cold sensation snapped him back to reality.
A deep sigh escaped Diego’s lips as he watched. The water, controlled by Ebony’s hands, multiplied and swirled into mesmerizing waves.
She was the conductor, and the water was her orchestra. Her slender fingers moved gracefully, commanding the waves to dance in harmony.
Diego’s fascination deepened when something emerged from within the waves—an extraordinary creature. It was unlike any beast he had encountered before.
“Is that…?”
No, he’d seen something like it once as a child. Violet, her mother, had performed similar miracles—art beyond the reach of ordinary human ability.
Realizing Ebony’s abilities, Diego shifted his gaze, unable to hide his disbelief. Ebony, her expression confident, finally asked,
“Isn’t this ability, something you don’t have, enough as a condition for marriage?”
He had heard of it before—Spirit Mages(Spirit Mages are a rare and mystical group of individuals in many fantasy settings). Their powers were passed down only through bloodlines, and only women were chosen. Even within the bloodline, not all inherited the gift. Violet had been the first Spirit Mage to emerge in a century.
The odds of another Spirit Mage appearing, especially as her daughter, were minuscule. Yet here she was, possessing her mother’s abilities in their purest form.
“…It’s an impressive ability. I’ll give you that.”
For the first time, Diego admitted his surprise. This was a power granted only to those chosen by the divine—far beyond his reach.
But even so, it wasn’t enough to justify marrying her. The Magnus family, with its noble lineage, had thrived for decades without the presence of a Spirit Mage.
Still, if he didn’t find a suitable match soon, he might be forced to marry the emperor’s daughter.
Diego studied her carefully—her flushed cheeks, her trembling pupils every time their eyes met, the golden strands of hair adorned with droplets of water, and her delicate fingers that occasionally quivered under his imposing gaze.
Why was he so fixated on such mundane details?
Diego’s lips, which had curved into a faint smile, suddenly straightened. Touching his lips thoughtfully, he said,
“Sorry, but it won’t work.”
That was his answer to her proposal.
Ebony’s ears rang as his words echoed in her mind. Her clear vision seemed to blur and split in two.
“You’re rejecting the deal?”
Her soft voice broke the silence. She hadn’t expected him to agree immediately.
Still, she had entered this battle with confidence. Her unique ability was something no one else could claim, something that would surely tempt his greed.
Her world came crashing down as the worst-case scenario unfolded.
Diego, who had been twirling his pen, stood from his chair. Walking over without hesitation, he stopped before her stunned face.
“I said I’m rejecting the proposal for now. Whether I’ll accept the deal, I’ll think about it. Now, go home.”
“If you’re not rejecting it outright, please give me an answer today.”
“Did you not hear me? I told you to leave.”
A rejection would have been better than this uncertainty. But Ebony had no time to wait—she had only days before returning to the Printed Empire and facing the consequences of her escapade.
Despite her desperation, Diego remained firm.
He rang a bell to summon his butler, intending to have her escorted out.
Unwilling to give up, Ebony grabbed his sleeve.
“I can’t leave without an answer. Even if it takes hours, please decide today…”
“Fine. Here’s your answer: I’m not accepting your deal.”
“…”
“Now that I’ve answered, will you leave?”
Diego’s face betrayed his irritation. It was clear his patience had run out. Realizing she couldn’t push further, Ebony let go of his sleeve.
“What if you never give me an answer?” she asked, biting her lip.
“Then take that as a rejection. I won’t waste my time giving you a formal answer.”
Diego brushed off his sleeve where she had touched it, his movements sharp and dismissive. He rang the bell again, urging the butler to hurry.
Despite his hostility, Ebony stood her ground, meeting his cold gaze.
“It’s you who will regret not thinking it over. I’m the only one who can give you what you truly need.”
Her voice brimmed with defiance, her tearful expression replaced by unshakable determination.
Diego’s curiosity flickered in his eyes as he watched her. Finally, a smirk tugged at his lips, and he chuckled.
“Fine. I’ll think about it.
Let’s see just how much you’re worth to me.”