IFLDMHF | Chapter 102

Episode 102

The rampant magic surging through Euclid’s heart caused him sudden pain even under normal circumstances, but whenever he used magic, it always provoked an immediate reaction.

The stronger the magic, the worse the pain.

The spell he had used on Count Biers and his daughter, Amy Biers, was no exception.

Compared to simply forcing the glass bottle from his grasp to smash against the wall, this spell had been far more complex. He expected to suffer greatly for days.

His heart would likely feel as if sharp blades were slicing and stabbing it from all directions. He had long since grown used to such pain.

What Euclid feared more was something else entirely.

The possibility of his long-kept secret being discovered—by his nieces or anyone else.

But contrary to his expectations, his condition was surprisingly stable.

Even if it was thanks to the Tower Master’s medicine, there was no way he should have been able to escape the pain so easily.

‘That’s impossible.’

Come to think of it, Euclid had also taken the medicine immediately after using magic before the wedding.

The potion was made from incredibly rare ingredients, so much so that even the Tower Master, with luck, could produce only one bottle every three or four months—or at worst, just one per year. Naturally, its price reflected its rarity.

He had brought some to the capital just in case, but he hadn’t actually expected to use it—let alone for his future wife.

But he had no regrets.

It was only natural. There was no greater disaster than the groom coughing up blood in the middle of the ceremony.

If things had gone wrong, the incurable illness he had fought so hard to keep hidden might have been exposed.

And that would be the least of his problems. If the truth about his condition and his intention to conceal it before the marriage were revealed, he could end up making a dangerous enemy of the Basilian Ducal House.

He had already ignored the decree of the first Duke and even silenced his own conscience for the sake of his young nieces, who would one day be left without him.

Ruining the marriage and burdening his nieces even further would have been the worst possible outcome.

‘If that had happened, someone in the Imperial Palace would have been celebrating.’

That was why Euclid had taken the medicine without hesitation.

Fortunately, it had worked quickly.

He hadn’t coughed up blood, and the pain had subsided to nothing more than a light sheen of cold sweat.

Just in case, once he boarded the carriage, he ignored Delano—who had clearly wanted to speak—and immediately closed his eyes to rest. Unexpectedly, his condition improved rapidly.

‘At the time, I thought it was because I had only used a simple spell.’

But in truth, he wasn’t sure.

Back then, he had been so overwhelmed by the thought that Evgenia was about to die that he had unconsciously cast magic without even realizing how much power he had used.

Unlike that moment of reckless desperation, this time he had been in full control—so much so that even the Tower Master would have accused him of having a death wish for using such high-level magic on two people at once.

He had fully expected excruciating pain and severe aftereffects.

‘But… nothing happened.’

In fact, not only was he fine, but he was in surprisingly good shape.

Euclid let out a hollow laugh at the realization of how long it had taken him to notice.

Yet, even after sending Count Biers back to the capital the next day, there were too many matters in the ducal estate demanding his attention.

He had to immediately start planning the restoration of the knights, repay old debts, receive guests, and respond to the sudden climate changes affecting not just the duchy but the entire northern region.

But now, Euclid was certain.

The aftereffects that should have come… never did.

For someone who had suffered from this condition for as long as he could remember, this was an entirely unprecedented experience.

And suddenly, he realized—there had been many firsts since meeting Evgenia.

With a peculiar expression, Euclid looked down at Evgenia, still in his arms.

‘Perhaps…’

Could his body have improved?

The Tower Master had been too furious to properly assess his condition, but if they reexamined the flow of magic pooling in his heart…

The resignation that had always filled Euclid’s eyes wavered.

Maybe… maybe it was okay to abandon the plan he had built on guilt, ignoring his conscience.

Maybe… he didn’t have to give up everything he secretly wanted.

At that moment, as Euclid unconsciously moved his arms, hesitantly placing a hand on Evgenia’s shoulder—

“I-I’m sorry, Your Grace!”

Despite the lightness of the touch, Evgenia recoiled in surprise, quickly stepping back and yanking off the silk scarf covering her eyes.

Euclid stared blankly as she hurriedly explained in a flustered voice, “I-I thought it was the children! I had my eyes covered, so….”

Her pale cheeks were flushed red, likely from playing with the children.

And for some reason, seeing her like that made Euclid feel as though his own face was growing warmer as well.

More than anything—

“……”

Euclid looked down at his hand.

Though their contact had lasted only a moment, he could still feel the lingering warmth of her touch, as if her scent remained on his skin.

Before he knew it, his fingers curled into a fist, as if unwilling to let the sensation slip away.

Just as he was about to reassure the still-apologizing Evgenia that there was no need to say sorry—

Euclid tilted his head slightly in confusion.

Hadn’t she called him “Your Grace” before taking off the scarf?

‘What have I done?! I must be out of my mind!’

I quickly averted my gaze from Euclid’s bewildered stare.

He already found me burdensome, and now I had just made everything worse.

‘I must have been under some sort of spell.’

Or rather… those little devils must have bewitched me!

That had to be the only explanation.

Everything had started right after I confessed my feelings for Euclid to the children.

Thankfully, even though I hadn’t managed to explain why it had to be a secret, the children had simply been overjoyed to learn that I liked him.

Especially Dior—whose nose had risen so high it practically touched the sky.

Marianne and I had no choice but to acknowledge his sharp instincts.

Of course, Dior had no idea how embarrassingly I had pursued the crown prince in the past, so he likely came to his conclusion without any bias.

Still, he was frighteningly observant, and his accuracy was uncanny.

Honestly, I was so impressed that I had the urge to grab the seven-year-old and ask—

《Then what about Uncle? Do you think he likes Aunt?》

But I held back.

I had a bad feeling the answer wouldn’t be what I wanted to hear.

And even if it was…

‘I want to hear it from Euclid himself.’

Besides, it was embarrassing enough that I had just confessed my feelings to the children—trying to confirm Euclid’s feelings immediately after was just too much, even for me.

…Little did I know that the children were far more shameless than I was.

“Trust us, Aunt!”

“Yes, just leave it to us!”

With eyes burning with determination, the children suddenly called for the head maid and instructed her to deliver a message to Euclid.

From what I overheard, it was an invitation to come fetch me before dinner.

For a moment, I worried they were up to something ridiculous—but I was relieved to find out it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Or so I thought.

Because right after, the children suddenly produced a scarf from who-knows-where, dragged me to the courtyard, and insisted on playing ‘blindfolded tag.’

Honestly, I thought it was a good idea.

I was still too shaken from reading the first Duke’s book to focus on anything else, and playing with the children seemed like a good way to clear my mind.

But…

“Wait… I’m the only one playing as ‘it’?”

I was an adult, so I didn’t mind the handicap.

Really, I didn’t… but the way the children giggled mischievously felt suspicious.

And sure enough—

The heavy footsteps that suddenly echoed through the courtyard soon revealed their true scheme.

‘Oh no.’

Just what am I going to do with these cunning, adorable little rascals?