The crown prince was keeping Lillie by his side under the excuse that she was his ‘guest.’ Peonia couldn’t predict how she would react when she finally met that woman. But she was certain it wouldn’t be a good feeling.
“If they were the kind of people capable of change, they wouldn’t have made us suffer in the first place. Isn’t that right?”
“We are stronger, nobler, and more valuable than anyone else.”
Then, out of nowhere, Seraphie’s voice would echo in her mind, snapping her back to reality.
Even Orkis had said something similar.
“She’s not a bad person.”
“You met her?”
“She seemed a bit pitiable.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
When Peonia asked for clarification, Orkis simply stared at his sister for a moment and moved on without answering.
“Did you perhaps conduct research here?” Lillie asked, holding the signed book tightly to her chest.
“Any research that involves using magic is conducted in another room. This room is strictly for theoretical research.”
“Wow…!”
“When Lady Albeolus officially joins the Magic Tower, you’ll be assigned a research lab as well.”
At that, Lillie’s eyes sparkled. “Will it be the same lab as Lady Felicia’s?”
“The labs are regulated as individual rooms for safety reasons.”
At Peonia’s clear explanation, the corners of Lillie’s lips, which had been brimming in excitement, dropped.
“D-Don’t you accept assistants?”
“It would be difficult. Your magic attribute and mine are polar opposites.”
The attributes of dark magic and light magic were extremely incompatible. For dark magic, which could handle all attributes except white, the one that could neutralize it—light magic—was something to be avoided.
“But still…” Despite being dejected, Lillie insisted like a child throwing a minor tantrum. “Since we’re opposites, there might be even more to learn from each other…”
“…”
“…I’m sorry.” Realizing she had overstepped, Lillie quickly corrected her posture and bowed her head, deeply embarrassed by her own boldness.
“Lady Albeolus.”
However, instead of feeling annoyed, Peonia found herself unexpectedly amused. It was such a strange feeling. To think she could feel this light-hearted despite having the woman her fiancé was supposedly interested in right before her eyes.
“Do you really like me that much?”
“Yes.” Lillie raised her head and nodded desperately. “You’re my idol. I know I’m still very lacking and have a lot to learn, but I really want to be your student.”
“I am a dark magician.”
“But you know more about light magic than anyone in the Empire.” Lillie pointed to the book she had just received a signature on. “I trained alone using the insights you shared about light magic in this paper.”
“The magicians who brought you said your magic skills were terrible…”
“That’s…” Lillie, looking troubled, glanced around the room as if to confirm they were truly alone. “I did it on purpose.”
Peonia’s eyes widened.
“The truth is, I met Lady’s brother a while ago…”
Lillie began to explain her situation. She said that she had met Peonia’s brother while shopping for jewelry with the crown prince. There was a woman beside him who seemed unwell, so Lillie had helped her using light magic. Afterward, that woman advised her that if she wanted to go to the Magic Tower, she should pretend not to know how to use magic.
“If I made you uncomfortable, I’m really sorry. But I just didn’t have the courage to defy the crown prince’s orders…”
“Wait.” Peonia wasn’t interested in that part. “The woman who was with my brother?”
“Yes. She’s the one who helped me.”
“Did she have short, sky-blue hair…?”
“Yes!” Lillie focused on recalling the woman’s appearance more accurately. “She was incredibly beautiful. Her skin was so fair, and though she seemed delicate, her eyes carried a strong resolve.”
“…”
“I’ve seen plenty of blue-haired people in the capital, but her hair was like the color of a clear sky.”
“…”
“O-Of course, Lady Felicia is much more beautiful…!”
No matter how much Lillie babbled on, Peonia was entirely lost in thought. Did she know all along?
Had Seraphie known about all of this from the start?
* * *
It was on Countess Vallidus’s estate. A few months ago, it had been more desolate than a graveyard. But now, it is considered one of the most beautiful estates in the area. The garden was lush with greenery, and butterflies and bees flitted among the fragrant flowers. In several small ponds scattered throughout the grounds, birds gathered to bathe and play, and a particularly brazen cat had even taken up residence.
“A cat?”
The owner of the estate herself had no idea that a cat was living there.
“What? You didn’t know?” Lunie said as she tried on various hats in front of a mirror. They were new ones she had bought since staying at Seraphie’s estate. “It’s a black cat, and its fur is so pretty.”
“Have you seen it, Lu?”
“I saw it with the kids.”
Apparently, Lunie had seen it playing with the siblings of Bia, who were staying in the annex.
“Sera, which one suits me better?”
“The orange one.”
“Then I’ll go with that.” Lunie handed the orange hat to the maid, who skillfully placed it on her head. “Aah, having a rich friend sure is nice.” She hummed a little tune.
Seraphie had ordered new outfits and accessories for Lunie from head to toe for her convenience. Thanks to that, Lunie didn’t feel much discomfort even though she had left all her belongings behind at the Mars estate. Actually, she felt much more comfortable now.
“I’ll deduct it from your salary.” Seraphie drew a clear line, making it clear that nothing was free.
“Even with the deductions, it’ll still be a lot, won’t it?” Lunie said confidently as she finished dressing in her outing clothes. “After all, my abilities can’t be bought for just any amount!” Her confidence was not just empty bravado.
After leaving the estate, Lunie was now working as the temporary accountant for the Vallidus family. Using the skills she had secretly honed since childhood while managing her store, she had perfectly organized the finances of the Vallidus family. Lunie handled all the things Seraphie had struggled with for days with ease. Although Seraphie said she was looking after Lunie, it felt more like she was the one being taken care of.
“Aren’t you wasting your talent?” Seraphie asked as she adjusted her hat.
The carriage they were riding in was speeding out of the capital. Their destination was a deserted villa complex, a place long abandoned by nobles after the Land Abandoned by God.
“With your skills, you could easily become the head of the Mars family. You’re much better than your brothers, to be honest.”
“That’s obvious.”
Lunie was aware of her abilities objectively. She also knew that her skills and interests had nothing to do with becoming the head of a noble family.
“I want to run a business, not bear the burden of leading a family.”
“I think you’d do great, though…”
“I’m actually really happy with how things are now.”
Lunie swung her legs playfully like she was splashing water, a faint smile on her face as she gazed out the window.
“Be honest with me.”
Then, suddenly, she asked.
“Aren’t I a nuisance?”
“Not really.” Seraphie shook her head without hesitation. “If you were that much of a bother, I would’ve kicked you out no matter what.”
“Then make me an official employee already!” Lunie pouted. “How long are you going to use such a valuable asset as a temporary worker?”
“Are you serious?”
“Do you think I’m lying?”
Lunie’s gaze, glaring bluntly with her arms crossed, was quite serious.
“Sera, I really believe I can do well.”
“…”
“Sera, you found my store, gave me freedom, and even gave me the chance to showcase my abilities.”
Lunie could confidently say that she felt more alive than ever.
“So you have every right to work someone like me to the bone.”
Though her words were bold, Lunie was inwardly anxious. To be honest, even the friendship she had was something she had forcefully pushed to make happen, so she was well aware that brazenly imposing herself like this was a burden.
Still, Lunie had confidence in herself. Leaving aside the betrayal she felt from her family, she was certain that if she was with Seraphie, they could achieve something truly remarkable together.
She had always thought Sera was amazing. Despite everyone’s expectations, Sera reclaimed her title, revived her crumbling family, and made her name known. However, the Sera that Lunie observed up close was somehow slightly precarious. She was alone. And kind in the midst of it all. Fragile to her very core. She acted like she wasn’t, but Lunie had never met anyone as kind as Sera.
That’s why she’s been meddling like that. She had helped Peonia at the tea party, and when Lunie was about to lose her store, she had stepped in personally. Yet, she didn’t seem to be looking out for her own interests much.
Sera had incredible talent. She saw the world from a different perspective, and to Lunie, those ideas were more valuable than gold and jewels. It would definitely be fun to work together. If they accomplished all these things together, they could leave their names in history. No one would see her merely as the daughter of the Mars family anymore.
If it’s Sera, I could…! Lunie, who was brimming with excitement as she indulged in her imagination, suddenly paused.
“…”
Bet my life? She flinched at the thought that had just crossed her mind. Goodness, what did I just think of? Bet my life on Sera? It was an absurd notion. But Lunie didn’t think it was entirely ridiculous.
How should I express this?
A certain conceptual word came to mind, but it was so unfamiliar that she found it difficult to say it aloud. It was something she hadn’t really heard of much in her life, something she hadn’t thought about. But it was the perfect word to express the feelings she had now.
“Lu.”
Just as she was about to grasp that word, Seraphie, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
Lunie smiled broadly. But her jaw, tense with nervousness, subtly pulled inward.
“Can I ask you a few things?”
“You can ask a hundred things.”
“Do you really want to work under me?”
“I’m not lying.”
“Then what about marrying Carl?”
Lunie hesitated for a moment at that question. But the answer came quickly.
“I really love Carl, but still, my life comes first.”
If she wasn’t happy, she couldn’t make anyone else happy either. So Lunie made a slightly selfish choice.
“If worse comes to worst, I can just bear his child, and that’s it.”
“Wow.” After a brief exclamation, Seraphie asked the last and most important question. “How much salary do you want?”
At that, Lunie beamed brightly. “Doesn’t matter how much it is!” She confidently declared that there wouldn’t be an employee as amazing as her, no matter what.
* * *
After riding in the carriage for two whole hours and thirty minutes, they finally arrived at the place temporarily named the ‘Villa Complex.’ Seraphie and Lunie inspected the abandoned villas and the surrounding area.
“It’s more than I thought…”
“Hmm, yeah…”
Neither of them could continue their words.
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