Episode 114

“Jenna, why do you know His Grace? You two know each other?”

At Arzen’s question, Jenna let out a soft chuckle.

“We ran into each other once on the street.”

“What did you mean earlier, about planning to visit him first?”

“You know already, brother. I’ve been given a mission by His Majesty—to purify the toxins that build up in the bodies of the Empire’s three great Awakened before they lose control.”

“I heard His Grace refused you.”

Arzen frowned as he spoke.

“That’s why there are rumors going around—quietly, of course—that he’s gone so far as to defy His Majesty’s orders just to avoid you.”

It seemed Arzen’s sharp tone toward Ludwig earlier had come from that very rumor.

“Brother, that’s not His Grace’s fault. It all happened so suddenly. And more than that, he’s someone who’s lived his whole life without ever needing anyone’s help. He just doesn’t understand the value of my ability yet.”

Jenna seemed to believe that once Ludwig saw the worth of her ability, he’d change his stance.

“So you’re saying you went to help someone who doesn’t want your help?”

Arzen sighed like he didn’t know what to do with this sweet, stubborn girl.

“If just a little more effort on my part could be of help to His Grace…”

‘No wonder she managed to win over even the most emotionally-walled-off male leads…’

That level of persistence and resolve was no joke.

Pure, unwavering dedication to the mission she’d been entrusted with.

Even in the original story, Jenna had slowly but surely “tamed” the male leads—each with their own twisted personalities or emotional damage.

‘She must’ve used the same approach back then, too.’

One day, maybe her persistence would even tie down Ludwig’s wandering steps.

‘Even I feel a little shaken seeing that kind of wholehearted devotion.’

Jenna was like a crystal made of pure white.

And it wasn’t just because of her silver hair.

Her ethereal presence, gentle voice, and the way her lips curved so naturally into a smile.

Everything about her tugged at a person’s protective instincts.

Most of all, when you looked into those deep blue eyes, they were so clear—so piercing—it was hard to hold her gaze for long.

“I’m sorry, but my answer is the same as before. You don’t need to feel any sense of duty toward me, so please don’t concern yourself with this any further.”

But even now, Ludwig turned her down.

“Your Grace! How many times are you going to trample on this girl’s sincere goodwill?”

In the end, Arzen couldn’t hold back his frustration and protested.

“This isn’t just about her—this is an order from His Majesty! It’s also a kind of test, to see if Jenna can be accepted as a member of high society. Do you really have to throw cold water on it like this?”

“I’ve already spoken with His Majesty about it. How long are you all going to keep dragging me into this?”

“That’s…!”

Even Arzen was left speechless, unable to come up with a retort.

Jenna’s smile faltered just slightly for a moment—but unlike last time, she quickly gathered herself.

Then, with an awkward smile, she gently tugged at Arzen’s sleeve.

“No, brother. I think… I’ve been bothering His Grace too much.”

“It’s not your fault. You’re just… too kind, that’s all.”

“Still, if I’ve made him uncomfortable, then I should stop. It was selfish of me.”

Jenna looked directly at Ludwig with steady eyes as she spoke.

“I won’t trouble you with this again, Your Grace. But I’m always ready to help—so if you ever change your mind, please don’t hesitate to come to me.”

Truthfully, I also didn’t really understand why Jenna was so fixated on Ludwig.

In the novel, I’d just assumed it was the kind of effort needed to break through the male lead’s emotional walls, but…

‘Seeing it in real life, it doesn’t feel so natural.’

Jenna didn’t drag out the issue further. She quickly shifted her focus back to me.

“I’m sorry, my lady. This had nothing to do with you, but the conversation kept turning in that direction.”

“It’s alright. It seems like everything’s settled now.”

…Though I couldn’t help but feel like there was a subtle line being drawn. Was I imagining it?

Just as that thought began to form, Jenna smiled warmly at me.

“If it’s alright with you, may I call you by name from now on? I’d really like for us to grow closer.”

“Of course, I don’t mind at all.”

At that, Jenna’s smile brightened into full bloom as she took my hand.

“Then please call me Jenna too, Sierra. It would make me so happy.”

“I will. Thank you for taking the first step, Jenna.”

Arzen, who had seemed irritated by Ludwig earlier, now looked on with a pleased expression as he watched the two of us.

“Honestly, ever since I returned, I haven’t really been able to make any friends I clicked with. I could feel that everyone kept their distance.”

Jenna’s miraculous return after going missing had caused quite a stir in high society.

Though she was the noble daughter of the Selver Duchy, people focused more on the fact that she’d been raised in an unknown orphanage in a run-down district.

A noble lady by birth, but raised no different than a commoner.

Naturally, people watched her every move with intense interest.

Despite expectations, Jenna managed to master court etiquette in a short period of time. If she hadn’t, people would’ve pointed fingers and called her a commoner in noblewoman’s clothing.

“Thanks to His Majesty’s favor, fewer people treat me poorly now… but kind looks are still rare. That’s why I’m so glad Sierra sees me as I am.”

“You can think of me as a friend without pressure. Maybe it’s because I’m close with Arzen, but I feel a sense of familiarity with you too.”

In truth, even more than Arzen, Jenna had been my favorite heroine in the novels I used to read.

When we first met, it had felt like meeting a celebrity.

‘If she helps us resolve the Eastern District situation and things end well, I’d love to stay friends with her.’

Our first encounter hadn’t been the best, but I didn’t want to judge her harshly for stealing to survive.

That sharpness I once saw in her eyes was likely just a result of her environment. Now, she seemed as soft and sweet as spun sugar.

The person most pleased with us getting closer was probably Arzen.

He’d been watching quietly, then turned to Ludwig and spoke gently.

“I apologize for raising my voice earlier. I’d like to have an honest conversation. Would you care to join me for a short walk?”

Ludwig looked to me for my opinion, and I gave a slight nod.

It would be easier to talk openly with Jenna without Arzen around.

“Very well, let’s do that.”

With that, Ludwig left the room with Arzen.

Nella, too, excused herself after setting up the tea and refreshments. At last, it was just Jenna and me in the drawing room.

Jenna took a quiet sip of the tea Nella had brewed and spoke in a soft voice.

“This tea smells wonderful.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste. It goes well with the sweets too.”

At my suggestion, Jenna picked up a small cookie and smiled.

“Oh, you’re right. These are amazing—I’ve never had cookies like this before.”

“If you’d like, I’ll prepare some for you to take home.”

“That would be lovely. Thank you so much.”

After a short pause, I spoke up.

“Jenna, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Yes?”

She tilted her head slightly in curiosity, and I responded seriously.

“We… didn’t first meet at the New Year’s banquet, did we?”

“…”

Jenna stared into her tea, silent for a moment as if gathering her thoughts.

“I saw you in the South, in the Eastern District. And you saw me too… didn’t you?”

It wasn’t an easy subject to bring up.

From her perspective, it could be a past she wanted to hide.

‘But it has to be addressed—for her sake, too.’

The explosion in the Eastern District wasn’t just a domestic crisis. Even neighboring nations had their eyes on it.

Now that there was evidence of dark magic being involved, things could spiral quickly, with foreign powers citing breach of treaties or loss of trust.

Which meant the Empire had no choice but to catch the culprit and deliver a clear, public judgment.

‘If Jenna wants to stay out of that storm, she has to cooperate.’

Jenna set her teacup down with a quiet clink and spoke.

“You’re right, Sierra. We did meet in the Eastern District.”

Her voice had taken on a quieter tone.

“You were there as the noble lady from House Drenihan, on a healing retreat… and I was a vagrant, surviving as a petty thief in the slums. That day… you saw me like that, didn’t you?”