Chapter 40
The letter was from Rose.
“Goodness, she spent a fortune on this.”
She had even paid extra for a service that would deliver the letter the same day, though she had only mailed it that morning.
She had something that urgent to tell me?
Hoping the contents were good news, I returned to the workshop.
Sitting down, I opened the envelope and found handwriting that was hastily scribbled—quite unlike her usual style.
To Daphne, the most precious person in the world who always shares in my worries.
Hello. It hasn’t even been twelve hours since we met, yet here I am writing again.
You may not believe it since you saw his condition so late last night, but—he’s recovered tremendously. It’s nothing short of a miracle.
I even tore up the will he had written!
As soon as you read this letter, could you come to the Hampton estate?
I wanted to visit you myself to thank you, but the circumstances won’t allow it. So instead, I invite you here.
I truly want to repay you.
Please don’t feel burdened—just come see me!
It was an impolite yet affectionate letter, full of renewed energy.
From the style of her words, I guessed she must have written it after her fiancé’s problems had been resolved.
Still, given her track record, I couldn’t simply take the letter at face value.
“First, let’s confirm if Rose really wrote this.”
I opened the storage room of the atelier.
Going all the way to the back, I pulled out a box covered with fabric. Inside were magical tools that Edin had given me.
“He said there was a rouge that reveals the true writer… ah, here it is!”
I pulled out something that looked like an ordinary lipstick.
According to Berry’s explanation, rubbing this tool across a letter or book would reveal who the writer was.
He had said nobody bought it after it was developed since it was considered useless—but I found myself putting it to use.
“Guess it’s me who needs it.”
Since I had no abilities like Edin or Berry and couldn’t use magic, I had to rely on tools like this.
I rubbed the rouge in a circle at the bottom of the letter.
The red dye briefly glowed pink, then returned to its original color.
The text didn’t change, nor did the dye.
“That proves Rose really did write it.”
That at least was reassuring.
I quickly tidied up the shop and stepped outside again.
Then I called over the resting coachman and told him we were heading to the Hampton estate.
I felt guilty for the horses and coachman with all this running around lately—but honestly, I never expected I’d be darting around this much myself.
“When all this is over, I must properly thank everyone who’s helped me.”
That sense of obligation welled up naturally.
The carriage stopped in front of the Hampton mansion.
“Miss Algerf? We’ve been expecting you. Please, come in.”
Even the gatekeeper recognized me immediately and greeted me politely.
Now I understood why Rose had written that I should come at once.
As soon as I entered through the main gate, about ten servants gathered to welcome me.
“Lady Algerf! We’ve heard much about you from our young mistress. We’ll ensure you’re comfortable here. Ah! She’s in the drawing room right now. She was even looking out the window for your carriage.”
As expected of the Hampton household.
Even the servants were so full of energy that it was hard to adjust.
Perhaps it felt especially striking because I’d just come from the very quiet Lichebarden mansion.
The drawing room doors opened, and Rose, who had been waiting inside, jumped to her feet the moment she saw me.
“Miss Daphne! You really came as soon as you read my letter! You could’ve waited until tomorrow!”
And what if I had been too busy for the next week to move around at all?
The retort almost slipped out, but I bit my tongue and kept quiet.
“Good news should be met right away. Congratulations. And Rose—you’ve regained quite a bit of color in just a few hours.”
“Ah, yes… a magician came early this morning, and when he saw my face he was so startled he cast a spell to restore my health. It’s all thanks to you, Miss Daphne!”
She clasped my hand warmly, like I was her closest friend, and led me to the sofa.
Meanwhile, the Hampton servants bustled about, serving an endless array of desserts.
On the table were the very same cookies Rose had eaten at the dress shop before.
Folding her hands together, she raised her voice as though making a solemn vow.
“I’ve met many magicians before, but never one as gentlemanly yet easygoing as the man we saw yesterday. Of course, I’m not saying I’ve fallen for him! I only have my fiancé in my heart.”
“Ah… yes, of course. I know your love is sincere.”
“Exactly! Anyway, he said he came because of your introduction. Please, could you pass on my thanks to him? I’ve already heard the explanation, so you don’t need to worry. I’ll keep the secret, too. Oh, that’s right—I mentioned I had something to give you, didn’t I? I prepared it in a rush, but…”
My introduction?
But that man was sent by Edin—why would he use my name?
Something felt off.
“Well… maybe he didn’t want to reveal Edin and used my name instead. That way he could protect Edin’s secret.”
I tried to think about it as simply as possible.
Still, one part of her words caught me.
“She’ll ‘keep the secret’?”
I wasn’t even interested when she shoved jewelry into my hands. What mattered was finding the right moment to ask about that “secret.”
Finally, after some hesitation, I spoke up.
“Thank you for the gift. I’ll wear it on a special day. Ah, Rose—there’s something I’d like to ask. You mentioned a ‘secret’ earlier. What did you mean by that?”
“Um… well…”
She averted her eyes, hesitated, then winked at me playfully.
“There’s someone who’s been working tirelessly on your behalf. The Grand Duke.”
“…?”
“The magician who came last night said—though it was the Grand Duke’s orders, he came because of you. But don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul!”
The way nobles twist their words and cloak things in etiquette—it’s maddening.
And with her eager tone, clearly trying to close the conversation, I couldn’t press for more details.
Rose kept smiling, her lips twitching upward in satisfaction.
If I pushed harder here, things I didn’t yet know could take a bad turn.
“She won’t say more. I should leave it at that.”
I’d just share everything with Edin later. Something might become clear then.
But since I’d already drained my energy with work all morning, it would be too much to visit his mansion tonight.
Better to write him a letter as soon as I got home.
“I’m glad things seem to have turned out well. I hope Mr. Joan’s business rises again too. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“What? Already? Ah, wait—there’s something I want to ask.”
She slipped closer to me and lowered her voice.
“That magician… the one you know. He said his name was ‘Jake.’”
“…Jake?”
It was true Jake could use magic—but technically, he was a guildmaster.
“So the one who helped Joan and Rose was Jake?”
How on earth did he end up pretending to be a magician?
Especially since he and Edin didn’t get along.
Puzzled, I decided to at least hear why she’d taken an interest.
“Whenever he mentioned your name, he blushed shyly! It was so adorable!”
“…What?!”
Jake—blushing?
I hadn’t met him many times, but still—I could never imagine that.
Handsome or not, the thought of Jake turning red over me was absurd.
“…Perhaps the room where Mr. Joan was lying was simply very hot. Maybe he wasn’t blushing—just overheated.”
“Oh, please, do you think I wouldn’t notice the difference? That’s why I’m curious—do you really only think of him as a friend? After all, a magician isn’t such a bad match, you know?”
I was speechless.
I had momentarily forgotten that Rose was the type to say outrageous, meddlesome things.
If I didn’t clear this up fast, I had no idea what kind of reckless rumors would be spreading in society tomorrow.
I waved my hands firmly.
“I have absolutely no intention of marriage or romance. As for him, I’ve only met him a few times for business, nothing more.”
“No intention of marriage… or even romance? Really?”
Rose’s mouth fell open before she quickly covered it with her hand.
As if she were too shocked to speak.
