Chapter 19
Before I could run at Alonso Vargas, grab him by the collar, and curse him out, I feel the need to explain the history of that door.
That door was a special piece my family and I personally commissioned and had crafted after I joined the knight order, to refresh the atmosphere of the reception room.
We waited two full months to secure the Empire’s finest master carpenter, and both my family and the craftsman racked their brains together to design a door that would embody dignity and spirit.
The door bore a gold-inlaid eagle with its wings spread wide, alongside our family crest. Between them, leaf patterns stretched across the surface, showcasing the craftsman’s delicate handiwork.
Whenever the sapphires set into the eagle’s eyes caught the light, one could easily sense the pride and grandeur of the family embedded within the door.
It was a door that made visiting dignitaries naturally remark, “As expected of a marquis’s household—even the reception room door is extraordinary!”—a door that always filled me with pride.
A door that, despite our busy lives, we had painstakingly completed bit by bit…
A door about which my family and I once joked that if our fortunes ever declined, we could remove it and sell it off—a door filled with memories…
And once my thoughts reached that point, I could no longer contain my anger.
When I came to my senses, I was already gripping Alonso Vargas by the collar.
“Are you insane?! Do you have any idea how long it took to make that door?! And the carpenter is currently traveling to broaden his horizons—you think we can just commission another one right now?!”
But instead of backing down, Alonso Vargas snapped back at me, visibly irritated.
“Is that what matters right now?! I heard strange noises and the door wouldn’t open—of course I was worried and came in!”
“Who would—!”
Hoo—
I took a deep breath to calm myself. My face was undoubtedly flushed bright red with rage.
“What kind of lunatic breaks down a door because they’re ‘worried’?! Any normal person would knock a bit, get no response, and think, ‘Ah, must be some romantic situation,’ or ‘Oh, looks like Siona Rodríguez is causing trouble again,’ and then politely leave!”
But the more I spoke, the angrier I became. Veins bulged in my neck as I lunged at Alonso Vargas again.
I already had plenty pent up against him, so I figured I might as well use this as an excuse to let some of it out.
As I grabbed his collar and shook him repeatedly, Vargas let out a short, mocking laugh.
“How very romantic.”
That sarcastic tone made something crack in my forehead.
Just as I shifted my stance to throw him over my shoulder—
The man who had been sitting on the sofa suddenly appeared right beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder.
He even leaned down close to my face, acting far too familiar.
I glanced sideways at him, trying to gauge his intent.
Wearing a strange smile, he looked at me briefly—then turned his gaze toward Commander Vargas.
“Pardon me, but it does seem to be that kind of situation.”
Then he placed his hand over mine—the one gripping Vargas’s collar.
“So I’d appreciate it if the intruder would kindly excuse himself.”
The commander didn’t even try to hide his suspicion as he alternated glances between the man and me.
Soon, he gestured with his eyes, silently asking who the hell this guy was.
Once again, the choice was mine.
Expose the man’s identity by siding with Alonso Vargas—
Or conceal it.
The answer came easily.
I released Vargas’s collar and instead clasped the man’s hand.
Lowering my head at a forty-five-degree angle, I smiled shyly.
“That’s correct.”
“What?”
Ignoring Alonso’s stunned expression, I continued smoothly.
“With the commander interrupting us like this, how could I not be angry? Now that you’ve realized, please return to your home—or your castle—anywhere at all. Honestly, barging in without reading the room—what are you thinking?”
Then I ground my teeth.
“Of course, I’ll be sending you the bill for the door you broke. That includes its history, tradition, and the memories tied to it—so expect compensation for emotional damages as well.”
The door was only ten years old. But this wasn’t about the money.
I was far more annoyed with Alonso Vargas himself. I planned to charge him an outrageous sum, hoping he’d reflect on his behavior—if only a little.
Unfortunately, my wish didn’t reach him.
“Enough about the door! There’s something you and I need to discuss.”
“What would I possibly need to discuss with you? I’ve already left the knight order. Oh—and I’ll refrain from calling you ‘commander’ from now on. I have nothing to say to Sir Vargas, so please leave my home.”
“I never approved your resignation.”
Snap.
Something broke—probably the last thread of my rationality.
Does he think I’m some kind of pushover?
Unable to contain my boiling anger, I demanded,
“Sir Vargas, do you think I’m easy to deal with?”
“That sounds like my line. Siona Rodríguez—what exactly do you think of me?”
And that shameless attitude on top of everything else.
Was there really any reason for me to stop my brother from becoming a villain?
If it weren’t for me, Vargas would’ve died at his hands.
I didn’t expect gratitude—but every time I felt dismissed like this, something ugly surged up inside me.
Probably resentment at all my efforts going unrewarded.
Ah… should I really just quit everything?
I swallowed the irritation rising within me and clamped my mouth shut.
And then, a voice I’d momentarily forgotten cut between us.
“You both seem rather agitated. Sir Vargas, given Siona’s current state, wouldn’t it be better to visit again another time?”
Perhaps sensing how foul my mood was, Alonso Vargas finally let out a long, resigned sigh.
Running a hand through his hair, he spoke as though he had no choice.
“Hah… Siona Rodríguez. I don’t know what’s caused this, but we’re both too emotional right now. Once you’ve calmed down, we’ll talk again.”
“…….”
As he turned to leave, he paused and added one final remark.
As if reminding me of my duty to the Empire.
“You are a proud knight of the Empire. I trust you understand what path serves the Empire best.”
The path for the Empire.
There was something Alonso Vargas didn’t know—something he probably couldn’t even imagine.
Compared to his, my loyalty to the Empire was barely a drop of blood—no, a needle in the sand. Practically nonexistent.
Someone who would gladly devote his entire life to the Empire could never understand that.
All I wanted was my own stability and peace. Whether the Empire fell or flourished didn’t matter to me—as long as it didn’t harm me.
In stark contrast to his dramatic entrance, Alonso Vargas departed with a pitiful retreating figure.
Marian, who had been watching in stunned silence, approached me hesitantly.
“Miss… what just happened…?”
“Marian, it’s fine. Clean up the reception room. Track down that carpenter again and place a new order. Until then, install a ready-made door. Send all expenses to Alonso Vargas.”
The Rodríguez family was among the wealthiest in the Empire.
This wasn’t about money—it was about seizing a perfect chance to make Alonso Vargas suffer.
Once he lost an entire year’s salary, he’d finally grasp the seriousness of what he’d done.
Tsk.
Clicking my tongue, I brushed off the hand still resting on my shoulder and spoke to the man beside me.
“You—come with me. We still have things to talk about.”
The man followed me into the sitting room attached to my bedroom.
I sat down on the sofa first and gestured toward the seat opposite. He complied, though his gaze never left me.
“We should finish our earlier conversation. I have a lot to ask—but first, what was that ice?”
I meant the ice from earlier—and the ice wall that had blocked the flames breathed by the lizard-like creature.
At first, I’d been so startled that I wondered if it was my own awakened ability.
But now I was sure.
The power to create ice belonged to him.
That all but confirmed my suspicion that he was a monster.
“The ice is my ability.”
He snapped his fingers.
The sword beside me froze solid in an instant.
Another snap—and the ice vanished without a trace.
Watching the scene, I asked the question that came to mind.
“Do you have to snap your fingers every time?”
“Everyone has conditions for activating magic. I don’t need to snap, but it’s the most convenient.”
He covered his mouth and chuckled softly.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Usually people are shocked by the ability—or ask how it works.”
Lifting his head to look at me, he added,
“You really are interesting.”
What exactly was interesting?
I raised an eyebrow, studying his face. The smile still lingered.
“I’ve already seen it three times—hardly shocking anymore.”
Pressing hard against my temple, I tried to recall whether any monster in the novel had abilities like this.
Nothing came to mind.
At this point, so many new and bizarre events had occurred that I felt less bewildered and more… enlightened by resignation.
“So what are you, exactly?”
I didn’t even know how many times I’d asked that now. This time, I laced my fingers together and leaned forward, fully determined to get an answer.
As if mirroring me, he leaned forward too and asked,
“If I tell you, what will you do for me?”
I reached for the sword beside me.
“At the very least, I won’t carve up your face.”
“Haha!”
Despite the provocative threat, he laughed brightly.
Annoyingly, I was the one who felt irritated.
What was so funny? Was this some high-level psychological tactic to throw me off?
Frowning deeper, I stared blankly at him as he laughed with his head tilted back.
“Ahem…”
Eventually, he composed himself and asked,
“Have you ever heard of dragons?”
“Dragons…?”
Dragons existed in the novel too—no, forget the novel.
It had stopped being helpful in any way.
Still, before I could fully process the thought, I blurted out,
“Are dragons appearing here now?”
