Chapter 122:……………………………………………..
A Gift (1)
At that moment.
LaCroix Kylie wore a smile that could brighten anyone’s heart. It was a look she only showed in public, when she had to care about her reputation.
“Damn them. I hope they all go to hell.”
Though her inner thoughts were far from gentle, maintaining a composed expression without revealing anything was her specialty.
But this time, it was truly difficult to stay calm. After all, the person sitting before her was her father, bringing up a topic she could never ignore.
“You should start thinking about getting engaged to someone new.”
That cursed engagement.
It was obvious that he was trying to bring in another family name to satisfy his vanity.
A viscount family that had nothing but money. People’s greed is endless; now that they have wealth, they want honor as well.
And here he was, even showing a willingness to easily give his only daughter to another family.
Kylie’s lips began to twist.
“Wouldn’t that be difficult? It hasn’t even been long since the broken engagement…”
“It’s not really your fault! There’s no problem, is there?”
“It’s too soon. If I quickly have another match, people will gossip…”
“Let them whisper. You can just ignore those who don’t understand!”
Kylie fluttered her perfectly styled eyelashes and blinked rapidly, silently counting in her mind.
“Three, two, one.”
She dropped her head and let out a deliberately pitiful voice.
“But… Father, your reputation is more important than anything. This isn’t something that can be considered lightly.”
A click of his tongue and a dissatisfied voice followed.
“Tsk, maybe I should have kept that one…”
True to the type of person who valued appearances above all.
Viscount LaCroix gulped down the now-cold tea, clicked his tongue, and left.
Bang!
The sound of the door slamming made Kylie’s previously moist eyes turn icy in an instant. She blinked rapidly to erase the traces and shivered.
“Kept? What are you talking about? How can he decide my whole life without even asking me what I want!”
She had never really expected anything from him, but each time she faced his blatant selfishness, disappointment was inevitable.
Kylie spilled the half-full teacup onto the floor. After dirtying the expensive carpet her father had proudly boasted about acquiring, she felt a little better.
When she poured fresh tea into the empty cup, faint steam rose. One sip to calm herself revealed the bitter taste of tea that had steeped too long.
“Exhausting.”
How long would she have to endure such conversations? The household was still in turmoil over the broken engagement, and yet here they were, eagerly trying to find the next match—it was infuriating.
“Annoying.”
Even her mother, shedding tears as if pitying her, and the servants, startled whenever their eyes met hers, had grown tiresome.
But the deepest hurt was, as always…
“Those eyes that look at me as if nothing happened.”
The gaze of someone she loved, as if she were indifferent.
Avery.
No matter if she became angry, cried, or acted unpredictably, he had always stood there expressionless, as if he would always be present. Even when the viscount family whispered that she was merely a tool to be sold for a higher title, he remained silent, uninterested.
But even now, knowing he didn’t care about her brought no comfort.
“Does that mean it doesn’t matter what happens to me?”
That thought made her eyes sting. Genuine tears welled up in Kylie’s eyes.
“I already knew… but it still hurts.”
She had long known her feelings were hopeless. Not only did he not feel the same, but even if they did end up together, their difference in status could never be overcome. Even her father didn’t care to ask her feelings when letting the wizard slip away.
Acknowledging that made her burning determination seem to vanish instantly.
“This is too hard… I just want to leave somewhere out of sight.”
Wait. Leave?
At that moment, someone flashed through Kylie’s mind like lightning—her friend Temia, who had recently caused a commotion by acting out.
“That’s right! Why shouldn’t I run away?!”
Kylie leapt up and shouted to the servants as she left the parlor.
“Bring me paper and ink to my room! Right now!”
Temia closed and reopened her spinning eyes, then collapsed onto the sofa. She had been allowed to participate in the investigation, which was good, but the relentless work left her no time to catch her breath.
Still, progress had been made. They succeeded in making potions from the lab and temple similar enough using countless reagent combinations. They also discovered that the solution collected from the lab was structurally similar to a mana amplification potion previously circulated at the academy.
- “Whether temple or academy, it seems they infiltrated anywhere a wizard exists without hesitation.”
- “Indeed. It might have spread further in places we’re unaware of.”
Of course, these results came quickly because Lowell was exceptionally skilled in magical pharmacology. But Temia, who had dozed off sorting papers full of formulas, had also suffered greatly. There was no time to rest, and she could only take a moment to lie down when her body sent danger signals.
And during this time, she could finally check incoming messages.
Temia shakily picked up an envelope addressed to Kylie. The handwriting seemed unusually rushed, though she didn’t have the energy to deduce why.
The letter was thus unguardedly opened in her hands.
“To my dear Temia,
Temia, I hope you can contact me as soon as possible.
Father is trying to make me engaged again!
It hasn’t even been long since my last broken engagement. At this rate, I might end up entering the wedding hall before I can escape.
I just want to run away somewhere.
So I wanted to ask you, since you’ve run away once, for advice.
Could you suggest a place I could go? Anywhere outside our mansion is fine. Even a stable would do!
Ah, no, maybe that’s too much. Cancel the stable idea.
How did you find a place to stay when you ran away? Could you help me with that? Please, I beg you.
I’m really sorry. I felt trapped with nowhere to turn.
I ended up writing only my problems here, but I’m also curious about how you’ve been, so please include that in your reply!
P.S. How’s it going with that wizard?
I hope it’s worth the trouble of me breaking off my engagement.
You haven’t already started dating, have you?
Who would’ve thought I’d be talking about love like this with you!
You must reply. Got it?
- Kylie, who desperately needs your help.”
Blinking, Temia straightened her slouched body. How could she have been so busy that she hadn’t thought to check on Kylie? She couldn’t let her guard down yet. Though they had succeeded in separating Kylie from Lowell, as long as Prometheus was still active, Kylie could be in danger again. Her tension snapped back into place.
Chewing her lip, Temia immediately began writing a reply.
“To my beloved Kylie,
Kylie, I’m sorry.
I should have paid more attention, but I forgot to contact you because I was busy.
I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long?
To be honest, the reason I could get to Lowell’s workshop right after running away was just luck. He didn’t delay my pay and even provided meals—he’s a pretty good employer. The bedroom wasn’t too bad either.
Looking back, I was too naïve back then and was vulnerable to scams. I even encountered thugs, remember? I never told you that, did I? So I think it could be dangerous if you suddenly leave as well.
So, how about coming to the villa where I stayed? Our childhood villa.
It’s not far from your lands, and it would seem natural even if you go there just for a short break. I’m planning to go there soon anyway, so I’d be happy if you could go first and wait for me.
As for Lowell and me… I can’t really say anything definitive yet. I’m focusing on urgent matters first. Haha… We were a wizard and assistant from the start anyway!
Sorry, it’s too long to explain in a letter, but I’ll tell you everything the moment we meet again.
Please forgive me? I have so much to say to you. I’ll be waiting to see you again.
- Temia”
After quickly skimming the letter to ensure nothing was miswritten, Temia sealed it. All the worries, concerns, and anticipation for the meeting that couldn’t fit in such a small piece of paper grew heavier in her heart.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she approached Lery with the letter in hand.
The exhausted bluebird, who had also been overworked, was collapsed. Normally, she would have let him rest, but unfortunately, his strength was needed now.
Temia gently stroked his soft feathers with an apologetic smile.
“Um, Lery. Sorry to bother you while you’re resting. I need your help with something.”
