Chapter 10
Minity blinked, utterly confused, as she looked up at Ella. The maid’s complexion had gone pale, her jaw trembling.
“Why on earth are you reading something like that, Miss?”
“Is it not allowed?”
“Of course not! Hand it over, quickly.”
Ella spoke as though scolding a child playing with something dangerous. When she attempted to snatch the book from her, Minity clutched it tightly to her chest.
“What’s wrong? Why?”
“Why? If Lady finds out you’re taking an interest in magic, she’ll faint on the spot.”
“What does this have to do with that?”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake! Why do you keep doing this, Miss?”
Ella placed her hands on her hips and exhaled so deeply her shoulders rose and fell.
“Your fever hasn’t broken yet?”
She even pressed her palm against Minity’s forehead, comparing it with her own body temperature.
“You don’t have a fever.”
“What are you doing?”
“You, Miss.”
Ella puffed out her cheeks in a huff.
“Lady is already worried because suitable matches aren’t coming your way. And now, magic? You can’t possibly hope to join the Magus Tower, so what on earth are you doing?”
Minity’s eyes snapped open at Ella’s words.
Did I hear that correctly?
She replayed it in her mind.
The Count told me to join the Magus Tower…
But Ella was asserting that she could not possibly be allowed to join. Deciding to probe carefully, Minity put on an innocent expression.
“Why can’t I join the Magus Tower?”
“Obviously. Don’t tell me you don’t know how much female magicians are looked down upon. Your parents would never allow it, would they?”
“Female magicians… looked down upon?”
“Oh dear, Miss, you’re so innocent!”
Ella sighed once more. Minity let her ramble on.
“The Tower is full of men. Naturally, if a woman goes poking around there, she’ll be criticized!”
Ella began gathering the magic books piled on the desk.
“My goodness, you’ve brought a lot of these. I’ll return them all to Master. If you get bored, I can bring you some other books instead.”
“Ella.”
“Yes?”
“Well… suppose…”
“Yes?”
Minity paused, swallowing hard. It took her a moment to turn the thoughts in her head into words. Her hands trembled for reasons she couldn’t explain.
“Suppose, someone… I mean, a man… were to tell me to join the Magus Tower, what would that mean?”
“What? Are you out of your mind?”
Ella’s face contorted with disbelief.
“What kind of lunatic tells a woman to become a magician? That’s insane.”
“Could it not mean something good?”
“Good? Of course not! He must have been teasing you. And the Tower’s regular exams aren’t for another three years.”
Counting the years on her fingers, Ella chuckled. It was a laugh born from sheer incredulity.
“Teasing aside, it’s basically an insult. He assumed you knew nothing of the world and belittled you.”
Minity had no choice but to believe her.
Now that I think about it… even Minrhel…
Considering that he lent her the books but warned her to keep it from her parents, Ella’s words carried weight. Moreover, the Count had every reason to belittle or mock her.
Of course. There’s no way that man would make me a genuinely good offer.
A hollow laugh escaped Minity. She felt anger at her own naivety. No matter how his feelings toward her might change later, at this moment the Count had no reason to feel affection for her. She already owed him a huge debt for breaking parts of his mansion and treasures.
Even without attempting to seduce her, he had every right to demand a substantial sum from the Sestol family.
Yeah. If he claims compensation, my family will likely cover it from investments. No need for him to show me any kindness.
Thus, his deliberate approach to speak to her yesterday had been nothing more than ridicule.
And I stupidly showed interest in it.
Minity slammed the book she had been reading onto the table.
How foolish I must have looked.
The thought that the Count had mocked her filled her with unbearable humiliation. She swallowed hot air, trying to control her emotions.
“No one should dare speak to a lady like that, but if anyone does, they must be struck across the face.”
Yet Ella poured fuel on the fire of her simmering anger.
“Ha! Yes! I really can’t stand it!”
Minity slammed her fist on the table, leaping to her feet. The snacks on the table bounced with a loud clatter.
“I’ll confront him!”
A fire ignited in her eyes. She immediately summoned a carriage through the driver.
“Where to, Miss?”
The coachman sensed her fierce anger.
“To Count Kirhoff’s residence!”
Renerrn was immersed in work, as always. He was perpetually busy, and documents awaiting his signature always piled high.
“Um, Your Excellency…”
His aide spoke cautiously. Renerrn responded by halting his busy hands rather than raising his head from the papers.
“They say Lady Sestol has stormed in.”
“…Stormed in?”
Renerrn finally looked up, noting the aide’s troubled expression. He quickly set down his pen and rose. Renerrn rarely interrupted his work, even for urgent royal summons—which he often ignored intentionally.
“Where is she now?”
“Currently in the reception room…”
“Go see her for a moment.”
Renerrn moved swiftly. Leaving his aide behind, he entered the reception room—and there was indeed Minachelty.
“Stormed in” is the perfect description.
She stood squarely in the middle of the room, ignoring the pristine sofas. Though barely reaching her chest in height, her fists were clenched, shoulders squared—like a valiant warrior preparing to face a dragon.
…A house rabbit deprived of hay?
To Renerrn, she looked merely comical.
“What brings you here in such a hurry?”
“What brings me?”
Minity’s eyebrows twitched. Renerrn met her expression, and with a relaxed smile, he asked:
“Are you fully recovered from your illness?”
“You didn’t come sincerely worried about me, did you?”
“I did come sincerely worried.”
“First of all…”
Minity pursed her lips and exhaled sharply, similar to a knight taking a deep breath before sparring—or perhaps a hamster deprived of peanuts. She crossed her arms, raising her chin haughtily.
“I came to reciprocate Your Excellency’s visit to inquire about my health.”
“I see. Then you may leave. I’m a busy man.”
“I also have questions, conveniently.”
“Ask them, then.”
Renerrn nodded, gesturing to the sofa. Minity refused to sit, so he remained standing as well.
“If I were to slap Your Excellency, would you press charges?”
“First, I should ask why you assumed I would silently endure it.”
“If your purpose for conditionally inviting me to the Magus Tower was merely to upset me while I was unwell, then I’d be justified in striking you.”
Renerrn understood why Minachelty had barged into his residence.
Well, from a woman’s perspective, she has every right to be angry.
Her gaze sharpened further.
“Though, thinking about it, a busy person probably wouldn’t personally come just to tease me.”
“So, you mean you wish to confirm the sincerity of my proposal?”
“Yes.”
Minity answered firmly.
As expected.
“My intent was never to offend you or subject you to ridicule.”
So it’s not like the rumors suggested.
Renerrn spoke his genuine intentions calmly. Surprisingly, Minity’s tension seemed to ease.
“Then persuade me.”
“Pardon?”
“You said your proposal was not a joke. Convince me of that.”
Her expression had grown composed yet challenging, daring him to speak.
