Chapter 4
The duke led Aileen and Adrian into a large, luxurious drawing room. They sat on a wide sofa, and before long, a maid entered carrying tea and a tray of cookies and sweets.
Aileen heard a soft gulp and turned her head — Adrian was staring longingly at the cookies on the table.
“If you’d like some, help yourself, young gentleman,” the duke said with a gentle smile.
But Adrian frowned and puffed up his cheeks.
“I’m not a kid! I’m a nobleman — the heir to a countship!”
“A count, you say?”
The duke looked at Aileen questioningly. Understanding his unspoken curiosity, she replied calmly,
“Yes. Though our family has fallen on hard times, Adrian is indeed a count. We are of the House of Walker.”
“Ah, the Walker family. I’ve heard of them.”
He didn’t elaborate, simply lifted his cup and took a sip of tea.
Still, Aileen’s face darkened. Whatever he had heard about her family, it probably wasn’t good.
After setting his teacup down, the duke turned to her again.
“Now then, Lady Walker. I’d like to finish the conversation we started earlier.”
Aileen straightened her posture — she had been waiting for this.
But when she looked down, she noticed Adrian watching her with anxious eyes.
She hesitated, then turned to the duke.
“Forgive me, Your Grace, but may I ask that Adrian wait outside for a while?”
“Sister!” Adrian protested. He didn’t want to leave her alone with this man — or be apart from her at all.
But Aileen spoke softly, reassuringly.
“It’s just for a little while, Adrian. I’ll come get you soon.”
Her gentle tone weakened his resistance. After a moment, he nodded reluctantly.
“…Okay.”
“Good boy, Adrian.”
She patted his head tenderly, and his pout faded a little.
Watching the scene, the duke called for a servant.
“Take the young count to the adjoining room. Bring him tea and plenty of sweets.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The maid led Adrian out. He paused at the door, glancing back in worry, but Aileen smiled at him reassuringly. He finally stepped out, and the door clicked shut.
The smile vanished from Aileen’s face as she turned to the duke, her eyes steady and businesslike.
That sharp change intrigued him, though he didn’t show it.
“You introduced yourself as a high-grade magic stone maker,” he began.
Here it comes.
Aileen’s fingers gripped the hem of her dress tightly.
The duke continued, sounding curious rather than mocking.
“But that’s strange. If you can create high-grade stones, why are you living like this?”
It wasn’t an insult, but his words still stung.
Aileen took a breath before replying.
“Because I only found out recently that I could make high-grade stones.”
“So your ability manifested only recently?”
“No. I’ve had this power since I was very young.”
The duke raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. Before he could question further, Aileen added,
“I’ll explain everything. But first, I need your word on something.”
“And what would that be?”
“That you won’t repeat anything I’m about to tell you — to anyone.”
The duke’s golden eyes gleamed with interest. It was impressive to see such courage from someone who otherwise seemed fragile.
After a short pause, he smiled faintly.
“Very well. I, Richard Felix Olden, give you my word.”
The moment she heard his full name, Aileen stiffened.
“Richard…? Wait. You’re a royal?”
“Is that a problem?” he asked with a teasing smile.
Aileen stared at him in disbelief.
Richard Felix Kynes — the Second Prince of the Empire.
He had supposedly withdrawn from the struggle for the throne and taken the title of duke.
My guide… is royalty?
She sighed inwardly and rubbed her temple.
No, calm down, Aileen. Look on the bright side — at least he’s capable and powerful.
Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head. He was still smiling at her.
“Would you prefer I put it in writing? With my family seal?” he asked smoothly.
“No, that won’t be necessary. Your word is enough.”
Satisfied, Aileen exhaled slowly and began her explanation.
“As I said, my ability appeared when I was very young. But until recently, I could only make low-grade magic stones — like this.”
She extended her palm, focusing. A dull, cloudy purple stone formed in her hand.
The duke’s eyes narrowed slightly as he examined it.
“I see… Then how did you suddenly produce a high-grade stone?”
“Because of you — Your Grace.”
“Me?” He tilted his head.
Aileen nodded seriously.
“There’s something called a Guide. If someone has a Guide, their mana becomes more stable and refined, allowing them to create purer, higher-grade stones. You’re my Guide. That’s why I could make that perfect stone.”
“So that’s why you… embraced me that day.”
He said it so casually that Aileen’s face turned red.
“Yes. I needed to confirm it,” she muttered, trying to stay calm.
“Then why can you only make low-grade stones now, when I’m right here?”
“The Guide’s influence only manifests through direct contact. May I?”
She held out her hand. Richard glanced at it, then placed his hand gently over hers.
In an instant, a radiant violet light bloomed between their palms. A flawless, high-grade magic stone materialized.
“Well, I’ll be…” he murmured, genuinely impressed.
Aileen withdrew her hand and asked quietly,
“Do you believe me now?”
The duke studied her for a long moment — then chuckled.
“With proof like that, how could I not?”
Relief washed over her. She had feared he might accuse her of deception.
Richard examined the glowing gem, then handed it back.
“But tell me — why does it have to be you?”
“What do you mean?”
“If I’m a Guide, couldn’t I just work with another magic stone maker?”
In other words — why should I bother with you?
Aileen didn’t flinch.
“I called you my Guide for a reason. Your energy doesn’t react with others — only with me.”
“Is that true?”
“If you doubt it, go ahead — ask another stone maker to try. You’ll see for yourself.”
Richard studied her closely. She met his gaze head-on.
“…What is it you want, Lady Walker?” he finally asked.
Aileen had been waiting for that question.
She kept her voice steady.
“Form a contract with me. Stay by my side for one year.”
“And what’s in it for me?”
“I’ll give you forty percent of the profit from every stone I create. You know how rare high-grade magic stones are, Your Grace.”
He leaned back slightly, thinking.
“That’s quite the offer,” he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Aileen’s heart pounded. He was known to be cold and calculating — would he really agree?
Then he smiled faintly.
“Fifty.”
“…Pardon?”
“If you give me fifty percent, I’ll agree.”
Aileen’s jaw dropped.
“F-fifty?! That’s way too much!”
“I’m being generous,” he said calmly. “But if you don’t like it, we can forget the whole thing.”
Her breath caught. He was right — she needed this contract far more than he did.
Without it, she’d lose everything.
“…Fine,” she said at last, shoulders drooping. “Fifty.”
The duke smiled — the smile of a man who had just closed a successful deal.
“Excellent. I’ll send a formal letter to the Walker estate in a few days.”
“A few days?”
“Yes. I’ll need to verify your claim first.”
Aileen frowned. “As I said before, the matter of the Guide—”
“I remember,” he interrupted smoothly. “And I gave my word. I won’t speak of it to anyone.”
Hearing that, Aileen finally relaxed.
They spent some time discussing the details of the contract before she left. When she stepped outside, Adrian ran up and hugged her tightly.
Together, they rode back to their ruined mansion in the duke’s carriage.
The coachman couldn’t hide his surprise at the sight of the wrecked building and asked several times if this was really the right place. Aileen just gave a weary smile.
A few days later, as promised, a letter arrived from Richard.
Inside were two documents — a formal contract, and another sealed letter.
Aileen unfolded the second one, her eyes widening in shock.
“What… is this…?”
Adrian peeked at her anxiously.
Taking a deep breath, Aileen read the letter again — but the words didn’t change.
It was, unmistakably…
A marriage proposal from the Duke, Richard Felix Olden.
