GTMDWH | Chapter 64

~Chapter 64~

“Duke?”
Leah called out to him, seeing him half out of it.

“Are you feeling okay?”

Johann snapped out of his daze.

“…No, I’m fine.”

He answered with a stiff expression.

‘…What am I thinking, wanting to see her smile like that all the time.’

He was going crazy.

No, he was crazy—seriously.

He shook off his feelings.

“Oh, by the way, did you decide on the gift?”

“I ordered a custom sword. Raphaella seems to really enjoy her fencing lessons lately.”

While preparing the gift, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

That fluttery excitement when getting something for his daughter…

It felt like he’d experienced it many times before.

But the memory stayed just out of reach.

“She’s going to love it.”

“…Your advice helped.”

Since Raphaella was still young and a beginner, she used a wooden sword.

But at the pace she was learning, she’d be using a real sword for children soon.

“…But she’s still little. Isn’t it dangerous?”

“Don’t worry. Until she enters the academy, she’ll only train under Veronica’s supervision.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

Leah smiled, clearly reassured.

And Johann quickly turned his head.

…Just seeing her face, that smile—was dangerous.

He didn’t even know why it felt dangerous.

But it kept making him think weird thoughts.

“I should go see Raphaella.”

He stood up.

“Me too!”

Leah followed him, completely unaware of what he was thinking.

—

Meanwhile, in the Empress’s palace—the most beautiful and luxurious place in the imperial Palace—a man entered.

Guided by a servant, he stood before the Empress and bowed.

“Under the heavens, the dazzling—”

“Skip the useless greeting. Just report what you’ve found.”

Narcissa cut him off.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Lately, Duke Blumhardt seems to have hired a lot of mages. He’s making some kind of medicine.”

This man worked for the Empress, keeping an eye on the Blumhardt family and reporting regularly.

“And?”

She waved impatiently as she received a hand massage from her maid.

“Also, one of the Duke’s mages has been digging into something ever since the young lady’s mana test.”

“When was that test?”

“It was a while ago, but the Duke kept it a secret. We only just found out yesterday.”

“It’s normal for noble families to do mana tests around that age, but why keep it a secret…?”

Narcissa mumbled, tapping her lips with a slender finger.

“Did you find out what he’s investigating?”

“He’s looking into mana manifestation.”

“Why?”

“…Pardon?”

The man looked confused.

“I asked why he’s researching that.”

“We haven’t gotten that far yet…”

Sweat formed on his brow.

Even though her voice was calm, the pressure was intense.

“Then hurry and find out. Why are you standing there wasting time?”

She gave him a sharp look.

“Y-yes, Your Majesty!”

He bowed and left in a rush, like he was escaping.

“Useless man…”

“He’s slow, but no one beats his info gathering,” the maid Carmen chimed in.

“That’s the only reason his head is still on his shoulders.”

Narcissa sat up.

“Carmen, why do you think the Duke is researching mana manifestation?”

Carmen took a sip of tea.

“…Probably because the girl inherited a lot of mana from him.”

“Yes, that’s what I think too.”

“It seems there’s a problem with how it’s manifesting…”

“We’ll let that idiot find out the reason. But Carmen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“…If Patrizia marries the Duke and they have a child, do you think it’ll have a lot of mana?”

“Most likely. Even with just a country girl, the child has that much. Imagine if it’s a noblewoman.”

“Hmm. I need to marry Patrizia off quickly.”
That way, her plans for the future would go much more smoothly.

“…But using the girl as a backup plan might be better.”

“Yes. If her mana is confirmed, it’ll be quicker and more reliable than waiting for Patrizia to have a child.”

“Exactly. But in that case, not just the Duke—the girl’s mother has to be dealt with too.”

She would be an obstacle when they tried to take the girl.

“I’ll start looking into how to get rid of the mother.”

Carmen smiled slyly, like a snake.

—

Time passed, and it was finally Raphaella’s birthday.

Leah was busy from early morning, preparing for the noon party in the garden.

‘It’s a small party with just the Blumenthal family, but…’

Since it was Raphaella’s first birthday party, Leah also needed to dress up.

A few days before, Isabella had called her.

“It’s Raphaella’s first birthday party. You should wear a nice dress and accessories to match.”

“I’m fine with simple clothes…”

Leah had never dressed up before and was hesitant.

“But if all of us are dressed up and you’re the only one in plain clothes—what would Raphaella think?”

Isabella gently persuaded her.

“…”

Leah couldn’t argue with that.
She’d just stand out—in a bad way.

“Alright, then you should wear that dress Johann had tailored for you.”

Once Isabella thought she had convinced her, she picked the dress.

To be honest, it was the only proper dress Leah had anyway.

Now, Leah was getting dressed with Raphaella.

Since the dress was hard to wear alone, Paula helped her.

Raphaella was being taken care of by Helen.

Afterward, Leah sat at the vanity while Paula gave her light makeup and styled her hair into an elegant updo.

She wore pearl earrings and a matching necklace—borrowed from Isabella.

‘They’re small, but the color’s so pretty. It must be really expensive…’

Last, she put on matching white shoes with small diamonds—also from Isabella.

And with that, she was fully dressed.

“How do I look?”

She spun around.

The soft-colored dress flowed beautifully around her, and her styled hair brought out her features.

The pearls sparkled, and the diamond-decorated shoes tied it all together.

Everyone thought the same thing:
She looked like a beautiful moon goddess who came down to earth.

No one would believe she came from a remote mountain village.

“…”

‘Why is no one saying anything?’

Even Paula, Helen, and Raphaella were just staring at her.

“Do I look weird?”

She nervously touched her neckline.

“No, not at all!”

Paula shook her head.

“Then why isn’t anyone saying anything?”

Leah frowned slightly.

“…You look stunning, Miss Leah.”

Helen murmured, almost dazed.

“That’s way too much praise…”

Leah’s cheeks turned red.

“…Mom!”

“Hmm?”

Raphaella hesitated to touch her dress and just stood very close.

“You look like an angel. Don’t fly away, okay?”

“You’re totally biased, sweetie,” Leah laughed.

“No, you really look like a graceful lady.”
Paula gently fixed her side hair.

Knock knock knock.

Just then, Isabella arrived.

“I came just in case, but I didn’t need to worry at all.”

She admired Leah.

“You look very elegant. Now come down with Raphaella when you’re ready.”
“Yes.”

After she left, Leah and Raphaella waited a bit longer before heading out.

The birthday girl had to make the final entrance.

—

Johann had been busy since morning too.
Not just getting dressed, but stressing over his daughter’s reaction to the gift.

“Is the scabbard too fancy?”

“It’s not that—”

“No, maybe it looks too plain?”

Before Samuel could answer, Johann changed his concern.

“Honestly, it’s the most well-designed scabbard I’ve ever seen…”

Johann had designed it himself—it was elegant and intricate.

“Is it too heavy?”

He frowned at the sword.

“It’s made to match her strength.”

“What if she doesn’t like it because it’s too sharp?”

He furrowed his brows again.

“l…”

Samuel gave up.

Nothing he said was getting through anyway.

“…No, she won’t hate it.”

Where had the old cold, serious Duke Blumhardt gone?

“She’ll love it. I’d bet my entire fortune on it. Let’s just go.”

Johann finally stood up.

There was no avoiding it now—
He had to face her reaction.

‘Why am I so nervous about this…?’

He sighed and headed to the garden.

Just as he took a sip of water, Leah and Raphaella arrived.

‘Finally.’

Raphaella wore a blue dress and a tiny tiara.

Adorable. Absolutely adorable.

He needed to order more dresses and tiaras like that.

Then his eyes moved to Leah—
Thump-thump-thump.

His heart started pounding like crazy.