HWDM 19

Episode 19. 

Bianca’s Visit

Ron had blended in with the people of Lanwood Village so well that he answered questions with practiced ease.

According to him, this year’s festival had almost been canceled due to a mine collapse, but fortunately, everyone had managed to escape safely, and the festivities could proceed as planned.

“Are the others out repairing the mine?”

“That’s right. Except for me.”

Ron answered sullenly as he crafted a pretty flower crown, just as one of the young ladies had taught him—using white roses and baby’s breath. As he tried to add a daffodil, the lady slapped the back of his hand with a smack.

“I mean, why leave the reserve troops behind and choose me of all people? Sometimes, I think the Duke has no idea how to make proper use of outstanding talent like myself.”

As he grumbled, a beautifully made flower crown was completed. The ladies around him clapped cheerfully, and Ron, clearly pleased, placed the crown atop his own head.

The young women burst into laughter at the sight.

Hehe.

Ron beamed from ear to ear, clearly enjoying himself.

‘Looks like the Duke made the right personnel decision after all.’

Inspired by Ron’s handiwork, Reina spoke up.

“Maybe I should give it a try too?”

It was a good attempt—but the result was disastrous.

Ron scolded her for making a mess of things, claiming that he had to make five crowns just to get one decent one, and that instead of helping, she was only creating more work for him.

Reina, ears ringing from the rebuke, threw the flower crown at Ron and stormed off.

From behind, she heard someone grumbling, “That temper of hers really hasn’t changed.”

The next day, the festival atmosphere was even more vibrant.

Children ran gleefully through the village square, while the women preparing food were in a frenzy, chasing chickens and ducks. The warm, hearty smell of bread baking filled the village air.

There was more good news.

The emergency repairs to the mine had been completed, and the remaining work would be finished by the reserve troops and the villagers of Lanwood. It was decided that they would leave the village after the festival the following day.

That evening, the men who had returned from repairing the mines were visibly tired but relaxed, smiles on their faces.

Having regained her strength, Reina had dinner with Yanika and then went for a walk alone. After staying for about a week, the village had grown quite familiar to her.

Along the path, lanterns had been hung from tree branches at regular intervals in celebration of the festival. Their gentle light created a serene atmosphere.

Humming a cheerful tune, Reina strolled along the path. Halfway down, she sat on a wooden bench by the creek.

She couldn’t remember the last time she had experienced such peaceful leisure. For the first few days, she’d been plagued with guilt—Is it really okay for me to be this relaxed?—but in the end, Yanika had been right.

After eating Yanika’s meals, taking her medicine, and getting plenty of sleep, both her body and mind felt at ease.

The night air by the creek was a little chilly, but it was refreshing. She closed her eyes, leaned her head back, and took a deep breath of the crisp air—when she heard footsteps behind her.

Opening her eyes, she saw Calis leaning over, looking down at her.

“Eek!”

Startled, Reina jerked her head up—right into Calis’s nose.

“Ugh!!”

He immediately grabbed his nose in pain.

“Oh no! Are you alright?”

Reina turned around in a panic and tried to touch his nose.

“Ugh! D-Don’t touch it!”

Calis waved one hand while the other still covered his nose.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“…”

“But seriously, why’d you sneak up on me like that? You scared me half to death. If you hadn’t, this wouldn’t have happened!”

“Don’t start. I needed a break too today, alright? I came here because I wanted some time alone.”

Calis pouted, claiming that this bench was originally his resting spot and that Reina had stolen it from him.

“How does that even make sense? It’s not like there’s only one bench by the creek.”

“This one’s the best on the whole path. It’s right in the middle—perfect for resting.”

“Well… I guess you’ve got a point.”

Thinking he must be exhausted from overseeing the mine repairs, Reina nodded and shifted slightly to make room.

“Have a seat.”

With a reluctant sigh, Calis plopped down next to her.

“Your nose really is okay?”

“Thankfully, yes.”

“I heard about the mine repairs. Sounds like it’s all wrapped up, and you’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow.”

“Yeah. We abandoned the collapsed section and decided to use the emergency passage instead. Sounds simple, but there’s still a lot of work left for the remaining troops.”

Now that they weren’t bickering, Reina noticed just how tired and gaunt Calis looked after days of hard labor.

Though he had confidently assured Colin that they could save the trapped miners, things often didn’t go so smoothly on site. Until it was all done, Calis hadn’t been able to relax.

Now that the mine repairs were complete and negotiations for the Lanwood mineral rights had gone well, he could finally breathe a little easier.

Maybe that’s why he’d allowed himself this moment of rest.

He said nothing, merely stared out at the flowing creek. Then, as if remembering something, Reina spoke up.

“By the way… I heard you carried me all the way back to the village when I fainted. Thank you.”

At her words of gratitude, Calis turned to look at her.

“That day… you didn’t do that ritual you always do. Is that related to what happened?”

“…”

When she didn’t answer, he pressed again.

“Is it that you don’t want to tell me the truth—or you just can’t lie about it?”

“…Both.”

“Hmph. Still the same.”

With that, Calis reached out toward Reina’s hair. She flinched but didn’t move away.

“See this? While healing me, your hair turned white.”

He held up a strand, and indeed—it had gone pale. Even Reina hadn’t noticed.

“…I didn’t know.”

Calis stared at the white hair in his fingers and said quietly:

“If it feels like you’re going to die, don’t do it. You’ll drive the people around you insane.”

When her hair had turned white—
Calis had seen a terrifying vision:

A healer who had once died overnight, her hair having turned snow-white as she used her power to the very end.

It was a nightmare he had nearly forgotten—now relived before his eyes.

Reina didn’t know what he was thinking, but the guilt of not telling the full truth left her speechless. She simply nodded.

After that, their conversation drifted to lighter topics about the village, the festival, and small bits of gossip.

Reina praised Ron’s flower crown-making skills and the Duke’s knack for assigning the right people to the right jobs. Calis agreed, saying that Ron certainly had a talent with his hands.

It was a beautiful night, lit by the soft glow of lanterns along the path.

Cravin Palace.

A chamberlain entered the Crown Prince’s office and announced a visitor.

“Your Highness, Lady Bianca of the Marquis of Welch is waiting for you in the drawing room.”

“Understood. Tell her I’ll be there shortly.”

Crown Prince Darkel hurried through his documents at the mention of Bianca. After back-to-back meetings with the Minister of Finance and the Minister of State, he headed to the drawing room.

Marquis John Welch was a man who had made a fortune in the spice trade.

He had two children: Count Jade, the eldest son, and Lady Bianca, the younger daughter.

Count Jade had inherited the business and was thriving, while Bianca had become the darling of high society thanks to her striking beauty.

Young noblemen were desperate to court her.

Of course, her beauty played a role, but there was another reason: the Marquis had publicly certified that his fortune would be split evenly between his two children. Marrying Bianca meant gaining immense wealth.

There was no way Darkel would pass up someone like her.

‘Beauty, riches, and noble lineage—she has it all!’

At recent balls, Darkel had always asked Bianca for the first dance, and she always accepted with a radiant smile.

When the two began to dance at the center of the ballroom, the other young nobles formed a circle around them, entranced.

Darkel relished that attention. No—he thrived on it.

With her looks and her wealth, he thought, she was worthy to become his bride.

“His Highness, Crown Prince Darkel, has arrived.”

As the attendant opened the door, Bianca—seated on the sofa reading a book—set it down and rose to her feet.