Chapter 66
Marcel smiled as he pondered how to pressure the emperor.
Lisette had urged him to confess to Eloise, but that had to be done after the annulment.
Eloise needed time to stand on her own, to learn to cherish herself first.
“Your Highness, the promise between the Imperial Family and Monclair—”
Boom!
Just as Eloise was about to refuse by invoking her family, a loud explosion echoed from the training grounds, followed by a cloud of smoke.
Both of them immediately stood and sprinted toward the magic training area.
“Ellie, sorry about this—no time to waste.”
Without warning, Marcel slipped an arm under her knees and around her waist, lifting her up and running full speed.
***
I couldn’t understand what had happened.
As usual, I was handling the mana that Etienne transferred to me, and without realizing it, I had drawn from my own mana as well.
The flames suddenly flared up, and just before the explosion swallowed me, Etienne reached out and pulled me into his arms.
Bang!
The blast hurled Etienne’s body straight into the wall.
He coughed weakly, a trickle of blood seeping from between his lips.
“Cough… You… okay?”
“I—I’m fine because you protected me…”
Foolish Etienne was worrying about me first, even though I was completely unscathed thanks to him.
The metallic scent of blood filled my nose. Had he suffered internal injuries?
My front paws trembled as I pressed lightly against his chest. Etienne let out a muffled groan.
“Idiot. Why did you shield me? You should’ve dodged.”
“Just… felt like it.”
He gave a faint smile, but I could only tremble helplessly, not knowing what to do.
My paws shook just like that day when I’d first seen Eloise collapse in convulsions.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
He said not to worry, yet blood still trickled from the corner of his mouth.
If only I had healing powers—if only I had light-attribute magic, like the original heroine or the duchess.
A vivid memory flashed through my mind: the duchess healing that annoying butler in the story.
At that very moment, a pure white light burst from my paw and seeped into Etienne’s body.
“Lisette, you…”
Etienne gazed down at me, his expression much more relaxed than before.
I stared back, just as bewildered—no blood at his lips, his wounds gone.
No way… Could it be? The light attribute, said to exist in only one person in the entire Empire, had manifested in me?
“Lisette!”
We were both frozen in surprise when Eloise’s voice snapped us back to reality.
For some reason, she was in Marcel’s arms—but quickly broke free and ran to me.
“Are you all right?”
“Ah, yes. Etienne saved me.”
“Etienne, are you hurt? You’re bleeding…”
Eloise turned her concern to him next.
Etienne simply looked down at me, and I knew what that gaze meant. I shook my head quickly.
I couldn’t say anything yet. Until I was sure, I couldn’t tell anyone that I might’ve healed him.
“I bit my tongue when I hit the wall. It’s fine.”
“Still, I should call for Dr. Etman.”
Eloise stepped away and gave orders to the knights standing guard at the entrance of the training grounds.
Meanwhile, Marcel approached us with a sly grin.
“Well now. What could this be? Who caused the explosion, and who healed Etienne? Just a moment ago, his mana was wildly unstable, but now it’s not only steady—it’s overflowing with vitality.”
Damn. That’s right—mana resonators could sense each other’s mana flow.
So it really was true. I must have healed Etienne.
“Shh. Keep it down until we’re certain, Marcel.”
“Sure, sure. Orders received.”
That smirking face again—maybe I’d chosen the wrong person as Eloise’s partner.
Maybe I should just keep her for myself.
When Eloise returned, her face was full of worry.
“How did this happen? Are you both really okay?”
“I’m fine, Ellie. Don’t worry too much—it was just a mishap with my mana.”
Even after hearing that, Eloise scooped me up from Etienne’s arms and examined me from every angle.
Honestly, I was fine—but she wouldn’t stop fussing.
Thanks to that, Etienne, now recovered enough to move, stood and stretched.
“No need for a vet, I think.”
“Dr. Etman may not be as skilled as Dr. Payson, but he has experience treating beastfolk. Let him at least examine you.”
Under Eloise’s firm insistence, Etienne finally agreed to be examined.
But when Dr. Etman arrived, he stammered awkwardly in confusion.
“W-well, I-I did treat beastfolk before, but always in their animal forms. I’m not exactly a physician for humans…”
“Beastfolk would never reveal their true forms to Imperial citizens.”
“It was a dire emergency, and they didn’t know I was from Calenia.”
Eloise’s sharp gaze made the poor man dab sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
With a sigh, Etienne released his mana—and in his place appeared a wolf, as large as a Jindo dog.
Silver and light brown fur intermingled beautifully, his golden eyes gleaming with dark pupils.
“Wow…”
I couldn’t help but gasp. The first time I’d seen his beast form, I’d been terrified, but now I found it majestic.
Etienne didn’t seem pleased with my admiration and muttered under his breath, annoyed.
“Let’s get this over with.”
“Y-yes, right away!”
Dr. Etman hurriedly examined him with his instruments.
“No fractures or internal injuries—remarkably sound, considering you hit a wall that hard.”
“See? I told you I’m fine.”
He returned to his boyish human form with a sulky tone.
Since his clothes remained intact, I realized beastfolk must use magic to materialize or remove garments when transforming.
That’s… actually pretty convenient. I should remember that next time I change forms—no more embarrassing naked moments.
After the doctor left, Etienne spoke up.
“Let’s end training here for today.”
“So, will we train again tomorrow?”
Considering how busy Marcel and Etienne were—and the watchful eyes around us—daily training wasn’t realistic.
Etienne thought for a moment before answering.
“Tomorrow’s difficult, but the day after should work. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Ellie doesn’t have plans that day either.”
I said it to Etienne, but the words were meant for Marcel.
Ever since he’d discovered our little annulment plot, we’d dragged him into helping us—but his enthusiasm had been lukewarm.
Marcel smirked and turned toward Eloise.
“Lady Monclair, about the question I asked earlier—I expect your answer the day after tomorrow.”
That question again?
Eloise frowned but stayed silent.
Taking that as her answer, Marcel left the training grounds with Etienne and returned to the palace.
After seeing them off and entering the mansion, the duchess called me over.
“Lisette, come speak with me in the second-floor drawing room for a bit.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Eloise, don’t you have letters to reply to?”
At her mother’s gentle rebuke, Eloise stroked my head fondly and headed toward her room, glancing back several times as she went.
I stared after her until the duchess lifted me up effortlessly.
“Lady Katrine, I can walk, you know.”
“You’d only slow me down, dear.”
It wasn’t that bad—but I couldn’t exactly argue with her, so I just pouted.
Once we reached the drawing room, I noticed the table was covered with a variety of treats—far more than usual.
“You’re a beastfolk, so you can eat more variety. I got bored and prepared these.”
“Thank you!”
This was only my second private conversation with the duchess, but compared to the first time, the atmosphere was much lighter.
I reached out a paw and dragged a strawberry cake toward me.
“Take your time while we talk.”
The duchess poured tea into my cup with a soft smile.
I sipped some tea and took a bite of cake—then nearly choked at her next words.
“You’ve manifested the light attribute, haven’t you?”
“Cough!”
How could she be so sure when even I wasn’t certain yet?
As I wheezed and licked at the tea to clear my throat, the duchess simply looked down at me in silence.
Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked,
“How did you know?”
“Light magic emits a unique wavelength. Only another light mage can sense it.”
“Then… I’ll be able to feel other light mages’ magic too?”
“Yes. But only when it’s cast nearby. Not that it matters—the Empire has only one, after all.”
But wait—the magic I saw her use in the basement… that had clearly been light magic.
“But Lady Katrine, there’s you, isn’t there?”
“My abilities are a secret. Only the duke and the empress know.”
“Why?”
“Imagine what the nobles would say if a light mage from the Monclair family—a house of archmages—married into another great family.”
They’d throw a fit, claiming the Monclairs held too much power, and would’ve done anything to oppose the marriage.
“I suppose they wouldn’t take it well.”
“Exactly. But I never wanted to marry anyone but Serge.”
Ah—so the duke’s full name was Serge Monclair.
And if she was bringing up light magic like this…
“Lady Katrine, are you going to teach me light magic?”
“I will. But it must stay secret from Eloise.”
“Why?”
“Eloise…”
Her voice trailed off, a bittersweet smile crossing her lips.
She took a slow sip of her now-cold tea.
Maybe she didn’t want her unawakened daughter to feel the weight of comparison.
“Ah…”
A daughter born to an extraordinary mother might only feel more inadequate upon learning such a truth.
I knew that feeling all too well.
But unlike my mother, the duchess was a good one.
“Lady Katrine.”
“Yes? Don’t tell me you’re trying to avoid lessons already?”
“No, it’s just… if, by chance, Eloise were capable of awakening—what then?”
