CHAPTER 25……………………………………………………
“Yes, so if you look closely, you can still see traces of the past all around this mansion.”
“Oh, that’s fascinating.”
The Kingdom of Ebola had been a legendary great magical nation. But due to the rampant overdevelopment of magic, it was a country that perished in an instant. Even now, no one knows exactly what kind of magic it wielded.
The Nosdian family had settled on the ruins of that fallen kingdom, but there were some advantages to that.
“That might be why the Nosdian family has consistently produced people with immense magical power. Even the previous duke could use the 7th rank of magic; he was a high-ranking mage.”
“I see.”
I had heard of this before.
The first low-rank mage to come from the Nosdian family, known for producing esteemed magicians, was the previous Nosdian Duke.
In fact, rumors had circulated that the current Nosdian Duke, inheriting that lineage, was completely incompetent, signaling the decline of the family’s fortune.
In reality, he was a terrifying man, possessing both an Aura Mastery and human-targeting magic circles. So worrying about the Nosdian family was utterly pointless.
“People aren’t cookies stamped from the same mold. How could everyone be the same? Some may have talent, and some may not.”
I answered casually, and as I descended the stairs to the entrance, I was taken aback by the enormous portrait of the Nosdian Duke hanging on the wall of the second-floor landing. The duke in the portrait looked much younger than now but stood firmly with his hand on his sword, looking dignified.
‘He’s been incredibly handsome since childhood.’
With the intimidating aura lessened, he really had an angelic face as a youth.
The only flaw was that the painter seemed inexperienced with muscular builds; the body appeared flat.
‘Even at that age, a duke would likely be quite muscular…’
“Miss.”
“Huh?”
I looked up, wondering why, and saw Obrian staring at me in shock while Sina covered her mouth, her face full of awe. Dale had his mouth wide open.
“Obrian? Why is everyone reacting like this? Did I say something strange?”
Or did my imagination of the duke’s muscles show on my face?
Embarrassed, I fiddled with my face.
“I’ve never heard a noble say something like that before…”
I widened my eyes. Was that such a special statement? To me, with memories from a past life, it seemed perfectly normal.
Obrian soon bowed his head to me.
“As expected, I see why the master would choose you as the lady of the house. Ah, if my words were presumptuous, please forgive me.”
“Not at all. Don’t worry about it.”
I had just been thinking of the duke’s muscles, so my face flushed for no reason.
Dale placed his fist over his chest and bowed.
“It’s an honor to serve a lady like you. I will serve with utmost loyalty.”
“No, you don’t need to go that far…”
I waved my hands, and he grinned mischievously, teasing:
“Are you saying I may serve without loyalty?”
“That’s not what I mean… ugh.”
I couldn’t exactly say, “I’m only here for a one-year contract, so don’t bother!”
“Ugh. You’re all so mischievous. Is it because you take after the duke?”
Everyone looked stunned at my comment.
“The duke is mischievous?”
“Surely the master wouldn’t tease the lady?”
Why such a reaction? I nodded to Obrian’s astonished question.
“Tease? There’s never a moment of seriousness when he’s around. I sometimes wonder if he even listens seriously at all.”
Everyone was utterly dumbfounded, as if they were hearing something impossible for the first time—like people hearing that frogs can fly in the sky. Though, in this world, there really were flying frogs.
“Someone addicted to work?”
“A man who has never even joked a single word in his life?”
Was it possible that the duke I knew and the one they served were completely different people?
“That’s impossible. He’s always desperate to tease me. Please, stop him.”
A man who laughs often and teases constantly is supposed to be cold and workaholic? That made no sense.
Then, Hans, the dark-haired knight who had been silent until now, suddenly asked:
“Then, what about someone without talent?”
“Huh?”
The topic had changed abruptly. Hadn’t that been settled just moments ago?
Hans asked again, his face holding back something, his tone challenging.
“If someone must become a mage but lacks the talent, should they just give up? Are you saying they shouldn’t even hope from the start because they’re different?”
“Wait, that’s not what I meant…”
I was flustered, but Dale cut him off.
“Hans, you are being extremely rude. Step back.”
“Deputy Commander, I am asking a question.”
“Do you defy my command?”
“What do you think, Miss? Please answer.”
Despite Dale’s stern warning, Hans didn’t step back.
Why is this suddenly directed at me!
The atmosphere grew tense.
Had I said something that struck his nerve?
Judging by Dale’s inability to restrain him directly, Hans might originally have been a noble. If so, it made sense that he got angry at me.
But I had the right to answer.
I looked him directly in the eye. Since he asked seriously, I intended to give him my honest answer.
“If someone can bear the cost of their own desire, that’s fine. But if they hurt others for their wish, that’s different. In that case, it’s right to stop. The end would only be destruction.”
I thought of the magical potion Rifei and Risha were chasing and shook my head. That potion must have been someone’s desperate hope to become a mage.
Yet in the end, it drove others who shared the same hope to death. A tragic outcome.
My desires and dreams are precious, but they should never harm others. Killing is out of the question.
I wasn’t trying to act noble. I just doubted whether dreams built on other people’s suffering could ever lead to a happy future.
At that moment, the front door opened, and someone entered.
“You are a hypocrite, young lady.”
The moment I heard that, Dale immediately blocked my path.
The newcomer was an elderly woman with elegantly styled white hair, wearing a fancy hat and a splendid dress.
‘Who is she? The duke is out; there shouldn’t be any guests.’
Obrian muttered quietly beside me.
“Why is Madam Enrike here…?”
“Enrike?”
“She’s the mother of the current Count Enrike.”
Even flustered, Obrian answered my question diligently.
“She is the great-aunt of the master and visits occasionally.”
Sina added, her face pale. Judging by their reactions, she was not a particularly welcome guest among the staff.
“Miss.”
Sina, tense, grabbed my elbow, signaling me to step back. But she was a noble. A mage.
I, also a noble who could at least sense magic, couldn’t retreat.
I descended to the entrance and faced the great lady. She lifted her head arrogantly and scanned me from head to toe as if appraising a piece of property.
Dale stepped forward to block me again, hand already on his sword hilt.
“I apologize, but currently, the mansion is not receiving guests under the duke’s orders. The guards at the gate should have stopped you. May I ask how you entered?”
“Was there anyone to stop me? I don’t know.”
The old lady waved her fan nonchalantly, ignoring him. That meant she either defeated all the guards or flew in herself.
‘Are people in this world always this reckless?’
Even if magic ignores age and gender, I didn’t expect manners and common sense to be absent.
Dale called Hans, ready to draw his sword.
“Hans, escort the lady. We’ll discuss disobedience later.”
Hans ground his teeth but stepped forward.
“I refuse, Deputy Commander. I can no longer obey.”
“What did you say?”
“I will not give up. I will become a mage no matter what. Then I will return to my family.”
“Stop, Hans!”
As Dale and Obrian realized the gravity of Hans’s words, he passed by me, grabbed my arm, and pressed a sword to my neck.
“Ugh!”
My arm was forced back, and the cold metal pressed under my chin. The sharp touch on my skin made me tense all over.
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Miss!”
“Everyone, don’t move!”
Everyone screamed at once.
Hans dragged me down the stairs toward the old lady. Dale, seeing me held hostage, couldn’t act rashly.
Finally, when they reached the great lady, she laughed, eyes gleaming behind her flapping fan.
“Well done.”
Hans ground his teeth in response. At least he didn’t seem happy to be helping her.
‘I suppose I shouldn’t take that into account now.’
The great lady, Madam Enrike, scanned me from head to toe.
“So, you are the rumored Noschi. The one he’s so infatuated with.”
She said what would make the duke delighted: “Just as planned,” then snapped her fan shut, lifting my chin with its tip.
“You’re quite… decent-looking, but know your place.”
It didn’t hurt, but it was unpleasant.
“Breaking in while the master is away. Is this the courtesy of the Enrike family?”
I lifted my chin and shot back. She laughed loudly.
“You have spirit. So, you will become the duke’s wife, and I, the great lady of the count’s house, am nothing? Impressive.”
Crack! Crack!
My cheeks burned as my head turned side to side.
“You need proper training.”
“Miss!”
“Damn it!”
Somewhere nearby, screams continued as everyone descended the stairs.
‘Her grip is insane.’
The woman with white hair had incredible strength. She wasn’t inexperienced at all.
