CHAPTER 40……………………………

<Chapter 40>

“Is it alright if I just leave? I feel like I should help tidy up…”

“That’s fine. Despite appearances, she’s a high-ranking mage. A few flicks of her hand, and the shop will be restored in no time. The broken furniture can be sent later.”

“She was a mage?”

I was taken aback by her unexpected identity. Just because she sold magical tools didn’t necessarily mean the owner was a mage, so naturally, I assumed she wasn’t.

Even the mercenary guild Repeye belonged to was founded by a non-mage master.

In other words, she was both a mage and a noble.

“Why would she run a shop like that…”

“Oh, she has a fondness for old things,” the duke said, brushing the dust off his clothes casually.

“The original owner was once a high priest of the order in his youth. His abilities and magic were remarkable, but above all, he was a special priest who often received divine revelations.”

“A high priest?”

In this world, the priests of the one true god of magic were naturally mages. And yet, this special priest, who even received divine revelations, was selling ancient magical tools in a simple shop? It was increasingly puzzling.

“But one day, for reasons unknown, he left the temple and opened a shop in the Northdian territory selling old magical stone tools. I heard he first met my grandfather around that time.”

“I see. So, you met him through your grandfather?”

“No. I got lost nearby as a child, and the owner helped me. I only learned afterward that he knew my grandfather.”

“I see.”

It was thanks to his grandfather helping her, and him meeting the shop owner, that I could buy the starter tool from her.

Human connections are truly unpredictable.

“Oh, now that I think about it, she said something strange.”

“Strange?”

“She said you’re alive because of me.”

At my words, one of the duke’s eyebrows shot up, as if to say, What do you mean by that?

Embarrassed, I scratched my cheek.

“If it were the other way around, it would be easier to understand,” I added.

He seemed to ponder for a moment, then smiled lightly.

“Well, you’ll understand in time. That’s always been the way of her stories.”

Indeed, he seemed like someone with a mysterious ability.

“I still don’t want to meet her twice. She said that if the shop didn’t collapse under her magic, it would under her voice alone.”

“Really? If it has survived the past ten years despite being so worn, the next ten years will be fine too.”

The duke chuckled and held out his hand.

‘Is he asking for my hand?’

Curious, I placed my hand in his, and he lightly brushed the starter tool on my wrist.

“It suits you well.”

Through the worn metal bracelet, the green gemstone glimmered clearly in the twilight. With this, I was now officially a mage.

“I’ll treasure it,” I said.

“As long as you wear this, you won’t need to use a pen for a while, and the amount of magical energy flowing will decrease.”

“Really!”

I shouted in genuine joy at being freed from that cursed pen, and his expression grew subtly peculiar.

“You had a sulky expression the whole time we were shopping, and now you’re finally smiling. Looks like you like this side better—just an old bracelet, and yet.”

“Well, it’s because I can finally use magic. I’m finally a mage… huh?”

Suddenly, my vision blurred. Surprised by the unexpected, I covered my face with my hands.

“This is strange… why is this happening?”

“Elroa.”

At that moment, the duke’s blurred hand approached, gently stopping mine and carefully brushing near my eyes.

“Are you alright?”

Alright? With what? But as I blinked, I realized.

Something trickled down my cheek.

“Ah.”

I was crying—uncontrollably, thick tears dropping one by one.

“I-I’m sorry… why am I crying all of a sudden… why am I… like this?”

I had no idea why, and I couldn’t stop. The more I tried, the more overwhelming the sadness became, and I couldn’t even make a sound.

‘Why? Stop already! Why am I suddenly crying?’

The more I struggled, the faster the tears flowed, making it hard to even see ahead.

I was utterly confused, unable to understand the cause of my tears.

“Sniff… sniff.”

I cried silently like a child. The duke, fearing my sobs might escape, wrapped me carefully in his arms. His movements were gentle, cautious not to startle me.

The Duke of Northdian spoke in a low voice.

“There’s no one around, so cry as much as you want. Let it wash away all the hardships you’ve endured.”

‘Ah.’

At his words, I realized why I was crying.

‘That’s why.’

Every moment of my life since being reborn at eight had been full of pain. And the reason was simple: I could not become a mage.

Those years were nothing but pain, loneliness, and despair.

But that time had ended.

Today, I acquired a starter tool and successfully cast magic.

I had finally become a mage.

Then, I noticed my mother’s necklace on my left wrist. The worn opal glittered, and I felt as if I could hear her voice.

‘You’ve become a mage. I’m proud of you, my daughter.’

I clutched the opal necklace with both hands.

‘Mom… I became a mage.’

I had always wanted to say that.

But there was no mother left in this world to hear it.

“Mom…”

It was heartbreaking. I resented her for leaving me alone in this world. I was sad that now, just as my suffering ended, she wasn’t here.

I finally broke down.

“Sniff… sniff!”

Tears flowed uncontrollably.

I missed my mother so intensely.

‘Who will be happy for me? Who will truly hold my hands and embrace me now that I’ve become a mage? Mom isn’t here.’

At that moment, someone hugged me with all their strength as if to keep me from collapsing.

“Elroa. I will stay by your side. I am now your husband and your family.”

He loosened his tight embrace slightly.

“Duke…?”

Then, removing his white gloves, he wiped my tears like a handkerchief.

“So, please rely on me a little.”

Perhaps because of the twilight light, his deep crimson eyes were exceptionally intense. The mischievous glint I always knew in his eyes now shone tenderly. His gentle voice and kind touch warmed the cold, despair-filled corners of my heart.

‘Strange person.’

To him, my past might just be words on paper. But I didn’t care—I felt the sincerity in his words.

Perhaps, for at least a year, I could lean on him a little. Perhaps I could open my heart just a little.

He was the first person who promised to be family to me, left alone in this world.

“Sniff… sniff.”

I cried in his arms until the long shadows of twilight disappeared.

“Sniff.”

As I sniffled, the duke held a handkerchief to my nose. He had cried so much that both the handkerchief and his chest were soaked.

Realizing this, I was embarrassed, but the duke smiled slyly.

“Well, if I’m to take care of a crying lady, I’ll need to carry at least three handkerchiefs.”

It seemed the serious moment had ended.

“C-crying? Did Sina say that?”

I wiped my nose with the wet handkerchief and glared at him.

“Well… I think anyone could tell by looking at you now, no need for the maid to mention it.”

“I don’t usually cry. I just… emotions got the better of me today… that’s all.”

Even I knew it was a weak excuse.

“I see. I understand,” the duke said, smiling as if he fully comprehended, without teasing or questioning.

‘Annoying!’

He pulled out an antique pocket watch from his coat and nodded.

“It’s best we return for today. We’ll save the bakery we talked about yesterday for next time.”

“Ah.”

Looking around, I realized the twilight had almost ended. Street lamps flickered on, signaling the approach of night.

“Shall we go?”

The Duke of Northdian smiled and extended his hand, signaling he would escort me. I placed my hand on his arm, feeling slightly more at ease than before.

It felt strange seeing him escort me personally, when just a month ago he would have delegated such a task to his aides.

He had changed since our first meeting. What had changed him?

My heart fluttered a little.

As we walked, I saw the duke’s carriage in the distance.

One of the knights accompanying it, Dale, noticed us and ran over, appearing alert.

“Welcome back.”

“Sir Dale, what’s the matter?”

“Apologies. It seems a disturbance has occurred nearby.”

‘A disturbance?’

I looked around. Indeed, the crowd seemed denser and noisier than before.

“They say the fight started over some item.”

“Is mediation needed?”

Dale shook his head.

“It’s just commoners squabbling. People are intervening, so it shouldn’t escalate.”

“Then let’s head back.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Deciding there was no serious problem, we prepared to leave.

Then, a sudden gust of wind blew.

“Ah!”

The wind swept my hat off my head.