Chapter 50……………………………..
Around that time, the duke was also holding his forehead.
“Sigh.”
Berrick, having descended from the following carriage and approaching him, remarked upon seeing this.
“Every time the carriage stops, my lady runs off. What on earth happened?”
Lektarion glared at Berrick with sharp eyes. Yet Berrick, having noticed that the duke always weakened when it came to Eloah, chuckled lightly, ignoring the glare.
Lektarion slightly furrowed his brow and brushed his bangs back.
“Make proper preparations. We’ll be leaving for the capital soon.”
“Of course, I’m doing my part properly.”
He looked up at the protective barrier he had raised in the air—a mana stabilization barrier invisible to others.
It was also the barrier enveloping the entire Northdian estate.
“Did you bring the medicine?”
“Yes.”
Berrick handed over the pouch he had brought.
“Take this. It’s extra. I stayed up making it right up until departure.”
Lektarion took it and opened it. Inside were about five small bottles of the transparent liquid he had drunk not long ago.
“There will be plenty of wizards in the capital. Your double mana might react and backfire. Are you sure you want to go anyway?”
“I can’t let Eloah go alone.”
Normally, unless commanded by the emperor, the Duke of Northdian had never attended a royal banquet.
The duke had little interest in social affairs, and in business matters, he had several agents led by Jace, so it had never been a major problem.
The main reason for his absence was his double mana. The duke often went hunting alone to release and stabilize it—though nobody knew exactly how.
“Really, what did you do to my lady? Don’t you know that you’re safe only when you’re by her side? You noticed that your seizures decreased after she arrived, didn’t you?”
“……”
He knew.
Not only was their compatibility good, but curiously, Lektarion’s double mana stabilized significantly when he was near Eloah due to the human magic circle. There were no obvious signs, but he could certainly feel it.
Berrick rubbed his head.
“Well, do as you see fit. Looks like he’s completely immune in that direction. Make sure she doesn’t run away—if she does, his seizures might worsen.”
“I’ll try.”
Lektarion’s indifferent reply made his mage sigh deeply and return to his carriage.
Knights could be seen finishing their preparations, attaching horses to the carriage again.
“Did I rush too much?”
That night, under the moonlight, Eloah dancing in the wind had been unbearably lovely. Her cheeks flushed from wine and dancing, her small red lips, and above all, her smile directed at him had unconsciously revealed his feelings.
The duke covered his face with gloved hands.
“I didn’t mean to scare her.”
She was timid and sensitive, like a squirrel. If startled, she might hide and never appear again.
Lektarion reflected on his recklessness once more.
“Good morning, Eloah.”
“Ah, I suddenly remembered something urgent. Have a good day.”
“……”
“Lady, the route to the capital when we depart…”
“Sorry, I still have some assignments. Please arrange it with Baron as you see fit.”
“……”
“Eloah, may I speak to you for a moment…?”
“……Ah! Suddenly, my stomach!”
“……”
For three days now, she had reacted like a rabbit confronted by a predator whenever she saw Lektarion, trying to flee.
Even in the carriage, she hadn’t dared speak for two days.
“Sigh.”
He let out another sigh, losing count.
“How can I ease her mind?”
How to comfort a terrified squirrel? The Duke of Northdian faced the greatest challenge of his life.
“Ah, she likes the starter kits.”
She had been indifferent to gemstones and clothing that most women liked, but her face had brightened over an old bracelet.
Eloah loved magic. Despite the stress of preparing for the banquet, she always saved time for magic study—proof enough.
Her senses and talent were excellent, so her skills grew quickly. Her mana steadily increased too; if this continued, entering the ranks of high-tier wizards wouldn’t be impossible.
“A high-tier wizard, huh…”
He rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
“Wow…”
From what he knew, nobles’ townhouses were usually narrow three-story buildings—barely more than temporary lodgings, with little garden or yard.
“This is a townhouse?”
It exceeded expectations.
Though the blue-gold roof matched the Northdian family colors, the architectural style was entirely different—modern and sophisticated. He could have believed it was built yesterday.
Moreover, on a prime piece of capital land, a four-story townhouse with a martial hall on the left and a spacious garden on the right? This was essentially a mansion.
It was only five minutes by carriage from the royal palace. He didn’t even want to know the property’s value.
Lost in thoughts about the limits of the duke family’s wealth, he disembarked, escorted by the duke. Soon, the head steward approached.
“Welcome, my lord. And it is an honor to meet you, my lady. All the staff of Bessha House sincerely welcome your visit.”
A young head steward greeted them, with a larger group of servants behind him bowing politely.
“Well then, my lady. I have some errands, so I shall see you this evening. Please rest comfortably.”
The duke said this and hurriedly left Bessha House.
I greeted the head steward, Hayden Rox, and was shown to my room.
The room was prepared for the duke’s wife and was the first to be used after the mansion was completed.
It had a view of a magnificent garden, blending splendor and natural beauty in line with capital trends.
“Excuse me.”
While admiring the view, the head steward arrived with a maid.
“This young lady will assist you at Bessha House. Her name is Ruis, and although she has duties, having an extra hand for banquet attendance will be convenient.”
“Thank you for looking out for me, Hayden.”
Like Aubrian, Hayden was respectful and proper.
Unlike Aubrian, who had little mana and had given up magic to inherit the position of the duke’s steward, Hayden was non-magical, though not cast out from the family.
The head steward had a demanding role—managing commoners below and noble guests above required both skill and status. The duke employed capable people from the gray zone for these positions.
“Not at all, my lady. Please, call me Hayden.”
“Then, Hayden, I look forward to your care.”
“I shall serve wholeheartedly.”
He bowed politely, and the maid with dark brown hair and eyes also knelt.
“Nice to meet you, my lady. I am Ruis.”
“Pleased to meet you, Ruis.”
“I shall serve wholeheartedly.”
I greeted her as I would at the Northdian estate.
“Hm? She looks pale.”
“Oh dear, Ruis. My lady is different from other nobles. No need to tremble so.”
“S-Sina.”
Ruis, panicked, tried to stop her while stealing glances at me, fearful I might take offense.
Then I realized the problem.
“Commoners are scared of nobles.”
Nobles, born different and talented, were viewed as almost untouchable by commoners.
“Ruis, you’re from the capital, right?”
“Yes, yes! That’s right.”
Ruis hurriedly clasped her hands and lowered her gaze.
“It’s my first time in the capital. I’ve heard it’s full of amazing places and good bakeries. If it’s alright, shall we go out together tomorrow?”
Ruis looked up, startled, staring blankly as if to confirm she heard me correctly.
The Northdian estate staff were used to being treated as human by the duke and other nobles, but Bessha House was different.
They had almost never met the duke himself, whose reputation was fearsome. That he had a timid, gentle wife? Terrifying for servants.
Whatever misbehavior occurred, the servants bore the consequences.
Having lived almost like a servant in the Uberis Count household, I understood her feelings.
“Will it be inconvenient if you’re busy?”
“Oh, no! I’d be happy to accompany you!”
Ruis brightened, kneeling happily. Fear of nobles wouldn’t vanish entirely, but I could gradually reassure her.
“My lady, Ruis’ older brother works at a magical stone workshop in the capital. He’s very skilled.”
“Oh? Really? I’d love to see it. I’m clumsy, so I admire skilled hands.”
“Oh, no! That is too kind, my lady…”
Though flustered, Ruis smiled faintly at the praise of her brother’s work.
I was excited at the thought that life in the capital wouldn’t be unpleasant.
The next day, about to go sightseeing in the capital with Sina and Ruis, I received an unexpected guest.
“Princess Cecilia?”
Upon hearing a guest had arrived, I went out to see a beauty with sky-blue hair waving at me.
“Duchess, it’s even more delightful to see you here in the capital.”
