<17>
Edwin wore a subtle expression as he met the expectant gaze of Marquis Kelian. It was strange to see someone so eager when they only held limited authority.
“I will consider it,” he said.
“Ah… consider it, you say,” Marquis Kelian replied, rolling his eyes with a hint of discomfort at the vague response, then suddenly lowered his voice.
“The truth is, I am not the only noble waiting for this opportunity. Even here in the capital, several others are interested.”
“I see.”
“You know that I have long admired the late Duke,” Kelian continued.
“Yes.”
“I came running here for the sake of the late Duke. You may find it hard to believe, but even if this transaction goes through, I gain nothing personally.”
The insistence on the purchase seemed suspicious. On top of that, the claim that the marquis would gain nothing even if the deal succeeded made Edwin even more wary.
That couldn’t be true. Would Marquis Kelian ever act without benefit? Edwin forced back a small laugh through sheer willpower.
Seeing Edwin remain silent with a hardened expression, Kelian grew uneasy across the table. He couldn’t even endure a brief moment of silence and kept adding explanations, clearing his throat.
“You know the rarity of a mana stone. And you also know that it’s extremely difficult to find one of this quality.”
With a solemn look, Kelian opened a black pouch and placed a fist-sized mana stone on the table. It glimmered with a crafted blue hue—the handiwork of a skilled artisan.
It was a water-infused mana stone. Edwin’s eyes scanned it, noting its high quality at a glance.
A stone of this grade was worth buying, provided the terms were reasonable. Still, he didn’t let go of his suspicion toward Marquis Kelian.
He decided not to rush and chose to hear the terms Kelian had prepared.
“What are the terms?”
“Haha, so you are interested. That’s good. There are options for full purchase and installment purchase. Full purchase is set at two thousand gold.”
“I see.”
“Installments are two hundred gold per year for five years. If you continue installments for twelve years, ownership is granted. Personally, I recommend the full purchase.”
“Full purchase versus installment…”
Edwin nodded thoughtfully, pretending to weigh the options as he repeated Kelian’s words.
“Would you return here at the same time next week?”
“Of course, Duke Adelio. Thank you for your time.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I imagine this has been upsetting, but I believe you will handle it well.”
“What—”
“Haha, I’ll see you next week, then.”
Kelian smiled confidently, exchanged a brief handshake with Edwin, and left the audience chamber.
Edwin remained, quietly reflecting on Kelian’s words. The marquis had smiled as if he knew everything.
Even though Edwin had partially read Kelian’s intentions, he somehow felt defeated. What had just happened to him?
Still pondering the unresolved questions, Edwin left the chamber and headed to the annex to retrieve the holy sword. On his way, a familiar laugh caught his attention.
It sounded like one he had heard before.
Edwin stopped abruptly to listen more closely, but unfortunately, the laughter didn’t continue.
Arriving at the annex office, Edwin retrieved the holy sword and recalled the door he hadn’t opened earlier. He also remembered Theo mentioning that a distinguished guest had come to the annex.
Standing before the unopened door, Edwin slowly turned the handle. Just as he was about to swing it open, he heard Theo’s voice.
“Master!”
“….”
Once again, Edwin didn’t open the door. Frowning, he moved toward the voice calling for him.
Delsia was seated at the tea table in the annex garden, enjoying a calm moment with Ella. Though her posture appeared relaxed, she was far from it inside.
“Miss, how are you feeling?”
“Ella.”
“I think it’s not bad for you to go out sometimes.”
“…Well.”
“Honestly, I’m afraid of encountering the duke. He doesn’t even remember you…”
Ella continued, her face troubled.
“I don’t want to see you hurt. Honestly, I even resent the duke for losing his memory.”
“Ella.”
“And more than anything, I understand Count Ferdo’s feelings, which makes it even sadder.”
“….”
Ella’s gaze dropped to the ornate teapot on the table, which she gently touched. It was the same teapot Delsia and Edwin had chosen together—intended for their wedding. Delsia had been overjoyed at the thought of using it then.
Thinking back, Ella felt a pang of sorrow. Delsia had always loved and cherished Duke Adelio.
But he was not hers. He had forgotten all memories of his mistress. Ella couldn’t comprehend her mistress’s desire to remain close to someone who no longer remembered her.
And then there was Count Ferdo’s persistent intentions.
Ella’s chest tightened as she imagined Duke Adelio ignoring Delsia and meeting another woman. The thought of her mistress being hurt made it hard to breathe.
“Ella, it’s okay.”
“Miss…”
“I always tell you.”
“….”
“That tomorrow will be better than today.”
But she isn’t the one, Ella thought, swallowing the words that rose in her throat. She pretended not to hear Delsia’s encouragement. No one knew how much time Delsia had left.
Today might be the last day—or maybe tomorrow. Yet Delsia’s attitude remained remarkably positive, as though she were not a participant in tragedy.
Though initially startled, she carried herself with calm detachment, like someone who had transcended life’s hardships.
Ella’s frustration grew; she knew her mistress’s resolve was unwavering. If only Delsia had been weaker, she thought, perhaps she wouldn’t have come to the house of Duke Adelio under these circumstances.
“Milady!”
Ella noticed Theo running from the edge of the garden, with Valain at his side.
“Theo, Sir Valain,” Delsia greeted softly with a smile. Theo often came to report news of Edwin to Delsia: his condition, his mood, what had occurred. This time, Edwin’s bodyguard, Valain, accompanied him silently.
Upon reaching Delsia, they bowed lightly.
“Milady, did you have a good day?”
“Yes, thanks to you.”
“Haha, I didn’t do much. This time, Valain wanted to come along, so he’s here too.”
“Sir, long time no see.”
Valain gave a faint smile but soon returned to his usual expression. He cautiously spoke after observing Delsia’s demeanor.
“Are you well?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I was quite surprised to hear that.”
“It’s alright.”
Whenever Delsia met Edwin’s attendants, they always asked if she was alright. She always answered that she was—and truly, she was. She had run away, using the excuse of not wanting to burden her family, so she had to be fine.
“Master will be busy with evening duties. I tried to arrange a meeting, but it didn’t work out.”
“Theo, that’s not necessary. Really.”
Theo’s efforts were appreciated, but they didn’t align with what Delsia wanted.
“I’m sorry. You didn’t even give me the chance to mention your name… And when I brought up Count Ferdo, your reaction was lukewarm.”
“…Is that so?”
Delsia paused, then accepted the reality. Even her father seemed completely forgotten. This meant he had lost all memories connected to her.
Hoping he’d remember even her name had been a luxury. His lukewarm reaction to her family name implied that her own name would stir even less.
Delsia clenched the hem of her dress.
“You’ve forgotten all the promises made with me, all the places we went… How could you forget everything related to me?”
“….”
Delsia nearly lost her composure, though she had been maintaining calm. Her heart ached at the thought of all the forgotten promises and memories.
She exhaled, composed herself, and smiled to mask her distress. She had only been slightly shocked by the realization that all her memories with him were gone.
“Still, don’t worry. Once you see me, you’ll remember, and the wedding… will go smoothly.”
“Theo, I have no intention of marrying Edwin.”
“Pardon?”
“I came only to watch over him until his condition stabilizes.”
“But, milady…”
Theo stammered in confusion.
“Master will remember you immediately, so the wedding should naturally follow. Why are you saying this? Are you unwell? Or disappointed in him…?”
“None of that. I just want to rest at the estate once everything is over.”
Delsia stood, showing signs of fatigue. She staggered slightly, aided by Valain, but otherwise appeared normal—a person weighed down but still composed.
She wanted to appear only as exhausted as necessary, no more. This too was a form of pride.
