chapter 08
‘Yes, asking Archmage Damian to be my partner was the best decision I’ve ever made.’
The Founding Festival—something most broken-up couples dread—ended on a surprisingly refreshing note for me.
But there was still one last matter left unresolved.
“Young Lady, the Lord will be arriving today.”
Father had returned from the estate.
“…I see. I’ll rest until then. Please let me know the moment he arrives.”
I’d made too many mistakes because of Polius to face Father easily. I had been relieved when he was away in the territory—but now, it was time to face him.
When I went downstairs to the dining room that evening to have dinner with him, my legs suddenly went weak. My body swayed.
‘Ah, not again… my legs.’
Lately, my legs had been losing strength more often.
At social gatherings, I could manage by staying seated, but at yesterday’s ball, I’d stood in heels the entire time. Even though it hadn’t been that long, my legs hadn’t felt right since.
“You seem unsteady. Let me help you.”
“Father…”
He must have been waiting for me on the stairs. The moment he saw me falter, he shot up and took my arm.
The servants around us looked alarmed, but it wasn’t their fault.
I’d deliberately worn a full, layered dress to hide my weakened legs from Father—but he noticed what even the maids hadn’t.
‘As expected… his love for me runs deep.’
I sighed softly, leaning into the strength of his arm. I could never hide my pain from Father.
He must have ridden hard to get here, and it was already late in the evening—he must have been exhausted. Yet, he always looked for me first.
“You seem even more unwell lately,” he said. “If it weren’t absolutely necessary for me to stay in the estate, I wouldn’t have let you attend the Founding Festival.”
“No, I wanted to go too. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a ball.”
“Even without Young Lord Polius?”
A direct hit. I hesitated, then forced a smile.
“Ah… so you’ve already heard.”
“The rumors reached even the provinces. It’s not something I could miss. But must I hear about such things from others, Melanie?”
Though his tone held disappointment, his hand was gentle as he brushed my hair aside. He carefully seated me before taking his own chair.
“I know you’re grown and have your own thoughts. But if you’d told me before breaking things off, this father of yours might’ve worried less.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t plan to end things—it just… happened.”
I smiled faintly. Had I not regained the memories of my past life, I probably would’ve continued enduring that one-sided relationship with Polius.
“I just… couldn’t stand it anymore.”
“I heard you’ve been taking more painkillers lately. I don’t mind the breakup, but I worry about your health.”
“…”
“Though it seems it was your heart that hurt more than your body.”
His voice softened. Yet there was no reproach—only care.
Despite how I’d publicly caused scenes whenever Polius was seen with another woman, despite the shame it brought to our family name, Father still understood me without blame.
‘He’s always been soft on me…’
Father had never liked Polius. He often said Polius was a fool for letting go of “the most exceptional daughter any man could ask for.”
“I’ve heard that boy’s been quite friendly with other women despite being engaged. Don’t worry about the annulment. I’ll handle everything.”
Even for a ducal family, calling off an engagement wasn’t a small matter—but Father spoke as if it were nothing.
“My beloved daughter, all you need to worry about is your health. Nothing else matters more.”
“Luckily… I’ve already thought of a solution for the engagement.”
I replied promptly.
“Archmage Damian is still listed under the Veldert family registry. If I change partners to him, the engagement with Polius will be resolved easily. We’ve been in contact recently.”
“You’ve already thought that far ahead. But… you and Archmage Damian haven’t known each other long, have you?”
“He’s an understanding man. Once things are settled, he’s agreed to support the annulment.”
Of course, we weren’t actually engaged—but Father, more concerned about my well-being than politics, simply nodded.
As I met his proud gaze, I swallowed back what I really wanted to say.
‘Even as the family head, he’s willing to bear the scandal—just for me.’
And yet, I’d never done anything for him in return.
I’d even squandered the merchant company Mother left behind—without a word of apology.
‘But this time, things will be different.’
I wanted to protect Mother’s legacy. I wanted to rebuild the trade company I’d neglected while chasing after Polius—no, I wanted to make it greater than ever before.
But first, I had to deal with the loans Polius had taken out under my name.
“Father… thank you. Always.”
He chuckled. “You sound so apologetic over a mere annulment.”
“It’s not just that. And also…”
I hesitated, then shut my eyes tightly. I couldn’t look at him directly.
“Father, I love you. It’s been so long since I’ve said it…”
Even without a mirror, I could tell my cheeks were burning. My face was so hot I felt dizzy.
It was something I hadn’t said since childhood—but I wanted to, now that I truly understood how blessed I was to be loved this deeply.
And how much I’d only ever taken from him, never given.
“My, my… you’ve given me quite the gift today. I love you too, my daughter.”
He froze for a moment, then laughed softly, his smile the warmest I’d ever seen.
The setting sun streamed through the window, gilding his face with gold.
“Melanie, all I want is your happiness. I’ll always be on your side.”
It was the warmest, most radiant moment I could remember. I thought—I’ll never forget this day, not even until the day I die.
Three days passed since the Founding Festival ball.
Today, I was meeting Archmage Damian again.
Unlike at the ball, I dressed lightly—something easy to move in. Damian, too, was dressed more simply than before, but even from a distance, he stood out.
‘Strange. When I used to meet Polius, I could never spot him easily. But Damian… it’s like he draws the eye.’
I hadn’t realized a tall, handsome man could feel so soothing to look at.
“How have you been?” Damian greeted me with that same poised elegance.
“I thought I’d arrived early, but it seems you beat me to it. I hope you weren’t bored waiting?”
“Not at all. I was just wondering—if you truly own a mana-stone mine, why you chose to tell me first.”
He was right to ask. Owning a mana-stone mine didn’t mean I had to do business with the Magic Tower. It made sense he’d question my intentions.
‘Still, calm as ever. Most would’ve jumped at the offer.’
I recalled my reasoning before answering.
“Because I’m planning something beyond simply selling mana-stones.”
“Beyond…? Do you mean to start a business using them?”
Straight to the point.
The value of mana-stones was immeasurable—they allowed even non-mages to wield magic.
‘They’re the core of the magical artifact industry.’
The Magic Tower held the best technology for crafting such artifacts, but that industry had stagnated.
For centuries, magic had been focused solely on combat, thanks to the long monster wars. Even now, post-war, little had changed.
Noble families passed down protective artifacts as heirlooms, and only grand events ever featured them. Commoners could live and die without ever seeing one.
The potential for practical magic was endless, yet unexplored.
‘But I own a mana-stone mine—and I think I know how to use it efficiently.’
And Damian was the perfect partner for that.
‘If we can launch a new magical artifact industry… we’ll rewrite magical history itself.’
Despite what Count Veldert had done, Damian hadn’t publicly cut ties with his father. Probably because he believed it wasn’t yet his time.
Becoming Archmage hadn’t been enough for him—he wanted something greater, something undeniable.
And I, too, had my ambitions.
“How did you know it was a mana-stone mine without extracting anything? You’re not a mage, as far as I know.”
“Well, that’s… a trade secret.”
I couldn’t exactly say, because I read it in a novel.
We took a carriage to the mine I had purchased. It wasn’t far from the capital.
“This is the mine.”
“It looks like an old, exhausted site…”
“People think all the gold ran out—but it’s different in truth. I’d like you to see for yourself. My real proposal starts after that.”
“I don’t know what makes you so sure, but… very well.”
Even as he spoke calmly, the precision of the equipment he brought showed he took me seriously.
Vmmm—
His mana flowed into the instrument, vibrating audibly. The crimson hue of his magic—matching his eyes—began to shimmer.
The knights accompanying us looked uneasy, unaccustomed to such magic. But to me, that red light looked like a sign of fortune.
Damian closed his eyes. I started to move away so as not to disturb him, but his voice came first.
“It’s true.”
He had already determined the presence of mana-stones.
“How could you tell so quickly? Even Archmages can’t usually identify unrefined stones underground.”
“This used to be a gold mine. The tunnels aren’t completely sealed.”
So modest—even when he’d just done something extraordinary.
Sensing unprocessed mana-stones, even with instruments, was no easy feat.
‘No wonder he’s the Archmage.’
Now that the mine’s nature was confirmed, it was time to talk business.
“So, what do you think? Seems we’ll be seeing each other quite a bit.”
“It doesn’t seem like a short conversation. Shall we continue at the Tower?”
“That’s fine, but there’s a place I’d like to visit first.”
I smiled and gestured toward the bustling café street in the capital.
I had a very calculated reason for choosing it—so that many people would see the Archmage of the Tower and me together, looking quite friendly.
