Chapter 99
Theo was the master of the magic tower.
Most of the tower’s progress relied on his abilities, and in any field related to magic, he stood above everyone else.
He hadn’t openly boasted about it, but his talent exceeded what people could even imagine. And it had been that way for a long time.
“I won’t let this go.”
Thinking about who was behind this made Theo grit his teeth again.
Across from him, Rico sighed.
“And what exactly are you going to do if you don’t let it go? Just don’t make the magical tools! Don’t mess up the plan any further!”
Theo’s eyes blazed with intensity.
Of course, he knew.
He shouldn’t get too deeply involved.
But he couldn’t control his anger.
Because he understood the feelings Anelia must have felt.
Maybe no one else understood, but Theo—the only person in the world—did.
“I’ve seen this before, even in my previous life.”
A trembling voice escaped his lips.
“She handed over not just her things, but even people, to that fake. Outwardly she acted strong, but inside…”
Finally, a groan of frustration slipped out.
“Damn it, nothing is going according to plan.”
Seeing Theo’s fists trembling, Rico closed his eyes with a troubled look. Then he spoke.
“Brother, let’s stay calm. It’d be stranger if everything went according to plan, right?”
“……”
“We changed the past, so how could the future remain the same? We need to accept things like this calmly!”
“……”
“Did we change things alone? Miss Lili desperately tried to change things too. She avoided being taken by Lambert Longton and personally called Sharon Abner. So, brother…”
Rico’s gaze on Theo became more serious.
“I know no parent can stay calm about their child, but you need to calm down a bit.”
Theo lifted his head at those words. His golden eyes trembled mercilessly.
“Eh? Master of the Tower… no, Theo?”
I was startled when Theo suddenly barged into my room.
Rico waved behind him as if to greet me.
Theo strode in without a word and, just then, spoke to Owen, who was already there.
“Could you step aside for a moment?”
Owen frowned deeply. He didn’t answer but looked at me first.
I froze, then awkwardly nodded. Theo just wanted the space cleared for a moment.
Owen’s face twisted in frustration.
“Wait, are you seriously asking me to leave?”
Seeing his lost expression, I hesitated and replied,
“Well… for now, yes…”
“I should’ve listened when Arwin said not to trust anyone. Forget past favors—this is what it means! Wow… wow!”
“No, that’s not what I mean!”
“Whatever, people need wealth and power more than popularity anyway. Lesson learned, disciple. You’ve given me a great teaching!”
And before I could even answer, he stormed out of the room.
As I stared at the door closing emptily, I felt an intense gaze from somewhere.
Turning my head, I saw Theo perched on the edge of the table, looking at me seriously.
“I heard what happened.”
I scratched my head awkwardly.
Theo’s expression was full of worry.
Of course, I was a bit surprised that Seniana suddenly came to the royal residence.
But why was Theo reacting like this?
I understood Owen worrying because he knew my past life, but Theo’s reaction felt unusual.
He looked as if he knew all the humiliation I felt because of Seniana.
Or… maybe it was natural?
I nodded to myself.
‘Well, I do look a bit pitiful.’
Even though I called Sharon Abner “Grandmother,” I was just her adopted daughter with no blood relation.
I had been living in luxury, but suddenly her real granddaughter, Seniana, appeared.
It was an awkward situation for anyone to see.
‘Come to think of it, even the kitchen staff and Miel… they seemed to pity me a little.’
Blinking at the strange feeling, I heard Theo’s voice.
“About that.”
“That?”
Theo closed his mouth, swallowed, and composed himself.
“Seniana… I just saw her on my way here…”
He paused, as if struggling to say something. After a moment of hesitation, he looked at me resolutely.
“I…”
“Even the Master of the Tower thinks she’s strange, right?”
I spoke first. Theo’s eyes widened.
“Rico uncle was right. Theo and I are similar—quick to notice things!”
Theo’s gaze flickered briefly.
“I’ll tell you only this, Seniana is strange.”
I saw Rico, leaning by the door, peeking outside slightly. He was probably keeping watch in case the conversation leaked.
“I sent Miel, my personal maid, to Seniana.”
Theo’s face immediately frowned.
“I even said she could have any toy she wanted.”
Theo gritted his teeth at that, but didn’t interrupt me.
“But at first, she only picked the expensive ones.”
“Expensive ones?”
“Magic stones, rare gemstones. Clothes and hairpins—only those.”
Of course, most of the gifts I received for my last birthday were expensive.
So I checked what Seniana didn’t take. The leftover gifts were mostly cheap or consumable items.
‘That’s not all. There’s more.’
Usually, children have clear preferences.
For example, Luru in the orphanage loved her teddy bear above all else.
Tom, a boy, preferred toy weapons. Mika loved dolls, especially beautiful human-like ones.
‘I’m the same.’
At that age in my past life, I only loved books.
But Seniana showed none of that.
Her preferences were uncertain, and if anything, seemed to revolve around money.
I had seen her secretly take items that could be valuable, without caring what they were.
‘But how could a normal five-year-old know what’s valuable?’
Moreover, the most decisive reason:
“I’ve never seen a five-year-old focus for over three hours on anything besides Ria.”
Theo slightly opened his mouth.
“But Seniana finished reading a whole book in one sitting.”
“What book?”
“A guide to aristocratic etiquette.”
That book was usually for teenage debutantes and was often tedious.
It contained detailed, complicated information: how to manage servants, dress codes for balls, greeting etiquette, table arrangements, and even minor party rules.
‘And she read it all in one sitting? At five years old? That’s impossible.’
Children my age normally had a 20-minute attention span. That was normal.
‘I could focus longer because I only looked mature on the outside.’
Seniana’s unusual ability became more apparent over time, especially when she was alone with me.
Whether in the dining room or coming to take my things, she behaved confidently.
‘She relaxes around me.’
And the reason was obvious.
“Seniana underestimates Ria a lot.”
Theo frowned slightly, and I shrugged.
“But that’s fine. I wanted it that way!”
In truth, it was my plan.
I let her do whatever she wanted. If she asked for a maid, she got one. If she wanted friends, she got them.
If she wanted my toys, clothes, or accessories, I let her have them.
Of course, my heart felt emptier as my belongings vanished.
But I tried my best to give everything to Seniana generously.
“Right now, Seniana thinks Ria is weak.”
“……”
“She thinks she’s intimidated me. That’s why she acts even stranger in front of me.”
