SUPER SIDE STORY 07……………………………………………
It seemed he had come straight after going out, because a hooded cloak lay beside him.
“Marquis Veloce.”
“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”
Ivelina naturally held out her hand, and Leonard greeted her by kissing the back of it.
“Did you come here without stopping by your estate first?”
“That’s right. I actually went to the entrance of my estate first, but after hearing something from the butler, I came straight here instead. I heard you wished to see me as soon as possible…”
“Ah, well… my daughter Roselia can use magic.”
Leonard’s eyes widened.
“She can use magic? If I remember correctly… the young lady of the Grand Duke’s house is still quite young.”
“That’s right. She’s only eight.”
Ivelina then explained in detail what had happened the previous day.
From the moment Roselia had thrown a porcelain vase using mana in anger to the time her mana had filled the entire ceiling.
After listening carefully, Leonard finally spoke.
“It’s possible that a remarkable genius like you, Your Grace, has appeared again.”
“Does it happen often for a child to inherit a parent’s ability like this?”
“It’s not common, but it does happen. Usually the child’s ability is weaker than the parent’s, but in the young lady’s case, it seems to be a rather rare example.”
Ivelina asked with a worried expression,
“There’s nothing harmful for the child, right? She’s still young, so I wondered if it might be dangerous…”
“That’s not the case. As long as she avoids situations that cause intense excitement until she formally enters the Academy and begins training, it should be fine. Otherwise she might end up throwing another vase.”
At Leonard’s remark, she gave an awkward smile.
“At least it seems that a mana rampage didn’t occur.”
“A mana rampage?”
Ivelina tilted her head in confusion.
Leonard’s eyes narrowed for a brief moment before returning to normal.
Ivelina herself had once experienced a mana rampage.
And the one who had calmed it was Leonard.
But judging by her reaction, it seemed she truly had never heard of it before.
Quick-witted as always, Leonard realized that Karina and Arsen had intentionally hidden that incident.
Since it had been years ago, there was no reason to stir up trouble by mentioning it now.
Leonard calmly explained instead.
“A mana rampage occurs when someone experiences extreme stress and their mana begins to run wild as if it has its own will. During that time, the mana carries killing intent, so it becomes very dangerous.”
“I see…”
Ivelina nodded with a serious expression.
“That’s why it’s important for you and His Grace to manage things well so such a situation never occurs.”
“I understand. Hearing that makes me feel relieved.”
A gentle smile appeared on her lips.
“Is there any way to measure her mana in advance?”
“Unfortunately, that’s not possible. It’s restricted by imperial law.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I should have looked into it more before asking.”
Ivelina bowed her head slightly.
Leonard shook his head, saying it was fine.
“Then do you plan to send her to the magic department when she enters the Academy?”
“If Rosel wants to. Her opinion comes first.”
“I see. If you need a recommendation letter, please let me know. I can write one that will allow her to enter the Academy.”
“Thank you. I’ll remember that.”
With Leonard’s recommendation letter, Roselia could enter as a special scholarship student without taking the entrance exam.
But it was still far too early to discuss such matters with Roselia, so Ivelina decided to ask her later.
“Then I’ll see you again next time.”
“Please return safely, Marquis.”
Not long after Leonard left, Arsen returned from the imperial palace.
Ivelina spotted him and approached.
“Arsen, Marquis Veloce just stopped by.”
“Wasn’t it too early for him to return?”
“It seems he heard from his butler as soon as he arrived home and came straight here. We talked about Rosel.”
To discuss it further, they headed to the drawing room.
Noah brought refreshments, and Ivelina spoke.
“Fortunately, he said Rosel won’t be harmed in any way. But we need to make sure she doesn’t experience a mana rampage.”
“I see.”
“Arsen, do you know what a mana rampage is?”
Since he hadn’t asked about it, Ivelina tilted her head curiously.
Arsen’s hand twitched slightly before he replied calmly,
“I heard about it from Marquis Veloce once before.”
“I see. Today was the first time I heard about it. The Marquis explained it kindly, so it was easy to understand.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Fortunately, Leonard had been perceptive enough to pretend not to notice.
Arsen quickly changed the subject.
“Did you ask if it was possible to measure her mana?”
“Yes, I did. But apparently it’s forbidden by imperial law. I should have researched it beforehand.”
“If we keep a close eye on Rosel and guide her properly, nothing unfortunate will happen.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
Ivelina nodded.
“Oh, right. The Marquis said he would write a recommendation letter for Rosel to enter the Academy if we request it.”
“A recommendation letter? That’s good news.”
Just then, hurried knocking came from the drawing room door.
It wasn’t loud, but it sounded like two small hands knocking at once.
Arsen chuckled softly and stood up to open the door.
Roselia and Ruamin were standing outside.
“What is it?”
“I want to ride the swing at the imperial palace.”
Roselia said with bright, sparkling eyes.
At the mention of the palace, Arsen’s eyebrow twitched.
“There’s a swing in the garden here too.”
“But the swing at the imperial palace is much bigger and prettier.”
Roselia clung to his leg and whined.
After a few seconds of silence, Arsen smiled and asked,
“So Rosel likes the swing His Majesty made more than the one Dad made?”
“That’s not it! It’s just bigger!”
Roselia shook her head vigorously.
For some reason, Ivelina felt an ominous premonition.
That premonition soon became reality.
After the children visited the imperial palace to ride the swing, the very next day Arsen had the existing swing removed.
In its place, he built one far larger than the one at the palace.
To exaggerate slightly, it was big enough to lay down with blankets.
Ivelina stared at the enormous swing, completely speechless.
When she glanced at Arsen, he stood there with a proud expression.
The children’s reactions were even more dramatic.
When Arsen told them there was a gift and led them to the garden, they spotted the swing and screamed in delight.
“It’s even bigger than the one at the imperial palace!”
“This is amazing…!”
Roselia and Ruamin played happily for hours.
After the new swing was installed, the children stopped begging to visit the palace, and Arsen smiled in satisfaction.
Ivelina shook her head helplessly.
When the children stopped visiting, Jonas became curious and sent her a letter.
Although he filled it with greetings, the main point was clear—what were the children doing lately that they hadn’t come to the palace?
As Ivelina was thinking about how to reply, Arsen suddenly interrupted.
“Is that a letter from His Majesty?”
“Yes.”
Ivelina handed it to him.
Arsen quickly read it and curled his lips slightly.
Then he folded the letter and said,
“I’ll send the reply. Is that alright?”
“Um… yes, that’s fine.”
There was no reason to object.
She had a rough idea what he would write, but there was no need to stop him.
Arsen immediately wrote the reply and sent it to the imperial palace.
Jonas had been waiting for Ivelina’s reply.
When his aide Ridel brought the letter, Jonas broke into a wide smile.
Ridel handed it over with a somewhat uneasy expression.
“Are you that happy, Your Majesty?”
“It’s because of Roselia and Ruamin. Don’t misunderstand.”
Jonas said with a dignified expression as he carefully opened the letter.
Surely Ivelina had written that she would bring the children to the palace.
With great anticipation, Jonas read the letter.
At first he was smiling brightly, but his expression gradually stiffened.
Ridel spoke nervously.
“Your Majesty? Is something wrong?”
“…Ah, damn it.”
Jonas stomped his foot.
Then he groaned dramatically.
“I lost to my brother again…”
“Pardon?”
Jonas sighed deeply.
The letter simply stated that a larger swing had been built in the estate garden, so His Majesty need not worry.
In other words, there was no need to bring the children to the palace anymore.
“Sigh… I was planning to poke their cheeks next time they came.”
“……”
“I really wanted to poke those soft cheeks.”
If he had known this would happen, he would have done it when they visited before.
He hadn’t dared to in case Arsen got annoyed, but now he regretted it deeply.
After resting his head on the desk in thought, Jonas suddenly lifted his head.
Startled, Ridel stepped back with wide eyes.
Just a moment ago the emperor had looked miserable, but now he was smiling again.
Has His Majesty lost his mind?
It was a terribly disrespectful thought, but Ridel couldn’t help thinking it.
Jonas chuckled.
“If Roselia and Ruamin won’t come here, then I’ll just go there.”
“Your Majesty intends to visit the Grand Duke’s residence personally?”
“Exactly. I feel a bit sorry for the Grand Duchess, but a surprise visit sounds good. Oh, right—Ridel, what do children like these days? They’re eight.”
It sounded like he planned to bring gifts as bribes.
Adjusting his glasses, Ridel replied,
“I will prepare everything.”
“Good. They’re boy-girl twins, so make sure there are no mistakes.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
For some reason, even the mountain of work piled on his desk felt enjoyable today.
Imagining Arsen’s irritated expression, Jonas hummed cheerfully to himself.
