Chapter 30…………………………………..
There was genuine sincerity shining in Arsen’s eyes as he spoke those words.
With a gentle smile, he tidied up Ibellina’s disheveled hair.
“So, don’t think about anything else. Just focus on marriage. Everything else, your mother will take care of, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“E-even so, I want to decorate the garden for the wedding myself.”
Ibellina looked at Arsen with determined eyes.
Arsen, slightly surprised at first, soon softened, smiling as he nodded.
“You don’t need my permission. Do as you wish, Ibellina.”
Her expression brightened immediately.
“You can coordinate the wedding arrangements with Noel. If you need anything, just say so.”
“Yes, Arsen.”
Ibellina’s heart raced with anticipation.
Since it was her own wedding, she wanted to decorate it herself.
Arsen, looking at her with a fond expression, let out a small “Ah” and spoke.
“Come to think of it, the Marquess Veloce will be arriving in three days.”
“Ah, yes. I… will I be able to manage?”
Ibellina’s expression reflected her worry.
She still couldn’t sense the vast amount of mana within her body and doubted her own magical talent.
She was concerned it would be a waste of time for Leonard to come all the way north.
Arsen looked at her as if wondering what the problem was and said,
“This isn’t an issue. It’s not that you begged to be taught; Marquess Veloce personally requested it. There’s nothing to worry about. You don’t need to feel guilty toward him at all.”
He said it firmly.
Even so, Ibellina still looked uneasy.
“And don’t be too quick to judge yourself. Your potential is limitless.”
He offered a lazy smile.
Arsen turned his head and met Carina’s gaze, who was watching him with a displeased expression.
At that moment, he smirked slightly.
Carina’s eyebrows twitched, and Arsen, pretending not to notice, turned his head away abruptly.
It was a subtle power struggle that Ibellina hadn’t even noticed.
Ibellina returned to her room first, while Arsen and Carina headed to the reception room.
Arsen had said he wanted to speak to Carina.
Carina narrowed her eyes at him and nodded slightly.
Wondering if it was about Ibellina, she asked as soon as they entered the room,
“Do you have something to say? Has something happened to Ibellina?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then that’s a relief.”
Carina relaxed and sat in a chair.
Arsen sat opposite her, and Carina tilted her head, signaling him to speak.
“I have something to brag about.”
“…Brag?”
Surprised, Carina raised an incredulous expression.
Arsen carefully took a long, thin box out from his arms.
Carina stared at it with curiosity.
Opening the box, Arsen said,
“Ibellina gave me a bookmark she made herself as a gift.”
“What?”
Inside the box was a bookmark neatly made from pink petals.
Because it was a gift from her, he had never used it, keeping it as a charm close to him.
He had just remembered to brag about it while preparing for the wedding.
“The young lady… made it herself?”
“Yes. Your mother has never received a handmade gift from Ibellina, correct?”
Arsen gave Carina a victorious smile.
Carina glared at him with burning eyes.
But Arsen didn’t flinch; he only smiled more broadly.
“This proves that Ibellina likes me more than your mother does.”
“….”
“Don’t let jealousy make you demand a gift from her. Ibellina has a gentle heart; she’d stay up all night to make one for you.”
“…I won’t do anything childish. Can I at least look at the bookmark?”
“No. It will wear out.”
Arsen refused firmly and put the box back in his arms.
Carina’s fists trembled.
He stood abruptly as if his business there was done.
“My business here is finished. I’ll be going now. Rest well.”
As Arsen left, Carina was left alone in the reception room, nearly seething.
It was absurd to think the gift proved Ibellina liked him more, but still, she was envious.
And it was irritating.
She was annoyed that he had detained her just to brag, and frustrated that only he had received it.
But if the roles were reversed, she might have done the same, so she had no right to complain.
After calming herself for a while, Carina finally left the room.
In her life, she had never envied anyone, but at that moment, she envied Arsen.
Three days later, Leonard came to the mansion for Ibellina’s lessons.
Ibellina was waiting for him in the annex.
The lessons were held away from the main building for safety reasons.
This was her own time, alone without Arsen.
“What should I do… will I be okay…”
Biting her lips nervously, Ibellina took a deep breath.
Then a knock startled her.
“Your Grace, Marquess Veloce has arrived.”
“Ah, yes. Please, let him in.”
Ibellina, trying to calm her pounding heart, stood up.
The door opened, and Leonard entered the room.
She smiled gently and bowed her head slightly.
“It’s been a while, Marquess. I wasn’t able to greet you at the founding festival due to unavoidable circumstances.”
“No, that’s fine. I heard you collapsed then. Are you feeling well now?”
“I’m fine. Thank you for worrying about me.”
Fortunately, her voice didn’t betray any nervousness.
Leonard wore glasses, which softened his usually sharp gaze.
He didn’t waste time with small talk and immediately addressed the lesson.
“Then let’s begin the lesson.”
“Yes, yes.”
Ibellina swallowed nervously and nodded.
With a snap of his fingers, a black space appeared.
He nonchalantly reached in and pulled out several thick books, placing them on the desk.
Ibellina stared at them, dumbfounded.
“Uh… what is that?”
“It’s a magically created space. It’s infinite, so it can hold anything.”
With another snap, the space vanished.
Ibellina’s gaze fell on the books on the desk.
“The most important thing in magic is understanding mana. If you practice without understanding it, you’re bound to fail. Do you like reading?”
“Yes, I do.”
“That’s good. Today we will study theory.”
She carefully took a book and opened it.
The tiny, dense text made her eyes ache just to look at it, but it was new knowledge for her.
Leonard began explaining, and she quickly immersed herself in the lesson.
Because he explained in a way a beginner could understand, she grasped everything easily.
The lesson was scheduled for two hours, but time flew by.
As soon as the lesson ended, Leonard concluded sharply.
“That will be all for today’s lesson.”
“Ah…”
Ibellina, unconsciously disappointed, stood up.
“Was the lesson satisfactory?”
“Yes, it was really… interesting.”
“That’s good. We may have more time to spend together in the future.”
Leonard smiled faintly, as if painted on.
“I’ll leave the books here. Review them before I return. I’ll check the important parts next time, so memorize them thoroughly.”
“Yes, Marquess.”
“Would you prefer to call me teacher rather than Marquess?”
Ibellina, eyes wide, nodded cautiously.
“Yes, teacher.”
“Then until next time. I’ll warp here, so there’s no need to see me off.”
He reached for the door handle, then paused, looking at her again.
She tilted her head, and Leonard said flatly,
“I wanted to tell you that your eyes are beautiful.”
“….”
“Then, farewell.”
Leonard left swiftly, leaving Ibellina in a daze.
She rushed after him, but he was already gone.
Ibellina was completely bewildered.
She had never imagined him saying something like that.
His first impression had been so cold and his tone so stiff.
That’s why she was more surprised than usual.
Yet the bewilderment was brief.
A gentle compliment from the usually blunt Leonard brought a smile to her lips.
That evening, Carina went out on business, leaving just the two of them for the first time at dinner.
Still, Arsen’s seat remained next to Ibellina.
“How was your lesson today?”
“It was very interesting. I guess Professor Leonard of Helis Academy is really something else.”
Ibellina chattered animatedly.
Seeing her so happy, Arsen smiled warmly and listened.
Realizing she’d been talking only about herself, she gave an embarrassed smile.
“I’m sorry. I’ve only been talking about myself.”
“No, it’s fine. I enjoyed listening to you.”
Arsen shook his head gently and served her some salad.
“Marquess Veloce is well-known for his teaching at Helis Academy, and his lessons are highly sought after. I was worried he might not suit you, but I’m glad he does.”
He took a sip of water and asked her,
“After dinner, would you like to take a walk with me? I’d like to hear more of your stories.”
“Ah… I’m fine, but the stories might not be interesting.”
“Just hearing your voice is enjoyable, so don’t worry.”
Blushing at his flusteringly intimate words, Ibellina felt as though the entire moment might vanish like a dream.
She felt joy and happiness, but also anxiety about whether she truly deserved this.
As that thought crossed her mind, her expression wavered slightly, and Arsen noticed.
