Chapter 5~
Bright summer sunlight spilled into the room.
Cecilia lay face down on her bed, unable to get up.
Her whole body felt as heavy as water-soaked cotton.
Three days had passed since Roséine’s engagement ceremony, yet the shock of that day still lingered vividly in her mind.
She regretted everything—failing to stop Asen when he lost his composure, becoming an accomplice in something dangerous, and worst of all, having her weakness seized by a man named Theros…
And after dancing with him, how many interrogations had she been subjected to?
Even at this very moment, high society was surely gossiping and drawing its own conclusions about the two of them.
“Miss, a letter has arrived.”
Cecilia forced herself up and took the letter.
“Saturday at noon. I invite you to my estate. A carriage will be sent.
—Theros Jeminique”
Good heavens. She had to see that terrifying face again!
Like a student given an impossible assignment, Cecilia’s face fell in despair. If only her father were home, she would have run to him for comfort.
Unfortunately, Count Serin was away for a month, gathering materials for developing a new weapon.
Cecilia collapsed back onto her bed, pressing her throbbing forehead.
At that moment, the butler announced a welcome visitor.
“Head of the Odique family, Researcher Hadel, has arrived.”
“I’ll be ready shortly—please show him to the drawing room!”
Cecilia, quite unlike a noble lady, rushed noisily to the drawing room. When she opened the door, she saw Hadel seated at the tea table. His platinum-blond hair fell neatly to the nape of his neck.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Cecilia. I came despite the imposition to apologize, as I heard my younger sibling Asen committed a foolish mistake.”
“Ah… I’m so glad you came, Lord Hadel.”
Overcome with relief, Cecilia grabbed his hand with both of hers, her eyes brimming with tears.
Hadel Odique, who had become the head of his family at a young age, was a gifted mage working as a magical researcher for the imperial palace. A hopeful thought bloomed within her—perhaps he could create an antidote.
Embarrassed by her excessive welcome, Hadel gently withdrew his hand, and Cecilia smiled awkwardly.
“Oh dear, what am I doing… I was just so relieved. Let’s talk over some tea.”
Hadel lifted the teacup with his long, pale fingers and took an elegant sip before getting straight to the point.
“I carefully examined the potion my sibling made. For once, Asen created something effective.”
“Effective… in what way?”
“Sir Theros has already fallen for you.”
The words struck like a bolt from the blue. Cecilia nearly spat out the tea in her mouth.
“W-wait a moment! Do you know how terrifying he was that day, glaring at me with those sharp eyes? He said he’d bring Asen and me before a military tribunal! And what else—he said he’d make me regret it! Would someone act like that toward a woman they’re in love with?”
In truth, Theros hadn’t said those exact words, but in Cecilia’s frightened mind, his words had been reconstructed that way.
“People express interest in different ways.”
Oh no… Cecilia pressed her forehead, then asked with her last shred of hope:
“Is there no way to nullify the potion’s effect?”
“I’m sorry, my lady. I did consider an antidote, but the key ingredient, the Ashiyas flower, only blooms every March. By then, half a year will have already passed.”
Cecilia leaned back against the sofa in despair.
At that moment, Hadel carefully took something out of his pocket and placed it on the tea table.
“So, I brought this instead.”
For a brief moment, his gentle eyes sharpened. Cecilia leaned forward curiously and looked at the small vial.
“What is this?”
“A memory-erasing potion. If the marquis reports this incident to the imperial palace, it will put our family in a difficult position.”
Instead of an antidote, he wanted to erase memories to cover everything up? How frightening!
Cecilia instinctively frowned and leaned back.
“I know how this must look. Even if you think us cold-hearted, we have no choice. Though the Emperor acknowledges our family’s contributions, he is wary of us as mages. If this incident reaches the palace, they will use Asen as leverage to seize a weakness.”
“But what crime did Sir Theros commit? A-and this is illegal! You’re suggesting covering one illegal act with another?”
Without a word, Hadel gently placed the vial into her hand. His pleading expression was so sorrowful it was almost beautiful.
What kind of beauty trap is this now? The siblings are both making my life difficult!
“I made it myself. I guarantee there are no side effects, and it will cleanly erase memories from the moment one learned about the potion. Wouldn’t it be best for everyone if the marquis remembers nothing?”
Cecilia’s wavering gaze soon hardened with resolve. She returned the vial to him.
“Lord Hadel. Please put your beauty trap away.”
“…What do you mean? Are you saying I’m beautiful?”
Ah! I only meant to think that!
Though flustered inside, Cecilia cleared her throat and continued calmly.
“I-I mean… I’ll be the one to use a beauty trap—on Sir Theros!”
Hadel tilted his head, confused.
“I’ll win him over during these six months so that he’ll never reveal this! If this reaches the palace, I’ll be in trouble too!”
“He may obey you during those six months. But what if he changes afterward?”
“If that happens, I’ll use this potion then! So just keep it safe until that time.”
After boldly declaring this, Cecilia’s headache returned, and she practically drove Hadel out.
* * *
Saturday.
Cecilia regretted her bold declaration to Hadel.
At first, everything seemed to go smoothly. As stated in the letter, Theros’s carriage arrived at the count’s estate, and Cecilia rode it to Hasblue, a small village he owned on the outskirts of the capital.
At the grand mansion in its center, she had lunch with him.
Yes, this much I can handle however he wants!
If only the potion remained a secret, what was a meal? She felt like she could even dine with him in hell if necessary.
Trying to stay positive, Cecilia lifted her spirits, but the emotional exhaustion of the past few days kept weighing her down.
“Does the food not suit your taste?”
“N-no. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Is something troubling you?”
His calm question irritated her, and Cecilia raised her head sharply.
“You’re asking as if you don’t know? Ever since we danced at Roséine’s engagement, there’s been endless gossip about us!”
“Ah, that.”
Theros smirked as he cut his meat.
“That’s not something to laugh about. Don’t you feel burdened by people asking what kind of relationship we have?”
He looked puzzled.
“No one asks me such things. They know I wouldn’t entertain it. If they merely speculate among themselves, it doesn’t concern me.”
Cecilia suppressed her rising emotions and explained her predicament.
“It concerns me! I’m of marriageable age, and there’s already a scandal with a member of the Jeminique ducal house. Who would approach me now?”
“Do you need others to approach you?”
She didn’t catch his quiet murmur.
“It’s the same now. You terrified me, and then suddenly invited me to lunch—why? What are you planning to make me do this time?”
At her barrage of questions, Theros set his knife down with a sharp sound. Cecilia immediately fell silent.
“I was going to speak after the meal, but since you’ve brought it up…”
She tensed, listening closely.
“You may have had a difficult few days, but I’ve been quite comfortable. Especially watching my father’s fury—it was rather enjoyable.”
The Duke of Jeminique was angry?
“Don’t worry. He’s just upset that I acted on my own. Still, he won’t push those outdated marriage prospects on me anymore.”
A playful smile appeared on his lips.
“You said you were worried about this situation, being of marriageable age?”
Sensing danger, Cecilia hesitated.
“I’ll send a proposal to the Serin estate next week.”
She blinked, not immediately understanding.
“Marry me.”
Good heavens. Was marriage the price for giving him that potion?
Her throat tightened, and no words came out.
“Not a bad deal, is it? Compared to facing a military tribunal, this is a happy ending.”
“M-marriage should be with someone you love!”
“Most nobles marry for politics. Love matches like my brother’s are rare.”
At the mention of Dmitri, Cecilia’s expression darkened.
That’s the kind of marriage I wanted…
“I won’t boast, but I’m the best possible match one could imagine for a political marriage. It won’t be bad for you either.”
His overwhelming confidence left her stunned.
“Sir Theros… with all due respect, I think you’re not in your right mind because of the potion. You know its effect only lasts six months. Won’t you regret marrying me afterward?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ve never been interested in women anyway. I was planning to marry someone suitable eventually—though I couldn’t be bothered to meet anyone.”
His serious tone made her increasingly uneasy.
“Besides, the Serin family is an excellent match. Count Serin is the Empire’s finest weapons craftsman. Given my ties to war, I’m sure we’d have much to discuss.”
He’s thought this through that far? Is he really planning to marry me?
“What if I refuse?”
His expression hardened instantly.
“Did you think this was a proposal? Perhaps I was too gentle. This is an order.”
His demeanor turned cold, just like the night of the engagement.
“There’s no need to answer. It wasn’t a question. Sending you to a military tribunal wasn’t an empty threat. I always repay those who harm me.”
His icy words sent a chill through her, raising goosebumps.
“If you find marriage difficult to accept, consider this my revenge.”
Like a hunter cornering prey, he drove her into a path with no escape.
Tap—
The tears that had been welling in Cecilia’s large eyes finally fell onto the back of her clenched hand beneath the table.
