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chapter 50
Although there were many days when their guardian was too busy to see them often, life at Edendale was harmonious.
The couple had been deeply devoted to each other for a long time, and they showed active interest in their children’s growth, expressing their affection openly.
However, they didn’t have the luxury to carefully nurture the siblings’ relationships.
Noble children were often reserved from the moment they were born, growing up in independent spaces, and Aete and Laot were no exception.
“…Maybe I should’ve gone separately,” Laot thought, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed out the window. He stole a glance at Aete.
She was reading her book in proper posture, seemingly unbothered. Even the way she turned the pages looked like a scene from a painting.
“Do you have something to say?”
Aete asked in a monotonous tone without lifting her head. It was more of a formal gesture than genuine curiosity.
“No.”
“I see.”
Her smile said it all: don’t act annoyingly.
That’s Aete for you. Someone who behaves like a sweet, juicy fruit yet swallows intruders without permission.
So it was surprising.
It was the first time Laot had ever seen Aete behave politely toward someone.
He thought of the girl who would one day become a princess consort: Berzene, who, under the sunlight, had hair that sparkled like sunlit waves and, despite her fragile appearance, acted boldly as if hiding all vulnerability.
“At first, I was just irritated by her,” he recalled.
It was strange. Watching her suddenly shed tears flipped something inside him.
Even thinking back, that day had been the turning point: being manipulated, weakened, and responding clumsily to Berzene’s antics.
Just yesterday, the same thing had happened.
His mind went blank, and he froze like a fool.
“…So why did she suddenly say that?”
Laot splashed his face with cold water and ruffled his hair.
It was the first time he had felt someone’s pure admiration—untainted by ulterior motives—and it made his heart tingle wildly.
“To be honest, what’s so special about being able to do a little magic? I could do that too.”
“Exactly. It’s nothing really. I don’t understand why others make such a fuss about it.”
He had once overheard children his age talking about him.
At the time, young Laot genuinely believed he was nothing in the eyes of others.
It was only later that he realized those remarks were born out of jealousy, but the wall once built never came down.
Even compliments felt insincere.
“But actually, that reaction makes sense,” he admitted to himself.
Berzene’s voice lingered in his ears despite being an ordinary, intentionless statement.
Even if he had deceived himself into thinking otherwise, maybe he had been waiting for acknowledgment.
It wasn’t clear whether it hit harder because it came from Berzene.
Laot closed his eyes tightly, his face flushed.
“Only two people are gone…”
Why did the mansion feel so empty?
Of course, he knew the reason.
They were the two he interacted with the most.
Aete, in particular, had become less present. She had mastered the etiquette, but was also very busy.
“The Duke is looking for you. I think you should go now, Miss,” someone said.
He was in the middle of his first assignment, exploring how altering a spell would change its effects, when this was announced.
“For what?”
“I wasn’t informed of the details.”
Although he had grown accustomed to life in the ducal family, meeting the Duke in person still felt daunting.
Even though he didn’t pressure or scold her, it still felt intimidating.
‘He’s actually treating me well…’
Each time he called her, he brought a variety of treats and personally checked if she was comfortable.
Even though he must be busy, he knew everything about her.
As she ascended to the study, she wondered why the Duke had summoned her, but no specific reason came to mind.
“You must be surprised to be called out suddenly. Honestly, I’m not one for this either,” the Duke said.
“No, it’s okay,” she replied.
Across from the Duke sat a guest she had never seen before.
A man in his mid-thirties, with a gentle expression, wearing an old yet elegant coat. His tied-back hair was neatly arranged.
‘And he’s a magician,’ she realized.
The Duke probably summoned her because of this guest.
“I thought it would make you happier to meet him directly,” the Duke said.
She waited quietly for the Duke to introduce him. She assumed a new teacher was being assigned while Laot was away, studying magic independently.
“He is, in fact, your uncle,” the Duke announced.
“Excuse me?”
“Your mother’s cousin’s son—Berzene’s maternal cousin.”
“No, no, it’s not that I don’t understand…”
Her mind felt overloaded.
She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, then spoke again.
“As Your Grace knows…”
She paused, unsure how much the guest knew about her.
“I don’t know where the river began.”
The Duke responded clearly:
“Of course, not back to Berzene’s mother.”
Naturally, her mother had relatives too.
She stared at the man in confusion. Why did he look at her with such warmth? Ah—because she was his niece.
“It didn’t take as long as I expected to find you, though it was still quite a wait,” he said.
“Ha ha. We couldn’t reveal our identities, so I apologize, Your Grace,” the man said.
“Don’t worry, I’m not complaining. Just showing off a bit,” the Duke replied.
Their conversation faded into the background as she stood there dazed, trying to process it.
“…Thank you for your effort, Your Grace. But it’s so sudden, I hardly believe it,” she admitted.
Honestly, she half expected this man to be an impostor claiming to be her relative. But Edendale wasn’t careless enough for that.
“Of course, I understand. It must be very confusing,” the so-called uncle said, meeting her gaze with a gentle smile.
“But my niece, I also possess the same power as you.”
“Power?”
Not a curse. She frowned instinctively, then quickly relaxed.
“It’s best I show you directly. Could I have a leaf, preferably with the branch attached?”
Soon, a servant brought a leafy branch.
As the uncle held it, the once-vibrant leaves immediately blackened and withered.
There was no longer any doubt—it was the same curse.
It was something impossible to achieve with mere magic.
“You truly are my uncle,” she acknowledged.
Finally accepting the truth, she sat across from him.
Her tea had gone cold, so Arthur brought a fresh cup.
“I apologize for the delayed introduction, Uncle. I am Berzene, eldest daughter of the House of Erdeon,” she said.
“Pleased to meet you, niece. I currently serve no house, but have spent my life at the Mage Tower,” he replied.
Being at the Mage Tower meant he was highly skilled—at least Grade 4.
Naturally, she wondered: was her mother a magician too?
Since her earliest memory, her mother had never been there. She had never looked for her or even thought of her.
But now, curiosity surged.
Yet there was a question she had to ask first.
“I understand that you live with others at the Mage Tower?” she asked.
“To some extent, yes,” he replied.
“If you don’t mind, could I ask how you handle this? After all… it could be harmful to others.”
If it could kill plants so quickly, its toxicity was strong.
Then an idea occurred to her.
“Oh, does it not affect other magicians?”
Her uncle sighed or perhaps muttered in admiration.
“No, that’s not the case. You really know nothing, do you?”
