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CHAPTER 22
Giannadion giggled at Iriett’s drawn-out tone. But Radian could not laugh.
So that means… those bastards are—
“Then that leaves about two months. The engagement ceremony is in a few days.”
“Right. Two months from now, during a sweet honeymoon vacation with her loving husband, the carriage wheel ‘accidentally’ comes off, it rolls down a cliff, and her head goes smack against a rock. Something like that should do the trick, don’t you think?”
They’re talking about killing me.
“Well, it’s a pity, but she really shouldn’t have kept living so quietly like a dead rat.”
“That’s what I’m saying. We picked a baron’s daughter so she wouldn’t dare rebel. We even eliminated her entire family, so why is she acting up alone? It’s exhausting.”
“Haha. Hang in there. You’ll just have to act like a loving husband until then.”
“Of course. Acting is what Iriett Skanan does best, isn’t it?”
“I knew it already, but you really are a wicked man.”
“Do you hate it?”
Iriett looked at Giannadion with a charming smile. Even Giannadion, who had been making a sulky face, eventually broke into laughter.
“So who’s next? Should we start looking again?”
“I’m thinking of a commoner next. Since I already have a title and land, nobles have started getting greedy lately.”
“What kind of greed?”
“They asked for used mana stones.”
Giannadion’s eyes widened. His innocent-looking face resembled a child, but to Radian, it felt more sinister than even Beelzebub.
“Used mana stones? What for? Earrings?”
“Pfft. Earrings? No idea. So I just gave them to her.”
“Maybe she’s trying to recycle mana stones?”
“A woman who was stuck at home doing embroidery? Recycling mana stones? If she actually succeeds, I’ll jump into the deep sea of Hashpos holding a boulder.”
“Yeah, fair. If she could do that, she would’ve already done it.”
The two burst into laughter, as if even falling leaves were hilarious.
“If you choose a commoner, won’t your parents oppose it?”
“Nope. They won’t.”
Iriett raised his index finger and tapped it like a clock hand.
“I told you. My mother was a commoner too.”
“Ah… right.”
“And my father, Duke Aight, doesn’t care about a woman’s background at all.”
“Quite progressive for such a rigid society.”
“Pfft. Gin, why are you so funny today?”
Giannadion tilted his head, not understanding. Iriett reached out and ruffled his hair.
“Hey! Don’t! I just did my hair!”
“You’re cute. That’s all.”
Then, his tone turned slightly colder.
“My father… doesn’t see women as people.”
“…Not people?”
“Nor useless men or servants. My sister? She exists because she was born. A political tool. Women are just tools for childbirth. The seed matters, not the field. That’s the kind of man he is.”
Radian’s gaze sharpened.
“Then you’re planning to bring in a commoner woman just like that?”
“Yeah. Less trouble that way. Once I inherit the house, I’ll get rid of her appropriately and just travel with you.”
Even while saying something monstrous, they laughed casually.
Radian’s eyes burned.
“Those disgusting bastards…”
Michael, standing nearby, flinched at her refined noble tone turning sharp.
“Calm down… though I understand it may be difficult.”
The calming potion seemed effective, but rage was stronger. Her hair stood on end; her heart pounded violently.
“Michael.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
“…!”
The rage surged again as she recalled their words.
Michael gently rubbed her back. The touch was unexpectedly intimate, but strangely stabilizing.
“Hoo… I want to scream.”
“Shall I cast a spell for that?”
“You can do that?”
Michael drew a circle with his finger.
“Go ahead.”
“AAAAAAAAAAH—!!”
The scream shook the wine glasses. Radian slammed the table repeatedly.
Then Michael said calmly:
“Shall I kill them?”
“What?”
“Those who are trying to take your life.”
For a moment, silence.
If she said yes, he would kill them. Precisely as she wished—or even more cruelly.
Radian shook her head.
“No. Not now. I’ll tell you when I need it. But… can I borrow this orb?”
“Of course. Use it freely.”
She looked at the now-dark viewing orb.
“Skanan…”
“It’s the Skanan ducal household’s device. Highest accuracy among viewing orbs.”
“Right. 99.9% accuracy and no possibility of editing… they advertised that heavily.”
She trailed off, thinking.
“What will you do?”
“Hmm?”
“I don’t think it’s wise for you to stay in the same house as people who want to kill you. Maybe leave—your estate, or even my country.”
They were already planning her death. The timing had only been delayed. They were dangerous things, ready to stab her in her sleep.
After a long silence, Radian spoke.
“Wait a week. No—five days.”
“What will you do in five days?”
“Divorce.”
“…In five days?”
“Yes. And I’ll make those disgusting things pay for what they’ve done.”
Michael sighed at her determined voice.
What should he do with this fragile-looking woman insisting on surviving in this dangerous place?
But knowing Radian’s stubbornness, he had no real choice.
“…Do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
“Then let’s continue the lesson.”
“…Wasn’t today supposed to be a rest day?”
“I think I should turn you into a great mage as quickly as possible to worry less.”
“…Yes, understood.”
Their lesson continued until dawn.
The carriage rocked.
Radian rested her chin on the window frame, watching the passing scenery.
According to Shan’s schedule, the Skanan carriage had already departed. The Duke and Iriett were at the palace and would go straight to the ballroom later. It was unavoidable.
Since she was participating, she had to arrive with them.
Fortunately, there was a spare carriage. The coachmen had already left, so she needed someone who could drive horses. Surprisingly, she found one immediately.
“Michael, how far are we?”
“Almost there. I can see the lights.”
“Thanks.”
Michael had volunteered instantly. At this point, it was easier to list what he couldn’t do.
Before getting off, Radian adjusted her dress.
“Do I look okay?”
Michael scanned her gently.
“You are perfectly beautiful. To the point I would want to take you somewhere else instead of this ballroom.”
Radian ignored the strange implication.
“Thank you. I’ll go now.”
“Have a pleasant evening.”
He leapt down from the coachman’s seat and opened the carriage door for her.
His hand gestured toward the brightly lit ballroom.
Radian placed her hand on his gloved one and stepped down gracefully.
Her heart pounded.
This was her battlefield.
She entered without looking back.
Each step made her chiffon dress sway like water. A guard stared blankly at her. She handed him her invitation.
After a moment, the guard nodded dazedly.
“Lady Radian Skanan, you may enter—!”
