ITPMHFN 51

Chapter 51

The threads of light wrapped around Denok spread outward, forming at last into a vast, dome-shaped barrier.

In that instant, the portrait room itself transformed into an enormous magic circle.

A tingling tremor ran through my fingertips as the tide of surging mana swept past me.

Unknowingly, I parted my lips as my eyes fixed upon Denok, who stood at the center.

At this moment, he looked as though he stood among the very stars themselves.

“In the name of Luciano.”

His voice resounded with a depth that felt as if it came from the bottom of the sea.

“Those who stand here today shall guard the honor of this great house, and share in its sacred duty.”

The inscriptions on the circle shimmered faintly in answer to his words.

I held my breath as I watched.

“My name is Denok Luciano. As one who inherits the will of our ancestors and carries forth this house’s name, I ask of you.”

His gaze turned to Kyle.

“Kyle Brenton.”

At the sound of his name, a glowing blue circle emerged beneath Kyle’s feet.

“Emil Mickelson.”

The same happened for Emil.

“Do you swear, under the name of Luciano, to devote yourselves in loyalty?”

Denok solemnly stretched out his hand toward the two of them.

Though both looked a little nervous, neither hesitated as they stepped forward.

Kyle was the first to move. Taking in a deep breath, he placed his right hand firmly atop Denok’s.

“Kyle Brenton. In the name of Luciano, I swear to devote my life in loyalty.”

At his declaration, a brilliant crest glowed on the back of his hand. The radiant emblem of the house shone vividly, then slowly sank into his skin until it disappeared.

Next came Emil, whose fingertips quivered as he steadied his breath. He placed his hand upon Denok’s and murmured:

“Emil Mickelson. In the name of Luciano, I swear to devote my life in loyalty.”

The same mark flared across his hand. Emil gasped, staring down at it until the glow slowly faded into his skin.

Moments later, the fantastical magic circle vanished, the curtains parted, and the portrait room once again appeared quiet and serene.

Yet my heart was racing as though I could not contain it.

What I once thought of as a solemn, static room was in truth concealing something so immense, so extraordinary.

Denok turned and formally introduced the two, who were now entirely his men.

“Ah, greetings, my lady!” Emil still looked dazed, clenching and unclenching his fist as though to reassure himself. He quickly bowed deeply to me, his leg folded back in the precise manners of noble etiquette.

I returned his greeting with a smile—only to hear a low, steady voice beside him.

“Your Highness—no, I must now call you ‘my lady.’ Kyle Brenton, at your service.”

Kyle bent one knee slightly, offering a polite bow. Likely he refrained from kneeling fully due to his injured leg.

At that, Denok turned to Vernon.

“Ah, I nearly forgot.”

Vernon produced a small silver vial from his breast pocket. Its gleam left no doubt it was a magical potion.

I watched curiously, wondering what it might be for, when Denok carried it to Kyle and held it out abruptly.

“Drink it.”

It was such a blunt command that even the boisterous Kyle could only blink in surprise.

I turned to Vernon.

“What is that?”

“An heirloom of our ancestors, my lady. A healing draught—rare, even in the ducal house. It can cure curses, wounds, nearly any affliction. Even the Imperial family possesses only a handful of such bottles.”

Kyle’s eyes trembled as he looked down at the vial.

“Your Grace… could this be…?”

“I have no intention of limiting your talents to mere administration.”

At Denok’s words, moisture welled at the corners of Kyle’s eyes. Emil, wide-eyed, whispered up at him.

“C-Captain Kyle… are you crying?”

“Shut up, idiot! Don’t say things like that!”

Kyle spun around, covering his face with his hand. Emil’s stammered apology echoed after him.

Somehow, it felt as though this mansion would soon grow lively.

And strangely enough, the thought made me smile.

Thus, the induction of the new aides was completed.

But no sooner had relief settled in than yet another trial presented itself.

“Now that new aides have been appointed, my lady, you can return to your proper duties.”

As expected, Rachel had come knocking at my door.

Her words made my stomach churn. Proper duties? Just what did she take me for?

The sound of her voice dragged back all the bitter memories I had nearly managed to forget.

While I had been busy with the aide selection, I had been spared from seeing her face—a blessing I now realized fully.

And with her came the reminder of those lessons.

That so-called ‘education’… how much humiliation had it forced upon me? How many times had I been made to bare parts of myself, not by choice but by coercion?

I clenched my jaw.

“Rachel. That education—you do realize it’s no longer necessary?”

I met her gaze directly. She stood at the threshold, clearly prepared to escort me back to that wretched ‘classroom.’

“He loves me now. There’s no longer any need for such pointless humiliation.”

During the selection process, Denok and I had moved everywhere together, almost as if to flaunt our closeness. He never once failed to escort me, my hand resting on his arm.

Even I was startled at times by the tenderness in his gaze.

Melissa told me the maids whispered about us constantly, unable to look away. Of course, such rumors would have reached Rachel’s ears.

Yet she did not smile.

Her eyes struck me like ice.

“…I still do not believe it.”

My lips tightened as I lifted my chin.

“Rachel, this will not do.”

I furrowed my brows and spoke as though wounded.

“I have done everything for my father. I gave my best to bring him joy. Yet if you will not believe in me… how can I believe in you?”

A sharp silence cut between us.

I refused to avert my gaze.

Rachel held it for a while, but her eyes flickered with doubt. It was not conviction she stood upon—it was hesitation.

At last, it was she who lowered her head.

She bit down on her lip, silent for a moment, before murmuring:

“…Show me something more certain.”

Stubbornness, plain and unyielding.

Did she know something? Or was this merely her grudge for all the times I had ignored her warnings?

“Proof? Is seeing me and Denok together not enough? We cling to each other so constantly that even I grow weary of it.”

I scoffed, shaking my head. After all, I could not let her believe I truly liked him.

But Rachel denied me still.

“…No. Something beyond that.”

My eyebrows arched upward.

Rachel’s eyes glimmered with a dark light as she spoke the unthinkable.

“I want to see proof of your love. I want to witness the two of you… consummating it.”

“…What?”