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Chapter: 18
“Pelion!”
“Is that all? I drank the tea, woke up, and my sister was dead. If only I hadn’t drunk that tea—if someone hadn’t poisoned it!”
Roger raised his voice, but it was nowhere near enough to quell Pelion’s fury.
“She might have survived if she had received treatment at the Mage Tower with me.”
“That child’s illness couldn’t be cured by magic! You can regret the past, but isn’t it time to let it go? The living must live. You should be thinking about strengthening the family—does it make any sense to abandon the family for all these long years over something so trivial?”
At those words, Pelion finally snapped and slammed his chair back as he stood.
“So was that why, in the name of the family, you were so eager for Lilia’s tears?”
The Duke of Hexwood’s gaze shifted at the sudden question.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
With a light chuckle, the duke smoothly pretended he hadn’t heard Pelion’s words.
“The reason I left the family? Every time Lilia cried, I remembered the pleased expressions on Father’s and my brother’s faces. That’s why I didn’t want to come back here.”
But Pelion continued.
“Did we force that child to cry? We merely collected the tears she shed because she was ill and used them for the sake of the family.”
One corner of the Duke of Hexwood’s lips curled upward.
“You wouldn’t know. You were the one who ran away from the family.”
“Please don’t say things like that in public. It’s embarrassing to be related to you.”
“With Lilia’s death anniversary approaching, have you become sentimental? The one who didn’t even show his face at her funeral sure has a sharp tongue!”
If the Hexwood family had officially commemorated Lilia even once, it wouldn’t have felt this disgusting.
The image of his little sister—two years younger than him—dying after suffering in silence under the family’s oppression, her tear-streaked face flickered before his eyes.
You really haven’t changed at all.
Assuming Ophelia truly was Roger’s lost daughter, Pelion had briefly considered sending her back here—if the duke had changed, if he were capable of acting like a proper parent.
But hearing him speak of Lilia so casually proved that nothing had changed.
I must be insane to have thought he might wrap her in parental affection.
Why had he come all this way with such expectations?
A sense of wasted time washed over him, followed by a throbbing headache as his thoughts turned to the child left behind at the Mage Tower.
“I hope you someday learn just how tightly blood-bound families stick together.”
Ironically, in that moment, Pelion felt relieved that Ophelia resembled him rather than Roger.
Seeing there was no chance of swaying Pelion, Roger gave up and spoke one final time.
“I won’t see you out.”
At the thinly veiled dismissal, Pelion shrugged and rose from his seat.
“Much appreciated.”
Without a trace of regret, he left the reception room. Before exiting the mansion, he headed toward the room where the family portraits were displayed.
Portraits of past Hexwoods lined the walls, including one of his sister, Lilia.
She really does resemble this side more.
Though born of the same mother, compared to the wolf-like duke, Pelion and Lilia had always been described as fairy-like.
So it was only natural that Ophelia, who resembled him, would resemble Lilia as well—yet the realization left him with a strange feeling.
So that’s why I couldn’t stop thinking about that child.
Because she resembled his deceased sister.
Her natural coloring may lean toward them, but anyone would say I look more like her father.
At the very least, he couldn’t allow Ophelia to fall into Hexwood’s hands.
If nothing else, perhaps I should become her legal guardian.
Once he started caring, he couldn’t simply leave her alone.
It’s been far too long since I last made contact.
While staying at the Hexwood estate, he had avoided using magical tools for fear of surveillance, so he hadn’t received proper updates from Leonard.
—Why didn’t you contact me all this time?!
After leaving the Hexwood estate and returning to his lodgings, Pelion could only gape in shock at the news he received late.
—It’s a disaster. She caused a serious incident and vanished!
* * *
The night after speaking with Leonard passed, and the next day, I packed my things.
Calling it luggage was generous—it was just one old bag.
As I passed through the lobby and stood before the Mage Tower’s entrance, the guard on duty spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.
“Since you are not a registered guest of the Mage Tower, reentry may be restricted if you leave.”
The exact same words as before made me smile faintly.
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Very well, then please go back inside—huh?”
“I’m leaving the Mage Tower. Could you step aside?”
Caught off guard, the guard hesitated, unsure what to do.
“Goodbye.”
When I bowed politely, he had no choice but to open the door.
The air outside the Mage Tower felt no different from before.
Ignoring the stares boring into my back, I stepped out.
And just like that time long ago, I enjoyed a peaceful day.
I ate good food and snacks, wandered the city like a tourist.
After spending half a day smiling as if carefree, I turned back.
To show this wasn’t merely for appearances, I even bought a ticket to the next city.
I was certain the Tower Master wouldn’t just sit by and do nothing.
As I waited for the train, seated on a bench at the station, someone quietly sat beside me.
“We meet again, Miss Ophelia.”
The person who greeted me with a gentle smile was Elise.
“Are you planning to leave just like this?”
I knew she’d come.
I acted flustered, then nodded with forced resolve.
“Yes. I don’t think the Mage Tower is where I belong.”
“You must have been quite shaken by what happened yesterday.”
There was no one around… Did the Tower Master put her up to this?
When I stayed silent, wearing a confused expression, she looked at me with apparent understanding and gently patted my back.
“I understand how you feel, Miss Ophelia. Being bullied by mages as a non-mage must have been terrifying. But if you become a mage yourself, you won’t be treated that way.”
“….”
As I fidgeted with my fingers without answering, her gentle persuasion continued.
“If you become a disciple, the Tower Master would never tolerate such harassment. He would also guide you excellently in your studies. You could definitely become an outstanding mage, Miss Ophelia.”
When our eyes met, her pupils glimmered strangely.
“So why not reconsider?”
Her words weren’t wrong, and I almost nodded—when a sudden sense of unease struck me.
Why is my resolve suddenly wavering?
Returning to the Mage Tower of my own will wasn’t part of the plan…
When I blinked in confusion without replying, disappointment flickered across her eyes.
“Oh dear. It seems your mind won’t change.”
“I’m sorry.”
Despite my dejected response, Elise didn’t seem offended at all.
“There’s no need to apologize. It’s just a shame. I thought this would be enough to win you over. Still, I’m glad the Tower Master found something worthwhile.”
Resting her cheek on her hand, Elise let out a long sigh.
“To begin with, I prefer this method anyway.”
“…What?”
“I’m tired of pretending to smile kindly.”
As I lifted my head to ask what she meant, she clamped a hand over my mouth.
“Don’t worry. You’ll just fall asleep for a bit.”
Before I could struggle, my consciousness blurred, my eyelids growing heavy.
“See you soon.”
Her gentle voice was the last thing I heard as darkness claimed me.
When I opened my eyes again, I was somewhere unfamiliar.
Darkened walls, a low ceiling, and a windowless enclosed space made it clear this was a hidden, illicit place—
Good.
Strangely, though it was unfamiliar, it didn’t feel new.
Nothing’s changed.
This was the place where I’d once been kidnapped in Elodie’s stead and imprisoned.
