ADBG 20

Chapter 20

“It’s embarrassing to say this myself, but it truly is a wonderful place. Though it’s a small territory in the North, it’s full of life.”

“The North? I’m from the North too!”

“Of course I know. House Hess may be rural, but even there we hear of the greatness of the Crimson County.”

At Nadia’s flattery, Yulia burst into laughter. Though they had only just met, she already seemed comfortable enough with Nadia to joke around freely.

“Lady Hess, did you know? Al is from the South, so he starts complaining the moment it gets even a little cold.”

“How embarrassing. Yuri, please restrain yourself in front of a lady you’ve only just met.”

“Oh? It’s not because she’s a beautiful lady?”

Arkis and Yulia truly seemed close. Even though their families were separated by the North and South, they looked almost like real siblings.

Yulia enthusiastically kept talking to Nadia and even suggested they all visit a nearby coffee house together.

Nadia had only planned to exchange greetings this time, yet she had gained far more than expected.

The three of them enjoyed tea together in a coffee house with private rooms.

In that short span of time, they had already grown close enough to address one another by name.

“Lady Nadia, you said you came to the capital for your debutante, correct? Would it be alright if I invited you to our family’s townhouse next time?”

“Of course, Lady Yulia.”

There was no way Nadia would miss such a valuable opportunity to learn more about the Crimson County.

Excited, Yulia clasped both of Nadia’s hands tightly.

Her eyes sparkled brightly, yet she did not look entirely innocent. Yulia clearly wanted something from Nadia.

And she definitely was not the calculating type who approached people with elaborate plans.

“Lady Nadia, there’s something I’m curious about. How did you know Big Raven would come in first at the racetrack earlier?”

“Hmm…”

“Oh, come on, I really want to know.”

Yulia urged eagerly.

Nadia had seen something glowing near Big Raven’s heart. Without even knowing what it was, she had been strangely drawn toward the horse and chosen it. She herself had never expected it to truly come in first.

Would telling the truth benefit her, or harm her?

Pretending to hesitate, Nadia carefully weighed her options.

At that moment, Arkis asked gently,

“Are you truly a wizard?”

As though she had been waiting for the chance to ask the same thing, Yulia immediately chimed in.

“That’s right! Are you really a wizard?”

Rarely flustered, Nadia widened her eyes in confusion.

She simply could not understand what horse racing had to do with magic.

Come to think of it, Yulia had asked her earlier whether she was “a wizard like Arkis.”

Ever since her days as Livenia, Nadia had possessed talents large and small in nearly every field, but if there was one exception, it was magic.

They said all things in the world possessed mana, and by grasping it and connecting it to one’s core—the center of one’s being—a person could use magic.

But Nadia had never been able to sense mana, nor even the core supposedly inside her body.

Was that still true now that her body had changed?

Nadia felt as though she had stumbled upon a deeply fundamental question.

She was no longer Livenia, and there were things Livenia had once been able to do that she now could not.

But perhaps the opposite was also true.

Perhaps she could now accomplish things Livenia never could.

Such as magic.

Unwilling to reveal information about herself while still confused about the situation, Nadia instinctively became defensive.

“I know nothing about magic. Big Raven simply looked to be in excellent condition. It may have been smaller than the others, but its muscles looked firm, and it seemed to have a good relationship with its rider.”

Nadia thought Yulia might be disappointed, but instead Yulia looked even more delighted.

“Then that’s even more amazing! Al said Big Raven’s mana looked unusually bright today!”

“Mana shines?”

“Yes! Isn’t that unfair?”

At Yulia’s teasing remark, Arkis coughed awkwardly.

“I usually prefer to compete fairly, but Yuri encouraged me to wager all of my allowance.”

“Pfft! The fact that the Young Duke Flang becomes shameless over pocket money is even more pathetic. Al is such an idiot.”

Covering her mouth lightly, Nadia laughed along with Yulia before casually asking,

“Does mana shining have something to do with a horse winning first place?”

Arkis gently shook his head.

“It’s not a guarantee of victory. If it were, there would probably be rules banning wizards from entering racetracks. However, Big Raven appeared to have awakened to the flow of mana, so I decided to take the gamble.”

“Horses can awaken to the flow of mana? Does that mean horses use magic?”

“Ah, no, not exactly. People tend to associate mana solely with magic, but mana is actually a natural force that anyone can use. They say truly skilled swordsmen can sense mana well even if they cannot use magic. Likewise, beasts perform better when they can sense the flow of mana.”

Nadia gave a short nod.

So the light she had glimpsed really had been real.

‘Then perhaps Nadia’s body may actually be capable of using magic.’

Nadia was startled by this unexpected discovery. She almost wanted to return immediately and test it for herself.

Fortunately, servants from the Crimson household arrived to escort Yulia home.

Yulia looked terribly disappointed and eagerly promised to meet again.

“My father is terribly overprotective of me. If we meet at our estate, we’ll be able to talk much longer. Ah, and I’ll show you the horse I’m raising too! We absolutely must meet again, Lady Nadia!”

Smiling brightly, Nadia waved gently.

Lastly, Nadia exchanged farewells with Arkis before climbing into her carriage.

The moment she sat down, Vivian leaned close and whispered into her ear.

“I think the Young Duke has fallen for you, my lady.”

“Hm? What are you talking about?”

“I’m serious. He couldn’t take his eyes off you. At this rate, won’t you become a duchess someday?”

Vivian’s face was flushed with excitement. She was at an age where stories like this were endlessly entertaining.

Nadia let out a breathy laugh and shook her head.

“Don’t be ridiculous. The Flang Ducal House is practically the royal family of the South. Do you know how many rumors even the Count Crimson’s daughter had to endure just to marry into that family? They would consider it humiliating for someone like me, a mere baron’s daughter, to even be linked to them by gossip.”

As Nadia spoke with certainty, Conrad—who had been quietly listening—joined the conversation.

“From my perspective as well, the Young Duke did seem to pay particular attention to you, my lady. Though I cannot say whether it was romantic interest.”

“That’s because he’s already close with Lady Crimson, while I was a stranger. He was simply looking after me out of courtesy. It was nothing more than gentlemanly behavior.”

Nadia truly believed that, yet Vivian and Conrad still looked unconvinced.

Finding the situation absurd, Nadia laughed with a sigh.

“Fine, then let me put it this way. Men like him simply aren’t my type.”

“Oh my? Your standards are high. I thought he was dazzling.”

“I don’t particularly like men prettier than me.”

At that, Vivian burst into laughter.

Arkis truly was beautiful enough to resemble a sun god from mythology. Even if he dressed as a woman, people might simply think he was an unusually tall, broad-shouldered lady.

Apparently amused by the topic of her mistress’s taste in men, Vivian giggled and asked,

“Then would you want to marry someone dependable like Duke Baldwin?”

It had only been a joke. Since they had been discussing the glamorous handsome men of the South, perhaps it was only natural to bring up the cold handsome men of the North as well.

After all, they were probably the two most handsome men Vivian had seen recently.

Even knowing that, Nadia failed to control her expression.

Her face stiffened as she answered sharply.

“Duke Baldwin is absolutely out of the question. That would be absurd. Duke Baldwin must take a perfect wife.”

That was precisely why she had traveled all the way to the capital, sacrificing her precious time.

To uncover the truth behind Livenia’s death and ease Heinrich’s guilt.

Nadia immediately realized she had lost control of her emotions for a moment.

As expected, Vivian looked startled and unsure what to do.

Filled with self-reproach, Nadia gently took Vivian by the shoulder.

“…I’m sorry for snapping at you, Vivian. I’ve always admired Duke Baldwin.”

“N-no, it’s alright. You’re always so kind to me that I made a careless joke.”

Wearing a perfectly composed smile, Nadia assured her it was fine.

“If an invitation arrives from the Crimson household, bring it to me immediately, alright?”

“Yes, of course. Don’t worry.”

Vivian nodded right away. Nadia felt guilty for frightening such a good child.

She gently stroked Vivian’s hair. Vivian obediently accepted the touch and smiled softly.

“It’s strange. You’re clearly around my age, my lady, but you feel much more mature.”

“Are you teasing me for being an old soul?”

“N-no, not at all.”

Watching Vivian panic, Nadia smiled fondly.

“As punishment for teasing your mistress, go fetch me a few books.”

“That’s punishment? Do I need to bring back some legendary grimoire?”

Vivian’s silly jokes always managed to make Nadia laugh.

Amused, Nadia shook her head.

“They don’t need to be legendary. Just find some ordinary beginner magic books. There’s something I want to look into. Don’t ask why.”

Both Vivian and Conrad looked as though they were dying of curiosity, yet in the end they lowered their heads and concealed their emotions.

Naturally, neither of them asked for the reason, and they smoothly changed the topic as though nothing had happened.

Still, Nadia was certain Vivian would procure beginner magic books by tomorrow—perhaps even before the day ended.

Cute, lively, diligent, and capable—a maid could hardly be more reliable than that.

As expected of someone chosen by Conrad.