🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 14
“This place is so spacious too~! Actually, it’s my first time in the capital.”
“Weren’t you born here?”
“No. I was born in the North.”
Berry smiled as she organized the luggage.
“I see…”
“Maybe it’s because I’ve always lived in the North, but the weather here feels a bit hot.”
“The capital is definitely warmer.”
Evelina smiled and opened the window.
A warm breeze flowed in and refreshed the room.
Even in winter, the capital wasn’t too cold. Because the temperature was always mild, snowfall was rare here.
“I used to see snow falling in the North even during summer sometimes, but it’s amazing how warm it is here, with no snow at all, even in winter.”
“So you’ve never attended the Foundation Festival held in the capital before?”
“No. I thought I’d stay in the North until I died, but I’m so happy I came here thanks to you, Your Grace.”
Berry’s cheerful chatter was delightful, and Evelina listened with a smile.
Evelina thought this must be what it felt like to have a younger sister.
“Then go out and enjoy the festival tomorrow. There will be lots to see.”
“Huh? How could I do that? My job is to help you feel comfortable while you’re in the capital, Your Grace.”
Berry was startled by Evelina’s suggestion and declined.
“It’s alright, Berry. I’ll be going out anyway, so there’s no need for you to stay in the mansion.”
“But still…”
“Then I’ll give you official leave. Is that acceptable?”
Berry’s eyes sparkled at the word “leave.”
“Is there someone you’d like to go with? Or would you prefer to come with me?”
“No! Actually, there’s someone who moved here after working in the North. I haven’t heard of him moving again, so he must still be around. I’ll go with him tomorrow.”
Berry spoke with a strained smile.
Evelina had made the offer out of kindness, but for a moment, Berry felt as though she was being dragged to the gates of hell.
If the Archduke and his mother found out she was coming along, something terrible would certainly happen.
“The National Foundation Festival begins today, but there’s not much to see on the first day. It’s better to visit on the second day or later.”
“Really?”
Berry began to speak more seriously.
She told Evelina everything she knew.
“Two days off should be enough, right?”
“Yes~! Actually, I’ve never seen the festival or the puppet show before, so I’m really excited.”
Berry, having finished unpacking, left the room saying she was off to meet someone she knew.
Now that Evelina was alone, she closed the window she had left open earlier and cautiously lay on the sofa.
Then, Karina’s words came to her mind.
“Mana isn’t hereditary, it’s innate…”
If those dreaming of becoming mages heard those words, they would surely be tempted.
Evelina wanted to believe it, but dismissed the idea, thinking it was impossible for someone like her to possess something as grand as mana.
As she mulled over these thoughts, Evelina drifted off to sleep.
When she opened her eyes again, a long time had passed since dinner.
Still drowsy, Evelina was startled and quickly jumped up when she came to her senses.
The blanket covering her slipped down.
“A blanket…?”
Evelina didn’t remember covering herself.
Berry must’ve covered her when she came to wake her for dinner.
Evelina would’ve woken up if Berry had nudged her, but perhaps seeing her sleep so peacefully, Berry didn’t want to disturb her.
Even though she had skipped dinner, Evelina wasn’t hungry.
Still, she felt guilty for missing the meal she was supposed to have with Arsene and Karina.
Wondering what to do, she decided to apologize and quietly left her room.
‘Noh said the room next to mine is Arsene’s.’
She decided to go to Arsene first, then to Karina, so she raised her hand and knocked gently on the door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me.”
“Evelina?”
Arsene’s cold tone shifted instantly.
Within seconds, the door swung open.
He was in his pajamas, seemingly ready for bed.
Only then did Evelina realize how late it was. She lowered her head, thinking she’d made a terrible mistake.
“I-I just woke up and didn’t realize how late it was. If I’d known you were about to sleep, I would’ve come tomorrow.”
“No, not at all! I still have some documents to go through, so I’ll be up a while longer. Please, come in.”
“Really?”
Evelina stepped in cautiously.
True to his word, there were papers scattered all over the desk.
Though she’d never been to his office before, the mess looked familiar.
Arsene quickly organized the documents.
“Did I interrupt you?”
“Not at all. Are you hungry instead?”
“No, I’m fine.”
As soon as she said that, a quiet growl came from her stomach.
The corner of Arsene’s lips twitched. Evelina was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear.
She couldn’t bear to meet his eyes and began fiddling with her hands.
She really hadn’t been hungry moments ago, but once Arsene mentioned food, her stomach reacted.
In the past, she could go three days without eating, but since coming to the Archduke’s house, she had grown used to eating three meals a day.
Arsene comforted her with his soft voice.
“It’s okay. We can’t control our physiological needs. I often get hungry too.”
“Y-Yes…”
“I’ll call a maid and have a light meal prepared for you.”
When Evelina gave a small nod, Arsene rang the bell.
A few minutes later, a maid knocked and entered.
“How may I serve you?”
“Prepare a light meal now.”
“As you wish.”
She bowed and left without question.
Less than ten minutes later, there was another knock.
“Since it’s almost bedtime, I’ve prepared something light.”
She placed a small tray in front of Evelina.
There was warm stew and orange juice on the tray.
“Once you’re done, please ring the bell again.”
After the maid left, Arsene handed Evelina a spoon.
“You must be hungry. Go ahead and eat.”
“Y-Yes.”
As soon as Evelina saw and smelled the delicious food, her stomach growled even louder.
She took a quick bite of the stew just before another growl escaped.
The stew was warm, tasty, and light.
Mashed potatoes and vegetables were gently mixed with delicate flavors.
Only after she had finished the last bite did Evelina realize she had eaten it all without saying a word.
Embarrassed by how she had acted in front of Arsene, her face turned even redder.
Arsene watched her with a pleased expression.
Her small mouth moved quickly, and she looked like a tiny bird nibbling food—adorably so.
Originally, Noh was supposed to inform Evelina about dinner, but Arsene went instead.
When he knocked and got no answer, he feared she might be experiencing side effects from teleportation, so he entered and found her asleep.
Even when he moved her from the sofa to the bed and covered her with a blanket, she didn’t stir.
Dinner had ended in less than thirty minutes without Evelina.
Since Arsene and Karina weren’t close, mealtimes without Evelina were meaningless.
Arsene offered Evelina a glass of juice.
“Drink the juice too.”
Evelina drank it like an obedient child.
Once the tray was empty, Arsene rang the bell again.
A maid came and collected the dishes. Only then did Evelina, hesitant, speak.
“Arsene.”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry I missed dinner because I was asleep. I didn’t mean to, but I never thought I’d sleep that long.”
Arsene smiled and sat closer to her.
“There’s no need to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong, Evelina. Who can control their sleep? Plans don’t always go perfectly. Don’t worry about it. Even Mother said it was fine.”
“She really said that?”
“Yes.”
Karina had known Evelina would come to apologize.
Hearing this, Evelina felt relieved.
Even though her reason for coming was fulfilled, she felt it would be a shame to leave just yet, so she brought up another topic.
“Arsene, did you know a professor from the academy is coming tomorrow?”
“Yes. He’s a professor from Hellis Academy. He’s very knowledgeable and especially skilled in magic.”
“Hellis Academy?”
Evelina’s eyes widened in surprise.
Only nobles could attend Hellis Academy, and even among them, only those who scored over 95 on the entrance exam were admitted.
It was extremely difficult to get in, and having a child attend brought great honor to a family.
The professors there were the best in their fields.
In other words, Hellis Academy was an elite institution not just anyone could enter.
“Yes. His name is Leonard Velluci. He’s also the head of House Velluci.”
“Oh my…”
Evelina’s mouth fell open.
The Velluci family had produced generations of magical prodigies.
Especially the current head, who was hailed as a genius like no other.
“Is someone like him really coming just to measure my mana?”
“Yes. Measuring mana requires high concentration. A mistake could be dangerous, so naturally, the head of House Velluci should come to ensure your safety.”
Arsene’s voice was firm.
Until now, Evelina had felt that calling such a person was too much.
She feared he would be disappointed by the results and question why he had been summoned for such a trivial matter.
But Arsene shook his head, saying that wouldn’t happen.
Evelina returned to her room and tried to sleep again, but her anxiety only grew stronger.
She tossed and turned until dawn before finally falling asleep.
She opened her eyes again less than three hours later at her usual wake-up time.
She had no idea how she had gotten dressed or eaten breakfast.
By the time she became fully aware, it was nearly time for Leonard’s arrival.
Shortly after, Noh announced the arrival of Leonard Velluci, head of the household and the greatest mage in the empire.
