IWETR 21

Chapter: 21

“Where should I go?”

“…I’ll take you to the Glass Garden.”

Kalson’s expression turned slightly sour at Seria’s complete lack of intimidation despite the mention of the Duke.

But Seria didn’t care at all; her mind was entirely occupied with thoughts about how she should behave in front of Duke Belbart.

Kalson escorted Seria to the front of the Glass Garden and stopped.

“The Duke is at the far end of the garden. Please go in quickly.”

Seeing that there were no attendants nearby, it seemed the Duke had deliberately kept people away.

Seria stepped into the Glass Garden.

Despite it being midwinter, the temperature was perfectly maintained. The garden was the height of luxury, adorned with an extravagant collection of plants.

From native plants of Antithesia to flora from other countries, the garden was filled with rare and exotic vegetation.

An ordinary person might have been lost in admiration at the garden’s beauty, but not Seria.

The Duke awaited at the far end.

Seria quickened her pace.

Passing through a tunnel made of climbing roses, she spotted a massive tree planted in the garden’s center.

The tree soared so high it seemed it might pierce the glass ceiling of the garden.

In front of it stood a man with his hands clasped behind his back. Seria slowly approached him.

At that moment, the man turned and faced her.

‘It’s almost like a carbon copy.’

The man before her was unmistakably Theodore’s father, Duke Belbart—Ivan Belbart.

“P-pleased to meet you, Duke. My name is Seria.”

Meeting Ivan’s eyes, Seria hurriedly bowed.

“Lift your head.”

A metallic voice rang above her. Ivan was now right in front of her.

Seria felt a shiver run through her entire body.

Swallowing discreetly, she raised her head and met Ivan’s gaze.

His piercing gray eyes scanned her carefully.

“You really are a perfect Argentian. The hair color, and even that ability of yours.”

Despite looking pale from years of illness, Ivan exuded an overwhelming presence that words could hardly describe.

One wrong move here, and it would be over.

Seria’s mouth went dry.

She had spent a long time worrying about how to act around Ivan—whether to play innocent, or act cheerful.

In hindsight, it was all pointless.

Her mind a blank sheet, Seria forced herself to stay grounded.

“You’ve been causing quite the mischief. A ghost incident at the Belbart mansion—it was ridiculous.”

Ivan sneered.

She had needed to suppress that gossiping article somehow; instead, she had only provoked him further.

A look of dismay spread across Seria’s face.

“Why did you do it? Were you trying to get my attention?”

Ivan’s expression conveyed that he already understood her intentions.

At this point, honesty might work better.

I wanted to prove my value and gain recognition.

“I heard you were curious about my abilities, Duke. That’s why…”

“Arrogant. Theodore, was it? Did he tell you to do this?”

“….”

Seria deliberately remained silent.

Simply admitting it probably wouldn’t be the best choice. Silence could serve as a quiet affirmation, leaving him to understand on his own.

Ivan’s brow furrowed at her silence.

“I suppose he told you to prove your usefulness.”

“….”

Seria lowered her gaze and pressed her lips together.

Ivan clicked his tongue in disbelief.

“You think you can be loyal on your own? Theodore really taught you well, I see.”

Seria continued to stare at the ground without flinching.

“Theodore is my son, yet I can never tell what he’s thinking. Why he brought someone like you, and what he intends to do—I have no idea.”

Turning his back to her, Ivan began walking away.

‘What’s this? I thought he’d be angry.’

Seria followed a step behind him.

They arrived at a table set with tea and refreshments.

Seria’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected hospitality.

“Sit.”

Ivan gestured to the seat opposite him.

Carefully observing Ivan’s demeanor, Seria sat down. Surprisingly, his mood didn’t seem too bad.

The atmosphere was markedly different from earlier.

“You seem to follow Theodore well. Almost like real siblings.”

“…Because you took me in.”

“Took you in… You know Theodore was the vice-commander of the Argentian Expeditionary Force, right?”

Ivan’s lips curled slightly.

It was clear the Duke was testing her.

His initially overbearing behavior, and deliberately mentioning Theodore—it was all to observe her reactions.

Now, it seemed he was testing her loyalty.

Seria spoke slowly.

“Winter in Nark is far harsher than in Taran. People starve and freeze to death frequently. Not even the monastery is exempt.”

“And?”

“If… I hadn’t been taken in by my elder brother, I wouldn’t even be alive.”

“So in the end, you betrayed your own people to survive.”

Seria’s hands clenched in her lap.

The word “betrayal” struck her heart.

She had been prepared for this from the moment she took Theodore’s hand. She would hear it countless times in the future.

It was another type of test; she needed to stay sharp.

“But there’s no guarantee someone who betrays once won’t do it again. Especially someone who values their life.”

Ivan narrowed his eyes.

“I understand my situation. The moment I betray the Belbart family, I won’t survive.”

“…Good that you understand,” Ivan said, sipping his tea.

He grimaced slightly as he swallowed, and cleared his throat. He didn’t seem in good health.

“You know, I’ve been testing you all along. From noticing the tailing, you’re not completely useless.”

Of course, that tailing was another test.

She thought of him quietly judging her without her realizing it—it was infuriating.

Seria forced a small smile.

“Thank you for saying that.”

“Now, show me.”

“Show…?”

“The pathetic little ability you’ve been dying to show off.”

Ivan’s eyes sharpened; his expression dared her to try.

She had to show him something substantial to convince him.

Seria stood and walked a short distance from the table.

“Ha…”

It was indoors, so the wind she could create was limited.

Think… the most reliable method.

Closing her eyes, she gauged the surrounding air with her fingertips. Then she opened them.

Branches began to sway. A breeze stirred in the previously still glass greenhouse.

The wind gathered around Seria, wrapping her, then shot upward in an instant.

Whoosh—!

Her body lifted into the air.

“Ah…!”

Losing contact with the ground, fear surged.

The higher she went, the faster her heart raced.

It was her first time soaring on the wind like this, having suppressed her abilities since childhood.

Her legs grew weak from the dizzying height.

Biting her teeth, she looked down.

Ivan’s eyes were fixed on her.

“Don’t be afraid. Focus.”

Muttering to herself, Seria elevated her altitude calmly and moved forward.

At least this was slightly easier than when she had previously manipulated small whirlwinds.

She circled around Ivan several times.

After several rotations, she gradually descended and lightly landed.

“Ha…”

Relaxing, she exhaled.

Clasping her slightly trembling hands, she raised her head.

Ivan was striding toward her.

“Have you ever used that ability on someone else?”

“Ugh.”

Ivan grabbed her shoulder firmly.

It was hard to believe someone bedridden for so long could have such grip strength.

Seria squinted one eye, staring at him.

“I mean, have you used it to attack someone else?”

“Just once, I’ve used it…”

Before she could finish, Ivan’s face lit up with excitement.

“When? When did you use that ability to harm someone?”

“On the way to the capital, I encountered… a thief…”

“You killed the thief with that ability?”

Ivan’s casual question about taking a life was terrifying.

Whether it was from the pressure on her shoulders, or the madness in front of her, Seria’s body began to tremble.

“No… they’re alive.”

Seria pursed her lips and met Ivan’s gaze without looking away.