TCTR 54

Chapter 54

My hands and feet felt hot. Unable to say anything about that strange sensation, I repeatedly clenched and unclenched my fists, foolishly asking again.

“Really?”

Kischel had suddenly left for the Lumen Empire on the day I turned seventeen.

The Lumen Empire, though lacking in outstanding knights, had plenty of spiritists and mages, and it was also a hub for active research on sorcery.

He had gone to that unfamiliar land claiming he could cure the illness I developed from the twisted sorcery inside me.

But before the regression, an incident happened before he could return, so I never met him. And now, when he finally came back…

“You didn’t say a single word about this!”

All he said was that he had met a few sorcerers, so I assumed he had failed.

I thought there must be some way, and since I had survived until I was twenty-two in my previous life, I figured another opportunity would come. I refrained from pressing Kischel further, knowing he must be just as distressed as I was.

“I didn’t tell you because I was afraid of disappointing you.”

“Hey! Don’t mumble.”

I shook Kischel’s body.

I shook him back and forth as he lay sprawled on the carpet.

His arms shielding his eyes refused to drop no matter what.

“There’s an excellent sorcerer in the Lumen Empire, but even he can’t guarantee anything, so I just waited. Until an answer came.”

His voice trembled.

I couldn’t tell whether it was me trembling or him.

“Then… could it be…?”

“He says it might be possible. He might be able to cure your illness, Your Grace.”

A feeling I had never experienced before.

My heart tightened, my hands and feet shrank, tingling, but it didn’t hurt.

“…”

I hugged Kischel tightly.

I never dared imagine that a day like this would come.

Still, if such a day did come, I thought I should joyfully raise a toast.

Excitedly, with happiness.

In reality, we just lay there, unable to speak, listening to the wildly beating hearts.

When he said he would leave for the Lumen Empire, I couldn’t stop him when he said it was for my sake. I hadn’t seen Kischel for the next two years.

I knew Kischel had suffered just as much, if not more, than I had.

“They say there’s a case in the Lumen Empire where someone cured an illness similar to yours.”

The strength in his arms around me increased.

I had no idea how long we remained there, holding each other in silence.

Out of gratitude.

Out of guilt.

Out of thankfulness for Kischel, who treasured me as much as his own life, even when I was too afraid to take a single step outside. I could not bring myself to speak.

After holding each other for quite some time, Kischel wiggled in my arms and added,

“But there’s one condition.”

“A condition?”

Thanks to my wealth, there was no treasure in the world I could not have.

As I shone with confidence, ready to give anything, Kischel spoke in a slightly lowered voice.

“That sorcerer… wants something that Lady Jepino possesses as payment.”

What is he talking about now?

✦ ✦ ✦

Carriages lined up as they arrived at the Mertiel Ducal Estate.

It was the twentieth birthday of Inera Mertiel, the newly appointed duchess.

The citizens of the domain scattered flower petals as they watched the endless line of splendid carriages.

No one felt resentment just because a young girl had become the duchess.

Recently, word had spread quietly about a slave auction incident, and it became known that it was the duchess who resolved it.

Not only that, she single-handedly prevented the collapse of the ducal magic tower and had solved the epidemic crisis a few years ago. Naturally, people could not help but feel awe.

“To think such a person is our duchess…”

That single sentence was enough to express the feelings of the people.

However, the nobles who pulled lavish carriages into the estate to flaunt their family status had slightly different thoughts.

“They say she’s a duchess recognized by His Majesty.”

“I wonder how beautiful she must be to have even captivated the crown prince.”

“She’s no different from any other young duchess. A few months ago she was just a child.”

These were the words of those who had not yet met Inera.

“Impressive. Not only did she gain the crown prince’s favor, but also established friendly relations with the Jepino family.”

“That’s not the problem. People from the emperor’s faction and anti-emperor faction all came to her party.”

“Oh my.”

“They say the Fison, Caldron, and Chepler families sent people too.”

“Everyone’s eager to impress the duchess.”

“We’re no different.”

“They say the fashion she imported this time is in vogue. Her talent is amazing.”

“Did you hear about the slave auction incident? She subdued the nobles and knights there without a scratch. Never underestimate the duchess’s knights.”

Those who knew even a little about Inera sharpened their eyes, curious about what she would do next and what they could gain.

Among all these gazes,

Inera Mertiel, the first birthday party of the 18th head of the Mertiel family, began.

“Where is Lady Jepino?”

“She was publicly invited. It would look strange if she didn’t come.”

“She might send the twins instead. Inform me immediately if anyone from the Jepino family enters.”

“Yes.”

“When is Eshed coming?”

“We plan to host him most grandly, so that anyone can see him as the duchess’s ‘lover’.”

“And Lady Giselle?”

“She confirmed she will attend.”

I clenched my fist.

“Good. Then let’s go.”

✦ ✦ ✦

The birthday party.

Something I had never experienced in my life.

“Since this is my first birthday as a duchess, it carries deeper meaning. I extend my thanks to those who gathered to celebrate my birthday.”

Other than the birthday greetings from Kischel and Ilia each year, I had never heard such words from anyone else.

Words celebrating one’s birth.

“I cannot treat guests who took the time to come here poorly. Please, drink and enjoy yourselves freely.”

She raised her glass.

The heavy, dangerous atmosphere from the succession ceremony was gone.

Receiving applause, she stepped down from the podium and clinked glasses.

“Duchess, Hian Jepino and His Jepino came from the Jepino family.”

Nobles rushed to the stage, eager to present gifts.

I frowned at the words Kischel quietly passed me.

“Can’t be helped. Help me with the gift presentation for now.”

I hadn’t expected to meet Lady Jepino easily, so I wasn’t too disappointed.

‘Maybe I’ll wait for the next opportunity.’

Of course, right now I couldn’t afford to focus only on Lady Jepino.

“It’s an honor to meet the duchess I’ve only heard of.”

“This is a gift from our family…”

“Is the dress you’re wearing today also from the duchess’s shop?”

The nobles were more aggressive than expected.

‘It would have been better if that were all…’

Another problem arose, leaving me no room to relax.

“We met at the tea party last time, didn’t we?”

“May I pour you a drink?”

“Young lords, keep your order.”

All the men stationed in front of me were young, unmarried nobles.

“Apologies. Our domain’s grape wine is so good, I got carried away.”

“It’s more famous than Carlton Domain’s wine.”

“Would you care to have a conversation with us?”

Clearly, they were men angling for the duchess’s hand.

Kischel, looking pale, tugged my sleeve and lowered his voice.

“The crown prince isn’t much of a shield either.”

“They all assume we can’t marry.”

“Just chase them away.”

“We have to accept gifts. Look at the value of all this.”

Kischel shook his head.

Though Eshed was supposed to come, no one seemed to care.

After all, the crown prince and the duchess could never be together.

How long had I been dealing with these nobles?

I checked the time, realizing that sitting still and receiving gifts was exhausting.

‘The time Eshed promised to come… hasn’t arrived yet.’

Good. There’s something I need to check before he arrives.

“Kischel, I’ll need your help.”

Kischel, who had been standing quietly, nodded and went down from the stage.

I dealt with the guests while sneaking glances at him as he searched for someone.

After a while, following Kischel, a young lady appeared.