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Chapter 18.
Even if you’re the Master of the Magic Tower, killing an innocent marquis’ daughter in such a public setting would cause problems — that’s what I meant.
The Tower Master’s lips tightened, his sky-blue eyes turning cold, but the reflection of me in them was still smiling.
Soon, the music ended, and we stepped off the dance floor —
in a direction away from where my parents were.
“Roshia, you’re a very dangerous person.”
“In what sense?”
“Usually when I glare at someone, they spill everything. But you? Not only do you refuse to give me what I want, you even make demands of me.”
Even as a flash of murderous intent flickered in his sky-blue eyes, I stood tall, meeting his gaze head-on.
I don’t know how long we stood like that before the Tower Master suddenly burst into hearty laughter and strode toward me.
“I won’t keep you alive forever, but I suppose I’ll let you live for now.”
“What an honor, Tower Master.”
As I curtseyed slightly, lifting the hem of my dress, the Tower Master shrugged as if helpless.
“Since I want you to call me Silla, I’ll try not to kill you. So, Roshia, I’d appreciate it if you could avoid doing things that would make me want to kill you.”
“I’ll try my best.”
Good — looks like I survived today. I should give my secretary a bonus.
“People seem eager to speak with you, Tower Master. What would you like to do?”
“Would you like your partner to chat with just anyone?”
As if he’d never threatened me at all, the Tower Master fluttered his lashes in a teasingly charming way.
“Then please stay here alone. I’ll go greet my friends.”
“Wow, abandoning your partner already? Roshia, you’re ruthless.”
I had things to do at this ball, so I couldn’t just stick with the Tower Master all night — but, of course, he trailed after me.
“Hello, Roa. My friend.”
“Nice to see you, Stella. This is the Tower Master. Tower Master, this is Lady Stella of House Meritney — my friend.”
“It’s a pleasure, Lady Meritney.”
As expected, unlike when we were alone, the Tower Master was perfectly polite with others.
“It’s been a while, Lady Levian.”
“Have you been well, Lord Stein?”
Stella’s fiancé, Lord Stein, greeted me courteously — then immediately fixed his gaze on my jewelry.
“Your necklace and earrings are beautiful, my lady. If I’m not mistaken, that’s blue diamond?”
“You’re right. They’re mined from the Levian Marquisate.”
“To think such high-quality blue diamonds are produced there — why haven’t you contacted me sooner?”
Got you.
“You haven’t made a deal with anyone else yet, have you?”
The Grand Duchy was famous for trade, and the Grand Duke’s children were politicians — and shrewd merchants at that.
“I haven’t signed any contracts yet, but…”
“In that case, allow us. We’ll offer terms far more favorable to your house.”
“There he goes again…”
Stella pressed her fingers to her forehead, looking exasperated.
“I appreciate the offer, but we don’t sell raw gemstones.”
“Then what—?”
As confusion spread over Lord Stein’s face, realization dawned — followed by shock.
“Wait, don’t tell me!”
“You guessed right, my lord. We’re only selling finished pieces — after they’re cut and set.”
“My lady!”
The price difference between uncut stones and finished jewelry could range from tens to thousands of times. Lord Stein looked ready to faint.
“I told you first, my lord. If you’re interested, let’s talk.”
These blue diamonds were top grade, cut by master artisans.
He’d hesitate, but in the end, he’d make a deal with us — the profit was too good to pass up.
Once the trade began, money would start flowing into our house in no time.
Yes — if I strengthen the family’s wealth before I die, Father, Mother, and Calvin will live happily.
Calvin might suffer some heartache from getting entangled with Merina, but at least the family would prosper.
Suddenly, a bitter taste filled my mouth.
One of the things I regret most about dying is that I’ll never get to see my family living well.
My thoughts were interrupted when someone called out to me.
“Lady Levian.”
It was the Duke of Rishianshus — the one I had no reason to meet again after that forcibly arranged tea party.
“An honor to see the Sword of the Empire.”
“No need for such formalities. Earlier, I called out to you, but it seems you didn’t hear me because the music began.”
Oh, I heard you.
Even from far away, even in the faintest whisper — your voice always finds its way to my ears.
But the Duke mustn’t get close to me. So I replied coldly.
“What business do you have with me, Your Grace?”
“I wish to ask you for a dance.”
Just like that day he first asked me to be his partner — his blue eyes carried that same desperate light, making my chest tighten painfully.
“I—”
“—That won’t do.”
The Tower Master, standing beside me, wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
“Roshia is my partner. She can only dance with me tonight.”
He waved his ornate sleeve dismissively, as if shooing away a nuisance. I smiled, teasingly spinning in place.
“But Tower Master, it’s not like one must dance only with their partner.”
“What? Roshia, are you saying, right in front of me, that you’ll dance with another man?”
“You could dance with another woman if you like.”
“Don’t leave me, Roshia.”
Anyone watching would think he’d fallen for me — but I knew he was just having fun.
So the rumors were true — he is strange.
I hadn’t planned on dancing with the Duke, but I figured that defying the Tower Master might just secure my survival for the night. I brushed his hand off my shoulder.
“Well then, if you’ll excuse me.”
As I turned away, he leaned close to my ear and whispered,
“What’ll it take to make sure you don’t dance with another man?”
“If you promise not to kill me.”
“Tch.”
He clicked his tongue and let me go. I took the Duke’s hand and stepped onto the dance floor.
Ah, there — Calvin and Merina were joining the floor too.
Even without me fighting with Merina, the story was unfolding on its own.
Should I be happy about that — or sad?
So many things were diverging from the original plot lately that all the knowledge I had was becoming useless. I was scared — scared I’d die again before I could do anything.
And yet, all these changes stirred a strange excitement in me — maybe my destined end could change too.
A faster piece began to play.
The Duke took my hand in one of his and placed the other lightly on my back.
“Are you well acquainted with that man?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then why…”
We briefly separated, then joined hands again.
“Then why does he call you ‘Roshia’?”
“Well, who knows? I don’t either.”
Because I’ve turned back time, I thought — but instead of saying that, I just smiled. The Duke’s face stiffened even more.
“Then… may I call you Roshia too?”
I stepped on his foot.
“I’m so sorry, that was rude of me.”
“It’s nothing. You can step on me as much as you like.”
Was it the fast tempo, or the Duke’s anxiousness? His voice trembled as he hurried on.
“More than that — may I… call you by your name?”
— Are you all right, Lady Levian?
That gentle voice echoed in my head, and my body froze. I stepped on his foot again — no, my legs just wouldn’t move properly, and he was practically dragging me along as we danced.
“Was I… asking for too much?”
His blue eyes — were they glistening with moisture, or was it my imagination?
I stared blankly ahead. The chandelier’s dazzling light filled my vision.
When I looked down, I saw the hem of my extravagant gown swaying in time with the music.
It felt like the whole world was spinning around me.
Until the music ended, I bit my lip in silence. The Duke, too, didn’t press me for an answer.
When the piece finally ended and we bowed to each other, I spoke firmly.
“I don’t want to be called by my name — by you.”
When in truth, I wanted nothing more than to hear him say it.
But I swallowed the words I could never utter aloud and looked him squarely in the eyes, cold and distant.
His blue eyes trembled.
“And since we’ve already danced tonight, let’s not speak of being partners again at the next ball.”
“My lady—”
“Good evening, Your Grace.”
I curtsied gracefully and left the dance floor.
Because if I stayed another second, I’d burst into tears.
