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Chapter 42.
“A red diamond mine has been discovered in our territory.”
The conversation between my parents ended instantly. My father dropped his fork.
I had already told Ted and Mark to keep their mouths shut until I could tell my parents myself — and now that precaution was proving very useful.
“The deposit isn’t very large, but I thought we could make some jewelry for the family and sell a small portion.”
A servant placed a new fork on the table, but Father didn’t even seem to notice.
“Of course, only if you permit it, Father.”
“Of course, Roa. You discovered it, so it’s yours. Good heavens, first the blue diamond mine, and now a red one?”
“Thank you for your permission, Father.”
“I thought you were busy with social engagements these days — when did you find time for that?”
Mother, too, seemed to have completely forgotten about Lexian, her curiosity piqued by the red diamonds.
“The formation process of red diamonds is similar to that of blue ones. So, since we found blue diamonds, I thought red ones might exist too — and I was lucky.”
Ted worked hard for it, instead of me.
“Coincidentally, some craftsmen from the East are due to arrive soon.”
“Oh my, from the East?”
Mother’s eyes sparkled.
“I think a matching necklace, earrings, and bracelet set would look wonderful on you, Mother. What do you think?”
“I absolutely agree!”
Throughout the meal, the conversation revolved around the red diamonds.
I decided I’d make several pieces of jewelry from the red diamonds and bring them out whenever I needed to divert Mother’s attention.
However, something happened that completely diminished the effect of the red diamonds — Lexian himself appeared.
All my efforts to redirect my parents’ focus were wasted, for the very next day, Lexian came to the Levian estate.
“I apologize for the sudden visit.”
I had just finished training and was entering the main house when I froze upon seeing Lexian.
“It’s been a while, Rosia.”
He held out a bouquet. Of all things, they were lilies — my favorite flowers.
“Oh my, those are Roa’s favorite flowers.”
“Is that so? I thought of Rosia when I saw these lilies, so I brought them. I’m glad to hear they’re your favorite.”
Mother’s eyes sparkled as she glanced between me and Lexian. If she started asking him about his feelings for me…
“The weather’s lovely — shall we go to the garden?”
“That sounds good.”
“Please go ahead; I’ll get ready and join you.”
After instructing a maid to lead Lexian to the pergola, I quickly wiped away my sweat and changed clothes.
“Cathy, spray some perfume. I don’t want to smell like sweat.”
“Miss, even your sweat smells sweet.”
“Don’t joke.”
Cathy insisted she was serious as she sprayed perfume and tidied my hair.
Should I deliberately make myself smell sweaty and unkempt so Lexian would avoid me?
But no — even if I wanted to put him off, I couldn’t stand to show him a messy version of myself.
I took the brooch box I had prepared for him and was about to leave when Lys followed me.
“Kyuu!”
“You want to come too?”
“Kyuuu!”
They say silver foxes are spiritual creatures — maybe Lys somehow sensed that the person who had saved it was here.
After a brief hesitation, I picked Lys up and headed to the garden, where roses were in full bloom beneath the pergola’s rose-covered roof.
Sensing my presence, Lexian turned around.
A small table set with freshly prepared refreshments stood beneath the rose canopy.
“Say hello, Lys. This is the man who saved you.”
“Kyuu?”
When I placed Lys on the ground, it cautiously approached Lexian, but suddenly flinched and darted back to me.
It must dislike strong magic — perhaps it sensed Lexian’s immense magical power and felt repelled.
Not wanting to risk losing it in the garden, I held Lys again and took a seat at the table. Lexian sat across from me.
He seemed completely recovered, which made me feel relieved.
“Is that little one’s name Lys?”
“Yes.”
Feeling slightly guilty, I made sure to sound composed.
Lexian studied the innocent-looking silver fox with a thoughtful expression, but soon looked away, apparently unaware of anything.
“I think you already know why I came here today, Rosia.”
“I’m afraid I don’t.”
Feigning ignorance, I poured tea. Lexian let out a short, disbelieving laugh. He had no proof — if I denied everything, he couldn’t pin anything on me.
“When I examined the items you were carrying, I found magic stones and various potions with rare effects. Things money alone can’t easily buy. There wasn’t a single useless item in that pouch.”
“……”
“Are you planning to do something like that again?”
Lexian didn’t ask why or how. He was certain I knew that place well.
Well, considering I had known about the secret passage the knights only found later — and came out of that complex labyrinth carrying only valuable items — I couldn’t blame him for thinking that.
And truthfully, I did know that place quite well, but I stayed silent.
Instead of replying, I pushed the box in my hand toward him.
“No amount of bribery will make me overlook this.”
“It’s not a bribe.”
His blue eyes showed a flicker of confusion.
“It’s a gift. I promised before that I’d prepare something that would suit you, didn’t I?”
He let out a small sound of realization and looked down at the blue velvet box for a moment.
When he opened it, a brooch in the shape of a lisianthus flower, crafted from platinum and set with a blue diamond, shimmered inside.
“Even if you don’t like it, I’m not taking it back.”
“Rosia, you…”
Lexian frowned and sighed several times. He didn’t seem angry — more like troubled.
“Trying to distract me like this won’t work.”
“Ah, you caught me?”
I smiled brightly. Lexian ran a hand over his face — a habit he had whenever he felt flustered or didn’t know what to do.
When we first started seeing each other, he used to do that all the time whenever I smiled or linked arms with him.
Feeling my lips tremble, I forced my expression to stiffen. Being around him made my body act on its own — and that was dangerous.
“No matter how much I press you, I doubt you’ll tell me anything.”
The worst outcome would be Lexian telling my father.
After all, anyone would find it suspicious that I’d looted a den belonging to a criminal group.
“It seems stopping you will be difficult.”
My heart pounded as I waited for his verdict.
“I’ll overlook this incident on one condition — if you ever plan on doing something dangerous again, you’ll take me with you.”
That was unexpected.
“If you act recklessly on your own and get caught again, I won’t be able to protect you next time.”
“You could get hurt again, Lexian.”
“If I hadn’t been there that day, you would have died!”
His voice rose sharply.
“You really…”
Even if I told him that I wouldn’t die — that no matter the wound, I’d survive — he wouldn’t believe me. So I stayed silent.
But I didn’t like the heavy mood, so I changed the subject.
“You might be too busy for that, though.”
“I notice you didn’t say you won’t do it,” he murmured, sighing softly.
“If you contact me, I’ll make time. And if I truly can’t, I’ll find an alternative — so don’t worry.”
“Couldn’t you assign someone else to come with me instead?”
“What if you encounter someone like that magician from the hunting grounds again? Unless the escort is at my level, they won’t be able to protect you — so no.”
It sounded reasonable, but knowing Lexian, it wasn’t just about protection.
He might not realize it himself, but Lexian did have feelings for me.
And I couldn’t afford to get tangled up with him again.
Still, if he told my father, that would be worse — so I nodded reluctantly. Of course, I had no intention of actually taking him along.
“In that case, you must promise not to ask why I’m doing something, no matter what it is.”
“……All right.”
He looked exasperated, but agreed without resistance.
My heart — which I thought had turned to steel — began to sting.
Why do your feelings for me keep growing stronger, Lexian? It would be better if you just forgot everything.
Yet, when I see you like this — though you have no memories — it feels as if your emotions remain. It makes me think my return to the past wasn’t in vain.
My head tells me I mustn’t get close to you, but my body wants to lean on you.
No. I can’t let this man die again.
But Mother kept ruining my resolve.
“Your Grace, how about staying for dinner? It would be rude to send you off like this.”
“Thank you, Madam. I’d be delighted to accept.”
I was about to say Lexian must be busy — but he answered first, with a small smile that made my eyes sting. I turned my head away.
“Then let’s go to the dining room together,” Mother said, leading us.
Just then, the butler approached.
“Madam, a guest has arrived. They are—”
“Rosia!”
Before the butler could finish, the guest cheerfully called my name.
The man in the white robe was none other than the Master of the Magic Tower.
