TWMP 13

Chapter 13

“Each Person’s Hand”

‘Are you blackmailing me right now? If I don’t do what you ask, you’ll go to Karl and tell him that the person he met wasn’t Heidi Eliana, but Levelia Piace?’

Even though it sounded like a threat, Lafer didn’t seem particularly offended. I shrugged at him and replied.

‘I just meant it was one of many options I have. I could go to the crown prince or Miss Heidi instead of the duke, for example.’

‘Then killing you right here and now could be one of my options too, Lady.’

‘So… are you going to kill me?’

That response was half bravado, half genuine curiosity.

Lafer fell silent for a moment, as if lost for words, then shrugged.

‘Well, to be honest, I don’t feel like it. Not yet, anyway. I’m curious about a few things.’

‘Curious about what?’

‘Eh, it’s not that important.’

Though his voice sounded nonchalant, his eyes briefly flickered with emotion.

He erased the expression in an instant, then shrugged again.

‘Let’s hear your story first. So, what do you want from me?’

He tilted his head, urging me to go on. I hesitated for a moment, then carefully opened my mouth.

Lafer quietly listened, but his eyes widened in surprise at one point.

‘You really are interesting, Levelia.’

‘So you’ll accept my request…?’

‘But your request doesn’t show any consideration for Karlier.’

With that cryptic remark, Lafer vanished as quickly as he had appeared.

“What is that supposed to mean…”

I let out a shallow sigh and shook my head.

I wasn’t in a situation leisurely enough to interpret a weirdo wizard’s riddles, nor was I a saint who could sympathize with the villain planning to kidnap the innocent heroine.

‘I’m barely keeping up with my own immediate problems…’

I looked at my still-violet hair.

Ever since Lafer’s visit, Beth’s voice would ring out at the slightest sound I made from inside the room.

Thanks to the tightened surveillance, I hadn’t even caught a glimpse of Heidi’s face, let alone touched her hair.

“So, today’s the day.”

Which meant—I hadn’t done anything by the day of the ball.

I looked into the mirror. My face reflected back with visible tension.

Taking a slow breath, I steadied myself.

It’s okay. There’s no need to rush.
If I couldn’t meet Heidi ahead of time, today was always the backup plan anyway.

“My lady, the carriage is ready.”

I nodded at Beth’s words and stepped out of the room.

As I descended the stairs, I noticed the atmosphere in the house was different than usual.

It was as if the entire space was strung tight like a drawn bow. My brows furrowed.

Then I saw the man standing by the front door.

“Father.”

“…Levelia.”

My father’s face shifted as he looked at me.

Was it surprise? Discomfort?

…No. Maybe it was anger.

I frowned, but Father quickly masked his expression with a warm smile.

He turned fully toward me and spoke in a gentle voice that matched his expression.

“You look beautiful today.”

“…Thank you.”

As his eyes slowly swept down my body from head to toe, goosebumps prickled across my skin.

Pretending not to notice the sticky gaze, I smiled awkwardly. Father walked up and lightly embraced me.

I froze like ice from the unexpected contact.

He gently gripped my tense shoulders and whispered in a low voice.

“I know something about you has changed, Levelia.”

“…”

“But I hope you won’t provoke me any further.”

He firmly gripped my shoulders and pulled away.

Meeting my shaken gaze, he smiled.

“I believe you don’t want to return to the life you once had either.”

At that warning, I gave him a bitter smile.

It was almost laughable that the same father who had ignored the abuse I suffered under the servants was now admitting his own actions—just so he could threaten me.

“Please trust me, Father.”

“…”

“I’ll become someone the Piace name doesn’t have to be ashamed of.”

As I watched the satisfied smile form on his face, I had one thought.

Maybe today would be my first and last chance to leave the Piace house.

The imperial ball was even grander and more splendid than I had imagined.

Others seemed to feel the same way.

As I overheard various guests admiring how even more extravagant this ball was compared to usual, I glanced around the hall.

‘That’s…’

Everyone was gathered in small groups, engaged in heated conversations about the trade’s most important item—Lemstone.

Lemstone.

A type of magic ore, primarily mined in the Esperos territory of Hestonia.

Despite being commonly used in everyday life, it hadn’t been exported to Zeroth for the past ten years for some reason.

“Hmm…”

I sipped my champagne while gazing at the central fountain in the ballroom.

Adorned with delicately carved Lemstone to celebrate the trade reopening, the fountain looked ordinary at first glance.

‘Honestly, Lemstone could be mistaken for ruby if you don’t know what you’re looking at…’

But according to people’s chatter, Lemstone changed color depending on the type of power infused into it—and amplified that power in turn.

For example, it turned black when infused with mana for magic tools, and white with holy energy for sacred relics.

As in the fountain, when carved as a pure gem without any power, it retained its natural red hue.

Sometimes compared to rubies, Lemstone could be easily distinguished by sunlight—when held up, it shimmered with opalescent, multicolored layers inside.

‘It’s fascinating how such a practical material comes from such limited sources…’

As a result, high-purity Lemstone was traded at an extremely high price.

‘…Anyway, where are the other three?’

Confirming that everyone’s attention was still on Lemstone, I scanned the room.

It was still a bit early—Heidi, Delphian, and Karlier hadn’t shown up yet.

My anxiety rose. What if my plan failed?

I took another sip of champagne to moisten my dry lips when I heard my father’s sharp voice.

“Levelia.”

Only then did I realize my glass was empty. I quickly set it down.

“I’m sorry—”

Just then, a commotion silenced the room.

Delphian entered—with Heidi.

“Oh, so that’s the famous Flower of Zeroth?”

“As expected, she arrived with the Crown Prince again.”

“Again?”

“They’ve often appeared together at parties. I suppose it’s the royal family’s way of making it clear—don’t even think about the position of Crown Princess.”

People’s whispers filled the room as they stared.

I followed their gaze to Heidi and was momentarily stunned.

‘She’s so pretty it’s almost unfair.’

True to her reputation as the Empire’s Flower, Heidi stood out even in this extravagant setting.

Her honey-gold hair, snow-white skin, and delicate frame evoked a protective instinct in everyone who looked at her. Her bright smile was as innocent as a child’s.

In a word, she glowed.

Seeing her radiant, spring-like smile, my mouth went dry.

‘What were Lafer and that extra talking about? Me and Heidi look alike? Really?’

Now that I saw Heidi up close, the mere idea that we looked similar was laughable.

Would Karlier really have mistaken me for her just because I dyed my hair?

If Lafer hadn’t pushed me to meet Karlier first and pretend to be Heidi, I never could have fooled him.

‘I can’t believe Lafer’s prank might have actually helped…’

As I stood there deep in thought, Father—observing my tense face—spoke in a low voice.

“I’ll go greet the Crown Prince. In the meantime, cool off that flushed face.”

“Yes, I’m sorry, Father.”

He walked toward Delphian, visibly displeased.

Left alone, I quickly scanned the room for Heidi again, knowing I needed to approach her before Karlier did and change her hair color.

But then—

I spotted Heidi’s uncomfortable face as she noticed Father approaching.

“…!”

Trying to avoid him, she glanced around—and her eyes met mine.

She squinted, staring at me for a long moment. Then her face brightened like she recognized me.

She leaned in and whispered something to Delphian, then, without hesitation, walked straight toward me.

…What?

“Hello, Lady Levelia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Heidi initiated the greeting.

That… was something I definitely hadn’t expected.