CH 6

At first, my only plan was to head to Duke Raphael’s mansion with my brother.

But I visited Fernando’s lab alone at an earlier time than planned. I was worried if Eiberg was okay since he left early yesterday.

“He’s fine for now. I asked about his condition and got scolded like crazy. And then he suddenly asked me to make a magic potion…”

Fernando grumbled endlessly, perhaps because Berg was uncooperative.

He talked about his research and how he needed more information, but I didn’t have time to listen, nor did I want to. I quickly left.

After all, I could just go to the Duke’s mansion to confirm if the knight I saw yesterday was there.

“I’ll just ask around if the knight I saw at that place yesterday is here.”

I felt relieved that I had solved the problem I was worried about.

But I couldn’t rest yet. My brother seemed more worried that I didn’t keep my promise to him than about me not being seen since early morning. He lit up when he saw me and sprinted over.

I got on the carriage to the Duke’s mansion, almost completely exhausted.

“Ahem.”

I was so tired.

I yawned uncontrollably. I even gazed outside absentmindedly, hoping that the chilly wind would wake me up.

Not much of an unfamiliar sight passed before me.

After a year of going back-and-forth day and night, I could even describe the directions of the road with my eyes closed. Turn right here, go straight, and turn left…

Once we turn right here, we’ll arrive.

“Young master, we have arrived at Duke Raphael’s mansion.”

As soon as I muttered the word “arrived” to myself, the driver also informed us that we had arrived at our destination.

As soon as we got off the carriage, a fence resembling black iron grills and a large mansion with only plain colors spread out before us. There were no special decorations, only the lawn.

Even if the seasons changed, the atmosphere of the mansion was bound to change. But this place kept the same appearance throughout the year. It was as if time had stopped here since Eiberg left.

To put it nicely, it was tranquil, but to put it badly, it emitted an eerie atmosphere.

“Are you okay, brother?”

“No. I’m not okay at all. I’m too nervous.”

As soon as we got off the carriage, my brother stared at the main building of the mansion with a stern face.

“Why don’t we talk outside rather than in the reception room if you’re that nervous?”

“Outside?”

“Yeah. The front might be a bit dull, but there’s a glass garden in the back. If we talk there, the atmosphere will soften. It might be helpful when we have something to talk about.”

“That sounds good.”

My brother nodded seriously.

“Well then, let’s go.”

“Huh?”

I pushed my brother’s back and turned my body in the opposite direction of him. In other words, I meant to him to bring Serene alone.

“While we’re on the way, let’s talk about various everyday things and relax a bit.”

He shrugged and cocked his chin slightly.

It felt like he was grateful for the big hint I had given him, judging by my expression and tone. Hient Showed a wry smile, as if he was surprised. He then shook his head vigorously.

“I took good care of my younger sister. Thank you.”

With that, my brother and I dispersed in two directions in front of the mansion.

There was a glass garden in the backyard that was the only place in this mansion that held brilliant colors. The place where the Duke and Duchess of the past worked hard was Serene’s favorite place and a place that was carefully taken care of.

As I familiarly headed towards that place…..

“Haah.”

I heard a rough breath.

Then, a man was vigorously swinging his sword in the garden, not far from the field. He was wearing a black wig that looked a dimension different from yesterday, and most of all, he was wearing glasses that seemed magical in his eyes.

“It feels like someone’s about to die here.”

It felt like I had to quietly enter the garden.

But I stood there and observed Eiberg. It could be different from what I heard from Fernando.

Because he was wearing a thin shirt, I could see his movements clearly. His actions were so fast that my eyes couldn’t follow, and every time he swung his sword, it felt like the sound reverberated even where I was standing far away.

Was I staring too long at that scene?

“…”

His eyes, which had turned black instead of ash, met my gaze.

“Hello.”

“… I can’t say hello.”

“Well, I see. Then keep doing what you were doing.”

Now that I confirmed that he was unharmed, I wanted to escape from the uncomfortable situation.

Fernando would have roughly heard of the magic addiction, and there was no need for me to convince him not to take Serene. Hasn’t he already decided not to take her?

“Perhaps that’s why he’s swinging his sword so fiercely in such a frightening atmosphere.”

That’s what I thought, and now that I’ve confirmed his condition, I urgently wanted to leave. However, my escape plan didn’t work.

Because Eiberg called out my name correctly.

“Lady Dianta Valerian.”

Suddenly, Eiberg approached me with long legs. In the blink of an eye, his movement resulted in a long shadow beside me.

I cringed like my body was broken and turned around barely.

“Yes?”

“I heard about it roughly from the alchemist.”

His voice was so low that it was threatening.

While I stared at him, almost as stiff as a rock, Eiberg swung his sword and glanced over at me with his sweaty hair roughly tucked back.

He seemed to be constantly on alert, searching for hidden traps.

After observing me with a menacing gaze for a while, his wary and gray gaze turned toward me.

“Those words, they’re completely true, right?”

In response to the sudden change in atmosphere, I swallowed dryly.

“Excuse me?”

“I am grateful that you have treated my sister well, but if you lie to me, I will never forgive you.”

“Sister…?”

My trembling mouth barely managed to speak.

It wasn’t because of Eiberg’s sudden use of informal language towards me, or his request for an explanation, that I showed this reaction.

Eiberg had clearly mentioned the word ‘sister’. And he was looking me straight in the eye when he said it.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

He then grabbed my hand tightly.

The touch between Eiberg and me, whilst holding hands, was icy and hard. 

And above all, while it had improved from yesterday, the tingling sensation that felt like pins and needles still ran through my body.

This sudden sensitivity shook my body instinctively.

“It’s… cold…”

“It’s definitely warm.”

We showed the complete opposite reactions.

In addition, the flame was still burning, but it was weaker than yesterday. Fortunately, it had only been 24 hours, so it ended with only a weak flame.

Trembling, I looked around with my wobbling eyes.

“What if someone else had seen it? 

“… It wasn’t a lie.”

“Of course not! Except for Serene, we have no connection, so there’s no reason for me to hurt you. Besides, yesterday, I went to the stable to ask Serene not to take you away.”

I puffed out my chest triumphantly.

Meanwhile, I carefully observed Eiberg’s reaction. He did not say or do anything in response to my fervent cries of innocence.

Instead, he pressed me with insinuations in disguise.

“He doesn’t even ask who my sister is and easily accepts my informal language…”

“…”

Finally, I realized. My voice grew smaller.

I was afraid of this monstrous man who I had only heard of. I wanted to nod my head like a frightened puppy without saying a word. But I couldn’t.

It was because of an insatiable curiosity that was like a thorn in my throat.

“Why do you… why do you say you can see me as often as Serene? Can I ask you that?”

“Didn’t you hear it from the alchemist?”

I cocked my head.

Fernando Del only complained to me. He did not show any cooperative attitude towards my research, nor did he ask me to make a magic curse.

When I kept showing an expression of doubt, Eiberg eventually spoke up.

“Charge.”