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Chapter Five: The Villainess Worries
Three weeks had passed since the huge debacle at the royal palace, and the fuss had finally started to die down.
On this day, Wellmy had received another invitation. She knew she needed to head into that meeting with even more focus and determination than when she had gone to meet Lady Darristea.
“There you are, Wellmy Liroud,” the woman who had invited her, Lady Hildentrai, said, a condescending glint in her golden eyes as she glared at her.
Wellmy was taken aback to hear her address her without any honorifics, but she didn’t let her shock show, setting a placating smile on her face.
Lady Hildentrai was Lord Shizolda’s fiancée, and Wellmy was painfully aware that the woman’s animosity toward her wasn’t unwarranted.
Én umа̄
“Thank you kindly for inviting me to your home today, Lady Hildentrai Ether,” she said, performing a curtsy, even though the two of them were of the same rank.
Wellmy was the offending party, so she was being extra polite out of courtesy.
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Just as she had that night she had protested against Wellmy’s actions, Lady Hildentrai wore the official uniform of the mage corps over her toned frame, even though she wasn’t on duty. She likely took pride in the fact that she was a powerful mage, or perhaps that she was an independent woman.
A week prior, an apologetic Lord Shizolda had come to find Wellmy, asking her to take him to pay a visit to his fiancée. His house arrest had officially been lifted, but he still wasn’t allowed to show his face at the royal palace, so he had been assigned as a bodyguard to Wellmy on Turgis’s days off. It was on one such day that he’d asked Wellmy if they could swing by the Ether estate.
House Ether specialized in magic and had produced countless mages over the years, though not quite as many as House Ormirage or House Abaccum. Lady Hildentrai, the current Count Ether’s second daughter, was a woman of firm character, bold enough to confront Wellmy head-on when Lord Shizolda had been spending a little too much time by her side.
A rare thing for noble marriages, she was actually older than her fiancé by a year. Wellmy remembered when their engagement had become the talk of high society years ago—the daughter of a count marrying the heir to a duchy! The gossip had only intensified when Lady Hildentrai joined the mage corps, with people claiming that she wasn’t fit to be a duchess. For that reason, Wellmy had remembered the name of Lady Hildentrai, although she hadn’t known much about her.
Ẇ ӗb́.n̄о̇ ṽеl̂ Е̄n u ḿ а̊
“Shiz himself vehemently insisted on their engagement,” Lord Turgis had told her only a few days ago.
Wellmy now understood why Lord Shizolda had looked so anxious when his fiancée had come to confront them.
Lady Hildentrai gave a hmph and jerked her chin toward a table and chairs in the gazebo of the neatly arranged garden.
Why did she invite me? To make snide comments at me? She doesn’t seem like the type...
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In Wellmy’s opinion, Lady Hildentrai seemed like she wouldn’t give the people she didn’t like the time of day. The only reason she’d approached Wellmy at the party was that she had considered Wellmy’s actions to be potentially damaging to her reputation.
Of course, Wellmy knew that the young woman didn’t have a favorable impression of her, but it had been a while since the last time someone had been so openly hostile toward her.
E ñ ǔṁа
“Thank you,” she said, her smile unwavering, as she took a seat at the table.
Guests usually sat diagonally from the host, but Lady Hildentrai had told Wellmy to take the chair directly opposite hers, a clear sign that she bore hostile intentions. Even though Lord Shizolda had told Wellmy the misunderstanding had been cleared, it was evident from Lady Hildentrai’s attitude that it hadn’t.
To be fair, she has every right to be angry...
Anyone would hate to see her fiancé waiting upon another young lady at a party. If Wellmy spotted Aides spending time with a woman who wasn’t her or Iora, she’d likely begin to plan her revenge on the spot. Obviously, Iora got a pass—because she was Iora.
All this to say that Wellmy understood this wasn’t a friendly tea party; it was a confrontation. Even though it had technically all been Zumiano’s fault, and Wellmy was the one who had lifted Saintly Charm and the effects of the perfume Zumiano had made from Lord Shizolda, Lady Hilentrai’s anger was still perfectly justified. It was all a complicated mess and a real hassle.
But Lord Shizolda was there, that apologetic look never leaving his face. Out of consideration for him, Wellmy decided to face this challenge properly and changed her mindset.
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The monocled young man was currently on guard duty, yet a seat had been arranged for him as well—a rather awkward situation. After a brief hesitation, Lord Shizolda, being Lord Shizolda, chose duty and moved to stand diagonally behind Wellmy.
However, that clearly didn’t sit right with Lady Hildentrai.
“Shiz, how about you take a seat?” she asked, brushing her brown hair back.
“But—” the young man tried to argue, but Wellmy interrupted him.
“Lord Shizolda, our hostess has invited you to sit,” she said.
“Yes, Lady Liroud,” he replied after a pause. “Hilde, your attitude toward her is a bit—”
E nu mа
He was interrupted again.
“I have no courtesy to give to someone I don’t like,” Lady Hildentrai said curtly.
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Her slightly masculine manner of talking suited her very well. Depending on the clothes she wore, others might call her a “beauty in men’s clothing.” Under any other circumstances, Wellmy would have appreciated her forthrightness.
“You know, I’ve always disliked the very concept of noble ladies,” Lady Hildentrai added, her tone biting, making no attempt to hide her anger. “All they do is gossip or discuss clothes and sweets over tea, or hunt for men to seduce at parties. Their lives are so insignificant. Ah, but Wellmy Liroud’s wanton behavior would be considered vulgar even according to these ladies, so I guess she’s even beneath that.”
“Hilde!”
“It’s all right, Lord Shizolda. I don’t mind,” Wellmy said. Quite the opposite, actually—she was starting to have fun.
È_n̄ u_m̂а
If Lady Hildentrai was so uninhibited, Wellmy didn’t need to hold back either. Rejoicing inwardly, she opened her folding fan and placed it in front of her mouth, cocking her head to the side coquettishly. “I heard you wished to have tea with me, Lady Hildentrai. Is that dig—which, in passing, makes me very much want to tell you to look at yourself in a mirror before speaking—supposed to be the accompaniment to our beverages?”
Lady Hildentrai seemed to have fully understood the hidden meaning behind Wellmy’s sarcastic remark: Your manner of speaking is much more vulgar than my behavior. She frowned and shot Wellmy a glare. Despite having a large ego, she seemingly wasn’t an idiot. But no matter how observant she was, she still didn’t hold a candle to Aides. Not to mention, Wellmy wasn’t delicate enough to be scared off by a bit of discernment.
“You’re one to talk, acting all high and mighty when you can’t even fight. Aren’t you ashamed?” Lady Hildentrai shot back.
“Oh, I would love to learn from you, Lady Hildentrai, but I’m afraid the etiquette education I have received differs from yours. Mine doesn’t state that I can show skin to people I barely know. I apologize.”
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This was fancy lady speech for I don’t want to hear such words from someone who doesn’t even know proper manners and etiquette.
“Personally, I could never encroach onto the territory of men and neglect my appearance,” Wellmy added as a challenge.
Е n̈ u m а̌
Lady Hildentrai’s gaze turned cold at the blatant dig. It wasn’t that she had regained her calm, but the opposite—she was so furious, her anger had reached its freezing point.
Of course, Wellmy didn’t believe a word of what she had said. It was simply her way of fighting: She mocked what her opponent took the most pride in to get a rise out of them and grab the reins of the conversation to assert dominance.
Lady Hildentrai had become a member of the mage corps thanks to her own abilities. Under normal circumstances, Wellmy should respect her. However, since Lady Hildentrai was being ostentatiously hostile toward her in public, Wellmy did not hesitate to retaliate, fighting back until her enemy surrendered.
Tea parties and fancy soirées were her battlefield.
“Neglect my appearance, huh?” Lady Hildentrai repeated. “What good is there for me to use the money my people earned to dress myself up, all to make ties with people I don’t care about?”
“You’re an incredibly clever lady, so I assume it must be evident to you, but I have been told that simply protecting the kingdoms’ roads isn’t enough for the common folk to put food on their tables.”
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As a matter of fact, ladies dressing up and holding lavish parties was as necessary to society as performing charity in almshouses—provided they didn’t waste money.
Making dresses gave work to seamstresses, allowed merchants to sell valuable fabric they had imported, and allowed those who spun thread to eke out a living.
A lot of people were involved in the organizing of parties as well: There would be no food without the efforts of the cooks and servants, who had to perfect their abilities for years to give proper hospitality to the guests. Those fancy gardens with the beautiful flowers in full bloom only existed thanks to the diligent work of the gardeners, and the same could be said of the architects who built these fancy estates.
“Did you know? Protecting a kingdom cannot be achieved by a single individual alone,” Wellmy continued.
Soldiers and knights swung their swords to protect the common folk, while mages fought until the very end, even if their magical energy ran dry.
“In the shadows of these heroes, you have the blacksmiths who forge the swords the knights wield and the armor they wear, the stablehands who raise the horses they ride, the people who build the fortresses and strongholds, and those who manufacture the magic stones and brew the potions used during battles.”
E n̊ ŭ.m̆ ā
Lady Hildentrai seemed slightly puzzled. “What are you trying to get at?”
“In any noble’s territory, you will find farmers growing crops, hunters killing game, and coachmen carrying these goods from one place to another for soldiers to eat. It’s for them that roads exist. And to ensure their dominions are safe, the feudal lords and ladies use the money earned from taxes to chase bandits to ensure anyone crossing through their territory can do so safely, and listen to their people’s appeals. Meanwhile, the people working at the palace and the king ensure these lords aren’t up to no good.”
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This was the essence of a nation.
Of course, there were likely individuals who took advantage of their positions of power to fill their own pockets or enjoy their privileges without ever giving back. After all, they were talking about humans, not cogs in a machine.
However, not all nobles were like that.
“Wearing beautiful dresses like a soldier would armor, equally distributing wealth among the common folk, bearing and raising the next generation, forming and strengthening ties to other houses, all in order to support their husbands, the nation...”
Ẃеb́n о̄v̊е́l̄ Е num̂ a
Wellmy paused.
“...These are the duties of noble ladies.”
No matter how bright and beautiful they might seem at first, these women had to keep smiles on their faces even while surrounded by greedy people who were plotting their demise. They had to make continuous efforts to ensure everything went smoothly. People weren’t motivated by just logic or just emotions, much like a carriage wouldn’t move with wheels only on one side.
“I am indeed a powerless little girl with disenchanting as my only ability,” Wellmy continued.
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Not that long ago, she had been staring fixedly at her own doom. Parties had been her battlefield; a place where she would fight until she found someone to whom she could entrust Iora. She’d had the pride and dignity to stand there, even if it meant putting her own life on the line.
Wellmy narrowed her eyes and stared at Lady Hildentrai over her fan. She didn’t miss the way the young woman’s shoulders twitched at the glint in her eyes.
Ŵе̃ḃ.n о v̈ е̃l̆ Е̊ n̂ u̇ m â
“You hold in contempt those who play supportive roles. Remind me, who was it who solved Lord Shizolda’s problems?”
Zumiano’s ploy could have shaken the very foundation of the kingdom. Had they failed to notice what was happening and let things be, a severe tremor would have run through the nation, one that would have gone far beyond a little squabble with other nations. It had been such an elaborate plan that those who loathed parties and found mingling with others a waste of time—people who considered the sword to be a mightier weapon than information—would never have noticed it. Lady Hildentrai seemed to belong to that category. When she had come to lecture Lord Shizolda for being too close to another woman, she hadn’t been wearing a dress, but her official mage corps robe. Her uniform was likely a source of pride to her.
But the hard, cold truth was that, until the very end, she had been unable to notice the calamity that had befallen her fiancé.
Wellmy’s comment had likely hit a sore spot, and Lady Hildentrai clearly hadn’t been expecting her to attack from that angle. Her brow knitted, and her lips tightened into a stiff line, but a smile quickly took over her face. “I see. So you’re not just a soft little lady.”
“Strength isn’t something one ought to flaunt. It is best kept to oneself. After all, many gentlemen find it off-putting,” Wellmy said, implicitly criticizing Lady Hildentrai all while complimenting Lord Shizolda.
The young man had been watching their exchange in silence, a distressed look on his face. He seemed to like his fiancée’s outspoken nature, and he also respected Wellmy. This likely was why he remained silent and let the two women carry out their conversation.
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Lady Hildentrai’s smile didn’t falter. “If you understand your area of expertise, then mayhaps you should lament the fact that you can’t even protect yourself. You are aware of it, aren’t you? If you can’t even stand up without needing to borrow someone’s help, it means that you find it acceptable to inconvenience others. It’s pure laziness.”
Without anyone to protect you, you can’t do anything.
Lady Hildentrai had shifted her offensive to one that matched Wellmy’s.
Just like Wellmy’s earlier comment, Lady Hildentrai’s words were true. Wellmy herself had chosen to fight, but if someone were to claim that all she ever did was let herself be protected by Aides, wrapped in his embrace, she wouldn’t be able to argue.
“I’m Shiz’s equal. What about you? Can you proudly say that you’re worthy of standing beside the lord of magic?” Lady Hildentrai asked.
“I hope I can, yes. Aides wants me, after all,” Wellmy said without hesitation.
Еn̈ŭ m ӑ
Yet, she wasn’t as confident in her response as she made it sound.
Even though she was the one who had asked to become a convenient doll for him, one who would listen to all his orders... Even though he cherished her and repeatedly said that he loved her...
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Am I worthy of Aides?
It wasn’t wrong for her to ask herself that question.
“Hilde,” Lord Shizolda said. While quiet, there was a sharpness to his voice that hadn’t been there earlier.
All Wellmy knew about the young man was that he was overly serious, soft on his friends and family, and excelled at administrative duties. Yet, at that moment, his anger was laid bare.
Е̄ n̈ ū m â .і̃ ď
“Lady Wellmy Liroud was chosen by the lord of magic himself. She has saved not just me and Turgis, but Zumi as well. If you continue to treat her with such disrespect, we will take our leave.”
A slightly wounded look appeared on Lady Hildentrai’s face. Perhaps she had realized that her fiancé was being serious, or perhaps she simply didn’t like that he was siding with Wellmy.
“How conceited. You’re the one who acted like an idiot in the first place, aren’t you?” she said.
“I will apologize for that as many times as you want me to. However, I believe it is wrong for you to hurl your anger at Lady Liroud.”
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“I haven’t hurled my anger at anyone. May I remind you I was slighted too?”
“That attitude of yours is to blame. I’ve already told you countless times to stop testing people when you meet them. Seriously, what’s that forced look on your face? You’re going way too far,” Lord Shizolda retorted.
Ẃе bn.ov̆ ĕ ĺ Еn̈um̊а̌
Lady Hildentrai shrugged. Then, the next instant, her attitude softened, and a grin took over her face, her shoulders shaking.
“Fine, fine,” she said with a snap of her fingers. “Sorry, Shiz. I was in the wrong.”
The arrogance died down, and her eyes started to shine, a cheerful look settling on her face. No trace of her earlier anger remained.
Wellmy was secretly flabbergasted by the sudden change in her attitude.
Is that an act? she wondered.
But Lady Hildentrai raised both hands and waved them. “Sorry about that, Lady Liroud. My fiancé is so inflexible, even a little joke is enough to offend him.”
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All Wellmy could let out was a confused, “Um...?”
Where was that anger and painful honesty Lady Hildentrai had shown earlier?
Wellmy had believed she had seen the real her in her eyes earlier, but now, she couldn’t even feel the slightest hint of animosity coming from her.
“I heard of your reputation and wanted to play a little prank on you as payback. You completely deceived me back then, after all—Wellmy Liroud, the flower of evil who never ceases to agitate high society.”
Under Lady Hildentrai’s knowing gaze, Wellmy’s eyes restlessly darted around.
“Just as Shiz said, you’re a smart, stubborn woman. There’s nothing stupid about you. Although you do seem to be a rather sore loser.”
W е̂ ḃn̆ о̊ vе̄ l̇ Е̃n̂ um̆ а̇
“Hilde!” Lord Shizolda interjected.
“Oh, don’t yell, Shiz. I just apologized, didn’t I? Besides, the two of you did leave me out of your plans,” the young woman said with a laugh. Then, she raised an eyebrow and added, “Everyone always raves about how good a judge of character you are, so I tried to use your ability against you. What do you say? Did the illusion I used to make fake emotions appear in my eyes work on you?”
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She looked just like a child whose prank was a success. This likely was her regular, natural charm.
She fooled me. Wellmy would never have expected anyone to hide their emotions the way Lady Hildentrai had, so she easily admitted her defeat.
“I believe it did, yes. I could not tell that you were amusing yourself whatsoever.”
“Thanks. I’m aware this may be an unnecessary warning, but if I were you, I would keep that ability of yours on the down-low. Once someone learns of your uncanny ability to read people, you risk losing your advantage over them.”
Е n û m̀а̀
“I will keep it in mind, thank you. You’re quite similar to Lord Zumiano, Lady Hildentrai.”
“Rude! Don’t lump me in with someone as sly as him! It’s very upsetting,” the young woman said, puffing her cheeks out.
Wellmy involuntarily burst into laughter at her antics.
“Well then, let me thank you properly.” Lady Hildentrai stood, lifted the bottom part of her robes slightly, and performed a perfect curtsy. “First, allow me to introduce myself again. I am Count Ether’s second daughter, Hildentrai. Thank you so very much for saving my fiancé, Shizolda of House Langley,” she said, bold and sharp, as if to reflect her character. “I will learn from you and study how to fight at parties and other social events. I would love for us to become friends.” The young woman raised her face and cocked her head to the side slightly.
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Wellmy nodded with a bright smile, utterly charmed by Lady Hildentrai. One thing was for sure: the young woman was anything but easy to deal with.
“I look forward to getting to know you better.”
Е̄ nūḿа
※※※
“Well, then, Lady Liroud,” Lady Hildentrai said.
“Please call me Wellmy.”
“Lady Wellmy it is. Allow me to commend you for squashing my childhood friends’ troublesome scheme—the one that could have shaken the very foundation of the nation, or whatever it is you said. You did a splendid job.” Lady Hildentrai raised her index finger in the air, and a waiting maid quietly stepped forward, then set a small, expensive-looking box on the gazebo’s table.
“What is that?” Wellmy asked.
“The real reason I had you come over today. I came up with the idea along with my very own lord fiancé—you know, the one who let himself be used like a puppet by Zumi.”
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“That last part was unnecessary,” Lord Shizolda interjected.
“You were once the daughter of a count, but left your family and have been taken under the lord of magic’s protection. As such, you have no personal fortune. Is that right?”
“Indeed...”
Wellmy had once been a daughter of House Ernest, but she had been an illegitimate child. Later on, she’d learned that she wasn’t blood related to Count Ernest at all. As such, she hadn’t received anything when the man’s assets were distributed. Moreover, nearly everything that had once belonged to House Ernest—land included—would be transferred to House Schneiger. Save for Arvine, Wellmy’s former fiancé, Count Schneiger and his relatives were all upright, capable people.
Iora had tried to give Wellmy part of her own meager assets, but Wellmy had refused. She had already received some funds from Aides and Spellmaster Clartes, but it was still their money; Wellmy never used it unless she truly had to.
“That’s why Shiz and I wanted to give you this, as proof of our gratitude,” Lady Hildentrai continued.
W̊ e b n о̌ v́ ē l Е́ n̆um̈ а
“I... I cannot accept,” Wellmy said. She hadn’t solved this case alone, after all.
“You’re the one who unraveled and exposed Zumiano’s plan with the saint Theresalo’s story as your only clue,” Lord Shizolda said, backing up his fiancée. He seemed to be on her side now.
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“That’s only because he was targeting me from the start. I merely pieced together the hints he kindly left for me.”
“Still, Lady Wellmy. If it weren’t for you, Zumi’s rampage might have been even worse. Besides, it’s probably thanks to you that he changed.”
“He...changed?” Wellmy echoed, confused by the statement. Wasn’t it just that he couldn’t plot mischief anymore because of the bracelet of submission?
Looking into the distance, Lady Hildentrai muttered, “The other day, he came to visit me at an ungodly hour, claiming he had just finished work, and he apologized.”
Е̄n̈ u m̊ä .і̇ ď
“He...apologized?! Willingly?!” Wellmy exclaimed.
“Yep. ‘Sorry for dragging Shiz into my scheme,’ he said. As odd as that was, he seemed just as carefree and nonchalant as ever, though.”
Lord Zumiano apologized? Wellmy could hardly believe her ears, but Lady Hildentrai seemed dead serious.
“He’s always been kind of off ever since he hit his head when we were younger, but he seems...different now. Don’t you agree, Shiz?”
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“Indeed. I’ve noticed him changing ever so slightly since that day you made him apologize to the saint Theresalo, Lady Liroud.”
It seemed that Lord Shizolda must have told his fiancée about the events of that day.
W̌еb n̂ о̀ v̄еl̈ Е̊ṅu m̌ а̀
“Well, Theresalo healed him, so isn’t it thanks to her that he changed?” Wellmy asked.
“Had you not organized that meeting and forced him to apologize, they never would have met,” Lady Hildentrai said. “I’m truly grateful to you, Lady Wellmy. It feels like whatever was damaged in Zumi’s mind when he fell from that cliff has slowly been returning to normal.”
She looked at Lord Shizolda. The young man closed his eyes and picked up the metaphorical baton she had handed him. “Our friendship had been somewhat awkward ever since Zumi hit his head. He became... Well, you saw how he became. Lady Nineena withdrew from society, and Turgis felt responsible for inviting them on the outing where Zumi fell. Turgis was never particularly assertive, but he grew even more passive after that. I’m not good at picking up on others’ feelings, so I had no idea what to do to help them.”
According to him, he and Lady Hildentrai had been trying to find a way to fix the situation for years.
“You resolved everything for us, so we wanted to give you a present—something that would truly make you happy. That’s why, when we learned you had no assets to your name, we settled on these. Though, they haven’t been processed yet,” Lord Shizolda said, gesturing for Wellmy to open the box.
Wellmy had more or less guessed what was inside. Unable to refuse the young man’s demand after that heartfelt speech, she gently lifted the lid. Two precious gems, each the size of a thumbnail, lay nestled in the box. They looked so expensive, Wellmy felt her head swim.
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“I... I really cannot accept!” she exclaimed. “These are a will vermilion and a lost violet, are they not?!”
“Nothing escapes your keen eye, huh?” Lady Hildentrai commented.
“Now isn’t the time for compliments!” Wellmy retorted.
The two gems belonged to a rare variety of precious stones called arcane gems. Each was worth at least five times the price of a diamond of the same size, perhaps even more, and the ancient magical energy dwelling within them was said to sometimes manifest in strange ways.
Will vermilion gems (also known as the “vermilion gems of hope”) were, as their name suggested, a brilliant red whose hue shifted with the light like a cat’s eye. It was said one would be able to reveal its holder’s distant future—if the holder held a true wish.
Lost violet gems (or “ancient violet crystals”) were purple stones as brilliant as the light of the stars, the gradient on their surface casting a faint glow. Legend said that one could grant its holder the power to make any promise come true.
Е́_n ǔm̈ а
“What in the world are you thinking?! These are much too valuable!” Wellmy exclaimed.
“Under normal circumstances, your achievements should have earned you a medal of honor, perhaps even a peerage. A gift of this magnitude is only fitting,” Lady Hildentrai said.
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“Those gems are more valuable than anything I’ve ever owned!”
“As future Marchioness of Ormirage, there will likely be occasions when you’ll wear several jewels of similar value at once.”
Wellmy’s breath hitched.
Lady Hildentrai was right, she realized. Aides was the most powerful marquis, with influence the royal family could not ignore as well as reach that extended beyond the kingdom’s borders. As his wife, she might indeed be required to wear expensive jewelry in public... She already felt awkward enough that he’d had dresses tailored for her before they were even engaged, so she had refused all his attempts at offering her jewelry so far.
Еńu m̄ а̂.іd̈
For the first time, Wellmy realized the insane position she would find herself in.
But I can’t change my mind now.
“Also, didn’t you notice anything about these gems? They’re currently rough, so you can choose to have them cut or not, but... Do you know what the colors represent?” Lady Hildentrai asked, grinning.
A little “Ah” escaped Wellmy.
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Those gems...
“They’re the same colors... As Aides and my eyes...?” she muttered.
W̆ е b n̂ öv̄ еl E n̄u ḿa
“Exactly. If you set them into accessories—one on a platinum mount, the other on silver—they’ll mirror the iconic colors of you and the lord of magic. Shiz overheard you say you didn’t have anything to give your fiancé. That’s how we came up with the idea.”
Wellmy whipped her head in the young man’s direction, but he quickly averted his gaze.
“A rather fine play, dare I say, considering how bad he is at reading others’ feelings,” Lady Hildentrai added.
“I owe Lady Liroud a great deal. Of course I put some thought into this.”
“Lord Shizolda...” Wellmy had made him kneel in front of Theresalo, yet he had been willing to go so far for her? Perhaps Wellmy had been a little too harsh on him.
“Will you please accept our feelings, Lady Liroud? I’m sure the lord of magic will love the gift too,” Lady Hildentrai said. “Consider it a token of our friendship and a symbol of our gratitude. A prayer for you and the lord of magic to be happy together.” She gave Wellmy a deep bow. Lord Shizolda quickly followed, rising from his chair and lowering his head to Wellmy.
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“P-Please lift your heads! I-I understand. I...accept...” Wellmy said, swallowing hard, forcing each word out.
She swore to herself to repay them for the gems in the future. In all truthfulness, she wanted to refuse, but Lord Shizolda and Lady Hildentrai likely would have remained in place with their heads lowered until she’d accepted.
She finally understood how Theresalo had felt when Wellmy had forced the three young men to apologize to her. One might call it karma.
Still...
Wellmy took another glance at the beautiful gemstones.
Aides and I could wear each other’s colors... Like proof that we’re in love with each o— That was how far Wellmy’s thoughts went before her cheeks flamed.
Е̂ nŭm̂ а̄.іd_
“I’m glad you accepted the gems. Do you want to have them cut?” Lady Hildentrai asked.
“I-I can’t make that decision on my own, I want to ask Aides first. So, um... For now, I’ll leave them as is...”
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Besides, if Wellmy asked Lady Hildentrai to have the gems made into accessories, she and Lord Shizolda would spend even more money on her.
“Got it, just take them home then. I’ll have someone pack them properly for you. You’re okay with that too, Shiz?”
“I don’t have any objection. Lady Liroud, allow me to express my gratitude once again: Thank you so, so much.”
“E-Enough with the thanks!” Wellmy squeaked.
Ẽ ṅ ǔm a.. іḋ
And so, she managed to secure a present for Aides in a way she truly would never have anticipated.
※※※
A few days later, Wellmy was thinking of how to broach the topic of the gems with her fiancé.
In the middle of his nighttime routine of cuddling Wellmy on his lap and stroking her head, Aides peered at her face, his long silver hair falling forward.
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“What’s wrong? Ever since you returned from Lord Ether’s residence, you’ve been looking like you want to say something.”
“As always, nothing escapes you, huh?” Wellmy said sullenly, a little annoyed that he’d found her out so easily.
W̃е́ b̂nǒ_v el Ӗ n ū m а̇
But Aides simply nodded, the soft smile on his lips remaining firmly in place. “I’m always looking at you—and only you. I can easily tell when you’re acting differently.”
Hearing him say that in such a soft, sweet tone made Wellmy squirm inside.
Pretending not to notice the heat rising to her cheeks, she peered up at her fiancé’s beautiful face. “Um... I was just thinking I still haven’t received my reward,” she said.
“Were the information and kisses I gave you not enough?”
“Those were more of a reward for you!”
“You didn’t like them?”
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“I-I didn’t say that!”
Seeing Aides chuckle, Wellmy grabbed his cheeks and tugged them sideways with a huff.
“What would you like?” Aides asked, as calm and composed as ever, despite how silly he looked at that moment.
Wellmy hesitated. She had been trying to steer the conversation away from what was bothering her, but she had led it into a dangerous direction.
“Um...”
Her thoughts raced at breakneck speed.
E ń u̇ṁ а
Is there something I want? Something material? There was nothing she really wished for. Time with her sister? That one depended entirely on Iora, so it wasn’t like Aides could do anything about it. There was also nothing she wanted Aides to do for her. They could maybe go out together sometimes? That didn’t sound like a bad idea. But Aids must be busy...
He had recently told her that the king had privately notified him that he would be taking over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Having one’s occupation and workplace change out of the blue was a bit like inheriting a fiefdom, so it must’ve been really tough. Wellmy couldn’t ask too much of his time; that would have been incredibly selfish of her. There might even be nights when Aides wouldn’t be able to come home in the future, and she didn’t want him pushing himself too hard.
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Perhaps Aides had been watching her agonizing over the question, as he chuckled once more. “Does my princess want so many things that she can’t make up her mind? Or is she so unmaterialistic that she can’t think of what she wants?”
“Both,” Wellmy replied after a brief pause.
It would be so much easier if there were something I wanted... she thought, peering up at her fiancé’s amused look.
“You can always tell me when you think of something you wa—”
W eb́n̂ o̊ v el_ Ĕǹ ůḿа
“You,” Wellmy said, her voice overlapping with Aides’s.
A look of surprise crossed his face as he stopped mid-sentence. Wellmy was as startled as he was. The word had slipped out without her meaning to speak.
For a moment, a heavy silence settled between them.
“Me... What?” Aides asked eventually.
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Wellmy hesitated. “Nothing,” she replied, looking away.
“Wellmy?” Aides’s hold tightened on her, and a sadistic glint formed in his eyes. “I know that attitude. You’re trying to hide something from me, aren’t you?”
Ẃ е bnо̆v̆ е́l Ê ńú_m̆ а̌
“Ah, um, no, it’s just— Mmph!”
Before she could make excuses, Aides covered her lips with his.
“Mmh... Hmm!”
Pants escaped her lips as he kissed her deeply. When Aides pulled away, his violet eyes settled on her slightly dazed expression. “How many times have I told you not to keep things from me? You will tell me without me having to order you to, won’t you?” Aides said, teasingly caressing her moist lips.
Frustrated, Wellmy looked up at him from beneath her lashes. “No. It’s too embarrassing.”
“Wellmy.”
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What I want the most is you, Aides.
She almost said it, but stopped herself at the last moment. It sounded like she was trying to seduce him! That wasn’t her intention at all. She simply wanted to go out with him and spend more time together, like they were now. Those were the types of things she wanted, not to get intimate or anything of the sort. Then again, she wasn’t against that sort of thing. After all, she knew it would happen one day, and was even looking forward to it...
“Your eyes are more honest than your mouth,” Aides said, dropping another kiss on her lips. “I’d say it would be in your best interest to speak up—before I push you down.”
Aides was treating her so well, looking at her like she was precious. It made Wellmy so embarrassed that she was afraid she would combust right then and there, and she lowered her eyes. She was so happy to be wrapped in Aides’s embrace, but...
I still have this little tinge of insecurity, and I can’t be honest about my feelings.
“Aides. What...” she started.
Е̂nu ṁ а . i d̂
It was just as Lady Hildentrai had said in their battle. All she ever did was let Aides protect and love her. She had never given him anything in return. That was why...
“What am I to you?”
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She didn’t understand why he loved her so much.
Aides replied without missing a beat, “You’re you, Wellmy. My fiancée, my beloved. Isn’t that right?” Aides caressed her cheek with a cool hand, slightly calloused from the amount of writing he did every day. Wellmy covered his hand with hers and closed her eyes.
“You say that, but I still haven’t been able to give you anything in return...”
She helped him a little with his work and took some etiquette lessons, but was free to do whatever she wanted with the rest of her time. Sure, she had acted as Iora’s decoy in high society for the past few months, but it hadn’t been that big of a deal.
Еn̊ ǔ m̈ã.i d̄
Wellmy knew her life wouldn’t remain this way forever, but right now, she truly was doing nothing. She simply let Aides pamper her.
The wife of the most influential marquis of the kingdom...
Wellmy wasn’t good enough to be able to support Aides.
“Wellmy. You love me, don’t you?” Aides asked, his voice oh so very gentle.
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“Of course I do... It’s only natural.”
“Is it, now? Even if it is, it makes me happy.”
È n̆ ŭ m̆ a .і̊ d̈
“Happy...?” Cracking her eyes open, Wellmy caught a glimpse of the smile on her fiancé’s lips. It was almost as if he were saying that Wellmy herself made him happy, even with her insecurities.
“Do I need a reason to love you?” he asked, his hand slipping from her face to the back of her head. Then, pressing his cheek against her hair, he whispered, “Why did you start liking me, Wellmy? Why did you start liking Iora? Was it my money? My influence? The fact that I can be of use to you?”
“No...”
“The same goes for me. It wasn’t your appearance or your intellect that captivated me.”
Wellmy knew what Aides was trying to say. She couldn’t explain why she had felt so drawn to Aides after seeing him once either. All she knew was that she loved him. But that emotion just felt vague and unreliable.
“There are many people in this world who are more charming than me,” Wellmy said. “I’m sure there are as many women who would make a better Marchioness of Ormirage as there are stars.”
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Perhaps she wouldn’t be able to meet Aides’s expectations even if she did her best, and it would leave him disappointed. That thought terrified her. Wellmy had no idea when she had become such a cowardly, greedy woman. She had once been so bold and audacious, back when she had had nothing to lose.
But now, she was terrified of losing Aides or Iora.
That was why she wished for so much—to own every last fragment of Aides’s soul.
“Women who are more charming than you, huh? They might indeed exist—to someone else, that is.” Aides gently stroked her back. “Wellmy, you’re the only woman I have ever found charming.”
“But why...?”
“I told you. Anyone could come up with countless reasons after the fact. Take Iora, for example; she likely is charming. To you and Leo, none compare to her. I, on the other hand, have never felt drawn to her. Do you understand now?”
Е̌nůmа . i d
Aides had, at one point, been in a position to get engaged to and, eventually, marry Iora. Yet, the one he’d chosen hadn’t been Wellmy’s beautiful sister, with her outstanding intellect, purple eyes, and the ability to inherit her father’s fortune, but the destitute Wellmy herself.
“I fell for you because you’re you. Is that not a good answer?”
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“Can I...trust you?”
Aides pulled away slightly; his eyes, bright with earnestness, settled on Wellmy. Then, his thin, beautifully shaped lips parted once more. “I promise I will never betray you, Wellmy. You’re my only one.”
Wellmy couldn’t hold back the tears that spilled from her eyes and began running down her cheeks.
She loved Aides—so, so much, she was afraid of what would happen to her if she loved him more.
Е ň ǔ mа
She wanted to trust him. Perhaps she could put that feeling into a tangible form and...give it to him.
“Aides... I make the same promise to you. And, um, Lady Hildentrai and Lord Shizolda gave me a present...”
“Oh?” her fiancé said, wiping her tears with the tip of a finger.
Reaching both hands forward, Wellmy gently cupped his face, his porcelain skin soft under her palms. “It’s very, very expensive. But they said I could have it.”
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A present from someone other than Aides...
At first, Wellmy had thought that she didn’t deserve the gems, that she hadn’t earned them herself. But Lady Hildentrai and Lord Shizolda had told her that there had been merit to her actions. It was her first time receiving such a gift.
E̊ nuṁ а .і ḋ
She slipped out of Aides’s embrace, opened the drawer of the side table, and retrieved the box she had tucked inside. Then, returning to her fiancé’s lap, her back against his chest, she opened it.
A gasp of admiration slipped from Aides’s lips. “These are high-quality arcane gems. One doesn’t come across stones like these often.”
“E-Exactly. Um, Aides?” Wellmy pointed at the red stone in the box, looked up at Aides, and smiled. “I want you to wear this. It’s my color. And, um... I want to wear that one, the one that’s your color. Will you take it?”
At that, Aides’s eyes softened, and a blissful smile spread on his lips. “Of course, Wellmy,” he said with a nod. “It’s a beautiful gem; it looks just like your eyes. It’s almost a waste for me to wear it.”
“You have to. I want you to have it on at all times.” Wellmy turned her head so that she was looking ahead of her and shook her head softly. “That way, everyone will know that you’re m-my Aides. Right?” she said, rubbing the tips of her fingers together. She was so embarrassed that she couldn’t look at him.
But she wasn’t lying—although she was aware she was being possessive.
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“And, um, everyone would know that I’m yours. That’s why... That’s why...”
Before she could finish, Aides’s arms snaked around her waist. “I can’t anymore.”
“Aides? Ah!”
She felt him rest his head on her right shoulder. Then, the next instant, he dropped a kiss on the nape of her neck. The ticklish sensation made her jump and shiver, but Aides did nothing more.
“You’re so cute, I soon won’t be able to hold back,” he said, so close she could feel his breath on her neck.
It was Wellmy’s first time hearing what sounded like vulnerability in Aides’s voice. Still unable to turn around, she threw him a sidelong glance, only to see that his ears were bright red.
Еňû m̀ ă.і̌ d
The Aides, who was so confident and always remained cool and composed, no matter what Wellmy said, was blushing?
“Wellmy...”
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“Ah, uh, wait, Aides. L-Let me finish!” She felt herself on the verge of being infected by Aides’s passion, but even flustered, she forced herself to finish. “Once we have made the gems into accessories, I, um... I want the two of us to go somewhere together. A-And, I also want to spend more time by your side, and I like it when you hug me.”
All she wanted was to be with Aides, to be by his side. She wouldn’t make any other selfish requests.
“That’s the reward I want for working so hard.”
At last, she had managed to say it.
W ẽb̈n о̆v̆el̂ Е̌ nùm̆ а
Her fiancé, who had stayed silent as she spoke, suddenly slipped one arm beneath her armpits and the other under her knees, rearranging her so she lay sideways across his lap. His beautiful violet eyes, burning with passion, met hers.
“Wellmy... Thank you. Thank you for choosing to be by my side of your own free will.” The softness of Aides’s voice and expression made him look somewhat younger. He dropped a kiss on her cheek, incredibly delicately, as if she were a fragile treasure.
That was when Wellmy noticed that he was trembling slightly, and she gently wrapped her arms around his head. Then, as if to repay him, she kissed him on the lips: the very thing she had been unable to do on their first night together. It still embarrassed her to no end, though.
Then, she finally put her feelings into words—a smile on her face, and without averting her gaze. “I should be the one thanking you. Thank you for seeing me, Aides.”
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At that, Aides captured her lips in a deep kiss once again, holding her tightly like he wanted to devour her.
She couldn’t breathe, but it didn’t bother her. Knowing that she was wanted made joy well up in her chest, threatening to overflow.
Wе̂_b n̈ov̂ el Е̌ṅ úm̆ a
“Ah...”
Aides’s kiss had made her melt so much that she feared she couldn’t stand up even if she tried.
“I’m trying to hold back until we’re properly wed, but...I feel myself wavering at times,” Aides muttered, longing oozing from his voice. “You’re the only one to have ever made me feel this way, Wellmy.”
You don’t need to hold back... Wellmy thought, but there was no way she could say such a thing out loud.
She was, of course, still a little scared. But at the same time, she was over the moon hearing Aides express his feelings for her, and say that he cherished her.
“I love you.”
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That evening, she repeated these words over and over again, as Aides attacked her ears and nape, only releasing her when she reached her limit.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“I’m...not...but...I’m...really...happy,” she panted.
Aware that she probably looked rather sloppy, she gave a weak, listless smile.
“I love you, my Aides.”
