Kaisel withdrew his gaze from Victor and languidly crossed his legs.
A sinister smile spread across his lips, which usually seemed emotionless. His deep eyes were filled with curiosity.
“Well. I still say she’s like a little mouse.”
A small, cute mouse with pink fur.
He quite liked how she looked at him with sparkling green eyes.
He found it both astounding and intriguing how the pink mouse boldly demanded to survive.
He had intended to kill her if she overstepped, but her appropriate boundary-keeping also brought him pleasure.
However, Kaisel also thought it unusual that Seeder had appeared before Cynthia.
Why would the familiar, embodying its master’s strongest desire, reveal itself to her?
“There are still some things I need to confirm. I’ve developed an interest in my apothecary.”
At that moment, Kaisel recalled his conversation with Marquis Vyntert. An indescribable emotion flashed in his blue eyes.
Before Victor arrived at the reception room.
A resolute voice flowed from Marquis Vyntert’s lips.
“Though I appreciate your hospitality, I plan to return to the Magic Tower in a week.”
Threatening to leave just a day after arriving at the grand ducal residence—Kaisel suppressed a laugh, thinking the man was truly consistent.
Marquis Vyntert seemed displeased with both the capital, which he disliked, and the watchful observers who had accompanied him by imperial order.
Kaisel shared the same sentiment, so he added no further comment. It was enough if the Marquis got what he wanted before leaving.
“Marquis, I have a question.”
“Please speak.”
“Do you know about magical traces left on the body?”
He was oddly bothered by the diamond-shaped scar on Cynthia’s finger.
This was also why Kaisel had personally invited Marquis Vyntert to the grand ducal residence.
The Marquis, stroking his wrinkled face, spoke softly.
“It depends on the type of magic. When a mage casts a spell on a person, it leaves a specific shape. Circles are for protective magic, squares for blessings, triangles for control magic, and so on.”
“What about diamonds?”
Marquis Vyntert frowned and raised his voice.
“Who would use such terrible magic on a person?”
“Just tell me the conclusion.”
Despite his languid expression, Kaisel’s voice carried a chill.
Looking at him, the Marquis let out a long sigh.
“……Diamond shapes represent manipulation magic. When mages cast spells on people, they mostly provide blessings or protection, but manipulation magic is closer to dark magic involving curses or grudges.”
Kaisel’s eyes sank coldly.
The scope of manipulation was broad. It could manipulate a person’s body or memories, or disguise the perceptions of surrounding people.
‘Is dark magic why Cynthia’s appearance looks blurry to me?’
Marquis Vyntert anxiously questioned Kaisel, who was deep in thought. If there was a mage using dark magic, the Magic Tower absolutely could not ignore it.
“Grand Duke, is this related to a tower mage?”
“I wonder. I merely saw someone under a spell.”
“Pardon?”
Kaisel didn’t answer and languidly crossed his legs.
At first, he had thought she was just an interesting woman. But increasingly, he became convinced that the weight of Cynthia’s secret was not light.
Even investigating the possibility that Cynthia might be an illegitimate child or adopted, she appeared to be the biological daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Blewitt.
Yet something still bothered him.
It was the existence of her grandmother, Nicol Blewitt, who had lived with Cynthia in the villa, and the fact that she was the twin sister of his companion, Iris.
‘A former imperial palace apothecary.’
For now, he couldn’t understand what connection Cynthia had with him.
Kaisel soon shook his head.
Traces alone wouldn’t help find the mage who cast the manipulation magic.
Even Kaisel with his exceptional magical power, or Tower Master Marquis Vyntert, could only make estimations.
However, one thing was clear.
Someone harbored deep resentment to cast manipulation magic on a young girl.
Kaisel also had no clear answer and silently tapped the sofa armrest.
“Marquis, is there no way to break manipulation magic?”
“The stronger the caster’s wish, the more difficult it is to break. But it’s different if the affected person has the will. Also, the magic can be broken more easily if the breaking mage has superior magical power than the caster, or depending on the relationship of trust.”
Well then.
Kaisel slowly raised one corner of his mouth.
In other words, Cynthia needed to trust him to discover what manipulation had been cast.
‘I need to keep Cynthia closer.’
As Kaisel’s eyes curved gently at the end of his reminiscence, Victor sensed something ominous and trembled.
“My lord, please leave Miss Cynthia alone. She’s an ordinary lady. Tormenting such a lady is in poor taste.”
Kaisel burst into loud laughter at Victor’s words. He was sorry, but that wouldn’t do.
❀❀❀
“Is someone talking about me?”
Scratching her strangely itchy ear, Cynthia arrived at the kitchen.
Mila, meeting Cynthia’s gaze, gave her a friendly eye greeting.
It was surprising to see Mila here during what should be a busy time.
“What brings you to the kitchen?”
Mila answered with a faint smile.
“I made some time. I couldn’t miss this delightful scene.”
Cynthia tilted her head.
Following Mila’s gaze, she saw Hannah humming happily while preparing ingredients.
“The head chef seems excited about preparing for the guests. It’s a sight you might see once a year.”
“Ah.”
Cynthia swallowed her laughter at the whispered words.
The countertop was filled with rare ingredients, leaving no empty space.
Fresh shrimp and oysters packed in ice, various meats, and diverse vegetables were piled like mountains.
As she slowly surveyed the ingredients, Cynthia’s eyes widened.
“Head Chef Hannah, this is charcoal!”
Hannah, who had been preparing ingredients, dusted off her hands and asked with a surprised expression.
“You know charcoal?”
“Of course. Charcoal has great benefits. In foreign countries, it’s used to absorb food odors and regulate humidity.”
“That’s right. The main dish to captivate the Marquis will use this charcoal. It will be an extraordinary dish. Moreover, I made this charcoal myself from good pine. It’s so pure you could even eat the powder.”
“You eat this burnt wood?”
As Mila frowned, Hannah snorted dismissively.
“Head Chef, could I have some charcoal too?”
“Take as much as you want.”
Hannah shrugged, generously bestowing her charity upon Cynthia, who understood the value of charcoal.
❀❀❀
Cynthia left the kitchen carrying small pieces of chicken and charcoal.
‘I hope Blackie likes it.’
As she crossed the mansion with light steps, someone called out from behind.
“Hey.”
Cynthia turned at the authoritative voice.
A man who had approached leisurely blocked her path.
“I don’t recognize your face. Which section’s maid are you?”
The man looked Cynthia up and down, his eyes widening.
Her pink hair, rare even in high society, fell like delicate peach blossom petals, and her brilliant green eyes were as fresh as a forest.
She was an extraordinary beauty unsuited to the grand ducal residence.
The man raised one corner of his mouth, fixing his gaze on her.
His mouth watered at the thought of having fun with such a pretty thing.
Cynthia recognized him at once.
‘Kaisel’s former physician.’
Goosebumps rose on Cynthia’s skin at Istad’s sinister gaze, and she took a step back.
“I’m not a maid, but the Grand Duke’s apothecary.”
Istad, who had been twirling his mustache, froze with an incredulous expression.
Istad had been wandering the mansion anxiously, worried that Finn had disappeared and fallen victim to the apothecary.
‘What? The new noble apothecary isn’t a man but a woman?’
Assessing the situation, Istad actually thought this was fortunate.
Thinking it would be easy to persuade one young woman, he arrogantly lifted his chin.
“I am Baron Istad Solta, imperial physician and the Grand Duke’s physician.”
‘Former,’ must have been left out.
She had expected to encounter him at some point, but not like this.
Cynthia inwardly swallowed a sigh.
“From what I see, you seem new to being an apothecary. Would you perhaps like to become an imperial palace apothecary?”
“……I’m not sure.”
“The Grand Duke is a difficult person. The imperial palace apothecary position, on the other hand, comes with tremendous privileges. You can research with the finest herbs anytime, and it’s an excellent place for a woman to work.”
Cynthia knew this well, having once dreamed of following in her grandmother’s footsteps as an imperial palace apothecary.
Istad continued boasting with all manner of self-importance.
“To become an imperial palace apothecary, you need a recommendation from a physician who works or has worked at the imperial palace. If you want, I could specially write you a recommendation.”
“What exactly do you want from me in exchange for going so far as to offer a recommendation?”
Cynthia asked bluntly.
Istad felt a strange sensation looking at this pretty woman who spoke so boldly.
He felt the urge to tame this proud woman and make her submit beneath him.
He raised one corner of his mouth, hiding his cunning intentions.
“What I want is just one thing. Tell me the herb that calms the Grand Duke’s curse. That’s all.”
Cynthia frowned.
His intention to get rid of her was so obvious—what a one-dimensional person.
“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t do that.”
Istad’s upturned mouth corners gradually fell.
“Why not?”
“Baron, you prescribed retan flowers for His Highness the Grand Duke. I don’t want to reveal anything to a physician lacking in both character and skill.”
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bluemoon238
Wow, she dissed him so politely. Legit, FL just said the man was stupid, corrupt, and a failure and didn’t use a single bad word. She’d be good in high society