Chapter 22

Madame Bla’s husband’s tailor shop was just in the next alley. When Sabina opened the door, the bell rang out like a battle cry. Mr. Bla, wearing round glasses and dozing over a newspaper, sprang to his feet.

Sabina said, “Show me some fabric. Something bright red and shiny.”

Sabina really did have a suit tailored for Ashton in a bright red, shiny fabric embroidered with roses, which soothed her frustration a little. Only a little, because Ashton didn’t seem at all embarrassed by the idea of a bright red suit.

He stood to the side with his arms open, calmly getting his measurements taken, then tilted his head and asked Sabina, who was still sulky,

“The most expensive item in Don Slafd’s collection was the boy I gave you, right?”

“I don’t go to the Carnival often, so I wouldn’t know.”

“That’s what they say. According to rumors.”

Sabina couldn’t shake the impression that Ashton had suddenly brought up Helio.

“Why do you ask about him?”

“Just curious.”

Ashton’s words were simple. Sabina thought for a moment and nodded.

“Well, you haven’t seen him since then.”

Ashton asked gently. If Helio had seen it, he would have called it a fake smile.

“Is he well?”

After the measurements, Mr. Bla showed them a catalog. Sabina barely glanced at it and picked the most embarrassing and flamboyant design. Ashton pretended to sigh deeply.

“He’s well. But he seems a bit burdened.”

What was the original Helio like? Was he always like this?

“About studying and such.”

When Sabina said that, she expected Ashton to ask questions like, “He’s an excellent mage, right?” or “When is his academy entrance?” But Ashton asked something completely different, leaving Sabina briefly confused. It was a question she’d never considered.

“That boy, does he like you?”

Sabina blinked and looked at Ashton. His eyes were somewhat opaque again. Her head shook slightly from side to side.

“I’m not sure about that.”

“At least he doesn’t dislike you, right?”

Sabina recalled Helio’s face, always slightly flushed with anticipation for praise. Quite cute, really. Sabina thought if he disliked her, he wouldn’t show such expressions.

“Yeah. I don’t think he dislikes me.”

Ashton’s reply was a beat late and very short.

“…Okay.”

Before Sabina could feel suspicious, Mr. Bla came out.

“Should I put the bill on your account, Lady D’Vialis?”

“Yes, please.”

Ashton didn’t interrupt.

“It’ll suit you well,” Mr. Bla said with a beaming smile, and Sabina’s eyes sharpened.

“Really?”

“Of course. You look great in flashy things…”

Sabina didn’t listen and left the tailor shop. Mr. Bla was left dumbfounded. Ashton quickly grabbed the parasol, winked at Mr. Bla, and followed Sabina.

“Miss D’Vialis.”

“…”

“Miss D’Vialis, would you like some ice cream?”

“No.”

“I want some.”

With Ashton subtly begging, Sabina had no choice but to give in again. She sat at a café’s outdoor terrace overlooking the Brinita Canal.

It was a place she had visited with each of her former lovers. The server naturally handed the menu to Sabina. Sabina ordered bitter coffee, Ashton ordered a cup of bitter coffee and a cup of milk ice cream.

Ashton rested his chin in his hand and looked at Sabina. Her expression rarely changed, but now her face was a little red—not from embarrassment or excitement, but from frustration.

The man’s large hand reached toward Sabina, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Sabina instinctively flinched, then closed her eyes and let Ashton tidy her hair.

Ashton brushed the faint shadow from Sabina’s face and smiled.

His plan was going smoothly.

Helio liked Sabina. Sabina described it as “doesn’t dislike,” but…

Even if Helio were asked directly, he would probably answer, “I don’t dislike her.” But for a boy with such pride to say that about someone who bought all rights to his body and person with money meant that he did like her.

Helio was safely living under Sabina and quickly growing attached to her, and Sabina, as a healthy guardian and patron, was also growing attached to him. The two needed to form a bond. It was working well. If there was a problem, it was that Sabina seemed troubled when Helio’s name was mentioned.

Ashton’s disruption of Reyes Brinita was effective too. On the first day they met and at Carnival, Ashton had made himself an uncomfortable rival for Reyes.

He knew roughly what kind of person Reyes was. He had a narrow view. Once he fixated on something, he dug into only that. The type to get so distracted by a mosquito buzzing near his ear that he ruined his whole day.

That’s why Ashton sent invitations to both him and Kenneth. Reyes would be so preoccupied and stressed by the invitation that he’d have a headache. Now that Ashton Bryant had appeared as an obstacle, Reyes would be wracking his brain over how to win Sabina.

Ashton had no doubt Sabina would enjoy the peace he brought her. That would turn into affection for Ashton.

Two cups of coffee and a cup of ice cream were set on the table. Ashton poured half his coffee into the ice cream cup. Sabina watched him as if he were eating something bizarre.

“What are you doing?”

“Would you like some?”

“That?”

“It’s good.”

Ashton asked the server for another spoon, then scooped some of the coffee-soaked ice cream and held it to Sabina’s lips. She looked doubtful but soon obediently opened her mouth. When she closed her lips, the sweet, cold ice cream and coffee flavor filled her mouth. Ashton grinned, chin still in hand.

“Right?”

He scooped another spoonful of ice cream for Sabina. She didn’t refuse, and when a new spoon arrived, she took the one from Ashton’s hand. The two, sharing a single cup of ice cream with their heads close together, would look quite affectionate from the terrace.

There were many people in the capital, so rumors spread at a terrifying speed. The gossip would pass through the loose lips of nobles and reach the palace by tonight. Ashton kept his chin in his hand, smiling faintly at Sabina.

So far, everything seemed to be going Ashton’s way.

The ice cream was almost gone. Ashton asked kindly,

“Shall we order another ice cream?”

* * *

Meanwhile, Helio, who had stayed at home, finally admitted he needed to turn on the lamp. It was pitch dark outside.

He had expected Sabina to return before dinner. She hadn’t said when she’d come home, but Helio grew annoyed at himself for constantly peeking out the window and ended up closing the curtains.

The boy didn’t think this was jealousy or possessiveness. He hadn’t spent enough time with Sabina for that. More likely, it was concern for his somewhat blunt and naïve guardian.

Sabina D’Vialis, contrary to her reputation, seemed clueless about worldly matters. With someone like her, it was only natural that slick men like Ashton would approach, trying to ruin her with their smooth faces and playboy manners…

In the end, Helio ate dinner without Sabina. Little Hazel, worried Helio would be lonely, sat beside him for dinner. The child was thrilled to eat dinner twice.

Hazel was a lovely child and especially cute today, but Helio couldn’t pay proper attention to her. Helio was the closest in age to Hazel in the mansion. Unbeknownst to him, Hazel thought of Helio as a playmate and sulked when ignored.

Sabina still hadn’t returned by the time Helio finished his late dinner. The clock showed it was past nine.

By now, Helio was feeling stubborn. Sabina was an adult. There was no point in a boy worrying. Let her handle herself. He tried to chase away his irritation by returning to his study and opening a magic book. He still didn’t think of himself as an attribute mage, but with the attribute test a week away, he was getting nervous.

Helio tried to cram magic theory into his head. Basically, everyone is born with mana, but only those born under the blessing of magic in Brinita are born with enough mana in their hearts to defy natural phenomena. All Brinita natives are mages, but some are born with much more concentrated mana, which blooms into unique attributes according to their individuality. Attributes are classified into elemental and special types, and over 85% of mages are born with one of the six elemental attributes—water, fire, wind, earth, light, and darkness…

He skimmed past what he already knew, but nothing stuck in his head.

Helio closed the book.

At that moment—

He heard a carriage stop outside.

He’d promised himself not to care about Sabina, but instincts are fickle. He opened the curtain and window and poked his head out. Sabina was getting out of the carriage.

She was hugging the bouquet given by that suspicious young man as if it were precious. Actually, Sabina just liked the scent of Gracie Rose, but to Helio, everything looked twisted now.

The two exchanged brief farewells. Ashton disappeared back into the carriage, and Sabina walked briskly to the mansion. Helio hurried out of his room and almost ran down the hall. If Mitchel had seen him, she would have scolded him for his lack of manners. As he quickly descended the stairs, Sabina, handing her parasol and bouquet to Vicky and Julia, looked at Helio with wide eyes.

“You’re not asleep?”

“You’re late.”

“Did you wait for me?”

Sabina’s voice was calm and composed. Helio felt foolish for having worried. A lie slipped out reflexively.

“No.”

But even to himself, it sounded like a lie. He gave up on lying.

“Actually, I did wait.”

“Why?”

Sabina asked innocently, as if she really didn’t know. Helio was at a loss for words. Should he badmouth Ashton Bryant here? Sabina’s face showed no sign of discord with Ashton. Since she’d spent so much time with him, maybe she’d enjoyed their date.

If Helio suddenly slandered Ashton, would she listen?

What if Sabina dismissed it as nothing? Then Helio would just look pitiful. He couldn’t bear looking small compared to the dazzling Ashton Bryant.

His nature was stubborn and sensitive. And he was timid, too.

The resolve to speak up vanished instantly.

But then, another impulse suddenly rose in Helio’s gut.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Anything is fine.”

Sabina agreed without even hearing what Helio wanted. Helio looked at her for a moment, then sighed.

“You’re going to the party, right?”

“Yes.”

“…Could you ask Ashton Bryant if I can come too?”

If he couldn’t talk to Sabina about it, maybe he should just ask Ashton directly.

Sabina’s eyes widened at Helio’s question. Her long, dark lashes fluttered. She tilted her head. The Helio she knew didn’t enjoy parties. He disliked crowds. It had even taken him time to adjust to the academy.

But now he wanted to go to a party—why?

“Helio, most of the guests there are Carnival clients.”

Sabina warned softly, concern in her voice. Helio hadn’t considered that and looked momentarily pale. But his expression soon firmed with resolve.

“I still want to go.”

He wanted to talk to Ashton about that day, and he wanted to be part of Sabina’s world.

Sabina looked worried, then sighed.

“Neither you nor Ashton are doing what I want today.”

Why did Ashton’s name suddenly come up? Helio’s rebelliousness grew even more.