“Potions…?”

There was no record of the young lady giving out high-grade potions.

But the three nobles, not noticing Marcel’s puzzled expression, excitedly continued.

“Yes! Actually, we saved the young lady’s life. Though she didn’t acknowledge our kindness and assaulted us instead… We brought this in case you didn’t believe us.”

The nobles held out empty high-grade potion bottles.

Marcel examined the potion bottles carefully.

‘These are definitely bottles from the magic tower, but.’

The three nobles spoke in a flattering manner.

“Ahem. We’re not looking for compensation or anything…”

“We just hope to become better acquainted with you, Vice Archmage, since fate has brought us together.”

Marcel didn’t hear the nobles’ attempts at networking. His gaze was fixed on the opened mouth of the potion bottle.

“How… did you open this?”

“Pardon?”

“Who opened this?”

Sensing something odd about Marcel’s demeanor, the nobles quickly confessed the truth.

“Lady Offensa opened it, of course.”

“The young lady herself, you say?”

“Ah, yes.”

“…That’s impossible. You’re not lying, are you?”

At Marcel’s serious interrogation, the nobles forgot about their flattery and became afraid.

“No, it’s true! She just opened it! You saw it too, right?”

“Of course! Ah, right. She hit the bottle neck hard with the side of her hand before opening it. It was a bit unusual, but other than that…”

“She hit it?”

“Y-yes! Not us, Lady Offensa did it!”

“……”

There was a reason Marcel couldn’t believe the nobles’ words.

‘Common people probably don’t know this, but.’

Marcel thought.

‘High-grade potion containers are special, so they must be opened by infusing magical energy.’

Infusing magical energy was a very basic magical energy manipulation technique.

Many people failed to become mages even after succeeding at this.

But.

‘If the young lady with magical energy incompatibility managed it… That changes everything!’

It meant that the magical energy he thought had disappeared after the accident was still there.

Marcel rapid-fired questions at the nobles.

“Did the young lady seem alright when opening the potion? Did she faint with nausea?”

“Fainting just from doing that…? She just smiled viciously as usual.”

“Thank you. You may go.”

“What? But, Vice Archmage?!”

The nobles were already out of Marcel’s mind.

He ran to the annex where Calliphe was staying and said to the head maid blocking his way.

“Could you pass a message to the young lady? Ask if it would be alright to do a magical energy verification at the grand meeting.”

Perhaps the grand meeting could be overturned.

Marcel’s heart pounded at the rising possibility.

* * *

The first grand meeting held since the Marquis Offensa collapsed.

The grand meeting, attended by the Vice Archmage and senior vassals, was where major family matters were discussed.

But this grand meeting was more important than ever. Because in the Marquis’s absence, this meeting would determine House Offensa’s direction.

Young Marquis Caiman had been waiting for this day.

‘I can finally get rid of that thorn in my side, Calliphe Offensa.’

When Calliphe became incompatible with magical energy, Caiman felt his destiny.

The destiny that his place was as the head of House Offensa.

The incapacitated direct line was an obstacle Caiman had to overcome.

So Caiman had steadily decreased Calliphe’s value. Making everyone see that she wasn’t fit to be the head.

The result of raising his own value while using the delinquent as a comparison.

Now everyone called him young Marquis.

Even though he wasn’t officially the heir yet.

‘It doesn’t matter since House Offensa will be mine after today. Me, who used to be from a fallen noble family.’

He would break free from the neutrality maintained with the magic tower and wield the family’s power as he pleased.

‘Both the political marriage and succession are practically settled already.’

Caiman exchanged light greetings with the vassals filling their seats one by one.

He exchanged subtle glances with some who had promised to support him.

Finally, footsteps were heard filling the last empty seat.

Click click click!

Caiman smirked at the sound of quick heels.

‘Seems she’s storming in, unable to contain herself.’

That’s what he thought, but.

Click click… tap.

Calliphe appeared with an even more dignified expression than usual and looked around the hall.

“It’s been a while, everyone. Let’s start right away since it’s boring.”

Caiman’s smile stiffened slightly.

‘…What’s with that attitude?’

Caiman glanced at an empty seat. It was Vice Archmage Marcel’s seat.

That arrogant half-elf had left a letter of support for Caiman and skipped out. So it was fine.

‘Is she putting on her last show of pride? Well, fine. The result won’t change no matter what she does.’

The grand meeting began with Caiman’s sneer.

* * *

While the chairman conducted the meeting, Calliphe felt the vassals’ stares from all directions.

‘Looks like they’re watching a delinquent who brings shame to the family.’

There were those who openly mocked, and those who showed resentment.

Those who only sent cold sneers had probably already turned to Caiman’s side.

And those showing resentment…

‘They’ll be my allies in this meeting.’

Their remaining resentment meant they cared that much about House Offensa.

They would vote for whoever benefited the family, regardless of their feelings toward Calliphe or Caiman.

After several agenda items passed, finally the political marriage topic came up.

Viscount Gallard, clearly Young Marquis Caiman’s lackey, eagerly spoke up.

“Lady Calliphe has come of age, so it seems time for her to leave the family and make her own home. That way Young Marquis Caiman, who has been looking after the young lady, can rest easy.”

“Oh, please don’t say that, Viscount Gallard.”

Caiman showed reluctance.

“The young lady is this family’s direct line, how could someone like me…”

“You are already House Offensa’s future, Young Marquis!”

“I’m not officially the young Marquis yet. I’m worried about hurting the young lady’s feelings.”

“Ah, you’re truly so humble.”

Playing both sides, seriously…

Calliphe, who had been watching with dull eyes, slammed the desk.

“Did you come here to play house? Stop beating around the bush and get to the point!”

“Young lady. You should speak more gracefully as someone about to be married!”

“Right, well said. Let me introduce you all to the man I’m going to marry.”

“Isn’t it Baron Rotten?”

“Why pretend not to know when you’ve all heard the rumors?”

Calliphe lifted one corner of her mouth.

“I clearly said it at the marriage announcement banquet. That I had a different marriage partner.”

The vassals frowned at this.

“How could you act so rashly?”

“Even third-rate gossip papers are criticizing the young lady’s conduct. How far will you drag down the family’s honor!”

“Please calm down, everyone.”

Young Marquis Caiman gently shook his head.

And showed an expression of understanding.

“The young lady has enjoyed high prestige as House Offensa’s direct line all this time. Baron Rotten must not be up to her standards.”

“……”

“But Baron Rotten is the only noble willing to accept the young lady. His wealth would be a great help to the family.”

“A help to the family, you say.”

Calliphe tilted her head.

“Then if I marry someone more helpful than the Baron, no one would object, right?”

“…What are you saying?”

“I’m saying this.”

Calliphe paused briefly, gritted her teeth and took a deep breath. Then she raised her voice toward the door.

“C-come in, darling!”

Darling?

As everyone’s gazes turned, the meeting hall doors opened on both sides.

Step.

A tall handsome man entered.