Published: January 12, 2026
After that, Lord Van showed me the greatness of magic beyond four element magic.
The nobles have a strong attachment to four element magic, almost like a belief, and I was considered to have a vulgar aptitude for magic, unbefitting of a noble.
So, from that time on, from the day my mother stopped looking at me, I gave up using magic.
If I hadn’t stopped practicing magic back then, could I have become like Lord Van?
With a lingering feeling of uncertainty, I ended up having dinner with Lord Van.
"…Miss Arte, is it delicious? Once we have better access to ingredients, we should be able to make sweets as well…"
"Ah, n-no… The meat, the salad, the fruit, all of it is very delicious, I’m quite surprised…"
I was starting to get a little used to it, but whenever I tried to speak, my words still came out haltingly. Though embarrassed, strangely Lord Van didn’t look down on me.
Maybe he’s as kind as Lord Panamera. If that’s the case, I probably won’t meet anyone like him again.
I decided to try a little harder.
"Miss Arte, what do you like?"
"Ah, I, I like cute things…"
"That’s nice, cute things. Small animals, perhaps?"
"D-dolls, beautiful flowers… animals, as long as they don’t move…"
"Dolls, huh. I haven’t seen many yet. If you don’t mind, could you show me sometime?"
Suddenly, Lord Van spoke with such a mature tone. Yet somehow, it didn’t feel awkward; rather, I was surprised by the generous, adult aura he gave off.
"Y-yes…! I, I have them in the carriage, so maybe tomorrow…"
"Really? Thank you."
His gentle smile made my heart flutter. It was a strange feeling—both happy and excited.
As I anxiously looked at Lord Van’s profile, Lord Panamera gave me a meaningful smile.
Embarrassed, I looked away.
Even afterward, Lord Van spoke to me several times. I gradually got more comfortable and found myself wanting to talk more.
However, just as I was about to try speaking on my own, time ran out. Dinner ended before I knew it.
Afterward, I listened to Lord Van and Lord Panamera’s conversation as I returned to the inn.
“I know it’s all improvised, but…” Lord Van laughed, yet it was an impressive mansion unlike anything I’d seen before.
The rooms were said to be made small to accommodate the number of people, but at least they looked splendid.
Looking up at it, jealousy stirred within me again, but I shook my head and sighed.
Meanwhile, Lord Panamera went to the inn.
Our eyes met.
Summoning my courage, I spoke first.
"…Th-thank you for today. I was nervous thinking you might be the one I’m going to be engaged to... But, um, Lord Van, you’re very kind, so I feel relieved. Um, I look forward to your continued kindness! Good night!"
I said my farewell quickly, and without waiting for a response, I hurried away.
Maybe that was rude. Lord Van might have thought I was strange. Ah, I don’t even know where my room is now. What should I do?
My mind was spinning with all sorts of thoughts. Almost in tears, I walked down the hall, feeling the soldiers looking at me with suspicion.
Finally, I reached my room, where Lord Panamera stood in just her underwear. Even from a woman’s perspective, she exuded an overwhelming feminine charm. Men must love women like her.
Lord Panamera drank a transparent liquid from a beautiful wooden cup.
"Oh, you finally came. Two kids, did you cross the line in a moment of passion? If you’ve made a fait accompli, tell me. I’ll help."
"T-th-the line, I didn’t…"
A scream-like voice escaped me.
Shaken by her words, I covered my face with my hands and couldn’t answer properly.
Lord Panamera laughed amusedly.
"I was planning to leave tomorrow, but maybe I’ll stay a few more days. I can’t keep being taken care of for free forever, so I’ll give you gold coins for everyone every day. No, that would run out in three days. Then, how about paying a hundred gold coins for a week?"
She said that cheerfully, and I nodded.
When I meet Lord Van tomorrow, I’ll try to talk to him again. I think he’ll listen.