Chapter 11

The only daughter of the greatest witch, Eselmond Bellua, lifted the corners of her mouth as if she knew everything.

“How did I know? Well, because it’s not the first time Adriana has come here,” she said.

“Just get to the point.”

“It was me who called you here.”

“…Can you at least explain the middle part?”

Dark brown skin, golden eyes, and a demeanor that seemed to be missing a screw.

Eselmond introduced herself with a sulky expression, like a chubby cat held by a villain.

A witch surpassing even her mother, and the Empire’s greatest sorceress.

“That’s me.”

“But what’s the difference between a witch and a sorceress?”

“You didn’t know that until now? It’s been almost a year since you came here.”

With a single gesture from Eselmond, the library transformed into a garden, and a red checkered cloth appeared on the makeshift table.

Tap, tap! With a flick of her thumb and forefinger, bitter black tea and macarons appeared. For someone who didn’t sleep for 200 hours, her hospitality wasn’t bad. It would have been even better if the Empire had the most expensive liquor since they were already here.

“Witches are about bloodlines, and magic is about scholarship.”

“Yes?”

“Witches cultivate plants that ordinary people can’t, and they concoct unfamiliar potions. Sorcerers manipulate magic to artificially alter the course of nature. They can transfer things elsewhere and store them.”

“…I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Is the witch a support and the sorcerer a tank? Eselmond observed my reaction with her long legs crossed. It was more like pure observation than reading my expression. Why are mages in novels always depicted as crazy? Is it because they’re locked in a tower, not sleeping or eating, and only doing research? …Well, they might just be crazy.

“You don’t need to understand! Adriana has no magical power whatsoever! Her enchantment skills are minimal, she’s a complete normal.”

“So what?”

“Anyway, would you like to hear my story?”

“No, that’s alright-“

“I’ve been exceptional since I was young. I was a prodigy.”

Listen to people when they talk! I wanted to flip the table in my mind. But since I’m an ethical citizen who completed 21st-century compulsory education, I decided to listen to Eselmond’s story politely and maturely.

“I was different from the moment I was born. My mother was a witch, so I naturally became a witch too. Just that was special enough, but I also had the talent to become a sorcerer. So, I received support from the royal family and went to school. I even graduated in just two years. It was 20 years ago, though.”

“Yes, congratulations, albeit belatedly.”

“Thank you. Anyway, there were jealous crowds who envied me for being outstanding as both a witch and a sorcerer. Now, they’re probably in the middle of the ocean.”

“Do they have separate heads, bodies, and legs?”

“I’m not that scary of a person. I just sent them on a cruise to relax. It’s been about 50 years.”

That’s almost like exile.

“After cleaning up like that, there wasn’t much excitement. I’ve already enjoyed all the wealth and prosperity available in the Empire, and as the owner of the Tower of Magic, I’ve done everything I wanted. So, I got bored.”

“You have good fortune.”

“I think so too.”

This witch, who was impossible to gauge in terms of age, blinked her eyes while responding nonchalantly. She was definitely smiling, but there was something eerie about that smile. Why is it that when you see a clown mask, you feel an instinctual unease?

“And it was during that time that Adriana came to me. She had questions about a different soul.”

“Reincarnation or other universes were not my areas of interest, but she pleaded so earnestly. So, I pretended it was research and listened. A wish.”

“A wish? You mean a wish?”

Is my will about to extinguish into Minsu’s belly?

“Yes, a wish. She wished for herself, even if her physical form departs, that ‘Adriana de Winter’ would not die. Isn’t that truly selfish and lovely?”

“Pardon me, but are you crazy?”

“I hear that kind of thing often.”

As Eselmond’s hand reached for the teacup, her gemstone bracelet clinked. The yellow, angular gems jingled softly.

“Anyway, that’s the end of it. Adriana asked for it, and I granted her wish. That’s why you’re here.”

“Why me?”

“I don’t know? Perhaps because it didn’t take long for someone to analyze. Also, you came here when the experiment was a success.”

“What do I need to do to go back?”

“That’s… It must be in your heart, right?”

Ever since revealing my identity, Eselmond only referred to me as ‘you’. She was a peculiar person, courteous in odd places and rude at crucial moments.

“You must love.”

“Excuse me?”

“You must love.”

What nonsense. I could see that she had a talent for spouting nonsense with a straight face. Love, that’s what it’s all about, some subjective and vague condition. I wanted to grab the witch’s collar, which had a sly expression as if she was trying to make fun of me.

However, Eselmond Bellua appeared to be around 2 meters tall, and even with pure physical strength alone, Adriana de Winter was quite fragile.

“Oh, seriously.”

“You don’t have any more questions?”

“If I ask more questions, can anything really change?”

“Of course not.”

Eselmond, who got up from her seat, hopped around the garden, humming a tune. Clearly, anyone voluntarily staying up all night had something off in their head.

The garden was full of flowers, trees, and mysterious herbs. Some of the leaves were thick and broad, resembling cabbage, while others looked like lettuce. When Eselmond got closer, they sparkled with various colors, like poisonous mushrooms.

“Can you eat the things here?”

“They’re all used for potions. If mixed incorrectly, they could become poisonous, but there’s nothing here that would kill you if you chewed it raw. Why?”

“No, I was just wondering if I could pickle them like kimchi…”

“What?”

“No, never mind.”

Kindly, Eselmond personally recorded the books I wanted to borrow and even escorted me out. It was baffling, but in the end, I was the only one at a disadvantage.

Very generously, the eccentric genius with a screw loose took a liking to me, and if I was lucky, I might even hope for more useful advice than before.

I couldn’t help but wonder what I could expect from that lunatic.

××.

“Madam, a letter has arrived for you.”

“For me?”

Adriana, who had severed most of her human relationships since taking on her current body, received a letter? She wanted to tear open the wax-sealed letter like a proper lady, but the envelope material was unexpectedly thick. It was truly an extravagant waste of resources.

With the paper knife that April had provided, she managed to open the envelope somewhat gracefully.

“Dearest Woong… It’s been a while since I visited the capital, Woong…”

“What does it say?”

“It’s nothing special.”

“But it’s a letter from the House of Magnolia. It’s not from someone without a reason, right?”

“Oh, how did you know?”

“The family seal is on it. Wasn’t it time for you to memorize it?”

“I’m from the generation of spoon-fed education, so I don’t know that!”

Unless the teacher puts it directly into my head, I can’t do that kind of thing! I need to highlight and summarize it, or I won’t remember it.

However, if I said that much, it would seem too geeky, so I kept quiet. After all, the person who brought me here in the first place was involved, so I didn’t want to be overly kind. Honestly, if the boss decided to proceed with a project, how could the lower ranks possibly stop it?

Of course, April was a lifelong, 100 percent loyal worker, but from a 21st-century capitalist perspective, she was somewhat tolerable.

“It’s really nothing special. Since you’re in the capital after a long time, why don’t you come and see for yourself? If you miss it that much, you can come on your own.”

“Are you the Duke, or…”

“‘With love, sent by Elliot Magnolia.'”

The sender was Adriana’s one and only male brother. Did these guys usually use such cheesy words? Saying ‘with love’ to his younger sister, including formal greetings, was cringe-worthy step by step.

“What are you going to do?”

“What do you mean?”

“When are you going?”

“I’m not going.”

“What?”

“Huh?”

The two of us stared at each other stupidly and then sighed in frustration. It was a lackluster gesture with no enthusiasm.

“But if you don’t go, they’ll probably come to find you themselves…”

“Are they that persistent?”

“Well, they can’t stand being ignored, you know. Their will is also the Duke’s will.”

April criticized Adriana’s twin brother without hesitation. After Adriana’s mother died giving birth to her, the Duke grieved only for his wife’s death and cherished his daughter. As for her brother, he never accepted his younger sister, born after their mother’s death.

It was a cliché setting. Both of them had acted this way all along, yet they probably wished for Adriana’s happiness.

How self-satisfied they must be.

Well, it’s just a simple guess.

Jumping to conclusions, you say? Well then, instead of this reckless and audacious content – forget it. Why bother? It’s not even my family.

“I should go, then.”

“Are you really going?”

“They say they’ll come if I don’t, and then I won’t be able to escape. I’ll go and fix the will, or something.”

“What?”

“Just kidding. …I’ll go and bring out the liquor in the chest.”

“Are you joking?”

“I’m serious.”

If he spent several years drowning in alcohol, engulfed in the grief of losing his wife and neglecting his children, it wouldn’t be unfair to pass on a few well-preserved boxes of liquor to his daughter.

Strangely, he felt a burning hostility towards a man from another family whom he had never even met.

Instead of elegantly taking out a pen and writing a kind response, I chose sturdy shoes and dark pants. If he talked nonsense, I was willing to kick him in the shins with my shoe heels.

***

“Are you really okay like this?”

“I’m fine.”

“Maybe a bit more, dress up-“

“Why bother when there’s no one worth impressing? If they love me, they should accept me like this.”

Callian seemed to have given up pointing out my ill-fitting attire. When I first roamed around in loose shirts and trousers, the servants, though reluctantly, questioned if Callian was an apprentice knight. However, these days, I appreciated the fact that he didn’t criticize me even when I strolled through the garden in my Schumitz attire, as long as I stayed within the mansion.

Indeed, one should find joy in the small discoveries of everyday life. This is the secret of happiness, the key to longevity.

The mansion in the capital was close to the palace, as befitting its high status. It was nestled near the palace, and I didn’t feel the need to elaborate on how close it was to the powerful Magnolia family’s Duke’s mansion and the even wealthier Winter family’s Grand Duke’s mansion, with their deep blue bloodlines.

I could have walked with the feeling that I could go for a stroll if I wanted to, but the problem was, I didn’t know the way. I knew it was nearby, but I wasn’t sure which direction to take. However, I had neither the energy nor the inclination to stop passersby, flaunting my conspicuous silver hair, and ask for directions. Because I lacked the will, the desire, and the affection for such an endeavor.

“We have arrived, Madam.”

The Duke’s mansion was truly magnificent. Whether it was the taste of previous generations or the Duke’s own preference, there was no shortage of lavishness in the places where they spared no expense. Oh, of course, I’m not saying they literally used gold.

“Oh my, Miss! No, Your Majesty! If you were coming, you should have informed us in advance!”

“It’s been a while. Ah- I mean, Your Grace, the Grand Duchess.”

Seasoned servants greeted one after another. Some were surprised by my sudden visit and simple attire, their pupils slightly dilating, heads shaking, and lips trembling.

It was an unexpected visit, but both the Duke and Elliott were at the mansion. Just as I considered whether to take a look around the drawing room or not, the two of them entered. Tsk, lacking in tact.

“…What’s with that untidy attire, Adriana?”

Before exchanging dry greetings, the Duke scrutinized my unkempt hair and scuffed boots, furrowing his brow. Adriana had a face that bore no resemblance whatsoever. Was she really his child?

If you ask if I had a meal, where would that get you?

“What’s the matter?”

“You being a respected Grand Duchess-“

“Then treat me as a Grand Duchess at least. Why are you using informal language?”

“What?”

“Why are you using informal language? Are you friends with the Grand Duke and me?”

Back in my day, you know? If someone had a higher rank than me, I’d use formal language. Of course, it’s not that simple with the Grand Duchess and the Duke. In truth, I’d rather not adapt to the hierarchy of the caste-based society this much!

“Adriana, you-“

“What, huh? Do you have a complaint?”

Oops. I wanted to flip the table entirely, but the Confucian values that had been dormant within me were vehemently against it. Well, it was challenging to be mischievous toward adults—although I didn’t really want to treat them as such just because they were from the older generation.

Oh my, my heart is just too tender, after all.