Chapter 12

# 12

|

Nabia looked at her wrist with wide eyes.

A black crescent moon was scattering a pitch-black light, filled with a dangerous aura.

The moment she thought, 'What is this?'

Kuaaaa-!

The water pillar that had trapped her was instantly sucked into the moon.

Wood was shocked.

"What, what is this? This can't be happening!"

The water pillar completely disappeared.

Nabia, freed from her watery prison, collapsed onto the floor.

"Choking! Huh, huh…."

She looked at the black moon with bewildered eyes.

From the moon, which had absorbed Wood's water magic, she could feel a powerful force she had never experienced before.

You can return this magic to that girl.

It was as if the moon's whisper was in her ear.

'Wood's magic has been absorbed.'

The black moon had 'stolen' Wood's magic.

Nabia clenched and unclenched her fists, feeling the unfamiliar power.

She wasn't a mage.

But she could use the stolen magic.

Nabia opened her mouth.

"Big brother."

Wood, who had been shocked by the water pillar disappearing against his will, regained his senses as if struck by lightning.

His pupils dilated with an unknown anxiety, sensing instinctive danger like a wild animal.

The magic disappeared because of her.

She is an opponent I can't possibly beat.

'I am definitely going to die!'

Ignoring the warning from his instincts, Wood roared.

"Shut up! Who is your big brother?!"

He cursed with all his might, raising his voice even more to sound threatening, trying to scare Nabia.

Nabia slowly stood up.

Her red eyes, visible through her thoroughly soaked silver hair, were fixed on Wood.

A cruelly beautiful smile hung on her lips.

"Did you know that violence must be controlled with greater violence?"

That's what your father taught me.

"Ugh!"

Nabia gauged the time it would take for the water pillar to disappear.

To maintain the water pillar, continuous magical power was needed, which was impossible for her since she wasn't a mage.

Therefore, the water pillar would disappear after using up the magical power absorbed from Wood.

"You won't die, then."

This wasn't an accident that could be covered up.

The deed was already done, and it was better to use the situation to her advantage.

"Stay trapped, big brother."

Nabia smiled and ran out toward the lobby.

As she entered the lobby, numerous eyes from the noble family were cast upon her.

The more eyes, the better.

"Big brother Wood is in danger!"

Mentioning Wood, the reaction was immediate.

"What? What do you mean by that!"

Nabia pointed to the entrance of the east wing from which she had just emerged.

"Big brother is trapped in water!"

* * *

At that moment, Nikan was in his study.

He frowned as he read the invitation in his hand.

It was an invitation from the Empress.

The Empress had sent an invitation, saying that the newly hired Taphise had done a great job with the winter interior design and she was planning to hold a tea party in five days, inviting him to visit.

Nikan burst out laughing, finding it absurd.

Does she think I would be curious about the skills of that Taphise who laid spotted fur in the Empress's palace, making it look like a young bourgeois's house?

They say the Duke's adopted daughter is very beautiful, and I'm curious about the family that produced such a beautiful daughter.

It was a demand for a family portrait, suspecting Nabia's true identity.

"Do you think I wouldn't understand your intentions?"

Nikan had anticipated such a situation and prepared a portrait.

When a smile of mockery toward the Empress appeared on his lips, there was a knock.

Knock knock.

Linden, the butler, entered and reported.

"Master, Duke Spencer requests an audience."

Nikan looked up at the butler and checked the time.

'Hmm? Earlier than usual.'

Nabia had finished her basic studies and recently started advanced lessons.

To maneuver Nabia skillfully in the royal court in the future, lessons in politics, economics, and history were essential.

During this process, brainwashing her to obey Agnes was also necessary.

'I am already gradually and completely taming her with mind control magic.'

Mind control magic was a common ability in the royal court but occasionally appeared in others as well.

One of them was Edward.

Nikan folded the letter and said.

"Let him in."

Click.

Edward, a young man of twenty-six, greeted him with an unusually dry attitude.

"I greet Duke Agnes."

Nikan highly valued his composed demeanor.

'This matter should appear as simply hiring the best tutor to perfectly raise my adopted daughter.'

Thus, it was problematic if Edward stood out too much, but an unmarried, capable, young, and handsome man naturally drew attention.

Nikan made sure Edward moved in a way that wouldn't attract too much attention.

He used a secret passage to come to the study, not the lobby.

In other words, their paths were different.

"Come in. Sit here."

When the two sat down at the table, Nikan asked.

"So, how is Nabia's progress?"

Edward rubbed the ring of the contract and spoke.

"Did Lady Nabia experience a significant mental shock yesterday?"

Nikan's eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"Why do you ask that?"

Edward smoothly lied.

"The brainwashing has weakened. That's why I ended today's lesson early."

Nikan barely managed to keep his expression from crumpling.

'It must be because of the fire yesterday.'

At this crucial time for his great cause, the one causing trouble was his own son.

He rubbed his temples and asked, almost sighing.

"……Then what should we do?"

"It's not a difficult matter. As long as her mind is calmed, it will be fine."

Yesterday, he had given her the third floor, and now he had to do something else, which he found quite unpleasant.

'I'll just buy her new clothes and jewelry.'

He also planned to grant her a luxurious banquet.

It wasn't hard to predict Nabia's reaction to the sumptuous feast spread across the large table under the chandelier made of gold and crystal.

'Dealing with commoners who have never enjoyed such luxury is so easy.'

"Indeed, it's not a difficult matter."

Bam!

At that moment, the butler, who had been waiting outside, rushed into the room.

For the usually neat and solemn butler to act so rudely, the problem must be serious.

"Master, something terrible has happened! Young Master is trapped in a water pillar!"

"What do you mean! Trapped in a water pillar?!"

"We must go to the first floor immediately! If we don't, something terrible might happen to Young Master!"

Nikan, forgetting that Edward was there, hurriedly followed Linden. The direction was strange.

The butler was heading toward the first-floor east wing.

'At this time, no one is allowed to enter the east wing.'

This was true for Wood as well.

"There it is!"

The butler pointed to where Wood was coughing up water.

Nikan, with a horrified look, shouted.

"Wood!"

Nikan pressed Senator Hans, who had already arrived, for answers.

"Wood? Is Wood alright?"

"Fortunately, he managed to escape the water in time, so there's no serious problem."

Nikan let out a sigh of relief.

Even with the naked eye, Wood seemed to be conscious, though thoroughly soaked.

'But why was Wood suddenly trapped in a water pillar?'

Moreover, he could feel a strong trace of magical power in this place.

This was…… his son's magical power.