Chapter 14

# 14

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Despite the numerous people milling about in the lobby, a tension hung in the air, as if the audience was waiting for the protagonist to utter the first line on stage. Occasionally, a low sigh would escape, like the sound of an instrument being played. They held their breath unconsciously, completely focused on Navia's every step. At that moment, a maid with auburn hair quickly descended the stairs. She held a thick towel respectfully in both hands. It was Charlotte. "Miss, your body is getting cold. Wrap yourself in the towel." Navia, unexpectedly moved by Charlotte's attentive care, showed a brief look of surprise. Her wide eyes soon softened into a clear and adorable smile, as if the aura of authority she had exuded just moments ago was nothing but an illusion. "Thank you, Charlotte." The servants, who had forgotten how to breathe, finally let out a long sigh. They scratched their heads, puzzled by how much they had tensed up at the sight of Navia. Navia wrapped the towel around her body and bit the tender flesh inside her mouth. She had let her manners slip again while thinking about the Black Moon. 'It's okay. It might be better to show that I know some manners.' After all, Navia was currently masquerading as a noble's daughter. It was safer to meet Nikan's expectations until she could leave this place. As Navia ascended the stairs with Charlotte, she glanced down at the Black Moon. 'What kind of power is this?' The Black Moon, which had emitted a dangerous light when absorbing Wood's magic, now lay docile like a predator with its claws retracted. 'I should change my clothes and go to the library.' The Agnes family was wealthy. They were wealthy, but that was their only virtue, a thorn in the side of the Agnes family. The water magic they used was indeed powerful, but it lacked versatility. In contrast, what about the Esselred family? They had always produced brilliant mages, regardless of the magical abilities they were born with. The Agnes family, in an attempt to compensate for their weaknesses, built a vast library with an enormous collection of books. They probably had the second-largest collection of magic-related books after the Esselred family. Unfortunately, Navia had already read most of the books in the library in her attempt to discover the regression ability. 'Still, there might be something I missed.' "Sister?" Navia, who had been walking with her gaze fixed on the floor, suddenly lifted her head. In her field of vision, a lovely girl with pink hair appeared. "Bibian." Bibian, holding a teddy bear that was half her height, spoke to her personal maids. "Look, Maki. Isn't that Navia?" "Hehe, yes, it is." Bibian tilted her head. "But why is she here? This is the third floor." It was an innocent question, but if someone else had asked it, it could have been considered rude. Charlotte's expression hardened. In contrast, Bibian's personal maids giggled, covering their mouths with handkerchiefs. Navia, who had just faced a public humiliation, remained as calm as a still lake. The giggling maids gradually fell silent, sensing something was amiss. Navia finally spoke. "Sorry, Bibi. I couldn't hear you over the laughter of your maids. Could you repeat that?" "Th-that...!" The maids, unable to retort, blushed. Bibian repeated her words innocently. "Sister's room is on the second floor. Did you come to see Bibi on the third floor?" Navia smiled. "Oh, that's what you meant? Father said I could use the third floor too." "Wow, really? That's great! Then Bibi can play with you every day!" Bibian smiled and approached Navia, hugging her waist. She then jumped back in surprise. "Eek, what's this?" The maids, who had been glaring at Navia, protectively shielded Bibian. "What's wrong, Miss?" Bibian frowned. "It feels wet and yucky. It's dirty!" "What...?" Charlotte, about to protest, was interrupted. "Charlotte." Navia's quiet call restrained Charlotte. She understood the frustration of seeing her mistress treated rudely. 'But if I protest, it will only make things worse for me.' It was inevitable. Bibian was the real Agnes princess, who could be forgiven for anything, while Navia was just her stand-in. Besides, Navia had been mistreated for so long that she was no longer easily hurt or angered by such treatment. "We can just ask Navia to do these annoying tasks. She'll do anything we ask." Innocent ignorance. It was a natural result of the belief that Navia should always comply. Still, Navia always tried to be a good sister, a kind sister. If Bibian caught a light cold, Navia would stay up all night to nurse her. She would even coax Bibian to eat a bowl of congee when she refused to eat. In fact, Bibian was healthy, except for the unpredictable surges of her magic. It was Navia, who didn't eat properly and lacked rest, who often fell ill. Still, it was okay. Bibian was a pitiful girl with a terminal illness, wasn't she? 'And we are sisters.' However, Bibian's supposed terminal illness always seemed to improve. Whether Navia did nothing or tried to hasten the process, Bibian always escaped the danger of magic backlash. 'And I always died.' Always. Every time. Still, Navia didn't blame Bibian. Honestly, it was just too much trouble to care anymore. Navia smoothly lied, wearing her mask of a kind sister. "Oh, sorry. I got wet playing in the water with my brother." Navia deliberately mentioned playing in the water. 'That way, Bibian will get angry.' On the surface, it would seem like Navia was foolishly defending Wood's mistake. As expected, even Charlotte and the other maids didn't understand the hidden meaning in Navia's words. "What?!" Bibian's face twisted in anger. "Why did you play without Bibi? Sister is mean. Bibi wants to play in the water too!" "You'll catch a cold, Bibi." The maids were in a difficult position. They had already heard about the commotion in the east wing. It wasn't the right time to suggest playing in the water with Wood. Maki, the head maid, glared at Navia. 'If you're going to make excuses, at least be smart about it, you stupid fake princess!' "Miss, why don't you play with your toys in the bathtub?" "But Bibi wants to play in the water with my brother." Navia gently persuaded her. "Bibi, let's play later. My brother is busy now and can't play with you." "Liar." Bibian huffed. "Bibi will go talk to my brother herself." "Oh, Miss!" Bibian ignored the hands trying to hold her back. Navia tried to stop her awkwardly, but Bibian pushed her away. "Don't stop me!" Navia stepped back, shrinking away. "Come on, Miss!" The maids glared at Navia and followed Bibian. Charlotte, left alone on the third floor, finally let out her pent-up frustration. "How can they treat Miss like this? Especially Maki...!" Navia calmly replied. "It's okay. It's not the first time." Charlotte was speechless at her calm response. 'Yes...' Navia had always been like this. When her heart felt heavy, Navia would suddenly make an odd request. "Charlotte, can you prepare some iced tea and pumpkin congee? If you say it's for Father, the kitchen staff will do it." Charlotte, though puzzled by the sudden request, agreed. "I'll change Miss's clothes and then go." Navia shook her head. "I can do it myself. Take the snacks to Father as soon as they're ready. I'll be in the library." Charlotte, moved by Navia's mature attitude, bowed. "As you wish." After sending Charlotte away, Navia returned to her room, changed into dry clothes, and dried her hair. 'If I go to the library like this, it might be a bit cold.' It would be nice to have some warm water. Navia, who only had Charlotte as her personal maid, had no one to ask for such a favor. Instead of warm water, she put on an extra layer of clothing and headed to the library. She often went to the library. 'I've spent many nights there working on Edward's assignments.' Even without that, she had been locked in the library as punishment for copying texts. Creak. Since no one except Navia used the library in the Agnes household, the door was not well-oiled. She walked around the library, gathering all the books with promising titles and stacking them on her desk. She didn't have high hopes. 'I've already checked all the accessible libraries and archives, but found nothing special.' She suspected this ability would be similar. "Still, I have to look." Navia flipped through the pages of the books. #03. | Trap