Chapter 119: Fina (6)
SjBQWJD‘To become a 4-star mage, one must leap over or break through that invisible wall.’8NZWq6K
av6lLate at night, Fina let her hair fall and silently gazed at the stars in the night sky.PxQWw
rLQ5‘I wonder if that mage, Adelbert, also knew that.’LrSG
otK6hkThe man called Dereck, who was struggling as her disciple, was quite talented, but he was still one step short of reaching the level of a 4-star mage.NISiTA
WoMWAs someone who considered herself his master, it was her duty to create the opportunity for him to overcome that wall.SGqr
DgbN7UFina gave a faint, bitter smile, then leaped off the rooftop and landed in the mansion’s backyard, where no one could see her.VAd15
qwEtLG9And as she hid among the shadows, she blinked a few times, letting her eyes glow faintly.WmpKl
HuDit***z3Pv
324fwYS“Haah.”9yE
rx9tNWhen Aiselin opened her eyes in bed, the sun was already high in the sky.X3N
C87YKcLThe autumn breeze coming through the window, rustling the curtains, gave her a warm sensation.NAlmLUh
ZC61“Huh… what…?”Gj8sffV
tDyAiselin blinked, and only after sitting up did she understand the situation.zAuQr
WYZTThe last thing she remembered was being startled at the sudden sight of blood, hurriedly grabbing a handkerchief, and then losing consciousness, as if she were floating away.JjknD
gQiBx“Sister!”NZz
uJKiew“Lady Siern…”Hf56KZj
A2iSiern, who had been watching over her beside the bed, immediately stood up and took Aiselin’s hands.O0qV7
juoeSnAIt was rare to see the normally irritable and sharp Siern display such an emotional expression. It was almost the first time since that incident at the Rochester estate, when Aiselin had seemed to be stabbed by Dereck’s sword.jr6CW
TVK91“Sister Aiselin, you finally woke up. Do you feel any discomfort? Is your vision blurry, or do you have a headache?”I9UrJK6
3zldg“Lady Siern… I… what happened…?”bedVK2
KMb“I heard you fainted from overwork. You’ve been unconscious for almost four days and only woke up today. I must inform Delbriton.”rwsH
cvVRWith a relieved expression, Siern quickly left the room.HXbL
ULIIt seemed she had stayed by Aiselin’s side nearly the entire time during those four days.JXjY
a1QXKs‘Asleep for four days…?’wdudGkj
APB9fAiselin was so shocked that she had to catch her breath.sGmrXa
6uggYxAs a key figure of the Ravenclaw Training Center, she had so many responsibilities that even being absent for half a day caused work to pile up.KO6I
hqoj4WBut having been unconscious for four days—the center must be on the verge of collapse.vaiVe
qZn‘My God! How could I make such a mistake…!’uiVcE
tbKpELhAiselin covered her face with both hands, horrified.CDE51CZ
KXYLYTo have neglected her health at such a crucial time, just as the center was beginning to stabilize—it must seem like a great discourtesy to Dereck, who sought perfection in everything.bygZP9n
YgcEpShe had always prided herself on enjoying her work and claimed that no one needed to worry about her, yet when it truly mattered, she had collapsed from exhaustion. How shameful and unreliable.2cu7W
rYOAll of that was the result of her lack of discipline. Aiselin sighed deeply, still covering her face.u3FI
g4OZcW‘And to think that at that time I was wasting it being jealous of Lady Fina, trying to get Dereck’s attention when there were important things to do, getting distracted by nonsense and ending up collapsing from fatigue…’Fvz7
MOBu‘How embarrassing—I’m a pitiful person…’GIbfAbq
tfrEaCQAiselin knew Dereck well.nUG1rcF
bb1tzAfter working with him for so long, she believed she deeply understood his way of thinking.i63EK
A8MMA07He was endlessly patient when teaching young ladies, but when it came to work, he was as sharp as a blade.lGV0bn
Qfe5aeDHe reprimanded and punished servants or subordinates strictly whenever they showed irresponsibility. He was almost inflexible when it came to duty, so he would surely be very disappointed by Aiselin’s careless conduct.cWg
Ma0seWl‘I must apologize but… how…?’Tar0eaP
ybpAiselin lamented with her head down when suddenly—rm3Iu
w0PBang!fTNu
0LJThe people Siern had called opened the door and rushed in.yPj
6yOYqThere was the person in charge of medical matters, the butler, the deputy director of the center, Lady Siern, and at the front of them all, leading the group, stood Baron Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw.Byyo
FFvuIt seemed that everyone had dropped what they were doing some still held pens, others still wore their work coats. They had run over as soon as they heard the news.FsQN7sQ
hSyi9hQ“Miss Aiselin, you’ve opened your eyes.”n7M0RE
phy“Yes, yes… Lord Dereck. It’s just that…”lqR1N
ttuEyP“What a relief.”NwQv8DB
FKgDereck stepped forward and sank into the wooden chair beside Aiselin’s bed.xjl
cUIThen he spoke slowly, looking into her eyes.QXnRA
FnAyF“Do you feel any discomfort? Any other pain?”vo8J
Flm0“Eh? No… I was just tired… I’m sorry. I didn’t expect it to end up like this…”WMfQ
Th7“Apologize? For what?”RkM
HbTWH“Well, for the work schedule…”uKkwW
zst“…”KecDh
TazGHDereck silently looked at Aiselin, who stared down guiltily, and then pressed a hand to his forehead with a heavy voice.QFDv9
z10RrGV“Miss Aiselin. This isn’t something you should be apologizing for.”OiZ4f
IPb8umQ“But many people must have been affected by my four-day absence…”4mAb
j231t0q“Who in their right mind would blame someone who collapsed from overwork? If anything, this is largely my fault as the person in charge. I knew that Miss Aiselin was always burdened with an unrealistic amount of tasks, and yet I overlooked it.”NoF6E
x1S“No, that’s not…”FNH9u
3qNDgHnDereck firmly took Aiselin’s hands.5uNt7JQ
hPYOiPhHer face flushed at the sudden contact. She barely managed to suppress a small gasp as an electric shiver ran down her spine.C4eu
o40ds“Miss Aiselin. This incident has made me realize something. There’s a limit to governing only through criticism and reprimand. Only by deeply understanding the circumstances and the way each person works within the barony can one truly lead.”bmpeDtK
q8SbPxF“No, you don’t have to say all that…”lpCw
il0aBy the way, Dereck’s hands were really large. He wasn’t particularly tall, but his body felt incredibly solid. And his hands—so warm.m9F
wi891e0Even his face was very close, and his fragrance—a mix of wood and wild roses—surrounded her.XdC3O5
CRj5M8Trivial, insignificant details filled Aiselin’s mind, tormenting her. Her brain felt like it was about to overload; her head burned, and she had to take a deep breath.Gr7AnI
WkJL1EeSeeing her like that, Dereck frowned.CXi
aohOxQn“It seems your body hasn’t fully recovered yet.”Hrev1
dzlb“No, it’s just… um… yes… you’re right…”os3G
m0mxJxw“In any case, I’ve reflected deeply because of this incident. I should have treated you better while you were here. I took your sacrifices and dedication for granted.”5iG7vcz
vn3“No, you mustn’t think that way. I truly enjoy what I do—besides, it helps my family too…”Uvjw
sroOJDereck, still seated in the wooden chair, spoke with an even more serious expression.9nK8wN
8FTavT“During these four days, I came to see you every day whenever I had a free moment. I don’t know what Miss Aiselin might think of that, but seeing you collapse because of my negligence made me reflect.”jjG
YIhYn“Every day… you came to see me…?”HrttH
CxxDereck was just as busy as Aiselin, barely having time to breathe.UtEK
WiHOften, to make time for such things, he had to sacrifice part of his schedule, but the fact that he came every day to check on her condition and watch over her made Aiselin feel strangely moved.ZINA
E0Y4vIt was a tacit confirmation that Dereck truly cared for her.U3iBd
ELC“Please rest this week. It’s best to be cautious until you’re completely sure your body has recovered.”MrAgxDI
Dz8b“I—I’m fine…”MuiEr
0tS“No, you’re not. I’ll come regularly to check on you myself, so focus solely on your recovery.”lCfeCV
NLte“E—every day…?”V47
5p5NqftAiselin, lying diagonally across the bed, let out a small hiccup.Nhzc2
7dH8GIt was already difficult to see Dereck’s face even once, but now he was saying he would come every day, sit beside her, ask how she was, talk about trivial things, and spend time with her.o90n1B
QDEJbANo matter how busy his schedule was, it was absurd for him to go to such lengths for her, so Aiselin tried to shake her head—but it was as if something had caught in her throat, and she couldn’t move it.Tzf
Sn77“That’s…”nAf
fbtBfo“Dereck is right, Aiselin! You have to rest!”wyy2g
yEpSiern, who rarely raised her voice, also stepped forward with a worried expression and looked at Aiselin.bxNxtHN
wDt2jSiern, who always had tea with her whenever she had time, had been taking etiquette lessons and felt that life in the mansion would become empty without Aiselin.m3a7B0
jIYG2IkHer already tired face showed genuine concern. Even the other servants and the butler, Delbritton, bowed their heads guiltily as they looked at bedridden Aiselin.8VW
XlzBN1j‘What… what is this feeling…?’YFyOR
XlRYJAiselin felt a thick, warm sensation forming in her heart.P6C
sqkbDwPThe young woman had no way of understanding it yet—the regret, loneliness, and obsession that reside in the human heart.5i9WRYG
NLrVhPI‘I feel… satisfied, somehow… Why… why…? This… this is wrong…’sTjiNgz
0F3x9MThe sinister sense of fulfillment inherent in human nature confused her, and she could only keep questioning it.2w1
kBw7MFor someone as composed as Aiselin, that emotion was completely new.NaG7bBa
3jnsF7h***Sbv
7TJniLAfter that, Dereck truly began visiting Aiselin’s room every day to check on her condition and ask if she felt any discomfort.d5SQ
8QmO3He would sit by her bed and tell her what had happened at the training center or mention that many young ladies were worried about her while waiting for the temporarily suspended etiquette classes to resume.YVkEL
yz6“They also talked about holding a tea party in the garden, but since the baron’s mansion is smaller than the estates of the great nobles, it seems a bit difficult.”mZH
9KxE“Hahaha. That’s true. Mr. Delbritton also suggested expanding the garden, and I think it would be good to consider it positively.”eVcDdov
aU557“The budget has become a bit more flexible—I’ll suggest it to the administrators.”635Ls9
r5ttAfter a few days, Aiselin, who had been weak, regained some strength and was able to sit at the table.6gP
8xyO2The servants also took care of her meals, so her previously gaunt appearance became elegant and beautiful once again—it was as if she were surrounded by a garden of flowers every day.NlG8oUd
JtNjJpAnd above all, Dereck visited her daily.mkVk
iLrTalking with him gave her a strange sense of fulfillment, as if she were enjoying the finest vacation.RIGNH2
s8J0fdThus, Aiselin drank tea and basked in the sunlight with Dereck.r3O6N
mSwThe difference between now and when she had been running endlessly between tasks at the center was immense.8OZPj
cKNgcShe spent her days doing nothing—just resting or chatting with the people who came to visit her—and that was all she did.0cAFigc
Tte83DyThere was a limit to how long she could keep people busy around her, so she decided to convince herself to enjoy that happiness for a few days and spent pleasant moments with Dereck.sHg8zM
hovJQ“Lady Ellen is scheduled to visit next week.”1XfA
FK1lAnd just like that, the happiness that had soared to the heavens disintegrated in an instant.kgx
77R13O“What…?”0Bj
tes1“We’ve informed the Duplain family and the Rose Salon that Lady Aiselin has been unwell. It’s the proper thing to do. If anything were to happen to you, we must notify them immediately.”hdOz73
g8A7k“Well, that’s true. My family would want to know how I’m doing, but why Lady Ellen…?”m9IZWG
AHZZUWhen they competed at the Rose Salon, Ellen had been wary of Aiselin.qVm2
qCxGHowever, recently, that relationship had reversed. Although it was hard to explain, Aiselin felt a strange reaction whenever she heard Ellen was coming—her breathing would catch, and her gaze would go blank.jp3ld7
1m1IH“Although it’s been some time since Lady Aiselin was removed from the Rose Salon, she still has many acquaintances. Many wanted to visit you, and although I declined most of them, there were a few I couldn’t refuse.”uvd
BiZ9N8Ellen, the rightful heir of House Belmierd, was not someone a rural baron could easily manage.sHJrqYY
wlvueE“Lady Denise as well.”7goHO5
ULUXAiselin felt a chill run down her spine.FLgh
6rALately, Ellen had shown a strange hostility toward her, and Denise, being naturally lazy, was not one to form deep relationships.9IjNN7
vwPAIt would have been enough to send a polite, elegant gift, but the fact that both were personally coming to the Ravenclaw Mansion could only mean one thing—they had ulterior motives.qjNnx6f
4F0zpZsIn short, their apparent concern for Aiselin was nothing but an excuse.au3Q
i7kGz7GIt was unpleasant to use someone’s illness as a pretext to act. Of course, Aiselin was gentle by nature and not the type to get angry over such things.Z5B
sG1WW1Even so, she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.nHRJ
J3kubNEllen perhaps just wanted to see Dereck’s face.jTj1OBB
sn7But why would Denise come?ToEPz74
E7WWhile Ellen’s intentions as an influential woman were understandable, Denise’s—as a strategist—were a complete mystery.OMq5
wTrnAnd that made Aiselin feel even more uneasy.S1G
KIU“…”TDgU
o2j9YAs Aiselin’s face turned pale again, Dereck, who was drinking tea in front of her, let out a deep sigh.1Pd7Tpv
O1TVGnIt seemed the day when Aiselin’s fatigue would finally disappear was still far away.PIIF
CRdWy***eoh
rwRq“…”eD2xmFp
3xODenise pinned a lovely rose-shaped brooch to her chest, put on a dress with moderately decorated frills, and boarded the carriage.la0Xj
OtViJIOnce seated inside the luxurious vehicle, she held her breath for a moment, furrowed her brow as if something weighed on her mind, and let out a long sigh.1tPfQ
5Bxhxbn“I told you, Dereck. I’m just a chess piece.”qD2KM
Kb7PTW4Inside the carriage heading toward the baron’s mansion of Ravenclaw, the young woman murmured softly, though there was no one who could hear her.o4Vk
KlmAePThe Grand Duke Beltus was attempting, one way or another, to control and bring down the Barony of Ravenclaw.pvx
fO6And in any case, Denise was in no position to oppose his will.MdLzxG
pwIlZ1Even though she was on her way to reunite with her long-awaited teacher, she felt as though a great weight hung over her chest.4YhQ
daYW3CIf the opportunity arises, strike Dereck from behind. Until then, earn his trust and stay close to him.Gawwh
M7ahLThe heavy message of the Grand Duke Beltus weighed upon the girl’s shoulders.esKcBN
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