Chapter 20
“It’s embarrassing to say, but it’s truly a wonderful place. It’s a small territory up north, but quite lively.”
“The north? I’m from the north too!”
“Of course I know. The Hess barony may be small and rural, but the prestige of House Crimson reaches even there.”
At Nadia’s flattery, Yuria burst out laughing. It hadn’t been long since they met, but somehow Nadia already felt comfortable enough to make light jokes.
“Lady Hess, did you know? Al is from the south, so he whines if it’s even the least bit cold.”
“How embarrassing. Yuria, please, don’t say that in front of a lady we just met.”
“Isn’t it just because she’s a beauty you’ve just met?”
Arkis and Yuria looked truly close. Though their houses were from opposite ends of the continent—the north and the south—they seemed like actual siblings.
Yuria eagerly started conversations with Nadia, even suggesting they all go to a nearby coffee house together.
Originally, Nadia had planned only to exchange greetings today, but she had already gained more than expected.
The three of them went to a coffee house with private rooms and enjoyed tea time together.
In that short span, they had already grown close enough to call one another by name.
“Nadia, you said you came to the capital for the debutante ball, right? May I invite you to my family’s townhouse sometime?”
“Of course, Yuria.”
There was no way Nadia would pass up such a golden opportunity to learn more about House Crimson.
Yuria, delighted, clasped Nadia’s hands tightly.
Her eyes sparkled brightly, but she didn’t seem merely innocent—there was clearly something she wanted from Nadia.
And Yuria was not the type to scheme in a calculated way.
“Nadia, may I ask you something? Back at the racetrack, how did you know Big Raven would come in first place?”
“Um…”
“Oh, come on, tell me! I’m dying to know.”
Yuria pressed her eagerly.
Nadia had seen something shining near Big Raven’s heart. She didn’t know what it was, but she felt drawn to the horse and chose it. She hadn’t actually known it would win.
Would it be advantageous or dangerous to speak the truth?
Nadia pretended to hesitate, carefully calculating her response.
At that moment, Arkis asked in a gentle voice:
“Are you truly… a mage?”
Yuria jumped in as if she had been waiting for him to ask.
“Yes! That’s what I wanted to know too. Are you really a mage?”
For once, Nadia looked truly flustered, her eyes going wide.
She couldn’t understand what horse racing had to do with magic.
Now that she thought about it, Yuria had also asked earlier if she was “like Arkis, a mage.”
Back when she had been Livenya, Nadia had talent in almost every field—except for magic.
It was said that all things contained mana, and by grasping it and linking it to one’s core, one could wield magic.
But Nadia had never been able to sense mana, let alone feel the “core” said to exist within her body.
Would it still be the same, now that she had a different body?
The question touched something deeply fundamental.
She was no longer Livenya, and she could no longer do the things Livenya once could.
But perhaps, conversely, she might now be able to do things Livenya never could.
Like magic.
Not wanting to reveal her uncertainties, Nadia put up a guarded front.
“I don’t know a thing about magic. Big Raven just looked very healthy. He was smaller than the others, but his muscles were firm, and he seemed to have a good bond with his rider.”
Nadia thought Yuria might be disappointed by her answer—but instead Yuria looked even more excited.
“That makes it even more amazing! Al said Big Raven’s mana seemed to be glowing brighter than usual!”
“Mana glows?”
“Yes! Isn’t that unfair?”
At Yuria’s teasing tone, Arkis cleared his throat awkwardly.
“I usually try to play fair, but Yuria insisted I bet all my allowance…”
“Pfft! Doesn’t it look worse when the great Viscount Plang is tempted by a measly allowance? Al really is a fool.”
Nadia covered her mouth and laughed along with Yuria, then asked casually:
“So, does glowing mana mean a horse will win for sure?”
Arkis shook his head gently.
“There’s no guarantee it will win. If that were the case, there would already be a rule banning mages from entering racetracks. But Big Raven looked like he had awakened to the flow of mana, so I took a chance.”
“A horse can awaken to the flow of mana? Do you mean it can cast magic?”
“Oh no, not that. People tend to think mana is only connected to magic, but in fact mana is simply a force of nature that anyone can use. A skilled swordsman, for example, may not use magic but can sense mana well. Animals too, when they sense the flow of mana, can perform at their best.”
Nadia gave a short nod.
So the faint glow she had seen had been real.
‘Then maybe… this body can actually use magic.’
The realization startled her—it was a discovery she hadn’t expected. She wanted to rush home and test it immediately.
Before long, a servant from House Crimson arrived to escort Yuria home.
Yuria looked regretful as she said her goodbyes.
“My father’s so overprotective. If you visit our townhouse, we’ll have more time to talk. Oh, I’ll show you my horse too! Promise you’ll come, Nadia!”
Nadia smiled and waved gently.
Finally, she exchanged farewells with Arkis before boarding her carriage.
As soon as she sat down, Vivian whispered by her ear.
“My lady, I think the young viscount has fallen for you.”
“Mm? What are you talking about?”
“I’m serious. He couldn’t take his eyes off you! What if you end up the duchess one day?”
Vivian’s cheeks were flushed. At her age, gossip like this was the height of fun. Nadia chuckled lightly and shook her head.
“Don’t be ridiculous. The House of Plang is practically royalty in the south. Even the Crimson count’s daughter had to endure endless rumors when she married into that family. For a baron’s daughter like me, even a single rumor would be humiliating for them.”
She spoke with certainty. Yet Conrad, who had been listening quietly, added his thoughts.
“I too thought the young viscount seemed to be paying close attention to you, my lady. Whether it was romantic interest or not, I cannot say.”
“That’s just because he and Lady Crimson are already close. Since I was new, he showed me more courtesy. It was nothing but gentlemanly manners.”
Nadia truly believed that, but both Vivian and Conrad still looked doubtful.
Amused, Nadia gave a little laugh.
“Fine, let’s put it this way: that type of man is not my taste.”
“Oh? So picky! I thought he was dazzling.”
“I don’t like men prettier than me.”
Vivian burst into laughter at that.
Arkis was indeed beautiful—like a sun god from mythology. Even if he dressed as a woman, people might only think he was a tall, broad-shouldered lady.
Vivian, still giggling, teased further:
“Then… would you prefer a dependable man like Duke Baldwin?”
It was just a joke. After mentioning the radiant southern beauty, it was only natural to bring up the austere northern one.
After all, they were the two most handsome men Vivian had ever seen.
But despite knowing it was only a jest, Nadia couldn’t control her expression.
Her face stiffened as she replied firmly:
“Absolutely not. That’s impossible. Duke Baldwin deserves only a perfect wife.”
That was why she had come to the capital, after all—sacrificing her precious time to uncover the truth behind Livenya’s death, so Heinrich could be freed from his guilt.
For a moment, her emotions slipped out of control.
Vivian looked startled, unsure how to react.
Realizing her mistake, Nadia gently placed a hand on Vivian’s shoulder.
“…I’m sorry for speaking so harshly, Vivian. I’ve always admired Duke Baldwin, you see.”
“N-no, it was my fault. You’re always so kind to me, and I made a careless joke.”
Nadia smiled gently.
“When an invitation from House Crimson arrives, let me know at once, will you?”
“Yes, of course. Don’t worry.”
Vivian quickly nodded, looking eager to make up for her blunder.
Nadia felt a pang of guilt for startling such a sweet child. She patted Vivian’s head gently, and the girl beamed shyly.
“It’s strange. You’re the same age as me, but you always seem so much more mature.”
“That’s your way of calling me an old soul, isn’t it?”
“No, no! Really, that’s not what I meant.”
Nadia chuckled at her flustered denial.
“As punishment for teasing your mistress, go fetch me a few books.”
“Punishment? What kind of books? Legendary grimoires?”
Vivian’s silly joke made Nadia laugh again.
“No need for anything legendary—just ordinary beginner’s magic books. I have something I want to look into. Don’t ask why.”
Vivian’s curiosity, echoed in Conrad’s expression, was almost palpable. But in the end, they both bowed their heads and kept silent.
Of course, Nadia knew Vivian would fetch the books as soon as possible—perhaps even today.
A lively, cheerful girl who was also diligent and capable. She couldn’t have asked for a better maid. Truly, Conrad had chosen well.