Chapter 26
“…You are a mage?”
“I’m not good enough to be called a mage, but I once read a spell in a grimoire that is used in situations like this.”
Just from reading it?
Heinrich thought that, but it wasn’t really important to him. As long as he could obtain the magical device, that was enough.
Once Heinrich gave his approval, Nadia looked down at Vivian.
“Vivian, are you alright?”
“Well, it’s better than throwing it up myself, I guess.”
Vivian joked, her face pale.
Nadia had no strength left to respond, so she quickly laid Vivian down.
Then she carefully examined the mana flowing within Vivian’s body.
Everything in the world contained mana, and the human body and magical devices had clearly different flows.
Nadia poured her own mana into Vivian’s body, wrapping it around the protruding shape of the magical device as much as possible.
As she slowly began moving the mass of mana, Vivian let out a low groan.
“Ugh…”
“Just endure it a little longer.”
Even Nadia’s hands were trembling as she spoke.
She had studied magic casually for fun, but this was practically her first time actually using it.
Until now, if mana control became too difficult, she could simply let go—but now she couldn’t.
Yet the more she was pushed to the edge, the brighter Nadia’s golden eyes shone.
Even as sweat ran down her face and her breathing grew rough, her focus did not waver.
Finally, Vivian let out a strong cough along with a small magical device.
Nadia wiped Vivian’s mouth with a handkerchief and kept asking if she was alright.
Meanwhile, Vivian tried to cover the device with her skirt, making the scene both frantic and comical.
“Miss, t-this, please take this first! What if they try to take it over there?”
Vivian kept glancing toward Heinrich and Allison while coughing weakly.
“That secretary is really awful. He looks so gentlemanly too…”
Nadia listened silently, then suddenly grabbed Vivian’s arm and made her sit properly.
“Vivian!”
Startled, Vivian straightened her back.
Nadia’s eyes were red at the corners.
“Don’t ever do something so dangerous again. I… I don’t like seeing someone die in front of me. Do you understand?”
“It wasn’t like I was going to die…”
“Promise me. Please.”
Her last words were almost a plea.
In the end, Vivian lowered her head and nodded.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
Seeing her sincerity, the strength left Nadia’s body.
She leaned weakly against the carriage seat and looked toward the two men still waiting outside.
“…Even if I said I wouldn’t hand over this magical device now, that would probably be meaningless.”
“That would be an unwise decision. Do not do it.”
Heinrich’s tone remained cold.
However, something in his expression had changed.
If before he looked like someone who wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed, now he looked like someone who might.
Was he moved by Vivian’s loyalty?
At least Nadia thought so. She hadn’t expected a maid she had only just met to go this far for her.
“…I would like to acknowledge my maid’s loyalty. I will examine it first and then hand it over. You may think it meaningless…”
“Do so.”
The answer came more easily than expected.
Heinrich immediately turned away as if he had never been blocking the carriage in the first place.
Allison also looked confused, unable to understand the situation.
“Ah—uh, I’m glad you’re safe. I’m really sorry for knocking out your maid. If she has a headache or anything, please bill me for the treatment. I’ll take my leave now.”
Flustered, Allison hurried after Heinrich.
Now that the tension had completely broken, a hollow laugh escaped Nadia.
“So he’s still the same…”
Allison had been a boy raised as Heinrich’s secretary since childhood—brilliant and physically capable, but a little awkward due to his overly kind nature.
But Heinrich had once said ability was all that mattered, and Allison’s loyalty had been strong enough that he remained by his side as his secretary.
Vivian, misunderstanding Nadia’s words, muttered while looking at Heinrich.
“Yeah. He really is as heartless as they say. How scary.”
Normally, Nadia would have corrected her.
But today, she didn’t have the energy.
The ruthless version of Heinrich she had just seen refused to leave her mind.
* * *
Heinrich mounted his horse roughly.
Allison seemed to be shouting something behind him, but he didn’t want to listen.
He ground his teeth as he recalled his meeting with Nadia.
I lose all patience when I’m in front of that woman.
The same had happened when he once pointed a sword at her.
At that moment, his anger had surged—but he could have restrained himself. Yet he hadn’t been able to.
Just now as well, he had intended to negotiate over Vivian’s condition, discussing whether to make her vomit or bring a doctor. That was not his way.
And yet, every time he faced that woman, he could not think rationally.
Don’t ever do something so dangerous again. I… I don’t like seeing someone die in front of me. Do you understand?
That infuriatingly clever woman—yet she had been on the verge of tears over a mere maid.
And he knew why.
That woman, Nadia… resembled his dead wife far too closely.
* * *
When Heinrich had once expelled all servants who touched his belongings, the boy had felt more regret than satisfaction.
I wanted to show my wife I was dependable.
That was not a thought typical of an eight-year-old boy, but Heinrich had sincerely believed it.
He had not been surprised when he was told he would marry a sixteen-year-old woman.
His father had always told him he was the heir of the ducal house and must sometimes do things he did not want to do.
Besides, his own parents had also been in an arranged marriage, yet they had built a respectable and loving family.
He wanted to follow their example.
That was all the sense of duty he carried when he entered the wedding hall.
But when he saw the woman walking toward him on the red carpet, he was shocked.
An angel…
He had seen many people as the young duke.
Beautiful people, elegant people.
But none had been as both beautiful and graceful as his bride.
Her neatly arranged golden hair and white veil looked like a painting.
When she looked at him with her deep blue eyes, they seemed like a mysterious lake.
At his young age, he could not define it as love.
But he had been completely captivated by her—so much so that he believed Lady Livenia was an angel sent for him.
Yet even for an eight-year-old, marriage was reality.
On the day of the wedding, the “angel” fulfilled her promise to make him happy.
She ensured he was not entangled in rumors, and helped him build authority among the vassals by keeping him at a proper distance.
Everything was done so that the world would recognize Heinrich Baldwin as the sole master of the estate.
But Heinrich wanted to speak with his angel more.
He wanted to ask why she had accepted this marriage, what she had sacrificed to protect him.
Whether she had been willing to marry a child like him.
How he could earn her trust, and whether she would stay by his side even after he became an adult.
He could not stop thinking about it.
So Heinrich decided to become more reliable—to show her a better version of himself.
This time, he would uncover the traitors.
If he did, Livenia would be able to move more freely within the ducal household, and she would trust him more.
He changed his method.
Instead of setting broad traps, he narrowed the scope himself.
What kind of people betrayed others? What traits did they have?
Those satisfied with their lives were unlikely to betray.
It would be those in desperate poverty or those who had committed shameful wrongs.
The former had mostly already been filtered out—so he focused on the latter.
Heinrich instructed the butler and a few trusted servants to investigate and monitor the others.
The reports he received were as follows:
- Stable hand Piers shows interest in gambling, but is not at risk of addiction.
- Laundry maid Nina occasionally presses herself against the duchess’s clothing.
- Head chef Laura is diligent and sociable.
- Guard Eddie is rigid and often argues with colleagues.