Chapter 45
As soon as they teleported, Luery set fire to both the man’s corpse and the hut.
Flames flickered in Diana’s vision.
She finally grasped what she had done—killed a person. Her hands trembled.
Luery held her hand tightly, offering silent reassurance.
They reappeared in Diana’s room. Luery gently laid Icel on the bed while Diana began preparing medicine.
Thankfully, she had already stocked the necessary ingredients.
Luery, as a great mage skilled in alchemy, assisted.
Only their hands moved in the heavy silence.
They made a healing balm and fever medicine. Diana cooled them with magic and approached Icel, who lay quietly.
Her fingers trembled as she dabbed ointment on Icel’s swollen bruises.
Luery watched her with deep concern.
“I’m sorry, sis… If I’d been quicker, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“No, Luery… You helped save her. I should be thanking you.”
Diana brushed Icel’s hair aside, watching her sleep peacefully. The physical wounds would heal—but what about her broken heart?
“She nearly died again.”
Diana gently poured medicine into Icel’s mouth. The girl’s breathing calmed further.
Only then did Diana sink into the sofa.
She closed her eyes—
And saw again the blood dripping from the ice spear.
Luery quietly asked:
“Are you alright?”
“…Yes.”
“I should’ve been the one to do it.”
Diana looked at him, understanding he feared the toll the act had taken on her.
“I’m fine, Luery.”
“But your hands are shaking…”
He held her hands tighter.
“You were brave. You protected Icel. You did what had to be done.”
“That man was expelled from the Tower. A monster who kidnapped and killed for money.”
“Even so… That doesn’t give me the right to kill him.”
“Every life is precious. Every life that walks this earth…”
Diana winced with each word, her moral core trembling.
Luery fell silent, frustrated that he couldn’t ease her pain.
But—
Diana’s eyes regained their light.
“Even if I must be punished later…”
“I will protect Icel.”
She spoke firmly:
“If it means keeping her safe… I’ll do anything.”
Luery cupped her face, their foreheads gently touching.
“Then do whatever you need to do. No hesitating. I’ll always be on your side.”
“Thank you, Luery…”
She rested her head briefly on his shoulder.
“If you weren’t here… I might not have been able to save her… again.”
Though she said “again,” Luery didn’t press her for answers.
“You should rest now, too.”
Luery tapped her forehead playfully, and her eyes fluttered shut.
He gently laid her beside Icel. Even in sleep, Diana curled protectively around her daughter.
“May your dreams be full of peace.”
Luery gazed at them fondly, then quietly left.
“Nnngh…”
“Icel!”
Icel’s eyes fluttered open. Her bruises were gone, but her lips still stung.
“Mother…”
She smiled faintly at Diana’s worried face. The sun was rising.
“How long was I asleep?”
“Not even a full day. Are you hurting?”
“I’m fine. But what about you, Mother?”
“I’m alright now that you’re awake.”
Diana rose with a resolute expression.
Icel immediately sensed it—she was going to confront Alicia.
“You’re going to see Alicia, aren’t you?”
“I can’t hold it in anymore. I must end this, even if it’s earlier than planned.”
Diana’s fists trembled with fury. If not for Luery’s timely arrival, it would’ve been too late.
“No, Mother.”
Icel sat up, groggy but resolute.
“We can’t let all our plans fall apart over this.”
“…‘Over this’? You almost died!”
Tears burst from Diana’s eyes despite herself.
“I nearly lost you again… Icel…”
She sobbed as she embraced her daughter tightly.
“We can’t give those monsters the mercy of a swift death.”
Icel’s voice trembled with growing tears.
“I want them to suffer as we did. I want them to feel our pain.”
Diana looked at her, shocked—they shared the same vengeance.
“It can’t end so easily. I’ll become stronger.”
She clasped Diana’s hands tightly.
“Please, don’t end it here.”
Their identical eyes—both harboring deep wounds—stared into each other.
And Diana’s resolve shattered in front of Icel.
She sat back down, sighing.
Nearby, something Luery had brought from the burnt hut glinted.
Icel’s eyes lit up.
“I’ll go to Alicia myself.”
She tried to get up, but Diana’s hand stopped her.
“It’s still early morning.”
She gently laid Icel back down, tucking her hair.
“Sleep a bit longer first.”
“…Yes, Mother.”
Icel closed her eyes under her mother’s warm touch.
Alicia paced, chewing her nails. It was nearly dawn, and she hadn’t slept at all.
There was no word from the expelled mage.
Worse, the carriage Icel left in hadn’t returned.
The mansion was eerily quiet.
If the adopted daughter had gone missing, there should’ve been panic.
Suddenly, a knock on the door.
“Wh-Who is it?”
She rushed to open it—sure it was a message from the assassin.
But instead—
“Were you waiting for me?”
Icel stood there, smiling brightly.
