SWMD 76

Chapter 76

“Did you hear?”

“Yeah.”

Belinda and Shane nodded at each other, then entered Diana’s room.

“It’s been delivered.”

“Thank you.”

Diana gave them a faint, meaningful smile.

She knew Alicia had started to suspect her due to her recent behavior.

It wouldn’t hurt to confirm those suspicions a little more.

After all, no one in this mansion would believe Alicia anymore.

“What about the medicine I mentioned?”

Diana touched her chin. Shane clasped her hands and answered.

“Right here.”

She handed over a small package wrapped in parchment. Diana carefully opened it — inside was a fine white powder.

“Put this in Catherine’s medicine.”

“Yes, understood.”

Shane and Belinda bowed and left with the drug.

It was nearly time to push Alicia out of this house. Diana would use the medicine to create a scandal and justify her removal.

Diana walked to the terrace and pulled back the curtains. The garden was full of blooming roses.

She smiled as the sweet fragrance filled the air.

Scene Change – Departure for the Magic Festival

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, Mother.”

Aicel stepped into the lobby, beautifully dressed. Calypso and Diana were already waiting.

“What about Catherine?”

Diana glanced around. Alicia replied in a small, shaky voice without even making eye contact.

“She… still hasn’t woken up.”

Diana, already knowing this, pretended not to. She glanced at Alicia.

Alicia kept her head bowed, trembling.

She can’t even look me in the eyes anymore.

The fear that Diana knew about her affair kept her paralyzed.

If she sees my clear emerald eyes, she’ll feel like her ugly secret will be exposed.

Sweat poured down Alicia’s forehead.

Diana smiled mockingly.

You were brave enough to try and kill me, but now you tremble like this? Hilarious.

“Well, we’re off. Take good care of Catherine, Ally.”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

Leaving pale-faced Alicia behind, Calypso, Diana, and Aicel boarded the carriage.

They passed through the mana tunnel toward the Imperial Palace.

Inside the carriage, Aicel hugged a soft cushion, cheeks flushed.

“It feels like we’re going on a picnic, all three of us together!”

She snuggled up to Calypso, who gently patted her head, smiling at her innocent charm.

On the outside, they looked like the perfect, loving family.

But Calypso had no idea.

Diana and Aicel were secretly plotting his ruin.

Diana smiled warmly at the scene.

“You two look like a real father and daughter.”

Her words were barbed, but only Aicel understood their true meaning.

Calypso simply took it as a compliment and laughed happily.

Soon, the coachman called out — they had arrived.

Aicel jumped out first, eager to see the Imperial Palace.

“Wow!”

The palace gleamed with golden light. Columns, doors, even the floors shimmered in the sun.

“It’s just like the sun!”

“You’re right. The palace is called the Palace of the Sun,” Calypso explained.

“There’s even a terrace decorated with diamonds from the marquis’s mine.”

“Really? That must be beautiful!”

Then another carriage arrived behind theirs — marked with the Pereshte family crest.

“Aicel, your grandfather is here.”

“Grandfather!”

Marquis Pereshte stepped out, looking stern. When he saw Diana and Aicel, he tried to hide his feelings.

“You’ll trip acting like that. A lady should have better manners.”

Even though his tone was gruff, concern was clear in his voice.

“Did you sleep well, Grandfather?”

Aicel rushed to him and gave a cute curtsy.

“Yes.”

The marquis walked with her over to Diana and Calypso. Diana gave him a respectful nod.

“Hello, Father-in-law.”

Calypso greeted him nervously. The marquis’s sharp eyes landed on him, making him flinch.

Even after stealing the mine idea, Calypso still felt small before him.

“Yes. I’ve been well,” the marquis replied through gritted teeth.

If I could, I’d knock all his teeth out right now.

His hand clenched around his cane. Diana gently touched his hand. Their eyes met.

She gave a small shake of her head — Don’t make a scene.

“Ahem. Where’s Catherine?”

He looked around.

Even if he had no intention of giving her the mine after her betrayal, pretending to care was necessary.

“Catherine is sick, Father.”

“Sick?”

“Yes. That’s why she’s not here.”

Good.

He still had a soft spot for Catherine. Seeing her face might’ve weakened his resolve.

“Then let’s go in.”

“Yes.”

Aicel glanced between Calypso and her grandfather. Unable to choose, she simply walked next to Diana.

The marquis looked a little disappointed, but he assumed she was just scared of him.

“The nobles are arriving one by one.”

“Will Sawyer come, too?”

“The Aiberg family will be here. They’re closely connected to the magic tower.”

“Why is that?”

“They make perfume, and some ingredients grow only in the forest near the tower.”

“Oh, I see. That means…”

“Yes — if you’re recognized as a mage, the Duchess of Aiberg will want you even more.”

Diana playfully tapped Aicel’s nose and smiled.

“By the way, about Sawyer.”

“Hmm?”

“He seems like a good person.”

Diana raised an eyebrow. Aicel continued casually.

“We talked at the party. He wasn’t arrogant or rude like other nobles.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Oh!”

Calypso suddenly caught up with them, startling both Diana and Aicel.

“You scared me, Father. We were talking about Lord Sawyer.”

“…Sawyer. From the Aiberg family?”

“Yes. He seems nice. And since we’re discussing a marriage alliance anyway…”

Calypso’s face twisted slightly.

“There’s no need to rush into marriage, Aicel.”

“Huh?”

“Hmm! I agree.”

Both Calypso and the marquis walked ahead, leaving Aicel pouting.

“What was that about?”

They must be jealous, she thought. She could understand her grandfather being overprotective—but Calypso?

He even shot arrows at me once…

Aicel glared at Calypso’s back as he walked toward the ballroom, then turned to Diana.

Diana was asking a maid where Aicel needed to go.

The maid pointed down the hall.

“Aicel, you need to wait in the preparation room. We’ll be watching from the audience.”

“Yes, Mother. You’ll cheer for me, right?”

“Of course.”

Diana held her daughter’s hand firmly. The warmth gave Aicel strength.

“Then I’ll go now!”

“Fighting!”

Diana waved until Aicel disappeared into the room. Then she turned around—

“Ah…!”

She bumped into someone’s chest.

The man caught her wrist to keep her from falling.

Diana quickly brushed her hair back and looked up.

“Sorry—oh?”

It was Lueri, smiling at her.

“I missed you, Diana.”

“Lueri!”

Diana exclaimed in surprise and happiness. She smiled brightly — had he come to see Aicel?

“Did you come to see Aicel?”

“Of course not.”

“Huh?”

Lueri grinned slyly.

“I came to see you.”

“Geez, Lueri…”

Diana’s face turned red. She couldn’t tell how serious he was.

Was it just a joke, or was he flirting? Either way, her heart fluttered.

He definitely knows how to charm a woman.

“What do you think you’re doing with my wife?”

Calypso’s eyes narrowed at Lueri’s hand still holding Diana’s wrist.

Him again…

Even though he felt no real love for Diana, Calypso’s possessiveness burned as he glared at Lueri.