MSCAMSL 05

Chapter 5

– Even If My Son Is Prickly, He’s Still Cute After I Returned

“Right, but it’s something I don’t need anymore.”

“It must’ve been… expensive, though…”

At Jenny’s murmured words, Elia gave a small, bitter laugh.

The Marquis had never once celebrated Elia’s birthday.
The only time he ever acknowledged her was for her coming-of-age ceremony—and that was only because he was conscious of the gazes of other noble families at the banquet.

“Isn’t it strange? A coming-of-age gift is usually chosen to match the recipient’s eye color, but this one is gold. Almost like… it was someone else’s and he just handed it over at the last minute…”

“Huh? Now that you mention it, that’s true. The color of the jewel looks just like Lady Serena’s eye color…”

Jenny cut herself off abruptly, realizing what she’d said.

“I—I didn’t mean… I’m so sorry, My Lady.”

“Heh, it’s fine. I already knew.”

Elia smiled lightly and took a sip of the tea in front of her.

At that moment, the sound of a chiming bell rang, followed by a voice calling for Jenny.

“Ah, looks like Lady Serena is looking for me.”

Jenny glanced at Elia nervously.

“Go on, you’d better not keep her waiting.”

When Elia nodded, Jenny left the room in a hurry.

Creak—

Once again, Elia was left alone. The silence was familiar, almost comforting.

I’ve been checking my body regularly, and I’ve gotten enough rest. I can feel a faint trace of mana again…

Closing her eyes, Elia drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. The depleted mana inside her was slowly returning, spreading through her body like scattered fragments coming together.

Elia focused on gathering her mana into one point. If she lost control, her scattered mana could trigger an ability unintentionally.

In both her past life and this one, Elia had never been good at controlling mana. Considering she had been taking Melanesia tea for so long—keeping her mana in a depleted state—it was almost natural that she struggled to use it.

It’s still hard to manifest my ability at will…

The special ability, or Gift, was rare and very limited. It was usually inherited through noble bloodlines, but unlike before, these days such abilities were rarely passed down.

I was the only one in the Marquis’ household who manifested it…

Once someone could control the mana in their body, they could easily use their Gift. Most people with such abilities entered the Academy to learn control.

It was a place everyone longed to join, as it held sway over high society and politics.

But, then and now, I never had any intention of going there…

Before, she couldn’t even consider it because of Serena, who constantly stoked her insecurities, forcing Elia to hide her Gift. This time, however, it was for a different reason.

To protect someone precious in the North, she couldn’t afford to waste time at the Academy.

When Elia opened her eyes, a faint light was beginning to radiate from her body. Her blue eyes shimmered like the Milky Way, glowing softly.

The light passed through the window and stretched up into the clear sky. In the distance, she saw dark clouds gathering over the horizon.

Drip. Drop. Pat-pat-pat…

A gentle drizzle began to fall.

Elia’s Gift was the ability to change the weather.

After weeks of slowly regaining a bit of mana, she couldn’t affect a wide area yet—but she could make it rain over a small patch beyond her window.

Thin, warm streams of rain fell like spring showers, soaking the Marquis household’s garden.

“It’s pretty… and warm…”

The raindrops tapping against the window gradually faded. It lasted only for a fleeting moment.

The once-warm breeze turned cold again as it slipped into Elia’s room.

The wedding with Felix Lloyd was held at the Grand Vishnu Temple.

The ceremony was grand yet simple.

Then, as now, at the final rite, he kissed not her lips but the back of her hand.

His rough lips touched her skin, leaving it burning as though branded. Throughout the ceremony, Elia kept caressing her feverish hand.

As soon as the ceremony ended, Elia and Felix headed for the harbor. It took a full five hours to travel from the Grand Temple at the empire’s center to the port.

Clatter! Clatter!

The carriage sped on without pause. Elia gazed at Felix, seated across from her. He silently stared out the window.

She stole glances at his face. Time had erased the traces of age from his features, making him look even colder.

But Elia knew the truth.

He… was such a warm person once…

As she recalled the past, exhaustion began to weigh on her. The tension that had built up before the wedding was finally unraveling.

She tried to fight the heaviness in her eyelids, but it was no use.

“Mm…”

When the scent of the sea filled her senses, she opened her eyes—they had reached the port.

“We’ve arrived. We need to move.”

Startled awake by his deep voice, Elia flushed with embarrassment.

“Ah… yes.”

Before she could fully collect herself, he guided her straight onto the northbound ship. Everything was moving faster than she’d anticipated—too fast for her to think.

All she could do was let herself be led by Felix’s large, steady hand.

“Are you all right?”

“H-hah… Yes, I’m fine. I even took medicine in advance, so why am I like this…?”

It was just like before. No matter how meticulously she prepared—taking every remedy Jenny could provide—her nausea refused to settle.

What had his reaction been last time? She vaguely remembered him seeming terribly inconvenienced. Elia cautiously raised her head.

Felix was looking at her, his expression tense, as if deep in thought.

Their eyes met briefly, then parted.

“This won’t do. Staying out in the cold won’t help.”

Elia covered her mouth as another wave of nausea hit.

“Y-you go ahead. I just need a moment… ugh…”

Dry heaves wracked her, but there was nothing in her stomach to bring up.

“Tch. Troublesome.”

With a sharp click of his tongue, her body was suddenly lifted.

“Huh…?”

Shock and shame swept over her, but she had no strength left to resist. If she opened her mouth, she’d vomit for sure.

“Even if you throw up, it’s better to get inside first.”

“…”

His voice was still cold, still curt—but his touch was impossibly gentle and careful.

For the first time in a long while, Elia found herself resting against a broad, solid chest. She closed her eyes.

Ah… I was such a fool back then. How did I not realize this kindness until now?

Only now did she recognize the consideration in his touch. She drew in a deep breath.

He smelled of something heavy, yet sensual.

A scent that suits you perfectly…

Just breathing it in made her chest ache with longing.

As darkness swallowed her mind, Elia surrendered to the rocking of the waves, the scent of Felix lingering, then seeping into her senses.

Felix gazed down at the sleeping Elia, his expression grim.

“I’d prefer if you woke soon.”

Even when the ship docked in the North, she didn’t stir. Without a word, Felix lifted her in his arms and carried her into the carriage.

Inside, leaning against the window, she looked both ethereal and fragile.

The rumors were true…

He already knew all about her. Andrew, his aide and butler, had given a detailed report.

The illegitimate daughter of the Marquis’ family. So frail that people believed the rumors she was barren.

And yet, the Marquis demanded an exorbitant dowry, delaying the marriage for years.

She looked as if she would shatter if dropped, or crumble if held too tightly. Her ankles were so thin they could be encircled by one hand. That fragility… only made her more captivating.

When they first met, in that dazzling blue dress adorned with shimmering beads, her radiant smile had been nothing like that of a neglected illegitimate child. She looked every bit the beloved young lady of a noble house.

But the way the dress hung loose on her frame revealed it wasn’t tailored for her.

The dress sparkled, but what had caught Felix’s attention was her eyes.

Those eyes—clear and glass-like, so pure they bordered on celestial—looked straight at him.

As if she knew him. Strange… and yet, there had been affection in that gaze.

Perhaps it was his imagination. But the memory lingered, and he kept finding himself glancing her way.

Even now, Felix stared intently at her sleeping face.

The elegant arch of her brows, the straight bridge of her nose, the slightly parted red lips. Her breath escaped in faint whispers between them.

“Mmm…”

She frowned and shifted slightly. Felix turned his gaze toward the passing scenery outside the window.

“Ah, this is…”

“You’re awake? This is the northern territory of Artigen.”

Startled, she flushed crimson.