IWMHWD 105

Chapter 105 – What Love Is
February 13, 2024

Seventeen people had died, and the number of injured was more than triple that.

The news that Lydia Elfenbaum had summoned a demon and turned Mahyeop into a battlefield shook not just the entire Willis Archipelago but all of Ershe. Even in small gatherings, people would talk about it all night.

As head of the Elfenbaum family, Rosenbluer officially took full responsibility. He personally met with the families of the deceased and visited the temporary shelters where the injured were staying, apologizing and offering comfort one by one. Because of this, even more than ten days after the incident, no one had seen Rosenbluer’s face.

“He really is having a hard time because of his younger sibling.”

“Exactly. Our master suffered a lot too because of Maximilian.”

“What are you doing? Resting your arms?”

Leonard shot a sharp look at Cordelia, who was behind him.

It seemed he had been massaging his shoulders for at least an hour, yet her harsh master showed no intention of letting up. Cordelia sighed inwardly a hundred times before finally lifting the corner of her mouth into a small smile.

“Oh, I’m not resting. I was planning to massage your right arm this time.”

“Ah… my back suddenly feels a bit sore.”

“Should I get an ice pack?”

“Do I have to say it myself? Bring it quickly.”

“I’ll go right away.”

Cordelia dashed out of the room. Baron, standing quietly a short distance away, let out an audible sigh as soon as she left.

“Master, do you intend to make Lady Cordelia your servant?”

“Keep quiet if you don’t understand anything. How dare she…”

“What happened?”

“How dare she!”

He glared at the door Cordelia had exited, his anger boiling over. The more he thought about that night a few days ago, the more furious he became.

How could she have connected things to that without any hesitation? He was beyond annoyed—he was almost frustrated at the absurdity of it.

‘A normal person would naturally assume I had some romantic interest in them, right? She knows we kissed, so why can’t she sense my feelings? Or is she doing this on purpose?’

Forgetting that he had never properly confessed his feelings, Leonard kicked the innocent blanket in frustration. Baron shook his head at his master’s infuriating nature.

“Isn’t your back fully healed by now? How long do you plan to deceive Lady Cordelia?”

“Who says my back is healed?”

“The physician who came this morning. They were amazed at your monstrous recovery speed.”

“Watch your words. Don’t let her notice. Hmph. No, with her sense, would she even realize anything?”

Whatever it was, something related to Cordelia seemed to have irritated him.

“By the way, how long do you intend to stay in Willis? Go do what I told you. No, first check on Bonseong.”

“Do you have more tasks for me?”

“Go get the ring. The one Mother used at her wedding—the one with the blindingly sparkling diamond.”

“Eh?”

“And while you’re at it, start preparing for the wedding. If we start now, we could hold it by next spring. It’ll be grand, so prepare thoroughly.”

“……”

Baron was left speechless. Of course, the master had first mentioned such things jokingly, assuming their hearts were already in sync.

He said, with utmost courtesy despite his reluctance:

“Excuse me, but have you found a bride to enter the wedding with…?”

“She’s getting the ice now. She’ll be back soon.”

He was shameless enough to already seem like a man who had proposed. Baron carefully chose his words.

“Shouldn’t we first ask Lady Cordelia’s opinion? That seems like the proper order.”

“She’ll agree without a second thought if I ask her to marry me. She won’t even ask why.”

“No way… even if Lady Cordelia is a bit slow to notice.”

“No. She’ll think I’m only using her because I need a wife. Hmph. She might even ask what kind of magic is on the ring.”

Leonard could already picture the scene, and the ease of imagining it frustrated him. He had a sinking feeling that even if he confessed, she wouldn’t believe him.

“My lord, in moments like this, you should show your charm. Not just make Lady Cordelia run errands for ice. How will she ever understand your heart this way?”

“Charm? My charm overflows from head to toe! What more do I have to show?”

He grumbled in irritation. Just then, the door opened—not with Cordelia returning, but with an unexpected figure.

“Attille! Who are you to tell our Cordelia not to bring ice?”

“Ka… Canon, sir.”

Canon burst in, her face full of petulance. Cordelia followed behind, looking flustered and carrying a bucket of ice.

“How can you make our Cordelia run errands in Mahyeop when she’s being praised so much? If that’s the case, forget it! Send her to Diduasel instead!”

“There’s nothing to praise her for.”

Leonard ignored Canon shouting, listening with only one ear. Canon placed a hand on Cordelia’s shoulder and boasted:

“You’ve been lying here, unaware, but Cordelia even warned us about that demon beforehand.”

“Eh? Canon, I didn’t tell you that…”

“Matilda said that if it weren’t for Cordelia’s magic, we’d all be dead. That rumor spread, and now everyone in Mahyeop is praising her. So why are you making her do such errands?”

“Well… it’s not that serious…”

Somehow, Canon’s words sounded increasingly exaggerated, and Cordelia fiddled with the bucket. Leonard beckoned her over.

“Come here.”

“Yes.”

Ignoring Canon, Leonard removed his top and lay face-down on the bed.

“Say what you need to say, then leave. I’ll let my only student give me an ice pack.”

“Y-You!”

Canon trembled, her blood pressure spiking.

Cordelia quickly wrapped the ice in a towel and carefully applied it to his wound. Though much healed, the jagged scar still looked painful.

After grumbling a few times, Canon approached Cordelia.

“If you came to Diduasel, you wouldn’t have to do this.”

“Please don’t scold Master. He got this wound protecting me. I’m glad I can help.”

“Oh, our kind Cordelia. But of course, a master protects their student!”

“Still not leaving?”

Leonard lay there, speaking casually. His tone was so indifferent that Cordelia glanced at Canon.

“I’m leaving, you brat. If I keep talking to you, I might collapse from stress. By the way, what was that demon’s name?”

“Najabut, they said.”

“Hmm. Najabut… higher than Candias on your door?”

“The ninety-ninth demon, apparently.”

Cordelia, still massaging ice onto his back, added unconsciously:

“Wow, a demon ranked in the top hundred summoned… and it descended. No wonder it was chaos. Lydia couldn’t have done this alone—Maximilian must be involved too.”

“You mean the collapse that happened in the south?”

“Yes. Now we know exactly who the contractor was.”

Maximilian and Lydia—an unimaginable combination. Cordelia pictured them together, but they didn’t suit each other at all.

“Menufio joined Maximilian’s pursuit squad, right?”

“Yes. They left for Ansen.”

“We’re preparing to form a pursuit squad for that demon. We have to stop Najabut before it does more damage. But why of all people did Lydia Elfenbaum have to do such a thing…”

“How’s Blake?”

“Not in his right mind. His beloved sister suddenly summoned a demon into his body and wrecked Willis overnight.”

Canon sighed, shaking her head. One could easily imagine Rosenbluer’s disappointment and suffering.

Though Canon said she would leave immediately, she exchanged a few words with Leonard first. Cordelia then resumed applying the ice pack to Leonard’s back.

“How’s your back?”

“Refreshing.”

“The wound seems to be healing well. No fever, no swelling. At this rate, you’ll be able to get up soon.”

Cordelia smiled genuinely, happy at his recovery. Leonard suddenly twisted, letting out an awkward groan.

“Ugh.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My back suddenly hurts… It aches so much I can’t stand it.”

Baron, quietly observing from the corner, looked at his master with exasperation.

Seeing Leonard in pain, Cordelia’s eyes widened in alarm. She had no idea he was exaggerating.

“Does it hurt badly? Shall I call the physician?”

“No. Just sit here and hold my hand.”

“Is that enough?”