Chapter 04
“Anessa. That young Lord of Procyon—he’s not just a rising star anymore. Even calling him a comet doesn’t do him justice. He’s a blessing and a disaster all at once.”
The young Lord of Procyon had become someone even kings were eager to win over. Though the military was its own entity, Leonard, head of the Lefevre family, had a vast information network. According to him, Schreuz Procyon, the young lord, took on dangerous missions without hesitation.
And he always came back alive.
Promotion. Promotion. Promotion.
And then another promotion.
There was a limit to how many medals a king could award each year, yet all of them ended up with this young lord.
Why had their daughter, of all people, gotten involved with such a boy? They even heard about how young Blandae once yelled harshly at him.
That’s why Anessa and Leonard knew exactly who Blandae’s lingering guilt was directed at. Blandae never spoke about it, so they didn’t bring it up either.
“But Leonard, isn’t it actually a good thing that Blan didn’t bring that boy back with her?”
“Well, yes, I suppose.”
If Schloitz Procyon had given up everything and come to the Lefevre family…
With his talent, he could have eventually become captain of the Lefevre knights.
But no matter how prestigious that position, it couldn’t compare to the legendary hero he’d become now.
Obviously.
“In the end, maybe it’s better that Blan and the Procyon heir don’t cross paths again, for both their sakes.”
Since that day, no one spoke to Blandae about Schloitz Procyon. Not even Leonard or Anessa. They also knew—thanks to the family doctors—that Schloitz had once gone blind due to poison from his stepmother.
Not mentioning such painful stories was their way of being considerate. Schloitz had suffered enough.
Their joy was in watching a once-sick baby grow up healthy. They had plenty to care for—the Lefevre house was large, with thousands of vassals under them.
****
“Father,”
Enrico spoke as he sat down, organizing papers.
“Blan gave my Oparts to Lady Titania Rosier.”
“Oh, the one you’ve been researching?”
“Yes.”
Enrico had adjusted well to academy life. He worked with family scholars to create a powerful device called an Oparts.
Though it was single-use, it had successfully created a defense shield against monsters. Even Leonard could see how impressive that was.
“The scholars say you’re a genius.”
Enrico smiled sheepishly.
“It’s because of the Lefevre family’s power.”
Originally, Enrico had long blond hair like Blandae, but he’d cut it short to use in his experiments.
The Lefevre family, often called the “Tower family,” had a special inherited power: Purification.
Just by touching something, they could purify dirty or polluted materials. As head of the family, Leonard was occasionally requested by the king to help purify the devastated western region after it had been overrun by monsters.
It had once become such a hellish place that they didn’t even have enough land to bury the dead. Thanks to Leonard’s power, people could drink clean water again and slowly start farming.
For hundreds of years, the purification power had only been used like this. But now, thanks to Enrico’s research, there are meaningful new applications.
“Will the military accept the Oparts? I’m too young, and it’s still unstable.”
“It might be unstable, but soldiers are dying out there every week. If you can prove it works, they’ll welcome it with open arms.”
“I still need to do more research, though.”
Enrico touched his short hair and added,
“Father, I think the monsters really are homunculi.”
“That’s just one of many theories.”
Some believed that monsters weren’t demons rejected by the gods, but failed magical experiments by ancient wizards.
The Oparts Enricore created—made by solidifying gemstones with his own Lefevre hair—were producing fascinating results.
Their ultimate goal was to fuse Oparts into a sacred sword. It would take a lot of time and effort, but if successful, it would go down in history.
Leonard gently ruffled Enrico’s hair and asked,
“Do you enjoy your research?”
“I love it! And Hector said once he graduates, he’ll join our family!”
“That clever boy?”
Leonard was secretly surprised. Hector was from a lesser noble house but very intelligent—so much so that he was always second in class, just after Enrico.
Leonard had assumed he’d aim for a government position.
“So he’s recruiting talent from the academy. Not bad.”
“Well…”
Enrico scratched his head.
“Blan said she plans to start her own branch family later. So I thought we should grow the family’s influence more.”
“Right. She said she’s not getting married.”
“You’re okay with that?”
“Of course. Blan will live with her parents, so you’ll just have to move out when the time comes.”
“Huh? I have to move out?”
“Would you prefer the three of us move out instead?”
“…No. But still, Blan’s getting a flood of marriage proposals.”
“She hasn’t replied to a single one.”
“Why?”
Enrico looked genuinely puzzled.
“It’s weird. Everyone’s fine with Blan not getting married. But when I said I wouldn’t marry, you tried to kick me out!”
“You and Blan are different.”
“How? People say we even look alike.”
“Blan is way more mature than you.”
“By what standard?”
“You need to experience love at least once in your life.”
“Then… are you saying Blan has been in love?”
Leonard didn’t answer—he just smiled. Enricore’s head is filled with question marks.
“With who?”
“……”
“Who is it?”
“……”
“Father?”
“……”
“Lord Leonard Lefevre?”
“You little brat.”
Leonard pinched Enrico’s cheek but never gave him an answer.
****
Some time later…
Titania Rosier returned safely from the monster-infested region—unlike in the original story.
How did I know?
Because her father, the head of the Rosier family, personally came to thank me with an enormous gift.
Because of his visit, I had to receive him formally as well.
The head of the Rosier family had a cold and authoritative presence. Still, as the female lead’s father, he was handsome.
He looked at me with that typical intimidating gaze… and then suddenly bowed stiffly.
“Lady Blandae Lefevre.”
I was surprised by this unexpected politeness.
“Thank you… for saving my daughter’s life.”
His voice, unlike his icy appearance, trembled slightly. That made me even more confused. In the original story, he was always described as cold and distant toward Titania.
“I swear on the Rosier name—I will repay this debt to you one day.”
“…Alright.”
I was a bit lost but answered anyway. If he wanted to repay me, I wouldn’t say no.
Still, it’s awkward knowing he’ll act so cold to his daughter later.
Though feelings could change with time, it would still take years before he reunited with his real daughter, Lurie.
While I was drinking tea, Lord Rosier asked,
“Lady Lefevre, if I may… Could you tell me about that relic?”
“I’d love to, but I don’t know much about it.”
“Where did you obtain it?”
He was very curious about the Oparts. Honestly, I would be too. But I didn’t give him a clear answer. I just said it was under the scholars’ care, and I wasn’t involved in the details.
He’d probably try to contact my father later, but that wasn’t a bad thing.
After Lord Rosier left, I returned to my usual schedule. The weather had been warmer lately, so noble ladies were hosting more tea parties.
Because of that, the Lefevre estate also held small tea gatherings every few days.
Though they were called “small,” they were actually attended by the most well-known and elite socialites of the royal capital.
