ISTV 29

“……”

“My family believed I was healthy because I hadn’t needed a physician for ten years. When I had a fever so high I couldn’t run errands for my brother, they scolded me for being weak. They insisted I was strong and ordered me to finish their tasks.”

“……”

I looked at Themanon and gave a faint smile.

“It’s only after coming to Queibec that I’ve started learning new things. Thank you. I won’t forget these lessons.”

Though I hadn’t intended to, a few tears slipped down my cheeks.

For Seila—who was now me—all of this was a first.

Eventually, Themanon bit his lip and spoke.

“My dear child, you’re under a curse right now. More precisely, you were born with a very harmful constitution.”

It seemed Themanon had made up his mind to treat me.

I wanted to shout right away, “Yes, please treat me! Give me all the secret methods and rituals, please!” But I held back for a moment.

Because I had just spotted Rachel entering the room.

Now that Rachel was here, I had to be more cautious and deliberate.

I hid my true thoughts and spoke.

“It wasn’t my harmful constitution that caused me to collapse.”

“…What?”

I continued in a calm tone.

“Before I bathed, someone gifted my maid a fragrant oil. From a ‘house perfumer’—even though Queibec doesn’t have one.”

When dealing with Themanon, the right sense of justice and emotion were important. But when dealing with Rachel, rational benefit and logic were key.

I had to prove to Rachel—through reason—that I was no threat to Queibec.

To do that, I had to demonstrate that I had the wisdom to judge what was to my own advantage.

‘Queibec doesn’t have an official perfumer. But someone who can freely change their face does exist.’

It was a fact only a few in the Queibec household knew.

Naturally, the head of the family, Themanon, and his wife Rachel, knew who possessed that ability.

All I had to do was give them enough clues to realize who the culprit was.

“There’s a high probability that the crime was targeted at me.”

“It’s too early to conclude that, Seila.”

Rachel, who valued the honor of Queibec, was only saying the obvious.

Until clear evidence emerged, she would insist on Queibec’s innocence.

But the moment undeniable evidence surfaced—Rachel would make the right choice.

Because that’s the path that truly upheld Queibec’s honor.

“Someone who wasn’t present when I chose Caliburn, but can freely change their face. Someone with enough authority to move in and out of the Queibec estate as they please.”

That much should be enough for both Themanon and Rachel to realize who the culprit was.

“Someone who stands to gain from me being harmed. Is there such a person in Queibec?”

Three days later.

Lexo, the first elder of Queibec, was dragged before Themanon, bound tightly.

“I’ve tolerated you until now only out of respect for your father, Elder.”

Lexo protested vehemently.

He shouted, asking why he would commit such an absurd act—what grudge could he possibly hold against the Dvernon girl?

“I am innocent, my lord! I’ve served this noble house loyally since the days of your predecessor. What reason would I have to commit such a deed?!”

“That very pride in having served this house is the problem.”

“What—what are you saying?”

“You’ve always disliked the idea of my wife managing this house.”

Themanon raised his voice.

His presence was overwhelming—like that of an absolute ruler.

Lexo gasped, pounding his chest as if to catch his breath.

“Do you have any proof?”

“……”

“How can you persecute me like this without any evidence? This is an insult to the previous head as well. I am innocent!”

Indeed, there wouldn’t be any remaining evidence.

All traces of the fragrant oil had surely been destroyed.

“Evidence?”

“Yes, evidence.”

Themanon let out a short, incredulous laugh.

He recalled his conversation with Seila.

‘Of course, they would’ve destroyed all the evidence. But they likely overlooked one thing. Think about who brought me to the physician—it was Hamune. There should be evidence left on the clothes he wore that day.’

Young Hamune had the trait [Let’s Etch Every Trace of the World].

He was clumsy and often got things smeared on his clothes and body.

‘If there is any trace left, you can question him. And if there’s nothing left… then, unfortunately, I’ll just say I collapsed due to my weak constitution.’

Themanon spoke.

“There were traces left on Hamune’s clothes. Magical residue from a toxin proudly developed by the Elder Council over ten years ago. Do I need to say more?”

The magical toxin had been secretly developed by the Elder Council as a weapon against mages.

It disrupted the flow of magical energy, and was particularly toxic to those of Dvernon blood.

“……”

“It would be more honorable to confess now. If you won’t admit it, I’ll interrogate the entire Elder Council for failing to properly store such a classified substance.”

Lexo had no choice.

The head of the house personally destroyed eight of Lexo’s nine magic circuits.

He was then sentenced to twenty years in the deepest underground prison, with his limbs restrained.

During the process, Lexo screamed.

‘Haven’t you heard the saying—when the hen crows, the house will fall?! How could you give so much power to a low-born woman?! I tried to bring down Rachel by using that useless Dvernon girl! You foolish head of house—you don’t even know who truly cares for this family!’

When I had almost fully recovered, I visited Rachel’s office.

“I would prefer if Dvernon were not informed about my collapse.”

Rachel looked at me curiously, pausing her writing.

“I was just about to send a letter to Dvernon.”

“For the sake of Queibec, I believe it’s best we keep this incident confidential.”

“And why do you think that?”

“Regardless of everything, I am still a direct descendant of Dvernon. His Excellency may use this incident as a pretext to make unreasonable demands of Queibec.”

“His Excellency?”

Rachel tilted her head.

“Yes. I refer to my father as His Excellency.”

She must have realized just then how I truly felt about my father.

“I don’t want Dvernon to use me as leverage to take unfair advantage of Queibec.”

“Why not?”

“Because…”

If I were talking to Themanon, I would have said:

‘Because Queibec has given me so many firsts in my life.’

But my conversation partner was Rachel.

I glanced around, then stepped a little closer and said softly,

“Because one day, I will no longer be a daughter of Dvernon.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“In two years, I’ll be enrolling in Somarfi Academy. I plan to enter the swordsmanship class.”

“……”

“I’ve promised to graduate at the top of my class.”

“The top?”

“Yes. But Queibec’s third son, Lord Hamune, will be entering at the same time. Realistically, that makes graduating first almost impossible for me.”

I lowered my voice even further.

“If I don’t graduate at the top, I agreed to give up the Dvernon name and quietly leave the family.”

Rachel couldn’t hide her surprise—my words must have been completely unexpected.

After a long silence, Rachel asked,

“…Lord Depelto agreed to such an absurd contract?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m the cursed child who killed my mother. A useless child with no magical talent.”

“……”

“My father hoped I wasn’t really his.”

“……”

“When it was confirmed that I was his biological daughter, I’ll never forget the look on his face.”

“You must have been hurt deeply.”

“That’s why I ask sincerely—please don’t be wary of me. I am not Seila Dvernon. I’m just Seila. A girl who admires Rachel—not the Lady of Queibec.”

The next day.

Themanon came to my lodgings, grinning ear to ear.

At his hip was a dainty little sword—oddly small for someone of his build.

“If it’s not too much trouble, would you allow me to be your swordsmanship teacher? You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like.”

I could hardly believe my ears.

I had never imagined that the head of the Queibec family would personally teach me.

“Sir Themanon, I thought you were a very busy man.”

“Oh no, not really. I’m more of a figurehead than anything else. You might find this funny, but my wonderful wife manages the Queibec household just fine without me. My job is more like a thug who gets rid of any troublemakers that show up. But Seila, you don’t seem very happy about it?”

“Not at all. I’m truly thrilled and honored. As someone who holds a sword, I know exactly what it means to be trained by you.”

Themanon laughed like someone suffering from a “Seila says it—I must laugh” condition.

Even when I randomly raised my left hand and asked, “Left hand?” he burst into hearty laughter.

“I already know exactly what swordsmanship I’ll teach you. Actually, the moment you were chosen by Caliburn, a particular style came to mind. I never learned it myself because it didn’t suit my constitution, but if you can master it—you could become a matchless swordswoman.”

As I listened, I was stunned.

Themanon hadn’t learned it—but could teach it?

There was only one possibility.

No way… could it really be?