IWEML 05

chapter 05

“Khh! Kk! Cough—!”

We happened to be having tea at that moment, and Damian, the Master of the Magic Tower, nearly spat his tea out. He somehow managed to swallow it, but ended up choking.

“Oh my, you seem quite startled.”

Unlike him, who was red-faced and coughing uncontrollably, I smiled leisurely.

“What kind of person in the world just— cough!— brings up engagement out of nowhere when meeting for the first time…?”

“But if I didn’t get straight to the point, I felt like you’d shred me with your eyes.”

Of course, I wasn’t intimidated—there was someone I really wanted to deal with, after all. No matter how fierce he seemed, real killing intent and pretend hostility were two completely different things.

“Do you even realize that we’re practically strangers?”

“Yes. I also didn’t know your voice was this pleasant until now.”

Damian didn’t so much as flinch at my sly compliment.

“How could you get engaged to someone you barely know? And with me of all people—your ex-lover’s half-brother?”

“How romantic. Are you one of those people who believes marriage should come from passionate love? I don’t think I’d make such a bad bride, you know.”

It might sound conceited, but in terms of status, I was one of the highest ladies in the Empire.

“Hah…”

A quiet sigh escaped him. My calm, unruffled demeanor seemed to help him regain his composure somewhat. His eyes changed.

“Why do you want to be engaged to me, Lady Clotilde?”

Gone was the earlier look of annoyance—his attitude was different now. I liked that.

I wiped the smile from my lips and answered,
“Because you, Tower Master Damian, would make the perfect weapon for me.”

“…I heard that you broke up with Polius Velderte.”

So his reputation for intelligence wasn’t a lie. Even with just that, he caught my meaning immediately.

“Don’t tell me you’re trying to get revenge on him?”

“Revenge? That’s such a scary word. Nothing that grand. I just want to give him… a little sting.”

I spoke with a soft tone—perhaps even a hint of seduction in it.

Polius must think that if he opposes the breakup, I won’t be able to do anything.

Even as a duke’s daughter, it was difficult in this conservative noble society to break off an engagement on one’s own. The more the other party objected, the harder it was.

But it’s not that hard to switch fiancés within the same family.

In the world of nobles, marriages were about uniting houses. Partners being swapped within a family was far from unheard of.

And the relationship between Polius and Damian? You couldn’t call it good, not even as a joke.

I’d had to be so careful never to mention Damian’s name in front of Polius before.

If I, who used to tiptoe around, suddenly got engaged to Damian, how would Polius feel?

Damian, who understood my intent, replied firmly,
“I’m someone who abandoned the Velderte name to become a mage. If you’re looking to swap engagement partners, you’ve come to the wrong person.”

“I came to you precisely because you dislike the Velderte family enough to give up your name.”

His gaze darkened sharply. I could tell I’d just touched a nerve.

It might’ve been a bit rude—but provocation was necessary here.

“You want to deal a blow to the Veldertes, don’t you? Then why not use every means available? You may have renounced your name publicly, but I’ve heard you’re still listed in the family registry.”

And where had I heard that? From Polius himself.

He’d once ranted about how, even though Damian had abandoned the family, he still wasn’t the next heir because Damian’s name remained in the records.

The Velderte Count still considers Damian his son. He probably thinks Damian’s departure was nothing but a tantrum.

That’s the arrogance of parents—they can’t fathom their child truly hating them.

But what about Damian’s real thoughts?

From what I’d heard, the process of leaving House Velderte and joining the Magic Tower had been filthy and brutal.

Just how much must he have hated that family to go through all that?

And a man who’d swallowed that fury and climbed his way to become Tower Master—he was clearly someone ruled more by logic than emotion.

“And, of course, it goes both ways. I can become your greatest weapon too, Tower Master.”

“I…”

“Don’t play dumb. I’m saying—let’s deal Polius Velderte a blow together.”

I leaned forward, closing the distance between us. My reflection shimmered in his ruby-red eyes.

“There’s a woman Polius doesn’t want to break up with right in front of him. Prove that you’re the better man—by using me.”

The air pressing heavily around us thinned a little.

Though I still smiled, as always… I won’t deny I was tense inside.

Looks like my provocation worked, at least a little.

Damian’s expression cooled, his eyes narrowing at my blunt choice of words.

“Tell everyone that Melanie Clotilde chose you because you’re the better man.”

“You speak as if people are just tools.”

“Oh my, I’m only saying how remarkable you are, Tower Master. I’d be delighted to be of use to such an impressive man.”

For once, Damian was at a loss for words. He briefly averted his gaze.

“…You’re a bit different from what I’ve heard.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. In that case, why not get to know me a bit better?”

I was different. After everything I’d gone through—even dying once, remembering the entire novel of my past life—of course my personality had changed.

I was my father’s greatest treasure. Duke Clotilde had raised me with utmost care and pride.

I wasn’t someone to be toyed with like some fish in a tank again.

“Let’s skip the emotional talk—we both dislike it anyway. But there’s no denying that this would be the perfect revenge on the overly sentimental Polius.”

I pointed my teaspoon at Damian.

“For one thing, you’re far more handsome than Polius. That’s my favorite part. I’m not exactly short, but even in heels you’re still taller—that’s nice too.”

“…You want to get engaged to me because I’m handsome?”

He looked genuinely taken aback. Well, who would dare bring up appearance before the great Tower Master instead of his magical prowess?

“My proposal may have been motivated by you being the one person who’d drive Polius mad—but of course, your looks were part of the appeal.”

I like the best of everything. It suits me.

Why did he look so bewildered at something so obvious? I decided to kindly elaborate.

“And just so you don’t take this too seriously—I’m suggesting an engagement to rile up Polius, not to spend our lives together.”

“…You’ve even planned for the breakup already?”

“Of course, I understand you might dislike having a broken engagement on your record, but neither of us is exactly in a position where that would be a scandal, right?”

Polius wouldn’t easily agree to a breakup, so I’d come to find a replacement. But unlike him, Tower Master Damian wouldn’t protest much—this would be simple.

He was a Tower Master. What did he care about such trivialities as a broken engagement? It’s not like a duke’s daughter was the only thing he could get.

“Don’t worry—I’m not saying we have to get engaged right this moment.”

Rushing things only ruins them.

Now then, how to win over this cautious man?

“If you’re unsure, why not attend the Founding Festival with me first and decide after?”

I didn’t push him for an immediate answer. Instead, I simply smiled sweetly and fanned myself lightly.

“I’ll show you just how excellent a weapon I can be.”

* * *

The Founding Festival—one of the grandest celebrations of the year—was overflowing with people.

Polius, who’d always enjoyed social gatherings, was in an especially good mood today.

When Melanie sees me, she’ll regret it. I can’t believe she still hasn’t apologized.

The Founding Festival ball was an event every noble family invited by the Emperor had to attend.

Since Duke Clotilde was currently away in his territory, Melanie would surely be attending in his place. When she saw him there, surrounded by so many people—how would she feel?

She’ll finally realize how valuable I am.

Normally, he would’ve asked Melanie to be his partner.

But after she’d mentioned Damian and compared other men to him, she’d even dragged up old arguments and used them to make herself sound blameless.

And after that? He’d overheard other young nobles mocking him behind his back.

“Polius, don’t you think you’re too whipped by your woman?”

“Well, she is Clotilde’s daughter—guess he can’t help it.”

Some men loved to boast about how their lovers treated them like royalty.

Polius did love Melanie… but he couldn’t deny he felt a little bitter.

She really isn’t the gentle type.

He thought her confidence must come off as arrogance in front of the other men.

He didn’t even realize that their mockery came from jealousy—the envy of a man destined to become the most powerful noble by marrying the duke’s only daughter.

If Melanie, frail as she was, were to die after marrying him, the ducal title would automatically pass to Polius.

Maybe I’ve been too good to her. She’s started to take me for granted.

So this time, he’d accepted Clara’s offer to be her partner instead—just to make sure things wouldn’t go exactly as Melanie wanted.