Chapter 30
Lucas asked quietly,
“Who exactly would make me uncomfortable?”
“Well…”
Adele hesitated. Everyone would condemn him. People would say Lucas had made a terrible mistake, that he’d stained his perfect life.
Lucas simply replied, “I don’t care what people I barely know say. The only opinions that matter to me are those within my own circle.”
Adele blinked. “Am I… inside that circle?”
Lucas’s eyes curved into a smile—warm, gentle, genuine. It was the first time she’d seen him laugh like that.
“Yes. Adele, you’re one of the people inside my circle.”
Something magical happened. The moment Lucas said those words, the frantic beating of her heart eased, as if a spell had calmed it.
Then came the wave of guilt.
How could I think of leaving someone like him?
Even though she knew his death awaited in the future, she’d still planned to walk away. Adele raised a trembling hand and covered her face.
Seeing this, Lucas spoke softly, as though soothing a frightened child.
“It’s all right. Just trust me and come with me.”
She almost said yes—almost.
‘No, engagement is too much!’
Adele shook her head firmly. Even if she accepted his help, becoming engaged was out of the question.
“I appreciate your kindness, but I can’t agree to an engagement.”
“Why not?”
“You know why.”
“I don’t.”
Apparently, he wanted a direct explanation. Adele took a deep breath and began.
“I’m a commoner… and I have a child. No matter what you think, others will see that badly. Your reputation will suffer.”
“And?”
“What do you mean, and?”
Was he serious? Adele’s mind spun, trying to find something—anything—that would make him reconsider.
“Your family will hate me.”
“And?”
Adele froze. She had run out of arguments.
Since when did I get so bad at talking?
Her mouth had gone dry. She lifted the teacup, took a bitter sip, and tried to steady her thoughts.
“What about Leon?” she blurted. “You should think about him too.”
“Leon isn’t the kind of boy who’d judge anyone for their social status,” Lucas replied easily.
That was true. Leon was kind—he’d probably smile and sincerely offer his blessing.
“…I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. People say all kinds of things when they’re desperate. So—is there any other reason?”
Adele realized that her reasons—being of low birth and having a child—weren’t enough to sway him.
Lucas leaned back slightly. “Good. If there’s no other reason, let’s move on to the next step.”
“The next step?”
“When would you like the engagement ceremony to be?”
This man—once he decided on something, he was like a bulldozer. Adele, flustered, tried a more fundamental argument.
“What if you fall in love with someone else later? What will you do then?”
Love was unpredictable—it could take hold in a single day. Adele knew that better than anyone.
Lucas chuckled. “I haven’t fallen in love until now. What makes you think I’ll start?”
“You will! You’re good, handsome, rich, and capable. Of course someone will fall for you.”
As long as you don’t die, that is.
Then the thought struck her—he wouldn’t die now, would he? In the novel, it was Ronshka who killed him. But she would never allow her son to commit such a crime.
If she raised him right, Lucas would live.
So perhaps… she was worrying for nothing.
All I need to do is raise Ronshka well.
Then everything would be fine.
“You’re quite determined,” Lucas said with amusement. “But I’ll bet on the opposite—that I won’t fall in love.”
“Why not?”
“Because love is… a dreadful thing.”
Adele tilted her head. Why would he think that? The book never mentioned anything about Lucas’s view of love. He had only been the protagonist’s mentor—a catalyst for his growth.
“So, just accept it,” he said calmly.
“…Then promise me one thing,” Adele said after a pause. “If you ever fall in love with someone, tell me yourself. Don’t let me hear it from someone else.”
“I told you, that won’t happen.”
“Still, the world is unpredictable. Just tell me when it happens, and I’ll leave on my own.”
“…All right. I promise.”
Lucas could tell she wouldn’t change her mind, no matter what he said.
“Then, we can start discussing the details of our engagement.”
“Yes,” Adele answered firmly.
If things had reached this point, she would just have to find a way to manage it and survive this crisis properly.
Meanwhile…
“Engaged? Engaged?”
Heirn ground his teeth so hard it sounded like breaking stone. Rage burned through him, hot and consuming. But to lash out would destroy his composure and dignity, so he forced it down—barely.
Just then, Rosalyn approached him, pale and trembling.
“Father… Is it true? Is Ronshka really… my brother?”
Her small hands, clasped tightly over her chest, quivered. She already knew the truth but needed to hear it confirmed—to drive away the fear clawing at her heart.
Maybe I misheard.
Maybe it was all a mistake.
“Is that what you want to know?” Heirn asked coldly.
“Y-yes…”
“Then I’ll tell you. Ronshka is the same as you. He carries my blood.”
Her voice shook as badly as her hands. “Then… then that means…”
“Why are you acting like this?” Heirn sneered. “You should be happy. Instead of a useless daughter like you, I’ll have a talented son. You won’t need to keep studying anymore.”
“I won’t… need to study?” she repeated faintly.
Her lips trembled now. It had been hard, yes—but she had liked learning spirit magic.
“Yes,” Heirn said. “You can just dress up prettily like a doll and attend parties. Didn’t you say you wanted friends? You’ll meet plenty there.”
His tone sounded gentle, but it was pure spite—an outlet for his fury.
“I—I don’t hate studying spirit magic, Father. I love it!” she cried, summoning her courage.
Heirn’s eyes went icy. “But you have no talent.”
Rosalyn’s mind went blank. She staggered backward, dizzy.
When they’d first set out on this trip together, she’d been so happy. Even knowing it was for training, she’d been excited that her father wanted her by his side.
And now…
Everything she’d believed shattered.
Rosalyn turned and ran out of the room. No one stopped her.
Heirn just watched her go, his gaze cold and pitiless.
The next morning, Heirn left Lucas’s estate as planned.
He departed at dawn, without even saying goodbye to Rosalyn.
Leon was sullen at first, but that didn’t last long—because an even more shocking piece of news awaited him.
“What? Miss Adele and Master Lucas…?”
“Yes,” Lucas said lightly over breakfast. “We’re engaged.”
The entire table froze.
Madeleine spilled the juice she was pouring.
Kish collapsed into a chair.
Leon’s blue eyes widened so much it looked like they might pop out, and he forgot to chew the food in his mouth.
But none of them reacted quite like Ronshka did.
“Liar!” the boy shouted, slamming his hands on the table as he jumped to his feet.
“It’s true,” Lucas replied.
“Lies! Lies!”
“Ronshka, calm down first.”
Adele should have told him earlier…
She regretted it immediately. She and Lucas had been so busy talking that when she returned, Ronshka had already fallen asleep. She’d wanted to tell him the next morning, but Lucas had announced it before she could.
“You’re lying!” Ronshka stammered, his voice shaking. His magic responded to his emotions—a ring of small fireballs began circling around him. If he lost control, the entire dining hall could go up in flames.
Adele hurried over, panicked.
“Mom!” he cried, running into her arms, pouting and near tears.
“Teacher’s lying! Lying is bad!”
Even in his distress, he was unbearably cute—but now was not the time to think that.
“Ronshka,” Adele said softly, “why don’t you listen to what he has to say first?”
Her calm tone made Ronshka’s eyes go wide, round like Leon’s.
“M-Mom?” he whispered in disbelief.
“Listen, Ronshka…”
“It’s a lie, right?”
“Ronshka, it’s…”
Adele was just as nervous as her son, stammering. But there was no avoiding it. She would have to tell the truth eventually. So she closed her eyes tightly and said,
“What Master Lucas said is true.”
Of course, she decided to keep one thing secret from the children—
that this was all just an act, a carefully staged performance.
Children’s mouths could be sealed tight one moment…
and the next, lighter than air.
