The amount was significant, and no one had ever refused his requests before. He had never resorted to intimidation. He had always persuaded others by creating favorable circumstances. He even took some pride in the fact that he had always succeeded in persuasion thanks to making reasonable proposals.
“Do it.”
“Yes, Lord!”
“This too.”
“Yes! I-I shall f-follow your orders!”
He stroked his chin, lost in thought. What was the problem this time?
“You’re o-obsessed with something again. What’s the subject of the research this time?”
“I’m obsessed with marriage.”
“S-So y-you r-really f-fall for her back then…?”
As his aide’s mouth fell open, Duke Kalinos was absorbed in his own thoughts. No matter how he thought about it, Giselle was the optimal candidate for his marriage.
…She’ll come back, won’t she? But seeing the look in her eyes left him confused. How troubling.
Since Duke Kalinos wasn’t well-versed in analyzing human emotions, he tried to find answers in books this time too.
“I’ve heard that acquiring talented individuals usually requires at least three attempts. It’s written on page 3050 of [Instant Q&A for Proper Social Life].”
“When did you memorize that again… I-I see.”
…He wondered when would be the right time to approach her again.
The next morning came with a strangely unsettled feeling. That’s when he realized why Giselle hadn’t immediately accepted his proposal.
“Y-Your Grace. Count Florette has returned from his voyage after five years!”
“What?”
Count Florette, Giselle’s adoptive father, whom everyone had assumed dead, had returned. And what’s more…
“He’s brought back the incredible heirlooms that Count Sehera had lost!”
With the heirlooms of Giselle’s biological father, Count Sehera, the ‘Archmage’!
* * *
As soon as Mariposa heard that her brother Count Florette was returning, she dragged me out of the closet. Then she prepared my room and secretly slipped a sleeping potion into my teacup. Of course, since I didn’t drink it, her attempt failed, but it still pissed me off.
Back then, that woman would jump in and monopolize all the conversations with Count Florette while I was asleep. Claiming that I couldn’t adapt to this house and that I wanted to leave. She’d incite him to give me a small house and send me away. That’s why, without even being able to protest, I was kicked out with nothing but the clothes on my back!
But now, I plan to get closer to Count Florette.
After I died, my stepfather, Count Florette, eventually came to my grave and regretted it. He apologized for being so indifferent for so long.
Honestly, if he really wanted to care, he could have tried harder, don’t you think so? I didn’t want to expect anything from people anymore or give them my heart. But still… At least Count Florette was the only one who apologized to me. He’s the only person in this family with whom there’s even a slight chance of improving relations. If I can win him over, it would be advantageous for my future survival.
Under the warm sunlight, I strolled leisurely towards the Florette family’s fountain.
“Ha! How can someone under house arrest be at the fountain?”
“It’s my choice. The sun’s nice.”
“Get lost.” Even as he said that, Abisan couldn’t come any closer to me.
As expected, he’s weak to the strong and strong to the weak. A fool who, despite paying the academy every year, couldn’t advance past the first circle. Yet he boasted about becoming an archmage, loudly and proudly. But he always looked down on me. And he was better off than me, who can’t even attend the academy due to lack of mana.
I glanced around, a smirk on my lips. In my previous life, this was where Count Florette and Abisan had their touching encounter.
In the original story, Abisan, with Mariposa’s help, barely managed to create a flickering light using various artifacts. Count Florette, upon seeing that shimmering light, joyfully praised Abisan.
“I want to create a rainbow too, using light magic.”
“Magic without mana? Are you trying to use artifacts again? Where are they? Hand them over.”
Rumors about my lack of mana were widespread in social circles.
I shrugged, raising both hands. “Who knows? I have no idea.”
Only a select few mages with high-purity mana could create light.
“So, Abisan, want to make a bet?”
“What kind of bet?”
“Let’s see who has a deeper understanding of magic between the two of us.”
“…Ha, without those damn artifacts, right?”
“Yeah, without artifacts.”
A sly smile crept onto his lips. “You’re asking for a beating, aren’t you? Foolish.”
“Yeah, you mudskipper. I can’t hear your babbling. If I’m better at magic than you…”
“Mudskipper? Babbling?”
“If I’m better than you, you’ll kneel and beg. Got it?”
* * *
“Oh gosh, Brother! It’s been five years!”
Even as his younger sister Mariposa ran toward him with tears in her eyes, Count Florette remained indifferent, his expression stoic.
“The estate?”
“I’ve been taking good care of it, of course!”
“Thank you for managing the estate while I was away.”
“Oh, Brother. It was my duty!”
“What about Abisan and Giselle?”
“Oh, yes. I’ve been properly educating both of them.”
Count Florette looked at Mariposa. While he was away on his voyage, the senate had been established to oversee the family’s external affairs. However, Mariposa had diligently managed the family’s social activities, internal affairs, and household matters in his absence. For that, he was genuinely grateful to his sister, and his gaze softened slightly.
“It seems the children are doing well. I should go see them first.” He grasped the necklace, a memento from Count Sehera, and stood up.
Mariposa followed closely behind him, speaking with a playful tone. “Abisan should be by the fountain. Giselle, that child, is probably asleep in a closet somewhere. She loves corners for some reason.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, absolutely!”
I didn’t know Giselle liked closets.
Mariposa’s eyes sparkled as she noticed the softened demeanor of her older brother, who was usually so intimidating and distant. “Oh, by the way, brother! That necklace, is it some kind of artifact?”
But his response was cold and immediate.
“Mariposa. Do I have an obligation to tell you?”
“…No, o-of course not. Absolutely!”
It was then, as they approached the Trevi Fountain, Count Florette witnessed the most beautiful magic.
A cascade of radiant light poured from the sky. At the same time, water gushed forth from the old fountain adorned with cherubic sculptures. The light reflected off the fountain, creating a magnificent, large rainbow.
“Oh my, isn’t it beautiful? Just look at this rainbow.”
“An impressive rainbow indeed. Such pure mana. Whoever cast this magic must have mana without a trace of impurity.”
He had only seen such a beautiful rainbow once before from his dear friend, Count Sehera.
As he gazed at the rainbow with a wistful look, Mariposa covered her mouth, murmuring. “My goodness… It seems our precious Abisan has finally done something remarkable!”
“Impressive. The result of long training, no doubt.”
“Of course. Abisan is truly a worthy heir to the Florette family!”
But as they got closer, something seemed amiss.
“…Abisan?”
“Mo-Mother!” Tears welled up in Abisan’s eyes.
Flustered, Mariposa looked at the person across from Abisan. “Gi-Giselle?”
The noble aura of light and the rainbow surrounding the Trevi Fountain were being created by none other than Giselle’s fingertips.
Giselle, with her shimmering silver hair glinting in the light, waved her hand. “Oh my, there’s quite a beautiful rainbow here, isn’t there, Abisan?”
