STLECM 15

CHAPTER 15:

 “What’s Wrong with Me?”

As Etisha stepped onto the ground, she hastily pulled her hand away. For some reason, she felt like she had done something wrong.

‘No. Don’t think strange thoughts. The Duke already has Dite.’

Even though she had withdrawn her hand, Etisha couldn’t hide her expression. Her cheeks were faintly flushed, as if she’d been caught under the blazing summer sun.

“Um… is that thing up ahead the Warp-tel?”

Etisha deliberately changed the subject. She blurted out something—anything—to distract herself, and thankfully it worked.

‘Amazing. It looks just like a fountain. Except instead of water, it’s spraying out jewels.’

It was her first time seeing a Warp-tel. Etisha, who rarely even attended parties, had never had the chance to use the magical teleportation circle to travel far away.

“It’s my first time seeing one. I didn’t expect it to look so beautiful.”

Etisha approached the magical circle, her eyes filled with wonder.

On the ground was a large circular platform, and from the center, powerful magical energy radiated outward. The magic shimmered in all colors, sparkling like gemstones—it was almost too beautiful to take in.

“This is amazing. So once we step on this, the spell activates, right? And we’ll be sent to the North?”

“That’s correct. This one leads to the Wintel territory in the North.”

There were a total of four Warp-tels installed across the Ignivan Empire, each one connecting to the North, South, East, or West.

“I always imagined it to be something scarier and more grotesque. I mean, well… my sister Larienne always said Warp-tels were terrifying.”

“Excuse me?”

“She said it felt like your limbs were being ripped apart, or like being crushed under a giant… but that’s not true, is it?”

“Not at all. In fact, it’s more like gravity disappears and you feel as though you’re flying. For a first experience, it should be quite enjoyable.”

“Oh…”

Etisha looked up at the Warp-tel with a bittersweet smile.

Larienne had always tried to keep her locked away. It was clear now—those terrifying stories were just lies to keep her from running away through a Warp-tel.

“I was just ignorant. Larienne always got invited to noble villas every season and traveled often. I only ever heard her stories, so… I guess I was fooled.”

“…”

“I’m just glad I know the truth now.”

Kyen listened quietly, then spoke in a calm and respectful tone.

“Don’t blame yourself. This wasn’t your ignorance—it was because someone deliberately misled you.”

“Duke Kyen…”

“You said you wanted to change. That desire is what matters. And anything you don’t know, you can learn.”

Back at the Heinz household, Etisha never had the luxury of thinking about herself. She didn’t even know what she truly wanted—whether it was simply to escape, or to seek revenge.

“You’re right. From now on, I’ll find out for myself.”

Etisha had completely severed ties with the Heinz family. There was no one left to deceive her. From now on, her life was entirely her own.

And beside her stood Kyen.

“One step at a time… with you, Your Grace…”

At that moment, Kyen’s aide, Valdefram, approached silently and bowed.

“Duke, the Warp-tel is ready. It’s time to depart.”

It was finally time to use the Warp-tel.

“We’ll head out first, then.”

“Yes. We’ll meet in the North.”

But surprisingly, they wouldn’t all be using the same Warp-tel.

Since Kyen and Etisha were of noble status, they used the noble-only teleportation circle, while Valdefram, the maid Marin, and Dite—being commoners—used the freight circle.

‘So there are different kinds of Warp-tels.’

Thinking about it, it made sense. Proud nobles wouldn’t want to share a teleportation circle with commoners. Just like how trains have separate carriages… And Warp-tels were extremely expensive, mainly used by nobles—of course there would be arrangements for their comfort.

Valdefram, Marin, and Dite stood on the fountain-like magic circle. A few minutes later, a flash of brilliant light, and they vanished. It happened in an instant—like a bolt of lightning.

Etisha gasped in awe, but Kyen gently guided her.

“This way, Miss Etisha.”

“Oh, yes, Your Grace.”

The two walked toward the noble’s Warp-tel, their footsteps echoing on the white marble floor.

“…Miss Etisha.”

Suddenly, Kyen called her.

His voice was lower than before, his eyes deep like the midnight sea. When Etisha looked up at him, he swept his gaze around them like a shadow before speaking quietly.

“There’s something I need to tell you before we leave.”

“Yes?”

“It would be a long story if I explained everything, but time is short. I’ll summarize.”

Etisha blinked her blue eyes. Whatever he was about to say didn’t seem like a trivial matter.

‘What could the Duke be talking about?’

She tensed up and answered.

“Yes, please go ahead. What is it?”

“It’s… about Yudite.”

“…?”

“I couldn’t explain our relationship clearly back in the carriage—ears were listening. This is not something that should be discussed where even one extra person can overhear.”

“Of course. That makes sense.”

Etisha fully understood. Kyen had been trying to hide his mistress all along. It was only natural that he’d want to keep his relationship with Dite secret.

‘Honestly, there’s no need to say it out loud.’

Etisha had already figured everything out the moment she saw Dite sitting beside Kyen. No explanation was necessary. Standing in front of the Warp-tel, she offered a faint smile.

“Actually, Your Grace, I already noticed. You didn’t need to say anything.”

“Pardon?”

“Dite is the reason you’re marrying me, isn’t she?”

A fake duchess to present to the world—while the Duke shares true love with his mistress.

That’s why Kyen was marrying Etisha. Wasn’t it obvious?

“I suppose you might think that. But there are things you still don’t know.”

“Things I don’t know?”

“Yes. But if I tell you the truth, you must keep it secret.”

“…?”

“Yudite… is Wintel’s disgrace. A being that must remain hidden.”

Wintel’s disgrace?

A being that must be hidden?

Even if he wanted to keep his mistress hidden, Kyen’s words felt too heavy. As if there really was something more. Something Etisha didn’t yet know.

‘What is he talking about? Could it be… Dite had an illegitimate child with him?’

Come to think of it, if Dite gave birth to his child—where was that child now? In the North?

Etisha looked up at Kyen quietly. It was the same face she had been looking at just moments ago, yet now it felt unfamiliar.

Kyen furrowed his brow and opened his mouth.

“Yudite is… my—”

His emotionless voice trailed out.

And right at that moment, Etisha’s chest tightened painfully.

Her limbs tingled, and she felt a sudden surge of heat. Then her heart lurched violently.

“…!”

Something erupted inside her like lava. Shifting between burning and freezing, the undefined force surged through her, pushing outward.

It was overflowing from her heart, trying to escape through her mouth.

Etisha clamped a hand over her mouth.

“Ugh… ngh!”

It was Magia Syndrome.

A disease where stored magical energy eventually bursts. The first symptoms had finally appeared in Etisha.

The hot and cold force was the magical energy that had been building up inside her. Now, it raged to break free from her body.

“Agh… huff…!”

Etisha gagged, trying to expel the magic. But nothing came out—only nausea.

“Miss Etisha!”

Kyen rushed to support her. He wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close, gently rubbing her back. Etisha, still in his arms, gagged several more times before catching her breath.

“Y-Your Grace… I’m fine. I think I’m okay now.”

“What are you saying? You clearly are not.”

“No, really, I am. The first symptoms end quickly. I know it worsens at the final stage, but for now I can manage…”

“I know all about the illness. What I meant was you’re not okay. You need to rest for now.”

Kyen stepped off the magic circle with her. Etisha followed, coughing softly.

“Miss Etisha, look at me. I need to check your complexion.”

“Your Grace…”

“Please. Look at me.”

Kyen studied her face intently. He examined every detail—from the slight tremble in her eyes to the pale hue of her lips.

Though Etisha still looked shaken, the pain had subsided, and the once-turbulent magical energy had calmed.

“This was your first symptom, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve never experienced this before.”

“Then we still have time before the next attack.”

“Exactly. Just like labor pains before childbirth—the intervals are long at first, then grow shorter near the end. Until then, I can still go about my daily life.”

“Hah…”

Kyen exhaled softly. Etisha, always pale from lack of sunlight, looked even paler now. Even if she was stable for the moment, she clearly wasn’t “fine.”

“For now, you should rest. Let’s postpone using the Warp-tel until tomorrow. If you board now, it might trigger something in your magical energy.”

“What? But everyone else is already gone. It’s just us now.”

“I know. That actually works in our favor. If anyone had seen this, things could’ve gotten complicated.”

“That’s… true.”

Come to think of it, she couldn’t let others know about her condition. Maybe after marrying Kyen it would be different—but not yet. It was too soon for the truth to come out.

‘But still… if we delay the Warp-tel until tomorrow…’

That meant she’d be staying in the city of Laxen alone with Duke Kyen until then.

‘Alone… with him?’