Chapter 06
“Who…?”
Diana, seeing Rueri for the first time, placed a hand over her still-racing heart as he helped her up.
‘I’ll… make everything right. Starting over from the beginning…’
At that moment, a sharp pain pierced her head, accompanied by a strange, echoing voice in her mind. The headache made her sway violently, and Rueri swiftly caught her waist to steady her.
“Ah! Th-Thank you…”
She gripped his arm to regain her balance.
Yet, even after she steadied herself, his hand lingered on her waist. Flushing slightly, she glanced down at it.
“Um…?”
“Ah, sorry. Didn’t mean to.”
He grinned mischievously and let go, though his touch left an oddly nostalgic warmth.
“You asked who I am? The next Tower Master candidate, sent by your father.”
“So you’re…?”
“The one who’ll be your teacher.”
Diana had chosen to relearn magic and alchemy—skills she once excelled in—as part of her plan. Her letter to the Marquisate had requested a magic instructor.
But the next Tower Master? Her father had truly outdone himself. She hadn’t expected someone of such stature.
“By the way, why the blindfold?”
“Huh?”
“The blindfold. Why are you wearing it?”
Ah, right. She touched the fabric covering her eyes. After two days, she’d forgotten it was even there.
Still, it was better to keep the truth hidden, even from this mage.
“I was injured.”
“You can’t see? That can’t be.”
Could a great mage sense that her eyes were fine?
Behind the blindfold, her eyes narrowed slightly, but she kept her voice calm.
“No, I can’t.”
“…Really? Strange.”
Rueri tilted his head as if sensing something amiss but shrugged it off cheerfully.
“Anyway, nice to meet you, noona. I’m Rueri de Constantine. I’ll appear for lessons once a week at noon. Sound good?”
“Yes. Teacher…?”
Calling someone who looked so much younger “teacher” felt awkward, and she hesitated.
Rueri grinned, as if reading her thoughts.
“No need for ‘teacher.’ Just call me Rueri.”
“Alright, Rueri.”
She smiled. Though playful, she trusted her father wouldn’t send someone dangerous.
Rueri studied her face intently.
“Noona, your face…”
Thinking something was on it, she touched her cheek.
“Huh? Is there something?”
His playful expression vanished, replaced by startling sincerity.
“No. You’re beautiful.”
“…What?”
Aside from Calypso, no man had ever spoken to her so intimately. Even Calypso’s rare affectionate words were a distant memory.
Yet here was this impossibly handsome young man calling her beautiful.
Am I still a woman at heart?
Her pulse fluttered strangely—whether from the night breeze or the starlight, she didn’t know.
And there was something eerily familiar about him. But like a foggy memory, she couldn’t place where she’d seen him before.
As she puzzled over it, Rueri’s mischievous grin returned.
“Ah, this’ll be fun. Right, noona?”
“Yes. I’ll look forward to it, Rueri.”
He winked—then vanished in a blink.
Diana stared at the empty space, then up at the starry sky. The twinkling lights reminded her of his vivid blue eyes.
After a moment, she closed the terrace doors and lay down.
What an odd person. Almost like I’ve known him before…
Shaking off the thought, she closed her eyes, already anticipating their next meeting.
“Your Grace!”
Shane and Milan burst into the room, their faces gaunt from days of worry.
“Shane! Milan!”
Milan burst into tears upon seeing Diana’s blindfold. The girl she’d served since childhood, now injured…
“We were so shocked when we heard,” Shane said softly, patting Milan’s back.
“Shane. Milan.”
Diana’s voice was colder than they’d ever heard.
She couldn’t deceive them. While she’d keep her regression a secret, they needed to know about her eyes.
She removed the blindfold.
Their eyes widened.
“Your Grace…? Your eyes…?”
“They’re fine.”
“…What?”
“I called you back because I need your help.”
“With what…?”
“Revenge.”
Shane’s voice trembled. The word didn’t suit the gentle lady they knew.
But Diana’s smile—twisted with deep-seated hatred—chilled them to the bone.
Like a fallen angel.
“Could you endure it?”
“Huh?”
“If you were me.”
They shook their heads miserably. How could they fathom such betrayal?
“The old me is gone.”
“Your Grace…”
“I’ll become vile. Wearing the mask of a saint they want.”
Her hands shook with rage. Shane and Milan clasped them tightly.
“We’ll help!”
“Whatever you command.”
“…Thank you.”
She smiled faintly, then gave her first orders.
“Shane, find me a knight.”
“A knight?”
“One not officially registered. Disguised as a maid, willing to do anything.”
“Understood.”
“And replace all the current maids.”
“Yes.”
Shane left immediately.
Milan stayed, awaiting her task.
“Milan… find me a girl.”
“A girl?”
Her daughter hadn’t been among the maids, but Alicia had said she worked in the estate.
“Around fifteen. Thin. Likely works here.”
Diana clenched her fist, recalling the rough, calloused hands of the girl who’d died bringing her bread.
This time, I’ll find and protect you.
“Appearance doesn’t matter. Just bring anyone who fits.”
“Yes!”
Once alone, Diana picked up her cane.
It was time for Calypso’s office hours—meaning Alicia would be there too.
Let’s give them a little scare.
Smirking, she headed out.
She flung the office door open without knocking.
“Madam…!”
As expected.
Calypso and Alicia were half-naked.
Calypso scrambled to dress, though he knew she was “blind.” Pathetic.
Alicia, dress nearly off, stared defiantly.
Diana arched a brow. Now you know how helplessness feels.
She held out a hand toward Calypso’s voice.
“Help me, won’t you?”
He stiffly took it.
“I came to thank you. Shane and Milan have returned.”
“…Ah, yes.”
She leaned against his chest, listening to his pounding heart—beating for Alicia.
Disgusting.
If he’d loved Alicia, he should’ve divorced her properly. But no—he’d needed her father’s influence.
Spineless coward.
She hugged him tightly, whispering sweetly:
“I love you, dear.”
“…Huh?”
Behind the blindfold, Alicia’s face twisted in fury.
Diana traced Calypso’s face—then kissed him, hard.
Alicia stormed out, unable to watch.
Breaking the kiss, Diana bit his lip, drawing blood.
“Ah…!”
“Oh, sorry. It’s been so long.”
She left without another word, smirking at Alicia’s door.
You’re powerless. As long as I’m Grand Duchess.
The blood on Calypso’s lip was just the appetizer.
Her revenge had only begun.
