Chapter 10
Calypso looked as shocked as if he had caught Diana in the act of adultery.
The audacity. He was the one openly committing adultery, yet here he was, acting scandalized. The hypocrisy was staggering.
Rueri’s sharp eyes studied Calypso with an inexplicable hostility, despite this being their first meeting.
Before Diana could ponder his reaction, Calypso closed the distance between them.
“Madam. Who is this?”
His frown deepened as his gaze dropped to Diana and Rueri’s still-joined hands.
Only then did Diana realize she hadn’t let go. Flustered, she released Rueri and answered calmly.
“This is my magic instructor.”
“Magic?”
Calypso’s expression twisted in disbelief. He knew Diana had dabbled in magic before, but he had never considered it significant—certainly not enough to warrant lessons from a Tower mage.
Now that he was dreaming of abandoning her for Alicia, he wouldn’t want her gaining more power—especially not with the Marquisate’s backing.
“Yes. As you know, I can’t read anymore now that I’m blind. So I thought I’d try learning magic instead.”
“…Hmph.”
Calypso’s gaze swept over Rueri, who stood with his arms crossed, not bothering with even the bare minimum of courtesy.
“Rueri, this is… my husband.”
For some reason, introducing Calypso as her husband left a bitter taste in Diana’s mouth. But she had no choice.
“Pleasure.”
Rueri gave a lazy, half-hearted wave. As a Tower mage, social status meant nothing to him.
And clearly, he didn’t like Calypso.
Calypso’s frown deepened at his attitude.
“…Likewise.”
Displeased, Calypso scrutinized Rueri, who didn’t back down an inch.
Tension crackled between them like static.
Diana stared at Calypso in disbelief.
How ridiculous. The man who had slept with her best friend and fathered a child with her now had the nerve to act jealous over a handshake?
You don’t have the right.
She glared at him through the blindfold—an unexpectedly useful tool for hiding her emotions.
“Mother? Father?”
Amid the standoff, Catherine approached, having been strolling through the garden.
Her voice was hoarse from reading aloud all morning—a point of pride for Diana, now weaponized against her.
Diana planned to ruin that voice completely. And in doing so, ruin Catherine’s future.
“Ah, Catherine!”
Diana held out her arms. Eager to stay in her good graces, Catherine rushed into the embrace.
“Mother!”
A deliciously cruel idea struck Diana.
“Perfect timing.”
“Huh?”
“Say hello. This is my magic instructor.”
Catherine eyed Rueri warily.
His blue gaze turned icy as he studied her, a smirk playing on his lips—a stark contrast to his usual playfulness.
“The Young Lady, I presume?”
His tone carried a mocking edge, as if questioning her legitimacy.
“Y-Yes?”
“You don’t look like your mother at all. What a pretty little thing.”
His words held an odd weight, as if he knew something. Impossible, of course. Diana shook off the thought.
Calypso bristled.
“How dare you—!”
“Huh? I just said what I saw. What’s so rude about that?”
“Even if you’re a Tower mage—”
“Ah, stop right there. Titles and etiquette are your noble constructs. The Tower doesn’t care—surely you know that?”
He was right. Magic talent was rare and random—commoners, even slaves, could awaken to it.
And once they did, status meant nothing. Ordinary people feared mages—beings who wielded power beyond human limits.
Calypso gritted his teeth but couldn’t retort. Swallowing his anger, he stormed off in a swirl of his cloak.
Rueri had effortlessly lit a fire under him.
Perfect.
He was an ideal ally—a magic instructor unbound by nobility, who even seemed to dislike Calypso. Diana allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.
Catherine hesitated, unsure whether to follow her father.
“Catherine.”
“Yes?”
“Stay. Wait a moment.”
Then she turned to Rueri.
“Could you teach her magic too, going forward?”
“Huh?”
Rueri tilted his head, then grinned.
“Sure, why not?”
“M-Magic?!”
Catherine stammered, panicked.
“Yes. Magic is usually inherited, after all.”
Diana smiled sweetly.
Magic talent was random—it could appear in peasants, even slaves. But if one parent had it, the child always inherited at least a trace.
Meaning, if Catherine were truly Diana’s daughter, she should have magic.
“B-But I’ve never been interested in magic!”
Catherine wiped sweat from her brow. In her past life, Diana had never thought to test her.
But now that she knew the truth, she’d exploit this too.
“Even basic magic is useful. You don’t have to join the Tower or become a royal mage.”
“But—”
“You’re the sole heir to the Grand Duchy, Catherine.”
Catherine’s eyes flickered.
“When you inherit your father’s title, magic will be an asset.”
Her violet eyes darkened with greed. How foolish. She still deluded herself into thinking she was the true heir.
“Promise to learn with me, and I’ll reconsider Prince Soiré.”
“…Really?”
“Of course. I only want to help you, Catherine. And spend time with my beloved daughter.”
Catherine’s eyes sparkled. She had no training yet, but what if she did have talent?
“Alright, then.”
She agreed—too young to realize how reckless this was.
“Shall we start?”
Rueri glanced at Diana, who shook her head after a moment.
“We’ve taken enough of your time today.”
If not for Calypso and Catherine, they could have progressed further. But it was already past noon.
“Next week, then. With Catherine.”
Diana studied Catherine through the blindfold. The girl’s expression had brightened—she thought she’d bought herself time.
She’ll run to Alicia, desperate for a solution.
But whatever scheme they cooked up, Rueri would see through it.
How humiliated will you be, little viper?
“Sure thing.”
Rueri agreed easily, then paused as if to leave—before leaning in to whisper in Diana’s ear:
“I wanted private lessons, though.”
“…Huh?”
“Ah well. Next time!”
Diana’s face burned. Rueri winked and vanished, leaving her flustered.
Tease.
Fanning her cheeks, Diana returned to the mansion with Catherine.
As she ascended the stairs with Shane and Belinda, Alicia descended toward them.
Alicia’s face twisted before she forced a smile—too many maids were watching to ignore Diana outright.
“Your Grace, where have you been?”
A delicious idea struck Diana.
“Oh, just the garden. Something amusing happened, actually.”
“What?”
“I never knew Calypso was the jealous type.”
Diana stifled a laugh. At the mention of jealousy, Alicia’s eyebrow twitched.
Jealous? Impossible. He loved her now. Suppressing her irritation, Alicia feigned curiosity.
“Jealous, you say?”
“Yes. I hired a magic instructor—quite young, as it turns out.”
Alicia’s expression twitched. Diana relished it.
“We were celebrating a breakthrough when Calypso showed up.”
“…Is that so?”
“He sounded furious.”
“Furious?!”
Alicia’s lips parted in disbelief.
What nonsense is this idiot spouting?! Calypso is MINE!
Her red eyes burned with ugly jealousy.
“The Grand Duke isn’t one to anger easily. You must be mistaken.”
“No, he even argued with my instructor.”
“An argument?!”
Alicia’s lips trembled.
“I always thought his love was calm. Turns out it’s quite passionate.”
Diana left Alicia seething and continued up the stairs.
“Well, I’ll see you later, my love. I’ll be heading up now.”
Alicia bit her lip hard. Rage boiled inside her, but all she could do was glare at Diana’s retreating back.
“Just you wait, Diana.”
She muttered under her breath, lips curling into a sneer.
“I’ll take everything from you.”
This hollow, insatiable void inside her—she’d fill it by destroying Diana.
Alicia’s hatred sharpened like thorns as she watched Diana walk away.
