chapter 7
“Eris!”
She must not have received any proper welcome yet, as she stood at the entrance. I ran to her in one breath and wrapped her in a hug.
“Lady riley, have you been well?”
“Yeah. What about you? I was worried since I hadn’t heard from you.”
I released her from my arms and held her hands. She seemed just as confident and energetic as the last time I saw her, which made me even happier.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been busy running around looking for potion ingredients.”
“I figured that might be the case.”
“Then I remembered you might be staying here, so I asked around and came looking for you.”
“You did well. Oh—my goodness, come in! Let’s talk inside.”
“I would love to, but… I actually just stopped by to say hello today. If it’s alright with you, could I come back tomorrow when you’re alone?”
“Really? We’ve only just reunited, it’s a shame to part so quickly.”
“I promise I’ll stay longer tomorrow.”
“Alright…”
As I showed my disappointment, Eris hesitated for a moment before smiling and giving me a gentle nod.
After the brief meeting with Eris ended and I went back upstairs, Anna came rushing over as if she had been waiting.
“My lady, that was the witch, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was.”
Just as Anna said, Eris was known as the “Witch of the Kingdom of Dalan.” She had awakened early as a magician, but because her magical power wasn’t strong, she used spells in combination with magic, which naturally led people to call her a witch.
Typically, people assume that witches gain their power through contracts with demons and use it malevolently. But in Eris’s case, “witch” was more of a nickname, given because she combined magic and spells. Anna was scared of her because of the name, but Eris was a kind and diligent girl.
“My lady, you’re amazing. To be friends with a witch—it takes real courage.”
“Anna, I’ve told you over and over. Eris is just nicknamed a witch. She’s not truly evil.”
“I know. That witch… I mean, that lady has helped you so much.”
I had first met Eris when I visited a famous shaman in the Kingdom of Dalan to request an exorcism. That shaman turned out to be Eris.
After hearing my story, she used all the knowledge she had and performed the ritual several times, but in the end, they all failed.
Back then, she apologized profusely and promised to find a way to help me. I thought it was just a polite gesture like anyone else would say, but she continued to send me letters whenever she found new information. Even the perfumes and exorcism items I currently use were all made and sent by her.
“Oh, and young master asked me to tell you, ‘Mother and Father will be back tomorrow, so be prepared.’”
Anna mimicked Eric’s voice perfectly as she relayed the message. I found her impression adorable—only briefly—before the weight of what she said sank in. Another mountain to climb: now it was time to tell my parents about my engagement.
Somehow, I had a feeling tomorrow would be an incredibly busy day.
The very next day.
“You’re back?”
“Rayleigh, have you been well?”
Natasha’s wide-brimmed hat fluttered in the wind as she stepped out of the carriage. From her unusually bright smile, I could tell the trip must have gone well.
That’s good news for me. I should strike while the mood is good.
“I have something to tell you both. Would it be alright if I said it now?”
“Right now? Here?”
Of course, I knew they had just gotten out of the carriage and hadn’t even stepped into the house yet. But I was in a rush—and I wanted an escape route just in case.
“I’m getting engaged.”
“……”
“……”
As expected, when you’re too shocked, you’re left speechless. I felt the same way when I found out a few days ago.
Fortunately, neither of them moved an inch. There were no signs of raised hands or flying kicks, so I figured I didn’t have to worry about retreating anymore.
“Ray… engaged…?”
“Yes, Father. I’m getting engaged.”
“To whom?”
Natasha brushed her fluttering hat up out of her eyes and approached me. That thing really didn’t suit her….
“To Ian Crichton…”
“You mean that pretty-boy Duke from the Brookshell Empire?”
“Yes.”
So Ian is that famous. I was the only one who didn’t know. I’ve been wandering around too much.
“You’re getting engaged to that flower prince?”
“Yes.”
“…In terms of beauty, our Rayleigh certainly isn’t lacking, but still…”
I could tell they wanted to ask, Why would that duke want you? Natasha’s lips twitched as if to say it, then closed again.
“The engagement will be happening soon.”
Probably?
“We’ve already received the Emperor’s blessing.”
Probably?
It’s my own engagement, and yet I know nothing for sure.
“Why so suddenly…?”
“Well, there’s a long journey we’ll need to take together. So… sort of a package deal.”
“Rayleigh Magnolia. Come with me.”
My father, who had been silently listening until now, turned and marched toward his study. Whether it was my imagination or not, the atmosphere made it feel like I should’ve entered in full armor.
“Close the door on your way out.”
“Yes, Baron.”
As I passed the butler on my way in, his eyes were filled with pity. I almost wanted to cling to him and beg not to go in—but I couldn’t. So I just reached out a helpless hand.
Still, what can I do? This is the path I chose! I have to take responsibility! Be bold, riley Magnolia! You can do this!
“Riley.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Come sit here.”
I sat across from him on a cushion laid out on the sofa. So this… this is what they call the infamous “seat of thorns.”
“So, you’re getting engaged?”
“Yes.”
“To the Duke of Crichton from Brookshell?”
“Yes.”
My father stroked his chin in thought after hearing my resolute reply. After a brief silence, he spoke again.
“…Ahem. Don’t take this the wrong way—but have you, by chance, found some sort of leverage against the duke…?”
“No, I haven’t.”
It’s a reasonable suspicion, but… hearing it from my own father kind of stings.
“Alright, then. Really, don’t take that the wrong way. To me, you’re the most beautiful girl in all of the Poletto Empire…”
“That’s enough, Father. You don’t have to go that far.”
“Ahem. Anyway, how could the duke get the Emperor’s approval without even greeting us first! How disrespectfu—”
SLAM! Before he could finish, Natasha burst through the door.
“Dear! He’s here! He’s come!”
“What is it, woman, causing such a fuss!”
“I said he’s here!”
“Who? Who’s here!”
Even before Natasha could answer, a man strode confidently through the open door.
The man who’d constantly gotten on my nerves to the point of denial, but whom I now had no choice but to acknowledge.
More beautiful than flowers, more brilliant than jewels—The Grand Magician has entered.
“Lady Natasha, Baron. Good day. I apologize for the late greeting.”
“Y-You’re… Ian… Ian Crichton, the Duke…”
“Please, just call me Ian.”
With my father still frozen in shock, I patted the seat beside me.
Come on in. This is the seat of thorns.
“You went to see the Emperor yesterday, didn’t you?”
Ian asked as soon as he sat down.
“You’re more well-informed than I expected, Lady RIREY.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask—just what exactly do you think of me?”
“I think you’re absolutely lovable.”
“……”
That line froze three people on the spot—my father, Natasha, and me. A worthy feat for someone called a Grand Magician.
“I wanted to greet you both first, but since you were traveling, I sought the Emperor’s approval in the meantime. My apologies.”
“No, no need to apologize. We’re practically family now! Right, dear?”
I caught a flicker of danger in Natasha’s gaze as she looked at my father. He’d better answer wisely….
“Well… still, you could have waited a little…”
“RILEY also suggested we greet you first, but I got a little ahead of myself.”
I never said that, but since he did go to the Emperor without asking me, I let it slide.
But why does he keep calling them “Father-in-law” and “Mother-in-law”? We’re not even officially engaged yet, let alone married!
“So, then—when are you planning the engagement ceremony?”
Natasha slid into the seat beside my father, her eyes gleaming.
“We don’t plan to hold a formal ceremony.”
Hmm. That aligns with my thinking. I like it.
“We’ve decided to have a family dinner instead—with the Baron, Madam, and Lady Riley’s younger brother.”
We never actually discussed that, but I still like it.
“There won’t be a ceremony, but… we do plan to make a grand public announcement. In Poletto, in Brookshell—and across the entire Iphen Continent, if possible.”
I like that—wait, what?? This guy is off doing things on his own again!
