Chapter 8
Among the characters in the original story, there was one person who supported Lucas more than anyone else.
That person was Eastern Rosoterban.
Eastern became the Marquess of the Rosoterban family at the relatively young age of twenty-one.
At the same time, he was also Honey Edren’s young maternal uncle.
But he had a secret…
His mother wasn’t human—she was a demon.
This half-demon lineage was a secret he had to keep from the empire, which despised other races. But ironically, that same lineage allowed him to reach the level of a Swordmaster far faster than others, thanks to his unique physiology.
The problem was… Lucas found out the truth and used Eastern.
Not in a good way—in a bad way.
Lucas discovered Eastern’s true identity and used it as leverage to blackmail him.
Eastern had inherited the ability from his mother to manipulate the weather for short periods. This was a power Lucas found especially alluring.
All the lightning I had seen in my past dream was, in fact, artificially created by Eastern.
Even if brief, having someone who could control the weather on your side was a tremendous advantage.
Eastern was the one who made it possible for Lucas to ascend the throne so smoothly.
I finished a tasteless tea time and quickly dove into bed.
Of course, I wasn’t hiding out of fear.
Naturally…
“YES!”
I was celebrating the exhilarating joy of having stolen away the most important person in Lucas’s life.
I kicked my blankets in delight, unable to contain my excitement.
Perfect.
Noah’s golden path was falling into place.
And if his future teacher happened to be the heir to a marquisate, that would be even better.
It would prove to the world how seriously our family was taking Noah’s education—and how deeply we cherished him.
Ugh… just wait, Noah will surpass both Honey and Lucas.
Oh, right. To commemorate the occasion, I should order a custom sword for Noah in advance.
In the original story, he loved using swords. He’d be thrilled to have one prepared ahead of time.
No children’s sword, though. He’ll grow quickly—so something that can last until adulthood.
“Annie, let’s head out.”
There’s already so much to do!
For the first time in a while, I left the duchy with Annie and made my way to the empire’s largest weapons shop—Arnold.
“Welcome, noble young lady of House Agrinda.”
The shopkeeper introduced himself as Peter and laid out several swords before me.
I’d always imagined weapon shops would look like the gritty, dangerous ones from games, but this place wasn’t all that different from a jewelry store.
Quiet and elegant, really.
It was surprising—so unlike the gritty atmosphere of most adventure games.
“…”
I looked over the swords, testing their weight, examining them closely.
But without knowing swordsmanship, all I could really understand were the price tags.
I couldn’t help it.
Rosente was talented in business, but anything requiring physical skill? She was hopeless.
Eventually, I gave in and asked the shopkeeper directly.
“Do you have anything durable enough to withstand magic, with high strength?”
“A sword like that would need to be custom-made.”
“Then show me how.”
The shopkeeper nodded, then showed me papers and basic design templates while picking up a pen.
“To endure magical power, we’ll need assistance from the Mage Tower.”
“Whatever the cost, I’ll pay.”
Money was the one thing I had plenty of.
“To increase durability, we’ll use mithril and iron ore…”
He began sketching a rough sword design on parchment, listing out various possibilities.
The outline was starting to look promising.
But…
“Not good enough.”
This didn’t suit Noah at all!
I wanted something more refined, sharper.
Fantasy novels often described a master swordsmith’s work as overwhelming just from appearance. Was that too much to ask?
“No matter the cost, make your finest masterpiece.”
This sword is for our Noah.
It’s also the first formal gift I’m giving him—I can’t let it be anything less than perfect.
“But, young lady, this is already the best I can—”
“I heard Arnold was the largest weapons shop in the empire. Was I misinformed?”
I challenged him directly, pressing with intensity.
“I prefer better than the best. If you’re not confident in your skills, recommend someone who is.”
“…”
“I’m the one paying. I expect results worth the price.”
Maybe it was my provocation that finally lit a fire in the man.
As I stood to leave, the shopkeeper suddenly blocked me.
“P-please wait! I can do it!”
“Oh?”
“Just give me a moment to consult with my craftsmen!”
He hurriedly tucked the parchment into his coat and scurried away.
“At this rate, we might actually get something good.”
“I’ll just head to the carriage real quick, miss—I forgot my wallet,” Annie added.
And just like that, I was left alone in the shop.
Well, then… I’ll just browse the other items to pass the time.
I needed to choose a scabbard and sword handle too, so I may as well check out other sword designs.
I rose from the sofa and wandered toward the most extravagant-looking sword on display.
That’s when it happened.
Clatter.
The sound of swords falling echoed across the shop. In front of the display, a man stood frozen, looking flustered.
Was he… an employee?
He hastily reached down to pick up the fallen weapons.
I watched for a moment, then took a deep breath.
Navy blue hair. Ash-gray eyes.
A restrained elegance within an aura of austerity.
It was the first time I’d seen someone whose looks rivaled Noah’s.
Broad shoulders, a slim waist, and the way his coat fell down in curves was just…
“Phew.”
Okay, maybe I was being a little shameless.
I closed my eyes for a second to reset, then stepped forward.
“Here. Let me help you.”
“Ah, thank you.”
His low, resonant voice echoed in my chest. It wasn’t just pleasant—it felt calculated.
Like he wanted to shake me up.
As he turned to meet my eyes, a faint but distinctive scent wafted toward me.
Where had I smelled this before?
A little like grapes… with a hint of floral sweetness.
“…”
I stared into his gray eyes, and for a moment, our gazes locked.
It felt like my vision was being dyed in that color.
Why… why did I feel like this?
It wasn’t natural. It felt like he was forcibly grabbing hold of my heart. But at the same time…
‘I don’t mind it.’
“Aah…”
Shaken, I quickly backed away.
But then…
Thunk.
My foot slipped, and I stumbled.
He caught me.
“Careful!”
His strong hand wrapped around my waist.
Thump.
My heart pounded violently in response.
What was this?
Why did it feel so overwhelming?
This wasn’t the kind of moment that should fluster me, and yet…
Before I could make sense of it, he whispered softly.
“You’re quite sensitive, milady.”
His grip around my waist tightened slightly.
“I should’ve been more careful. I apologize.”
He was trying to pull away, but I—stunned by his scent and closeness—felt reluctant to let go.
It was like being drugged. Intoxicating.
“Don’t go.”
My hands trembled as I gripped his shirt.
His breath hitched slightly.
Maybe he hadn’t expected this kind of reaction.
But for some reason, I just didn’t want to let him go.
“Please… just stay like this.”
I moved my hand to his cheeks.
His skin was warm. That rich scent wrapped around me again, dizzying.
I want more.
I wanted to drown in it.
If anyone tried to interrupt, I’d destroy them.
“Aah…”
How could someone smell this good?
Our breaths grew closer. Just as our lips were about to meet—
“If you come any closer, you won’t be able to walk away.”
“…That’s fine.”
“No. Right now, milady, you’re under my spell.”
With that, he gently pushed my hands away and stepped back.
Only two steps—but it was enough to break the trance.
“…”
My breath trembled as I tried to ground myself.
Still reeling, I asked,
“A spell…?”
Ridiculous. He wasn’t some fantasy creature like a vampire or a demon.
If anyone in the empire could enchant people like that, it would be someone like…
Oh no.
“Your name…?”
He caught me as I swayed again.
Then, he whispered,
“Eastern.”
And added,
“Eastern Rosoterban.”
No way.
Everything snapped into place.
I had to compose myself—fast.
If this was really Eastern, this wasn’t just a one-time encounter.
I stared at him, overwhelmed.
But there was no time to think.
“……!”
His forehead touched mine.
He had leaned in close, pressing his forehead against mine gently.
His breath tickled my lips.
My heart surged again.
As if all my thoughts disappeared into the warmth between us.
“…Ah.”
I exhaled softly, dazed.
Eastern whispered again,
“Just enjoy the feeling.”
Then added,
“You’ll forget it all soon anyway.”
Forget…?
How could I possibly forget something like this?
I opened my mouth to ask—but couldn’t.
“The designs you requested, milady!”
The shopkeeper’s excited voice cut between us.
Sensing the shift in atmosphere, he shrank back.
Eastern, who had been holding my hand, quietly let go.
“Well then.”
Without looking back, he walked out of the store.
“…”
I clutched my chest, lips trembling.
Somehow, I knew—
There was no way I’d ever forget that feeling.
