Chapter 65

I was sitting in the drawing room, stroking El’s soft body, waiting for Lapheche to arrive.

You’re asking if I was glad enough to meet her that I prepared a separate room just for her? Of course not.  

But personal feelings aside, Lapheche Celeste was described in the original work as someone who “overflowed with magic.”  

Now that she has joined Prince Austin’s side, I couldn’t just let her go with a polite goodbye.

“Why did you summon me? Planning to bury me in a snowfield for real this time?”

Lapheche entered with a sharp comment that practically screamed “I don’t like you.”

Before I could respond, I had to suppress a laugh at her appearance.  

Yes, the Grand Duchy was in a cold region, but the castle itself was made with materials enhanced by magic, so it was well insulated.  

With guests currently staying over, we were being especially attentive to heating. A fire was roaring in the fireplace even now.

Despite all that, Lapheche had come in bundled up in a thick fur coat, looking like a snowman’s best friend.

‘She must really hate the cold.’

Judging by how bulky it looked, I was sure she had on at least a few layers underneath.

Still, instead of offering to add more firewood or suggesting she get comfortable, the words I spoke were:

“I said ‘buried’ as in social death, not actual snow. Anyway, I haven’t buried you, so in return, I’d like a word with you.”

“Hmph. Make it quick. Facing you isn’t exactly pleasant for me either.”

She plopped down onto the sofa with movements dulled by her outfit.

‘Still, she didn’t storm off—that’s something.’

I took that as a good sign, but I soon realized it was thanks to El.

“You didn’t use to keep a cat.”

Hearing himself being talked about, El opened his eyes for the first time.  

She gave Lapheche a lazy glance, then turned to me and affectionately licked my cheek.

“Do you like cats, Lady Celeste? I found this one injured. Even after treatment, he refused to leave, so I decided to keep him.”

“Myaa.”

“Oh, El. Hold on. That tickles.”

As I giggled and El kept licking more eagerly, Lapheche said offhandedly:

“A cat’s just a cat. But its eyes look kind of like His Highness the Third Prince’s, don’t they?”

…What?

“No way…”

I instinctively denied it, but then our eyes met—mine and El’s clear turquoise ones—and something clicked.

‘Wait…’

Why hadn’t I noticed before? I’d thought of El’s eyes as a bright, pure turquoise—but they were actually like Esadien’s: a sea that subtly changed color with his moods.

‘Oh no.’

I bit the inside of my cheek. I could already tell what was coming next.

“You said you were breaking off the engagement, but it looks like he still has a place in your heart.”

Of course. That kind of remark.

‘Who cares what she feels?’

I swallowed the bubbling irritation and composed myself.

“I’ve honestly never thought of it that way. Besides!”

I grabbed El’s paw and pointed it squarely at Lapheche.

“El’s eyes are way prettier than His Highness’s!”

“…Sure.”

Now Lapheche looked at me like I was beyond saving—a full-blown fool blinded by love.

But El’s reaction was… strange.

“Mya…”

He didn’t look happy to be praised. His tail flicked in every direction, full of indecision.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

At times like this, I really wished I could understand cat-speak instead of using spirit powers.  

A distant voice echoed in my head: “No refunds or exchanges.” …Probably just my imagination.

While I gently patted El’s rump to soothe him, I got to the real reason I’d called Lapheche.

“Anyway, the reason I asked to speak with you is to request that you not go to Chitrum.”

“Hah. Why? Want to bury my future now too? You just can’t leave me alone, can you?”

“Wait. Lady Celeste, please.”

That’s a misunderstanding.  

Yes, I admit—I did feel a little smug when she couldn’t become Brassidas’s apprentice.  

But I never deliberately interfered with her future! I’m honestly not that diligent or persistent.

“Actually, it’s the opposite. I wanted to suggest that you stay here and continue your studies.”

“…Huh? What are you saying?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected suggestion, Lapheche’s aggressive tone momentarily softened.

“Start preparing now and take the entrance exam next year. I’d like to sponsor you.”

“Sponsor me?”

“Yes. Not as myself but in the name of House Karnian, so you don’t need to worry.”

Lapheche looked even more confused.

“Why…?”

Why go so far?

I shrugged slightly.

“You’ve got magical potential acknowledged by a great mage. If you marry someone from Chitrum, your nationality will change.”

“Ah…”

That clearly hadn’t occurred to her.

Of course she hadn’t thought of it. She seemed more interested in Prince Austin than anyone else.

‘Still, life never goes how you expect…’

It’s not like I thought I’d form a contract with a spirit either. When I walked out of the temple, I genuinely thought I’d spend my life mooching off my family.

‘How many liters of blood have I coughed up since then?’

As I drifted into the bittersweet memory, Lapheche countered firmly.

“But the great mage said he won’t take on anyone new until he finishes training his current apprentice.”

“So? That doesn’t mean you can’t be a mage.”

“That’s, um…”

Lapheche stammered like she was on 2G Wi-Fi. That’s when I realized something.

‘She’s the type who latches onto one goal and can’t see anything else.’

She’d only ever considered Brassidas. No other mages had even crossed her mind.

Once something didn’t go her way, she turned on a dime—just like switching from Esadien to Austin.

‘That means whoever she’s considering in Chitrum must be pretty capable too.’

Honestly, what I feared wasn’t that she’d become a Chitrum national—but that she’d help Austin and the Cult of Fire.

But with no proof, I couldn’t bring that up. My only option was to dangle tempting offers.

“You know, you don’t need to be a personal disciple to study at the academy. Take your time figuring out your specialty.”

“…”

“Chitrum is a very different environment. And as a foreigner, you’ll definitely face discrimination.”

Her lips moved, hesitating. She was clearly wavering, but she kept repeating but still…

“Is something holding you back?”

“It’s…”

I tilt my head.

From what I’d seen, Lapheche was proud and not the type to admit flaws.

Then maybe…

“I’m sorry if this is presumptuous, but… is it something within your family?”

“…”

She looked down instead of answering, and her ears turned as red as her hair.

‘Bingo.’

It’s not like she had time to establish herself in the Celeste family anyway.  

She hadn’t even settled in the capital before her adoptive father died—basically left adrift, treated like a burden.

I was delighted. That kind of problem? Easy to fix.

“We’ll make sure you can focus entirely on your studies.”

I even flashed a reliable, salesperson-worthy smile.

“If you want, we can help you sever ties with the Celeste family. Our lawyers will handle it—you won’t need to meet them.”

“Then I’d lose my surname.”

That was a problem for a noble. But not without solutions.

“You could keep your original surname, Tempest. Or, if that’s uncomfortable, we can register you under one of our vassal families.”

“Vassal? Wouldn’t I have to serve House Karnian then?”

Of course. Who do you think pays for all this?

I swallowed my annoyed sigh.

‘At least Palos was honest and grateful. He made it feel worth it, even though I used my own money.’

With Lapheche… the more she acted entitled, the more irritating she became.

But that magical power of hers—the sheer potential danger—forced me to swallow my resentment.

“Think of it as a formality for convenience. After you graduate and join the royal mages, you’ll receive a title—you can change your name then.”

“Hmm…”

Lapheche’s posture slowly shifted. She leaned back confidently like she owned the sofa.

After a pause, she finally smiled.

“Thank you for your kind suggestion and advice.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Never in my life had a “thank you” made me feel so uneasy.

Sure enough, her next words were a vague rejection.

“I’ll think about it while I’m here.”

If she really intended to accept, she would’ve said yes right away.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

Before I could even respond, she flounced out of the drawing room, humming. Her exit was light and fluttery—like a butterfly.  

It made me want to spray her with bug repellent.

Thud.

The door closed.

I’d stubbornly avoided watching her leave, but now I stomped my feet and let out the anger I’d held in.

“Ugh, that girl!”

So petty! I give up! Let her be used if she wants!

My irritation only subsided when Gabbie poked his head out from the firewood pile.

—You’re so loud, I can’t sleep, human!

“You’re always sleeping! Seriously, do you ever do anything else, you so-called spirit?!”

—Why’d you call me a spirit again?!

Even as he protested, I could tell he liked being addressed by name.  

But hey, I’ve got a name too!

“Then why do you keep calling me ‘human’?!”

—Tch. You’ve got quite the personality.

Looking sheepish, Gabbie blew on the flames before disappearing back into the logs like nothing happened.

“Honestly.”

As I huffed, El, who’d been quietly sitting by, gently stood up and rested his paw on my shoulder, like he was patting me in sympathy.