The term ‘Magic Essence’ caused Atia’s eyes to grow somber.

A tool of dark magic that could yield immense destructive power even in a tiny amount.

The reason nobody could act recklessly against the royal family was precisely because of the Magic Essence.

‘It’s not fair to have such an advantage… In a oneonone fight, Casus would probably win.’

Atia nervously bit her lip and then stopped, repeating the action.

‘Shoot… I don’t know much about Magic Essence since the author hasn’t clarified it. Isn’t it risky to rush in?’

However, Atia thought it was better to live for half a year in a body bursting with awesomeness than to spend 100 years in an anchovylike body.

She didn’t even want to look at a body like that in the mirror.

She could only deduce what Magic Essence was from the sporadic mentions by the author.

‘Fine, short and sweet. Even if the plan in the capital fails, no harm, no foul.’

“I can’t just sit back and do nothing. Losing you is worse than doing nothing.”

“Yes, let’s go. To the capital. I’m getting restless.”

Atia rolled around on the bed, covered in her blanket in her excitement.

Casus quickly caught her as she almost fell off the bed.

“Calm down.”

“I want to calm down, but I can’t.”

Muttering like a worm, Atia rolled herself in her blanket.

“My heart is already in the capital.”

Casus spoke, his eyebrows twitching.

“We should prepare as soon as possible.”

(This is a time separator.)

Rumors were quietly spreading that the Duchess was suffering from an unknown illness.

Even dozens of the empire’s top doctors couldn’t diagnose it.

In the square, the ducal subjects were exchanging speculations about her condition, leading to disputes as they held different opinions.

“Some say the Duchess was bleeding. But she looked fine. Isn’t that strange?”

“She must be cursed by God!”

“Nonsense. What sin could someone as angelic as the Duchess have committed? Everyone saw her.”

“People are naturally deceptive.”

“Shut up. Say that one more time and I won’t let it go!”

“Why couldn’t even the best doctors in the empire find out?”

“Because it’s a divine curse!”

“Stop the nonsense. If you all don’t want to taste my fist, stop talking rubbish.”

Had they not seen the Duchess, the people’s opinions would have been largely negative.

However, because Atia led the 12th Festival successfully and met the needs of the people, public opinion gradually tilted positively.

“The fun festival was also her idea, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, thinking about it… she doesn’t seem like someone who would be cursed.”

“Maybe it’s just baseless gossip?”

“Her smile was so gentle, I thought an angel had descended from heaven.”

“Heh, we fought over such nonsense.”

Laughter erupted continuously in the square.

(This is a time separator.)

Casus would be departing for the capital soon.

‘What? Going to the capital all of a sudden?’

Upon hearing this, Leo, who was at the training grounds, rushed over.

“Heh, heh…”

Out of breath, he inhaled sharply.

Just then, he saw Atia.

Atia had just finished playing with Heukgu in the garden and was heading towards the carriage.

Leo quickly ran to her.

“Huff…”

Leo had grown noticeably taller, now dwarfing Atia.

He looked down at a now smaller Atia.

“Are you really going to the capital?”

Sweat trickling down his forehead, Leo asked Atia.

“You’ve grown quite a bit, young master.”

With a faint smile, Atia looked at the lively Leo.

The crimson sunset enveloped the earth.

Her silver hair shone brilliantly, reflecting the light of the setting sun.

Next to her, there was an additional servant who was not there before.

It wasn’t the woman with the yellow bobbed hair but another woman, who looked cute and seemed fascinated by her.

However, Leo had no interest in her.
“No, are you really going to the capital?”

Leo quickly wanted to hear a ‘no’ from Atia’s mouth.

But what came out of Atia’s mouth was different from what Leo had expected.

“Yes, it has come to that.”

Leo’s eyebrows noticeably furrowed.

“Why? Why are you going there?”

“Hm…?”

Atia tilted her head.

Leo, who questioned insistently, seemed angry.

Very much so.

Probably because he was not being taken to the capital himself.

“Do you want to go together?”

“No, that’s not what I mean…”

Leo stuttered and faltered.

“Why are you going there when you’re not well!”

Atia blinked and calmly explained to Leo.

“Because I’m not well, I have to go there. To get better quickly, I need to go.”

“What nonsense. There’s nothing to see in the capital. It’s not even fun, so don’t go. It’s very dangerous!”

Leo raged vehemently.

He seemed to be expressing his emotions physically, unable to control them.

“Hm…”

To Atia, young Leo only seemed angry because he was not being taken to the capital as well.

Then, a huge shadow approached and spoke to Atia.

“The carriage will depart tomorrow.”

It was Casus.

His brother, who had always been difficult for Leo, Casus.

Leo bit his lip, paced around, then seemingly made up his mind and spoke to Casus.

“I want to go too.”

“What?”