And giving choices. Adele slowly pondered Valentin’s words.

Though he was not human but a monster, he seemed to possess more insight into humans than anyone else.

For humans, power was always synonymous with authority.

‘I can’t forget.’

Because of her lack of power, she had received treatment worse than a cockroach in Raihena, and despite that, she had to endure her father’s long-term abuse due to the potential power she might possess.

At one point, the Marquis had long clung to the hypothesis that Adele might awaken tremendous healing power when she felt a threat to her life.

‘That misunderstanding seems to have originated from a strange trust.’

According to the rambling words of Grita, there was some trust when I was born.

I don’t know the exact content. I heard there are still very few people who can access the original text.

‘Is Padre, Pope, and my father involved? Grita seems to have heard it.’

Looking back, everything was because of that trust.

After passing through the times when expectations were high, through the age of fifteen when I received stares that said it was impossible, through the era adorned with hatred and disappointment… The Marquis had kept her captive for a very long time.

Then, when it was eventually confirmed that she was useless, the Marquis changed her treatment from something resembling a servant to something even worse than a servant.

Even in such circumstances, he unexpectedly inserted her name into a stone plate, planning to use it frugally for his own benefit.

‘As if he intuited that I would be sold at a high price.’

“Deep in thought…”

Valentin lightly touched her chin. Adele woke up from her daze.

Yes, in the end, there was only one conclusion. As he said, the more options, the better.

“First, I’ll try practicing magic as you suggested.”

“Wise choice. Then come to me whenever you have time from now on.”

“To Valentin?”

“It’s hard to handle strength alone. Once you accumulate a certain amount of magic, I’ll teach you how to control it.”

It was a somewhat ambiguous tone, as if coaxing.

Adele narrowed her eyes in some annoyance, then realized there was no other way and nodded.

Valentin was the only one who could teach her how to control magic.

“I can’t say there is absolutely no personal motive.”

He added leisurely, and Adele pursed her lips.

As Valentin, feeling some presence, turned his head toward the door, a knocking sound was heard.

It was Margaret.

“Milord, and My Lady. The preparations for departure are complete.”

“You’ll come downstairs to the first floor. Wait there.”

“Yes.”

The sound of footsteps moving away was heard at Valentin’s command.

Looking at Adele regretfully, he cupped her cheek with his palm.

“I originally thought I might regret it a little.”

“It’s okay. I’ve rested enough inside the carriage.”

“Lie. I know everything you’ve sighed without moving inside the carriage.”
How would he have known? Leading the group from the front during this journey.

“Even the ears are sensitive.”

If she had endured the carriage a little more, she might have succumbed to temptation earlier. Valentin’s eyes seemed to scold her that way.

Originally, even the scolding seemed insincere, and he smiled gently.

Caught in that smile, Adele realized her focus was on Valentin’s face only after it came closer.

Playfully raising the corner of his mouth, he eventually dropped his smooth jaw. In an instant, lips brushed against hers.

“Ah…”

As the soft lips lightly intertwined like a whim, she felt the warmth left in her mouth.

The warmth was firm like candy. Rolling it gently in her mouth and swallowing it, a warm heat spread throughout her body.

Even the fatigue that lingered hazily after bathing disappeared cleanly.

Surprised, Adele looked at him with wide eyes. He chuckled softly.

“You haven’t rested properly. You seemed to need a bit of energy.”

“Can you do this with magic?”

“I told you. Energy is the same. What you can do with your sacred power can be done with the magic you use.”

To boost energy and aid recovery, even with magic. Adele’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

He let out a wry laugh. “So, practice hard.”

“I will.”

“See you next time. Don’t be late.”

“Yes.”

As she replied obediently, Valentin looked at her with a slightly peculiar gaze.

Afterward, he suddenly left the room with a face that seemed indifferent.

What should I call that? The magic Valentin bestowed? Or a concentration of magic? Anyway, the efficacy of that energy was quite remarkable.

When she hadn’t received that energy, riding the carriage for several hours continuously made her a bit sore and her back hurt, but now even her muscles felt fresh.

It felt like being reborn.

The motion sickness that had persistently bothered her for the first few days was no longer felt.

Seeing her visibly more comfortable, Valentin shared his energy with her every evening.

“The blue gem embedded in that dagger.”

Adele looked up in surprise.