The room was squalid. The dust and cobwebs piled up everywhere were the first things to catch the eye. There was only an old side table and a bed teeming with fleas, and despite it being late summer, a chill ran through that made one’s hair stand on end.

Helena’s appearance had changed beyond comparison to a few days ago. No one would believe she had been a countess, seeing her yellowed dress and greasy hair.

“How dare you shove me in a place like this!”

As soon as Helena realized it was Cordelia who had opened the door and entered, she immediately raised her fingernails and screamed.

“Have you been well, Madam?”

“You ungrateful wretch! Forgetting the kindness that raised you, you lock me up in this tower? If I get out of here, I’ll never let you off! I’ll call all the people of the castle to beat you, strip you naked, and throw you into the marketplace!”

“How would you get out of here?”

“…You!”

“Craig has already rightfully inherited the title of Count, and I have become the Countess. Now, no one will remember Helena Abrams, the former Countess. If you stay here for just one more month, people will even forget your name, don’t you think?”

“It’s all lies! Lies!”

Helena screamed until her throat was raw. The sight was not frightening, but rather pitiful and laughable.

The past, when she had been at her beck and call, felt like a very distant memory.

Then the Baron spoke.

“The most free woman in this country is not a woman divorced from her husband, but a woman whose husband is bedridden and who holds all the power as a wife.”

“…”

“If my lady returns to this castle alone after the master recovers, everything from a blade of grass to a handful of dirt in Abrams Castle will be yours.”

“Mine, you say.”

“Even Helena Abrams’ life will hang on your fingertip.”

The Baron whispered sweetly, as if coated in honey. Cordelia fell into thought for a moment.

Divorce was something she had always dreamed of since right after she got married. The reason she thought of becoming a magic appraiser was because she needed a suitable profession to live alone as a woman after divorce.

But if, as the Baron said, Cordelia were to control Craig’s body and rule Abrams Castle, the story would be completely different.

Moreover, Helena and Arnold were also locked up in the tower.

“Let me out of here! Don’t go! Aaagh!”

Cordelia turned and left the room. Helena’s screams could be heard from behind, but none of them reached her ears.

* * *

“What’s this? You were so gloomy not long ago, wouldn’t even say a word to me.”

“Am I a child? I’ve decided to go, so I should prepare diligently.”

Leonard was suspicious of Cordelia’s sudden change in attitude, but since she had changed in the direction he wanted, he didn’t add any further comments.

“Right. You’ve thought well. You’ll have to stick by my side for life anyway.”

“Yes, yes, Master. I’ll serve you devotedly.”

“You don’t seem to realize what a great honor this is. There are so many who want to serve the master but can’t. You should serve with a more joyful heart.”

“Can’t you see how happy I am right now? I feel like I could fly from happiness.”

“Stop being sarcastic. Do it properly.”

“If Beluce keeps picking fights with me, I can’t serve well even if I want to. Oh, move aside, will you?”

Beluce glared at Cordelia, blocking her way. Of course, she didn’t even blink. As their standoff prolonged, Leonard waved his hand.

“Enough. Beluce, you go and finish what I told you to do.”

“…Yes.”

“Cordelia, come here and draw the magic circle once more.”

“Alright.”

Beluce left the room, glaring at Cordelia until the end. As soon as he left, she grumbled.

“Why does that man like you so much, Master?”

It was an unexpected question. He had thought she would naturally ask why that fellow was so rude.

Leonard handed Cordelia a paper and said:

“How much do you know about the Ingrion family?”

“That they’re a prestigious knight family, and have quite a bit of power in central politics?”

“The Marquis Ingrion values honor more than his own life. That’s why he tried to kill Beluce several times.”

Her hand holding the pen trembled at the unexpected words. Because of this, she ruined the magic circle she had half-drawn. Leonard handed her a new sheet of paper.

“He tried to kill his own son? Why? Because he’s an illegitimate child?”

“The Marquis considered Beluce his blemish. Beluce wasn’t born through a formal marriage, and moreover, Beluce’s mother had the most lowly profession, so even more so. That’s why from the moment the Marquis became aware of his existence, he tried to kill him. The reason Beluce is still alive is because he entrusted his life to me.”

“If he hates him so much, why did he grant Beluce his family name?”

“The Marquis didn’t grant it. Beluce himself revealed that he was the Marquis’ son, so he’s inevitably called Beluce Ingrion.”

“No matter how much he claims it himself, if the Marquis denies it, that should be the end of it, right?”

“How could he deny it? They have the same eyes.”

“The same eyes?”

The conversation ended there. Because a servant announced that a visitor had arrived.

“I heard you called for me, Count. Ah, the Countess is here too.”

It was Baron Dean Lancaster. He sat down opposite Leonard with a polite greeting.

“Yes. There’s something the Baron needs to do for me.”

“What would you have me do?”

Whether it was because he couldn’t forget what happened in the dining room that day or if it was his original nature, Baron Lancaster had become a very loyal subject.

“I will be away from the castle for a while.”

“When you say ‘for a while’, from when to when exactly do you mean?”

“I’ll depart in five days and… hmm. I can’t give a definite answer as to when I’ll return.”

Hearing the schedule that was longer than expected, Baron Lancaster spoke with a very worried voice.

“Five days from now? But it hasn’t been long since you succeeded to the title, Count, and your body might not have fully recovered yet.”

“I’m aware that things are in turmoil both inside and outside the castle. That’s why I need someone more trustworthy.”

“No matter how trustworthy someone is, they can’t compare to you, Count.”

Baron Lancaster had a talent for flattering without making it seem like flattery. Glancing sideways, Leonard seemed to be in quite a good mood.

“I know that too. But it’s an urgent matter, so I can’t postpone it. I’ll try to wrap things up and return as soon as possible, so I’d like the Baron to serve as Acting Count in the meantime.”

“Me? How could I dare when the Countess is clearly here.”

“Ah. The Countess will be accompanying me.”

“What? The Countess is going with you too? Where on earth are you going?”

“I don’t think I called you here to report my every move to the Baron.”

At Leonard’s polite warning, Baron Lancaster drew in a breath and then bowed his head.

“I apologize. I overstepped my bounds.”

“I’m appointing you as Acting Count because I trust your loyalty and ability.”

“Count.”

“I hope you won’t betray that expectation.”

Leonard patted Baron Lancaster’s shoulder with a gentle smile that Cordelia had never seen before.

“Of course. I will faithfully guard the Count’s house until the day you return. Please come back safely.”

Having received the full trust of the young Count, Baron Lancaster left the room even more disciplined than when he entered.

Watching his retreating figure, Cordelia felt troubled again.

“Why are you looking with such a wistful face? Do you have feelings for that fellow?”

“You really say the most inappropriate things to a married woman.”

“What married woman? Your husband is dead, so what does it matter?”

“Enough. It’s not like that. It’s just, seeing you appoint an Acting Count and all, I wondered if you’re really planning to go.”

“Good grief, where have you been listening to my words all this time?”

“I didn’t want to believe it, so I heard it with my ears and let it go out the other ear.”

“You’re the first and last person to not even listen to what I say.”

Leonard couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. If someone from the Magic Association had heard this, they would have fainted.

“Master.”

“What?”

“Please explain in detail how precious your one and only disciple is.”

“What?”

“Quickly. I think I need to hear that to feel at ease. Please allay my fears that you might use me to break the barrier and then discard me.”

Her bold demand no longer amused him. However, in a way, Cordelia’s anxiety wasn’t completely incomprehensible, so Leonard, despite his annoyance, answered as seriously as he could.

“You don’t trust me that much? I could even give you my heart.”

“Ah, I don’t need your organs, Master. Just tell me how precious I am.”

“Organs? This is really… Do you even know what the heart means to a magician? No, never mind. Fine, you’re my disciple. You’re as precious to me as my heart, satisfied?”

“Why do you keep fixating on your heart? I told you I don’t need your heart. Besides that, what would you do if some villain kidnapped me and asked to exchange me for all your wealth?”

“What? Is that paltry wealth more precious to you than my heart?”

“Paltry wealth? Did you just say ‘paltry wealth’? Then you’d gladly exchange it for me, right? Since that paltry wealth is nothing compared to me?”

“How on earth are you interpreting my words?”

“How am I interpreting them? I’m interpreting them in the way most favorable to me, of course.”

It’s unclear what comfort she gained from this chaotic conversation, but Cordelia’s face had become much better than before.

“I’m relieved. That you know how precious your one! and only! disciple in the world is, Master.”

“…Right. Precious, you’re precious.”

“So, even if we go to Diloana’s territory, please protect my life. I really want to live a long and quiet life, you know.”

“If you mention ‘precious’ or whatever one more time, I’ll double your homework.”

The homework threat was incredibly effective. Cordelia immediately shut her mouth and focused on drawing the magic circle.