Since it was no different from saying “You’re ugly” in a roundabout way, Hail whined and felt miserable.

While I was fretting over how to comfort him, I came up with a good idea and clapped my hands.

“Rather, I think it would be fine if Hail sold it while showing its effects right away. I’ll provide Hail with business supplies for free, so will you really sell it?”

“Well…”

I thought he would be overjoyed since I was offering to give the product he had to sell for free, but for some reason Hail’s face contorted terribly.

Cedar chuckled softly.

“My wife is not to be underestimated, is she?”

Hail’s face crumpled into a sullen expression.

Watching the back-and-forth between the two, I tilted my head in confusion.

‘But what kind of task are they trying to take me for? I’m not good at anything. Laundry disease?’

To be honest, I’m not even good at laundry. I can barely take care of myself, that’s all.

Right then, Cedar resolved my curiosity.

“You’ll be accompanying us on this subjugation mission as an offensive mage performing rear backup duties. Understand?”

“What?”

Once again, I ended up giving a dumbfounded response.

Anyway, someone who could respond appropriately was needed in case Lady Briar suddenly came to visit.

Considering various situations, it was finally decided that Hail would stay here.

As soon as the person to stay was determined, everything proceeded smoothly as if it had been waiting.

Even for sudden support, it took two days to prepare.

As if trying to keep his promise to ensure my safety, Cedar tried to take me to his office.

“Come with me every time I go to work at the knighthood. I’ll say you’re the mage being dispatched this time.”

“Will everyone believe that?”

“What if they don’t believe it? They probably don’t care anyway. They’ll be busy preparing.”

Indeed, it was just as he said.

When I put on the ridiculous robe – which Cedar claimed looked magical – some people looked at me curiously, but no one approached or did anything.

Thanks to that, I lounged around reading books in Cedar’s office.

Hail, who seemed upset at first, started to rejoice as it became certain that he would miss the subjugation mission, adapting to the situation.

In just one day, Hail’s cheeks became plump, and he smiled brightly as he cheered me on.

“Take care, my lady.”

Cedar looked at Hail incredulously and clicked his tongue.

“Weren’t you crying earlier about being left behind?”

“I realized I haven’t had a break in a while. I’m planning to take it easy this time.”

“You seem to have gained weight in just one day?”

“I must have swollen up from sleeping too much.”

“…”

Cedar was dumbfounded, but since he was the one who told Hail to skip the subjugation mission, he didn’t say anything more.

Cedar checked not only with the knighthood but also with me on what needed to be prepared for the subjugation mission.

“Can you use attack magic? The level you used to melt the lock the other day would be enough.”

Even mages who can use that level of magic are rare.

The problem is that I can’t use it as freely as he expects.

“But it takes a long time for my mana to build up, so I can’t use it as freely as you expect. If I go on the subjugation mission, I won’t be affected by the magic circle drawn in the mansion, so it’ll be difficult to gather even that much mana.”

“Is there no other way to naturally fill up mana besides the magic circle?”

“A way…”

There is a way, isn’t there? Without realizing it, my gaze kept turning towards Cedar’s face.

More precisely, towards his straight and smooth lips.

‘What am I thinking? I must be crazy.’

I slapped my own cheek hard.

I hit myself because I was ashamed of my own strange thoughts, but Cedar seemed to think I had fallen into serious contemplation.

He grabbed my shoulders firmly with both hands and said seriously.

“If there’s a way, tell me quickly. Even if you’re not sure, just say it. I’ll cooperate as much as possible for your safety.”

“Co-cooperate?”

“Did I say something strange? Why do you have that expression?”

Without realizing it, my gaze turned to his lips again.

‘It’s a rare chance, should I ask for a k-kiss?’

Sometimes just holding hands makes my mana rise this much.

Is it true that more intimate contact would make mana rise faster? If it was really true, I couldn’t imagine how much it would rise.

‘I want to confirm it. Not with impure intentions, but out of pu-pure ma-magical curiosity.’

The stuttering attitude revealed that it wasn’t pure even in thought, but I pretended not to notice.

As I kept blushing and sweating profusely without giving a clear answer, Cedar’s eyes narrowed.

“Nelly?”

“L-lips…”

“What about lips?”

Seeing his lips moving, I felt like I was waking up. What kind of indecent thoughts was I having!

I squeezed my eyes shut and shouted.

“…Magic stones! Magic stones will do!”

Cedar tilted his head.

“Didn’t you just say lips?”

“You must have misheard me!”

“Your way of speaking seems strange too.”

No matter how much you press, I can’t tell you! That I briefly thought about kissing you!

‘It’s a secret I’ll take to my grave. I’ll never tell you.’

I kept my mouth shut tight.

Cedar, who had been staring at me intently as if interrogating me, finally sighed and let go of my shoulders.

“So where can we get these magic stones? Are you sweating because they’re hard to obtain?”

So that’s how you misunderstood.

‘Cedar Granite, you pure person!’

How could I be thinking about kissing, kissing like some lewd demon in front of such a person?

I slapped my own cheek again. Then I carefully answered Cedar’s question.

“They’re sold in many places. The problem is that they’re very expensive. They’re usually large gemstones. Mainly diamonds.”

“I see. So if you have money, you can buy them.”

“Yes. That’s why I was trying to sell magic potions to buy them…”

You thought I was growing herbs for no reason? There was such a tearjerking story behind it.

I earnestly explained my situation. Of course, I digressed into explaining the principles and characteristics of magic stones while explaining.

Cedar, who had listened attentively to my words, summed up the situation in one sentence while crossing his arms.

“Since it’s needed for this mission, I’ll purchase it on my end.”

My eyes widened at those words. I frantically waved both hands to stop Cedar.

No matter how necessary it was for the mission, it was ultimately something I needed.

“They’re really incredibly expensive! You’ll be shocked.”

“I probably know the price of diamonds better than you do. Don’t worry. Your husband has plenty of money.”

“I see…”

So you’re wealthy. Is casually bragging about money also a family tradition?

I was reminded of Grisha, who once told me to come to him because he had a lot of money.

Anyway, Cedar nodded with satisfaction.

“Then this issue is resolved.”

I burst out laughing, feeling a bit dejected that my thoughts seemed to have been ignored.

‘I guess he feels more at ease if I can use magic. He’ll be shocked when he finds out how expensive magic stones are.’

He says that, but due to budget constraints, he won’t be able to buy many. He’s talking big because he doesn’t know.

Still, I was happy to feel his willingness to do this and that for me without hesitation.

And contrary to my expectations, Cedar really bought a mountain of magic stones.

I thought he would buy one or two at most.

Pointing at the dazzling pile of jewels sparkling before my eyes, I nagged unlike myself.

“Are you really in your right mind?”

He could at least pretend to flinch when scolded. Cedar was utterly shameless.

“I told you I have a lot of money.”

“Where on earth did all that money come from?”

“From the family vault. Apparently, our ancestors have liked shiny things for generations.”

‘Was his ancestor really a dragon?’

According to legend, dragons loved shiny things and hoarded all sorts of precious gems in their lairs.

I might not have believed it if someone else said it, but hearing it from the eldest son of the Granite family, who were said to be descendants of dragons, made the legend feel real.

Anyway, after going to work at the knighthood for two days, I joined the subjugation mission as a mage.

Finally, on the day of departure for the subjugation mission, there was only one carriage for people to ride in, since I was the only one who couldn’t ride a horse.

With several knights holding the reins of their horses, it felt too conspicuous for me alone to board the carriage.

I pulled my hood down deeper, trying to hide my nervous feelings. My mouth felt parched.

‘What if they look down on me as a useless mage who can’t do anything?’

It felt like all the knights in their armor were standing there to scold me.

But making such tension meaningless, as I approached, the knights cast curious glances and spoke to me in a friendly manner.

“Hello, Mage.”

“This is the first time a mage has been deployed for an operation like this. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, is this the famous mage? I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”

Among them was Jack, who knew me. Having a familiar face mixed in quickly eased my mind. I bowed my head deeply and greeted them loudly.

“I look forward to working with you!”

With that, the hood I had pulled down came off.

Seeing my revealed face, a nearby knight opened his eyes wide.

“It seems to be the first time I’ve seen such a young lady come as a support mage.”

“It’s not just the lady that’s a first, mages rarely come for support at all.”

“I-Is that so?”

Cedar had spoken as if it was so natural for a mage to join, I thought mage support was common.