Bab 15: Daughter or Daughter-in-law?
The bright sun shone over the cloudless sky, casting its warm shine over Castle Silva. At the edge of the estate, in Acier's private villa, the sunlight filtered into her room through the expansive Victorian windows.
The room was silent, like crickets, not even a gentle breeze to rustle the curtains. Nozel like usual sat at his mother's bedside, his Silver Hair glowing bright, as he sat in the spotlight, cradling his baby sister, in his arms.
Despite the calm and pleasant scene, the boy's mind was anything but at ease.
"Where is he?" Nozel murmured softly, breaking the still silence, his voice was barely a whisper, but his tone was tinged with a mix of frustration and anxiety, highlighting his growing impatience.
His gaze flickered to his mother, just yesterday he felt like he walked in to see a miracle, with his mother up and about, talking to him, without any sign of sickness or frailty. However, that joy was short-lived, in large part due to his father's complete absence yesterday, returning her to a weak state. Not nearly as weak as before, mind you, but it was an unpleasant feeling for him to watch his mother return to a sickly state, after just showing signs of getting better.
Nozel knew he should be used to his father's absence, that man was barely a stranger in his life, yet for some reason he let himself believe that seeing him two days in a row, was a sign of change. A new normal. Where a child would see his father every day, a father trying to be part of his children's lives, a husband being there for his wife.
It wasn't asking for much, but it seemed just like always Sebastian Silva, had let him down. Nozel couldn't help but feel a bit betrayed.
Acier sitting up on her bed, turned her tired eyes, to her son, despite her clear exhaustion she held Nozel's gaze, and demanded his attention.
"Your father left two nights ago," Acier said softly, her voice calm but weak. "He mentioned something about needing to go to Hage... it's a fair distance from here. He seemed in a rush." She paused for a moment, her eyes clouding with thought. "Don't be surprised if he's late getting back."
Nozel's lips pressed into a thin line. "It's almost ten," he replied tersely, shifting Noelle in his arms as his irritation grew. "We don't have time for him to be gallivanting across the countryside. The appointment is soon, and the Agrippas and Fausts will be here any moment."
He stood up, the tension in his shoulders visible as he paced by the side of the bed. "Father has to return and set up the barrier. We can't risk being exposed, especially not with everything that's going on." His voice took on a sharper edge as he turned to face his mother. "I don't care what reason he has. You should be his first priority, Mother."
Acier watched her eldest son, spiral into a mess of anxiety, she furrowed her brows, and opened her mouth to speak in an effort to calm him. "Nozel…" she began, but he cut her off.
"I didn't dare to let the Fausts in yesterday, without his presence. With Mereoleona, out and about, we have no protection if Draven and his wife dare to do something. Although father is no warrior, the Fausts at least take him seriously, and won't try anything stupid in front of him."
Whereas they utterly disregard me. Nozel tightened his hold on Noelle, before continuing.
"His absence caused us to miss both appointments yesterday. Forget treating your 'situation', you couldn't even get your daily healing session," Nozel snapped, his eyes narrowing. "We can't afford to keep waiting on him. He has to get here now."
Acier sighed, her chest rising and falling with the slow, deliberate breath of someone who has experienced the vicissitudes of life. "I don't know why he left so suddenly, Nozel," she admitted, her voice softer now, almost resigned. "But I'm confident it has something to do with... us."
Nozel stopped pacing, and turned to her, his brows knitting together, trying to understand where this blind faith comes from. He then paused, recalling the scene two days ago, where Father sent Alfred away to see some task 2, to address an issue Draven brought up.
Just like his father, the head butler has also been behaving quite uncharacteristically these past few days. Nozel is no noisy person, although nobles love to spread rumors and gossip, he knows from his etiquette lessons that such actions are unbecoming of royalty. However, Nozel can't help his curiosity, when it comes to the life of one of his most precious people.
He exhaled sharply through his nose, thinking back to the past few days. "Alfred's been acting strange," he muttered, half to himself. "I overheard some of the staff talking. Apparently, he left the estate a few minutes after returning last night. He's been running around like a madman for days now. Barely spends any time here anymore, and Jeeves has been handling everything in his place."[1]
Acier's eyes widened slightly at this, but she said nothing, allowing Nozel to continue his tirade.
"No one dares ask Alfred what he's up to. Not even the staff." Nozel's tone turned bitter. "Only Father or you have the authority to question him, and now the entire household is growing suspicious." He paused, recalling another detail. "Jeeves put a lockdown on rumors, and threatened everyone's jobs if they let a word slip outside the estate."
Acier chuckled softly, though it was laced with exhaustion. "Jeeves is very reliable, he's Alfred's assistant, and future successor for a reason. You don't have to worry of word getting out with him on the watch."
"It worked," Nozel admitted with a short nod. "Everyone's kept quiet, but it's not enough. Even I tried asking Jeeves if he knew what was going on, and he denied knowing anything. He didn't seem like he was outright lying… but his face... it was too calm. He's hiding something. They are hiding something."
Nozel returned to his, seat, with Noelle placed securely in his lap. He ran a hand through his silver hair in frustration. Growing tired of being left in the dark, despite being one of the main parties involved in this whole mess. You would think if there was anyone his father would confide in it would be him and his mother, but it appears that man finds the butlers more trustworthy than his family.
"It's like Father and Alfred are playing some secret game with one another, refusing to let anyone else join in. The last I recalled, Alfred wasn't so fond of Father, his loyalty was to you, and you alone, so why has he not told you?!" Nozel's question was more a demand, he was close to losing it but held himself back to not startle Noelle.
"Because I never asked."
Nozel snapped his head up and studied his mother in bewilderment. "You…never asked?" He reiterated those words in utter disbelief, finding them ludicrous.
But his mother's light nod was all he got in return, a clear sign that he hadn't misheard.
Without waiting for his response, Acier locked her son's gaze with hers once more. "As you said before, as the matriarch of House Silva, it is in my right to question Alfred, and he wouldn't hold the truth back from me."
"So… why haven't you?" Nozel had to restrain himself from spitting out those words, the one person he'll never treat with disrespect in this life is his mother.
"Because I trust your father." Acier shrugged and said those words, casually, like it was the most normal thing in the world. "If he wanted me or you to know, he would've just been forthright about it. It's clear he wants to handle this himself and keep it in between him and Alfred, so we should respect that."
"Why… mother?" Nozel needed an answer, any answer. Where does this blind faith come from woman?! Nozel was tempted to drag in some mages from House Francois and have them poke around his mother's memory to see if his father had cast some hypnosis spell or something on her.
You would think his mother would learn from 16 years of a failed marriage to at least raise her guard and be more skeptical of the man. But these past few days she's been acting utterly bewitched by his father, following his lead without the slightest hint of hesitance.
His mother gave him a soft smile, that shone bright over her sickly visage. "Your father is no magic knight Nozel, he's an aristocrat a politician?"
And what does that have to do with anything? Politicians are the least trustworthy people of them all!
As if reading her son's thoughts her smile grew fonder, and she let out a sly chuckle. "It's because of that he's much more equipped to handle back door deals, and keeping things on the down-low. Whatever he and Alfred are doing, it's very sensitive, and the easiest way for their actions to be exposed is by expanding the social circle."
Taking a slight pause, to catch her breath, Acier continued. "Have you forgotten that your father is the Patriarch of Hose Silva, the head of a royal family? And Alfred the head butler, which makes his status above most nobles, even many royals have to show him respect. The two of them rarely dirty their hands, always ordering someone to do things for them. If they are running around the Kingdom to complete a task themselves, it's very important."
"Not telling us what they're doing is also a way to protect us. So just trust your father Nozel. He cares for us in his own way. Whatever he's doing, it's for our sake," she finished softly.
Nozel just let out a sigh of resignation, ever since his father had shown up three days ago, it felt like a gap opened up in his relationship with his mother. Whatever tacit understanding they had for each other, seemed to go down the drain whenever it came to his father. Nozel has really struggled to try to get back on the same wavelength as Acier.
Sometimes, he wonders if they're even talking about the same man. Honestly, what has his father done to inspire so much trust from his mother?
Noelle began to stir lightly in Nozel's arms, her small body wriggling as her eyelids fluttered. Nozel, distracted from his growing frustration, looked down at his baby sister and smiled fondly. It was a rare softness, one reserved only for moments like this, when the burdens of the world could momentarily fade. He gently adjusted her, the warmth of her tiny form grounding him in the present.
Acier, noticing her youngest child waking, reached out with arms that trembled faintly but were much steadier than they had been in days. "Let me hold her, Nozel," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with yearning.
With careful precision, Nozel slowly transferred Noelle into his mother's embrace. He watched as Acier cradled her, her fingers brushing gently over Noelle's rosy cheeks. Despite her weakness, Acier smiled, a tender, almost ethereal smile, and began to coo softly at the baby, eliciting soft giggles from Noelle. Just two days ago, she hadn't been strong enough to hold even a spoon, but now, here she was, rocking her daughter, her strength seemingly returning, if only for this fleeting moment.
Nozel's chest tightened with conflicting emotions as he observed them. His heart ached with warmth at the sight of his mother and sister, but his mind was still tangled in knots over his father's absence. Even if Sebastian was keeping secrets, even if Nozel despised him for all the years of neglect, if he could somehow make moments like this possible, allowing his mother to feel this brief happiness, then perhaps—just perhaps—Nozel could forgive him. Maybe not entirely, but enough to let go of the bitter resentment that had built up over the past sixteen years.
The peaceful scene was interrupted by a knock at the door. Nozel immediately stiffened, his body tensing as his eyes darted toward the entrance. Acier, too, went rigid, her arms instinctively tightening around Noelle. She was just about to hand Noelle back to Nozel and slip back into the facade of frailty she maintained for the household when a familiar voice called out from behind the door.
"It's me. May I come in?"
Relief washed over both Nozel and Acier. The tension melted from their bodies, and Acier remained cradling Noelle. It was Sebastian. They exchanged a glance, knowing it was safe, though Acier couldn't respond verbally—her illness was supposed to be too severe for her to speak much, and any nearby maids or butlers might overhear. Nozel took a deep breath and answered instead.
"Enter."
The door opened slowly, and Sebastian slipped inside, moving with regal poise and grace like he was the rightful heir of House Silva. Whereas Acier's usual softness and laid-back attitude would confuse those who don't know better, and think she was the one who married in. He closed the door behind him carefully, his eyes sweeping over the scene with a moment of fondness as he took in the sight of Noelle nestled in Acier's arms.
"My apologies for my tardiness," Sebastian said, his voice low but sincere. "And for my absence yesterday."
Acier smiled at her husband, her eyes softening despite everything. "It's fine," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. She paused for a moment before adding, "Did you… find what you were looking for?"
Sebastian's expression shifted into a quiet smile, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly. "I did," he replied softly, his eyes meeting hers. "I found her."
Her? Nozel and Acier exchanged bewildered glances, this whole time they thought Sebastian was searching for something, not someone.
Without warning, a cloud of swirling colors—pink, lavender, and shimmering hues—materialized beside Sebastian. The air seemed to ripple, and from the vortex, a small figure was spat out onto the floor. Nozel's eyes widened in shock.
A young girl—perhaps fifteen, with a petite frame and an impish expression—now stood before them. She had tousled purple hair, a cheeky smile, and an air of mischief about her.
Nozel abruptly shot to his feet, his royal composure cracking as he demanded, "Who is this? What is the meaning of this intrusion?" His voice was sharp, his tone laced with authority and confusion.
Acier, equally stunned by the sudden appearance of the girl, frowned at her son's outburst. Despite her own shock, she couldn't abide Nozel shouting in front of a child, no matter how unexpected the situation was. She glanced down at Noelle, whose face scrunched up in distress at the sudden loud noise. Noelle's lip quivered, and within seconds, she let out a wail, her tiny voice piercing the room.
Acier immediately began rocking Noelle gently, shushing her softly as she tried to soothe her back to sleep. Nozel, feeling the weight of his guilt, glanced at his sister with regret. He lowered his gaze and clenched his fists, then turned back to the girl, his tone calmer, though his face remained composed with regal indifference.
"I apologize for my... tone," Nozel said, his words clipped but respectful. "Whoever you are, it was not my intention to frighten you."
The girl simply smirked, unfazed by the situation, and flashed a playful peace sign. "No biggie," she said with a lighthearted shrug, as though it was all a casual misunderstanding.
Nozel blinked, momentarily thrown off by her carefree attitude. Acier, though still recovering from the shock, couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief at the girl's nonchalance. It was almost refreshing, in a way.
Sebastian, however, didn't fall for Dorothy's chipper attitude. He knew her well enough to know when it was genuine and when it was a facade. And the way her legs lightly trembled and shook, and he spotted tiny beads of sweat running down her neck, he knew it was the latter.
Dorothy was trying to hide her internal nervousness about meeting her new family with a playful persona, like nothing in the world could phase her. That way if she was rejected, she could deceive herself and convince herself, that she didn't really care, that it didn't bother her. To fool others, one must first fool oneself.
Nozel's eyes narrowed. "What exactly is going on, Father?"
Before Sebastian could answer, Dorothy, in her usual lively manner, twirled on her heel and pointed to herself with a grin. "Let's just say I'm here to help! And trust me, you're going to need it."
Sebastian moved behind Dorothy, his imposing figure standing tall above the petite girl, his hands resting on her small shoulders with a gentle but firm grip. "This," he began, his voice calm and steady, "is Dorothy Unsworth."
Nozel and Acier remained silent, their eyes fixed on Sebastian as they waited for him to continue. It was clear he had more to say, something more significant than just an introduction. Acier's brow furrowed slightly in curiosity, while Nozel crossed his arms, his expression growing more serious by the second.
Sebastian took a breath and continued. "Starting today, she will be a constant presence in Castle Silva." He glanced between his wife and son before adding, "You can be casual and comfortable with her. She already knows about our situation."
Nozel's frown deepened immediately, his silver brows drawing together in disbelief. "You told her? You told a stranger about our greatest weakness?" His voice was low but brimming with anger, barely restrained.
Sebastian didn't flinch at his son's reaction, though he expected it. "I told her," he confirmed, meeting Nozel's piercing gaze. "Because her power is absolutely indispensable to heal both you and your mother."
Contrary to her son, Acier remained completely composed, as she narrowed her eyes on Dorothy, studying the girl more closely. Lavender eyes lavender eyes, as Acier eventually focused on the hat sitting atop Dorothy's head. A witch hat. Acier recalled the unconventional manner in which the girl popped into the room and came up with a guess.
She's from the Witch's Forest. Acier immediately devised Dorothy's origins, because only in the Witch's forest will you find such esoteric magic from those outside nobility, and it was clear based on the girl's clothes she was no noble. Moreover, it was only the unconventional that could help them deal with something as strange as devils.
Nozel, however, wasn't as easily convinced. His skepticism was written all over his face as he stared at Dorothy. "How can a child possibly help us?" His voice dripped with doubt. "When it comes to a supreme devil, I fail to see how she—" he gestured toward Dorothy, "—could be of any use."
Nozel worded his accusation carefully, cautious not to say anything that could directly point to Megicula, keeping his words vaguer, to prevent triggering his curse.
Sebastian's grip on Dorothy's shoulders tightened slightly as if to both reassure her and emphasize his point. "Dorothy's magic is no ordinary magic, Nozel," he explained, his tone patient but firm. "She can access a separate dimension, far beyond the reach of she-who-should-not-be-named. With her help, we can finally begin the treatment for both you and your mother—safely. With her none the wiser"
Nozel gawked and studied her more closely, she was obviously not nobility by her clothing and attitude, so was she a commoner or a peasant? No only nobility could pull off something like that. Nozel immediately equated her to a child from a fallen house or a love child of House Vaude.
Ledior Vaude didn't hesitate to remarry after his previous wife passed away, it wasn't inconceivable for such a man to have some additional affairs.
Well, if she's nobility it's understandable. Nozel's skepticism slipped, and he let his recognition show. Very well I'll show you some courtesy and give you the benefit of the doubt.
Dorothy, noticing the shift in Nozel's expression, smirked and folded her arms across her chest with smug confidence, clearly enjoying her moment of recognition. Perhaps if she knew Nozel's line of reasoning she wouldn't be as satisfied.
Seeing his son's skepticism fade, Sebastian added, "If you're still concerned, rest assured. Our secret is safe with Dorothy. She's one of our own now."
Acier blinked in confusion. "One of our own?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and suspicion.
Sebastian smiled faintly. "Yes," he said. "Starting today, Dorothy is officially a member of the Silver Eagles."
As if on cue, Dorothy snapped her fingers, and the air around her shimmered once again. The dream-like cloud of pinks, purples, and blues appeared beside her, swirling with playful energy before spitting out a neatly folded squad robe—the signature uniform of the Silver Eagles. Dorothy grinned and quickly donned the robe, giving it a dramatic swirl as she adjusted it over her shoulders. She looked up at Nozel with a playful smirk, clearly enjoying her little display of magic.
Nozel quickly tried to analyze her magic. Father mentioned a separate dimension, so it makes sense she can store things inside there. I wonder how big that space is?
Acier, however, wasn't fully convinced. "Being a member of the Silver Eagles is not reason enough for us to trust her completely," she said gently, her tone apologetic. She glanced at Dorothy, who didn't seem offended by the remark, though her cheerful demeanor wavered for a moment. Instead, Dorothy began to fidget awkwardly, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable.
Both Acier and Nozel noticed the change in the girl's attitude, and they exchanged puzzled glances as Dorothy looked over her shoulder at Sebastian, silently asking for some kind of reassurance.
Sebastian coughed awkwardly, clearing his throat as he stepped forward, still gripping Dorothy's shoulders. "There are... two bigger reasons why you can trust her," he said, trying to sound casual, though his voice betrayed a hint of nervousness.
Acier raised an eyebrow, her tone turning dry. "And what are these 'two bigger reasons,' Sebastian?"
Forcing a smile, Sebastian spoke nonchalantly, "Well... starting yesterday, Dorothy has officially become our daughter... and Nozel's fiancée."
An awkward, deafening silence fell over the room.
Nozel stared at his father, his face frozen in a mixture of shock and disbelief. Acier blinked, clearly too stunned to react. Even Dorothy, who had been brimming with confidence moments ago, now stood with wide eyes, her face reddening as she nervously glanced between the family members.
The silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity, until finally, Dorothy broke it with an awkward laugh. "Heh... surprise?" she said, giving an exaggerated shrug.
Nozel slowly turned to face his father, his eyes narrowed in a deadly calm manner. "Apologizes Father, it seems I misheard you. It appears that run-in with that sound mage on my last mission damaged my ears more than I realized. Care to repeat that?"
Acier blinked, and her grip around Noelle loosened. It was fortunate that she was on her bed, her hold already low, so Noelle merely plopped into her lap.
The baby began to giggle and cry for her mother to do it again, obviously confusing this as some new kind of play.
Before anyone could say anything, Sebastian quickly added, "And, um, though the second part—about the fiancée thing—is still up for debate... I already added Dorothy to the family registry." He gave a nervous chuckle, clearly trying to diffuse the tension. "So, well... there's no takebacks on her parentage."
Nozel face turned crimson red, not of embarrassment but of sheer fury. How dare he?! How dare this leech, this parasite, pop back into their lives without a care for the world, and decide something so momentous for this family as if it was his right?!
Nozel was about to explode. Screw the decorum, the etiquette, the expectations, this man needs to learn his place! But just as he was about to unleash his outrage, someone beat him to the punch.
"Sebastian Theodoros Silva." The dull tone, utterly foreign to that beautiful voice, caused Nozel to be still. And then after a short pause, he smiled, feeling all his tension leave him. Oh, this is going to be good.
Sebastian flinched as if struck, feeling a chill run down his spine. He swallowed hard, trying to keep up his unphased bravado. "Yes?" he forced himself not to stammer out those words, knowing full well that tone—the tone that meant trouble.
Acier didn't respond to his question. Instead, she handed Noelle back to Nozel, her movements calm but deliberate. She then turned her gaze toward her son, her expression softening slightly, though there was still an undeniable firmness behind her eyes. "Nozel," she said gently, "please wait outside."
Nozel blinked. Nozel wanted to watch. Nozel wanted to argue. But his mother's smile which clearly wasn't a smile, made him quite obedient. Without a word, he cradled Noelle carefully in his arms and made his way to the door, giving a sideways glance towards Sebastian before stepping out.
Acier's gaze then fell upon Dorothy, who was standing awkwardly by Sebastian's side. She fidgeted under Acier's gaze, looking at her with wide, uncertain eyes. Her previous confidence melted away, leaving that vulnerable girl.
Acier felt her heart soften as she watched the girl, and called to her. "Dorothy", her voice was commanding yet gentle. "Could you please wait outside as well? I need to speak with your… father."
The way she enunciated "father", lacked any sort of visible affection. Rather it seemed more like a curse than a title, rotting with venom.
Dorothy glanced nervously up at Sebastian, who gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "It's alright," he said gently, though his own voice wavered slightly. "Nozel's outside. Play nice, okay?"
Dorothy gave a shaky nod, before spotting Acier looking at her gently and reassuringly, for some strange reason she felt this conversation wouldn't go in the direction she feared most. She already felt her confidence returning as followed Nozel out the door.
As the door shut closed, leaving Sebastian alone with Acier, Sebastian was left unsure. He avoided looking at Acier who continued to smile at him eerily. He had tried to return a smile of his own, but it always faltered before he could muster one. He could tell Acier was not the least bit pleased, and doing so would be like pouring salt on her wound. Insulting her on top of screwing her over, after she gave me her unconditional trust.
Damn, I really overstepped this time, didn't I? Sebastian understood his mistake, but he never regretted it. So, he just waited in silence, for her to let all her anger out. 16 years of bottled-up frustration and hurt, from being constantly tricked, deceived, manipulated, and played with.
But it never came.
Rather than explode in anger or frustration, Acier let out a deep sigh, her tension slipping away as she slowly sat up on the edge of the bed, her legs dangling over the side. She patted the empty spot next to her with a resigned expression.
Sebastian blinked, clearly puzzled by her reaction. He hesitated for a moment but eventually moved toward the bed, leaving a decent space between them as he sat down. His brow furrowed in confusion, unsure of what to expect.
Acier let out a soft, wry chuckle and, without looking at him, said, "Come closer, Sebastian. I'm not going to eat you."
He scratched his cheek awkwardly, before shifting over until they were sitting side by side. Expecting at least a slap on the face, or a heavy conversation, he was not the least bit prepared for what came next.
Honestly, he wouldn't be surprised whatsoever if she demanded a divorce then and there, but rather all she did was slowly raise her right hand before… resting it gently on his left thigh.
Sebastian gawked at her, completely thrown off by the unexpected touch. His heart skipped a beat as he turned to look at her, but Acier's gaze remained fixed on the wall ahead. She sighed again, her other hand rubbing her forehead in clear resignation, before finally speaking.
"Tell me you didn't adopt a child and give away our son's hand in marriage just to cure me and Nozel," she said, her voice tired but calm.
Sebastian stared at her in disbelief, his lips parting slightly. "Is that… what you were worried about?" he asked, his voice soft with surprise.
Acier shrugged. "What else could it be?" she asked, her tone carrying the weight of the situation. "It's too cruel to that girl, Sebastian. You can't just casually give someone a family like it's some kind of cheap transaction."
Sebastian shook his head, his expression firm. "It's not casual at all," he promised, the weight of his sincerity apparent. "I already see Dorothy as my daughter. I will love and care for her, no matter what."
Acier studied him quietly, her eyes softening at his words. She could see the resolve in his face. He wasn't doing this lightly.
"She's a good person," Sebastian continued, "and she would've helped regardless of anything. But after hearing her story… I couldn't leave her alone. I wanted to be a father to her."
Acier gave a small nod, understanding but still conflicted. She sighed, not pressing further. "I already told you, Sebastian," she said quietly, "I trust your judgment. No matter what you do in the future. But please when it's something as outlandish as this, the least you can do is give me a heads-up. A call ahead so I can at least prepare myself and have time to gather my thoughts and feelings. " Her voice was gentle, filled with trust, but also a wry sense of exasperation.
Sebastian felt a warmth stir in his chest. He placed his hand over hers, squeezing it gently. "After the appointment, I'll tell you the whole story, I promise," he said softly. "You deserve to know."
Acier nodded in acknowledgment. She didn't need all the details right now, but she appreciated the offer. However, Sebastian's next words made her blink in surprise.
"I'm the one who adopted Dorothy," Sebastian said, his brow furrowing slightly. "It has nothing to do with you if you don't want to accept it. When the time comes to announce her to the world, I'll just say she's an illegitimate daughter from an affair I had with some witch. That way—"
Before he could finish, Acier, her face suddenly a mix of irritation and amusement, reached up and pinched both of his cheeks, pulling them hard. "Don't be stupid, Sebastian," she scolded him with a slight pout. "We're husband and wife. Naturally, we have the same children."
Inwardly Acier was quite surprised that Sebastian was willing to go as far as to have his reputation smeared just to be considerate of her feelings and raise Dorothy.
Sebastian already faced a lot of stigma in his life for being the patriarch of a lineage of Magic Knights, without being one himself. All he had going from it was his career as a cold-hearted politician, that would cow anyone who'd dare to insult him.
However, if this got out, he would not only be a failed Mage but also a failed politician. Nobility having affairs and illegitimate children is a different thing than being exposed for having them. If Sebastian admitted this his, political career would go up in flames and he would lose all the decade's worth of power, he struggled to build for himself in the royal palace.
All the power he held over the Kingdom and the sway his words held in the courts would be lost. Many people especially House Kira were stalking House Silva like a wolf already waiting for her demise, if its Patriarch had a scandal now, well let's just say the future for House Silva would look bleak.
Branch families demanding his removal as family head, and power struggles to usurp succession from the main family, would be the least of their worries.
Sebastian winced under the playful but firm pressure of her fingers; his eyes wide with surprise. "Ouch, okay, okay!" he muttered, half-laughing through the pain.
She let go of his cheeks, her expression softening into something more thoughtful. "I'll admit, it'll be strange… an adjustment," she admitted, looking away from him as if embarrassed to continue. "But… I find the little girl quite adorable."
Her words hung in the air for a moment before she looked back at him, her eyes still holding that playful edge. "You promised her a family, didn't you? Not just a father. If that's the case, Dorothy's going to need a mother too."
Sebastian's heart warmed at her words, a smile spreading across his face. He squeezed her hand tighter, realizing now more than ever just how much Acier meant to him. This is where Noelle gets her tsundere personality, he thought inwardly, chuckling softly.
But Acier's expression soon changed. The playful pout vanished, replaced by a dark, serious gaze. "Parenthood is one thing, Sebastian," she said firmly, "but stepping into our children's love lives is another. No matter how much I may come to adore Dorothy in the future, I will never accept one of our children marrying unwillingly, and certainly not having their partner decided for them."
Sebastian raised his hands in placation, nodding quickly. "I swear," he promised, "I'll only marry Nozel to Dorothy if they genuinely develop feelings for each other. Until then, they'll just be fiancées, and she'll be the nominal daughter-in-law of the Silva family."
After a slight pause, he added. "If it looks like it's not meant to be, I'll immediately break the engagement and fully adopt Dorothy into the family as our child. Giving her the Silva name."
Acier's eyes studied him closely, searching for any hint of deception. After a moment, she nodded slowly. "Alright," she said, her voice calm but still serious.
After a brief silence, Acier tilted her head, asking dryly, "And how do you plan to explain all this to Nebra and Solid?"
Sebastian groaned, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "I'll… figure something out," he mumbled, clearly dreading that conversation.
Realizing the time, he reluctantly stood up and made his way to the door. "It's 10:00 now," he said, taking a deep breath. "I'll let them back in."
As he opened the door, Sebastian felt satisfied, although they had their issues, it seemed like family was finally starting to form.
A Few Moments Ago:
As Nozel stepped outside into the hallway, he spotted Dorothy doing the same. The short girl closed the door softly behind her. He studied her closely disbelieving, that she of all people was his fiancée.
Nozel Silva was not one to chase romantic relationships, but he was confident if he ever had daydreamed of a woman in his life, he wouldn't have envisioned her face.
"So," Nozel said rhetorically, "you're my fiancée huh?"
Dorothy nodded absentmindedly, not even sparing him a look, as she walked towards him. Her attention was fully on Noelle, who was squirming slightly in Nozel's arms. Without hesitation, Dorothy bent down, gently pinching the baby's plump cheek. Noelle giggled, her soft coos filling the hallway as she responded with unreserved delight to Dorothy's attention.
Nozel blinked in surprise, feeling a sudden, inexplicable surge of jealousy rise in his chest. Why does Noelle react to her like that? The sight of Dorothy effortlessly coaxing laughter from his baby sister while completely ignoring him left him feeling both embarrassed and irrationally annoyed.
It's the same with Father. How can these strangers bring utter delight to Noelle so casually, while he despite being by her side since day one, had to wait months before she was even comfortable enough to snuggle in his arms? Even now, she rarely giggles for him.
What is he doing wrong? Traitor. Nozel instinctively thought looking down on his baby sister. Nozel never considered that if he could be bothered to so much as show her a smile and play with her, he could get the same reaction out of her.
His expression hardened, and without thinking, he took a large step backward, widening the gap between them. Noelle, sensing the sudden distance, immediately began to fuss, her tiny face scrunching up in displeasure as she prepared to wail.
Before the baby could even get out a proper cry, Nozel quickly popped a pacifier into her mouth, silencing her. Her little hands instinctively grabbed onto his sleeve, and she settled back down with a contented hum. Nozel exhaled in relief, only to feel Dorothy's eyes on him.
Dorothy, having straightened up, sighed dramatically, her gaze moving lazily from Noelle to Nozel. She muttered aloud, her tone half-amused, "Is this what Dad meant by him being a Siscon?"
Nozel's jaw dropped, his eyes wide with shock. The fact that she had casually referred to his father as "Dad" left him reeling. He demanded, "Siscon? What does that even mean?"
Dorothy shrugged as if his outburst was of no concern. "Don't worry about it," she said dismissively, turning away from him and leaning against the wall as if the conversation was pointless.
Nozel was growing very tired of being utterly disregarded by everyone he met. Be it that damn Vanica Zogratis, Draven Faust, or his father, but at least the three of them are people of strength and status.
This girl is a nobody! How dare she?!
As Dorothy stood there, her back against the wall, her posture casual, Nozel could only clench his jaw in frustration. He wasn't used to being brushed off so easily, and certainly not by someone who had just been thrust into his life in such an unexpected and overwhelming way.
If you're my fiancée, is it so much to ask for a proper conversation?!
Nozel stood in the hallway, trying to keep his frustration in check. He could feel the anger bubbling up, threatening to spill over, but he knew causing a scene now would only attract attention. So, with a resigned sigh, he mirrored Dorothy's casual stance, leaning against the wall opposite her. His gaze rested on her face, outwardly indifferent, though his thoughts ran much deeper.
She's a bit cute, he admitted, his mind momentarily distracted from his mountain of frustrations. Marrying her wouldn't be the worst thing. Sure, her attitude could use some refinement, but that was something etiquette classes could easily fix. After all, she wasn't a noble, and once she learned the ways of high society, she'd adapt.
Besides she seems to have powerful magic, so she'd be worthy of being House Silva's future Matriarch.
But more than anything, Nozel's thoughts centered on his mother. Dorothy was the key to saving Acier, and the surest way to guarantee her cooperation was to tie her to the Silva family, permanently. If Dorothy became a true member of the family, if Acier became her mother as well, she would have no choice but to use her magic to its fullest to help.
Clearing his throat, Nozel straightened up slightly. "Ahem."
Dorothy, still leaning against the wall, lazily glanced over at him, her expression unreadable.
Nozel met her gaze with his usual composed demeanor, though his words carried the weight of his decision. "Very well," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I will marry you."
Dorothy blinked, but otherwise remained unfazed, her face giving nothing away.
"You should pick a date for our engagement reception," Nozel continued, watching for any reaction. "The venue, the food, the music, the guest list—you can handle all of it, if you wish. I only have one condition." He paused, his tone growing slightly more authoritative. "You will respect the Silva dress code."
His words hung in the air for a moment, and he couldn't help but add, "If you don't trust me, we can skip straight to the wedding."
Inwardly, Nozel considered the implications. It would raise eyebrows in noble society, skipping the engagement entirely. But what do I care? It was a small price to pay if it meant guaranteeing his mother's safety. Traditions and appearances meant little to Nozel compared to Acier's life.
Dorothy studied him for a moment, her expression still frustratingly nonchalant. She didn't seem bothered by his sudden proposal or his conditions. She only raised an eyebrow, as if contemplating his words, but gave no immediate response.
Nozel waited, his gaze steady, wondering if this girl truly understood what she was getting herself into.
Dorothy blinked at Nozel, genuinely confused by his sudden declaration. "Wait, when did I ever say I'd marry you?" she asked, her voice laced with bewilderment.
Nozel stiffened, his grip tightening slightly around Noelle. He leaned forward and whispered in a sharp, hushed tone, "You were introduced to me as my fiancée!"
An awkward smile tugged at the corners of Dorothy's lips. "Yeah… about that. It's just a promise for now," she explained with a casual shrug. "Dad said that if I don't feel anything for you, I can break the engagement and just be adopted into the family. You know, as your sister."
Nozel's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching as she dismissed the whole engagement as if it were nothing. He barely registered her promise to help save Acier, his mother's life seemingly secondary to the irritation he felt. "It's like you're acting as if our engagement is doomed from the start," he snapped, his voice barely concealing his growing frustration. "What do you mean by 'not feeling anything' for me?"
Dorothy tilted her head, genuinely puzzled that he didn't seem to understand. Scratching her head, she sighed softly. "You know, unless you can make me fall in love, I'm not marrying you."
Her words hit Nozel like a slap to the face, but she seemed unfazed, continuing as if they were discussing something as mundane as dinner plans. "Look, don't sweat it. You don't even want this engagement, right? So, we can just tell Dad and move on—become siblings."
Nozel's irritation flared, the indifference in her tone grating on his nerves. It wasn't just the casual dismissal of their engagement; it was the sheer audacity she had to suggest it was already a lost cause as if he had no chance whatsoever. "So, what you're saying is you want some Prince Charming, huh?" he said, his voice taking on a challenging edge.
Dorothy blinked again, taken aback by the shift in his tone.
"Very well then, Dorothy Unsworth!" Nozel declared dramatically, pointing at himself with one hand while balancing Noelle in the other. "Prepare yourself to be swept off your feet by none other than me, Nozel Silva!"
In his arms, Noelle suddenly began clapping, giggling in delight at her brother's passionate declaration. Dorothy, however, looked utterly bewildered, her eyes wide as she stared at him.
What in the world…? she thought, scratching her cheek in confusion. Among all the daydreams and fantasies, she'd ever had about marriage proposals, not once had she imagined someone would challenge her to a battle rather than woo her heart. "Uh, okay," she muttered, still perplexed. "Do… whatever you want, I guess."
Nozel clenched his fist, determination settling in his eyes. He had long since finished all his etiquette lessons, and he had mastered the fine arts of wooing and courting women. He scoffed inwardly, confident that Dorothy would be no match for his charms. She was just a little girl, after all.
If that good-for-nothing father of mine could seduce the Acier Silva, he thought with a smirk, then I, who inherited much of his looks, can easily tame someone like her.
Dorothy, meanwhile, glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, still utterly confused by how things had escalated so quickly.
Just then, Sebastian opened the door, signaling for them to come back inside. But as soon as he stepped into the hallway, he froze, immediately sensing the awkward tension hanging in the air. Nozel was staring intensely at Dorothy, his eyes locked on her like a hawk preparing to strike, while Dorothy awkwardly glanced to the side, mouthing "help" at Sebastian with a pleading expression.
Sebastian's face darkened, a storm cloud of disappointment settling over him. Did Nozel already bully her? he thought, utterly exasperated. He'd barely left them alone for a few minutes, and his son had somehow managed to create this uncomfortable situation.
Nozel's oblivious intensity didn't help matters either, Sebastian clenched his jaw, preparing to give his eldest an earful. He had expected better.
Authors Note:
[1] Jeeves, full name Reginald Jeeves (nicknamed Reggie), is a fictional valet created by P. G. Wodehouse, first appearing in 1915. He serves the idle Londoner Bertie Wooster, and is featured in Wodehouse's works for 60 years, ending with Aunts Aren't Gentlemen in 1974. Jeeves is known as the epitome of a manservant, inspiring similar characters and lending his name to services like Ask Jeeves. Though often mistaken for a butler, Jeeves is a valet, responsible for serving an individual rather than managing a household. However, he occasionally steps in as a butler when needed.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
hmak27230
hmak27230 I tried fixing it, if it still doesn't work just go read it on fanfiction or archive of our own.
Bab 16: A Dream
"Who's this?" Draven Faust asked, narrowing his eyes as he sized up the lavender-haired girl standing before him. She looked more blue than purple under the reflection of the ocean-blue light spilling through the Deep Blue Room.
It wasn't just Draven who was caught off guard; his wife and the Agrippas shared his surprise. The unexpected addition was puzzling, especially since Sebastian had been clear about limiting new faces during their previous meeting. Yet here she was.
Dorothy grinned and stepped forward with a flourish, twirling at Acier's bedside before resting her hands on her hips. From deep within, she bellowed, "The name's Dorothy Unsworth! Pleased to meet you, mustachio!"
That answered nothing.
As if she'd heard his thoughts, Dorothy's eyes sparkled with mischief. With a curious glance at Sebastian, she turned back to face the two couples. "I'm their dau—"
They're what? Draven's confusion only grew as she trailed off, fidgeting, as if unsure. She shot a look at Acier, as though seeking permission or maybe even a blessing.
The two couples turned to Acier, who was propped up on her bed, watching the girl with a fond smile. Finally, she looked at Draven and answered for her. "She's our daughter."
Huh? Of all the answers Draven had anticipated, this wasn't even close. Adopt a child? Had the Silvas seriously taken in an outsider? House Faust might have distanced itself from the core of noble society to conduct their experiments without scrutiny, but that didn't mean they'd lost their wits—or forgotten the rules of noble decorum. As a lineage of shadow mages well-versed in espionage, the Fausts arguably had the keenest grasp on the affairs of not just the aristocracy but the kingdom at large.
The sheer absurdity of the statement hit Draven and Lilith at once. Clover, of all four kingdoms, might well be the most unyielding in its fixation on bloodlines and noble purity. For any house, let alone one of the kingdom's three pillars, to adopt an outsider would be scandalous beyond measure. A move that brazen would surely stir up a wave of whispers if not outright hostility.
And from the hushed murmuring he could sense behind him, Draven guessed the Agrippas had come to the same conclusion.
Not that it was his problem. Draven Faust cared little for titles or aristocratic theatrics; worth, in his eyes, was measured in usefulness, not noble heritage. And no matter how virtuous the Silvas might pretend to be, he seriously doubted they'd go so far as to adopt some random, useless brat. If they'd gone out of their way to bring this girl under their wing, she had to be someone exceptional.
His eyes narrowed on Dorothy's witch hat as he pieced together the clues. If this girl had managed to slip free of the Witch Queen's surveillance and traverse a Grand Magic Zone at her age, she had to possess talents of real value.
But then again, even if she didn't, it made little difference to Draven. The alliance between the Fausts and the Silvas was strictly transactional, built on mutual need. The Silvas needed the Fausts' expertise; the Fausts needed the Silvas' wealth. As long as each party upheld their side of the bargain, they'd remain in alliance without a hitch.
Draven had no intention of jeopardizing that arrangement with petty interference. It wasn't his place to question the family affairs of another house, much less that of a royal one. He wasn't about to sour their relations by dishing out unsolicited "advice" over some kid.
So, instead, he nodded, ready to offer a token of half-hearted congratulations on the "addition" to the Silva family—when someone else spoke up first.
"Daughter-in-law."
All heads snapped to the other side of the room, where Nozel Silva stood, his usual stoic demeanor softened only by the protective way he held his sister in his arms. His voice carried a subtle, unmistakable edge, stressing the difference in title.
Draven blinked, momentarily stunned by the revelation, before Nozel added with deliberate emphasis.
"She is my fiancée."
The way he stressed that last word, his gaze sweeping the room and daring anyone to challenge him, left everyone speechless. His eyes finally settled on Dorothy, giving her a brief, almost imperceptible nod.
Draven studied the witch with renewed interest. Well, it seems I'm looking at the future Matriarch of House Silva, he mused. I'd best remember to show her a bit more courtesy. With Nozel the unanimous candidate to take over as head of the Silvas in a few years, any disrespect toward his intended could sour their arrangement. Respecting his fiancée was only good sense.
Yet, as he looked around, it dawned on him that his years buried in arcane studies and dusty books had dulled his understanding of social nuance. The temperature in the room was anything but harmonious.
Acier's eyes widened at her son's declaration. His words carried a hint of possessiveness she'd seen in too many toxic couples. She didn't know whether to chide him for his attitude, recognizing how easily it could lead to treating Dorothy like an object or to squeal in excitement. After all, her once-seemingly asexual son had finally shown an interest in a woman. Could this mean that grandchildren were possible after all?
She turned her head, ready to flash a supportive thumbs-up to Dorothy and Sebastian, thinking her son's engagement was more promising than she'd feared. Keyword, about to. The excitement drained from her as she caught sight of Dorothy's expression—a mix of cringe and barely disguised disgust as she frowned at Nozel.
Acier prayed Nozel would pick up on his misstep, knowing full well that if he didn't, she'd soon have to schedule a rather uncomfortable heart-to-heart with him about relationships. It looked like her other son, Solid, would need a change in tutors as well; if this was how they taught courtship, her boys were doomed to failure in love.
Beside her, her husband sighed and rubbed his temples, his face etched with exasperation and undisguised disappointment. This did not bode well.
It was then Acier Silva realized something vital: this engagement's success wasn't about Nozel's resolve; it was all about Dorothy's willingness. And right now, her boy had likely dug himself a pit. Where before the two might have stood on even ground, Nozel had now sunk himself somewhere far below it.
Unable to bear the awkward tension any longer, Sebastian stepped in.
"Dorothy has a unique magic," he began, "one that allows her to create a separate space where we can treat both my wife's and son's curses without alerting that devil."
A brief silence followed as the Agrippas and Fausts exchanged glances, visibly impressed. Such a feat was remarkable, if not unheard of.
"As expected of a witch," Lilith remarked, a faint trace of admiration in her voice. Witches were known for wielding esoteric magics that teetered on the edge of the supernatural, much closer to devilry than any other magic in the land. While the Clover Kingdom had seen unusual magic traits crop up over the years, mutated by constant exposure to dense mana, and giving up the protection of natural mana, the consistency and range of the witches' abilities were still unparalleled. Nearly all of them possessed powers defying logic—curses, familiars, even dimensional magic.
The group gave knowing nods, recognizing that while Dorothy's power was exceptional, it wasn't outside the realm of possibility for a witch.
All except one.
"You're a witch?" All eyes turned to Nozel, who was examining Dorothy with a new, fervent curiosity.
An awkward silence filled the room as Dorothy regarded him, slightly taken aback. "You… didn't know?" she asked, baffled.
Nozel shook his head, genuinely perplexed. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Dorothy blinked in disbelief. Why would I tell you? Are we even that close? But Nozel's almost-wounded expression gave her pause, so she held back her thoughts. Instead, she pointed to her head.
"You didn't notice the hat? Or, I don't know, maybe the nature of my magic?"
Nozel looked genuinely mystified. "What's that supposed to mean? Plenty of peasants and commoners dress up and wear things like that."
Dorothy nearly snorted. When she'd first entered the Kingdom, she'd run into countless young women in the Forsaken Realm sporting similar headwear. Witches or not, it was easy to see why Nozel might not pick up on the difference.
With a resigned sigh, she tried again. "But what about my magic? That's hardly something a commoner could wield. Shouldn't that have tipped you off?"
Now Nozel was the one blinking, visibly struggling to come up with a reply. Even he seemed to recognize it was unwise to admit he'd assumed she was just another noble's illegitimate child, kept hidden somewhere. Especially not to the woman he was trying to court.
Sebastian noticed the gears turning in Nozel's head, and before he could stumble into an even bigger misstep, he placed a steadying hand on Dorothy's shoulder, drawing her attention.
As Dorothy looked up at him questioningly, Sebastian cleared his throat and provided a diplomatic explanation that, thankfully, wasn't entirely untrue. "Nozel's led a very sheltered life. He hasn't fully explored the kingdom yet and barely understands its diversity. It's only natural he might not recognize certain… clues."
"Exactly!" Acier chimed in, shaking her head with conviction as Dorothy looked back at her. Eager to save her son from further embarrassment, she added, "Nozel's never met a witch before. How could he have known, Dorothy?"
I guess that makes sense. Dorothy gave a thoughtful nod, seemingly convinced.
Meanwhile, Nozel let out an internal sigh of relief. Though it stung his pride a bit to have Sebastian Silva of all people come to his rescue, he decided he'd let it go. Just this once.
Maybe I should brush up on my courtship lessons, Nozel told himself, convincing himself that a bit of "rust" was to blame. A refresher, he thought, might be just what he needed to regain his footing.
"Alright, moving on?" Sebastian clapped his hands, his firm tone cutting through the lingering silence as he called everyone's attention. His gaze settled on Draven. "I take it you've completed Nozel's treatment?"
Draven exchanged a quick nod with Nathan Agrippa before reaching into his satchel and pulling out a well-worn parchment, covered in hurriedly scribbled notes and lined with intricate, otherworldly runes surrounding a central magic circle. Holding it up for everyone to see, he began, his voice steady and unemotional.
"The array is fully designed," he said, "and I've tested it on several magic beasts. I replicated 'her' curse, the same I analyzed on Nozel's throat, on those beasts and then layered this array over it. When I attempted to curse those beasts further, using 'her' curse as an entry point, it failed. The array successfully blocked all access while creating feedback to make it appear as though the curse had taken hold."
He paused to let the details sink in before adding, "Unless 'she' personally checks on Nozel, she'll have no idea her curse failed."
A palpable relief settled over Acier and Nozel, who both exhaled in unison, while Sebastian merely nodded with calm indifference. If a family of devil researchers and hex specialists couldn't handle something as crude as Nozel's curse, they'd better pack their things and start a farm in the Forsaken Realm, Sebastian thought wryly. Nozel's case, after all, was never the real issue. The real concern lay with Acier's curse.
"And what of Acier's?" Sebastian raised a brow, his voice shifting to a tone of genuine curiosity.
The Fausts and Agrippas exchanged glances again, but this time, there was visible hesitation, an uncharacteristic reticence to respond. After a beat, Nathan Agrippa, usually content to remain in the background, took a step forward.
"The curse 'that' devil used on Lady Acier," he began, choosing his words with unsteady precision, "is more… intricate than we initially assessed."
Unused to speaking with such force, Nathan found himself consciously summoning the volume to make himself clear.
"Explain," Sebastian commanded, his voice cool, though the intensity in his gaze betrayed his concern.
Lilith stepped forward, her gaze intense as she added her own insight. "I'd originally assumed the curse was a simple physical plague attacking Lady Acier's bloodstream. However, once we brought back the blood samples, we had Azazel examine them thoroughly, only to uncover the true, far more insidious nature of the curse."
"And that would be?" Nozel cut in, his impatience simmering beneath a calm tone.
Draven answered on behalf of his wife, his tone grave. "We discovered the curse has both a material and spiritual component. Not only is it eating away at your mother's body, but it's marking her very soul."
Acier remained composed, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Why go through the trouble of marking my soul? What would 'she' gain from that?"
Before anyone could speculate, Nathan interjected, "My wife and I dug through the Agrippa family archives on 'she-who-should-not-be-named' and found a possible reason."
Jonna, who had remained silent, finally spoke, her voice steady yet tinged with reluctance. "There's an ancient curse-warding ritual called Malevolent Femcantation. By cursing three powerful souls of the same sex to death, 'she' could forge a gateway to the otherworld, enabling her to fully manifest here."
Jonna's gaze lowered as she glanced at Acier, clearly reluctant to speak the next words. "Lady Acier would be an ideal first target."
The implications settled heavily in the room. Acier Silva was to be the first sacrifice.
How did I forget such a significant plot point?!
Sebastian clenched his fist, mentally berating himself. Caught up in strategizing for the curse's removal, he'd lost sight of Vanica's deeper purpose. Megicula wasn't as reckless as her host. Every action of hers had a purpose; she wouldn't have risked losing her host if there wasn't a greater benefit. It was likely Megicula herself had guided Vanica to Acier, knowing a cursed Acier would be the first step in realizing her grander scheme.
Acier's knuckles whitened as she gripped her bed sheets, her frustration barely masked. Nozel placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, pulling her and his sister closer before turning to Draven with steely resolve. "How serious is this for us?" His gaze shifted to Lilith, recalling her earlier words. "You said it was complex but not impossible to treat."
Lilith nodded, her expression calm but unyielding. "Magic and the soul are intertwined since mana itself is a spiritual force. Nearly all curses connect to a target's soul, although typically only in a minor way."
"Then what's the problem?" Nozel questioned, his brow furrowing.
Draven spoke again. "If most curses are 90% physical and 10% spiritual, your mother's curse is precisely the opposite — 90% spiritual and only 10% physical."
"We have no issue treating her blood," he continued. "Lilith's Blood Magic and Jonna's Poison Magic can channel cursed blood into Lady Acier's bloodstream and heart, effectively neutralizing the curse by canceling it out and allowing her body to stabilize."
Curing the body with a kind of alchemical "fire with fire."
"Then what's the obstacle?" Sebastian demanded.
Nathan took up the explanation. "Her soul, Lord Silva. Lady Acier's soul has been heavily marked and tainted by 'her.' To completely cure her and prevent 'her' from using that soul mark as a gateway, we'll have to directly manipulate Lady Acier's soul."
Lilith's face showed frustration for the first time. "And that's where we're at a deadlock. Souls are incredibly fragile. Any wrong move, any slight error, and we risk permanently damaging Lady Acier's spirit… leaving her a hollow shell."
Draven rubbed his temples, clearly vexed. "This isn't a typical curse where we can hypothesize freely. We'd need extensive experimentation — ideally on female subjects — to even approach this safely."
He went on, "Unless we want the kingdom's full wrath upon us, experimenting on unwilling souls isn't an option. And willing volunteers are… unlikely. Even if we found them, the ritual is exceedingly difficult to replicate. We'd need curse-warding magic of the highest order to even mimic it, let alone safely test its effects."
His gaze landed on Acier. "In other words, Lady Acier is the only person cursed with this exact type of magic, and clearly, we can't experiment on her without serious risk."
A heavy silence filled the room as reality settled in. Acier couldn't help but bite her lip in frustration, every time things looked up, something else happened to ruin it.
The silence didn't last long.
Sebastian's casual response left everyone flabbergasted. "Oh, is that all?" He blinked, seeming unfazed, while the room gaped in disbelief.
What do you mean, is that all?! Their expressions said it all, a mixture of shock and bafflement.
Sebastian's lips curled into a confident smile as he glanced down at Dorothy. "Well, Daughter, it looks like you're up."
Dorothy grinned back, her pink grimoire floating in front of her as pages flipped swiftly, stopping on a spell that didn't just bend reality but created an entirely new one.
"Dream Magic: Glamour World!" she chanted with a mischievous "teehee."
In an instant, a swirl of multi-hued mist enveloped everyone, pulling them into a strange, otherworldly domain.
What in the world? Draven Faust blinked in disbelief as he steadied himself, hovering in midair, suspended over an infinite pink void. He glanced around, his normally stoic expression betraying utter confusion as he took in the strange, floating objects dotting the space.
"Welcome to the World of Dreams!" Dorothy announced, her voice ringing out dramatically.
"Your magic is dream magic?" Nozel asked, stunned. He'd never heard of such a thing.
"Yup!" Dorothy smirked playfully, then suddenly appeared right beside him, leaning in to whisper, "What did you think I used?"
"Gahh!" Startled, Nozel stumbled back, pointing an accusatory finger. "You just teleported! You must be a spatial mage!"
"Nozel." His father's voice cut through, and Nozel turned to see Sebastian hovering in the pink dreamscape, with his mother floating nearby on her bed.
"Magic is a tool to make miracles real," Sebastian said slowly. "But you're far too rigid in your thinking, which will limit your growth as a mage."
Nozel huffed, unwilling to concede any fault without evidence. "What do you mean?"
Sebastian scratched his chin thoughtfully, then asked, "What do you think Ice Magic does?"
Fighting back frustration at all the cryptic lessons, Nozel replied, "It freezes things, obviously."
"Like what?" Sebastian continued patiently.
"Anything!" Nozel's voice grew impatient. "People, trees, walls, streets—whatever you can think of!"
Sebastian nodded approvingly. "So lava, fire, volcanoes, magma, space, time—"
"What?!" Nozel interrupted in disbelief, waving his father off. "No. No. No. Don't be ridiculous."
"Why is that ridiculous?" Sebastian cocked a brow.
"How?" Nozel scoffed. "Ice melts with heat. How could it freeze magma, let alone space or time? That's impossible!"
"Yet Julius can do so," Sebastian countered calmly, "and it's said that the supreme devil Beelzebub can lock down space whenever he wishes."
The Fausts nodded in agreement as they floated closer.
"That's different—Captain Novachrono has time magic! And Beelzebub has space magic!" Nozel insisted, as though explaining the basics to a novice. "That has nothing to do with ice."
"That's where you're wrong, Nozel." Sebastian shook his head. "Magic is about manifesting the impossible. The only limit is your imagination. If you're bound by strict logic, you'll never progress as a wizard."
Nozel started to argue but paused when he saw his mother nodding in agreement beside his father.
Then Draven spoke up. "The 20th Wizard King had his title revoked due to cruelty and the civil war he waged on the kingdom, but his strength was real. He was said to have a type of ice magic so powerful that, when he unleashed his mana zone, he could even freeze an entire volcanic grand magic zone."
Nozel's hand clenched as he recalled the name—Edward Avalanche. In his history lessons, he'd learned of this Wizard King's dark legacy, but not of such extraordinary power. Nozel's gaze hardened. Had his teacher simply not known, or deliberately left it out to prevent him from admiring such a fallen hero?
"Very well, Father." Nozel gave a reluctant nod of understanding. "I take it this little lesson has something to do with Dorothy?"
Sebastian smiled, nodding. "Making the unthinkable real fits no one better than her." He gestured warmly to Dorothy. "In the Glamour World, the realm of her dreams, anything she imagines can come to life."
Dorothy smiled, and with a snap of her fingers, the scene erupted. Tornadoes spiraled, waves crashed, lightning struck the waves and then grounded into newly forming earth. The pink dreamscape roared with heat and flames before a vibrant forest sprang to life, blanketing it all in lush greenery.
Nozel gawked, his jaw dropping. He could tell that nothing here was an illusion; everything was real. It took a moment to collect himself, then he looked at Dorothy with newfound admiration, nodding in approval. As expected of my wife.
Even Lord Conrad, may not be able to use that many elements so casually.
In Nozel's arms, Noelle clapped delightedly, drawing a warm look from Dorothy. With another snap of her fingers, Noelle appeared in her arms (much to Nozel's irritation), and a soft, cuddly teddy bear materialized before the little one. Noelle squealed in joy, eagerly grabbing it.
"I take it this is how we'll conduct our experiments for that one's curse?" Draven remarked, more of a statement than a question.
"You can say Megicula; she can't hear you." Sebastian spoke her name without hesitation, causing everyone to tense. But when nothing happened—no curse, no ominous sign—they exhaled in relief.
"So her name is Megicula," Nozel murmured with narrowed eyes, his cold fury evident. He vowed to repay her for the pain she'd caused his mother, a thousand times over.
"So, how will this magic help us practice on Lady Acier?" Draven pressed.
"No need to rush," Sebastian replied calmly, gesturing toward Nozel. "Treat my son first."
Draven nodded as Dorothy snapped her fingers, bringing everyone closer to Acier's bed.
He glanced at Nozel, who, catching the cue, removed his shirt. But he hesitated awkwardly, finding nowhere to sit.
Dorothy, noticing, snapped again—a stool appeared in front of Nozel.
Nozel acknowledged her with a slight nod, which she returned with an indifferent one. Outwardly, at least; inside, Dorothy was a bit flustered, unable to ignore Nozel's unexpectedly muscular build. I thought nobles didn't train. She was caught off guard, realizing her fiancé wasn't the skinny figure she'd imagined.
Quickly, Dorothy shook off her surprise, fearing any distraction might accidentally conjure a dozen shirtless Nozels.
Draven was about to summon Azazel to reveal Nozel's curse, intending to layer his array carefully. But as the master of this world, Dorothy sensed his thoughts.
Another snap and the markings of Nozel's curse appeared.
Draven's eyes narrowed thoughtfully at Dorothy. Once was a coincidence, twice suspicious, but three times—he recognized that Dorothy could read his thoughts and resolved to guard anything especially sensitive.
He didn't even bother pulling out his parchment and pen; instead, he merely thought about them. And Dorothy didn't let him down, as she snapped once more. In an instant, they floated from his bag—pen in hand and his design hovering beside Nozel.
Always pragmatic, Draven studied the array one last time before beginning. Just as he started, he turned to Dorothy curiously. "Can't you just imagine the array onto Nozel's curse?"
Dorothy shook her head. "My imagination works on reason and knowledge. I don't know enough about curses and arrays to recreate it perfectly. I could imagine an uncursed Nozel, but this is a dream, a corporeal space. Nothing created here solely from my thoughts can exist outside of it."
She gestured to the teddy bear in Noelle's arms. "Just like the bear, or an array; it only physically exists here in this dream. I can't bring it out."
Sebastian nodded, adding, "That's also why she can't simply imagine a healed Acier or a miracle cure. To fully reverse a curse, she needs deep knowledge of hexes and Megicula's work. Then, we'd need to apply the treatment in reality, without relying on the dream."
"Otherwise, why would I need the lot of you?" Sebastian remarked dryly.
Draven nodded thoughtfully and posed another question: "So does anything we do here really make a difference?"
Dorothy affirmed, "Of course! I brought your physical bodies into this space. If you die here, you die for real. And if you get healed here, that healing is real too—as long as it isn't just some figment of my imagination."
Draven nodded again, but his curiosity wasn't satisfied yet. "It's clear you can read our memories in this place. You're practically the god of this space. So why not read my memories, or the Agrippas', about devils and curses to cure your fiancé and mother-in-law?"
Dorothy felt an urge to correct him about the "fiancé" part. So what if Nozel was a pretty boy? His personality and hairstyle were still terrible. She would never marry someone like him.
Instead, she sighed and answered patiently. "First of all, I can only read the memories you're thinking about. You'd need to recall every detail about curses and devils for me to access that knowledge, which would take years. Second, reading something doesn't mean understanding it. I'm still a novice with curses and devils; I wouldn't grasp even a fraction of that knowledge."
"If only my mother were here…" Dorothy lamented.
"The witch queen?" Acier asked, studying her daughter-in-law with interest.
Dorothy nodded. "Mother is a master of blood magic and curses. She's dealt with plenty of souls in her lifetime, not to mention being a seer. She'd definitely know how to heal you, the steps to take, and the best future to pursue to avoid killing you accidentally."
"So… why not just imagine your mother?" Acier inquired, curious. If Dorothy struggled to visualize what she didn't understand, why couldn't she conjure someone who could help?
Dorothy seemed to anticipate her mother-in-law's question, letting out a self-deprecating chuckle. "Setting aside that my mother is practically a stranger to me—we've barely spoken for more than ten minutes in my life—I don't think I could ever imagine her helping me." Or anyone else for that matter; that woman only looks after herself.
Silence enveloped the space once more. Acier gazed at Dorothy gently, taking her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. Sebastian placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"That's alright, Dorothy. We're your family now," he said softly, warming her heart.
Nozel observed the scene, his expression indifferent, leaving no one certain of his thoughts.
Without a word, Draven began meticulously inscribing the runic arrays, his pen gliding with steady precision. One by one, cryptic sigils materialized in the air, revolving and connecting to form a six-pointed star magic circle, which expanded and floated seamlessly over Nozel's curse. The array merged with the curse's own markings, causing it to gray out as though it had lost its potency. The curse quickly shrank, retreating into Nozel's throat before vanishing altogether.
"Done?" Nozel asked, rubbing his throat, surprised at the absence of the usual pain and restriction.
"Done," Draven confirmed with a nod, before adding a warning. "Now, if you mention the curse or Megicula, it won't harm you, but that doesn't mean you should."
"Why?" Nozel questioned as he began putting his shirt back on.
"This array only neutralizes the curse's effects on you. Speaking Megicula's name will still activate it. One mention isn't an issue, but repeat it enough times, and Megicula will realize you're still alive when you should have died. She would likely send her devil host to investigate," Draven explained.
"Remember, Nozel," he continued, "the curse may no longer harm you directly, but it can still be used to track your location and activity. If you attract her attention, you'll fall under her watchful eye. And don't forget your father's words about Vanica Zogratis having inside help to sneak into the Clover Kingdom. Whoever that informant is could easily alert Vanica to your status."
Nozel nodded. They couldn't fully lift the curse until they reached a level where Vanica and Megicula no longer posed a threat. He realized he had been too complacent lately.
I need to start my training again, Nozel resolved, clenching his fists. If I keep slacking, Fuegoleon will leave me behind once more—let alone catch up to the real enemies.
Sebastian gave a nod, "Alright, Acier's turn." Turning to Dorothy, he signaled, "If you would?"
With a smile, Dorothy conjured a monocle over her right eye, peering closely at Acier. Cryptic runes and data flashed in the air like lines of computer code as she studied every detail intently. After a minute, the monocle vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Alright!" Dorothy gestured to the Agrippa couple, "I need you both to recall everything you know about Malevolent Femcantation." She then pointed to the Fausts. "And I need you two to focus solely on her physical curse."
Finally, she turned to Acier with a warm smile. "Mother?" This is my mom now.
Acier returned the smile. "Yes, Dorothy?"
"I need you to think deeply about your condition—the pain, the discomfort, every bit of what this curse puts you through. Try to sense it within yourself, and focus on any mark or trace it's left on your soul, alright?"
Without question, Acier nodded.
Dorothy turned to Nozel, "And you, think about Mother, every detail you can remember. Her likes, dislikes, mannerisms, expressions—anything and everything."
Nozel, slightly puzzled, asked, "What exactly are you doing?"
Sebastian answered for Dorothy, "Since we can't test directly on your mother, Dorothy is recreating an exact clone, as close to perfect as possible, using your memories and perceptions of her. Every detail adds to its accuracy and individuality. If we can save that clone, we can save your mother."
Such convenient magic, Nozel thought to himself, closing his eyes to concentrate. Acier, the Fausts, and the Agrippas followed suit, all focused on their thoughts and memories.
Sebastian, holding Noelle now, glanced at Dorothy, who had also closed her eyes, brows furrowed in deep concentration. He noticed she hadn't asked him for his thoughts, and the realization dawned on him.
She deliberately left me out. He'd told her about his abilities as a soothsayer and had warned her that some things he did could never be explained. Did she leave me out intentionally, respecting that? Perhaps she's mindful that I might not want my memories read, even if I'd never say so.
A warm smile crossed Sebastian's face. What a filial daughter. Moments like these reminded him of how grateful he was that he'd extended the offer to her—and even more grateful she'd accepted.
After a moment, another wooden bed materialized beside Acier's, carrying what appeared to be an exact replica of Acier Silva. The resemblance was so striking that everyone stared in awe, even Noelle, nestled in Sebastian's arms, blinked in confusion as she glanced between the two Acier figures.
Draven narrowed his eyes and activated the mana in his bracelet, summoning a pitch-black shadow that morphed into a small imp-like devil. "Azazel," Draven called, "how accurate is this clone?"
Azazel's eyes glowed as he scrutinized the clone before replying, "Master Draven, the physical likeness is 100% accurate. Personality and mannerisms are at 74%, mana is 96%, the curse is replicated at 76%, and Acier Silva's soul… 57%."
"57…" Dorothy bit her lip, clearly frustrated with the result.
Sebastian placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "That's already incredible for a first attempt. As you conduct more trials, your familiarity with Acier will improve, and once you can produce a clone with full accuracy…" He looked pointedly at the Fausts and Agrippas. "…and once we're confident in treating that clone…"
Finally, he turned his gaze to the real Acier. "…we'll be prepared to treat you."
The room was filled with an understanding silence as each person nodded, processing the monumental steps they were taking toward a cure.
Lilith exchanged a look with Jonna. "Let's start by treating her physical body."
Jonna nodded, and with a snap, the two appeared at the clone Acier's bedside. As they prepared to cast their spells, Lilith's brow furrowed in confusion as she examined the clone more closely.
The clone watched them blankly, unreactive as they took her wrists and arms to inspect her condition.
Is she this unresponsive because her soul is incomplete? Lilith wondered.
Dorothy, reading her thoughts, shook her head. "No, that's not it. Her soul is 57% similar to Mother's, but it's still complete. Simply 57% of her soul is identical to Mother's."
Lilith raised an eyebrow, glancing at the expressionless clone. "Then why does she look so… lifeless?"
Feeling the others' questioning gazes, Dorothy spoke quietly. "That's my doing."
Acier looked at Dorothy, giving her hand a comforting squeeze. "Why?" she asked gently.
Dorothy hesitated. "Because, in the end, this clone is just the first of many test subjects we'll create. She's bound to die… so I thought it kinder to take away her free will. If she doesn't react, doesn't speak, doesn't act… she's not human. Then, no one has to feel guilt, or feel anything… when she inevitably falls apart."
Silence filled the space, a weighted pause in which everyone exchanged conflicted glances. The Agrippas and Fausts shared especially troubled looks.
When she says no one… she means us, they thought, realizing her intention.
Sebastian studied Dorothy carefully, catching the deeper truth. Yes, she means them, but mostly, she means herself. He could tell Dorothy was protecting her own heart. She would be creating more clones like this one, each made to look exactly like her new mother. Depriving them of free will was her way of drawing a clear line between the clones and the real Acier.
Sebastian sighed and gently patted her on the back. "Wise choice." He nodded reassuringly, receiving a weak nod from her in return.
Lilith nodded to Jonna, then addressed the group. "We're about to begin the physical treatment."
Sebastian, a thought crossing his mind, tapped Dorothy on the shoulder. She turned, curious, as he pointed from his head to Noelle in his arms. Dorothy caught on, and with a snap, earmuffs and a blindfold appeared on Noelle, blocking her senses.
Noelle squirmed, giggling at what she probably thought was a new game of peekaboo.
Sebastian looked down at his daughter, his eyes narrowing. Noelle may not understand, but I won't risk traumatizing her by having her witness an Acier lookalike suffer. He gently pinched her cheeks, causing her to giggle. To Noelle, it was just playtime, but Sebastian had another purpose. He needed her to stay awake; in the Glamour World, falling asleep meant risking more than just a nap.
Lilith and Jonna each took hold of one of the clone's wrists, chanting their spell together: "Combination Magic: Poison Hexed Blood!"
Crimson blood flowed from Lilith into the clone's right wrist, while a maroon, poisonous gas entered the left wrist from Jonna. As the poison spread through the clone's bloodstream, it immediately clashed with Megicula's curse, each force canceling the other out and disintegrating. Lilith's blood began replacing what was lost, keeping the clone from succumbing to blood loss.
Internally, this battle raged within the clone's bloodstream, filling its arteries, veins, and capillaries until it reached the heart.
Outside, however, the scene was gruesome. The clone's dull gaze sharpened, pupils dilating as it writhed in silent agony, thrashing against Lilith's and Jonna's grip. Veins bulged and dark blood oozed from its pores. Despite its supposed lack of will, tears welled up, and its lips parted in a voiceless plea.
But Dorothy had not given it a voice—she had stripped it of that ability. That's how it was meant to be. Just as the poison reached the clone's heart, it uttered, in Acier's familiar voice, a broken plea: "P-please… m-mercy… please."
Lilith Faust was indifferent, she's seen countless die from the Devil Binding Ritual, and she's even helped slay those monsters who lost control. Jonna Agrippa was messy on the inside but gritted her teeth and continued the spell. Knowing that this was just the first test, and she'll have to get used to it.
Nathan Agrippa felt sorrow for his wife, wishing he was the one with poison magic, so he could be the one to do this.
Dorothy felt sick to her stomach, watching this, as her legs began to tremble. You're not real. You're fake! You're not supposed to cry! To speak!
She begged inwardly for the clone to stop resisting, and go back to its lifeless visage, but it wouldn't because Dorothy could no longer imagine it as anything but human, as a person.
Sebastian put a hand on her shoulder, to still her trembling.
Azazel's eyes glowed once more as he scrutinized the clone before speaking to Draven, "Master Draven, the physical likeness remains at 100% accurate. Personality and mannerisms are now at 79%, mana is 98%, the curse is replicated at 83%, and Acier Silva's soul… 65%."
Draven Faust raised his eyebrow in surprise before understanding.
Dorothy could no longer draw a clear line between the clone and Acier, so naturally her imagination stopped limiting the restraint on its free will, and the clone became more like Acier.
It's just a clone. Nozel told himself, your real mother is right here, beside you. He clenched Acier's bedside and sat down beside her.
But he couldn't remain entirely unphased. Because even if the treatment will be more perfected in the future, he couldn't stomach the thought of his mother having to go through even a minuscule amount of that pain.
There has to be a better way! A cleaner way! Nozel clenched his fist.
Meanwhile, Acier and Sebastian observed the scene with impassive expressions, their thoughts unreadable.
Finally, as the cursed blood was replaced, Lilith and Jonna released the clone. It slumped onto the bed, its face pale and drenched in bloody sweat. Slowly, its expression dulled, eyes blank and lifeless once more, like a doll.
The clone panted tiredly, its face so pale, tainted in bloody sweat, as it slumped onto the bed. Its complex expression gradually eased, as it returned to its dull lifeless look, like a doll.
"Azazel," Draven called out softly.
The black impish, goat-horned devil, spoke in its same squeaky voice. "The clone's similarity remains the same. The dull state is an act… a coping mechanism, to deal with the pain."
Dorothy Unsworth wanted to throw up.
Sighing, Sebastian placed a comforting hand on her back, channeling cool water mana to ease her nerves. Glamour World mirrored Dorothy's emotions, and he had no interest in it becoming Vomit World.
With the physical treatment complete, Dorothy snapped her fingers, swapping the Agrippa and Faust wives with their husbands. Draven and Nathan took a moment, then Draven addressed Dorothy from across the room, "Can you reveal her soul?"
Dorothy gave another dull snap, and the clone transformed, becoming translucent, a spiritual outline of its soul. The sight might've been striking—an ethereal silver-white figure—if it weren't marred by a sickly green and pitch-black tumor where its heart would be. Acier's hand instinctively moved to her chest, feeling the weight of the realization. So I have something like that inside me?
Sebastian broke the silence, his voice steady, "So how do you plan to handle that?"
Draven and Nathan exchanged a glance, and Draven replied, "We've come up with three possible options."
"And they are?" Sebastian's tone stayed calm.
Draven started, "First, we could brute force it and simply erase Megicula's curse mark on Lady Acier's soul."
Nathan elaborated, "This method has a 50-50 chance of either freeing her from the devil's hold or killing her outright if her soul can't endure the strain of the procedure."
Draven added, "Or she may survive but end up… hollow, without thoughts or agency, like an empty shell." A retard.
Not an option. "What about option two?" Sebastian continued, unperturbed.
Nathan replied, "We could replicate Nozel's treatment and inscribe an array on Lady Acier's soul that would counteract the effects of Malevolent Femcantation, sending feedback to trick Megicula into believing her curse is working as intended."
Sebastian sensed the hesitation. "But?"
Draven continued, "Though it's the safest approach initially, it's risky long-term. Malevolent Femcantation is a high-level curse, so designing an effective array will take days. Once applied, it'll constantly battle Megicula's decay, wearing down over time. We'd need regular checkups to renew the array, and one slip or lapse in focus could prove fatal."
Sebastian nodded, still pinching Noelle's cheeks as she giggled. "And option three?"
Draven looked at Nathan before speaking, "Using Agrippa's theoretical method of turning curses into power, we could reverse Malevolent Femcantation's effects. Rather than let it erode Lady Acier's body and soul, we'd deceive Megicula, turning the curse into a source of strength, enhancing Lady Acier like Megicula empowers herself."
Nathan looked at Lilith for a moment and chimed in, "With Cimeies' power, it might be feasible."
Sebastian, impressed, considered. "But I take it this one is the hardest to pull off?"
Both men nodded. Nathan added cautiously, "I've seen limited success with this approach. Attempting it on such a high-level curse doesn't fill me with confidence."
Nor me, Sebastian thought, but he clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, let's stop here for today."
Draven, surprised, frowned. "But we still have an hour left in the session."
Sebastian glanced at the dull-eyed clone on the bed and then at the visibly shaken Dorothy, sighing. "I think she's had enough for now. Let's give her time to recover." Who he was referring to was left unspoken.
Dorothy glanced at him, mouthing a silent "thank you."
Sebastian nodded, stifling a yawn as he added, "Besides, haven't you all noticed feeling sleepy? If you fall asleep in the Glamour World, you die." He said it with unnerving calm.
The group froze, and Acier and Nozel turned sharply toward Noelle, who was still giggling in Sebastian's arms. Seeing she was unharmed, they sighed in relief—though they both shot Sebastian stern looks.
Dorothy looked sheepish, scratching her neck. "I did try to shield you from that part of the spell, but I guess I haven't quite mastered it yet." Without further ado, she snapped her fingers, and they were expelled from Glamour World, reappearing in the quiet stillness of the Deep Blue Room.
Everyone took a moment to collect themselves, and then Draven turned to Sebastian, his eyes narrowed. "Should we head home for now, or is the evening appointment still on?"
Sebastian glanced at Dorothy, who gave him a determined nod. He nodded back at Draven, "Yes, perhaps you and the Agrippas should discuss your findings now that you've seen Malevolent Femcantation up close, the way it marks a soul."
The Agrippas and Fausts shared a quick nod, and a shadow portal started forming on the wall.
Sebastian's gaze shifted thoughtfully to Nathan. If he's uneasy about the technique, perhaps I should give him a chance to see his work in action. His mind drifted to two young mages—a slow-spoken boy and a prickly girl—who could benefit from Nathan's help.
Sebastian was about to suggest reconvening at three when a sharp knock pounded on the door. Everyone froze, and the Fausts and Agrippas looked ready to vanish when a familiar voice sounded.
"My lord, it's me."
They all relaxed, and Sebastian lowered the barrier blocking the door. "Come in, Alfred."
With a gentle swing of the door, Alfred entered, bowing to everyone before briefly pausing as he looked at Dorothy. He made his way to Sebastian, and everyone watched as he leaned in to whisper something that caused Sebastian's brows to rise.
"Already?" Sebastian asked, just loud enough for the room to hear. "Isn't that a bit… quick?"
What's too quick? Nozel thought though he held his tongue, watching as Alfred shook his head wryly before continuing, "I didn't have to look for them, Master. They… came to me."
Who? The curiosity in the room was palpable.
Sebastian's expression changed to a grim smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Those guys have a really high opinion of me… or I guess low if they think I'm of the same mind as them." He chuckled while scratching his chin.
Alfred simply lowered his head, refraining from comment.
Turning back to the group, Sebastian addressed them all. "I'll need to miss the 3 pm appointment."
"Why?" Nozel demanded.
But Sebastian just shook his head and walked over to Acier's bedside, opening a cabinet drawer to pull out an elegant glass bottle.
Wine? Everyone watched, intrigued.
Sebastian looked at Acier, his tone soft, "Mind if I take this?"
Acier nodded, curious but silent.
Sebastian smiled his thanks, then turned to Jonna. "Mrs. Agrippa, may I ask you a favor?"
Omake:
Nozel gawked as he watched Dorothy casually wield countless elements like she had the world at her fingertips.
Seeing her power in person didn't make him feel any pride or glee, that such a person was to be his wife.
No, it just made him feel frustration, as he clenched his fist in frustration. Even my fiancée is stronger than me? That means... that means...
Nozel turned his head, towards his mother propped up on the floating bed, before focusing his gaze on his father hovering in the pink void, beside her.
That means I really am my father's son. Nozel thought grimly.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA
hmak27230
hmak27230
Sorry for not updating yesterday, life was too busy between volunteering, school, and work. Chapter 15 was the last prewritten chapter I had saved up, so this one had to be written from scratch so it took a while. This is another reason why from now on daily updates are looking more unlikely. I'll try to at least update every other day.
Now specifically for my fellow Webnovel-tards. Do you really think that I'm going to be stupid enough to write an entire chapter as a single paragraph?
No! Why the fuck would I do that? How could I ever possibly read and review that shit?! It's just Webnovel changing the format on its own! So if it happens again, here's what you do. Instead of whining like a bitch, take two seconds to open another browser, go to fanfiction or aO3 and read the chapter there. The story goes by the same name, and I'm pretty sure my author name is the same, okay?
Good, now that's all there is to talk about, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
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