TVWD 18

Chapter : 18

No matter how much of a Mage Tower Master you are, killing an innocent marquis’s daughter in such a public place would cause problems—that was what it meant.

The Mage Tower Master’s lips hardened as he looked at me with icy eyes, but inside those pale blue irises, I was still smiling.

Soon, the dance ended, and we stepped off the floor.

Not toward where my parents were standing, but in the opposite direction.

“You really are a dangerous person, Rosia.”

“In what way?”

“Usually, when I glare at people, they spill everything on their own. But you? Not only do you refuse to give me what I want, you actually make demands of me.”

Even with murderous intent flashing in his blue eyes, I stood straight and met his gaze head-on.

I’m not sure how long it lasted like that, but suddenly the Mage Tower Master burst into rough laughter and strode toward me.

“I don’t think I’ll kill you for the time being. Not forever—but for now.”

“I’m honored, Mage Tower Master.”

When I lightly spread my skirt and greeted him, he shrugged as if he couldn’t help it.

“I want Rosia to keep calling me ‘Silla,’ so I’ll try not to kill you. So in return, I’d appreciate it if you avoided doing things that make me want to kill you.”

“I’ll try.”

Good. Since I survived today, I should give my secretary a bonus.

“It looks like people want to speak with you, Mage Tower Master. What would you like to do?”

“Would Rosia like it if her partner chatted with just anyone?”

As if he had never threatened me at all, the Mage Tower Master fluttered his lashes coquettishly.

“Then please stay here alone. I’ll go greet my friends.”

“Wow, abandoning your partner now? You’re ruthless, Rosia.”

I had things to do at this ball, so I couldn’t stay glued to him—but the Mage Tower Master trailed after me anyway.

“Hello, Roa. My friend.”

“Nice to see you, Stella. This is the Mage Tower Master. Sir, this is Stella of House Meritney. She’s a friend of mine.”

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Meritney.”

As expected, unlike when he was alone with me, the Mage Tower Master treated others with impeccable courtesy.

“It’s been a while, Lady Leviang.”

“How have you been, Young Lord Stein?”

Stella’s fiancé, Young Lord Stein, greeted us politely—then immediately fixed his gaze on my jewelry.

“My lady, your necklace and earrings are exquisite. They look like blue diamonds. Am I correct?”

“Yes. They’re gemstones produced in the Leviang marquisate.”

“To think such high-quality blue diamonds are being produced—why didn’t you contact me sooner?”

Got you.

“You haven’t already signed a contract elsewhere, have you?”

The Grand Duchy was famous for trade, and the Grand Duke’s children were both politicians and merchants—with extremely discerning eyes.

“No contract yet, but…”

“Then work with us. We’ll offer you terms far more favorable than anywhere else.”

“Here we go again…”

Stella pressed her forehead as if resigned.

“I appreciate the offer, but we don’t sell raw stones.”

“Then…?”

Shock spread across Young Lord Stein’s face.

“Wait—don’t tell me!”

“Your guess is correct, my lord. We’ll only be selling finished, fully cut pieces.”

“My lady!”

Since the price difference between raw gemstones and finished jewelry could range from dozens to thousands of times, Young Lord Stein nearly toppled over in disbelief.

“I wanted to tell you first, my lord. If you’re interested, please reach out.”

These blue diamonds were top-grade, and the gem cutter was first-rate.

He’d hesitate—but in the end, he’d choose to do business with our family. The profits were simply too great.

Once we started trading with them, it would only be a matter of time before wealth flowed into our house.

Yes. If I could strengthen the family like this before I left, my parents and Calvin would live happily. Calvin might suffer a bit emotionally because of Merina, but the family itself would prosper.

Suddenly, my mouth tasted bitter.

One of the regrets about dying is not being able to see your family living well afterward.

As if to break my thoughts, someone called out to me.

“Lady Leviang.”

It was Duke Lysianthus—the man I was bound to encounter sooner or later after forcibly inviting him to that tea party.

“I greet the Empire’s Sword.”

“Spare me the formalities. More importantly, I called out to you earlier, but it seems the music started before you could hear me.”

No, I heard you.

No matter how far away you are, no matter how quiet your voice is, it always pierces my ears.

But I couldn’t grow close to the Duke, so I replied coldly.

“What is it?”

“I would like to ask you for a dance.”

Just like the day he asked me to be his partner, his blue eyes were filled with urgency, making my chest ache.

“I—”

“—That won’t do.”

The Mage Tower Master, who had been beside me, wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

“Rosia is my partner. Which means she can only dance with me tonight.”

Clinging tightly to me, he flicked his long sleeves as if shooing someone away. I smiled in a teasing spiral.

“But Mage Tower Master, it’s not as though one must only dance with their partner.”

“What? Rosia, are you saying that right in front of me—that you want to dance with another man?”

“You’re free to dance with other women too, aren’t you?”

“Don’t leave me, Rosia.”

Anyone watching might think he was infatuated with me, but I could tell—he was enjoying this.

He said it was strange, and he was right.

I had no intention of dancing with Duke Lysianthus, but I wondered if defying the Mage Tower Master would cost me my life, so I brushed his hand off my shoulder.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

As I turned to leave, the Mage Tower Master grabbed me and whispered into my ear.

“What do I have to do to make sure you don’t dance with some other guy?”

“Promise not to kill me?”

“Tch.”

Clicking his tongue, he released me, and I took Duke Lysianthus’s hand and headed to the floor.

It looked like Calvin and Merina were entering the floor as well.

Even without me fighting with Merina, the story was unfolding just fine.

Should I be happy about that—or sad?

Recently, so many things had deviated completely from the original story that everything I knew had become useless. I was afraid I’d die again like this, unable to do anything.

But at the same time, all these changes made my heart flutter—maybe even my predetermined fate could change.

A faster piece of music began to play.

The Duke held one of my hands and lightly wrapped the other around my waist.

“Are you close with that man?”

“I wouldn’t say we’re close.”

“Then…”

We separated briefly, then joined hands again.

“Then why does he call you Rosia?”

“I don’t know. I’m curious myself.”

I couldn’t exactly say maybe because we’re on a rotating platform, so I just smiled. The Duke’s face stiffened further.

“May I call you Rosia as well?”

I stepped on his foot.

“I’m sorry. I was rude.”

“Stepping on my foot is nothing. You can step on it as much as you like.”

Was it because the tempo was fast—or because the Duke’s heart was in a hurry? He spoke quickly.

“More importantly, my lady… may I call you by your name?”

—Is that all right, Lady Leviang?

I thought I heard that gentle voice again, and I stepped on his foot once more. No—my legs wouldn’t move properly, and I was almost dragged along as we danced.

“Was that… too much to ask?”

Was it just my imagination, or did his blue eyes look slightly wet?

I stared blankly into the air as the chandelier’s brilliant light filled my vision. When I lowered my gaze, I saw my dress hem—more splendid than anyone else’s—swaying.

It felt as though the world was spinning around me.

Until the music ended, I only bit my lip, and the Duke didn’t press me for an answer.

When the song ended completely and we bowed to each other, parting ways, I gave him a firm answer.

“I don’t want you to call me by my name.”

No—actually, I want you to call my name.

Suppressing the truth I could never speak aloud, I looked at him with cold eyes.

The Duke’s blue eyes trembled.

“And since we danced this time, let’s say there will be no next ball as partners.”

“My lady.”

“I’ll take my leave.”

After spreading my skirts and bowing, I left the floor.

Because if I didn’t, my tears would spill out immediately.