Chapter : 9
“Are you Miss Rosia Levian?”
The moment the man spoke my name, I regained the ability to move.
I barely remembered that the Mage Tower was built on the border between the Empire and the Kingdom and operated as an independent institution—one that even the Emperor treated with proper etiquette when dealing with its head.
“Hello, Head of the Mage Tower. My apologies for the delayed greeting. I am Rosia Levian.”
I spread the hem of my dress and bowed, and he approached with a wide smile.
“I wanted to give you a dress as a gift, my lady.”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, I… I might have caused some trouble for you while taking care of something bothersome, and I feel I may have inconvenienced you, my lady.”
“You say I’ve been wronged by the Head of the Mage Tower? I don’t know what it is, but you don’t have to give me a dress as a gift.”
“No, please, do accept it.”
The man tilted his head slightly and narrowed his eyes.
His brazen wink felt ominous, and I wanted to leave, but he seemed to sense my thoughts and blocked my path.
Then, he waved his long, trailing sleeves in a pleading gesture.
“You’ll accept it, won’t you? If you don’t, I’ll be plagued with guilt every day and may even fall ill and die from it.”
“My lady, I don’t know what the Head of the Mage Tower has done wrong, but please forgive him, okay?”
“To hear that the Head of the Mage Tower has done wrong—it pains me just to hear it.”
It was my first time seeing him, but one thing was clear: this man had an irritating personality.
Isn’t he doing this intentionally, in front of people who might side with him, trying to corner me so he can get what he wants?
“Thank you, Head of the Mage Tower. Since you insist so strongly, I will accept the dress with gratitude. But—”
I stepped closer and whispered so only he could hear.
“I’d like to know exactly what wrong you’ve done to me.”
“Why?”
“So I can properly claim compensation.”
Since he put me in such an awkward position, I wasn’t going to let a single dress cover it.
“Hahaha! Hahahahaha!”
After laughing heartily for a while, the Mage Tower Head suddenly leaned down and pressed his lips to my ear. I heard someone scream, “Eek!”
“My lady.”
A warm breath traced down my neck.
“As punishment for interfering in your affairs, I shall spare your life this time.”
When have I ever done anything to offend him? No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t figure it out. This is my first time meeting him, both directly and indirectly!
“I was going to give the dress as a funeral gift, but this is more fun, so I’ll truly give it as a present.”
The man approaching me carried a faint scent of ashes.
Since he was the Mage Tower Head, perhaps it came from burning something during an experiment, but what if not?
Of all times, I happened to see the Guild of Information burning before coming to the salon.
“It’s an honor.”
I smiled brightly at the Mage Tower Head who had stepped back, and he widened his sky-blue eyes.
A look that seemed to say, “You were just about to be killed, and yet you’re fine?”
Well, I’ve already died dozens of times. And unless it’s the day written in the original story when the villainess Rosia dies, nothing can kill me.
If I were to die now on the wrong day, it might even be a blessing. Perhaps I wouldn’t return at all after dying.
Seeing me smile even more brightly, a trace of shock appeared in his sky-blue eyes.
“Since it’s a gift from you, may I also request the chance to wear the dress at a proper party?”
“…Are you asking me to be your partner for that?”
The man pointed to himself with long fingers.
“You understood immediately?”
“Hahahahaha!”
The Mage Tower Head laughed like a madman, clutching his stomach, and only after a while did he wipe tears from his eyes. He had abandoned all pretenses of courtesy he had initially shown and now treated me casually.
“Alright. Then tell me which party would be appropriate for wearing the dress I’ll gift you.”
“How many days before the party should I notify you, and where?”
“Hmmm…”
After a moment’s thought, he handed me a sheet of parchment and a fountain pen.
“Just let me know an hour before. If you write it with this pen, it will reach me.”
“Thank you.”
“But my lady, you are truly unique.”
He smiled broadly, and nearby, people gasped in admiration.
“It’s my type.”
Some of the women looking at me were slightly hostile, but I held my head high.
“Listen, give this lady the most gorgeous dress in the shop. I like it flashy.”
The Mage Tower Head waved his hand in the air, and a heavy-looking pouch appeared, which he handed to Madame Anthe.
“If it’s not enough, charge it to the Tower. And don’t forget—gorgeous. Understand?”
“Yes, understood.”
“If it’s not flashy enough, I’ll destroy this shop.”
The man disappeared without a sound, ignoring Madame Anthe’s horrified expression.
“Madame, I don’t have time.”
Being around others would mean endless questions, so I hurried Madame Anthe, who then led me to the lounge.
The Mage Tower Head… I need to learn more about this man who appeared in this life.
“My lady, are you well acquainted with the Mage Tower Head?”
“Cathy, do I seem like I know him well to you?”
“No.”
Cathy, like the other women, continued to admire his appearance.
“Still, you two suit each other. You are the most beautiful woman on the continent, and I’ve heard rumors about the Mage Tower Head, but I didn’t realize he was so handsome…”
“Lady, come this way.”
Fortunately, Madame Anthe cut off Cathy’s endless chatter and brought us to the lounge.
“Fortunately, the size is perfect. You truly have perfect proportions, my lady.”
Flustered, Madame Anthe sent a servant to bring a new dress.
Because I needed a dress urgently for the Licianshirus Duke’s gathering, I had to buy ready-made items, but no adjustments would be necessary—it would fit perfectly.
“And you’ll have a new dress made as well, right?”
“Are you asking because of what the Mage Tower Head said earlier, Madame? What is he like?”
Since I had no prior knowledge of him, I asked casually to get information.
“He’s a huge eccentric and rumored to be terrifying. What if he really burns our salon?”
Madame Anthe, normally confident, trembled like a novice as she recommended various dresses to me, glancing nervously at the Mage Tower Head.
“My lady, perhaps this dress should be tailored for you? We’ll have it ready as soon as possible.”
“If you insist, Madame, then fine. You know me well, so prepare it appropriately.”
Once I gave my approval, her pale face brightened.
“I’ll prepare the best dress for you!”
Excited, she said she would finish tailoring the dress I entrusted and deliver it to the mansion tomorrow.
As we left the salon, Sir Merry, who had been waiting outside, approached.
“My lady, I have reports of the situation.”
“How are things?”
“The fire in the building wouldn’t go out easily. We even called in wizards, but it persisted for a while.”
“Is it all extinguished now?”
“Yes. And there are no reported injuries, though several are presumed dead.”
Are the Guild of Cobwebs members among them, I wonder?
“One odd thing is that only that building burned; it didn’t spread to the surroundings.”
“I see. Thank you for reporting, Sir Merry.”
The knight saluted sharply and stepped back.
“I’ll go to a nearby café with Cathy, so let the steward and the carriage driver rest as well.”
“My lady?”
“If you intend to escort me, you may follow me into the café.”
After a moment of thought, Sir Merry followed me.
There were several cafés in the busy district, and we went to Jena’s Café, near the burned building.
The building was so blackened and collapsed that it looked grotesque, and the surrounding area was still under control. It seemed unlikely anyone had survived.
“My lady, must we go here?”
Cathy cautiously tried to stop me, but I stepped inside the café without answering.
