Chapter 65

Gavelin’s voice was cautious, like someone carefully threading a needle with the thinnest strand of silk.

“His Grace dislikes magicians.”

“But he didn’t say anything like that when Noah was said to have magical talent.”

“I was surprised too. Perhaps it was because the boy is still young.”

That explanation suited Dylan well.

He was the kind of man who could dislike magicians and still show no sign of displeasure toward a child with talent. It was also very like him to say nothing, even though he surely knew that Agnes had been in contact with the Imperial Magic Division.

“Why does he hate them…”

Agnes grew curious but quickly shook her head. That was not something she should ask Gavelin. She changed the subject instead.

“Would His Grace be displeased simply because a magician is visiting the territory, or only if he has to meet them in person?”

“I’m sorry, my lady. His Grace has never shared such thoughts with me, so I can’t say.”

That left only one clear answer.

This was the sort of matter that had to be asked directly. If not, it would only cause more trouble later.

Agnes decided not to press Gavelin further and waited for night to fall.

* * *

That night, she changed into her neat nightgown, sat on the bed, and read a book while waiting for Dylan.

He came in later than usual, likely delayed by matters with the knights.

“You’re still awake.”

He had entered quietly, assuming she was asleep, but when he saw her, he spoke in a low tone.

His voice carried a faint trace of fatigue. Seeing the most disciplined man she knew look even slightly weary always felt strange.

“I was waiting because I have something to discuss with you.”

“If I’d known, I would have returned earlier. Next time, don’t wait so long.”

“It hasn’t been that long.”

Agnes smiled, closing her book and setting it on the bedside table.

Without a word, Dylan sat beside her. The mattress sank under his weight, and she could feel it through the sheets.

“What is it you wanted to discuss? You can handle internal affairs in Vasteron however you wish. It’s your right as the lady of the house. I won’t interfere.”

“But this one seems better to discuss with you.”

Agnes picked up a document she had placed nearby and handed it to him. Dylan took it and scanned it with narrowed eyes.

“So the Imperial Magic Division finally replied. Was there a problem?”

“The problem is that I can’t even tell what the problem is. Whoever wrote this didn’t bother to make it readable. It sounds dangerous, but since I don’t know magic, I can’t tell what it actually means.”

Dylan read the final line and nodded.

“If you find this report difficult to interpret, please request personnel dispatch from the Magic Division.”

At that very line, Agnes had earlier snorted, and now Dylan gave a faint crooked smile.

“The Imperial Magic Division is showing quite some effort. I never knew they were such a considerate institution.”

It was clear sarcasm. Agnes gave a weary laugh and folded the paper in half after he handed it back.

She was still trying to decide how to bring up the next part when Dylan spoke first.

“Request the dispatch.”

His calm tone made her look up, startled.

She hadn’t expected that. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate his permission, but she hesitated to accept it so easily. She wasn’t the kind of person who could just take advantage of someone’s leniency.

In a careful voice, much like Gavelin’s earlier, she began, “I heard you don’t like magicians.”

“But to understand that document properly, one will be needed. Since it concerns Noah, it should be handled thoroughly.”

Agnes touched her cheek awkwardly.

“Thank you for allowing it. If you had refused, I was going to arrange the meeting outside the main estate.”

Dylan let out a quiet laugh.

“I’d rather not see them myself, so bring them to the annex. That will be enough. I’ll assign guards to make sure they don’t do anything foolish.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll make sure of that.”

The conversation went so smoothly that Agnes almost felt dizzy.

She was thinking it might really end there when Dylan spoke again, his tone colder than before.

“Magicians are dangerous. They are reckless, arrogant, and every one of them is mad. Don’t ever think they are merely scholars.”

Agnes flinched and nodded quickly.

“Yes, I’ll be careful.”

Only after hearing her reply did Dylan seem satisfied. He stood and walked toward the bathroom.

He had warned her about many things before.

He had told her never to reveal his secret, to be wary of the Emperor, and not to be swayed by Viscount Everchen or Count Overhen.

When he warned her about the Emperor, he had shown emotion. It was a mix of resentment and confusion born of family conflict.

But now, when he spoke about magicians, his expression had been pale and cold. His breath carried a chill, like when he had gone too long without feeding.

His fear of magicians felt strangely similar to how he viewed his own curse.

Only after the bathroom door closed did Agnes release the breath she had been holding.

If a magician came, she swore she would never, under any circumstance, allow them to set foot in the main building.

* * *

When she sent a letter to the Imperial Magic Division requesting a magician, their response came faster than she expected. The same organization that had taken forever before now moved with startling speed.

In just two days, the magician arrived. He was a young man with an easy smile that made him seem rather careless.

“Good day, my lady. It’s an honor to meet you. Ah, the North truly overflows with ether. This is the perfect place for a young magician to grow and blossom.”

He spoke cheerfully, brushing the air as though he could feel the energy around him.

Though surprised, Agnes greeted him with composed courtesy.

“I’m Agnes Harkvitz of House Vasteron. Welcome.”

The man seemed so absorbed in his surroundings that he had forgotten to introduce himself. Even after her polite greeting, he kept looking around in awe.

“Wonderful to meet you, my lady. Beyond the northern mountain range, there’s said to be a dense etheric field. If we could go there…”

Before he could continue, Gavelin cleared his throat sharply.

The magician blinked, rubbed the back of his neck, and gave an awkward laugh.

“My apologies. I’m Louis Sepion. The ether here is of such fine quality that I got carried away for a moment. How embarrassing.”

“It’s quite all right. We’ve prepared a room for you in the annex, so please stay comfortably there. The main building is under renovation, so it’s not in any state to receive guests.”

“Oh, any place is fine. I’d even sleep in the stables if I must.”

Agnes gave an uneasy smile at his lighthearted tone.

If he was a Sepion, he had to be from the Count Sepion family, yet nothing about him reflected noble manners or polished speech.

‘Are all magicians like this, or just him?’ she wondered.

The thought brought no answer.

The letter from the Magic Division had sounded as though they were taking this assignment very seriously, even pushing hard to make it happen. Yet the man who had arrived seemed anything but competent or extraordinary.

Agnes kept her thoughts to herself as she led Louis toward the annex.

Even then, he couldn’t hide his excitement.

“I can’t tell you how glad I am to have been chosen for this mission.”

“You must have been curious about the North.”

“Of course. Everyone in the Magic Division is. But you know, not just anyone can be sent to visit House Vasteron.”

He said it with such confidence that it sounded as if he believed he was the pride of the entire Magic Division.