CHAPTER 30
Maina, who had been standing blankly, finally lowered her head.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Kali, no… I’m Maina Winslet, an assistant from the Ocean Agency.”
“Lady Winslet.”
Viterion’s voice had a very unique quality.
It was soft like velvet, yet somehow dry at the same time, matching the atmosphere his appearance exuded.
Facing his features, which were closer to those of a beautiful woman than a handsome man, a memory suddenly came to Maina’s mind.
“…Huh?”
The Boncel Knight Hospital. The man she collided with on the stairs.
‘I heard he would either burn or freeze whoever touched him.’
That was what Banze had said…
‘How did this even happen?’
Viterion watched Maina, confused, and finally spoke.
“I’ve never forgotten that moment.”
It was as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.
Surprised, Maina said quietly.
“So… you knew me then…?”
“After that day, I conducted some research. My apologies.”
“No, Your Highness. I should be the one apologizing. I should have properly apologized then, but I was in a rush…”
“I apologize greatly, Lady Winslet.”
Viterion Parker, a man who seemed never to have interrupted anyone in his life, spoke.
“May I ask you to place your hand in mine?”
He said it in a way that was strangely forward, yet not entirely rude. Maina hesitated, looking at his pristine hand raised above the table.
“…….”
“…….”
After a moment of silence, Maina carefully reached out, lightly touching the back of his hand with her fingertips.
Nothing happened.
A shiver passed through Viterion’s violet eyes.
“…Thank you.”
Only after a long pause did he withdraw his hand.
“I assume the Duchess Motenson has already told you about me.”
“I haven’t heard everything, but I know the important details.”
“I’ve lived restricted, going out only when necessary, to prevent unwanted casualties.”
The word ‘casualties’ seemed casually spoken, yet one could almost see the time he had endured it.
“Whenever I must go out, I wear a specially crafted robe. It pushes people away nearby so no one can touch me.”
Now Maina began to understand the picture.
That day, even in the protective robe, he collided with a woman. She should have been burned or frozen, yet she rose and ran up the stairs unharmed.
Curious, he investigated and discovered she was an assistant from the Ocean Agency. Then, he arranged to meet her.
“End.”
…But there were some questions she still had.
“May I ask you a few questions?”
“Yes. I will answer what I can.”
“Since that collision, have you awakened? I heard from Master Motenson that your mana flow was detected around that time.”
‘So that means… no!’ Maina bit her lip.
“Why didn’t you request a meeting earlier if you already knew who I was?”
She continued.
“After Master Motenson sent a letter, only then did you express through your reply that you wanted to meet me. Why was that?”
“You are much sharper than I expected.”
Maina felt awkward being praised by someone she had just met.
“I hope you understand what I mean.”
Viterion looked into the air as he spoke.
“I tend to trust everything that seems reliable.”
“Could you explain that in more detail?”
“Old proverbs, Byzantine teachings, ridiculous superstitions… all of it.”
“……”
“So I waited. Everyone I requested to meet first ended up unhappy.”
He added with a faint smile.
“Then…” Maina hesitated before speaking carefully.
“Did the Duchess Motenson deliberately expose my mana so you would request the meeting first?”
Viterion was slightly surprised.
“You are more perceptive than I heard.”
“Ah… haha.” Maina chuckled awkwardly.
Viterion, watching her, spoke.
“Curious, yet you don’t ask.”
He must have been someone who could read people thoroughly. Maina still didn’t know the full extent of his abilities.
“I refrained out of politeness.”
“Lady Winslet.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please, go ahead.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“Yes?” Maina was noticeably startled by the sudden closing of the conversation.
“Please return home for now.”
“Your Highness…”
“I have no intention of serving as a paladin.”
‘Gasp.’ She had expected this, but his firm tone was still disheartening.
“I merely wished to meet you in person.”
“……”
“You can’t hide your expression.”
“…I’m sorry.” Maina lowered her head and added in a small voice.
“It’s just that we absolutely must recruit you to our agency.”
“I will contact you again.”
“……”
“We’ll reach out through the Ocean Agency. You won’t be able to open the portal yourself yet.”
“Yet?” Maina stared in confusion.
He just smiled.
“Then, take care on your way.”
Looking closely, Maina noticed he was as tall as the Caliph, with a strong frame, though thin, and skin lying directly over his bones.
“You’ve traveled far, so I will open the portal for you. Straight to Lennox Castle?”
“…Yes.”
“Understood.” Viterion opened the portal with a gentle smile.
Maina noticed his hands as she prepared to give thanks. His palms and fingertips were badly chapped.
“Take care.”
“Please stay well, Your Highness. I look forward to seeing you again.”
They exchanged greetings one last time before she stepped into the portal.
“Lady Winslet.”
“Yes?”
“Visit the hospital sometime.”
Maina didn’t ask why. He simply bowed politely.
* * *
After relaying the conversation to Banze, she praised Maina for her efforts. Nothing more was said.
As Viterion mentioned, they would wait until the agency contacted them again.
The next day, after finishing household chores as usual, Maina headed toward Gillingham Square before evening.
Carrying her shopping in both hands, she encountered a woman in the middle of Main Street, exhaling smoke.
Bright red hair. Sharp upward-tilted eyes.
“…Huh.” It was a face she could never forget.
The woman had been beside the Caliph the first day he had taken the hallucinogen.
‘Please don’t make eye contact. Please.’ Maina silently prayed as she tried to pass.
“Huh?”
The woman spotted Maina, raising her seagull-like eyebrows, and charged like a bull attacking a gladiator.
‘Scary!’ Maina, weak in fights, braced herself.
The red-haired woman’s fiery hair blew as she advanced, her expression full of combat power.
‘If I get hit once, it’ll be lucky…’
“Hey, you.”
‘Huh?’ The sweet-sounding greeting startled her.
“What’s your relationship with the Caliph?”
The woman’s sharp gaze made Maina feel like an unwelcome intruder in someone else’s romance.
