IOBTML 33

If God had decided to mold beauty into human form, surely it would look like him.

Perhaps some might look at him and resent the unfairness of the world.

Black hair and black eyes… this feels so familiar to me.

Penelope found herself staring blankly into his eyes.

There was no denying it—her roots from her previous life couldn’t be erased. She seemed drawn to familiar colors.

If his features were just a bit lighter, I might have liked it even more.

The pure blackness of his hair and eyes felt almost otherworldly, even alien.

Come to think of it, why is Ahwin so different from the original description?

Lost in thought, Penelope didn’t respond right away, prompting Lianel to bow slightly and apologize.

“I’ve committed a great discourtesy. It seems I got too excited at the thought of having coffee again after so long. I would be grateful to enjoy it if you’d allow it.”

“Ah, yes.”

Snapping back to her senses, Penelope quickly replied.

She had been so distracted by his appearance that she had completely forgotten the conversation they were having.

In the end, appearance really does matter.

A shiver ran down her spine at the realization. She had wasted so much time thinking useless thoughts.

Clearing her throat, she spoke abruptly.

“Well, it’s not free. Please make sure to repay the favor properly.”

“Of course. I will also ensure to repay you for the generosity of allowing me to stay in such a fine place.”

“…If you insist, I’ll graciously accept it.”

Though her response felt a little unrefined, Penelope was entirely sincere.

It had been only a month ago that her territory was so impoverished that worrying about the next meal was a daily struggle.

She wasn’t so soft-hearted as to feed and house unfamiliar knights and nobles for free.

Moreover, coffee was an incredibly rare and expensive commodity in the northern winters. Offering it to others was akin to carving out a piece of her own flesh.

Lianel chuckled again, then tilted his head with a curious expression.

“How strange. I’m not usually someone who laughs this much. I know I may not seem it, but I’m not much of a talker either.”

“Is that so,” Penelope replied quietly, sipping her tea.

It could have sounded like flirting, but she didn’t take it that way. Handsome men had a way of making anything they said sound like flirting.

Living in an isolated castle buried in snow, even trivial things could bring laughter.

At that moment, the reception room door swung open. Penelope stifled a sigh.

Ahwin’s disgruntled voice filled the room.

“What’s this? Another tea time without me?”

“Isn’t it time you learned to knock, Ahwin?”

“Isn’t it time you got used to me?”

Ahwin carelessly plopped down in the seat beside Penelope, crossing his legs.

Penelope briefly imagined herself grabbing his sharp tongue and shaking it twice before ringing the bell cord.

As he fiddled with the ends of his messy hair, Ahwin suddenly remembered something.

“No one’s going to come. All the maids have rushed to the meeting room. When I asked why, they said they were staking out their spots in advance.”

It seemed the maids, having heard the good news from Giselle, had all dashed to the meeting room. In this case, the first to claim a spot would be the winner.

Penelope fully understood their reasoning.

The seat furthest from the door would be the most desirable, and they would fight to the death to claim it.

“So, what about the tea? Should I make it for you?”

“You can make tea?”

Ahwin’s face was a picture of surprise.

Penelope shrugged silently. After a brief hesitation, Ahwin spoke again.

“You’re not planning to poison it, are you?”

Penelope opened her mouth in mock realization. That’s an option…

Ahwin squinted at her.

“You seriously thought about it, didn’t you?”

“Can’t you just use an antidote spell?”

Was she seriously considering it? Ahwin pointed at himself in mock indignation.

“This body is more delicate and sensitive than you think.”

If he insisted, then so be it. Penelope found herself at a loss for words, dumbfounded by the Mage Tower Master’s uncharacteristically childish complaint. Without replying, she stood and moved to the shelf.

Watching the two, Lianel suddenly burst out laughing.

Penelope turned her gaze toward him.

“Oh, my apologies. I didn’t mean to interrupt. It just slipped out.”

Lianel, looking a little flustered, touched his lips as if trying to suppress his laughter.

For some reason, he had been laughing much more often since arriving at the castle. The reason, no doubt, lay in the two people before him.

Specifically, Penelope, who remained utterly nonchalant even in front of the Mage Tower Master.

Penelope calmly retrieved a teapot from the shelf and set water to boil on the brazier. The maids always kept the brazier lit so Penelope could make tea whenever she wished.

She quickly prepared the tea, placing the leaves into a strainer to steep.

Her movements, though familiar, carried an odd grace, drawing the eyes of the two men. As if on cue, both watched her with quiet fascination.

“The tea’s ready. Help yourselves… or rather, drink.”

“Ah, thank you…”

Ahwin awkwardly accepted the cup Penelope handed him.

For a while, the only sound in the reception room was that of Ahwin sipping his tea. Meanwhile, Lianel silently observed Penelope.

Penelope suppressed a sigh internally.

Could you stop staring like that, Your Grace?

Pretending not to notice was making her break out in a cold sweat. She didn’t want to acknowledge it, but it seemed clear that Lianel had developed an interest in her.

It must be because of Ahwin, right?

She couldn’t think of any other reason. Every time she spoke with Ahwin, Lianel’s eyes would glint with curiosity.

It seemed her interactions with the Mage Tower Master had sparked the Grand Duke’s intrigue. That must be why he kept visiting her reception room.

Just then, Lianel broke the silence.

“By the way, how exactly did you manage to warm the floors?”

“…Pardon?”

Penelope blinked in surprise, and Lianel lowered his gaze to the floor.

“Unless I’m mistaken, there seems to be major construction happening throughout the castle. I assume it’s a new heating system?”

“Oh, that? Penelope and I came up with it together. Isn’t it impressive?”

Ahwin immediately jumped into the conversation, looking proud.

He always came alive when the topic turned to his area of expertise.

But Penelope felt the need to correct him.

“You’ve been taking the credit while I stayed quiet, but the concept was mine. Ahwin just added a few touches.”

That was what people called “putting a spoon on a finished dish.”

Ahwin chuckled in response.

“Are you so upset that you’re slipping into informal speech?”

“Of course I’m upset. You’re claiming my work as your own right in front of me. Even in the contract, my share is clearly larger.”

Penelope’s voice became firm, though a hint of casual speech slipped in again.

Ahwin smirked, his lips twitching as if suppressing laughter. His green eyes, partially hidden by his hair, seemed to sparkle with mischief.

They seem oddly close.

Lianel, now removed from the conversation, quietly observed the two.

It wasn’t that he felt left out.

He simply found it fascinating that the Mage Tower Master, known for his aloofness, acted so casually with someone else.

Penelope, was it? She’s not like an ordinary noblewoman.

If someone were to ask him exactly what made her different, he wouldn’t be able to answer. There was something indescribably unique about her.

Then, it struck him.

The Mage Tower Master no longer bore the same shadow of loneliness that Lianel himself carried.

The next day, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Ahwin made his way to Penelope’s room. It was all because of the Grand Duke, who had shamelessly settled into the adjacent room like a snake.

If someone had been rescued after nearly dying lost in the northern forest, they should have expressed their gratitude and disappeared.

What exactly is he scheming, clinging to Penelope like this?

Ahwin had disliked the Grand Duke from the very first meeting, and that sentiment had only solidified over time.

To him, the Grand Duke was nothing more than a despicable, shallow man. And yet, he carried himself with an infuriating arrogance, his polished exterior masking his true nature.

“I still think Master Ahwin suits her better.”

“That’s ridiculous. It’s all about looks! Lord Lianel is obviously a better match.”

At the sudden sound of voices, Ahwin froze mid-step. The cheerful chatter unmistakably belonged to the maids of the lord’s castle.

“Think about it! He’s a mage. If he’s affiliated with the Mage Tower, she’ll never have to worry about money for the rest of her life. Plus, he can keep protecting her.”

“And what, Lord Lianel can’t protect her? He’s a Grand Duke, no less. He’s a much better match for her.”