Chapter 08
That Bastard Came Looking Again (6)
“Anyone else might be difficult, but when it concerns a teacher guiding their disciple, there’s no problem at all.”
At Gilbert’s straightforward answer, Hereis smiled brightly.
“I won’t forget this kindness.”
“Haha.”
Gilbert laughed heartily as well and personally escorted Hereis to a reception room.
The magic potion bottles that had been moved into storage were brought back.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Picking up one of the bottles, Hereis removed the stopper.
A colorless, odorless liquid.
Good.
Then what about the taste?
He took a small silver teaspoon from inside his coat and poured out a tiny amount.
Gilbert’s eyes widened slightly.
“Um, no matter how much you trust your disciple, tasting an unverified potion so casually is—”
“It’s fine. This amount won’t be a problem.”
After reassuring him, Hereis swallowed the potion.
No taste.
His golden eyes gleamed.
Whether the potion truly possessed the miraculous effects Mariela claimed or not, the mere fact that someone had produced a completely colorless, odorless, tasteless potion was enough to reveal remarkable skill.
A breeze had begun to stir within his normally tranquil world.
Peace, broken after a very long time.
Naturally, that subtle change occurred only inside him.
Someone like Gilbert could never notice it.
The darkest place is right beneath the lamp.
How did I fail to notice until now?
Since he still didn’t know her exact condition, he would need to approach carefully.
Choosing his words with care, Hereis spoke.
“There are a few matters regarding this potion that I would like to discuss with the young lady. Would it be possible for me to take all of the samples you received?”
“Pardon? All of them? Did you discover some fatal flaw?”
“No, I don’t believe there are any problems. However, I would like to conduct a more thorough analysis. There are a few areas where I think it could be improved.”
Even if she ended up trading with the Magic Tower—
“Wouldn’t it be better if she could present an even more perfect creation?”
“Well, of course…”
“Someone like Sir Gilbert, who listens even to small opinions, ought to be working on a much larger stage.”
For those who hesitated, a carrot was often more effective than a stick.
At those words, greed flashed in Gilbert’s eyes.
Officially, the Imperial Palace and the Magic Tower did not interfere in each other’s affairs.
But when had the world ever operated strictly according to principles?
If Hereis were to casually mention to the Imperial Capital branch manager that there was a mage in the duchy branch with whom he could have an open and productive conversation—
Gilbert would receive a message from the Capital branch that very evening.
Pack your bags and come to the Capital immediately.
Even if he can’t directly transfer me there…
Building a connection with someone whose future was so promising could never be a bad investment.
All for granting one simple request.
“Ordinarily, this would be almost impossible under our regulations… but since this is a teacher guiding their disciple toward a better path, I’ll hand them over.”
“Thank you.”
Thus, Mariela’s dream of making House Esteban wealthy through her neutralizer seemed to drift farther away.
Completely unaware of the transaction that had occurred between Gilbert and Hereis, Mariela spent the following days in restless anxiety.
It feels like I visited the Magic Tower last year.
Why has only three days passed?
At this rate, I’ll die from frustration before they ever contact me.
In her previous life as Shyloi, she had never postponed anything she wanted.
Naturally, Mariela’s patience was exceptionally short.
Damn it. I don’t want to burden my eldest brother with this… but should I use the ducal family’s name to pressure the Magic Tower a little?
As Mariela wrestled with the unfamiliar concept of consideration—
Betty suddenly burst into the room.
“My lady!”
“Did the Magic Tower finally contact us?”
“No! It hasn’t even been a week yet!”
“You’re right. It’s not your fault. It’s the Magic Tower mages who lack proper judgment.”
“That’s not important right now! An incredibly important guest has arrived at the ducal estate! He’s a friend of the Duke and apparently the Young Marquis of Belmore, a famous mage from the capital!”
A human mage being impressive?
So what?
I’ll surpass him within two or three years anyway.
Mariela sincerely believed that.
“Oh? Then I guess he’s a friend my brother made while staying in the capital.”
“You’ll be attending dinner together later. We need to make a good impression! First, go wash up.”
“I already washed this morning!”
“That barely counts! You only splashed your face and brushed your teeth because you didn’t know guests were coming! Hurry!”
“What do I gain by impressing my brother’s friend?”
“Well, at the very least I’d be proud. At the very most, the Duke would be proud too.”
“Tch.”
The moment Betty mentioned Marsen, Mariela reluctantly headed toward the bath.
“Should I help you bathe too?”
“No! Then it’ll take forever!”
While Mariela washed up, Betty stood in front of the wardrobe, carefully considering her options.
No matter how much people claimed House Esteban had fallen into decline, the dresses hanging inside were still beautiful and of excellent quality.
The Duke, Duchess, and her brothers adored Mariela and always gifted her the best things they could.
“This white-and-purple dress should be perfect.”
It would make Mariela appear elegant, gentle, and lovable.
Betty selected a purple silk ribbon for her hair and a pair of delicate amethyst earrings.
After what felt like an eternity to Mariela—
Betty finally completed her masterpiece.
The result was undeniably beautiful.
“Oh my! Whose young lady could possibly be this lovely?”
“Oh, stop exaggerating. Sure, I’m naturally pretty, but your skills are impressive too, Betty.”
Mariela casually slipped in a compliment.
Betty smiled softly.
“Shall we go, my lady?”
Because the guest’s status was so important, they hurried to avoid being late.
Yet when they arrived, the guest—and both of Mariela’s brothers—had already gathered in the dining room.
As voices drifted from inside, Mariela sighed and opened the door.
Every gaze immediately turned toward her.
“I’m sorry for being late.”
“Not at all, Mari. You look even prettier than usual today.”
“Wow. Betty’s skills really are amazing. She can make even a pumpkin look like a watermelon.”
Her kind eldest brother and perpetually annoying second brother spoke one after the other.
But Mariela had no attention to spare for either of them.
Oh, for f—’s sake!
Thunder exploded inside her head.
Why was that damned lizard here?
The one she thought she had successfully avoided?
Dear heavens, why are you doing this to me?
For the first time in her life, Mariela truly understood what it meant for one’s entire body to freeze.
“Mari, are you alright? You’re not feeling sick, are you?”
Her eldest brother’s concerned voice finally brought her back to her senses.
“…I’m fine.”
Calm down, Mariela.
Just because she recognized him instantly didn’t mean he could know everything.
Even if he recognizes my soul, how could he know whether I’ve regained my memories or not?
Suddenly, she remembered a book Marey and Betty had once convinced her to read.
How to Get Rid of a Worthless Man.
The book had confidently stated:
The best way to naturally drive away a man you dislike is to repeatedly act contrary to his expectations.
The only things Mariela had gained after reincarnating were a loving family and patience.
Smiling shyly, she spoke.
“It’s just… your friend is far more handsome than I expected…”
The instant the words left her mouth, it felt as though her mouth and ears were being roasted in hellfire.
“Huh?”
“What kind of nonsense— I mean, that’s not a very ladylike thing to say!”
She had only said it because she assumed Hereis would hate hearing it.
Yet not only Hereis—
Both of her brothers’ expressions stiffened as well.
Perhaps experience truly mattered.
Among the three men, Hereis recovered first.
With a smooth smile, he replied:
“I was surprised as well. The young lady who entered this dining room is far more adorable than I imagined.”
Blegh.
What utter bullshit.
Of course, Hereis had no way of knowing what she was thinking.
Yet he only escalated things further.
Rising from his seat, he walked over to her.
Then, with flawless manners, he escorted her to her chair.
“Thank you, Young Marquis.”
“That title creates too much distance. Simply calling me Young Master would be fine.”
“And being called ‘young lady’ by my brother’s friend feels less burdensome?”
“Haha. Very well, then. Young Lady. I shall address you however you prefer.”
To anyone watching, the two appeared surprisingly comfortable with one another for people meeting for the first time.
Marsen carefully composed himself before speaking.
“You two… have you perhaps met somewhere before?”
