MHM 20

 "Black magic?"

Iana's eyes shook intensely.

It was something she had never considered before.

At that moment, Charles asked with a puzzled voice, "If the Countess was under black magic, wouldn't the Grand Mage Marquis Rio Lechels have noticed?"

When Charles logically pointed this out, Rosso changed his tone with a slightly embarrassed face.

"That's exactly the part that bothered me!"

"......"

"Anyway, the magical signs that appear in the Countess are different from what I know, so I'm confused. It would be best if the Grand Mage confirms."

"Magician, thank you for trying to find an answer to my problem. I'll see you in Ervin then."

Iana said her goodbyes and was about to leave when Charles, deep in thought, called out to her.

"Countess, wait a moment."

"Yes?"

Charles got up and walked to the wardrobe. He opened the wardrobe door and rummaged through a suitcase.

"What are you looking for, Your Highness? Let me help."

As Rosso approached hurriedly, Charles pulled out something and said, "I found it."

He approached Iana and handed her something—a small red card with the Grand Duke's emblem engraved on it.

"Show this to the knights when you arrive at the outer castle of Ervin."

"What is this?"

Iana asked.

"It's a passage permit for distinguished guests, isn't it?"

Rosso chimed in knowingly, and Charles continued.

"You'll want to keep your visit secret, so you'll be traveling with minimal personnel, right?"

"......Probably."

"There are many mountains on the outskirts of the territory where monsters occasionally appear. Show this card, and the knights will escort you to the Grand Duke's castle."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Iana accepted the permit with both hands. Charles' hand was as warm as his heart. He greeted her with his characteristic kind smile.

"Then let's meet again, in my territory."

---

The Dietrian Count's townhouse on the outskirts of the capital.

Carrion and Chloe were having a late breakfast in the dining room.

While eating, Carrion was lost in thought.

‘How should I fix Iana's unruly behavior?’

He wanted to lock her up until she obeyed him completely. But doing so could provoke the wrath of Marquis Marcel Lechels, who cherished his sister.

While pondering a suitable punishment for Iana, he noticed Chloe, animatedly chatting with a flushed face.

A boring woman.

Her quiet whispers, the repetitive small talk about how happy she was to see him again, even her slow eating—all bored him.

‘She was so beautiful at first......’

Chloe was one of the most beautiful women in society. Many men admired her, and competing for her attention had been fun.

But as their relationship deepened, Chloe started acting like any ordinary woman he had met—clinging to him, which he found unattractive.

Her face brought back memories of Iana in the study.

"I want a dog. Not a small, yappy one, but a big, barking one."

‘She should act as boldly as Iana.’

The thought of Iana mimicking a dog made him smile.

At that moment, Chloe, thinking he was smiling at her, shyly said, "Why are you laughing like that? It's embarrassing."

The tedious woman was also oblivious.

Carrion couldn't stand it any longer and stood up abruptly.

"I’m leaving now. Finish your meal."

"Already? You're leaving?"

Chloe's face was filled with disappointment.

"I have work to do at the castle."

As Carrion walked toward the door, Chloe hurried to block his way.

"Then finish your work and come back. I'll wait here for you."

"Not today. I'm busy."

Carrion walked forward, brushing past her.

Chloe ran to the door and stood with a resolute face.

"Then promise me when we'll meet again."

"Move."

"Hurry, or you can't leave."

At that moment.

"Move!"

Carrion's anger exploded, and he raised his fist, shouting. Terrified, Chloe closed her eyes and trembled.

Carrion slowly lowered his hand and gently caressed Chloe's cheek with his large hand.

"Chloe, you know."

"......"

Chloe slowly opened her eyes, still frightened.

"I'm not a polite man."

Carrion whispered as he wiped the tears from her eyes.

"What will people think if the bride has a bruise on her wedding day?"

"......!"

Chloe looked at him in shock. He had been rough with her before but had never threatened violence directly.

"So move while I'm asking nicely."

Carrion roughly pushed Chloe aside and walked out.

Bang-.

The dining room door slammed shut.

And beyond the door, Chloe's annoying sobs could be heard.

‘People and animals alike must be treated sternly to obey.’

Carrion muttered to himself as he walked quickly.

"Wait, Iana."

This time, he was determined to correct Iana's behavior properly.

To uphold the family's dignity.

---

Swoosh-.

The carriage carrying Iana sped through the rain.

Sitting opposite her, Vera's face was darker than the storm clouds.

"Vera, are you worried?"

"We're not just going to the Lechels family, but to the Grand Duke's territory?"

Vera took Iana's hand and, with a desperate face, said, "My lady, please, let's go back now! If we return before the master arrives, there won't be any problems."

"Would you like some cookies? We have some we packed earlier."

Iana changed the subject, quickly pulling her hand away and rummaging through a small suitcase beside her.

"No matter how much I love cookies, I don't think I can eat them now."

"Just act like you don't know anything and follow me."

"I'm worried about you, not me."

Vera probably thought the lady didn't know her master's true nature since they hadn't been married long.

Iana looked out the window and murmured almost inaudibly, "I know him better than anyone else...... Carrion......"

The carriage sped through the forest.

After traveling without rest for half a day, the rain stopped, and sunlight poured through the light clouds.

By sunset, the Lechels Marquisate was visible beyond the window.

The serene Lechels castle, covered in ivy in places.

‘I'm back.’

Tears nearly welled up in Iana's eyes due to the memories of her past life.

The Lechels family had opposed Riel's rise to the empress, which led to false accusations and their execution.

‘This life will be different.’

Iana vowed to herself.

The carriage crossed a gentle bridge towards the castle gate, the clear water of the moat sparkling like jewels.

Soon, the carriage reached the main entrance of the castle.

Standing there, having been informed by the guards, were her brother, Marcel, and his wife, Sinaie Lechels.

Platinum hair and emerald eyes.

Her brother Marcel, who looked just like her, was eagerly watching the approaching carriage.

Screech-.

As the carriage stopped and the coachman opened the door, Iana quickly ran and hugged Marcel tightly.

"Brother!"

"Iana."

Marcel looked at her with a surprised face due to her intense reaction.

Since their father passed away the year after their mother died of illness, the siblings had grown incredibly close.

Her brother was a bit taken aback since she usually didn't show such intense emotions.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. I just used my health as an excuse to come see you."

Iana said with teary eyes.

"You look much better than you did at the wedding."

Marcel tenderly touched her face.

"Please come inside, Iana, no, Countess Dietrian."

Sinaie smiled and took Iana's hand.

"Are you teasing me, Marchioness Lechels?"

They exchanged playful words as they entered the castle.

As they passed through the entrance and walked down the corridor, they saw a portrait of their father, Marquis Rio Lechels.

The face she missed so dearly.

"It's father......"

Iana stopped in front of the portrait.

Marcel signaled Sinaie to go ahead with a glance, and she quietly walked down the corridor with the servants carrying the luggage.

Iana and Marcel stood side by side in front of the portrait.

"Father would have been very happy to see you so healthy."

"Yes, he would."

At that moment, she remembered what Rosso had said.

"It seems the Countess possesses magical powers."

Marcel was about to head to the drawing room when Iana carefully started to speak.

"Brother, by any chance......"

"Feel free to tell me anything."

Iana looked around and whispered, "Have you ever heard anyone say I have magical powers?"

Marcel's eyes shook intensely for a moment. Then, trying to hide his surprise, he asked cautiously, "Who said that?"

"What?"

‘That was the wrong question.’

Iana felt a deep sense of suspicion at Marcel's response.

‘Not who said it, but why they said it—that's the logical question.’