Four days had passed since Iana left the Grand Duchy.
Early in the morning, at the entrance of the spire, there was a long line of carriages: Iana's carriage returning to the Count of Ditrion and Charles's procession heading to the palace.
Iana received binding magic from Muel in his laboratory.
A round band of blue light seeped into her body.
Muel spoke with a worried expression.
"Now that I've cast the binding magic, no one will be able to sense your magic for a month. But this is just a temporary measure, so if your magic bursts out like last time, it will be useless."
"I'll do my best to keep my mind calm so I don't feel too scared!"
Iana replied cheerfully, but Muel's face remained dark.
"This is also forcing your magic down, so when it releases, it will hurt a lot. You need to come back as soon as possible."
"Yes. I will."
As Iana was about to leave after saying her goodbyes, Muel called out from behind her.
"I'm saying this again, but if the binding magic is released and your magic is detected, dark wizards or powerful wizards who can control your strong magic might attack."
"……."
"Your magic is strong, but the time when you can't control it is the best time for an attack."
Iana abruptly stopped in her tracks and turned around to question him.
"Master Wizard, that's exactly the eleventh time you've said that."
"I'm worried, so I keep saying it!"
Muel snapped, then continued in a softer voice.
"It would be nice if I could assign a high-ranking wizard to you... but given the circumstances here, all I can do is nag."
Iana understood Muel's concerns well.
When a wizard couldn't control their magic, their family would protect them. But now, there was no family to protect her.
"Well, if that's the case, I'm relieved. I thought you were just repeating yourself."
"What?"
"Then, I'll head down first!"
Iana hurriedly left the laboratory and headed for the spire entrance.
Creak-.
As the guard opened the spire door, strong sunlight poured in towards her.
Iana squinted slightly, blinded by the light.
A gentle breeze blew.
Her golden hair and light pink dress fluttered in the wind.
"Wow...!"
At that moment, gasps erupted from all around.
After completely removing the dark magic, Iana's appearance changed day by day.
Her previously thin body had filled out nicely, and the pale complexion of her face now radiated a rosy vitality.
"Alright, let's get going."
Charles approached the carriage and said.
"Then, I'll be off."
Iana greeted Muel, who had followed her quietly.
"Yes. I'll be waiting."
Muel's farewell felt strangely heavy to Iana.
"Now, please get in?"
Charles extended his hand to Iana at the carriage door.
As Iana took his hand, Charles quietly spoke.
"You look healthy, and it's good to see."
At Charles's words, Iana felt her eyes welling up.
How many things had happened for her to regain her health after completely removing the dark magic? Memories of the past flooded her mind, bringing forth a wave of emotions.
"Thank you, Your Grace."
Iana smiled sincerely and immediately climbed into the carriage. Once Vera, holding Lu, also got in, the carriage door closed.
Charles and about thirty escort knights mounted their horses simultaneously.
Clatter-.
Moments later, the procession began to move slowly.
The people of the Grand Duchy waved their hands in unison.
Iana also waved her hand, murmuring as if making a vow.
"I will definitely return. To Ervin."
* * *
Meanwhile, at that moment, in the Ditrion Count's townhouse in the capital.
'Something feels off.'
Riel thought as she looked down from the bedroom window.
The Emperor's audience with Karion was scheduled for the day after his arrival in the capital.
However, the Emperor's secretary came and postponed the audience date repeatedly.
He claimed it was due to unofficial schedules, but rumors spread that the Emperor was delaying the audience to spend time with the new government.
"What are you thinking so deeply about?"
At that moment, Karion, wearing a bathrobe, hugged her from behind.
His black hair was wet, as if he had just come out of the bath, and he smelled strongly of soap.
"Count, isn't it strange?"
Riel asked, and he slowly kissed her shoulder.
"What is?"
"Why did His Majesty postpone the audience?"
When Riel asked with a serious face, Karion turned her around and embraced her.
"You know. His Majesty is busy doing the same things we are."
Just as Karion was about to kiss Riel, she pushed him away. His irritation showed as he gripped her neck tightly.
"Riel, I know you want to tease a man's heart, but do it moderately."
Riel slowly pushed his hand away and said coldly in a dry voice.
"Keep the night matters to the night."
"What?"
As Karion, angry, tried to grab her wrist, Riel pressed on fiercely.
"Politics must be sensitive!"
"What do you mean?"
"You have to foresee with insight a step ahead. Otherwise, we'll end up like the Estina family."
The two glared at each other as if they were about to kill one another.
But perhaps finding her reasoning valid, Karion suppressed his anger and sat down on the sofa.
"Fine. Go ahead."
Riel sat across from him and asked.
"Count, which comes first for a man, the desire for power or the desire for love?"
"The desire for power. All other desires follow once you have power."
"The Grand Duke Ervin is a rival that His Majesty must defeat. Why? Because he is a royal with the legitimacy to inherit the throne."
"A rival, huh..."
Karion muttered to himself.
"But even with the means to attack a rival, His Majesty is not moving."
Riel leaned closer to Karion as she continued.
"Using the excuse of spending time with the government. What does this mean?"
"Are you saying His Majesty has no intention of attacking Grand Duke Ervin?"
Karion's gaze sharpened.
Knock knock.
At that moment, there was a knock on the bedroom door, and the voice of the townhouse steward was heard.
"Count, it seems you need to step out for a moment. A guest has arrived."
"Has the audience with His Majesty been postponed again?"
Karion muttered as he approached and opened the bedroom door.
"A guest from the palace?"
"No, it's not that..."
The steward cautiously spoke, glancing at Riel.
"Your ladyship's brother, Marquis Retchels, has arrived. He is currently waiting in the reception room."
"What? Marquis Retchels?"
Karion looked at Riel with a slightly surprised expression.
'Did Marcel come all the way here himself?'
Riel fell into thought, trying to grasp Marcel's intentions.
"Alright, I understand. Tell him to wait a moment while I prepare to go out."
"Yes, Count."
After the steward left, Karion approached Riel with a twisted smile.
"Since I didn't react, it seems Iana is anxious. Sending her brother here, I see."
"The fact that he came all the way here means he already knows I'm with you."
"Then we need to confirm it. What it means to be a master of one's own house."
Riel grabbed Karion's arm as he walked toward the wardrobe and asked.
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to make Marquis Marcel apologize in front of our family elders. For marrying Iana without proper upbringing."
"Do you think Marquis Retchels would do that?"
"If he doesn't accept my proposal, I'll threaten him with a divorce from Iana."
At the mention of divorce, a faint smile appeared on Riel's lips.
* * *
Riel changed into the expensive ivory dress that Karion had bought for her. Then, she boldly took his hand and headed to the reception room together.
An eerie silence.
The area in front of the reception room was as quiet as a grave.
'What is this?'
Riel felt an inexplicable sense of unease wash over her.
Creak-.
As the two arrived in front of the reception room, the steward opened the door for them.
Inside, Marcel was quietly sipping tea.
His expression was unreadable, a face devoid of emotion.
Behind Marcel stood four armed escort knights.
Karion tightened his grip on Riel's hand and sneered.
"Marquis Retchels, it's been a while. But why have you come all this way with armed knights?"
Thud-.
Marcel set down his teacup and spoke with a cold expression.
"Why did I come? I came to find a defective item from my family."
Riel watched Marcel with a tense expression.
He was completely different from the usually gentle Marcel. It was as if he had come to settle a score.
Marcel fixed his gaze on Riel and issued a command.
"Take her away."
Clang-.
The escort knights drew their swords in unison and approached Riel.
"Count!"
Riel shouted urgently.
Karion hid Riel behind him and spat out angrily.
"Marquis, what are you doing? How dare you draw swords in my house!"
Marcel stepped forward and grabbed Karion by the collar.
"This is no longer a trivial couple's quarrel between you and our poor Iana."
"How dare you call me 'you'? Choose your words carefully if you don't want this to escalate into a fight between me and the Marquis."
Karion wore an arrogant smile.
Marcel gripped Karion's collar tighter and spoke with a fierce glare.
"No. From now on..."
"……."
"It’s a war between the Retchels and the Ditrion families."