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Chapter 232

"But please, next time—don't send the carriage and the knights."

"……Why?"

His brow twitched at my unexpected request; he asked in a tone that made it clear he didn't understand.

"Because it's overwhelming."

"……"

When I gave him my honest, straightforward answer, his blue eyes wavered sharply.

'To be fair, I could have refused more gently, or calmly listed reasons to help him understand.'

I had more than enough arguments to convince him.

For instance, the teleportation gate between the Tower and the mansion already ensured my safety.

Or that sending a carriage and a whole knight escort for a journey that took less than ten minutes was a waste of manpower.

But explaining everything in tedious detail would take too long and feel pedantic—so I simply hit him with a short, sharp truth he couldn't argue against.

"Then I'll take my leave now."

I bowed to the stunned Duke and slipped out of the study without delay.

From behind, I heard him mutter in dismay, "Was I… that burdensome?"—but I pretended not to notice.

'Phew. At least I can head back in peace on my own.'

Yet before I could even sigh in relief, my light footsteps gradually slowed.

I was momentarily confused, unable to believe that the Duke of Archalade I had just been having tea with was standing before me again.

'Why is the Duke of Archalade over there…?'

The question was soon answered.

Upon closer look, I noticed his features were finer than the Duke's, and his aura was even cooler.

"Hello, Lord Shamashuut."

When I greeted him first, Shamashuut turned and met my gaze.

"……Do you know about the raid on the dark mage group hiding in the Euphrates Kingdom a few months ago—at Ishtar's request?"

After such a long time, he skipped all pleasantries and brought up an odd topic. I was taken aback, but I thanked him nonetheless.

"Ah, yes. Thank you for lending your strength back then."

"I'm glad I was of help. Then, as repayment, could I ask you for a favor?"

"……Pardon?"

Before I could even process his abrupt request, he continued.

"I'd like you to attend the Marquess of Cilicia's upcoming party as my partner."

"Why me?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected turn, I blurted out the first thought that came to mind—then quickly tried to correct myself.

"Ah, no, I don't mean I dislike the idea—but there must be plenty of noble ladies far more glamorous and of higher status. I don't understand why you'd ask me specifically."

"The young lady of that house has been aggressively pursuing me, and she's quite a handful. I need a plausible excuse to refuse."

I began to grasp the situation.

'Well, the only imperial royal is Enlirsian…'

So the highest-ranking woman in the Babylonian Empire would be Ishtar.

But she was currently swamped with the Mage-Priest Alliance business, leaving no time for social gatherings.

Hence, I seemed to be the next best option—but I also had a perfectly valid reason to decline.

"I'm sorry, but I'm just a commoner mage. In fact, it would be an insult to you, Lord Shamashuut."

"It's fine. The social circle is already buzzing with rumors that the Tower Master's hidden first disciple is actually his biological daughter, which is why he dotes on her so excessively."

I felt as though the "Dad" calls I'd heard just yesterday were echoing in my ears like auditory hallucinations.

'Wait—how did such a rumor spread to high society in the first place?'

His calm voice laid out my current reality without any sugarcoating.

"Moreover, with the recent alliance between the temple and the Tower, the Tower Master's standing has soared. As his only successor and perceived daughter, your position is now comparable to that of a high noble."

This was news to me as well.

Apparently, without my knowledge, I had already become a major figure attracting high society's attention.

The unexpected rumors and my newfound status left me dizzy—but I couldn't simply refuse.

After all, his combat power had been a great asset in wiping out Ramashutu's remnants.

"Alright. But I know nothing about noble etiquette or dancing, so don't blame me if I embarrass you at the party."

Though my agreement was reluctant, Shamashuut's lips curved with satisfaction.

"Just attending as my partner is more than enough."

---

Where Tia had sat, the faint warmth of the teacup and the sweet scent of marron seemed to linger.

The Duke of Archalade, Ian, kept his gaze fixed on the closed door until the sound of her light footsteps had completely faded.

As Melion quietly approached to clear the empty teacups, Ian murmured in a low voice.

"Her appearance has changed so much I almost didn't recognize her—but her heart remains the same."

His voice carried not the usual coolness, but an unfamiliar emotion, as if he were uncertain how to name it. Melion set down the teacups and offered a gentle smile.

"Indeed. Ten years ago, when she first came here, she was even smaller than Lady Ishtar."

For a moment, the image of the elegant young lady who had stood before him just moments ago overlapped with the ghost of ten years past.

The child who worried more about others' discomfort than her own pain.

The soul within that small body had been more mature and adult-like than anyone else—it had always troubled him, yet it had also made his heart ache.

"She hasn't changed one bit—to the point of foolishness."

The Duke clicked his tongue, troubled by the child's pitiful maturity—always wearing herself out to make others shine.

"Tch. I'd hoped she would have learned to complain at least a little…"

At that, Melion spoke in a calm and gentle voice.

"From what I've seen, I believe Lady Tia has changed somewhat from before."

To the Duke, who had been pained by the child's unchanging nature, Melion added with a confident smile.

"Ten years ago, Lady Tia laughed more brightly than anyone—but sometimes, when she looked at the distant sky, her eyes would turn hollow, as if she had no attachment to this world."

The Duke's brow furrowed slightly.

He too had vaguely sensed that dissonance.

"She was like a flickering lamp—as if it wouldn't be strange if she vanished at any moment."

"……"

"Even her consideration for others seemed like a final preparation—to leave a good impression on this world before departing."

As Melion spoke, the furrow between the Duke's brows deepened.

"On the other hand, the Lady Tia I saw today had eyes full of vitality—as if she were embracing every moment of life with her whole being."

At that unexpected remark, the Duke's strength seemed to drain from him; the documents he held slipped from his fingers.

"……Are you certain?"

"Yes. I believe it's because she has finally found her own precious family—someone she can wholeheartedly lean on in this vast world."

"……"

"It seems that now, she has become someone who wants to live alongside others—not someone who is fine with dying for another."

Those words brought the Duke a strange sense of relief, along with an indescribable loneliness.

It was not the room he had offered her, but the warm haven she had found on her own, that had truly given her life.

He gazed out the window and silently pondered the "family" the child had finally discovered.

---

One week later.

As promised, I visited the Archalade Ducal Mansion once more.

This time, it was not for tea, but to prepare for the party.

"Lady Tia, your skin is so flawless—makeup takes to it beautifully!"

"Look at the color of this dress—it matches your eyes perfectly."

Surrounded by the mansion's skilled maids, I was dolled up from head to toe. I stared blankly at my reflection in the mirror.

A lavish silk dress, sparkling jewels, and the scent of perfume.

'Ah, right. This is a romance fantasy, after all.'

I had completely forgotten—what with fighting dark mages, learning magic, and lazing around at the Tower.

That the genre of this novel Ereshkigal had written was indeed romance fantasy.

'But come to think of it… for a romance fantasy, wasn't the romance a bit lacking?'

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