Just then, Grandpa abruptly cut through my daydreams.
“Don’t worry. We ran into Duke Daela’s carriage earlier. He must have gone straight to the mansion; there’s no way he could be in the wizard district at this time.”
After pondering for a while, I concluded that Grandpa was right. Would someone of the Duke’s stature really get out of his carriage and walk?
“That’s true.”
I nodded and stretched out my legs comfortably.
Yeah, it can’t be Duke Daela. Even if it were, I was wearing a hood, so how would he recognize me if we met again?
“Feeling quite suffocated, aren’t you?”
Grandpa asked slyly. Usually, I would fall asleep in the carriage, but today, for some reason, I seemed fine. I sighed at his concerned tone.
“It is suffocating, but what can I do?”
“It would be nice if you could meet a friend.”
“That would be.”
I answered dryly and blankly stared out the window. The sunlight pouring onto the street was dazzling. Grandpa, lost in thought, remained silent all the way back to the mansion.
The Hexen Merchant Guild’s charity party was just around the corner.
In the meantime, I refrained from going out, avoided meeting people, and even reduced conversations. I hardly went to the guild. After all, it runs better without its master. They manage just fine on their own.
Then, the list of participants for the charity party arrived.
There were familiar names and unfamiliar ones, but all were our clients. The Hexen Merchant Guild doesn’t just invite the wealthy to show off. We send invitations to renowned scholars, eminent technicians, or anyone of honor.
It’s not some nouveau riche noble party!
As I scanned through the long list, one familiar name caught my eye.
[Yurix Daela.]
Is it Duke Daela?
I had forgotten about him since we last spoke. He was a hard man to meet again in life… a real answer addict. I just hope he’s not like that in reality.
Grandpa, who brought the list, suggested with a worried voice.
“Would you reconsider? Attending the party could be dangerous, you could excuse yourself by saying you’re sick.”
“The big shots are coming. I can’t just hide and not show my face.”
“It’s not the end of the world if you miss one year…”
Grandpa grumbled under his breath.
Honestly, I agree with Grandpa. But what can I do if I can’t not go?
“Just make sure everything is thoroughly prepared. I don’t plan to stay long that day.”
“Yes, Master.”
Grandpa answered with a displeased face and turned away quickly. I called out to him as he headed towards the door.
“Hey, Grandpa!”
He turned around briskly at my utterly unnecessary response. He just shrugged his shoulders. It’s not like I want to do this. He knows best.
The day of the charity party arrived without much ado.
The grand party utilized the mansion’s large banquet hall, the first, second, and third floors, and both the front and back gardens. Accordingly, many people attended, and it cost a lot of money.
An orchestra ready to present a splendid performance, skilled magicians (not wizards), event specialists to assist with prize draws and auctions, numerous chefs, and a crowd of servants and maids to attend to the mostly noble guests…
“Anyway, it’s a total waste of money.”
I blurted out without realizing it while sitting in front of the mirror.
Lily, the maid who was tidying up my short hair so it wouldn’t get messy, laughed softly without surprise.
“It’s funny to hear you swear after such a long time, Master.”
“Is it? I’m also glad to see you after so long.”
I responded bluntly while looking at Lily through the mirror.
In truth, the one who looks like a real noble isn’t me, but Lily. With her light silver hair and sparkling green eyes, as if jewels were embedded in them, she resembles a delicate flower blooming amidst frost.
If only she were healthy, it would be perfect.
“Did you have a good rest?”
Lily nodded with a smile at my question.
“Yes. Thanks to you, Master. Where else would you find a master who sends their maid to recuperate?”
“It’s better than you being sick. I told you to rest more, but you came back just in time for the charity party. You look paler.”
In fact, Lily is not an ordinary employee. She’s an orphan, and when her parents were alive, they brought her from the orphanage to live with me. We’re about the same age, so we talk a lot and lean on each other when times are tough.
My parents used to send Lily, who was frail, to the warm southern beaches every winter. After they passed away, I continued the tradition.
“The butler said you might be feeling frustrated.”
“Grandpa? Why?”
“I didn’t hear the reason, but he just said so.”
He must have made up some excuse because I can’t talk about the curse. It’s pointless to bring her here thinking it would break the curse.
“Why did Grandpa bring a sick girl here with his unnecessary talk?”
Lily gently stroked my hair and laughed out loud. Her laughter was lively and high-pitched. She’s gotten much healthier. Lily’s fingers brushing past my ear were still cold, though.
After finishing dressing up, I turned to face Lily, who looked like a fairy from a dew-covered forest, and spoke as if making a promise.
“Lily, don’t get sick. You understand?”
Lily knows how hard it was for me to lose my parents one after another. They passed away in their sleep, but they had to fight the pain that time brings for a long time. That’s why it’s hard for me to see sick people.
Instead of adding more words, Lily simply nodded.
“I will, my Master.”
So, I talked with Lily for a while longer. My opinion that Grandpa shouldn’t have brought a sick girl here hasn’t changed, but talking with Lily eased my frustration a bit.
Then, time flew by in a blur.
I showed my face to the people, greeted them, and had conversations one by one. I had to do ridiculous things because of my curse.
And those ridiculous things were…
“Yes, next person.”
Grandpa stood outside the ornate room, sending people to me one by one. Talking with several people at once increases the risk of being affected by the curse, so I’m only dealing with one person at a time. Of course, I could answer several people at once, but it’s still best to avoid danger as much as possible.
I honestly want to run away because there are so many people I want to talk to. The party hall is too crowded, and it makes me anxious. I just wish this time would pass quickly. Sitting in a small room, just listening to the sounds from outside, makes me feel more anxious.
Before the curse, I used to freely mingle among people, chatting and doing business, but what’s all this now?
Then, Grandpa opened the door to the room and peeked his head in. He called out to me, who was slumped over from exhaustion.
“Master, Master!”
“Huh?”
I was slumped in the chair from entertaining guests, but I straightened up immediately. Grandpa sent urgent signals. He touched his waist, then his mouth, then shook his hands as if he was going crazy…
What are you saying? What do you want me to do? Run away?
Grandpa sighed as if giving up after seeing my bewildered expression. Then he opened the door wide and let the next guest in.
As soon as I saw the two men entering, I jumped up.
Crazy, crazy, crazy!
A truly crazy thing had happened. The two handsome men I had encountered at the information shop were walking towards me just like that time!
And both of them flinched as soon as they saw my face.
Why… why are they flinching?
The man in the wizard’s uniform was the first to regain his composure and approached me. He hesitated as if choosing his first greeting. Please, he couldn’t have recognized me. I was wearing my hood properly at that time!
He extended his hand to greet me.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Yurix Daela.”
“Ah, yes. I am Miria Hexen… Honored by your presence…”
Even as our hands met, my mind was blank. Crazy, it really was Duke Daela. What should I do? Did he recognize me? He didn’t notice, right? He doesn’t know, right? Did I look crazy that time?
Then, the Duke awkwardly responded.
“Meeting for the first time… Yes, definitely the first time. Right?”
He recognized me. He definitely did. And yet he’s desperately pretending not to know!
My heart dropped, and the corners of my mouth trembled as I maintained a smile.
…Should I just jump out the window now?