21

Adrian Hill and his sister appeared when the banquet was in full swing. It was as if they were confident that they’d be the main attraction of the banquet.

The only people who clicked their tongues at such a display were the deeply connected families within the Duchy of Rasiane.

Most nobles in their 20s, who are unaware of the dynamic, wanted to leave a good impression on the master of the Mage Tower. They thought the benefits would naturally be pretty good if they were able maintain a good relationship with the Mage Tower.

It was the same for the prideful Crown Prince seated at a table who was woefully trying to get to know the master of the Mage Tower.

Furthermore, for some time now, the Crown Prince had been glancing at the youngest daughter of the Hill family, who had been standing quietly beside her brother. His intent was clear from his expression.

“…”

Llewellyn, not feeling very good, moistened his throat with champagne. His heart felt stuffy for some reason. It didn’t seem to be because he had the misfortune of seeing the master of the Mage Tower in person.

In fact, the strange throbbing started when his sister, Rosenia Hill, entered the banquet hall.

Llewellyn had to admit with an honest heart. Rosenia Hill was a great beauty. He had seen so many beautiful things in the world, yet he was still fascinated by her.

No, it wasn’t a spur of the moment confession.

Without realizing it, Llewellyn had been chasing after the image of Rosenia. It was the same girl he saw in the rose garden four years ago. Rosenia Hill. The princess in the Mage Tower, something he had known long ago.

To him, the distant memory of the rose garden on that sunny summer day was but a faint memory.

Llewellyn would get a strange feeling whenever he thought about it from time to time, but beyond that, it didn’t stir up any notable feelings.

‘Anyway. Why does she stand out so much?’

Llewellyn guessed that Rosenia was about 17 now. Her body, which had begun to outline a fairly distinct curve, was as elegant as a swan. Her limbs were slender and her hands were small. Her clear skin looked soft and tender, and her cheeks flushed a subtle pink. It was incredibly lovely.

Her rose colored hair was meticulously braided to reveal her delicate neck. It was slender enough to be held in one’s hand.

Llewellyn could see an innocent curiosity in her eyes when she looked around with her sparkling light ruby eyes. From time to time, when she met her brother’s gaze, she would close her eyes softly and smile.

As soon as Llewellyn saw her smile, he tightened his grip on the champagne glass. People around him continued to talk, but he couldn’t hear a word.

Distracted by Rosenia, Llewellyn had realized something.

Rosenia was getting too much attention at this banquet.

The ladies glanced at her as if she were a beautiful jewel, while the men gleamed with excitement and impure desire in their hearts.

For some reason, Llewellyn found it horribly unpleasant. His mood wasn’t good, but he couldn’t figure out why, so he kept drinking.

And when the Crown Prince’s hand reached out to her with no qualms to their status, Llewellyn wished he could break that hand.

It was driving him crazy.

Llewellyn couldn’t help but go crazy at this rate.

‘I, what the hell, why?’

Llewellyn bit his lips hard as he tried to calm himself. Meanwhile, Rosenia Hill took the Crown Prince’s hand after a little hesitation.

The Crown Prince led her to the dance floor. A waltz melody resonated, then the bright chandelier light shone on the two.

Llewellyn’s heart throbbed like mad as he stared at the scene. He wanted to run up and separate them.

People around him lamented that they made a beautiful pair, but his mind was the opposite. He felt like he was in a terrible nightmare.

Llewellyn felt like he had been robbed of what he had cherished. It was a strange feeling. The memory of that time, which was just a faint memory, suddenly became clear.

The scent of the rose garden, the waves of crimson, the pearly fountain, the white bench, the droplets dripping from the glass of lemon water, the girl in a blue dress who was fast asleep holding a thin book in her hand that day.

The girl from his memory was this lady. Rosenia Hill.

For the first time, the secret rose garden of the Mage Tower had been shown to the world. It was the master of the Mage Tower proudly showing off his dearly beloved sister.

‘…Why.’

Why? Llewellyn thought. Rosenia had been hidden all this time, so why now? Why, wasn’t she kept hidden?

Llewellyn turned towards Adrian Hill, unable to understand what he was thinking. Although he was a little surprised, he regained his composure.

Adrian glared at the Crown Prince as if he wanted to tear him to pieces while putting on a smile.

Although his eyes looked extremely threatening, his lips were curved into a smile. It was such a smile.

“…”

Llewellyn stared blankly at Adrian, and then back at Rosenia and the Crown Prince. The waltz was nearing the final stages.

The hem of Rosenia’s blue dress twirled, spread out like petals, as she spun and sank. At that moment, the Crown Prince, pretending to support her back, slightly groped her.

‘That son of a bitch…’

Llewellyn was surprised at the coarse words that he had unknowingly uttered inside, but he could not take his eyes off Rosenia.

For him to lose his rationality completely at this point would be a serious problem. However, he couldn’t help but look at her.

Llewellyn kept his eyes on her. He was as restless as if he was a man who had left a precious jewel in the middle of a crowded street. The Crown Prince kissed the back of Rosenia’s hand.

The waltz ended, and the two faced each other beautifully like lovers in a fairy tale. The Crown Prince’s lips stayed on the back of Rosenia’s hand for some time.

Llewellyn unconsciously thought.

‘I’m really going to dispose of that bastard…’

Llewellyn appeared rather calm even though his mind was flooded with such thoughts. It is said that when a man goes crazy, his true nature is revealed. That seemed to be the case.

It was an unpleasant feeling to be on the same wavelength as Adrian Hill, but Llewellyn really wanted to bring down the Crown Prince.

No, not only the Crown Prince, but also everyone else that stole a glance at Rosenia.

Llewellyn thought that was the only way he could keep it. That memory, of the beautiful rose garden from that day.

But after calming himself, chaos came again. His eyes and Rosenia’s briefly crossed when she was looking for her brother.

“…”

Rosenia looked straight at him with open eyes. He didn’t think he would ever be able to forget the moment her eyes, like pink jewels, looked at him. He had that hunch in his heart.

Her eyes remained on him for quite some time. His expression showed a slight admiration amidst his shock.

Her cheeks seemed a little redder than before when Llewellyn saw her. His hand flinched as if tempted to touch her lovely rosey cheeks.

Rosenia looked away from him without a pause. As soon as her gaze left, he experienced a strange sense of loss he had never felt before in his life.

His hands were tightly clasped.

Llewellyn had a thought. That he’d like to keep those eyes on him for a little longer.

But that day at the banquet, Rosenia never looked at him again.

Adrian Hill quickly left the banquet with Rosenia, then people began to gather in twos and threes to talk about the youngest Mage Tower master and his sister.

“Come to think of it, they’re at a marriageable age, the Mage Tower master and his sister.”

“Ah, is that so?”

The moment Llewellyn heard such a conversation, he almost shattered the champagne glass in his hand.

People who saw the stiff look on the Duke of Laciane face thought it must be because he hated the Mage Tower’s sorcerers.

Someone approached Llewellyn worryingly and spoke.

“Just merrily talking, everyone is blinded by the benefits of the Mage Tower that they have forgotten their dignity as nobles. They’re not even nobles in the first place, just a family with strength.”

“…”

“Everyone seems to be deluded because the sister looks good and is pretty, but she’s a Hill sorcerer in the end. How can we expect morality and class…”

“Your mouth.”

Llewellyn calmly interrupted him.

“Shut it.”

Unable to believe the words that had come from the Duke of Rasiane’s mouth, the man blinked vacantly and asked.

“Pardon…?

Llewellyn didn’t answer but gave a silent indifferent nod and left.

The man was left in a daze as he looked at Lewellin’s back.

The Duke was not himself.

The workers in the Duchy of Rasiane couldn’t shake off this thought after the royal banquet.

Their master was well known for his flawless character. But lately, Llewellyn has been odd. He would frequently stare out the window vacantly or mutter something unintelligible to himself.

The most shocking thing was that Llewellyn had begun to look at dessert recipes and books.

“It looks easier to make than I thought.”

His aides staggered in shock when they saw Llewellyn muttering to himself while flipping through a thin book.

They were very taken aback, but thought it must be one of Llewellyn’s new hobbies.

[He must be bored. Isn’t everyone once like that?]

They felt bad that it was happening to the young Duke who was going to turn 18 soon with a bright future ahead of him. Nevertheless, they were relieved that at least he wasn’t doing anything bad. With that in mind, it became pretty easy for them to overlook it.

However, the problem was that Llewellyn’s eccentric behaviors didn’t end there.

At some point, Llewellyn had begun to collect pink or blue things. Among them, there were quite a few accessories and ribbons made for women.

They wondered why Llewellyn was collecting such things. Not only his aides, but also his retainers. It was so strange no matter how much they thought about it.

It wasn’t just that. By May, Llewellyn had called the gardener with a determined face and ordered him earnestly.

The day after the gardener left the Duke’s office with a puzzled face, the garden of the Duchy of Rasiane was filled with crimson roses. A rose that couldn’t have been found here.

Rasiane’s summer flower was lilac. It was as natural as the fact that the sky was blue.

But like an uninvited guest, roses had overtaken the Duchy of Rasiane. It was also a very subtle rose. Only Llewellyn knew that it was the color of Rosenia’s hair and eyes.

Ever since the crimson roses were planted in the garden, Llewellyn would often look out the window.

Looking out the window at the scenery, Llewellyn recalled the clear and beautiful pink eyes of the lady who resembled the picturesque rose garden.

The moment Llewellyn closed his eyes, he would recall the smile, the white teeth between the beautiful lips, the fluttering blue ribbon, and the blue hem of the dress.

The most brilliant, beautiful, and dazzling memory at the banquet.

‘My rosenia.’

“…”

The more Llewellyn thought about it, the more he missed it.

Llewellyn missed her yesterday, he missed her today, and he will miss her tomorrow.

With her not by his side, Llewellyn couldn’t help but reminiscence and be lost in despair.

“How can I meet you.”

“Pardon?”

Asked an advisor, raising his head at Llewellyn’s mumblings. He answered incoherently.

“Damn that Adrian Hill, keep ignoring my letters.”

“Ignoring…Pardon? W-wait, who? Adrian Hill?

The advisor briefly blacked out before coming back to his senses. Showing no reaction to the advisor, Llewellyn continued mumbling to himself.

“There’s no way to send a letter directly to Rosenia. I can’t believe all paths are perfectly blocked. Is the master of the Mage Tower going to keep his sister locked up forever?”

“…”

“Wait a minute, your grace?”

The advisor’s hand trembled as it stretched towards Llewellyn.

‘Hill, that Hill family? In this world, who else could it be but them?’

It was the one and only family of mad sorcerers.

“Is there anything I can do? Advisor? You’re clever, so you should easily be able to think of something.”

Only

“N-no, I…”

“I was a fool. At the time…My emotions got the best of me at the banquet.”

“…”

“I would have talked to her if I knew that was the only chance. No, I should’ve just kidnapped her…”

The words that came from Llewellyn’s mouth didn’t sound like random mumbling, but rather, it sounded sincere.

The advisor was frightened by such an honest remark.

Sweating profusely and trembling, the advisor had a grave look.

The Duke had gone crazy.

Adrian Hill and his sister appeared when the banquet was in full swing. It was as if they were confident that they’d be the main attraction of the banquet.

The only people who clicked their tongues at such a display were the deeply connected families within the Duchy of Rasiane.

Most nobles in their 20s, who are unaware of the dynamic, wanted to leave a good impression on the master of the Mage Tower. They thought the benefits would naturally be pretty good if they were able maintain a good relationship with the Mage Tower.

It was the same for the prideful Crown Prince seated at a table who was woefully trying to get to know the master of the Mage Tower.

Furthermore, for some time now, the Crown Prince had been glancing at the youngest daughter of the Hill family, who had been standing quietly beside her brother. His intent was clear from his expression.

“…”

Llewellyn, not feeling very good, moistened his throat with champagne. His heart felt stuffy for some reason. It didn’t seem to be because he had the misfortune of seeing the master of the Mage Tower in person.

In fact, the strange throbbing started when his sister, Rosenia Hill, entered the banquet hall.

Llewellyn had to admit with an honest heart. Rosenia Hill was a great beauty. He had seen so many beautiful things in the world, yet he was still fascinated by her.

No, it wasn’t a spur of the moment confession.

Without realizing it, Llewellyn had been chasing after the image of Rosenia. It was the same girl he saw in the rose garden four years ago. Rosenia Hill. The princess in the Mage Tower, something he had known long ago.

To him, the distant memory of the rose garden on that sunny summer day was but a faint memory.

Llewellyn would get a strange feeling whenever he thought about it from time to time, but beyond that, it didn’t stir up any notable feelings.

‘Anyway. Why does she stand out so much?’

Llewellyn guessed that Rosenia was about 17 now. Her body, which had begun to outline a fairly distinct curve, was as elegant as a swan. Her limbs were slender and her hands were small. Her clear skin looked soft and tender, and her cheeks flushed a subtle pink. It was incredibly lovely.

Her rose colored hair was meticulously braided to reveal her delicate neck. It was slender enough to be held in one’s hand.

Llewellyn could see an innocent curiosity in her eyes when she looked around with her sparkling light ruby eyes. From time to time, when she met her brother’s gaze, she would close her eyes softly and smile.

As soon as Llewellyn saw her smile, he tightened his grip on the champagne glass. People around him continued to talk, but he couldn’t hear a word.

Distracted by Rosenia, Llewellyn had realized something.

Rosenia was getting too much attention at this banquet.

The ladies glanced at her as if she were a beautiful jewel, while the men gleamed with excitement and impure desire in their hearts.

For some reason, Llewellyn found it horribly unpleasant. His mood wasn’t good, but he couldn’t figure out why, so he kept drinking.

And when the Crown Prince’s hand reached out to her with no qualms to their status, Llewellyn wished he could break that hand.

It was driving him crazy.

Llewellyn couldn’t help but go crazy at this rate.

‘I, what the hell, why?’

Llewellyn bit his lips hard as he tried to calm himself. Meanwhile, Rosenia Hill took the Crown Prince’s hand after a little hesitation.

The Crown Prince led her to the dance floor. A waltz melody resonated, then the bright chandelier light shone on the two.

Llewellyn’s heart throbbed like mad as he stared at the scene. He wanted to run up and separate them.

People around him lamented that they made a beautiful pair, but his mind was the opposite. He felt like he was in a terrible nightmare.

Llewellyn felt like he had been robbed of what he had cherished. It was a strange feeling. The memory of that time, which was just a faint memory, suddenly became clear.

The scent of the rose garden, the waves of crimson, the pearly fountain, the white bench, the droplets dripping from the glass of lemon water, the girl in a blue dress who was fast asleep holding a thin book in her hand that day.

The girl from his memory was this lady. Rosenia Hill.

For the first time, the secret rose garden of the Mage Tower had been shown to the world. It was the master of the Mage Tower proudly showing off his dearly beloved sister.

‘…Why.’

Why? Llewellyn thought. Rosenia had been hidden all this time, so why now? Why, wasn’t she kept hidden?

Llewellyn turned towards Adrian Hill, unable to understand what he was thinking. Although he was a little surprised, he regained his composure.

Adrian glared at the Crown Prince as if he wanted to tear him to pieces while putting on a smile.

Although his eyes looked extremely threatening, his lips were curved into a smile. It was such a smile.

“…”

Llewellyn stared blankly at Adrian, and then back at Rosenia and the Crown Prince. The waltz was nearing the final stages.

The hem of Rosenia’s blue dress twirled, spread out like petals, as she spun and sank. At that moment, the Crown Prince, pretending to support her back, slightly groped her.

‘That son of a bitch…’

Llewellyn was surprised at the coarse words that he had unknowingly uttered inside, but he could not take his eyes off Rosenia.

For him to lose his rationality completely at this point would be a serious problem. However, he couldn’t help but look at her.

Llewellyn kept his eyes on her. He was as restless as if he was a man who had left a precious jewel in the middle of a crowded street. The Crown Prince kissed the back of Rosenia’s hand.

The waltz ended, and the two faced each other beautifully like lovers in a fairy tale. The Crown Prince’s lips stayed on the back of Rosenia’s hand for some time.

Llewellyn unconsciously thought.

‘I’m really going to dispose of that bastard…’

Llewellyn appeared rather calm even though his mind was flooded with such thoughts. It is said that when a man goes crazy, his true nature is revealed. That seemed to be the case.

It was an unpleasant feeling to be on the same wavelength as Adrian Hill, but Llewellyn really wanted to bring down the Crown Prince.

No, not only the Crown Prince, but also everyone else that stole a glance at Rosenia.

Llewellyn thought that was the only way he could keep it. That memory, of the beautiful rose garden from that day.

But after calming himself, chaos came again. His eyes and Rosenia’s briefly crossed when she was looking for her brother.

“…”

Rosenia looked straight at him with open eyes. He didn’t think he would ever be able to forget the moment her eyes, like pink jewels, looked at him. He had that hunch in his heart.

Her eyes remained on him for quite some time. His expression showed a slight admiration amidst his shock.

Her cheeks seemed a little redder than before when Llewellyn saw her. His hand flinched as if tempted to touch her lovely rosey cheeks.

Rosenia looked away from him without a pause. As soon as her gaze left, he experienced a strange sense of loss he had never felt before in his life.

His hands were tightly clasped.

Llewellyn had a thought. That he’d like to keep those eyes on him for a little longer.

But that day at the banquet, Rosenia never looked at him again.

Adrian Hill quickly left the banquet with Rosenia, then people began to gather in twos and threes to talk about the youngest Mage Tower master and his sister.

“Come to think of it, they’re at a marriageable age, the Mage Tower master and his sister.”

“Ah, is that so?”

The moment Llewellyn heard such a conversation, he almost shattered the champagne glass in his hand.

People who saw the stiff look on the Duke of Laciane face thought it must be because he hated the Mage Tower’s sorcerers.

Someone approached Llewellyn worryingly and spoke.

“Just merrily talking, everyone is blinded by the benefits of the Mage Tower that they have forgotten their dignity as nobles. They’re not even nobles in the first place, just a family with strength.”

“…”

“Everyone seems to be deluded because the sister looks good and is pretty, but she’s a Hill sorcerer in the end. How can we expect morality and class…”

“Your mouth.”

Llewellyn calmly interrupted him.

“Shut it.”

Unable to believe the words that had come from the Duke of Rasiane’s mouth, the man blinked vacantly and asked.

“Pardon…?

Llewellyn didn’t answer but gave a silent indifferent nod and left.

The man was left in a daze as he looked at Lewellin’s back.

The Duke was not himself.

The workers in the Duchy of Rasiane couldn’t shake off this thought after the royal banquet.

Their master was well known for his flawless character. But lately, Llewellyn has been odd. He would frequently stare out the window vacantly or mutter something unintelligible to himself.

The most shocking thing was that Llewellyn had begun to look at dessert recipes and books.

“It looks easier to make than I thought.”

His aides staggered in shock when they saw Llewellyn muttering to himself while flipping through a thin book.

They were very taken aback, but thought it must be one of Llewellyn’s new hobbies.

[He must be bored. Isn’t everyone once like that?]

They felt bad that it was happening to the young Duke who was going to turn 18 soon with a bright future ahead of him. Nevertheless, they were relieved that at least he wasn’t doing anything bad. With that in mind, it became pretty easy for them to overlook it.

However, the problem was that Llewellyn’s eccentric behaviors didn’t end there.

At some point, Llewellyn had begun to collect pink or blue things. Among them, there were quite a few accessories and ribbons made for women.

They wondered why Llewellyn was collecting such things. Not only his aides, but also his retainers. It was so strange no matter how much they thought about it.

It wasn’t just that. By May, Llewellyn had called the gardener with a determined face and ordered him earnestly.

The day after the gardener left the Duke’s office with a puzzled face, the garden of the Duchy of Rasiane was filled with crimson roses. A rose that couldn’t have been found here.

Rasiane’s summer flower was lilac. It was as natural as the fact that the sky was blue.

But like an uninvited guest, roses had overtaken the Duchy of Rasiane. It was also a very subtle rose. Only Llewellyn knew that it was the color of Rosenia’s hair and eyes.

Ever since the crimson roses were planted in the garden, Llewellyn would often look out the window.

Looking out the window at the scenery, Llewellyn recalled the clear and beautiful pink eyes of the lady who resembled the picturesque rose garden.

The moment Llewellyn closed his eyes, he would recall the smile, the white teeth between the beautiful lips, the fluttering blue ribbon, and the blue hem of the dress.

The most brilliant, beautiful, and dazzling memory at the banquet.

‘My rosenia.’

“…”

The more Llewellyn thought about it, the more he missed it.

Llewellyn missed her yesterday, he missed her today, and he will miss her tomorrow.

With her not by his side, Llewellyn couldn’t help but reminiscence and be lost in despair.

“How can I meet you.”

“Pardon?”

Asked an advisor, raising his head at Llewellyn’s mumblings. He answered incoherently.

“Damn that Adrian Hill, keep ignoring my letters.”

“Ignoring…Pardon? W-wait, who? Adrian Hill?

The advisor briefly blacked out before coming back to his senses. Showing no reaction to the advisor, Llewellyn continued mumbling to himself.

“There’s no way to send a letter directly to Rosenia. I can’t believe all paths are perfectly blocked. Is the master of the Mage Tower going to keep his sister locked up forever?”

“…”

“Wait a minute, your grace?”

The advisor’s hand trembled as it stretched towards Llewellyn.

‘Hill, that Hill family? In this world, who else could it be but them?’

It was the one and only family of mad sorcerers.

“Is there anything I can do? Advisor? You’re clever, so you should easily be able to think of something.”

Only

“N-no, I…”

“I was a fool. At the time…My emotions got the best of me at the banquet.”

“…”

“I would have talked to her if I knew that was the only chance. No, I should’ve just kidnapped her…”

The words that came from Llewellyn’s mouth didn’t sound like random mumbling, but rather, it sounded sincere.

The advisor was frightened by such an honest remark.

Sweating profusely and trembling, the advisor had a grave look.

The Duke had gone crazy.