laffytaffynoveltranslations

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Magnus is smart. Since I gave him books last week, he will become even smarter. Soon, he will realize the unfairness of his situation.

That much is what I hoped for.

However, I do not want Magnus to deduce anything about me.

So, to minimize giving him information about myself and to prevent him from perceiving me as his master, I limited my encounters with him as much as possible.

Except for when checking on his condition with Carl, I decided never to visit Magnus personally.

Since delivering the books last week, I haven’t seen Magnus at all this past week.

The original Illyana Glaine visited Magnus every few days, but I cannot afford to do that.

Today, I was scheduled to visit him with Carl. It would be the first time since taking Carl with me last week.

I planned to finish dressing, have lunch, and then leave the mansion.

Knock, knock.

“Lady Illyana.”

If not for the voice interrupting my final touches. The voice sounded oddly frightened and stiffly tense.

“His Grace and Her Grace have just returned from inspecting the estate.”

So, the reason for the Marquis couple’s absence was due to estate inspections.

The maid who was finishing my dressing stiffened at the voice outside.

“It might be better to remove your bracelet and necklace today, just in case.”

“…Alright.”

I nodded obediently, curious if there was a reason behind the maid’s suggestion.

Was I imagining the pity in the gaze directed at me?

The novel never mentioned how Illyana Glaine treated her parents, the Marquis and Marchioness.

All the accessories I wore were removed. For some reason, I felt a chill down my spine. It was eerily unsettling without a clear reason.

‘Come to think of it, the marks on this body….’

I recalled the mottled scars I had seen in the bathroom, feeling goosebumps as if the body remembered some hidden terror.

“Did they request to see me?”

“No. They invited you to join them for dinner tonight.”

“I see. You may leave.”

The maid inspecting my clothes sighed deeply.

She seemed slightly relieved. Something was definitely off, but asking here would raise suspicion.

‘Didn’t Illyana Glaine keep a journal?’

There was no mention of it in the novel.

“Your meal is ready.”

“Thank you.”

A sumptuous meal was prepared, more fitting for dinner than lunch. Throughout the meal, I couldn’t stop thinking about the return of the Marquis couple.

I couldn’t pinpoint why I felt so uneasy and reluctant.

‘Could it really be because of the scars…?’

No, that can’t be it. I shook my head.

It could just be that they don’t get along well. Perhaps that’s why Illyana Glaine became a villainess.

Today, the utensils clashed more often than usual. Looking down at my disobedient body, I saw my hand trembling as it held the fork.

‘…What is this?’

In the end, I barely ate a few bites before putting down the utensils. Along with setting down the cutlery, my appetite vanished.

“Prepare to go out.”

“The carriage is ready.”

“Alright. I’ll return by dinner.”

As I left the room, the atmosphere in the mansion felt far more tense and heavy than usual.

All the servants were noticeably on edge. I descended the stairs with a furrowed brow and proper posture.

“Where are you going?”

The voice sent a shiver down my spine. Illyana Glaine’s body tensed up at the low, ominous tone.

I reflexively turned, clasping my hands slowly in front of me.

A man in an impeccably tight outfit, with silver hair like mine and neatly groomed eyebrows. His slightly upturned eyes and deep sky-blue irises unmistakably identified him as the Marquis, who had just returned.

“I heard you have returned. Father… sir.”

I cautiously chose “Father sir” after debating between “Father” and “Sir.”

The Marquis didn’t react to my address. As I considered it a relief, two pairs of eyes met in the air.

“I was on my way to the temple.”

Luckily, I had an excuse. I couldn’t very well say I was going to check on the kidnapped child.

The Marquis, who looked fastidious due to his stern expression despite his neat attire, nodded.

Given her public image, he didn’t seem to find her visit to the temple unusual.

“Very well. Did you hear about dinner?”

“…Yes, I did.”

“Don’t be late. You know how much I dislike tardiness.”

The Marquis’s eyes narrowed further.

He seemed to be appraising me, similar to how interviewers scrutinized me during job interviews in the past.

‘I don’t like this.’

Despite him being the father who raised Illyana Glaine, I couldn’t shake the deep-seated rejection I felt.

I slightly bowed, eager to leave.

“Yes, I will be on time. I’ll be going now.”

I stiffly but courteously greeted him. He felt like a strict math teacher.

Anyway, I didn’t feel good about this. As I turned and walked towards the door, the guards opened it wide.

“Let’s depart immediately.”

I climbed into the carriage without a second glance. The unsettling feeling remained vivid on my skin.

I rubbed my arms vigorously with gloved hands.

The carriage departed promptly.

Chapter 2

So far, it seemed to take just under an hour by carriage from Illyana Glaine’s mansion to the cabin where Magnus resided.

The cabin was located a bit outside the capital.

It was a safer choice than risking his presence within the capital.

The carriage stopped in front of the cabin, where another carriage was already parked, indicating that one of the employees had brought Carl.

“It’s been a week.”

“Yes, you look well. I’ve heard you’ve been delivering the antidote weekly.”

“Yes. Due to the limited amount I can make, it’s unavoidable.”

A lie. My eyes narrowed.

Unless he made just one dose a day, the claim of limitation was laughable.

But I understood it was for his own safety. He feared being discarded if his usefulness ran out too quickly.

It was a plausible reason, so I didn’t challenge Carl further.

In any case, it was his choice how to administer it.

“Ensuring your survival benefits us both.”

Carl flinched and raised his head. Our eyes met under his robe.

“As long as you don’t play tricks, our contract remains valid, Carl.”

“I understand.”

“Then, call me when you’re ready.”

Carl simply bowed in response.

Leaving Carl behind, I passed the mercenaries guarding the cabin and entered.

“Mag?”

“Yes, Lady Lyna.”

Magnus was sitting at the desk beside the bed.

His golden eyes, clearer than last week, stared at me.

He neither knelt nor bowed, either remembering my command or slowly understanding himself.

He simply stood up and looked down at me.

Seeing him now, he seemed quite tall. Thanks to Illyana Glaine feeding and housing him well.

Of course, the fact that “Rei” was included might be a problem, but it wasn’t an issue if overlooked.

Aside from that, Illyana had provided Magnus with everything he needed.

He had everything he wanted and spared no expense. By the time he became emperor, he would have developed muscles, making him even more imposing.

“How have you been?”

“I’ve been well, Lady Lyna.”

Magnus knelt, kissed the top of my foot, and stood again.

He was clearly more lucid than before, but his eyes were still cloudy. Up close, I could still detect the distinctive sweet scent of “Rei.”

However, it wasn’t as strong as before.

“I was worried I had done something wrong because you didn’t visit, Lady Lyna.”

I saw the books piled on the desk next to Magnus.

He had apparently read over ten thick books in just a week. Just one week.

Well, what else would he do while trapped at home alone?

‘Come to think of it, Magnus ran away just three months after Illyana gave him books as a gift.’

His learning ability was never to be underestimated. He was repeatedly described as a rare genius in the novel.

“You did nothing wrong, Mag.”

I reached out, as always, and stroked his hair, caressed his cheek, and withdrew my hand.

Magnus visibly relaxed. He still sought warmth.

There wasn’t much to talk about or do when alone with Magnus.

‘We can’t just stand here staring at each other.’

Illyana Glaine had always ordered an appropriate dose of Rei to be administered to Magnus before meeting him, inducing nightmares.

Then she would look down at the Magnus, who begged for warmth.

Afterward, she would always embrace him as if praising him. She shared warmth.

Magnus, despite his size, clung to Illyana desperately, burying his face in her neck and kissing her.

Episode 5 – Episode 7