Chapter 99
Sitting in the parlor, Jessica kept glancing at her hand mirror, checking her face over and over.
“Her Majesty the Empress seemed to have you in mind as a match for Prince Cesare.”
The hint from Countess Miranda made her heart pound involuntarily.
In truth, Jessica had often encountered Cesare at banquets.
The dazzlingly handsome prince was popular wherever he went.
Thanks to his impeccable manners—the kind women adored—handkerchiefs frequently “fell” in his presence.
Jessica herself had once let one drop on purpose.
“Lady.”
His husky voice had called her tenderly as he returned the handkerchief with a charming smile.
“Something beautiful has fallen.”
From that day on, Jessica was thoroughly smitten.
She had been content merely to watch him from afar when her father’s discreet word sent butterflies through her stomach.
“I’m late, it seems.”
Right on cue, Cesare entered the parlor. He wore more casual attire than at formal events.
“Ah—hello! Your Highness!”
Jessica’s loud greeting turned her cheeks crimson as she bit her lower lip.
Seeing this, Cesare chuckled softly and gently cupped her chin.
“You’ll hurt your lip.”
“Ah… ahh.”
The slow, lingering touch made Jessica tremble and lower her head.
Yes. This is the reaction I expect.
After being rejected time and again by Rodellia, Cesare had taken to deliberately flirting with ladies, confirming his charm was still intact.
Most women, like the one before him now, grew flustered at the slightest physical contact—that was normal.
“Meeting you was unpleasant. Let’s never cross paths again.”
Remembering how Rodellia had looked at him like a bug even when he’d tried in earnest stung his pride anew.
Still, seeing this girl so clearly enchanted soothed him a little.
Cesare smiled slowly and spoke.
“I’ve heard much about you from Nanael. May I call you Jessica?”
“O-of course!”
“Then please call me Cesare as well.”
“H-how could I address Your Highness so casually…?”
“Calling each other by name makes it easier to grow close, don’t you think?”
At his gentle suggestion, Jessica stared at him in a daze.
The expression of someone head-over-heels in love was plain to see, and inwardly Cesare felt bored.
“They’re looking into marriage prospects for you.”
“I’m not thinking of marriage yet.”
“Associating with refined, well-bred young ladies is far better for your reputation than spending every night with courtesans. I’ll handle any rumors.”
The moment his mother mentioned courtesans, Cesare knew Nanael was behind it.
He had been careful to keep those visits from reaching her ears.
Afterward, rumors had spread through the palace: every night, the Peris duke’s daughter was seen coming and going from Cesare’s residence.
To protect her son’s reputation, his mother had not hesitated to disparage a precious daughter of one of the four great ducal houses.
It was her way, and Cesare didn’t particularly care.
Calling courtesans had only been a way to vent frustration anyway.
He knew perfectly well that, for his own reputation, he should stop summoning them.
As his mother said, mingling discreetly with cultured, demure noble ladies would be one thing.
Meanwhile, Nanael upset his stomach every time they met.
“You said you could handle it, and look how that turned out. I should have done it myself instead of leaving it to my dear brother.”
Being openly insulted by the little sister he usually ignored had twisted his mood to its limit.
So when he was introduced to one of Nanael’s close attendants, wicked thoughts were only natural.
Cesare deliberately closed the distance and whispered conspiratorially.
“Do you enjoy music?”
“Music?”
“I happen to have a piano in my rooms. If you’d like, I could play the piece I’ve been practicing.”
Even at the obvious ploy to lure her to his bedroom, Jessica nodded eagerly, delighted.
“Everyone, I have something to say.”
The moment Glaster stepped into the Magia hideout, he spoke with uncharacteristic seriousness.
But his voice was so soft that no one paid attention.
They were far more interested in the Testi Rodellia had brought from the magic tower.
“Wow—wow! This is my first time seeing one! So this is the legendary Testi everyone talks about.”
“They said it’s the easiest to raise, so they gave it to me. Apparently it was scheduled for disposal since it couldn’t be used in experiments anymore.”
“Rodellia, are you sure this is really a Testi?”
“Are you implying Sir Eden would scam me? The chief aide to the tower master himself?”
“That was a slip of the tongue. I’m just too happy.”
Sierra nervously extended a finger toward the Testi, whose leaves fluttered like wings.
The leaf gently curled around her finger.
“Kyaaaaaaa!”
Sierra shrieked dramatically, and Edwin covered his ears, muttering curses.
No one spared a glance for Glaster.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Lottie, sketching on the sofa, addressed him.
She only came to the hideout when Rodellia was there, and like Glaster she was quiet by nature.
They recognized kindred spirits without needing many words.
“W-well…”
Glaster fumbled in his bag and pulled something out.
Lottie blinked, then let out a piercing squeal.
“Oh my goodness! You passed?!”
At the sound, the three people obsessed with the Testi turned toward Glaster.
“Passed what?”
Sierra tilted her head.
Suddenly the center of attention, Glaster’s face flushed scarlet as he thrust the license into the air.
“Th-that is…!”
Sierra recognized it instantly and snatched it from his hand at the speed of light.
On the front was written “Advanced Tamer Certification.”
“Glaster, you little—!”
“Hehe.”
Glaster scratched the back of his head shyly, and Sierra threw her arms around him, shaking him joyfully.
“Well done, Treasurer!”
“Good heavens. Glaster, congratulations! Everyone said it was really hard.”
“Hard? He passed on his fourth try!”
Sierra rejoiced as if she had passed herself.
Rodellia chimed in.
“I should have grabbed some magical plants that require a tamer license. If there’s any magical plant you want to try raising, just say the word. I’ll go pick it for you.”
A remark only the tower master’s favored disciple could make so casually.
They were all shouting about throwing a celebration party when—
Knock knock.
With a knock, a familiar face opened the door and stepped inside.
It was Summer Clopen.
The moment I saw Summer, I greeted her warmly.
“You’re here?”
I naturally pulled her toward the Magia club members, and Sierra, hiding her earlier excitement, spoke calmly.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Sierra Breeze, leader of Magia. Rodellia has told us all about you. You work at the magic tower, right?”
She was far more composed than when we first met.
Thinking back to the mouse incident still made me dizzy.
While Summer and Sierra talked, I observed Edwin.
From the instant Summer appeared, Edwin had been staring blankly, utterly stunned.
I knew he’d react like that.
Of course he would—running into the first love he’d searched for so desperately in such an unexpected place.
Just then, Summer looked at Edwin.
Their eyes met, and Edwin flinched as if burned.
Seeing this, Summer asked softly,
“Excuse me… are you Win, by any chance…?”
A direct, sunshine-heroine-style question, honest and kind as expected.
At the sudden question, faint cracks appeared on Edwin’s face.
After a pause, he murmured uncertainly,
“…You remember me?”
His unusually serious expression didn’t suit him.
Summer broke into a radiant smile.
“It is you, Win.”
It was a smile so beautiful anyone could see it. Edwin clearly thought so too, looking completely dazed.
With this, the Edwin from the original story—who had been hurt because Summer didn’t recognize him and subsequently darkened—had vanished.
Yes. Edwin, don’t go dark now. Live kindly.
