The Woman Found the Will I Wrote

13 – Jealousy 2

At my words, Delia Herdy screamed aloud, unable to hold it in.

Looking at her, almost 90% of her speech filled with curses, I snidely responded,

“Low, rude, vulgar.”

“What, what? Have you finished speaking? Come out here with me!”

“I’m already out here.”

“Well, that’s true!”

There was something funny about admitting the truth even while arguing.

As she yelled like she was having an outburst, I slowly turned my gaze and asked,

“So are you saying I cheated?”

“Yes. There’s no way you could solve such a problem in just a few minutes otherwise.”

While it’s natural to harbor such doubts, the situation and the way she responded were completely wrong.

I knew that if I let this slide, such doubts would amplify, leading to public opinion forming as though I had cheated – whether it was true or not.

‘Honestly, no matter how much these guys shout, it won’t affect me who has the power of the Relche family behind me.’

But, considering the issue that such things could later act as variables in future events…

I decided to confront and resolve it rather than avoiding it out of laziness.

‘Surely, that’s a cheaper price to pay.’

I believed that any problem postponed will someday require its cost to be paid. I looked at Delia and asked,

“Can you take responsibility for what you said?”

At my words, Delia hesitated for a moment and looked at me.

The Herdy family that Delia belonged to was one of the reputed families, acknowledged wherever they go due to the power and wealth accumulated over a long period.

She still hadn’t officially inherited the title and seemed uncertain about the possibility of facing a frontal conflict with the Relche family, as she retreated a few steps back.

‘Of course, the family won’t interfere in a children’s squabble.’

Thinking about it calmly, they wouldn’t interfere in a mere children’s argument, right?

Whether they win or lose, they’re only going to look dirty, and there’s no gain in it.

As long as they don’t cross the line as in the situation on the rooftop earlier, there was absolutely no reason for the family to intervene.

‘So even if they take responsibility at a student’s level, it would just end with a few curses at most…’

Delia seemed to think otherwise, however.

She glanced around at me and the surroundings, weighing her pride against the damage that could befall her family.

Seeing the surrounding gaze, she cried out to me in a somewhat subdued voice,

“Of, of course I can take responsibility. If you’re correct, I’ll be your dog!”

He seemed to decide that the perception of his friends around him was more important than not taking responsibility.

Rather than backing down, he increased his own risk to prove his point.

I found this quite amusing so decided to play along.

“Then let’s prove it. If it’s proven that I’m telling the truth… I will, by any means, make sure you keep your word.”

“….Swallow.”

Whether he was scared or nervous, I wasn’t sure.

He stood there quivering and nodded his head saying ‘Oh yes, of course!’

Inwardly, I laughed at him, thinking of him more as a little boy rather than a child of a noble family.

* * *

A few days later, it was decided that Delia would solve a problem prepared by other students.

It felt a bit tedious and unnecessary, but if this event could solidify my talents even more…

Not only could I expect additional support from the family, but my standing within the academy will rise, and the Divine Church can no longer harass Lumi at the academy…

‘I suppose it’s the right thing to do.’

I was annoyed and kept swallowing a sigh, then I looked at a nearby butler.

Now that I’m home… I had to find out my fiancé’s name.

I didn’t know how to randomly ask the butler ‘What’s my fiancé’s name?’ so I thought hard about it.

Then an idea popped up; I decided to ask a maid, who was somewhat clumsily cleaning the hallway, instead of the butler.

“… I want to send a letter to my fiancé.”

Hearing me, the maid, startled, yelped, “To master Shien? I’ll prepare it right away!”

Apparently, an experienced maid or butler would’ve said ‘I’ll prepare it immediately’ and disappeared.

I was glad that the maid in front of me was a newcomer and nodded my head.

‘Shien.’

I decided to remember and turned my attention away.

*

Either way, I asked to send a letter so I felt obligated to write one.

I looked at the stationary and quill on the desk, conflicted for a moment, I started to write down slowly.

[Pleased to meet you.]

The fortunate thing was that even if I wrote in Korean, it would automatically convert to the language of this world.

I carefully sealed a short letter with only three words and handed it to the butler.

Seeing my, the butler blinked, “…For miss Shien? Understood. I will make sure it’s delivered as quickly as possible.”

Looking at me incredulously, he hurried forward.

I thought perhaps I had been too rash in creating a letter and was regretting it, when…

The butler quickly returned and asked me a question.

“After considering, sir, it’s best to send Miss Cien flowers too.”

“Do as you please.”

I find it strangely agreeable and, nodding casually, I’m about to go back to my room,

But I have something I forgot to mention to the butler:

“Tell the lord I’d like to own recently discovered ruins as a reward.”

I unpredictably request ownership of the ruins. He looks perplexed,

But he decides not to think too deeply about it, lowers his head, and agrees.

*

Since then, it’s been a cycle of research and magic practice.

Although I possess talent that is bewilderingly exceptional,

In order to embellish that ability, experience and practice is necessary. Hence, I continue repeating the practice.

‘And most importantly, I might even get lucky with a skill.’

Perhaps as part of my wishful thinking, I keep repeating the process.

It was something I had to do, So, while continuing these tasks,

The result of the ‘ownership of the ruins’ I told the butler about returned.

“Sir, the lord has bought the rights to the ruins and transferred them to you.”

Only a day hasn’t even passed since I mentioned it, yet the purchase and transfer happened so rapidly, I’m taken aback.

‘Probably because it’s close to the academy, he managed to have the ownership by claiming it and paid adequately for it.’

Regardless, I appreciate his extraordinary ability and nod in agreement.

‘Anyway, the ownership has come to me.’

Maximising the benefit from this is what matters.

I contemplate on how to use the ‘ancient magic’ that lies dormant within it.

‘Firstly, I will fortify it so that the church can’t invade.’

Deciding to conquer the ruins gradually, I loosen up.

To avoid sudden death in the ruins, I decide to perfectly finish what I’m researching or practicing right now.

I continue my training.

* * * * *

“Lumia, wake up from your misguided dream now. You know there’s no one who will love you.”

In a pitiful bedroom devoid of furniture,

Lumia’s parents sneer and whisper to her.

“If that lad Derun really cared for you, he wouldn’t have left you like this.”

“… “

I know these words aren’t true,

But remembering the image of the student council president and Derun who followed her, I momentarily lose the use of speech.

So, I keep my mouth shut not being able to refute anything. Her parents continue taunting.

“Don’t you think the same? Someone like you, a commoner girl who’s a nuisance and a waste of space, may momentarily interest him and be amusing. But who would want to keep tagging you along indefinitely?”

… It’s an undeniable fact.

I’m in no position to be useful to Derun. In fact, I’ve been a nuisance.

I wonder if he would still want to carry me along with him.

Trying to answer that question positively … all I can think of is negative, therefore.

As melancholy gradually settled in my mind.

Just as if they have been waiting for the right moment, they give me new information.

“Speaking of which, I heard a rumor tonight that Derun sent a splendid bouquet and an affectionate letter to his fiancé. Unlike you, who has been abandoned, it seems his fianceé is precious to him.”

“You’re talking about a bouquet and a letter?”

“It was a splendid rose. According to the words of other believers, a rose signifies love. I thought you would understand by now.”

Love, huh?

Once again, my heart started to race at these words.

Is it because Derun doesn’t show any interest in me? Or, perhaps, there’s another reason?

Even though I think it’s too ambitious being out of his league, part of me wants to get closer to him.

‘I don’t want to lose any more. But still.’

With fear that if I show my affection, Derun might feel disgusted, and my foster parents and the church might harm him.

Being unable to do anything and the inner conflict continually made me feel uneasy.

During that time – A scene of Derun almost stabbed by a member of the church crossed my mind.

In that close situation, he could have genuinely died had he not been fortunate.

The thought of that situation empties the anger in my mind, it feels vacant, and grows cold.

And for the first time in my life, a tiny hope began to sprout, and a thought came to mind that I had never imagined before.

‘If only those people were gone, maybe I also…’

Though I quickly shook my head to get rid of the thought and deny it.

Surprisingly, they started to irritate me bit by bit.