Lucia took the initiative, crossing her arms and raising her chin high.
“What’s wrong? Is the Talane estate some kind of forbidden zone? Am I not allowed to be here? Why the shock?”
Oz was suppressed by Lucia’s aura.
“No, I just didn’t expect Princess Lucia to come here with Mahina.”
“Haha, I do as I please. I don’t need you to think. Get lost. I’m not here for you this time.”
Oz bit her lip, not backing down, but instead turned her gaze toward the silent Mahina.
“Can you give Mahina and me some private space? I have something to say to her.”
A hand cut across, blocking her line of sight.
Lucia clenched her fist and held it in front of Oz. Her knuckles let out a crisp *crack*, sounding particularly eerie in the deathly silent corridor. She spoke with a smile.
“What if I say no?”
Mahina sighed and took a step forward, gently pushing Lucia’s hand down.
“If you have something to say, say it here. Is there really something that shouldn’t be seen?”
Oz was silent for a moment.
“Are you leaving?”
Mahina looked at her legal sister. Since she had arrived at the Talane estate, Oz had always taken care of her. They had a good relationship both at home and at the Academy.
Countless fragments flashed through her mind—afternoons drinking tea together, greetings at the Academy…
…and nights sleeping on the same pillow.
A self-mocking curve formed at the corners of Mahina’s mouth.
“I never belonged here, so how can you talk about leaving? I was only ever an adopted daughter.”
Oz took an eager step forward.
“Everyone will miss you dearly.”
“There’s nothing to be done about that. Besides, wasn’t he the one who hated me the most at the beginning?”
“I’ve heard about what’s happening outside…”
“Enough.”
Mahina interrupted her heartlessly, her voice rising slightly.
“It’s all true. Whether it’s the fact that I lived with her during childhood, or that my Magic Power comes from Merlin, and even that so-called fiancé.”
“Mahina…”
“That’s right. The fiancé both exists and doesn’t exist, because… I was the one who abandoned Merlin.”
Oz looked at the girl before her, who was both familiar and incredibly strange. That face, which used to always wear a spring-like smile, was now covered in a heart-stopping frost.
Oz felt dizzy for a moment, unable to adapt.
“Even so, is it necessary to leave the Talane family like this? Everyone likes you very much.”
Mahina lowered her head slightly to think, her bangs obscuring the gloom in her eyes.
“Is that so… Everyone was very kind to me. From the moment I arrived at the Talane estate, everyone treated me like family. I never suffered any grievances.”
“Then—”
“But…”
Mahina looked at Oz and walked forward step by step, forcing the other to retreat.
“In this world, no one is kind to a girl from the Slums for no reason. In the end, didn’t the family treat me well because I have Magic Power? Didn’t the servants treat me well only because they were afraid of offending the Head of the Family?”
“You’re wrong. The servants truly liked who you are inside, and so did the family.”
“I see…”
Mahina drawled again, her voice filled with a hollow exhaustion.
“Cute, gentle, and kind girls in this world are everywhere, like wildflowers by the side of the road. As long as you’re willing to go to the residential districts, you’ll find plenty. For example, the daughters of small merchant guilds are the most suitable.”
Mahina continued.
“They aren’t too arrogant, and they can develop excellent character in a relatively wealthy home. Aren’t they the most suitable to be toys for the Nobility?”
Mahina inhaled and exhaled again, revealing a heartbreaking smile.
“Why was it me? If you really like submissive and cute girls so much, why haven’t you adopted a new one all these years? In the end, isn’t it because you covet my Magic Power?”
Oz was speechless, her pale defense stuck in her throat.
“This—”
“If I were to successfully lose my Magic Power one day, would you really still treat me like this? When you are frequently targeted by vassals and talked about by the outside world, would you still be so gentle?”
“But the worst hasn’t happened yet.”
Mahina smiled, thinking of Merlin sleeping on the bed.
That Merlin, who still chose to protect her even after being hurt and betrayed by her.
That was true love.
After all these years of twisting and turning, the only one who truly loved her was Merlin.
Everything here was nothing more than an exchange game based on interest.
“From now on… I won’t use my power carelessly either. Because that power doesn’t belong to me. Even if I stay in this house, there is no difference between me and someone without Magic Power.”
Oz wanted to say something more, wanting to touch the phantom that was about to dissipate.
But Mahina just gently pushed her hand away.
The movement was soft, but it drew an unbridgeable chasm.
There was no longer any hesitation.
“Since a conclusion has been reached, stop talking nonsense. Let’s end it here, Sister.”
This was likely the last time Mahina would call Oz that.
She had already informed him through Ruby a few days ago. Looking at Oz’s reaction, she should be…
—
Mahina pushed open the large doors.
The study of the Talane estate was so spacious it felt suffocating. Heavy curtains blocked most of the sunlight, leaving the man sitting behind the mahogany desk shrouded in shadows year-round.
Inside the study, a middle-aged man with facial features as sharp and chiseled as stone, and a neat beard, rested his hands on the large desk. He was the Head of the Family — Colin Talan.
When he saw that there were three others accompanying Mahina, his eyes twitched slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.
‘What is that tyrannical Lucia doing here? Isn’t today a private matter for the Talane family?’
Mahina’s voice was cold, without a hint of warmth.
“Greetings, Head of the Family.”
Colin stopped his quill and crossed his hands under his chin.
“You’ve come.”
“Yes. Although I didn’t want to come, the procedure is necessary.”
Mahina walked slowly to his desk, took out a document she had prepared long ago, placed it gently on the tabletop, and pushed it over.
“I’ve already signed it.”
Colin’s gaze swept over the document, but he didn’t pick it up.
He stole a glance at Lucia, who was standing behind Mahina, watching the show.
Lucia noticed his gaze and deliberately tilted her head, revealing a brilliant but dangerous smile.
It was the smile of a predator.
Colin withdrew his gaze and sighed.
“Can’t you consider it again?”
“There is nothing to consider.”
Colin leaned forward, his voice low.
“If it’s about Princess Merlinlia, I promise I won’t ask about it again. No… as long as you stay, I won’t ask about anything you do. You will be the most noble lady of the Talane house, you will have endless resources, and you will be even freer than before.”
Mahina looked at the man in front of her who was pretending to be serious.
“Isn’t that just letting you get a bargain for nothing? You’re dreaming.”