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nAdrian 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.

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

nMost 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.

nIt 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.

nFurthermore, 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.

n“…”

nLlewellyn, 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.

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

nLlewellyn 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.

nNo, it wasn’t a spur of the moment confession.

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nWithout 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.

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

nLlewellyn 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.

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

nLlewellyn 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.

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

nLlewellyn 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.

nAs 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.

nDistracted by Rosenia, Llewellyn had realized something.

nRosenia was getting too much attention at this banquet.

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

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

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

nIt was driving him crazy.

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

n‘I, what the hell, why?’

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

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

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

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

nLlewellyn 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.

nThe 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.

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

nFor 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.

n‘…Why.’

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

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

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

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

n“…”

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

nThe 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.

n‘That son of a bitch…’

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

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

nLlewellyn 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.

nThe 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.

nLlewellyn unconsciously thought.

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

nLlewellyn 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.

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

nNo, not only the Crown Prince, but also everyone else that stole a glance at Rosenia.

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

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

n“…”

nRosenia 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.

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

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

nRosenia 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.

nHis hands were tightly clasped.

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

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

nAdrian 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.

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

n“Ah, is that so?”

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

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

nSomeone approached Llewellyn worryingly and spoke.

n“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.”

n“…”

n“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…”

n“Your mouth.”

nLlewellyn calmly interrupted him.

n“Shut it.”

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

n“Pardon…?

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

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

nThe Duke was not himself.

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

nTheir 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.

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

n“It looks easier to make than I thought.”

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

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

nHe must be bored. Isn’t everyone once like that?

nThey 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.

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

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

nThey 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.

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

nThe 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.

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

nBut 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.

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

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

nThe 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.

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

n‘My rosenia.’

n“…”

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

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

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

n“How can I meet you.”

n“Pardon?”

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

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

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

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

n“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?”

n“…”

n“Wait a minute, your grace?”

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

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

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nIt was the one and only family of mad sorcerers.

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

n“N-no, I…”

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

n“…”

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

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

nThe advisor was frightened by such an honest remark.

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

nThe Duke had gone crazy.

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