Chapter 9: Stratagem 03

Upon entering Stein’s territory, Fiene’s condition worsened, prompting a break in the town. Accompanying her were a maid, a coachman, and two guards—a rather unsettling number. It felt as if she had been abandoned by her own family, a sentiment that might be closer to reality.

They entered an inn in the town to rest. The view from the second-floor window indeed seemed suitable for convalescence, with abundant forests and lakes, clean air, and a lively capital. It was a pleasant contrast to the bustling atmosphere of the royal capital. If not for her illness, Fiene could have enjoyed it as a leisurely trip.

Rumor has it that he’s an eccentric magician, but when she saw the simple yet prosperous town, Fiene thought he might be an excellent lord.

On a distant hill stood an old castle, reportedly the lord’s residence, according to the innkeeper. The distance seemed daunting, causing Fiene some dismay.

The next morning was overcast, and Fiene, looking at the dull gray sky, felt a bit disappointed. She had been living each day with the thought that today might be her last. If possible, she wished to pass away on a clear, sunny day.

The carriage ascended the hill, crossed a drawbridge, and followed a narrow path through the castle walls.

The garden was surprisingly vast, with sheds that seemed unused for a long time.

When the carriage arrived at the porch, Fiene, weakened by the long journey, descended with the support of the guards. She felt as if her life force was on the verge of fading.

Soon after, the maids and coachmen from the Hausen family unloaded Fiene’s luggage from the carriage onto the porch and, along with the guards, hastily left with the carriage.

Fiene was dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events.

They were aware of the impersonation scheme.

Whether they wanted to avoid involvement or were coerced by the family to block Fiene’s retreat, it remained unclear, leaving her with a slight sense of melancholy.

“It’s like abandoning a stray cat. There’s no need to leave it at someone else’s doorstep.”

Unable to linger in sentimentality forever, Fiene sighed, gathered her resolve, and knocked on the door.

Her revenge against her family was about to begin.

Shortly after, the butler appeared.

“I am Muge, here for a meeting on behalf of the Hausen Earldom. Could you please convey this to His Grace, the Duke?”

Fiene communicated her message to the butler.

“I have heard your story. Please wait a moment,” the butler said.

Without allowing Fiene entry into the castle, the butler closed the door.

It seemed he had no intention of guiding her to the reception room. The Hausen family’s carriage promptly left.

(With potions running low, it seems like I have no choice but to die in the wilderness.)

Fiene finally resigned herself to death. However, before that, she wanted to meet the eccentric mage and exact revenge on her family. Without support from the Duke’s family, the Hausen family would eventually face financial ruin.

“Well then, I’ll tell the truth as it is.”

With determination, despite her weakened state, Fiene took a deep breath, and the door opened. From within emerged a tall man wearing a long black robe, the hood pulled low to obscure his face. His famously ugly face remained hidden in the shadows.

“Are you Miss Muge of the Hausen family?”

Though taken aback by the cold and inconvenienced tone, Fiene hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“No, I am not Muge. Muge is the name of my older sister.”

Fiene spoke decisively, though she secretly worried about being dismissed as a weak-minded woman.

“What? What do you mean?”

Unable to discern the expression beneath the hood, Fiene felt relieved at least that the man seemed willing to listen.

“I am Fiene, the second daughter of the Hausen family without magical abilities. Because my magically gifted elder sister, Muge, rejected this arranged marriage, I was sent as a substitute. The Hausen family violated the agreement with His Grace, forcing me, without magical abilities, to impersonate Muge.”

There was a brief silence, and Fiene began to feel nauseous. It seemed she needed a potion soon. Only two doses remained. Given the number of potions handed to her, she once again felt her siblings’ malice.

It seemed they preferred her dead before being exposed.

“This is a first for me—a ridiculous situation. The proposal or meeting came from the Hausen family. Yet, they send a substitute like this.”

Surprisingly, the man spoke with a calm tone, without any signs of anger.

(Is he not angry? Or is he just astonished?)

Deciding to add more fuel to the fire, Fiene continued.

“It’s an impolite story, I agree. They dyed my hair the same red as my sister’s and even placed constraint magic on me to prevent me from revealing my name as Fiene. To that extent, my sister detested this arranged marriage!”

“Huh? Wait a moment. If a constraint magic was placed on you, why can you still introduce yourself by your name?”

The Duke, appearing intrigued, approached.

Then Fiene caught a faint smell of chemicals from him. He must have been in the middle of some experiment. Rumors about the Duke having many snakes, lizards, and mice for experiments might be true, and it sent shivers down Fiene’s spine.

“I am naturally immune to magic.”

Despite feeling embarrassed, Fiene replied. The Duke’s reaction was different from what she expected.

“Weren’t you just saying you have no magical abilities?”

The mage tilted his head slightly.

“Yes, I have no magical abilities. I don’t know why, but I’m immune to constraint magic and the like. However, I have a strained relationship with my family, so I kept it a secret. I pretended to be under the influence of magic. Therefore, they probably don’t think I’ve revealed my true identity. Hehehe, ahahaha.”

Thinking about it, Fiene started to find it amusing. She couldn’t help but let out a laugh.