Chapter 73
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Chapter 73
I worried that his obsession might prevent even a single drop of mana from touching the youngest's hands.
This was hardly an excessive concern.
Kieran had gone far beyond devoted—he was absolutely unhinged about the dead Countess Basilian.
Before her, he feigned composure and leisure, yet behind closed doors, his eyes blazed crimson as he danced with blades.
Inheriting his blood, the three brothers would be no different.
The Basilian men, bound together like serpents, would surely coil around the youngest and cause absolute chaos—I could see it all too clearly.
'At least Karha seems indifferent among them.'
Unlike Father using dark magic at the Holy Temple, the eldest running away with his brother, and the third suddenly learning magic he'd never practiced before.
The second son still showed no reaction.
'I just hope he stays that way.'
While the rest of the Basilians lost their minds, I could only pray that Karha at least kept his wits about him.
Then a flash of blue light suddenly streaked through her mind.
'...Ah.'
There was one more person besides the Basilians who troubled me.
The Heretic Inquisitor of the Holy Empire.
He must have approached to investigate Kieran, yet...
For some reason, he had been remarkably kind to Chesa.
When I heard he had carefully tended to Chesa at his private residence for an entire week, it felt like a dream.
A Heretic Inquisitor who commits mad slaughter in the name of God, caring for an infant.
There could be no contradiction more absurd than this.
In any case, one thing was certain.
'My granddaughter seems to be popular with lunatics.'
Including Selea, none of them were entirely sane.
I was preoccupied with how to drive away these other madmen and secure Chesa for myself, raising her into a Grand Mage.
A small commotion erupted in the Ballroom.
What began as murmurs near the entrance gradually spread inward.
Those who had been laughing and chattering fell silent.
Those eating set down their utensils, and those sipping wine withdrew their lips from their glasses.
As if seized by invisible hands, everyone gradually shifted their gaze toward the same point.
The Ballroom, now hushed, held only the musicians' gentle melodies.
Selea's face bloomed with a radiant smile.
'They've arrived!'
The ones I had been eagerly awaiting had finally made their appearance.
She barely restrained the urge to burst into delighted laughter.
Instead, she offered a dignified smile and spoke.
"Count Basilian has graced us with his presence. I shall go offer my greetings."
For a Duchess to personally receive a Count was an unprecedented gesture.
Yet the nobles conversing with Selea showed no sign of surprise.
Their minds were entirely captivated by the House of Basilian.
Selea's heart swelled with pride, and she approached the Basilian Estate's guests with buoyant steps.
She could see Kieran, cradling Chesa in his arms, greeting those who had arrived.
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
With an enchanting smile that could bewitch anyone, he offered his greeting in a voice like that of a siren.
"I am Kieran Basilian."
The noblewoman struck by Kieran's captivating gaze flushed crimson, covering her mouth with her hand.
"And this is my daughter."
He gently squeezed the child's hand with his gloved fingers, speaking tenderly.
"Chesa, shouldn't you greet them?"
"How do you do? I'm Chesa Basilian."
Nestled like a doll in his arms, Chesa moved her lips delicately and spoke like a cherubic angel.
A young boy beside the noblewoman stood slack-jawed, staring at Chesa in a daze.
It was not only them.
As I introduced the three brothers of House Basilian one by one.
Gasps and sharp intakes of breath echoed from all directions.
It was an utterly instinctive reaction, all pretense abandoned.
Watching their expressions, Selea became certain.
The House of Basilian would claim the spotlight of tonight's gathering.
***
I had already anticipated the fervent response.
But reality proved far more intense than imagination.
My admiration for the elegantly decorated ballroom was fleeting.
The moment I stepped inside, without exaggeration, every person turned to gaze upon me.
I was accustomed to drawing attention and scrutiny, so that much was bearable.
But when they swarmed toward me like madness, desperate to exchange even a single word, exhaustion set in.
Especially the noble families with unmarried daughters—they descended with gleaming eyes.
Not only Belzeon, the eldest who would inherit the House of Basilian, but Karha and Ishuel as well were besieged like a swarm of bees.
As for me, there was no need to mention it.
Though widowed, I had three sons and had even taken in an adopted child, making four children in total.
Yet I found myself buried beneath a deluge of advances from all sides.
Many made their seductions brazenly, even as I held an infant in my arms.
But I declined their advances with courtesy.
The men of House Basilian, while besieged by the throng, exchanged hurried glances and hand signals among themselves.
"Hey, over there."
"Yeah."
"Karha."
"Yes, brother."
"Brother?"
"Confirmed."
He spoke in terse, clipped sentences as though executing some covert mission, occasionally letting his gaze turn cold and lethal.
It was all to eliminate the young boys who dared show interest in Chesa.
They were simply charmed by her cuteness, but they busied themselves frantically, insisting they had to nip such feelings in the bud before they took root.
It was Duchess Ibroyel who rescued Kieran from being swallowed by the crowd.
She clapped her hands together with a sharp, decisive sound.
The musicians responded by playing a loud flourish before falling silent.
In that brief hush, the Duchess laughed heartily and called out.
"My deepest gratitude to you all! So many distinguished guests have graced Ibroyel with their presence—what a splendid gathering this shall be!"
She smiled knowingly and wove a simple spell.
"I have prepared something special for our honored guests. Might I trouble you for a moment of your time?"
Violet mana rippled outward in all directions, and the ballroom's lights dimmed.
Only the stage at the center of the ballroom blazed with brilliant illumination.
Standing there was a woman of exquisite beauty and refinement.
Those who beheld her, adorned in a dress embellished with flowers, gasped in admiration.
She was the Capital's most celebrated opera singer.
"My divine one."
The opera singer, dressed as the Fairy Queen, began to sing with ethereal grace.
"You who bestow your blessings even upon those who do not believe in your name."
It was a song drawn from an ancient legend—how the Fairy Queen had praised the Holy King and surrendered her crown to him.
It was the perfect piece for tonight's theme.
As the crowd's attention fixed entirely upon the singer, Duchess Ibroyel approached.
"Count Basilian."
She smiled mischievously and nudged Kieran with her elbow.
"Quite the spectacle, wouldn't you say? Truly magnificent?"
"It is entirely thanks to you, Your Grace."
Kieran responded with a gracious smile to her playful remark.
The Duchess's laughter deepened.
"Hello there, little one."
She greeted Chesa and extended her arms.
"Let me hold you for a moment. Oh my, how small you are, how delightful."
The Duchess took Chesa from Kieran's arms and began to rock her gently, then whispered something softly to the girl.
"What did you think of the ballroom tonight? Isn't it magnificent?"
"Yes!"
"Everything sparkles and shines, doesn't it?"
She opened her palm before Chesa.
"Look at this."
Tiny violet sparkles rose from her hand and swirled around Chesa.
In the darkened ballroom, the luminous motes glowed with an intimate radiance, beautiful as fireflies dancing through a forest.
Duchess Ibroyel's voice dripped with ulterior intent as she coaxed.
"Would you like to learn how to create something like this yourself?"
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