Chapter 12
Karina was dumbfounded for a moment and immediately came to her senses.
Roland was much more delicate than he looks.
Dozens of serious worries will pass through that cute little head while he’s dazed.
“Do I look sick?”
“…It’s hard. Because of us…”
“If I were the type who got sick from these things, I would have died a few years ago in agony. Before I even met you guys.”
“…!”
Seeing Roland’s eyes widen, those words worked.
“Don’t think Lord Lenque was the only one with you. And Lord Lenque himself… What a mess he was. Ugh.”
Karina hated it.
The flour dough was nothing compared to what she had swept and polished in that house over the past decade or so
“Did mom learn magic like us when you were young?”
“…No.”
Karina hesitated for a moment but spoke frankly.
“Lord Lenque never tried to teach me, even though he knew I had a talent for magic. Rather, he was very wary of my interest in magic. I learned this instead.”
Karina smiled and lifted the mop.
“Thanks to you, I can clean up this mess that you guys created. Isn’t it okay?”
“I tried to use magic to clean it up. I was going to clean it up, but…”
Roland’s eyes are teary.
“The more I use magic, the more I mess it up…”
It was a confession that explained the reason for the water droplets and bubbles seen everywhere.
“Aigoo.”
Karina left the mop and approached Roland.
Roland was still covered in flour dough, but Karina didn’t mind and hugged him.
Her clothes were dirty because she was cleaning anyway.
“Roland, if there’s anything wrong with you is that you’re trying to figure out everything on your own. Instead of waiting for me to come.”
“I-Isn’t it my fault that I didn’t do well?”
The way he looked up at Karina in bewilderment was heartbreaking. His eyes hurt her heart. Karina shook her head trying not to bite her lips.
“No, the two of you aren’t alone anymore.”
“…We always had to do it together even at the orphanage.”
“Not now.”
Karina spoke with strength.
“You can always ask me for help.”
“Mom… it’s hard.”
“Yeah, Roland is right. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard.”
Karina hugged Roland even tightly.
“But there are things you can do on your own, and there are things I can do on my own.”
“Mom…”
“You guys have to ask me for help if you think you’re having a hard time on your own. Don’t just rely on each other. Okay?
“Yes…!”
A muffled answer came out from Roland’s throat. Karina let out a sigh and comforted Roland. Soon after, Melissa burst into tears as well.
She hugged the two children and wiped away the tears before thinking for a moment. It’s a mess when they step out of the bathroom.
Seeing that the children had flour dough all over their bodies, it seemed as if she had to wash them properly. Perhaps the innkeeper who heard the commotion would say something.
Nevertheless…
Karina was happy.
* * *
Just as the children get used to their new lives, Karina also gets used to her new job. Wilder saw through Karina’s difficulty and promised to pay her the first month’s salary two weeks ahead of schedule.
Karina was already looking forward to her first payday which is three days later. She finally learned how rubies and garnets were different, and how to distinguish diamonds from each other.
However, Wilder didn’t teach magic stones properly like any other common gems. Rather, he showed Karina the precious magic stones and asked her what she thought. Each time Karina explained exactly what she felt, Wilder seemed to be very satisfied.
“You’re very talented.”
“Is it a jeweler’s talent?”
“Secret.”
Wilder giggled, picked up the magic stone that Karina said was suspicious a while ago, and looked carefully.
“I assure you. In three years, Mrs. Bloe will be able to open a store so big that she will ignore this little store.”
Karina knew Wilder wasn’t talking about jewelry.
“Magic stone… Is it a merchant?”
“Let’s say it’s magical.”
“…!”
“It’s not a bad job, a magician. It’s a problem that you have to deal with dark people like wizards, but…”
After listening to Wilder’s complaints, Karina suddenly asked a question.
“Is Your Grace the Duke a magician?”
“The Duke?”
Wilder rolled his eyes.
“Didn’t I tell you?”
“It’s just that he’s good at magic…”
“It’s literally attainments. Only attainments.”
“What?”
Karina wanted to ask exactly what those words meant but stood up when the bell rang announcing a guest’s entrance.
“Welcome. Wilder Jewelry Store…”
The end of the words became blurred by itself.
“See you again.”
It has been more than a week since she heard it, but a vivid voice in her memory is still stuck in Karina’s ear.
“We were actually talking about you, did you come safely?”
“…My story?”
The Duke’s sharp eyes widened.
“With who?”
“Don’t you see three people here, not two?”
Wilder grumbled openly.
“…”
The Duke gazed at Karina with a look that seemed to demand an explanation.
Since Wilder seemed unwilling to give a proper answer, it was up to Karina to explain.
“Ah, that’s… we were talking about magic stone…”
“Is that so?”
The Duke waved his hand as if it was enough to interrupt Karina.
“Then I’ve come just in time.”
He handed a silk bag into Wilder’s hand.
“Is it from the Imperial Family?”
“My headache was troubling me.”
“Your Grace, what’s the trouble? I’m the one that’s troubled.”
“My head hurts being nagged by you.”
Wilder seemed to sigh and called Karina.
“Mrs. Bloe, take a look at this.”
Karina received the pouch from Wilder.
The embroidered lion with gold thread seemed to suggest that an unusual object was contained inside.
“…!”
“What do you feel?”
Instead of answering, Karina hurriedly shook her head and returned it to Wilder.
“This is… dangerous.”
“Dangerous?”
“It’s similar to what I saw on the first day.”
Karina explained as quickly as possible. She wanted to get out of that area as soon as possible.
“I think it’s going to explode soon.”
After that, everything went crazy. The Duke snatched the pocket from Wilder in an instant and took out the magic stone contained in it.
“…!”
Karina’s eyes widened. It wasn’t the standard stone-shaped magic stone that she had seen before.
It was a gorgeous coral brooch that any noble lady could wear around.
The Duke grabbed the coral brooch as if ready to crush it any minute.
“Look carefully.”
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Wilder grumbled.
“That’s the identity of Your Grace the Duke, who you were so curious about.”
“Shut up, Wilder.”
She can understand the vague words that make the Duke sweat on his forehead.
But in the next moment, the sight reflected in Karina’s retina completely shattered the speculation.