“I’ve never seen such arrogant fellows before! Miss Edith, if you ever happen to encounter a wizard, quickly avoid them. Don’t even think about meeting them!”

Despite the doctor’s warning mixed with advice, Edith couldn’t say anything and just laughed it off.

“Go on, Mister Vincent must be busy, so go now! I will sincerely attend to you.”

“Don’t say unnecessary things.”

“Yes, yes.”

However, looking at this cheerful wizard, Aaron, she felt that her worries were unnecessary.

After Vincent left, Aaron guided her to the Duke’s office. The view beyond the window, with lush green grass and a fountain with clear water spurting out, was quite beautiful.

“Welcome to the Ministry of Magic! Isn’t the newly built building really clean?”

“It really is. It’s a newly built building?”

While sipping the herbal tea he offered, Edith asked, and Aaron shrugged.

“Oh, Miss Edith, are you not from the capital?”

“I’m from Barony Brussels.”

“Umm, Brussels… I don’t know much about noble families, actually.”

“That’s understandable.”

Seeing him feeling sorry, Edith smiled to reassure him. In fact, even people who were knowledgeable were likely to be unaware of the fallen Barony.

“Then, you probably haven’t known about the Ministry of Magic in the past few years.”

“Is the Ministry of Magic a recent establishment?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s a newly established department, not even a year old. It was such a mess!”

This time, Edith tilted her head.

As far as she knew, the Ministry of Magic boasted a long tradition and history. wizards have been around for a very long time. Still, it was strange that a Ministry of Magic, which was said to have conquered the continent, was established recently in the Robedon Empire.

Come to think of it, it didn’t make sense.

“I lived in a secluded village where news rarely reached. I’m embarrassed, though I don’t know much about the capital, Aaron.”

“Ah, I see! That makes sense. The Ministry of Magic was continually postponed due to opposition from the temple, but it was established last year. It’s all thanks to Duke Devion’s efforts.”

As Aaron spoke, he seemed a bit proud, showing his admiration for Duke Devion.

“The temple opposed it?”

“Oh, didn’t you know? Wizards and priests are almost like enemies. They consider us sinners who steal the power of the devil.”

Even in the current era, calling us devils!

Aaron was outraged.

“Duke Devion played an active role in the war, and that’s how the Ministry of Magic was established.”

Although Edith had already heard this from Vincent, it seemed that Duke Devion was indeed an extraordinary figure. One person could influence the outcome of a war on the continent.

As she was admiring, a sudden question popped into her mind.

“I heard that Duke Devion is the successor of the Magic Tower. Then, is he currently serving in both positions?”

“Uh… no, not really…”

Aaron, who had been eagerly sharing information until now, seemed hesitant as if he had reached a topic that shouldn’t be discussed.

‘Did I ask something I shouldn’t have?’

As she rolled her eyes in confusion, suddenly, a low voice came from behind.

“It’s been two years since I was excommunicated from the Magic Tower.”

“Uwah, Duke!”

Startled, Aaron and Edith turned around almost simultaneously.

‘Wow…’

Looking at the person standing by the door, she couldn’t help but be mesmerized.

The slender, tall figure before her was undoubtedly the most handsome man she had ever seen—in both this world and the other.

His light silver hair, almost appearing white at a glance, and ash-gray eyes might have seemed otherworldly, but they harmonized perfectly with the man. His deep eye gave a sharp impression, and combined with the cold gaze, they exuded a neat charm.

“So, it’s not a dual position. To be precise, I don’t have the qualifications for that.”

“Gree, greetings, Duke.”

Edith, who had been staring blankly at the excessively handsome man in a daze, belatedly greeted him. She was so taken aback that she stumbled over her words for a moment.

“Haha, then I’ll be on my way… Please, enjoy your conversation!”

With an awkward smile, Aaron, who had been scratching the back of his head, quickly exited the room. Thanks to him, the two of them were left alone.

Tap, tap.

The sound of footsteps approaching had a precise rhythm. As the Duke, who was standing at a proper distance, looked down at her, Edith quickly composed herself and met his gaze. His red lips seemed to be on the verge of saying something.

Faced with his icy stare, she involuntarily tensed up.

“Do you prefer standing while talking?”

“No, I should sit…”

However, her tension disappeared as soon as she resumed her seat. Edith realized she had forgotten when she stood up.

With a slightly awkward smile, she finally sat back down across from the Duke.

‘I’ve never seen someone sit so elegantly.’

Glancing at him, she couldn’t help but marvel silently.

Then, taking a cue from him, she straightened her posture. Despite always emphasizing proper posture to the children, she found herself a bit awkward as she wasn’t very good at practicing what she preached.

“Has your curiosity been resolved?”

“Ah, that…”

For a moment, Edith forgot about her conversation with Aaron. She had unintentionally touched upon a sensitive topic, so there might be some discomfort.

“I apologize, Duke. It was impolite to ask without knowing much of the affairs of the capital.”

Edith decided to apologize directly rather than beat around the bush. Regardless, she spoke about something without the person involved being there.

“…There’s no need for an apology.”

The Duke’s eyebrows lifted slightly before returning to their original position.

“You can’t consider asking questions due to lack of knowledge a sin, can you? There’s no separate agreement to maintain secrecy, so it’s fine.”

Despite the fact that she worried that she might face severe consequences when encountering someone of such high status, the Duke seemed unaffected.

“Did His Majesty mention anything specific?”

Relieved, Edith answered the following question with a gulp. Although they had only met a short while ago, he seemed like a straightforward person.

“He sent a marriage oath.”

She took out the document and placed it on the table so that the Duke could see it clearly.

“Thi, is a marriage oath…with the duke.”

Well, saying it out loud made her a bit awkward. Marrying this person? Her past self, who felt tempted by the term wizard, now seemed a bit ridiculous, making the whole situation feel unreal.

‘Let’s just consider it as coming to the capital early, that’s all.’

Thinking that way, she felt much more at ease. Since she was here, she might as well continue the conversation and then leave. The only regret was that she couldn’t ask about the Magic Tower.

While silently staring at the documents, the Duke asked quietly.

“Was there no separate explanation about me?”

“Um… you’re twenty-three years old this year, right? Oh! I’m twenty-two.”

Edith introduced herself politely. Thinking that he might not be very interested in further details, she found it too late.

“You’re a Duke, a great wizard who led the Empire to victory, and, um, you’re healthy…”

Her voice gradually faded away. It was because, looking back, she realized she hadn’t heard much from Vincent.

‘But I can’t say, “I heard you’re handsome and wealthy!”’

It was true, but it didn’t feel right to say it out loud. As she fell silent, the Duke stared at her intently while sitting by the window.

His eyes looked almost ashen.

“Do you have feelings for me?”

“…Yes?”

Edith asked dumbfoundedly. She had considered various questions he might ask, but this was not something she expected.

“Um, well, that’s….”

She struggled, pondering deeply on how to answer without causing any offense. The Duke continued to watch her attentively.

‘Of course, you’re crazy handsome!’

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