Until the Magic Festival
She said she couldn't perfectly turn back time until the Magic Festival. But since the process of reversing time was underway, the curse should be gradually weakening. If the mage who cast the curse was among the visitors to the mansion during the Magic Festival period, it would be enough to notice something off.
A great many people would soon visit the mansion to see the northern Magic Festival. Among them, few would get to meet the duke in person. I had to observe them all from the duke's side. To catch a clue about the mage who had cursed the duke.
The Magic Tower Master was devoting all his efforts to reversing the duke's time, so the only mage who could help me was Ren. I glanced at Ian, who sat there like a stone statue beside me.
Though we'd only just met today, if I wanted to use him like one of my own limbs, I'd have to tell him everything eventually anyway. With my mind made up, I spoke to Ren again.
"Ren, any progress on what I asked for?"
Ren was, after all, just an apprentice mage from the Magic Tower who had come to the ducal residence. It would be nice if he could accompany me to the Magic Festival, but he had duties to fulfill as a mage of the tower. So, to catch the mage who cursed the duke, I'd asked him for a special favor.
"It's all done. Here you go."
Ren handed me a red gemstone. It was the magic stone I'd given him not long ago.
The north wasn't just home to ordinary gem mines. There were also mines yielding magic stones infused with mana. Far rarer than regular gems, but they all belonged to House Carpoem anyway.
Magic stones were vital not only to mages but also to knights, merchants, and travelers. Because you could craft all sorts of magic items with them.
I possessed the Dragon's Mana, but I wasn't a mage. So I couldn't shape a magic stone into what I wanted on my own.
I took the small red magic stone Ren offered and stared at it. It seemed even more vivid in color than before.
"Now you just need to infuse it with your mana, my lady."
"Thank you so much, Ren."
I smiled in satisfaction. Shaped into a bracelet, the little gem would be perfect to wear.
That bracelet would lead me to the mage who cursed the duke.
Ren had observed the duke in the meantime and analyzed the curse's incantation. Then he'd researched a way to find the caster.
Normally, engraving a spell into a magic stone let you use that exact spell indefinitely. Most spells could be activated easily with just a small infusion of mana.
But curses were different. Engraving a curse into a magic stone didn't let you cast the same curse magic. Instead, you analyzed the caster's incantation exactly and engraved that into the stone. Then, infusing it with mana from the cursed target would send a portion of the curse rebounding back to the original caster.
Of course, the caster would have already sacrificed a scapegoat to shield themselves from the curse's harm. So the rebounding damage would be minimal.
But if I, who could wield the Dragon's Mana, was there at that moment, I could sense who the curse had rebounded to.
It seemed a bit tedious. Since I didn't know who the caster was, I'd have to infuse mana into the stone and observe every time an outsider approached the duke.
"Don't hold onto it too long. Even though it's just a magic stone holding a curse, I can't say for sure it won't harm you."
"Don't worry. I'll dispose of it right after the Magic Festival."
So I had to identify the caster before the festival ended. I clutched the tiny magic stone in my hand.
So far, everything was going smoothly.
I sent Ren away first, then turned to Ian, who remained in the room. He'd heard our entire conversation, yet his expression hadn't changed a whit.
"Ian, anything you're curious about?"
"None, my lady."
"Really?"
His response surprised me so much I widened my eyes. It had been a suspicious conversation to overhear. He must have had questions galore. Yet Ian stayed utterly silent, as if nothing mattered to him.
"Yes."
"……."
He was like a finely crafted automaton. I was starting to doubt if he was even human.
"Well, whatever. It's late—go get some rest. There's no danger here in the mansion, so no need to guard my door."
"But……."
"I have no use for subordinates who don't obey me."
At my firm tone, Ian looked a touch flustered. His pale face grew even paler. He seemed stubborn enough that if I didn't put it this way, he wouldn't listen.
In the end, Ian had no choice but to return to his room.
Worried he might sneak back, I checked several times, but there was no sign of him. He seemed to be resting in his room as I'd told him.
Reassured, I went to bed.
* * *
Time passed, and nobles from various countries began visiting the ducal residence to attend the Magic Festival. I stood beside the duke, greeting the first guest to arrive.
"It's an honor to meet you, Your Grace."
"Hoho, still so stiff. It's been too long, Isaac."
The duke laughed heartily and clapped the man on the shoulder. I watched him with some tension.
Isaac Lupus, the duke's own younger brother. A character who barely appeared in the novel.
Moreover, he and Abigail weren't on good terms. Even after the duke's death in the story, he'd viewed her with displeasure and hadn't helped her in her time of need. Abigail, pride wounded, had never once asked her uncle for aid.
The duke overshadowed him, but Isaac was no slouch—a child prodigy in his own right. He hadn't inherited the Dragon's Mana, but he shared the same draconic blood. To ordinary folk, he must have seemed superhuman.
He'd inherited the Lupus countship, one of the north's powerful houses, and developed his lands impressively. He still bolstered the duke greatly.
In the original story, he'd opposed the southern-born crown prince becoming a hero, picking fights whenever the prince acted in the north. He'd eventually submitted, though. Like the duke, he was a man of spirit—never coveting House Carpoem out of greed.
"My lady."
"It's been a while, Uncle."
Count Lupus greeted me stiffly, then eyed me anew. I wasn't in a dress but in a knight's uniform, per our discussion with the duke.
Unlike standard knight uniforms, mine had extra ornamentation for flair. On the left breast gleamed the dragon emblem, worn only by House Carpoem's rulers.
Showing this uniform to guests was tantamount to declaring indirectly that I would be the heir. That was why Count Lupus, who had never thought well of Abigail, looked taken aback.
"My lady."
"Ah, Henry."
I approached the boy greeting me from behind Count Lupus. Henry's son and Abigail's cousin, Henry. With no siblings, he was like an older brother to her. The one person the fierce Abigail treated warmly. Seeing him stirred an unexpected fondness in me too.
"Father, it's been ages—mind if Henry and I chat alone?"
"Go ahead."
With the duke's permission, I led Henry to my room. Just in case, I slipped a bit of mana into the bracelet with Count Lupus nearby, but as expected, no reaction.
With no other important guests today besides the count, I relaxed and bantered with Henry.
"Abi, you've grown so much taller."
"Right? I'll surpass you soon."
"Haha, as if."
Henry flashed a gentle smile and ruffled my hair. His soft nature meant he'd never once gotten angry at Abigail. That was why she couldn't be venomous with him. He must take after the countess. Count Lupus looked and acted just like the duke—stodgy, worlds apart from Henry.
It reminded me, so I asked Henry, "Why didn't Aunt come?"
"Oh, Mother……."
Henry trailed off awkwardly. Thinking back, Abigail's memories held few glimpses of the countess. Unlike the duchess, she seemed healthy, yet she rarely showed her face at House Carpoem. Her image in Abigail's mind was hazy.
"Why? Is Aunt ill?"
"No, not that."
Henry, who couldn't lie, hemmed and hawed before spilling the truth. His refined face clouded with worry.
"Things have been tense between her and Father lately."
"Sorry, shouldn't have pried."
"Nah, it's fine. Natural to wonder."
A bad marital spat, then. I pictured Count Lupus's rigid face. Stiffer than the duke, he hardly seemed the type for a harmonious marriage. Poor countess. I pitied her inwardly.
"Here, drink this and cheer up. Made it myself."
"What's this? Weird color."
"Hehe, strawberry milk. Try it."
I was sure he'd love it. Henry had always been a sucker for sweets. Sure enough, his pupils dilated after the first sip.
"Whoa, this is delicious."
"Told you. I'll give you the recipe later."
"Thanks, Abi."
Henry beamed, then spotted Ian behind me and fell silent. He sidled up and whispered, "But who's that guy? He's been glaring at me hardcore."
"Oh, Ian?"
I replied nonchalantly. "He's a Servbo. Ian Servbo."
"Whoa, one of those zealot Servbos?"
"Yeah."
Henry knew of the Servbo clan too. He kept stealing glances at Ian, fascinated.
"Why are zealots here? For the Magic Festival?"
"Well……."
I hesitated. To explain Ian to Henry, I'd first have to tell him about my awakening and becoming House Carpoem's heir.
Henry was one of the few Abigail could trust. He'd offered no real help in the original story, but at least no betrayal.
"I'm telling you first, Henry—just you."
"What is it?"
"I've actually awakened."
"What?"
Henry's eyes went wide. He knew about dragons too, no doubt educated by his father, Count Lupus.
"For real? You've awakened?"
"Yeah."
"Ah, so that's why the uniform…… Impressive!"
Amazed, Henry inspected my uniform closely. With Carpoem blood, he had talent in swordsmanship too, clearly intrigued by the dragon's power.
"Spar with me sometime."
"Sure. I'm busy lately—after the Magic Festival?"
"Deal. Can't wait."
Henry's eyes burned with fighting spirit. Once he inherited the Lupus countship, he'd be my vassal, so maintaining good relations was key.
The issue was his father, Count Lupus. The rigid man had disliked Abigail, so he surely still viewed me askance. I'd need to win him over for smooth sailing ahead.
"Haha, you're finally growing up, Abi. Your big bro's thrilled."
"Ugh, cut it out."
Henry laughed loudly and mussed my curls. Even as a kid, he'd playfully tousle them, fascinated by the texture. I didn't hate it—giggling, I swatted his hand away in mock protest, playing along.
That was when Ian, standing behind me, stepped forward and grabbed Henry's arm.