# 75
---
No, why is everyone screaming like that today? !
I could barely calm my racing heart and looked at Allen and Jack.
However, she soon decided to accept Askart's proposal as wonderful.
Of course, I don't know how much Allen and Jack know what it means that I've been invited to the Principality of Pylos, or more specifically, the Magic Tower.
Ascart's offer meant that he recognized my talent as a witch, and that he would give me the necessary qualifications to enter the magic tower.
The Magic Tower of the Principality of Pylos had a different meaning because it recognized the independence of individual magicians, as opposed to the patronage of ordinary noble families.
To be honest, I was a little tempted because the Magic Tower is a place with strong individualistic tendencies and does not impose restrictions on individual activities even if one is affiliated.
'Belonging somewhere is still exhausting...'
I thought that if it was a high-ranking magic tower from the Principality of Pylos, I would be able to reveal the secrets of not only the master but also my return.
"Why can't you answer? Are you really going?"
“Noona, where are you going leaving Diana behind?”
Diana's eyes widened at Allen's noise.
The little girl hugged my waist and asked me with a nervous look on her face.
"No, right? You're not going anywhere."
“...ahaha.”
It broke my heart when I saw Diana looking at me with teary eyes.
'I don't think I can leave...'
I gave up on it early, but I don't think I can leave now.
Even if I left the duchy and became independent, I had no intention of severing ties.
On the contrary, my desire to confidently stay by Diana's side became stronger, and that was the time when I tried to tell her clearly that I was not going anywhere.
Bobobobong —!
Before I could even answer, the highlight of the Academy Festival, the fireworks, began.
* * *
Indeed, the fireworks that everyone was looking forward to were beautiful.
I also saw fireworks every time there was a founding ceremony or other major events and festivals of the empire.
However, this was the first time I had seen it properly, as I was always on a mission or stopped to look at it for a while while on the go.
I was bitter when I realized that I lived a life so far from the normality of my previous life, but I was also grateful because I realized how much I deserved.
“Miss, I'm not going anywhere.”
The same was true for Diana, who was now hugging my waist tightly and not letting go.
“Hmm, but brother...”
“You believe Young Master’s words more than I do.”
“No! Diana believes Nona more!”
As soon as I pretended to be sad and sullen, Diana shook her head and I cradled her in my arms.
“Diana...!” Allen shouted in a desperate voice from behind, but it didn't seem to reach Diana's ears.
“Noona, are you really not going?”
"certainly."
“Hehehe haha.”
Diana smiled brightly when she looked up and saw the bread crumbs on her mouth, as if it were worth soothing her with affirmations over and over again.
Even though I was worried about where to go, I ended up eating the snacks sold inside the academy that Tice bought for me.
As I gently removed it and wiped his mouth, I noticed that the baby's swollen tummy was very cute.
“Hey, don't look.”
It was so cute that she looked embarrassed and covered it with her little hand.
“You are so cute, where should I go?”
As soon as I spoke with a chuckle, a warm look fell on my cheek.
When I turned my head, Lucio was looking at me.
"You . … ".
“Miss, you have to go now.”
As soon as Lucio opened his mouth to say something, Tice, who had been observing the movement while guarding the area, spoke to the Duchess.
When the fireworks ended, many people stood up to leave the academy.
In fact, the true end of the Academy Festival was the expensive party, but since it was only open to students, it was time for the visitors to leave.
“It's already late, Lucio, you too will have to attend the party, so go quickly.”
When the Duchess spoke with a look of remorse, Lucio shook his head.
“I will bid you farewell at the academy gate.”
As I followed him, I noticed students dressed in academy uniforms carrying flowers for their partners.
She suddenly wondered who Lucio's partner was.
Even after his coming-of-age ceremony, he did not have a fiancée, so he received a lot of attention from noble ladies and misses.
'Of course, maybe because of Lucio's cold personality, no one approached him openly.'
However, it is the prom that the academy students look forward to the most, so they won't miss it.
In particular, in the future, unlike his father, Duke Ellard, Lucio showed very political movements and formed close relationships with noble figures.
He also made such an appearance that Terenceum did not designate him as a person of interest and investigated him.
Therefore, since joining the academy, he must have already built relationships with other nobles and noble ladies.
There is no way to miss a great opportunity like a concert.
“So Lucio will dance too, right?”
No matter how different my situation was from my previous life, the life of a noble still seemed like a story far removed from me.
"prom."
To me, the ball was just a way to secretly infiltrate a noble family while carrying out a mission.
‘Ah, maybe I will be invited because I will become incredibly rich in this life….’
“Are you listening to me?”
"Yes?"
“For men, appearance is not everything! If you chase a man just by looking at his face, you will be very hurt!”
Oh, my God.
Does this still mean that sound?
She looked at Allen, who was in a high fever with a silly expression on his face.
Every time I hear that he is handsome, my mouth waters.
I felt like I was looking at Allen's simple, studious personality, and when I looked at him with a bored expression, he added as if I had been stabbed for no reason.
“Well, of course Askart has a good personality and a great personality, but that's not true for everyone.”
“But he said it was better to be a handsome ar than an ugly rich man.”
“What, what!”
Allen looked embarrassed, perhaps not expecting me to refute him.
Actually, I could have ignored it, but it was a bit annoying to keep repeating it over and over again.
“Who on earth told you that?”
Allen jumped up and said something, but I couldn't tell that it was Loeb, who was a guild official, who taught me, so I just told him that I heard it somewhere.
Then the Duchess, who had been listening to the conversation between Alan and me, burst into laughter.
“I don’t know who said that, but he is very smart, but Leah, being good-looking is good, but being handsome and rich at the same time is even better.”
When the Duchess smiled happily as she said this, she felt the indescribable aura of a winner.
Realizing this, I brought my hands together and looked up with sparkling eyes. Suddenly, Jack whispered something in Taiz's ear with a serious expression.
Then Tice suddenly burst into laughter.
“H—huh, I’ll tell you the details of the knight’s salary when I get back.”
It was then that I tilted my head to see Jack's face turn bright red at an unexpected remark.
“Oh my God, it seems like it's already over.”
An unexpected person appeared.
'A handsome and rich man. …!’
Duke Elad, who was entering the academy gate, frowned when he saw us about to leave.
"what are you doing here?"
“I came to pick you up.”
“You said you'd be late today.”
The Duchess asked in surprise, but the Duke only shrugged.
At the same time, I noticed that the Duke was secretly looking at Lucio, and I smiled to myf happily.
Since the Duke did not express it, it seemed as terrible to Lucio as it had been to Diana and Aline.
The Duchess was shaking her head, thinking that maybe she didn't choose him just because he was handsome and rich.
Lucio and I made eye contact again.
His mouth twitched as if he was about to say something.
“People seem to be getting more crowded, let's go back quickly.”
As the people were heading to leave the academy, the Duke said angrily.
Fortunately, Tees had moved his knights in advance, and the Duke's carriage was waiting outside the school gate.
“Lucio, you worked hard today, thank you.”
“Oppa, bye!”
“Goodbye, brother!”
As I watched the Duchess greet each other and get into the carriage, I also bowed briefly to Lucio and climbed into the carriage.
It was that moment.
“For a moment.”
Lucio quickly grabbed my arm.
The people around us looked surprised, but I actually felt like something was coming.
Because I realized I wasn't wrong.
'Maybe it was when I was watching the fireworks.'
Several times, I saw Lucio open his mouth as if he had something to say to me.
"You . … ".
“Master, I am working hard on the studies you asked me to do. I also go to the library every day. I will take good care of Little Miss, so please trust me!”
As soon as Lucio opened his mouth, the words poured out with determined eyes.
Anyway, the only thing Lucio would say to me was to confirm what he asked me last time, so I answered hurriedly so as not to waste time.
“Even without him saying anything, I can sense Master’s emotions and respond to him in advance.”
I was very happy because I thought I had become a very skilled and capable user.