Father, I Won’t Do Anything

Among the soirees featuring music, she wanted to attend one where Delizen, a harpsichordist recently gaining fame, would be performing.

A faint blush crept onto Jaina’s cheeks.

She opened her desk and took out a sheet of white paper, then carefully began writing with black ink.

It was a letter stating her intention to attend.

* * *

“Oh my, is that the lady over there?”

The moment Jaina entered the soiree hall, she sensed an unusual atmosphere.

Originally, soirees were hosted to showcase one’s daughter to potential exceptional grooms.

‘It seems I’ll be the center of attention at this ball.’

In the distance, the daughter of a renowned noble family was gracefully greeting people.

A lady in stark contrast to Jaina, who didn’t mention her household.

“Jaina.”

Being named the Lady of May was certainly a great honor.

Among the ladies who had previously been bestowed that title, none had failed to become the hostess of a prestigious household or receive special treatment in high society.

However, this time seemed different.

She could feel people casting inquisitive glances her way, either hiding their faces behind fans or sneaking furtive peeks – all equally insincere gestures.

“Hmm, hmm. That courtyard over there is quite beautiful, isn’t it?”

“The desserts are just, so delicious!”

Fortunately, Jaina wasn’t alone.

Even as her chaperon drew attention, some ladies tried to divert the gazes directed at Jaina by pretending nothing was amiss.

They were the same friends who had laughed and chatted with Jaina at the Magic Tower.

‘They’re going out of their way for me in this situation. I’m grateful.’

Jaina’s expression softened.

However, the situation didn’t allow her any reprieve. Countess Morto, who had hosted the soiree, approached Jaina with her daughter in tow.

“Oh my, Lady Jaina. Is it alright to address you as such? Propriety would dictate calling you by your surname.”

“Please, feel free to call me Jaina, Lady.”

“But I do feel sorry for you.”

It was a veiled pressure tactic, urging Jaina to reveal her surname. At the same time, it emphasized her lowly status, unworthy of even having a surname to state.

But Jaina didn’t falter.

‘This falls within my expectations. I’m glad I came prepared with countermeasures.’

Jaina knew prolonging this situation would only lead to unpleasantness.

“Hoping you’ll treat me warmly, I’ve brought a gift for Lady Morto.”

“A gift, you say?”

As the conversation seemed to shift direction, Countess Morto’s eyebrow twitched.

Jaina calmly smiled as she unveiled what she had brought.

“This is…”

“A sphere that can record visuals. It was recently invented at the Magic Tower and is being revealed to the outside world for the first time.”

Upon Jaina mentioning the ‘Magic Tower,’ those around pricked up their ears. People began discreetly approaching, clearing their throats and pretending nonchalance.

Though Lady Morto flinched as all the attention shifted from her to Jaina, even she couldn’t help but be intrigued by the gift Jaina had presented.

“If Lady Morto were to use this sphere on her wedding day, she would be able to revisit the memories of her most beautiful day time and again.”

Those words caused an uproar among the crowd.

While others tried to interject with questions, Lady Morto was quicker.

“Thank you so much, Lady Jaina!”

She firmly grasped Jaina’s hands, her eyes sparkling. Seeing this, Marilyn flinched and shot a wary glance, though Lady Morto seemed oblivious.

“As you’ve suggested, I’ll be sure to use it at my wedding. A sphere that records visuals, how innovative! The Magic Tower is truly remarkable!”

Even Countess Morto, initially wearing a ‘this isn’t right’ expression, couldn’t tear her gaze away from the sphere Jaina had given her. She was well aware of the Magic Tower’s prestige.

“Please, call me Lady Martin instead of Lady Morto!”

Lady Morto dropped her demure act and spoke eagerly, but those around, their curiosity piqued, didn’t let Jaina go either.

“Can all the magicians of the Magic Tower create these visual spheres?”

“How long until these become commercially available?”

“I won’t ask you to give me one, but…”

Jaina remained silent as they chattered noisily, seizing a momentary lull to briefly respond.

“Unfortunately, I only have a limited number of spheres. The Tower Lord personally created them.”

An instant silence fell. People gazed at Jaina with astonished expressions.

“The, the Tower Lord personally made them?”

“Since he entrusted them to me, instructing me to use them well, it would be improper for me to carelessly hand them out.”

Beside her, Martin murmured in an awestruck tone:

“For you to receive such a precious gift!”

“You must share a close bond with the Tower Lord! I’ve never heard of him gifting anyone before!”

Though Jaina didn’t answer, merely curving her lips upward, the excited crowd took her silence as confirmation, reaching their own conclusions.

“To have attended a recital together, Lady Jaina must truly be an exceptional individual.”

“How did you come to know him?”

Jaina shook her head, replying:

“I’d rather not say, lest I inadvertently cause any trouble for the Tower Lord.”

As if apologizing, the people frantically waved their hands in denial.

And it was at that very moment.

“If you share such a deep bond with the Tower Lord, then I’m quite intrigued.”

Jaina looked up at the man who had naturally parted the crowd to approach her.

Taller than the rest by at least a head.

A smooth-featured, handsome man with a gentle, becoming smile.

With a face that would endear him to anyone, he asked:

“With that level of connection, I presume it would be impossible for anyone to try and harm you, Lady Jaina?”

The man’s words seemed to carry an enigmatic power. When he spoke, it felt as if everyone’s attention was drawn to him.

He smiled faintly.

“May I trouble you for an introduction, Countess Morto?”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

However, even before the Countess Morto could introduce him, the murmurs around suggested he was someone famous.

“Lady Jaina, this is the person I invited for today’s soiree. The harpsichordist, Lord Raikis.”

Gleaming blue eyes, the man smiled.

“I look forward to our acquaintance, Lady Jaina.”

For some reason, Jaina felt an inexplicable familiarity towards this man.

‘I’m definitely not the type to warm up to people so quickly…’

Jaina objectively knew herself to be neither affable nor outgoing. She didn’t particularly enjoy socializing.

And yet, she didn’t find him unfamiliar at first glance.

‘Is it because he’s handsome?’

Though perplexed, she had encountered countless good-looking men before. Jaina found it strange but soon brushed it aside and spoke.

“I’ve heard you’re a renowned harpsichordist. With all the preparations for my debutante, I regrettably missed attending any recitals recently and didn’t get the chance to see you perform.”

“It seems you frequently attend harpsichord recitals.”

“I’m rather fond of the harpsichord myself, though it’s embarrassing to admit.”

With the shared interest of the harpsichord, Jaina found herself conversing easily with Raikis. Those around also seemed to take their cue, interjecting into the two’s discussion to share various opinions.

Eventually, Raikis asked Jaina if she had any pieces she wished to hear, then took a seat at the harpsichord in one corner of the soiree hall. And he began a captivating performance.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can see why Lord Raikis is so renowned.”

“You flatter me, Lady Jaina.”

Raikis mentioned he was currently seeking a permanent position, as recitals were infrequent and didn’t provide a stable income.

“In that case, would you be willing to teach me the harpsichord?”

Since Charlotte, Jaina had only intermittently had harpsichord tutors. The one who had been teaching her until recently had abruptly quit due to an accident.

“If entrusted to me, I shall do my utmost.”

Raikis smiled. For some reason, it felt like a familiar smile.

* * *

Mikael’s tracking magic was quite advanced. Having experienced instances where Jaina had disappeared without a word, he had rigorously trained in tracking magic.

However…

“I couldn’t find any trace of who ruined Jaina’s debutante dress.”

Jaina had mentioned suspecting Countess Milpres, who had stepped on her dress at the arena, but the Countess had never learned magic.

Even if she had secretly learned, it was hard to imagine her skills surpassing Mikael’s level.

Thus, there was only one conclusion.

Furrowing his brow, Mikael said:

“Regrettably, it’s possible someone of even greater skill than myself has set their sights on Jaina.”

Diamid knew that while Mikael appeared composed outwardly, he was in fact extremely prideful. For him to readily admit this meant the opponent was truly formidable.

“I had initially thought it was merely meant to intimidate the debutante ladies, but the incident seems more dangerous than expected.”

Diamid remained silent upon hearing Mikael’s report. The heavy oppression permeating the room. Mikael knew better than to provoke Diamid at such times. He was also aware that offering advice or counsel had never worked out well for him in the past.

“People are curious why Jaina doesn’t mention her family name. Even my esteemed aunt, hailed as a hero, can only silence casual social gatherings.”

However, when it came to matters regarding Jaina, it was an exception.

“I’m aware the Tower Lord cares for Jaina. But does that mean you’ll neglect her well-being after sacrificing your own mana to save her life?”

Emboldened by Diamid’s silence, Mikael continued.

“Just the fact that she attended a concert with the Tower Lord, just the fact that he personally gifted her something, has already greatly benefited Jaina. If you were to acknowledge her as your daughter during this period and bestow the surname ‘Bellafanian,’ who would dare lay a hand on her?”

“But is that what the child herself wants?”

This time, it was Mikael who fell silent.