Re: The Villainess Does It With Class

Estelle stared at the closed door absent-mindedly. She was immersed in her own thoughts even after Nine came back and reclaimed her position behind the counter. The latter was also watching the young woman brooding in silence, seemingly there but not there at the same time as she stroked the cat's fur lovingly. 

She had already asked her beforehand if something was bothering her but the lady answered positively, saying that she was just thinking. No shit.

As Estelle continued to be lost in her own world, Nine noticed that she was fiddling with her necklace's pendant as she did so. She stared at the necklace with interest before letting out an ambiguous smile.

---**

It's Gwen's tea party the next day and Nadia decides to go to the capital. According to her, it was not for any specific reason aside from buying gifts and frolicking around. She hasn't visited the arcane tower for a week now and she's planning to visit again after the party. For now, Nadia decided to just do idle things. After all, it's been a while since she lazed her days away.

She was dressed as a peasant this time too and was being accompanied by two of her handmaids while Uno and a few secret guards followed her around silently. She would occasionally stop to look at things, whichever fascinates her. Uno had been vigilant these days because he had noticed some strange individuals tailing them for some time now.

He remained sharp and had ordered the rest to do the same. They tried to locate these suspicious individuals many times and yet they couldn't even guess where they were exactly at. They just feel them lurking in the shadows.

One other person was also spending their day in leisure and had roamed the capital to relieve his boredom. Even with Janus's warning that he should only stay in the tower at all times, Merlin couldn't help himself and go against Janus's wishes. He is aware that the magician might be displeased because of this but come on, he is bored out of his mind.

Plus he liked annoying Janus anyway so it's a win-win for him.

Humming, he easily blended in within the crowd and suppressed his aura so he would appear normal to others. But even with his powers restrained, he could still use his magic perception for it is innate as a magic-born such as him. So when he was suddenly slapped with overwhelming magic in the face, making his senses tingle, Merlin immediately searched for the owner of it.

So bold…

These normal citizens may not feel it but they would surely be affected by the onslaught of magic unknowingly. Not that it was dangerous, it was actually beneficial!

There is a white magician somewhere!

Merlin began to feel excited. This magic is undoubtedly from a white witch, he is sure of it. He had met one before and they are extremely rare. To think that there would be someone like that here in Rosenthal, he is so lucky this time!

"Now where is that white magician?" 

Merlin began to follow the source of that power and had also begun to notice a few auras nearby. He ignored them and pushed through the throng of people. Soon, he then found a young woman wearing a hooded cloak a few feet away from him. Merlin saw that she wasn't alone and had companions. And with the way the woman was moving, he could perceive that she was not an ordinary citizen.

A noble lady.

Merlin frowned when he noticed that the powers coming off of her were irregular. Sometimes slow and thin, sometimes thick and powerful… And it doesn't look intentional either.

Is that woman not aware that she's leaking her powers too much?

Merlin scratched his chin thoughtfully as he stared at her. Now that he is closer to her, he noticed her abnormality. In fact, he could tell that the woman's powers were sealed for some reason. 

Interesting...

'Her powers weren't at their original form and yet it is already so intimidating. This young lady has big potential!'

"Hmmm, Shall I go and get to know the lady or not?"

Merlin's curiosity really peaked. To think that he would get to meet something this rare again.

He remembered one of Janus's warnings for the second time but the playful look on his face didn't even change. He then glanced at a few places where the strange auras were coming from and then back to her. Narrowing his eyes, his foot took a step forward intending to meet the budding white magician in person.

'He is not here to stop me anyway. He won't know~'

But before he could do so, he suddenly felt a sharp sting on his nape as he was alerted to impending danger. Merlin turned around and gazed at the distance behind him and with his magic perception, he could clearly see a white figure floating ahead. 

'Or not…'

His playful face showed a slight crack.

'Uh-oh.'

Merlin doesn't have any choice but to retreat and forget about his original plan. He soon disappeared among the crowd so naturally that no one even noticed him, only to appear next to the white figure he saw. He then smiled at Janus sheepishly who was sharply glaring at him.

"I didn't do anything," he defended himself just as instantly, trying to appear innocent.

Janus narrowed his eyes.

"I told you not to leave the tower."

Merlin broke into a teasing grin and said the next words which only annoyed Janus even more.

"Aww, you are so possessive of me. What should I do?" while acting like a blushing maiden.

"You must be tired of living," Janus grumbled.

Merlin shook his head while laughing lowly beneath his voice. This man doesn't even know how to take a joke. Tsk. So rigid! He suddenly missed his friend back in the days when he was just as unruly as he was. Why is he so stingy now, he wonders?

"I was only going to see the capital and buy some souvenirs." He didn't lie. He really was just going to buy stuff and nothing else.

"Are you finally going back to babysit Albert? Quickly disappear then."

"I was only going to take a vacation for a few weeks anyway," Merlin shrugged his shoulders before adding, "And his name is Arthur, you know this already!"

Janus ignored his outburst and gazed at the scenery ahead instead, particularly in the direction of Nadia and her associates. Merlin merely disregarded Janus's lack of response and followed his line of sight and found out that he was looking at the same person he was going to approach earlier.

He wasn't stupid so he immediately realized that there is a connection between them, or there must be anything that relates to that woman. Why else would this arrogant man who has no regard for other people give her such attention?