hotmtlnovel Chapter 196: The Noble Lady’s First Attempt
Chapter 196: The Noble Lady’s First Attempt
Chapter 196: The Noble Lady’s First Attempt
The Delin Residence.
A faint mist wafted out from the bathroom. Gwen soaked in the bathtub, her entire body submerged in the warm water.
Hugging her knees with both arms, only the upper part of her face—her nose and above—was visible.
Her mouth was underwater, blowing bubbles continuously, her eyebrows drooping in a deeply troubled expression.
Having just returned from the south a few days ago, Gwen's mind was nearly consumed by the image of that golden-haired figure.
Erica du Cloye.
Gwen knew her, of course.
They had met several times before.
Gwen had never imagined that one day she would care so much about this matter.
That incident, existing in everyone's memory but almost forgotten, had recently resurfaced in her mind.
Viktor had once confessed to the duke's daughter.
How annoying. Why had she suddenly started caring about this?
Gwen took a deep breath, sank back into the bathtub, and resumed blowing bubbles.
Viktor had said he would resolve the matter, though she had no idea how he planned to do so.
But over time, that unpleasant incident had indeed faded from memory.
Now, when the people of the Empire—whether commoners or nobles—mentioned Viktor, all they thought of was the elegant count and the powerful councilman.
It seemed no one remembered what Viktor had done back then.
Even Gwen had gradually forgotten.
But the last time she saw the golden-haired girl, she had walked out of Viktor's room.
As if beyond her control, Gwen found herself recalling that incident.
Before this, even when the matter had just occurred, she hadn't paid it much attention.
Gwen couldn't understand herself. She remained motionless in the bathtub, her mind racing with thoughts.
"What kind of relationship do she and Viktor have, exactly?"
Then, a knock on the door interrupted Gwen's thoughts.
It was a servant's voice.
"Miss Gwen."
Hearing someone call her, Gwen finally snapped out of her thoughts. She lifted her head out of the bathtub, leaned back, and rested against the edge.
Her fair skin, glistening with transparent droplets of water, appeared especially radiant in the hazy mist.
"What is it?"
She frowned slightly, asking absentmindedly.
The servant's voice followed.
"Miss Kevla has returned."
...
Wrapped in a thick, white towel, Gwen had her hair pinned up high, water droplets falling to the floor due to gravity.
As soon as she opened the door and stepped out, she bumped straight into Kevla.
Gwen was about to take two steps back when Kevla pulled her into a tight embrace.
"So fragrant, so fragrant~ Where is my freshly bathed little Gwen planning to go?"
Kevla's teasing voice, filled with playful charm, gently reached Gwen's ears.
Gwen's face instantly turned red. She broke free from Kevla's embrace, clutching her bathrobe tightly, standing in front of her.
"Sister, why are you back at this hour?"
"Is everything fine back home?"
Kevla confidently waved her hand.
"Everything over there has been taken care of. It's all settled for you."
Using her own methods, she had reestablished rules and a new order for the Northern Knights.
She had also fully opened the Steel Fortress, allowing free entry.
As long as they followed the rules to arrange their schedules, it wouldn't cause trouble for the Delin family.
Seeing her sister suddenly return, Gwen was overjoyed.
After all, the entire Delin family now consisted of only the two of them as direct relatives.
"I came back this time because I have some business to attend to."
Kevla's smile slightly faded as she spoke slowly.
"This matter has something to do with you as well."
Gwen blinked, pointing to herself in confusion.
A true third-tier mage could cast third-tier spells effortlessly, as if it were second nature.
Still, today's success was enough to make Erica ecstatic.
After expressing her thanks with one final bow, she left Viktor's mansion.
She wanted to return home and practice repeatedly while the sensation was still fresh.
After Erica left, Lia, who had been secretly watching for an unknown amount of time, slowly emerged from the side of the training ground.
Placing one hand on her hip, she looked back in the direction Erica had left, pouting slightly. With a hint of teasing in her tone, she said to Viktor:
"Well, well, the little girl you confessed to back then has come again."
"Our esteemed mage lord is as charming as ever. Are your dreams about to come true?"
Viktor didn't answer, merely casting a calm glance at Lia.
This gesture only made Lia more convinced that Viktor was tacitly agreeing.
She crossed her arms over her chest, her expression showing a hint of disdain as she said:
"Don't forget, you still have a fiancée."
Viktor turned away, intending to leave.
A crow conveniently perched on his shoulder.
"Where's Henie? Where is she now?"
"What, got all worked up by that little girl and now want to vent on someone else?"
Lia shot Viktor a dissatisfied look and muttered:
"Messy private life, you scoundrel mage."
After a sarcastic remark, she left the training ground.
Leaving Viktor alone, utterly puzzled.
He couldn't figure out what she was upset about.
...
At that moment, Henie was at the academy.
With the semester about to begin, as an assistant professor, she had to arrive early to prepare for various opening tasks.
Including welcoming new students.
The most dreaded task for freshmen was undoubtedly the pre-admission exam.
Naturally, this responsibility also fell to Henie.
She was currently sitting at the academy's entrance, dressed in a large black robe.
Under the summer sun, she squinted her eyes, struggling to keep them open.
Sweat on her forehead plastered her bangs against her skin, and her entire body was soaked in sweat.
Even though she had used magic to cool down, after a day's work, her body was still exhausted and sweating profusely.
Her shoulders ached, her spine creaked.
Henie slumped in her chair, exhaling deeply.
So tired, so tired.
Only by sitting outside the academy could she escape the workload for a moment and relax.
"Being an assistant professor doesn't seem all that great."
It felt like she was even more exhausted than before.
She really wanted to go home and take a bath.
It would be even better if she could share it with the professor.
Ehehe...
Henie's face flushed as she indulged in her fantasy.
She sat there with her eyes closed, nearly falling asleep.
Until a shadow suddenly loomed over her.
Sensitive as she was, she realized someone was approaching and quickly sat up straight.
"Welcome, are you here to tour the academy...?"
She blinked, looking at the cloaked figure before her.
The person before her slowly lifted their head, revealing a pair of green, snake-like eyes staring at Henie.
"May I ask..."
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