My Magic Has No Upper Limit

Chapter 292: Chapter 284: I Don’t Object (Part 2)

Gray clapped Zelir on the shoulder. "Come on, let’s keep going!"

...

「Nightfall.」

「Alberti Manor.」

Usually, this would be a quiet time at the manor.

But at this moment, the entire vast front courtyard was brightly lit.

Countless Magic Fluorite Lamps hung from the corridors and treetops, banishing the darkness of the night.

In the air, besides the cold wind, was a smell mingled with fresh pine, the aroma of expensive wine, and sweat.

"CREAK... CREAK..."

Several heavy, four-wheeled carriages, their load-bearing axles bent under the weight, rolled down the manor’s main road and came to a steady stop at the entrance.

The tarps on the carriages were thrown back, revealing mountains of rare supplies.

The servants waiting nearby immediately stepped forward to begin unloading.

"Yes... that’s it! The Crystal Grape Wine from the Southern Province!"

In the center of the courtyard, the old butler, Reid, clad in a thick wool coat, was directing a group of servants as they moved the supplies.

"Be careful. Handle them with care."

"Watch those boxes of Red Snake Fruit, too. Don’t bruise the skins."

"Take these oak-aged vintages directly to the cellar on the west side."

The carriages were also piled high with entire fresh carcasses of beef and mutton, along with countless other meat products.

The Winter Ball would begin in just a few days, and to ensure nothing went wrong, the old butler Reid could only be on-site to supervise personally.

’Thankfully, the weather has turned cold, so I don’t have to worry about storing so many fresh ingredients...’

’Otherwise, even with a dedicated ice cellar, it would be difficult to store everything.’

In addition, there were thousands of edelweiss flowers to decorate the great hall, special-grade maple syrup for making desserts, and even new red carpets to be laid out...

All the supplies had to be properly arranged within the next few days.

’This is no simple task...’ Reid wiped his forehead.

「The Main Residence.」

「Inside a room.」

Here, the noise and cold wind from outside were shut out. Only the orange-red flames burning in the fireplace filled the room with a warm and tranquil atmosphere.

Bev was wearing a loose, comfortable silk nightgown.

She wasn’t asleep. Instead, she was hugging a giant plush toy, curled up lazily on the soft couch by the window.

The firelight cast a picturesque, beautiful glow on her profile.

Her gaze passed through the window, lingered on the busy crowd for a moment, and then, unconsciously, drifted far away.

Her magnificent, sapphire-blue eyes looked toward Black Stone Town, the distant lights of the outside world reflected in their depths.

There were bustling streets and noisy taverns there...

And a small inn called the Night Flower.

"KNOCK, KNOCK..."

A knock suddenly sounded, followed by a man’s steady, deep voice.

"Bev, are you asleep? May I come in?"

After a few seconds, Bev finally pulled her gaze back and answered.

"Yes."

The door was gently pushed open.

Duke Alberti’s figure appeared in the doorway. He didn’t enter, but simply stood there, his posture ramrod straight.

"What is it, Dad?"

Bev asked, a little puzzled, "It’s so late."

"It’s nothing..."

The Duke shook his head. As his gaze swept over his daughter’s face, a hint of doting affection and gentleness flashed across his usually stern expression.

"I just wanted to see you."

"I’m fine, Dad. I’ll be going to sleep in a little while."

"Mm..."

A brief silence fell over the room.

The pinewood in the fireplace let out a CRACKLE, sending out a spark.

"Are you ready for the Winter Ball?"

The Duke broke the silence.

"This is your first time formally attending an event like this, isn’t it?"

"Everything’s ready."

Bev hugged the stuffed bear a little tighter.

"I’ve seen the gown. It’s beautiful, I love it. And Madam Lorraine has taught me the dance steps well."

"Mm... that’s good. My little princess will definitely be the center of attention."

The Duke smiled faintly.

"By the way, I looked at the guest list earlier. You specially invited Zelir... right?"

"His name wasn’t on the original guest list for Mages."

"..."

Hearing this, Bev lowered her head slightly, burying half her face in the stuffed toy.

"Mm..."

she answered softly. "It’s because we know each other from the Mage’s Guild..."

"I remember you bought a Magic Bracelet before, but I’ve never seen you wear it."

The Duke continued.

"But when Zelir came to the manor last time, I saw that very Magic Bracelet on his wrist... Did you give it to him?"

"Your relationship with him isn’t exactly ordinary, is it?"

"Dad..."

Exposed so directly by her father, Bev couldn’t pretend anymore.

Her voice was drawn out, muffled as it came from behind the toy, "Zelir... he’s a really good person."

"Good in what way?" the Duke’s voice was half-joking.

"He... he’s amazing! He’s the youngest Junior Mage in the Black Stone Town Mage’s Guild!"

"The instructors all like him, and he’s also incredibly humble and polite."

"During the last Monster Hunting event, you could also tell he’s a very skilled Adventurer!"

As she spoke, Bev’s voice grew softer.

"Dad... please don’t give him a hard time. He’s really a good person."

"You’ve misunderstood, Bev... I have no intention of opposing it."

The Duke smiled, his eyes gentle.

"I just wanted to come and confirm your feelings."

"Confirm my feelings...?" Bev blinked, a little surprised.

"There have been quite a few people trying to win your favor over the years... Dad knows."

The Duke sighed.

"On the day of your coming-of-age ceremony, despite such a grand affair, with the sons of many nobles lining up to ask you, you didn’t dance with anyone."

"Even when that young master from the Rosso Family in the Imperial Capital wanted to see you last time, you just shut the door in his face."

"To be honest... I was starting to think your preferences were a little... different," the Duke chuckled.

"Dad!"

Bev protested, both shy and annoyed, "I just don’t like those vulgar people, that’s all. Don’t think I’m so strange."

"In all these years, this is the first time I’ve ever seen you show interest in and defend another boy," the Duke shook his head gently.

"Dad, so when you said you don’t oppose it, does that mean..." Bev was starting to understand.

"I’ve looked into Zelir’s background... He’s a very hardworking kid."

The Duke seemed quite moved.

"So young, yet his parents passed away early, so he had to come to Black Stone Town to make his own way."

"From a boy with nothing to the genius Mage he is today... only he knows how much hardship he must have endured."

"Dad..." Hearing the Duke say this, Bev was also moved.

She couldn’t help but picture Zelir in her mind again.

’That’s right...’

’That guy is always so busy. I’ve never seen him stop to rest.’

’Is it that sense of insecurity deep inside him that drives him forward?’

’It makes me want to take good care of him even more.’

Immediately after, Bev looked at her father with a hint of complaint.

"Dad, why would you investigate him behind his back... That’s so rude."

"Alright, alright, I know."

The Duke smiled dismissively. "In any case, I think he’s a fine young man. You should get some rest, too."

The door closed again, and the sound of footsteps faded away.

For some reason, Bev’s already restless heart began to beat even faster.

Scenes of their shared experiences flashed rapidly through her mind.

Her longing for Zelir grew wild in her heart, like a vine.

"THUMP-THUMP..."

"THUMP-THUMP..."

’Is that the sound of my heart?’

’The wait is so long. I wish I could fast-forward to the Winter Ball.’

But she was also filled with unease about that day’s arrival.

’A little scared.’

’Scared of not being perfect... scared that the outcome won’t be what I hope for...’

Burying her hot face in the stuffed toy, Bev let out a long sigh.

’I wonder about Zelir...’

’What is he doing right now?’

...

「Night had fallen.」

「The training grounds.」

The moonlight was bright tonight, casting two long, intertwined shadows on the sand.

"Alright, alright! That’s enough!"

Gray let go of Zelir’s hand and plopped down on the sand.

He waved his hands repeatedly, looking like he couldn’t take any more.

"Giving up already?"

Zelir shook his head with some regret. "I wanted to go a few more rounds."

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