For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 40
“Just have a servant bring the books.”
“……”
“In the meantime, you can explore the mansion.”
At his blunt remark, Eugenie closed her eyes tightly. She wanted to argue that simply going to the library to borrow books wasn’t the essence of visiting the library, but she decided to hold back for now. There was a reasonable reason for her restraint.
‘I’m probably already well-known since I’ve married five men.’
She didn’t want to risk getting smacked in the back of the head with a book after running into a woman who admired one of her husbands at the library.
More importantly, she didn’t want to be sensationalized as the wife who strangled one of them, so she decided to follow along with the mansion tour.
Despite her sulky demeanor, Eugenie soon became captivated by the mansion.
The dining room, polished to a shine with light reflecting off it, the banquet hall, and the sparkling corridors and galleries failed to capture the new bride’s attention. The only place that left her in a state of wonder was the library.
Both Magnus and her other husbands predicted that the new bride would only be fond of this place, but they had no idea she would be so enthralled by it.
“Wow… how many libraries are there right now? It’s so beautiful…”
“Are you not considering the reception room or the garden? You should bring your guests there.”
“I only have my professor and teaching assistant as guests…”
“What about Mae Chester?”
At Magnus’s flat question, Eugenie stopped, momentarily dazzled. She turned her back and casually responded.
“I haven’t heard from her yet. Isn’t that silly?”
“Hmm.”
“Anyway, I have no guests to invite.”
Magnus watched her and let out a sigh as if he was shocked by her response. She was defensive, pretending to be unaffected.
‘And who builds a reception room just to invite guests?’
It was merely the best canvas to showcase the wealth and taste of the nobility.
‘Seriously. No common sense whatsoever in strange places.’
She had become so immersed in the academy that the tastes of a noble lady surely never crossed her mind.
‘Eugenie Norton wouldn’t suddenly be able to imitate a refined lady.’
But… it didn’t matter. Magnus believed that the most beautiful beings were those who showcased their true selves. Occasionally, he felt the urge to dress her up according to his own taste, but it was fleeting.
While Eugenie was engrossed in examining the library, a soft crackling sound reached Magnus’s ear.
[“Should I take her first?”]
As expected, the voice was that of Cassius Lysander. This was the method to communicate for those bound by contract in times of crisis.
In an era of letters and magical ore telegrams, they had resorted to a forgotten method.
‘Is it black magic after all?’
Once, during the time when wizards were actively operating in the Empire, various types of magic existed. Among them, black magic was considered the most despised discipline among wizards.
‘But with so few records left, no one really knows the truth.’
It wasn’t just Magnus who felt uneasy about it. But Mrs. Norton didn’t mind including such a person in the contract. In that case, he had no right to comment.
Instead, he replied curtly.
“If you have complaints, then you can spend your time here.”
[“Ha ha… So, there’s no problem, right?”]
Magnus gazed silently out the large glass window.
At first glance, only the beautifully manicured symmetrical garden was visible. He tapped the window lightly and muttered.
“Yes, so far. No particular signs of trouble.”
[“Understood. But if it gets dangerous, take the lady and leave immediately.”]
That was unnecessary advice. Magnus shrugged his shoulders and stroked the silver lion on his cane.
This cane had been given to him by Mrs. Norton.
“Magnus, it seems silly to say this after the contract has been made… but are you sure about this?”
It was the year Magnus turned eighteen.
Just before Eugenie Norton graduated as the second-best student, he was saved from death thanks to Mrs. Norton. Even knowing what the cost of that contract was, he had willingly accepted it, though Mrs. Norton seemed somewhat hesitant.
“It’s not just a matter of physical entanglement. I hope it’s just my imagination, but it could be dangerous.”
“A true noble would say no more.”
“…I’ve heard you don’t have the best relationship with my daughter.”
“……”
That hesitant remark was actually quite pleasing. It meant Eugenie Norton had shared stories about him with her mother. Whether it was expressed with disdain or genuine contempt didn’t matter.
So, Magnus had replied with an arrogant expression,
“Let me remind you, a true gentleman keeps his word.”
When conflicts had persisted for so long that honesty became impossible, sometimes pretending to be forced into a situation felt more acceptable.
