How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 2.12
After all, a flower that’s hard to obtain evokes an even greater sense of conquest.
Zergard smiled enigmatically as he summoned black mana in his hand. The thing that was rippling in his hand solidified and transformed into a black pearl, falling onto her dressing table.
“Hm… I’d like to see you adorned with this.”
Zergard created several black pearls like this. And when he held those pearls in his hand, they soon transformed into beautiful and delicate earrings. The shape, hanging like a bunch of grapes with various sizes from small to large, was truly splendid enough to tempt anyone.
“I’ll leave this here. Please don’t forget to wear these earrings. My dear lady.”
His hand picked up paper and a pen from the bedside table. Elegant handwriting instantly flowed across the paper. He placed it on the dressing table and lovingly stroked the earrings.
“Well then, let’s go. Arbia.”
“Yes, Master.”
The black cat opened its mouth wide and created a black portal in the middle of the room. Before entering it, Zergard looked back at Resena once, smirked, and then went inside.
Soon, only silence remained in the room.
***
“Yawn… I slept well.”
Resena blinked her eyes while stretching. Sunlight was streaming directly through the large windows. Looking at the clock on the wall, it was 7 AM. Thanks to falling asleep before midnight last night, she ended up waking up early in the morning.
“Huh? But what’s this?”
Seeing something unfamiliar on the dressing table, Resena approached it. The maids always keep the dressing table clear… A dainty pair of earrings was placed on top of a piece of paper.
“To my lovely one, happy birthday. …Zergard?!”
She covered her mouth as she read. In the novel, there were no scenes of Zergard and Resena cooperating, so she didn’t know at all, but it seemed this body had a connection with him as well.
‘No, just how many connections does she have? Even knowing the black mage that the empire is hostile towards… Besides, there was never anything like this before!’
Cold sweat flowed involuntarily. Resena picked up the earrings with trembling hands. The earrings made of black pearls reflected a soft light, showcasing their pretty shape.
Slowly, she brought the earrings to her ears.
“They are really pretty.”
But no matter how pretty, it’s a gift from a black mage. Who knows what might be in them. Digging deeper, they might even be pearls refined with the black mage’s magic power.
‘If I carelessly wear these and get caught in the palace barrier and get accused of being a black mage, I won’t be able to explain. Although Zergard isn’t known as a black mage now, it won’t be long before he appears as a black mage wearing a mask at the summer ball!’
She slowly put the gift down.
She wanted to shatter it completely, but if these pearls had a surveillance camera function, it would mean Zergard would witness her destroying his gift.
‘What should I do? What to do?’
Besides, how did he enter the Duke’s residence?
There’s a magic barrier here too… I guess it’s not enough to defend against the leader of black mages like Zergard. Then… if someone who can track these pearls appears in the future, couldn’t they use this to find Zergard’s location?
‘But if I show such intentions right away, I don’t think Zergard will want to keep me alive. These pearls… I can’t use them anywhere.’
Dripping with cold sweat, Resena slightly picked up the earrings with her thumb and index finger and put them in the jewelry box at the very bottom.
If there’s one thing Zergard overlooked, it’s that this jewelry box is an artifact with ancient magic cast on it, and once something goes inside, any eavesdropping or surveillance magic stops working.
“Sigh…”
Breaking out in a cold sweat first thing in the morning. Resena moved away from the dressing table that seemed to emanate a dark aura and headed to the bathroom. Usually, the maids would wash her, but today she was too tired to be touched by anyone.
‘Of all things, to have a connection with Zergard…’
I should write this down in the records. I mustn’t forget. If I start seriously tracking Zergard in the latter half, these pearls might serve as a clue.
After washing thoroughly and drying her hair, Resena came out and opened a used notebook, then startled. It seems she needs a new diary as this one is full. She rang the silver bell by the bed, and the maids entered.
“Oh, where’s Luna?”
“The head maid was summoned by the master. So we’ll be attending to you for now, Miss.”
‘I prefer Luna’s service… The others are too scared, which is a bit…’
Sensing her dissatisfaction, one of the frozen maids stepped forward and bowed her head even lower.
“We’ll do our utmost. Please let us know if you need anything.”
“Hmm…”
‘Could this person be new? There’s no fear in her attitude towards me.’
Despite surely having heard her infamous reputation among the servants, the maid seemed unperturbed. Resena felt a smile involuntarily forming at the corners of her mouth.
“Well then, first I’d like to change clothes and have my makeup done.”
“Understood.”
With careful hands, she changed into a dress with many frills. Today, since she had troubles from the morning, she wore a light lemon-colored dress with a refreshing feel for a change of mood.
Then, sitting at the dressing table to have her makeup done, she was impressed by the remarkably skillful hands for a first-timer. There was no doubt this person had experience applying makeup to others.
“What’s your name?”
“It’s Del, Miss.”
“I see. Del. From now on, you’ll be my personal attendant. I like you.”
“Thank you.”
After perfectly applying the lip color, a pure beauty sat in the mirror. This is what they call lips that invite kisses. Seeing the glossy finish created by the lip gloss, a smile naturally formed on Resena’s lips.
“I’ll have breakfast in the dining room.”
“Understood.”
As Resena stood up, one maid followed behind her. It seemed the other three maids would clean the room while she was away, as they started tidying up skillfully. Watching this, Resena remembered something she had forgotten.
“Oh, right. If there are more notebooks of this design, could you bring them? I want to use them as diaries.”
“I’ll look for them and bring them. If there aren’t any, I’ll let you know right away.”
“Alright. Thank you.”
Resena headed to the dining room. On the way, she met the Duchess on the first-floor stairs.
“Mother.”
“Resena.”
Smiling affectionately, the Duchess patted Resena’s shoulder.
“I’m so pleased that your birthday ball ended successfully. His Highness Crown Prince Eldis even praised it as a rare and excellent ball.”
“Really? That makes me so happy. Hehe.”
Resena was excited that the male lead seemed to have taken her advice seriously. The Duchess added with twinkling eyes.
“And that’s not all. The Saint, Lady Weiz, also praised it as a truly splendid ball. She especially mentioned how delicious the wine was.”
“Ahaha. Actually, I changed the wine that was brought to Lady Weiz. To a 20-year-old Descent Plati.”
“Oh my.”
Mother responded with a gentle smile.
“That seems to have been a very good choice. I had heard that the 20-year-old Descent Plati was quite good compared to other wines of the same grade. I didn’t know you had heard about it too.”
“Renard and I tasted it a bit before changing it. Oh, and there was one bottle of wine from the guild that had been drugged, so I threw that one out. Just one bottle though.”
“I see. Well done, Resena. From now on, don’t associate with such unsavory places at all. You had to run around busy trying to cancel things, didn’t you?”
“Yes. It won’t happen again. I’m sorry for doing such dangerous things out of youthful foolishness, Mother.”
The Duchess smiled warmly as if to comfort her.
