The West Wind's Destination - Chapter 30
As Aseph pondered silently for a while, Bea was the first to speak.
“Do you intend to put a prohibition spell on me?”
“Prohibi… what?”
“I think a necklace would be appropriate.”
At the mention of a necklace, Aseph’s face brightened.
“Do you, perhaps, like necklaces?”
“I don’t know if I like them, but it’s the typical medium. AS long as it cannot be easily removed from the body, then it would be the ideal medium for a prohibition spell.”
A necklace. Aseph began to think of all the famous jewelers in order and even considered going to the empire if necessary.
Bea touched her neck.
“Here. It must be firmly pressed against the spot where the carotid artery runs.”
“What?”
“If I were to disclose your secrets outside or attempt to gain any advantage from them, the implanted explosive would—”
“N-No, no! I would never do such a thing to you! What are you even talking about…!”
Aseph’s face flushed and his throat burned. He quickly cleared his throat.
Even though she spoke such words, Bea’s attitude was dry as ever. Having been on battlefields since she was young, she spoke as if it was a matter of course, leaving Aseph even more shaken.
“So, what do you plan to do with me?”
Aseph managed to calm his racing heart and gathered his thoughts.
“Rather than that, it seems you have ongoing research. Wouldn’t it be better to continue it here? I can provide you with a fine laboratory and research materials, which you can easily obtain from the Vilkanos. You will see much better results here.”
He had confirmed this several times with his butler and aide.
Aseph recited all the things that alchemists commonly liked, the conditions that would appeal to them, and the benefits they wouldn’t refuse.
And he didn’t forget to add this.
“Ah, and to ensure you can focus fully on your research, I intend to take care of the child here at the mansion. It seems they have already received sufficient education through you…”
None of the conditions Aseph offered were unappealing. Any other alchemist hearing them would want to accept them, even if it meant paying money or entering into a slave contract.
Bea stopped moving. Even the sound of her cutting her food into little pieces ceased.
After a suffocating silence, Bea finally spoke.
“Alright.”
Contrasting with Bea’s expressionless face, Aseph’s face lit up. It was almost the first time Bea showed any sign of interest.
“However, I fail to see the connection with the secret. If I conduct my research here, does that mean I should consider the secret I’ve come to know to be as if it never existed?”
“Aah…”
In truth, what Aseph had just proposed was not merely to hire a skilled alchemist.
Rather than that, it was more akin to the act of a man—so high up on his own pedestal—arrogantly flaunting his belongings when courting.
Aseph had met Bea during the most difficult times of the Vilkanos family. He recalled the time when they parted, too afraid of the reality he had to return to, too cowardly to ask her to come with him, and only asking her to wait for him.
In an attempt to cover up that pitiful and embarrassing moment, he unknowingly boasted his conditions.
“But you…”
However, his attempt was miserably rejected.
It was more embarrassing than a blow to his pride. And more than embarrassing, it was daunting.
Because it seemed like Bea wanted nothing from him.
‘How should I handle this?’
It was then that Aseph deeply sighed, his eyes meeting Homun’s.
—If you state that non-compliance to your wishes will lead to disadvantages, that should be sufficient.
‘Do I look like I’d do that again? What does he take me for…’
He wanted to win her heart, not just to keep her forcibly. It was something he should never do.
But Aseph’s mouth moved independently of his heart.
“…Since you arbitrarily removed the anti-magic protection, you have become a threat to the family’s safety. Until it is proven that my household’s secret can be contained safely, you will be in my custody from now on.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he swept his forehead in self-disgust.
This isn’t right. It shouldn’t be like this. This isn’t what I want. Why can’t I think of any other way to keep you here?
Cruelly, Bea responded.
“I understand.”
As soon as she answered, Homun looked at Aseph and gave a thumbs up as if to say, ‘I knew it’.
Aseph sighed softly and closed his eyes at this brazen response.
He wanted to strangle himself.
❖
The awkward atmosphere created lingered until the end of the banquet.
Aseph tried to engage Bea by boasting about the variety of foods and the skills of the chef, but Bea only gave curt responses.
In the end, he couldn’t soften Bea’s heart at that moment. However, Aseph did not give up.
‘At least I’ve earned another opportunity.’
He hoped that showing Bea the laboratory he had prepared for her might soften her heart a little.
Aseph planned to bring Bea over once his urgent business was settled, and a laboratory had already been set up in the mansion. He had been quite concerned about her struggling in a rundown laboratory before.
Now that the rightful owner had finally arrived, he was sure she would be delighted to see it.
Aseph, contemplating whether to sneak in while she was admiring it, eventually couldn’t resist and went to the front of Bea’s laboratory.
Standing at the door, Aseph checked his outfit a couple of times.
Bea had shown no interest in the conditions he possessed. But there was still one thing he was certain she liked.
She once said that his body was perfect, and that she regretted leaving even the slightest scratch on it.
