23. The True Nature of the Lucky Stone
“So, you’re the gem artisan.”
“Yes, I’ve come at Lord Garno’s request.”
At Garno’s introduction, a gem artisan from the Eastern Continent was summoned. He was said to have the ability to discern hidden powers within stones, making him the ideal person for what we needed.
“I have a question about this stone.”
“Ah, yes. I know about gemstones. Gemstones are a kind of stone, after all, and I can appraise some rare stones as well.” He stroked the lucky stone, his brow knitting ever so slightly. “Hmm, this stone is…” As the gem artisan muttered, the lucky stone in his grasp suddenly flashed, as if responding to him. His eyes widened at the sight of the light. “W-Where did you get this?”
“Huh?”
His extreme agitation actually left me even more flustered. He murmured quietly, “Only a very limited number of people can use a stone like this.”
“Hmm. No wonder it’s so hard to use.”
“Yes. Stones as unpleasant as this usually steal things that belong to others.”
“…Steal from others?”
“Yes, that’s right.” The gem artisan bowed his head toward me and shared the information he’d discovered.
Summing up what he said, it went like this:
1. According to the gem artisan, special stones like the lucky stone are specialized for stealing things from others.
2. Duke Reshaniel possesses a necklace made from the lucky stone.
3. There’s a high probability that he used the lucky stone to steal my mana.
The gem artisan avoided further explanation, saying he didn’t know how it worked. That was all he knew. But for me, that was already enough information. Because now, I finally understood how Duke Reshaniel had managed to steal my mana all this time!
So, that means I could suck that mosquito’s mana dry in return, right? Just thinking about all the mana I’d lost to that damn mosquito made my stomach twist with regret, but now that I knew how, my motivation soared. My eyes gleamed as a sinister smile crept across my lips. “This is the best.”
I remembered the time when I first started to admire Duke Reshaniel. That sensation, something that could only be described as overflowing with immense mana. But all of that had originally belonged to me. If I could just take it all back…
At last, the true beginning of my revenge was starting. I finally had a goal to steal that damned mosquito’s mana. But there was a clear problem. “How exactly am I supposed to steal the mosquito’s mana with this lucky stone?”
Last time, with Marquis Berto, I tried to steal his luck, thinking I had nothing to lose. I don’t even know if it actually worked. Mana probably needs a more specific method. If I had to make contact with him the same way the mosquito did, the thought alone made me grimace in disgust.
Wait, no, that’s not it. Just like that damned mosquito grabbed my hand, not all contact has to be something disgusting. My fist colliding with the mosquito’s face counts as contact too, doesn’t it? I grinned wickedly as I rolled the lucky stone over and over in my palm.
1. Figure out how the lucky stone works.
2. Steal the lucky stone that b*stard has
3. Use that lucky stone to drain every last drop of his mana.
At the simplicity of the plan, my eyes gleamed. If only I could steal all of his mana. And if I could even steal every last bit of his divine power. My revenge would be complete, and I could finally achieve my original goal, to become an archmage and go around beating everyone up! But…
“I think, to steal something from someone else, you have to fulfill the conditions to become the true owner of the lucky stone.”
“What are those conditions?”
When sparks flew in my eyes, the gem artisan shook his head and replied. “That, I don’t know. No one does. Except for someone who has actually used the lucky stone.”
* * *
It was on the way back to the Kalinos Mansion without much gain. Just as the gem artisan said, there were certain conditions that had to be met for the power inside the gem to activate. I rolled the two lucky stones around in my hands as if juggling, deep in thought. I have no idea what those conditions could be. The only person who knows how to use these lucky stones is that b*stard. Mosquito.
No matter how hard I racked my brain, I couldn’t figure out how the mosquito used the lucky stone. There wasn’t even a hint. As I was lost in thought, little hamster Ivanka came running up, huffing.
“That baaad guy sent an invitation!”
“Huh?”
Just seeing the invitation in the hamster’s tiny paws made my blood boil. I keep fidgeting with the invitation addressed to ‘Madam Giselle’ from Duke Reshaniel’s family. So he wants to meet me this soon. It must have been quite a blow when the sanctuary collapsed.
As I ran my fingers over the invitation to a masquerade ball doubling as a charity event, I smiled slightly. A charity auction and masquerade attended by all the nobles. Once again, I was certain, there was no choice but for me to become the bait.
“That bad guy! Should I just tear it to shreds?”
I was about to wave my hand dismissively at Ivanka, but I hesitated, remembering what Count Florette had said.
“Giselle, you really don’t care about your own body at all, do you?”
“Well…”
“You may not realize it, but to me you’re more precious than anyone else. You’re a daughter born from my heart.”
“…”
“I wish you’d take better care of yourself. I worry about you.”
If I were going to be the bait, danger was inevitable. For a moment, I saw Count Florette’s worried face flash before my eyes…
As long as I don’t get hurt, it’s fine, right? …Shaking my head inwardly, I crumpled the invitation tightly in my hand. “No, I think I’ll attend this masquerade ball and charity event.” But I wasn’t about to rush in recklessly. I’ve got a trump card for provoking that b*stard.
With my eyes shining, I stood up. It was time to head to Duke Kalinos’s office. The atmosphere in the office was relatively relaxed. When I laid out my plan to Duke Kalinos, he responded with a questioning look.
“…So, Giselle, you want to test the lucky stone on that b*stard. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Yes. It’ll be dangerous, right? I don’t plan on getting hurt, so I’d like you to stay by my side, as if we were one person, while we run the experiment.” Watching his reaction, I quickly added, “Of course, if you don’t want to come—”
“As if I’d ever refuse.”
“Thank y—”
“I like this proposal. According to research, couples who pretend to be married or in a fake relationship are about 88% more likely to fall in love.”
“…Pardon?” At my slow, confused reply, he looked at me as if he’d just realized something.
“Oh, you didn’t know?” His eyes suddenly focused on me. “Well, it makes sense. Statistically, about 95% of female leads in romance novels never realize how their partner feels.”
I’m not a romance novel female lead, though. And why does he know all this stuff…?
Just then, my eyes widened as I caught sight of what he was holding in his hand. I’d thought it was a work journal. W-W-Wait. This isn’t the time to be shocked by that! But then I caught a glimpse of the office wall, lined from floor to ceiling with books about romance, and I was utterly floored.
“In any case, to sum it up in one sentence,” He looked at me with bulldozer-like determination as he spoke. “I want to accept your proposal for a fake relationship to provoke Duke Reshaniel at the masquerade. I don’t want to lose you.”
I was so flustered that I couldn’t even think of making an excuse. I just stood there, frozen stiff. So what he meant was…
“It’s a little late, but… I like you, Giselle.”
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