Chapter 005
Chapter 5: The Husband’s Awakening (4)
“We’ve tried every available medicine, but there’s been no sign of improvement.”
“So?”
“I thought if I learned healing magic myself and used it on my father, he might get better.”
“Hmm.”
“My mother passed away without being able to do anything. My father, ha, I can’t lose him like this too…”
Although this story would make any human blush with embarrassment, Leonard remained unmoved.
“That’s pathetic, so wipe your tears and tell me honestly.”
“You’re a heartless man!”
Cordelia realized that emotional appeals would have no effect on this man.
It would be better to stop pretending to be sad and crying in front of him.
She immediately wiped the tears from her eyes and straightened her back. Cordelia’s face suddenly turned cold.
“That’s right. In fact, I want to escape this horrible place.”
“What’s the point of what you’re doing? Why do you want to learn magic when you could just get a divorce? You’ll go back to Vasquez after the divorce anyway, won’t you?”
“I won’t go back to Vasquez even if I get divorced.”
“Why not?”
In truth, it wasn’t that she wouldn’t go back—it was that she couldn’t. She couldn’t say that her father had told her to die here and not return.
She didn’t want to show him any more of her weaknesses.
“Do you think I’d want to return to the home that sold me?”
She said sarcastically.
The day she left home, she couldn’t forget her father’s cold eyes, which she saw for the last time.
His words still clung to her like thorns, to the point that even her body wouldn’t accept going back.
That’s why she decided she would never return there again.
“I’ll be honest with you. In fact, I was going to get a divorce, take the alimony, and open a shop specializing in magical items.”
“Magical items?”
Cordelia said, pointing to her eyes.
“Because I can see magic. I can check whether a magical item is properly enchanted or if there’s a curse spell on it. But it would be much better if I also knew how to use auxiliary magic for small things.”
“Ha, you want to become a magical appraiser?”
“Yes. I’m not asking you to teach me some truly spectacular magic. Just teach me some suitable auxiliary spells, and that’s enough.”
She spoke earnestly and sincerely. She had no desire to become a great sorceress anyway.
However, it seemed Leonard heard Cordelia’s words differently. His mouth twisted.
“No.”
“Why? Why not?”
Cordelia protested strongly. Leonard crossed his arms and snorted.
“I’ll never let you boast that you’re my apprentice after learning one or two spells. And an appraiser? Are you kidding me? An apprentice of Leonard Atily, a mere appraiser? That would make even a street dog laugh.”
“I’ll never say I learned it from you.”
“How can I trust you?”
“I swear on my family’s name…”
“There’s no use swearing on the name of the fallen Vasquez.”
“…”
Cordelia was left speechless by his harsh words.
She thought about threatening to run to Maximilian, but she felt that if she did, he might actually kill her this time.
So she forced the corners of her mouth to smile.
“We can build trust over time.”
“That’s what you think.”
“But how can I build trust if you don’t even give me a chance? Shouldn’t you at least give me an opportunity?”
“That’s not my concern.”
The argument between them went on longer than expected. The sun had set halfway, and the glow of the sunset was approaching the window.
Leonard was still staring at her with eyes full of distrust. At this point, Cordelia decided to take a step back.
After all, today wasn’t the last day.
“My goodness, it’s already late. Get some rest. I’ll come back tomorrow.”
“Don’t come. It’s annoying.”
“Really? I heard from the maid that you’re not eating the food because it doesn’t suit your taste?”
“What does that have to do with you?”
“Should we change the chef?”
“Didn’t you say you were leaving?”
“How can you not say a single kind word?”
“What?”
“Did you hear me? That’s good; it seems your ears are fine. What a relief.”
Leonard stared at Cordelia with a puzzled expression. She smiled and stood up without blinking.
“Then I’ll really leave now. See you tomorrow.”
***
She was an utterly persistent woman.
Only after the door closed and she was completely gone did Leonard relax his body. Then his entire body trembled as if he were having a seizure.
It seemed this useless body had already run out of energy after using just a few spells.
He felt sick, like he was going to vomit, and his head ached as if it had been struck by a nail.
He endured the pain with a grimace.
“Cordelia Vasquez.”
From beginning to end, she was a woman who raised suspicion in every way.
She claimed to have figured out he was Leonard Atily based on just a few clues, but he couldn’t believe it.
“Is there someone behind her?”
However, she was too shabby and clumsy to be considered one of Maximilian’s agents.
The situation was already confusing, but when Cordelia suddenly appeared, his head spun.
“Ugh. I barely used any magic.”
His hands still wouldn’t stop trembling. Unlike his own hands, Craig’s were smooth, without scars, and felt foreign to him.
He found it absurd that he had woken up here, so he let out a mocking laugh at himself.
All because of that scum.
“Maximilian.”
He uttered the detestable name without realizing it. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
There were times when his younger brother annoyed him, but he never considered him an enemy.
To be more precise, he wasn’t worth considering an enemy. Because the only rival to Leonard Atily was Leonard Atily himself.
Some might call it arrogance, but Leonard considered it a fact of life since the moment of his birth.
“I’ll definitely kill you.”
The burning hatred helped him overcome the pain.
He couldn’t forget the cold blade that stabbed him in the stomach when he was trapped and unable to move. Maximilian’s gleeful face also came to mind.
If it weren’t for the soul-transfer magic he performed just before his death, it would’ve been hard to stay alive.
“You must be laughing. Yes. Laugh and enjoy yourself. Until the time comes when I tear you to pieces in the most splendid place.”
He muttered darkly.
Finally, the sun set behind the window.
***
“How can I convince this man?”
I didn’t think I’d succeed right away, but I couldn’t help feeling disappointed.
Although magic wasn’t necessary to work as an appraiser, learning it would undoubtedly be a huge advantage.
There was a vast difference between an appraiser who knew how to use magic and one who didn’t.
Moreover, meeting a sorcerer and learning magic from him was an opportunity that would never come again. Perhaps today was the day she could change her life because of it.
After returning to her room, Cordelia sat at the vanity table and thought for a long time.
The maid offered her food, but she refused, held her head, and groaned.
First of all, confirming that the real Leonard Atily had entered Craig’s body was a significant achievement.
“I have to learn magic from that man somehow.”
Everything was going differently than Cordelia had expected.
Craig, who was thought to be dead, came back to life, and the spirit of a great sorcerer entered his body, which was thought to be that of a fool.
The situation might seem hopeless to some, but she was happy in every moment.
In this life where she had to live passively, she was able to make her own decisions for the first time.
That alone made her fingertips tremble and her blood boil.
“I absolutely must not miss this opportunity.”
It seemed the star protecting Vasquez had finally decided to take pity on her.
It felt like she had received all her birthday gifts at once.
Cordelia fell asleep with a happy smile on her face for the first time in a long while.
***
No one visited the room of the master who had become a fool. Except for his wife, Cordelia.
All the attendants unanimously praised her humility, but the reality was different from what they thought.
“Good morning.”
“Aren’t you tired of this?”
“Is it possible you’re bored of seeing your husband’s face?”
Cordelia smiled skillfully and sat in her usual chair beside him.
Since that day, she had been visiting Leonard every day, carrying a bowl.
“Oh, come on. No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to do anything. Do you think learning magic is like learning history from a tutor? If everyone could learn like that, the country would be full of sorcerers.”
“I didn’t say anything?”
“Ha.”
Leonard found her exhausting, tiring, and annoying.
If it were Craig, she could have ignored him, but in this case, it was hard to ignore Leonard.
Moreover, it was extremely bothersome that she knew Leonard’s identity.
“Have you eaten?”
“I won’t answer you.”
“I haven’t eaten yet, but let’s eat together. I tried changing the chefs, and I hope you’ll like this.”
“It seems your ears only hear what you want to hear, don’t they? Very convenient.”
Despite Leonard’s sarcasm, Cordelia stood her ground. He was astonished by her audacity.
At that moment, Emily arrived, pulling a cart full of food. Cordelia transferred the dish to the tray and then took a spoonful of soup herself.
“Try just one bite. It was prepared especially for you.”
She said with a kind, thoughtful smile.
“Why do you keep bothering me when I say I don’t want to eat?”
“Oh! Young lady.”
Leonard said bluntly, swatting her hand away. As a result, the contents of the spoon spilled onto the back of Cordelia’s hand.
The maid, who had been a little distance away, came over in surprise.
“What should I do? Are you okay?”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“My goodness. It’s turned red.”
The maid trembled as she wiped Cordelia’s hand. Though she couldn’t say it, there was resentment mixed in her eyes as she looked at Leonard.
“Give me that and leave.”
“Yes, young lady. If you need anything, please call me.”
Cordelia silently massaged the hot back of her hand.
The burned area was painful, but instead of looking at Leonard, she smiled and cleaned the dish.
This truly irritated Leonard.
“How are you feeling today?”
“You. Why do you keep making me so angry?”
It kept getting on Leonard’s nerves that she came every day and spoke with a bright smile.
“Yes?”
“Don’t come here because you’re annoying me. How many times do I have to say it for you to understand?”
“I just… feel comfortable here.”
“How many times do I have to tell you I’m not comfortable with you?”
“You don’t call me a money-sucking pit or useless.”
“…”
“And you don’t drink and hit me or bring your mistress to flirt with her in front of me.”
Leonard was left speechless by Cordelia’s calm words.
