Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 72

Vanessa stood before a small desk by the window.

Bathed in light, Vanessa’s blue eyes, framed by dark eyebrows and long lashes, held a direct and clear gaze.

Her brown hair, tied high, accentuated Vanessa’s small, pale face, making Evan feel slightly dejected. Even though he had sorted out his feelings, lingering traces remained.

Of course, Dalois didn’t care about his feelings.

“Va!”

“Nessa-aaaa…” Dalois’s loud voice quickly faded as a startled Evan hastily covered his mouth.

As the attention drawn by the noise dissipated, Vanessa turned and smiled brightly.

‘Goodness, Dalois!’

‘Am I invisible?’

Vanessa hugged them both, smiling. Meeting her academy classmates within the castle felt even more welcoming.

‘It’s so good to see you! Wow, both of your uniforms look great. What brings you here?’

‘We should be asking you that.’

Vanessa grinned and pointed to a massive legal tome on the desk right by the window.

Evan’s face fell, and Vanessa chuckled.

‘This is just like your favorite spot in the Bamberg Library – right by the window.’

‘Indeed.’

Vanessa’s smile made Evan and Dalois feel strangely at ease, as if they were back at the academy.

Just then, Dalois whispered.

‘Vanessa, which provinces in Fribah have different dialects?’

‘Oh, Jensa, Pariha, and Mosara. Those three are the most representative, but there are others. However, the others have slightly different words rather than full dialects. I think it’s because they were incorporated later [into Fribah].’

Dalois grinned and whispered.

‘Evan, look at this. No need to search through books.’

Evan suppressed a laugh. Vanessa raised an eyebrow skeptically, then, realizing she had been tricked, grumbled.

‘Look it up yourself. *The Edirne Empire and the History of Fribah*, Chapter 3.’

‘A living library.’

‘You guys learned it too! You took Professor Marina’s class!’

Vanessa was annoyed, but the two of them chuckled and fled between the bookshelves.

Left alone, Vanessa shook her head and tried to focus on the book she had been reading. Or rather, tried to focus.

*Suddenly, dialects? Why dialects….*

Ah, it seems those who approached the illegal mages had unique dialects. Evan and Dalois must have joined that investigation.

Jensa, Pariha, Mosara. But Mosara?

Come to think of it, there’s something unique in Mosara. And a unique person too.

Vanessa quickly shook her head, dismissing the rapidly advancing thoughts.

That was the Special Forces’ job. Vanessa had other things to focus on. For now, the Ministry of Magic’s tasks were enough.

After having dinner together, Vanessa occasionally ran into Leta in the Second Star’s corridors. Once they became acquainted, it seemed they saw each other more often.

Leta always looked listless and sometimes shed tears. Vanessa would pat her on the back each time, and Leta would wipe away her tears.

Today was no different. Leta had been severely scolded and was wearily leaving work when she encountered Vanessa.

When Vanessa mentioned she had plans, Leta began to tear up.

“Oh, ohh.”

“Sorry, Vanessa… I’ll go now….”

“No, uh, uh. Just a moment.”

Vanessa quickly grabbed a few ‘Alpine Candies’ from her desk, which were known to improve one’s mood, and gave them to Leta.

These candies, practically a necessity in the Ministry of Magic, were sent by her teacher. Vanessa even took out her cherished lemon jelly and pressed it into Leta’s hand.

“Eat one at a time.”

Leta sniffled and mumbled to Vanessa.

“Are you free tomorrow evening? I want to meet and chat….”

Vanessa nodded eagerly, and Leta finally gave a faint smile before leaving.

The person Vanessa was meeting after work today was Eugenia Alban.

When Vanessa contacted her, Eugenia replied that she had been eagerly waiting and immediately scheduled a meeting for a few days later. There was no time to adjust the schedule, but it wasn’t bad.

Vanessa entered a small private room in the restaurant that Eugenia had booked in advance.

As expected of Eugenia’s taste, the interior was adorned with extravagant decorations, but it wasn’t excessive or gaudy.

The staff moved silently with their mouths shut. Only after the door closed did Eugenia open her mouth with a prim expression.

“To think you’re only contacting me now. Even juniors who aren’t close to me have reached out. Do you even know who I am?”

“The amazing Senior Eugenia, of course,” Vanessa replied with a playful smile.

As soon as they sat down, a light appetizer arrived. The food on the pristine white porcelain plate was meager, but the presentation was excellent. The tangy taste stimulated her appetite.

“Hmm, it was a good choice not to use the Alban name [a prestigious family name]. I’m excellent even without the Alban name’s value.”

Eugenia slightly raised the corner of her lips and scanned Vanessa.

Having just come from work, Vanessa’s attire was neat. A well-fitted white shirt and light beige pants under a long coat, combined with a striking scarf, created a clean look.

“The Ministry of Magic, huh. It suits you.”

“Thank you. Oh, I met Count Alban at the graduation ceremony, and he seemed to know me.”

“I’ve said it many times. I don’t know which patron it is, but they snatched you up very well.”

Of course, Eugenia knew who the patron was but couldn’t say. She had extracted something in return.

Vanessa slowly ate and asked about Eugenia’s recent activities. The dishes were small in portion but all tasted excellent.

Eugenia abruptly put down her utensils and glared.

“The day needs to be forty hours long! Work keeps multiplying. And why are there so many people who give unnecessary feedback!”

“You sound similar to Lina.”

“We have a bit of self-loathing, so to speak. Lina is probably more comfortable these days, though?”

“Why?”

Vanessa tilted her head. Lina’s swearing had only gotten worse, not better.

Eugenia took a sip of tea and said.

“It seems like the Delina family’s competitors are spacing out these days. Money seems to be flowing to strange places. It seems they’re not investing in business but spending money elsewhere? Well, they might be busier trying to widen the gap [between them and the Delina family].”

“How do you even know that?”

“You do know that Albano Bank is owned by my family, right? Alban even protected the king’s assets once.”

Eugenia elegantly raised her hand to her chin, and Vanessa grinned.

Self-loathing with Lina, that was indeed true. If Eugenia were a bit older, Lina would probably have a similar expression when she grew up.

Full of confidence and possessing the abilities to match.

Vanessa had always liked people like that. People full of the power to believe in themselves.

Eugenia, feeling embarrassed by Vanessa’s gaze filled with admiration, cleared her throat.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Ahem, anyway, I want to extend my reach to Vitola, so I’m worried these days.”

“To Vitola too? Is that even possible?”

“Of course. It’s one of the places where Fribah’s influence is growing, because His Majesty is doing so well. We’re culturally dominant, so we’re subtly pushing our businesses in.”

Eugenia fiddled with her ornate earrings. The large gemstones sparkled in the light.

“These stories aren’t really important. I have some news I want to share.”

“What is it?”

Vanessa scooped a spoonful of ice cream filled with cherries and put it in her mouth.

Eugenia, who had been subtly sweeping her hair back, slowly spread her fingers in front of her. A simple ring sparkled.

Vanessa’s eyes widened.

“Vanessa, I’ve been spreading my fingers, and you still haven’t noticed. I’m engaged! I’m getting married soon.”

“To whom?”

“Well, a decent-looking but good man. Why are you looking at me like that?”

Eugenia kept clearing her throat as Vanessa looked at her with sparkling eyes. And, unlike her, she mumbled slightly.

“It’s not the man you saw in front of the restaurant last time. You know the Special Forces captain, right? Actually, I used Gideon a bit to protect my fiancé. He’s so famous that rumors spread easily.”

Vanessa finally understood Gideon’s explanation.

‘She has someone else.’

Eugenia sighed and said.

“I can’t figure out the reason at all – why I came to like that person. His face isn’t even my type, and we sometimes clash.”

Gideon’s face was the kind that shattered preferences, so Vanessa couldn’t fully sympathize with Eugenia’s words, but she knew that emotions couldn’t be controlled. So she nodded earnestly.

“He doesn’t have much either. Instead, his abilities are outstanding… But why are you nodding so vigorously? Do you relate well? Are you dating?”

Eugenia narrowed her eyes, and Vanessa pretended not to notice and answered with a question.

“Then will that man receive the Alban name?”

“Yes, that’s the plan. You’re quite good at dodging questions.”

Vanessa smiled brightly and served Eugenia some cake.

Eugenia glanced at Vanessa for a moment and then continued her story.

Eugenia told the story in such detail that Vanessa had never met Eugenia’s lover, but she could picture him in her mind.

Vanessa listened intently and nodded. Although the genders were reversed, the situation was quite similar, making it interesting.

And after much deliberation, she timidly asked a question.

“B-but… I’m asking because I’m really curious, so I hope you don’t feel offended.”

“What is it?”

Vanessa rolled her eyes as Eugenia leisurely took a sip of tea.

“That, the man is much more than Senior. What should I say…”

“Doesn’t have much and has a humble family?”

“I didn’t mean to say it so bluntly…”

“Isn’t it true?”

Vanessa nodded awkwardly as Eugenia laughed with a nasal sound.

“But didn’t your family oppose the relationship? You’re the great Alban!”

Only then did Eugenia realize the intention of Vanessa’s question and smiled brightly.

“Those are things of the distant past. The family’s name is fading, so everyone is red-eyed at the thought of snatching up talented people. My lover is an amazing talent, so no one dares to oppose it.”

Vanessa nodded with sparkling blue eyes.

Eugenia had an interesting thought in her mind as she looked at that figure. There was not a single clue to make a guess, but it was quite plausible.

Especially if she recalled Vanessa’s dark face in front of the restaurant that day.

Eugenia pulled up the corners of her lips. *Look at this one?*

It was a meeting where conversation outweighed the meal. Vanessa, who had parted ways with Eugenia, walked along the road to her accommodation.

They had talked quite a bit, and it was already late at night, so the surroundings were dark, and people were gradually becoming scarce.

*That Senior Eugenia is getting married! Perhaps countless men in Fydom are biting their handkerchiefs and shedding tears.*

But even that great Senior Eugenia seemed unable to find a reason in her emotions.

She thought that emotions were truly mysterious.

*Is it like that for everyone? Why did it grow without even knowing, and why is it in that place?*

She thought Senior Eugenia would meet someone from a better family, but it’s also strange that she’s engaged to a man born in an ordinary family.

Come to think of it, Peres only seemed happy to see her and didn’t seem particularly interested in her background.

Well, it’s still a secret, so not many people know. Will someone be shocked and cut me down later? Or will they denigrate Gideon?

Vanessa was lost in her flowing thoughts and paid no attention to other presences. In the first place, it was an area with many small houses, so she assumed someone would naturally be there.

“Vanessa.”

So she couldn’t stop the scream that came out of her mouth when someone grabbed her.

“Ah!”