Chapter 5: Six months after the toxic wife got married.

Half a year has passed since I married.

Looking back, it feels like it flew by.

At least, I think I’ve gotten pretty close to him.
Not just hoping so—I truly believe it.

We share three meals a day, plus snacks together.

We study side by side.
Learning estate management and finances with Cedric.

When I said, “I want to learn,” his eyes widened.

“…Really?”
“Absolutely. I want to learn as much as I can.”
“I’m surprised. But… pleased.”

I want to learn for his future.
Knowing the original story, I’m aware he’ll eventually become the head of the house.

So I want to help, even a little.

Sure, I plan to divorce him, so my time as duchess will be short.
But I can’t just leave the moment he takes over.

In the storm of transition, the more I can shoulder, the better.

Plus, it’s for my own sake too.
After the divorce, I’ll stand alone, so knowledge won’t betray me.

Today, after studying, it’s magic training.

In the hall, we set up a simple protective barrier and called one teacher.
At first, it was a male teacher, but at some point, it switched to a female one.

I don’t know why.

When I asked the servants, they mumbled, “Well, the arrangements changed.”
Not very clear.

Oh well, things happen.
I decided not to pry.

Because right now, I want to do magic.

“Let’s start with water, as usual.”

The female teacher spoke calmly, looking at me and Cedric in turn.
I clasped my hands at my chest, taking a slow breath.

Focusing on my palms, I gently brushed the essence of water.

In my mind, I felt for the sensation of pulling an invisible bucket, like lifting a well’s rope.

Plop.

A water orb formed above my palm.
Trembling but not vanishing, perfectly round, just there.

Then another, two—before I knew it, five water orbs floated in the air.

Transparent, holding soft light, swaying gently.

“…Splendid, Lady Amelia.”

The teacher’s eyes widened slightly, surprised.

“Half a year ago, you could barely make one. You truly have an affinity for water.”
“R-Really?”
“Yes. I’ve heard the border count’s bloodline is deeply tied to water.”

Come to think of it, the border territory had many rivers and lakes.
Joy bubbled up from my chest, and I barely stopped myself from bouncing.

As a former Japanese person, using magic alone sends my excitement through the roof.

Then, Cedric, watching from the side, softened his lips.

“Heh.”
“Are you laughing?”
“No. You just look so happy.”
“Because I am! Look, I made five!”
“Yes. They’re… very beautiful.”

His gentle eyes made me blush.

“Now, Lord Cedric, your turn.”

At the teacher’s signal, he stepped forward.
He lightly pressed his fingertips together, steadied his breath, and—swish—stroked the air.

Water gathered.

One, two, three… pale blue orbs floated.
Shimmering with light, not touching or collapsing, five, six, seven.

Then the orbs morphed, taking the shape of birds, fluttering through the air.

Incredible…!

My vocabulary vanished in an instant.

“That’s amazing, Lord Cedric!”

I clapped, and even the teacher narrowed her eyes, rare for her.

“Impressive. Their size and shape are stable. Few can control them so well.”

Cedric’s ears reddened slightly as he bowed, “Thank you.”

He looks happy.
A happy favorite’s face is the best.

“Well done, Lady Amelia. Now, let’s try a little fire. Within safe limits.”

I’m bad at fire magic.

Or rather, I think I have no talent for anything but water.
I exhaled thinly through my fingers, calling to the essence of fire.

I focused. Sharpened my mind.

But—nothing happened.

My fingertips felt slightly warm, but not a spark appeared.

“…Ugh.”

I tried again.
This time, I concentrated so hard sweat beaded on my forehead, but still nothing.

“Lady Amelia, don’t push yourself.”

The teacher gently stopped me.

“Fire’s no good for me…”
“Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. If water’s your forte, hone it.”
“But Lord Cedric can do everything…”

The words slipped out, and I instantly regretted it.

I didn’t mean to compare.

The teacher shook her head calmly.

“Lord Cedric is an all-rounder. You’re a specialist. Each has its strengths.”
“A specialist…”
“Yes. Water magic holds great potential.”

She pointed to my water orbs.

“Water is the source of life. And—it has purifying power.”
“Purifying…?”
“Yes. It cleans tainted water, washes away poison, dispels impurities. Mastered, it’s said to even break curses.”

Break curses.
My heart leapt at those words.

“Is that… true?”
“Yes. But it requires advanced skill and strong magic. With your water talent, you might reach it someday.”

Her words sank deep into my chest.

Purification.

A power that could help Cedric.
In the original story, he excelled at combat magic.

But he struggled with poison or curses.

If I could use purification magic—I could protect him.

Support him.

“…I’ll do my best.”

I murmured softly.
The teacher smiled and nodded.

“That’s the spirit. Mastering water magic is highly practical, especially for estate management or healing.”
“Yes…!”

A small flame lit in my chest.
I have something I can do.

A path to help Cedric.

—I plan to divorce, but before that, I want to be of use to him.

That thought warmed my heart strangely.

“Now, Lord Cedric, try the other elements.”

At the teacher’s cue, he nodded.

Fire flared like a slender torch, pure and bright; earth piled into a small tower; wind caressed fallen leaves, forming a gentle spiral.

The teacher softened slightly.

“Wonderful.”

I nodded enthusiastically.

“Amazing… truly amazing!”
“You’re making your eyes so wide.”
“But it’s beautiful! All of it.”
“…Thank you.”

His blue eyes sparkled with shy delight.
That alone made my heart leap.

Ha, my favorite’s so cute today too…

After a break, back to water magic.
At my own pace.

I formed one orb. It held.

Made it a bit bigger. Still stable.

Then I tried reshaping it.

From a sphere to a teardrop.
Then—a long, thin ribbon.

The water shifted to my will.

I heard the teacher catch her breath softly.

“…You truly have a talent for water magic.”
“Really?!”
“Yes. But fundamentals are key. Don’t rush, be thorough.”
“Yes!”

I nodded firmly.
Seeing me, Cedric tilted his head slightly.

“Lady Amelia, you’re adorable.”
“W-Where did that come from?”
“Your eyes sparkle every time your water magic works.”
“…Because I’m happy.”
“Yes. Watching you makes me happy too.”

Ugh, a direct hit.
As the older one by five years, I want to return a composed smile, but my cheeks betrayed me.

Still, I shot back.

“You’re adorable too, Lord Cedric.”
“Me?”
“Yes. The way your lips curl up slightly when you’re doing something you’re good at. Or how your ears redden when the teacher praises you.”
“…Is that so?”

He made a thoughtful face, then slowly shook his head.

“Adorable isn’t quite pleasing. I’ll work to be called cool someday.”

His smiling words were already cool.

Unfair.

Taking both adorable and cool is cheating.