She Is Not a Witch

The edge of the sky was a blend of purple and red hues, with the setting sun illuminating the clouds from below, creating a beautiful scene. Under the clear sky, seagulls circled above the harbor, and the ocean waves were tinged golden by the fading sunlight.

Groups of armed personnel in various uniforms stood at attention before a seaside cliff, facing each other on opposite sides. After a while, several carriages parted the crowd and slowly made their way up to the mansion atop the small cliff, where candles were already lit.

After both sides of the five major merchant associations completed their inspections, they slowly withdrew, allowing maids and attendants to enter and prepare for the evening banquet.

As darkness fell, the wind carried the dampness and slight coolness of the sea, but it was still comfortable.

Loranhil stood by the window, letting the gentle breeze lift her sleeves, pass through her fingers, brush against her wrists, and then enter the lively hall.

Tonight, this mansion gathered not only the high-ranking members of the five major merchant associations but also other notable figures and neutral organizations from Hopland. These included the former Azure Songstress, Lady Philia, Master Helan, leader of the White Orchid Cross Sword, Bishop Zhuya of the Pure White Church, and of course, the alchemist Snape from before.

The hall was brilliantly lit, and the social elites who had experienced intense conflicts over the past few days were gradually relaxing. In their view, merchant associations were primarily about making money, so what couldn’t be negotiated? As long as both sides stopped fighting internally, they could return to the prosperous and comfortable life they had before.

In the increasingly lively hall, some violinists began to play. They sat on the second-floor gallery overlooking the hall, and piano music also started to fill the air. The sound of clinking glasses could be heard from time to time, and attendants weaved through the crowd carrying various delicacies.

“You’re still here, Miss Lacey.”

Melu, still wearing a light green gown, slowly approached. A gentleman was by her side—it was Gerald, dressed in a black suit, protecting her. Seeing Melu talking to Lacey, he didn’t come closer but stood guard at a distance.

“Aren’t you lonely here by yourself?” Melu asked, standing next to Loranhil and looking at the seaside scenery outside the window.

“Not at all. Actually, I quite enjoy being alone. It gives me a sense of natural comfort.”

“Is that so? I couldn’t do that. I love being with family, relatives, and friends. Even if we don’t say anything, just watching them chat and laugh gives me a subtle sense of happiness,” Melu’s eyes were full of nostalgia.

“Really? I’ve rarely experienced that kind of emotion, probably because I’m the only child in my family. My father was often away, and only my mother was there to keep me company. But my mother couldn’t understand my feelings, and I often wanted to escape her love,” Loranhil recalled her past.

“Why would you want to escape? Isn’t love a good thing?”

“Because that love contained too many expectations. It was too heavy, and I couldn’t become the perfect child they envisioned.”

“I couldn’t work as hard as my mother expected, or be as diligent and tireless.”

“I was rather timid. I wanted to be lazy, I wanted to give up, but in the eyes of my elders, this was shameful, a disgrace.”

“How could you give up so easily? Do you know how much I’ve sacrificed for you?”

“I couldn’t argue against such great love, so I could only struggle through my days feeling miserable and inferior,” Loranhil brushed back her wind-tousled hair.

“I didn’t expect this, Lacey. You also feel inferior?”

“Of course. I was hardly ever praised by my mother. She always keenly noticed my weaknesses and exposed them.”

“Melu, do you know? A child’s entire support comes from their parents. If parents never praise or approve of them, it’s a terrifying thing.”

Melu seemed to understand a bit, but curiously continued to ask.

“But you seem very confident now, as if there’s a light shining from within you.”

“Hehe, not really. I’m not that impressive,” Loranhil laughed, covering her mouth.

“You really are,” Melu looked at Loranhil by the window, her clear eyes reflecting the candlelight from the hall, emanating a natural and peaceful aura. It was a kind of unaffected pride and confidence, so radiant that one couldn’t help but be drawn in.

What exactly had transformed her from a caterpillar into a butterfly?

The banquet in the hall gradually reached its climax. Some people began to twirl and dance, their full skirts slowly rising with each turn, like various colored lotus flowers in full bloom.

The many violinists on the second floor of the hall also played lively tunes, with joyful notes dancing along with the rhythm and the people in the hall.

Edmond of the Tisphone family and Wick sat at a small table on the edge, with a candelabra and glass wine cups on the table.

“What’s wrong? Not going to dance with your fiancée?” Wick looked at Fenrai, who was surrounded by a group of close friends, and said to Edmond.

“If I go now, I’m afraid I’d lose face and be mocked,” Edmond laughed, sipping his deep red wine.

“Her personality is easy to understand. There will be plenty of time to win her over later.”

“You’re still so skilled at playing with young girls’ hearts.”

“What about Miss Lacey? Not infatuated anymore?” Wick continued.

“Hmm, her.”

Edmond raised his wine glass, looking at Loranhil in the distance, letting her figure sway slightly through the transparent red liquid of the wine in his vision.

“Still so radiant,” he sighed, then continued.

“As long as she behaves herself, she can still survive.”

“But if she were so obedient, she wouldn’t attract you like this,” Wick added from the side.

“Indeed.”

“This reminds me of a saying from the East, which is so fitting.”

“What saying?” Wick asked curiously.

“If only people could remain as they were when first met.”

“That night, after I expressed my goodwill, she drank that glass of wine, her cheeks slightly flushed, her smile like a flower, so enchanting.”

Edmond’s tone was ethereal, as if reminiscing and regretting.

“Do you really have genuine feelings, Edmond?”

“Genuine feelings? If you mean an extremely desirable goal, then indeed.”

“Will you have a change of heart?”

“Not at all. I could even kill her with my own hands.”

“Then I’m relieved.”

Wick looked at his brother, whose short black hair under the copper chandelier cast a faint shadow over his eyes. Those eyes reflected the entire hall, yet seemed to be considering something far more distant.

Outside the brightly lit hall, Hopland had entered the night, with stars twinkling. Fire basins burned quietly on both sides of the main road, illuminating the surroundings brightly. At the sea cliff below the mansion, ropes hung down, and black figures climbed up one after another.

The head of the Agdelin family, Jelinc, was unwell, so tonight his second son, Daniel, would host the banquet and subsequent negotiations.