Chapter 1

An unfulfilled life began five years ago when Yuno's father passed away.

"You can't even use such basic magic? You're really hopeless. Who do you take after? I wish I hadn't given birth to you."

"You're really a failure, aren't you, big sister? I'd be so embarrassed if I were you."

Yuno Berista's heart was pierced by her mother's cold eyes and her sister's mocking laughter. The Berista family, a prestigious lineage of mages, had produced many powerful mages over generations. Yet, Yuno, the eldest daughter, couldn't use magic at all.

"I'm sorry. I'm trying my best..."

She could only shrink back and apologize repeatedly. Each time, her self-esteem was chipped away, and she shuddered at her own worthlessness.

Yuno had tried hard. She studied magic from morning till night, rubbing her sleepy eyes and sometimes crying as she pushed herself to the limit. But it was no use. Even at eleven, she couldn't cast the simple fire spell her mother and sister could do effortlessly.

Her mother changed after her kind father died of illness. Perhaps it was the pressure of upholding the family's prestigious name. Now that the family had fallen from grace, her mother was even more anxious. Thus, she was harsh with Yuno, who couldn't use magic, and doted on her capable sister.

Her sister mimicked their mother, mocking Yuno. She laughed joyfully when Yuno cried after being scolded by their mother.

Yuno hated this daily life, but she couldn't deny her inability to use magic. Every night, she wished in her bed that tomorrow would never come. But tomorrow always arrived, and her heart would break. This cycle repeated endlessly.

The only time Yuno felt at peace was when she was with Diluc, who was three years older. Diluc was a boy entrusted to the home of her father's friend. She didn't know the reason or his background, but he came with the friend's couple when they occasionally visited the Berista household.

The friend, a retired but honored former leader of the Royal Knights, was always welcomed with open arms by Yuno's mother. During these visits, her mother didn't treat Yuno harshly. The pretense of a family dinner was hollow, but it was a time when she could relax. Moreover, Diluc was a kind boy who always treated Yuno warmly.

"Yuno, you're a kind and good person. It's okay if you can't use magic."

When Diluc looked at her with his bright blue eyes, she felt like crying. At those moments, she could almost believe that she had some value.

Her mother only took her sister when visiting the friend's house. Yuno was never included. So, she only saw Diluc rarely. But that was enough. Just seeing him occasionally was sufficient.

Then, when Yuno turned fourteen, it was a rainy day.

"Diluc, welcome."

After dinner, Diluc came to Yuno's room. It had been a while since they last met. Yuno, unable to contain her joy, noticed that Diluc's smile was unusually stiff.

Her heart was immediately filled with unease. Having grown up in a harsh environment, she was sensitive to the scent of misfortune. Diluc spoke in a tense voice.

"Actually, I'm going back to my family next week."

Yuno looked up at the ceiling, resigned. What she feared had come to pass. She knew Diluc would eventually return to his family, but when the moment arrived, it was nothing but despair.

"Is your family far away...?"

She asked with a glimmer of hope, but Diluc nodded.

"Far. And there are some circumstances—so I don't think I'll be able to come back to this house."

"Is that so..."

She should have said, "Stay well," with a smile. But she couldn't. Her face muscles strained to prevent her from bursting into tears. She had to smile and say goodbye properly. Diluc was the only one who made her feel she had value.

"Anyway, I wanted to give you this."

Diluc, with a determined look, handed her a small velvet box and opened it. Inside was—

"Huh...?"

The reaction to seeing something unexpected is probably the same for everyone. She could only stare in shock.

It was a ring. A gold ring, the perfect size for Yuno's ring finger. An engagement ring.

She looked up, startled, to see Diluc with a shy smile she had never seen before.

"Put this on and come with me. I want to be with you forever."

She was speechless. She had never thought happiness could be hers.

Seeing Yuno's silence, Diluc looked worried. Just as she was about to answer, "Of course," the door opened without a knock. It was her sister.

"There you are, Diluc. Uncle and Aunt are about to leave. Come to my room before that."

She clung to Diluc's arm in a coquettish manner. She seemed to notice the small box in Diluc's right hand and her expression changed.

"Think about it, Yuno."

Diluc placed the box and left the room. Just before he left, her sister glanced back. Yuno, lost in a dream, didn't notice the hateful look in her eyes.

After Diluc and the others left, Yuno washed the dishes as usual. The kitchen was spacious, but the cooking utensils were old and worn. Usually, it was a painful task, but today her heart was full of happiness.

"Yuno."

Her mother called her. Seeing her mother's bitter face and her sister's smug smile behind her, Yuno had a bad feeling.

"What is this?"

Her mother held out the small box Diluc had given her. How did her mother get it when she had put it away in her room?

Her mother's lips twisted as Yuno was taken aback.

"Even if I press the couple, they won't answer, but I think Diluc is from a very good family. He might be from the upper nobility."

No way. While his manners were good, Diluc was kind. The only upper nobility Yuno knew were the town's lord's family, and they were not as arrogant or domineering.

"Absolutely. You, who can't use magic and are a failure, don't match him. But my daughter, your sister, might. Think carefully. —Do you want to make Diluc like Carson?"

Carson. The name echoed in her head like a curse. Everyone in town knew Carson, the lord's son, who married a servant despite everyone's objections and was disowned by his father. He remained devoted to his love, but the poor life was too much for him. He quickly became exhausted and withered, ultimately cursing everything and taking his own life.

Her vision darkened.

Her sister's voice added to her distress.

"Are you going to make such a kind person like Diluc unhappy because of you? You're not just useless; you're a monster."

Yuno bowed her head, trembling. Her mind, filled with the belief that she had no value, couldn't imagine a future where Diluc wouldn't end up like Carson.

"I'll return this to the couple on Diluc's behalf. Of course, I'll tell them that the engagement is out of the question."

Her mother irritably put the box in her pocket.

Yuno had no energy to argue.

Six months later, Yuno was disowned and kicked out of the house. The reason was her inability to use magic, but she knew her sister had orchestrated it. Her mother must have thought it was too risky to upset her important heir. It was a no-brainer.

With minimal belongings and travel money, Yuno was thrown out. Her sister laughed joyfully as usual.

It was painful, but what weighed heavily on her heart during these six months was—

She overheard her mother being told by the friend that Diluc had turned pale when she returned the ring. He had said, "I never want to see Yuno again."

It was a shock. She was disappointed in herself for feeling down, especially since it was her decision. She had hurt Diluc, yet how selfish of her. But she absolutely, absolutely didn't want to make Diluc unhappy.

She didn't know what to do. Such a pitiful person like her should work somewhere and live a quiet, unassuming life.

Yuno slowly made her way to the shared carriage stop. She boarded a carriage to the capital, which happened to be there. As she swayed with the other workers, tears streamed down her face.