Chapter 2

When I returned to the mansion and told them what had happened, my parents, as expected, defended Miriam.

"You have such low magic power that Conrad had to fight on the battlefield with just one person's worth of magic. Despite that, he didn't complain at all and was even praised as the 'Miracle Knight.' Can you imagine how embarrassed we felt having such an powerless daughter? We were also embarrassed in front of his parents, but Miriam made up for it. You should be grateful to Miriam, don't you think?"

"Serafina, it's your fault. If you had properly captured your fiancé's heart, this wouldn't have happened. But at least it's good that it happened before the marriage. It's much better than being cheated on after getting married. In that regard, Miriam is perfect in both appearance and magic, so there's no worry of her being cheated on."

While listening to their words in a daze, I wondered why, even though my parents and sister have high magic power, I don't have any at all.

In this kingdom of Barant, many monsters appear and hurt or kidnap people. Therefore, the country's knight corps, composed of adult nobles, regularly go to exterminate these monsters.

Monsters are covered in hard fur or skin protected by magic, so ordinary weapons are almost useless. The only option is to attack with weapons infused with magic. In this country, nobles are more likely to be born with magic than commoners, so the knight corps is made up of magic-wielding nobles.

However, the ability to use attack magic like fire or water, or healing magic, is limited to a select few nobles with extremely high magic and talent.

Ordinary nobles don't have the ability to use magic, but they do have a certain amount of magic. Even this small amount of magic can have a significant impact in the battlefield when fighting monsters.

Before setting out, it was recommended that knights receive a "magic transfer" from someone close to them, such as family or a fiancé. They would hold hands and transfer their magic through their palms. This way, the knight could go to the battlefield with twice or three times the amount of magic.

However, when I first tried to transfer magic to Lord Conrad two years ago, I could only give him a tiny amount, like a sparrow's tear. Lord Conrad said, "I have more magic than most people, so it's fine," but he seemed disappointed. I felt terrible for not being able to do anything for my fiancé who was heading to a dangerous battlefield.

So, instead, I prayed for his safety through the only thing I was good at—embroidery.

I embroidered his family's crest, a silver eagle with spread wings, onto a blue scarf that matched the color of his eyes, and gave it to him as a good luck charm.

But it seemed that he never wore the scarf and eventually returned it to me.

✧✧✧

It has been a week since that day, but I still can't step outside the mansion. In fact, I haven't even left my room and have been holed up inside.

Lying on my bed, I stare at the scarf, and tears start to fall.

In the end, my engagement to Lord Conrad was dissolved amicably by mutual agreement. The official reason is that my magic power was lower than expected.

But the engagement was dissolved in broad daylight in the middle of the avenue. By now, most of the nobles in the capital must know about it.

The "Embroidery Lady" had her fiancé taken by her sister.

Despite being a noble, I had very little magic and couldn't even transfer magic to my fiancé. Instead, I immersed myself in embroidery, which I had loved since childhood. I worked on it with such intensity that I embroidered everything I could, from morning till night. As a result, not only my room but the entire mansion is covered in embroidery, and I can now handle even the most complex stitches.

Because my embroidery works were overflowing, my mother, unable to bear it, submitted them to the charity bazaar at the capital's church. Probably because the small items were cluttering up the place. But they were well-received, and from then on, I submitted embroidered handkerchiefs, cushions, and tapestries. That's how I got the nickname "Embroidery Lady."

...I don't mind. I love embroidery and sewing, and being an embroiderer is a respectable job.

The dream of marrying Lord Conrad and becoming his wife is already shattered. I stare at the eagle crest embroidered on the blue scarf and make a vow in my heart.

If that's the case, I will live the rest of my life as the "Embroidery Lady" alone.

All I need is embroidery.

I don't need love or marriage... In the end, they just hurt me.

So, I stayed in the mansion, stitching away, creating intricate patterns with my needle and thread. The process of bringing flowers, leaves, and cute little birds to life with needle and thread gradually healed my broken heart, little by little.

Then, two weeks after the engagement was dissolved, someone unexpected visited me.

"Miss Serafina, Lord Middleton is here to see you."

"......Who?"

"Lord Middleton."

I didn't recognize the name the maid mentioned.

...No, I might have heard of him in passing.

The Ice Earl.

He is incredibly beautiful, with exceptional sword skills and magic. However, he is as cold as ice, never showing his true feelings to others, and is a mysterious young earl.

"...What could such a person want with me? I've never met him before... Could he be mistaking me for Miriam?"

"No, Miss. The earl clearly said he wants to meet Miss Serafina. Your father is with him now."

"My father? ...I see. I'll go right away."

Since my father, the head of the household, is also present, it's likely that the matter involves the family and is important. I have no idea what it's about, but I don't think I've done anything to offend the earl, given that I rarely go out. Anyway, I had the maid help me change from my room clothes into a dress and fixed my chestnut hair.

I descended the stairs, feeling uneasy. The maid opened the door to the parlor.

On the other side of the door, my father and an unfamiliar man with black hair were sitting across from each other. They both looked at me as soon as the door opened. My father smiled broadly and said to me,

"Oh, Serafina, you're finally here! Listen carefully, this is a wonderful opportunity. Lord Middleton wishes to make you his wife!"