Chapter 9: Eserina’s Search for the Orb

Why was the Young Miss calling him now?

Could Veronica have had a change of heart, wanting him back?

Ian dismissed the thought as absurd.

Just yesterday, she’d resolved to cut ties with him, driven by her devotion to Eserina.

A single day wouldn’t sway her—especially not when she believed Eserina favored those who stood on their own.

After a moment’s hesitation, Ian answered the communicator. “Hello, this is Ian.”

“Ian?” Veronica’s voice came through, tentative. “It’s me.”

“What’s up?” he replied, keeping his tone even, almost detached.

Veronica faltered at his coolness.

Truth be told, she’d been wrestling with guilt since dismissing him.

Ian had been her steadfast companion for years, and casting him aside so abruptly—over Eserina, no less—felt impulsive, even wrong.

Part of it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, spurred by Eserina’s rejection: Veronica wasn’t independent enough.

That stung.

Her love for Eserina was all-consuming, like a bee drawn to nectar.

From childhood, before Ian’s time, Veronica had been the Saintess Family’s pride.

The Sanctus Clan hadn’t produced a true saintess in a century.

Her mother, the current saintess, held the title in name only, chosen by the Church to fill a void as vital as Jerusalem to the West.

But when Veronica was born, a pink glow from the goddess’s statue bathed the cathedral, marking her as divinely favored.

Everyone, even heretics, believed she was destined to be a true saintess.

Then came the kingdom’s turmoil.

The Sanctus Clan, at its zenith, was targeted by heretics.

To protect Veronica and Lillian, their mother hid them in an orphanage.

But demons struck there too, and in that desperate moment, a silver dragonling saved them.

They never saw her again, but her image was etched into their hearts.

Veronica had searched for her savior, to no avail.

Not until Saint Roland Magic Academy, when she met Eserina.

The familiar aura, the half-dragon, half-human heritage—it had to be her.

Veronica dropped hints, but Eserina seemed oblivious, as if the memory had vanished.

For Veronica, though, it was unforgettable, fueling her devotion.

Seeing Eserina surrounded by admirers sparked jealousy, pushing her to act.

When she learned Eserina would attend the Lovers’ Gala, Veronica had enlisted Ian to help her join, a decision now shadowed by regret.

“I have a question, Ian,” Veronica said, her voice soft.

“Go ahead.”

He braced himself.

Why wasn’t she focused on wooing Eserina?

Was she asking him to help her win the Proud Dragon’s heart?

After everything, he’d never agree to that.

Veronica paused, then spoke. “I just heard Eserina lost a precious orb to a demon. Did you know?”

Ian’s heart lurched.

Eserina’s orb—his orb.

Why was Veronica asking him?

Had she sensed something?

“News to me,” he said, forcing calm. “What happened?”

“I only just found out,” Veronica replied. “Eserina’s searching everywhere for it. That orb means something special to her.”

“And your question?” Ian pressed, his mind racing.

“What should I do?” she asked.

For Veronica, firing Ian didn’t mean severing their bond.

He’d always been her sounding board for tough decisions, and this was no different.

Hearing about Eserina’s loss, her first instinct was to call him, a reflex born of years of trust.

Relief washed over Ian.

She didn’t know he had the orb.

And stealing?

Hardly.

It was rightfully his, a gift from his mother, merely reclaimed.

“You’re still asking me for advice, Young Miss?” he said, a touch of warmth in his voice.

Veronica’s tone grew uneasy. “Is that strange? We’re no longer employer and employee, but we can still be friends, can’t we?”

Ian smirked inwardly.

Friends?

The moment I took Lillian’s task, we became rivals on the battlefield of love.

He fought to keep a mischievous grin from breaking through.

Lillian, catching his odd expression, whispered, “You look scary, Ian.”

“Someone’s with you?” Veronica’s sharp ears picked up Lillian’s faint voice, though she couldn’t identify it.

Ian gestured for Lillian to hush. “It’s nothing,” he said smoothly. “What matters is what you should do next.”

Veronica’s heart twinged, but she didn’t press.

As friends, she had no right to demand full transparency.

“So, what should I do?” she repeated.

“Go find the orb on your own,” Ian advised. “You know Eserina values independence. If you recover her treasure without help, her affection for you will skyrocket.”

He wasn’t worried.

The orb was safely with him; Veronica’s search was doomed.

His suggestion was a calculated move to give Lillian a clear shot at Eserina, free from her sister’s interference.

Veronica mulled it over.

“That makes sense. Thanks, Ian.”

“No problem.”

“I’ll let you go then.”

“Alright.”

As the call ended, Ian turned to Lillian, who’d been listening intently.

“You heard that?”

She nodded, a touch guilty for eavesdropping.

But learning it was Veronica on the line, she’d wanted to gauge Ian’s stance.

His response left her wanting.

“You know what to do now, right?” Ian asked.

“Find Eserina’s orb before Veronica,” Lillian blurted out.

Ian wagged a finger. “No, no. You need to find Eserina and search with her.”