WCMBI - Chapter 273: Absurd Traditions Be Gone

A month had passed, yet Ian's leg remained twisted and unable to fully recover. The orthopedist couldn't hide his frustration as he watched Ian hobble along, but he had no choice but to bear witness to the sight.

Ian diligently carried out the emperor's orders while simultaneously seeking to recruit a magician. However, finding a sorcerer capable of long-lasting teleportation or levitation proved to be an arduous task.

"It appears there is a good reason why the sorcerers of Matap are renowned."

"I came to realize that myself during this investigation. Teleportation is no simple magic, indeed."

The aide responded to Ian's words.

"How far along is the list of Omegas?"

"We received applications from all over the empire, yet we've only managed to gather around 20 names."

"Hmm..."

"Some of them haven't even been officially registered at birth, making it difficult to compile the list."

The aide briefly studied Ian's face. Once, his master had been feared due to his madness, but now he maintained a composed expression. However, the lingering scars of burns on parts of his face were unsettling.

Not only that, the hand holding the pen was oddly contorted, causing a disconcerting chill to run through anyone observing it. Burn scars twisted by fire were not particularly pleasant to behold.

Nevertheless, witnessing his resolute dedication to his duties, the aide found himself holding even deeper respect for him. Furthermore, this opportunity had shifted his preconceived notions about Alphas and Omegas. The aide discreetly opened up to Ian, while perusing through the documents.

"I had no idea Omegas faced such persecution."

"I never cared much about it before. I merely judged them based on gossip I heard around me. So, I didn't think much about Lady Melissa either. I only saw her as a subject of observation in accordance with the Duke's orders."

The aide knew not precisely what preparations Ian and the emperor were making, but he sensed the tide of change sweeping over the empire under the emperor's command.

"If my words were impolite, I apologize."

The aide rose and deeply bowed. Ian, who had gestured with a flick of his hand to indicate his position as a physician, also rose from his seat. Hobbled towards the window, he stared outside. Despite being just one person, the aide now held hope for a change in perception. It was a development the emperor had set in motion, and it was precisely what he had hoped for.

Not only for Melissa but for all Alphas, Omegas, or Betas in the future, he longed for an end to such senseless conventions. However, frustration gnawed at him, knowing he couldn't even resolve his own issue at the moment. Ian stood in front of the window, gazing outside for a long time.

* * *

I stood by the window, gazing at the office until Ian vanished from sight. It felt pitiful to hide in a corner of the garden, spying on his state. Despite vowing not to succumb to such temptations again, I yielded to Pedro's passing remark.

"The talented artist, Briant, seems to have fallen from grace. Hm, the gossip among the high society is buzzing with fervor, indeed."

What did they mean by "fallen from grace"? As someone who knew what he had been through, I couldn't bring myself to turn away from him.

Even from a distance, I couldn't help but notice his peculiar gait. His usually elegant and poised stride seemed lopsided.

"Why go to such lengths?" I asked, initially enraged. To me, it was an incident that would alter one's life, yet he seemed to employ it as a means to seek forgiveness, a fact that filled me with fury.

Even his candor was not amusing. While he had ignored and trampled upon my feelings for so long, was he now asking me to acknowledge his own emotions? Wasn't that a contradiction in fairness?

Though we had never stood on the same footing, this just couldn't be right.

Part of me wished to fully experience the pain I had endured. I yearned to be unrequited in love and even violated in my rights, but such thoughts didn't linger. Knowing the pain all too well, I shuddered at the idea of harboring such vengeful sentiments within myself.

As these emotions intensified, I couldn't properly see Adella's face, nor did I consider going to DS. I glanced from afar, then returned to my atelier, but Lucia emerged from the corridor as if she had been waiting.

"Mel, there's something I want to talk about."

"Yes."

Entering her workspace, I found Adella there.

"I went out for a nap and woke up here. Why are you here?"

"I woke up midway. Now that I can walk, I came looking for you by the door."

"In front of Master Matap?"

"Yeah."

The unease I had been feeling recently returned once again. I couldn't deny that, the older Adella became, the more she sought Lucia than she sought me. A vexing discomfort scratched at my heart. With a face that couldn't conceal my apparent displeasure, I gazed at her.

Lucia spoke with a solemn expression, breaking the silence.

"We can't keep postponing this. Melissa, you have to make a choice."

"Master Matap."

"Sincerely, I want to raise Adella as my own child."