Margaret Noye (This chapter is an additional chapter)

…Curses?

The term sparked a faint memory. If I recall correctly, it’s a unique magic used by certain demons, named “curses” because they’re hard to break and persist indefinitely.

…Why would a human want to cast curses? And on whom?

I couldn’t help but grow wary.

“Margaret, you’re as morbid as ever. Can’t you explain it normally?”

Olivia waved a hand, dispelling my doubts.

“She’s researching curses to save her sister, Elizabeth.”

“…?”

“She’s a total sis-con… Little Elizabeth was born with an incurable illness. You saw her gray-white hair—it’s because of that condition.”

Olivia paused, glancing at Margaret’s expression.

“Hmph.”

Margaret pursed her lips but didn’t object, tacitly allowing her to continue.

So Olivia went on:

“No medical treatments could cure her, so Margaret turned to non-medical methods… and found curses to be the most promising.

Curses can last indefinitely. If effective, they could suppress the illness or even cure it completely… That’s why Margaret’s been studying curses and occasionally commissioning us for rare materials.”

At that moment, Elizabeth returned with tea.

From my angle, I could see the bandaged half of her face.

She quickly set out the teacups, gave us a gentle smile, and resumed cleaning.

That smile alone showed what a kind girl she was.

…What a pity.

I couldn’t help but think.

“But… researching an uncharted field like this must take immense time, energy, and money, right? Even this commission’s fee was steep… And it could draw scorn from others.”

The young lady raised a question.

Margaret took a slow sip of tea, answering unhurriedly:

“So what? I’m just doing what I want. Time, energy, others’ opinions—none of that matters. If I cared, I wouldn’t have fled with Elizabeth in the first place.”

Her words were reasonable so far, but her next statement stunned me.

“And I’m not short on money.”

…In this rundown mansion?

“Hmph, a mere maid dares to look at me with such skepticism? I’m filthy rich, you know.”

Sorry, I really couldn’t tell.

She didn’t dwell on my rudeness, continuing:

“In my spare time from curse research, I make magical devices. Selling their patents has given me endless wealth… As a ducal family, you’ve probably used my creations, like the magic blower.”

…Eh? She made that?

About a year and a half ago, it hit the market. Like a hairdryer, it blows hot air to dry hair quickly while nourishing it, making it a favorite among nobles.

…Honestly, I wondered if a reincarnator invented it.

Seeing our skepticism, Olivia added:

“In magical research, Margaret’s a genius.”

But her expression darkened.

“…Sadly, she has no talent for casting magic. If she did, she’d shake up the entire magic system.”

Fate can be cruel!

Olivia sighed.

But Margaret, the topic’s center, waved it off casually, almost relieved:

“So what? I’ve tasted enough of miserable fate to not care about one more.”

She turned her gaze to me and the young lady.

“You’re curious, right? Why I have a noble surname but no noble status, and why I’m rich yet live in this remote, rundown mansion… Honestly, saying that surname makes me want to vomit.”

Without waiting for our reply, she continued, spilling her dark, tragic past.

(Margaret’s Perspective)

When I came to, I was no longer “me.”

“Wah… wah…”

The cries of two infants.

I quickly accepted that I was now Margaret Noy, with a twin sister, Elizabeth Noy.

We were just the eldest and second daughters of an earl’s family, but Elizabeth was born deaf and ill, so our birth mother despised her… though it was only neglect, occasionally withholding her food.

Whenever that happened, I’d secretly share my meals with her.

Elizabeth would return a bright, cheerful smile.

…I learned about magic in this world at age five.

How cool would it be to use magic! That was all I could think about.

But fate mocked me. I soon learned I lacked the prerequisite for magic—aptitude.

Devastated, I couldn’t even eat… until Elizabeth comforted me.

Though she couldn’t speak or hear, she held me gently, embracing me until my despair faded.

I owe my recovery entirely to Elizabeth.

I found a new goal: researching magical devices. Even without magical aptitude, I could create items with similar effects.

Elizabeth supported me silently, not understanding what I was doing.

When I made a quirky new gadget, she’d laugh with me.

With her by my side, no hardship scared me.

If only we could live like this forever… I clung to that hope.

But… fate played another cruel joke.

Our mother’s third child was also a girl, so the concubine who bore a son won our father’s favor.

Scorned by him, our mother descended into madness, blaming Elizabeth’s “curse” for everything. At first, she only beat her, but later, she’d throw whatever was at hand…

During that time, Elizabeth’s body was covered in bruises, with no unmarred skin.

…And then, I made a grave mistake.

One day, that woman, in a crazed fit, stormed into my lab and attacked Elizabeth.

Hearing Elizabeth’s incoherent cries, my heart bled.

Unable to stand it, I stepped in front of her.

But my actions enraged her further.

“Even you, even you betray me?!”

She grabbed a small bottle from the table.

…No, that liquid was highly corrosive… She came so suddenly, I hadn’t had time to secure the dangerous items.

“If only I hadn’t birthed you things!”

With a hysterical scream, the bottle loomed large in my eyes.