I Married My Sister’s First Love

Chapter 34

“Gale, I’m sorry, but I don’t want to hear about His Excellency the moment I wake up.”

“My apologies, my lady. I just wanted you to know that His Excellency has changed.

You must have noticed it yourself… hasn’t he changed a lot?”

Since Gale had been by Edward’s side the longest, he quickly noticed the shift in the Duke’s emotions and the changing dynamics between him and Ebony.

“Yes, but he changed too late.”

Gale had no way to argue against that. He simply bowed his head in regret.

“And the reason he changed was because I inherited my mother’s abilities.”

“…….”

“A late change, tainted by guilt, is not something I can fully welcome.”

Gale’s eyebrows furrowed in sorrow. He had no right to criticize Ebony’s attitude, but deep down, he wished she could let go of her anger.

But Gale would never understand.

“Ebony Dominique. From today, you are removed from the Dominique family registry.”

The man who coldly abandoned his daughter.

“Your father has acknowledged you as a fraud and sentenced you to execution.”

The man who discarded his daughter first.

“I appreciate your concern. But right now, I’d like to rest. Could you visit me another time, Gale?”

“…Understood. Please forget what I said. It was just the ramblings of an old man.”

Gale bowed politely and placed a tray of warm tea and soft porridge on the table before leaving the room.

“Then, please rest well. Call me if you need anything.”

As soon as she was alone, the silence felt strangely unsettling. Lying back down, Ebony pulled the thick feather blanket over her head.

A soft touch tapped against the blanket.

Ebony peeked out with only her eyes visible, then widened them in surprise.

“…You…?”

Lucia now looked like a teenager.

Standing beside her, Wade had also grown.

“Just making a contract makes you grow?”

Wade patiently explained their contract and the new abilities Ebony could use.

From now on, Ebony could directly use the power of the spirits she had contracted with. Wade called this process “Linking.” Through this link, the range of her abilities would expand.

For now, while you’re resting, let’s start with the basics.>

For the next ten days, while recovering, Ebony learned the fundamentals.

The first two days were spent on theory. From the third day onward, she began practical training.

She successfully created water droplets and small light orbs without the spirits’ help. Then, she moved on to filling a cup with water and lighting up a dark room.

On the tenth day, as soon as she was freed from bed rest, she rushed outside to test her newfound skills.

She watered the vast gardens, replacing the gardeners’ work, and provided strong light for the blacksmiths.

She continued training for several more days.

Ebony had grown so much that she could now fill an empty swimming pool with water.

Of course, she had previously purified a northern river for a contract with Diego, but this time, she didn’t feel as exhausted.

“I didn’t expect I could do this… A contract is amazing.”

Seeing the miracle she had created, she couldn’t help but be in awe.

The unused swimming pool, now filled with clear water, reflected the wind’s movement like a small ocean.

‘…I did this.’

With this power, she felt like she could truly make the world beautiful.

She clutched her chest, exhilarated by a newfound confidence she had never felt before.

And then—

“…You….”

Something dropped to the ground with a thud.

“What… is this?”

Ebony turned to face Herman, whose face was filled with frustration.

Seeing the uninvited guest, she immediately looked annoyed.

Feeling insulted by her dismissive attitude, Herman grabbed her wrist angrily.

“I asked you, what is this?!”

His grip tightened as he shouted.

Ebony tried to pull away, but pure strength wasn’t enough.

She focused, summoning a stream of water that splashed onto Herman.

Coughing, he finally let go of her wrist.

“That was rude of you, grabbing me like that.”

“You—cough—what the hell—cough!”

Herman stared in shock at his drenched clothes.

As he was about to lash out, Ebony cut him off.

“I apologize for attacking you. But you weren’t letting go.”

She subtly revealed the red mark on her wrist.

“Tch! Just answer me! Are you a Spirit Summoner?!”

“You already heard the news, didn’t you? Why ask again?”

“What?”

“You must have seen it in the reports, so why do you need to confirm it in person? I wonder about your intentions. Are you feeling unwell?”

Ebony pretended to be concerned, looking him over.

Realizing her sarcasm, Herman clenched his fists.

“Cut it out!”

As he swung his arms in frustration, water droplets flew from his sleeves.

Ebony took a step back to avoid them and smiled awkwardly.

“I was just worried that your cognitive abilities might have suffered while you were away….”

“Shut up!”

Herman was fuming.

The way she stood up to him so confidently—it was unimaginable just months ago.

After suffering from a shellfish allergy and being bedridden for days, she returned as a completely different person, acting arrogantly.

Now, he finally understood why.

It was because of that damn power.

“You think just because you became a Spirit Summoner, you’re something special?”

“I am special.”

Ebony’s sharp tone cut him off.

Her cold, contemptuous gaze surrounded him.

“Swordsmanship and magic—many people fail to master even one.

But I have awakened a power that no one else in the world has. If that’s not special, what is?”

Her low voice seeped into his ears, pressing down on him.

Her laughter had vanished, and her piercing stare overwhelmed him.

Standing just inches away, Ebony asked:

“Surely, you’re not saying that those who can’t wield a sword or magic are worthless, are you?”

“You—!”

“Good, I’m glad to hear you’re not.”

She flashed a crescent-moon smile, mocking him.

Herman’s face burned red as he realized the meaning behind her words.

He had once followed Leonhardt Dominique abroad for training. But his skills remained mediocre, and he had returned home, acknowledging his own lack of progress.

Even when he attempted magic later, his growth was still insignificant.

Now, he was neither an exceptional swordsman nor a capable mage.

Labeled a failure of the Dominique family, Herman had poured all his efforts into tarnishing Ebony’s reputation to make up for his own.

And yet—

“Don’t waste your time on meaningless things. Use it wisely.”

“…….”

“You should practice more. You wouldn’t want to be a worthless failure, would you, Lord Herman?“

Ebony’s taunting words left Herman speechless.

Herman stormed away from Ebony, seething with anger.

Being humiliated by the very person he had always looked down on—

‘She dared make me feel this humiliated?’

His fury burned on, refusing to fade.

With heavy footsteps, he marched through the halls.

Reaching a door, he twisted the knob impatiently.