Chapter 25

He brought up Aden’s name as naturally as if it were nothing.

From this point onward, I needed to stay extremely alert. I had no idea what sort of message he intended to convey.

“You must have had pleasant memories.”

“In the kingdom that was Her Highness the Imperial Consort’s homeland, there exists a very ancient crystal mine.”

“By crystal… do you mean magic stones?”

If so, Hayley’s position might become somewhat precarious.

Of course, if Lucian had no intention of bringing her onto the same side as him, there was nothing to be done about it.

The moment the topic of magic stones arose, Jade must have immediately thought of his fiancée, yet he continued standing silently behind Lucian without the slightest change in expression.

“Ah, magic stones.”

The moment Lucian nodded as if indulging a misunderstanding, I realized it.

Wrong answer.

“I’ve heard that the pure energy within crystals allows magic to flow more smoothly. They say it’s especially helpful for those still inexperienced with magic.”

“My lady seems quite interested in magic.”

“More than magic itself, I’m interested in the power held by the Mage Tower.”

I answered brightly without even trying to conceal my intentions, causing him to laugh aloud.

The one truly interested in the Mage Tower was unni.

Honestly, the expression on her face whenever she returned from there and compared what matched or differed from her memories looked happier than I’d expected, and that bothered me.

I wanted to tell her that I was fine now, that she should go pursue what she truly wanted.

But unni would never leave my side until I was completely safe and until I achieved my goals.

Which meant I needed to move even faster.

Live past nineteen. Make Lucian emperor. Prevent House Rosena’s destruction. Prevent the Empire’s collapse. Prevent war with the Holy Kingdom. Prevent the plague from spreading…

Ah, I’m exhausted already…

This is only my first life. I have no special abilities. So why are there this many things I need to accomplish?

“Crystals also function excellently as magic stones, but in that land they’re used differently. Brother Vincent even prohibited their use as magic stones, so within the Empire they’re mostly reduced to chandelier decorations.”

Even when Vincent’s name was openly brought up, Elian remained beside me without changing expression in the slightest.

Talking among these loyal, expressionless statues truly felt surreal.

Still, this was unexpected.

I had come here expecting a sensitive discussion, but I hadn’t imagined Lucian would openly bring Jade along.

Though if Lucian trusted him, then I supposed I should as well.

Then again, Lucian had never once complained about my habit of bringing Elian to important conversations either, so I couldn’t really criticize him.

“So how are crystals used in the Holy Kingdom?”

“As holy relics.”

“Holy relics?”

When someone mentioned holy relics, I normally thought of magical artifacts imbued with special abilities—objects enchanted with magic to produce miraculous effects.

Though with the development of magi-science, relics themselves had long since faded into obscurity.

If people from the past saw the magical devices commonly used today, they might faint at the sight of such precious “holy relics” being handled so casually.

Still, the Holy Kingdom wasn’t so behind in magi-science that they would cling to outdated relics.

In fact, at some point they had likely surpassed the Empire altogether.

‘Magic and divine power conflict with one another. But that does not mean they cannot coexist.’

That had been Queen Melicia’s radical policy.

Both were powers granted by heaven, and rejecting either one would ultimately lead only to mutual destruction.

Though there was probably also some intention of mocking the Empire for quietly looking down on both.

“I believe I understand what sort of relics my lady imagines, but the Holy Kingdom means something different. A magnificent invention that harmonizes opposing powers.”

Opposing powers.

Perhaps he noticed the instant change in my gaze, because Lucian smiled faintly.

Compressing a third kind of power—created by combining magic and divine power—inside crystal.

That meant the Holy Kingdom had succeeded in accomplishing what people once believed impossible.

“Crystals themselves are exceptionally pure. Those originating from the Holy Kingdom are said to grow while absorbing the region’s divine power, making them even more so. By utilizing that property, one can deceive the eyes of others for a very long time without harming the human body.”

“For example, changing eye color or hair color.”

“A sharp observation.”

He couldn’t explain further within the Empire.

Lucian smiled quietly.

No matter where he went, his clothing was always adorned with countless ornaments.

There were so many that it was impossible to tell which among them might be crystal.

Or perhaps he wore them somewhere hidden—

Wait. Stop imagining things, Flotie Rosena.

“But relics that precious from the Holy Kingdom couldn’t possibly be obtained within the Empire.”

“Well, perhaps family members could acquire them.”

He had made it unmistakably clear.

And the meaning behind those words was equally obvious.

Lucian needed Aden right now.

And Aden was staying in the Holy Kingdom.

Since Lucian couldn’t move personally, he would have to send someone in his place.

Lucian turned toward Jade.

“You’re currently around Sword Expert level, correct? Do you think you can reach Master?”

“I am training diligently. My apologies.”

“I’m not criticizing you. In fact, from what I can see, you’ll likely reach that level soon enough. If you’re already near that threshold, then you’ll soon need a new sword.”

“Ah, this sword is already more than sufficient—”

“No, this is precisely the time you’ll need one. Fortunately, Sword Masters are permitted limited use of blades forged in the Holy Kingdom.”

Jade instantly looked bewildered.

Lucian spoke with the kindness of a perfectly generous ruler.

“Do not worry. I will personally cover all expenses.”

“…I am grateful for Your Highness’s generosity.”

A man with exceptional talent, but rather lacking in awareness…

From now on, that man would probably spend quite a long time wandering the Holy Kingdom in search of the Second Prince.

Most likely alone.

Elian also seemed to understand the situation, yet without showing the slightest sympathy, she merely dropped a sugar cube into my teacup.

The only person who still hadn’t realized what was happening was the one destined to suffer through it directly.

Poor thing.

But what could anyone do? He chose that master himself.

This time Lucian looked at me with the exact same expression.

Ah, so now it was my turn…

Come ahead. I’m prepared.

* * *

“Minabel, I’m not ready.”

“You can do this, Tie.”

“No, I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. You’ve already handled huge social events just fine. You even attended the auction without me. This time I’m coming too, and Lady Ginevra is here as well!”

“Please feel free to call me Hayley.”

The moment Minabel tugged my arm, the strength instantly vanished from my body.

All my desperate effort clinging to the mansion staircase railing became meaningless as I collapsed limply like a paper doll.

Flop.

My body practically fluttered through the air.

Damn it. Starting tomorrow, I’m seriously exercising.

No matter what happens, I’m increasing my stamina.

“Bell… were you trying to throw Tie down the stairs?”

A chilling voice echoed from above.

Unni stood there staring down at us with an icy expression.

As if burned alive, Minabel hurriedly set me upright and frantically waved both hands.

“No, no, no, no, no! Spare me! Please spare me!”

“I never once said I was going to kill you.”

“No, unni. I was the one refusing to go, and Bell was trying to persuade me. I just couldn’t hold on because my arms are too weak.”

Only then did unni seem to understand the situation, letting out a sigh.

“Tie, you shouldn’t be stubborn about something everyone already agreed on.”

I’d trusted that at least unni would take my side.

But now even my last remaining hope had collapsed.

At this point, I really had no choice but to go.

A few days after my visit to the Prince’s Palace, I ended up hearing yet another rumor added on top of the “Flotie Rosena and Lucian Edvain are involved with each other” gossip.

Apparently, word had finally leaked that House Rosena had contributed to House Paneschula’s downfall.

Since those people already spent all their time lurking around searching for scandals, the moment even the smallest opportunity appeared, they rushed to snatch it up and exaggerate it further.

‘I tried my best to ensure your names wouldn’t be mentioned, but it seems someone spotted you on the terrace.’

‘It was inevitable that someone would notice eventually. We went there fully prepared for that possibility anyway.’