Chapter : 14
“Lysia of Lebian greets the Radiance that illuminates the Empire.”
“Ha ha, sit down.”
It wasn’t the first time the Emperor had called me.
But usually, this only happened after the Crown Prince had openly expressed his feelings for Merina.
The conversation hadn’t even started in earnest yet—why was the Emperor calling me now?
At first, the change from my ordinary life was thrilling, but as more unusual things happened, I couldn’t help feeling a little anxious.
“Well, have some. The Imperial chef’s skills are quite remarkable.”
Unlike the Crown Prince, the Emperor, pretending to be kindly, offered me tea and cake, and I accepted the cup with thanks.
“I’ve heard a lot about Lady Lebian, but you are truly calm and bold. Most young ladies fumble even drinking tea in front of me.”
Well, if she had experienced a hundred gatherings like this with His Majesty, would she really be nervous?
The Emperor lightened the mood with talk of popular desserts and trends. When I had half emptied my cup, he brought up the main topic.
“Have you chosen a partner for the upcoming ball?”
“Eh?”
“I thought perhaps, if Lady Lebian agrees, you could become the Crown Prince’s partner, so I called you here.”
I set my teacup down calmly.
I had a bad feeling about this—and sure enough.
“The Empress said that Lady Lebian would suit the Crown Prince very well.”
Hearing the word “Empress” from the Emperor, I could roughly understand the situation.
Merina, not wanting a fine man to be paired with someone other than herself, must have asked her sister—the Empress—to let her partner with Duke Lysianthus.
My name must have come up too, and the Empress likely informed the Emperor to separate me from the Duke.
But the Crown Prince!
Even before holding his hand, my body would reject it, and I’d probably vomit.
“Seeing you in person, I agree with the Empress’s opinion. What do you think?”
It was as if the Emperor was offering me the future position of Crown Princess, assuming I would naturally accept.
Most people would leap for joy, but not me.
And what he called a proposal was essentially an order.
Who could refuse without offending the Emperor?
Duke Lysianthus? Even if I asked him to partner with me, I couldn’t be sure he’d accept.
For most noble houses, just naming someone like the Duke would anger them—how dare the Emperor reject the Crown Prince for one of their own?
Suddenly, I remembered the telegram from Madame Antte, asking me to visit the salon.
“I am honored, Your Majesty, but I already have a prior engagement, so it will be difficult.”
“What? Who?”
I gripped the hands under the table tightly.
“Master of the Mage Tower, Your Majesty.”
“Ma… Master of the Mage Tower?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The Master of the Mage Tower? With him? How…?”
The Emperor, fiddling with his chin in confusion, suddenly brightened.
“Ah, I’ve heard rumors that the Master of the Mage Tower appeared in the capital. Was that to meet you, my lady?”
“I don’t know why he came to the capital. It was a chance encounter that led to our meeting.”
When I firmly said I didn’t know the Master’s purpose or whereabouts, the Emperor fell silent.
The Mage Tower, claiming neutrality, and the Master—its most exceptional magician—were often compared to a country and its king.
In reality, he received greater privileges than most kings of small nations.
Hearing that I had a prior engagement with the Master, the Emperor could no longer suggest the Crown Prince as my partner.
“How disappointing… truly disappointing.”
The Emperor rose from his seat.
“Perhaps another opportunity will arise.”
As always, he seemed pleased with me, and I merely spread the folds of my dress and bowed.
On the way home, I stopped by the salon, and Madame Antte greeted me warmly.
“Welcome, my lady!”
She looked exceedingly cheerful.
“The Master of the Mage Tower visited again. He paid extra to make sure you could use as many materials as needed for your dress!”
“Really?”
“He also said he would personally procure anything you needed.”
What kind of person is this Master that he is so meticulous about my dress?
According to Ted, the Master of the Mage Tower, Silla, is an unpredictable and insane genius.
Usually holed up in the Tower, but once he starts a task, he pursues it relentlessly.
At twelve, he became the Tower’s leader and possessed limitless abilities.
“I see. And the dress?”
I had planned to ask the Master to be my partner after gathering more information, but now that plan had shifted.
Or perhaps now was the perfect time.
“I had no choice.”
If it was between the Crown Prince and the Master, clearly the Master—untouched by any prior events—was the better choice.
There’s no need to involve the Crown Prince unnecessarily.
“Excuse me? What did you say, my lady?”
“She said she wants to try the dress on right away.”
“Yes, this way, please.”
Led by Madame Antte to the fitting room, a sky-blue dress was brought in.
“The final decorations haven’t been added yet. Once complete, it will be magnificent.”
I suddenly remembered that the Master’s order had specified a luxurious dress.
“My eyes are red—will this color suit me?”
“Of course, my lady. See, it’s not purely sky blue; it has a reddish tint.”
As Madame Antte showed the fabric under the light, a subtle red shimmered.
“Since this is for the Imperial Ball, please send it before then.”
“Understood, my lady.”
Madame Antte’s eyes sparkled.
“I asked you to come for a fitting today.”
She helped me put on the dress personally.
“You’ll look stunning in the finished dress. It’s a pity I won’t see it complete. Here, hold it there.”
“Like this?”
“Yes, secure it with pins. We’ll need to add more decorations there.”
Madame’s passion for her craft shone brightly. Watching someone pour their love into something is beautiful.
Perhaps it looks even more beautiful because it’s something I could never have.
Because all I can do now is struggle to avoid death.
“The documents are sorted by type, my lady.”
“Looks good. Excellent.”
Ted, my newly hired secretary, also took charge of organizing my study.
He is loyal and would never betray anyone—perfect for the role.
I wouldn’t reveal everything I know, but he’s suitable as an aide.
Ted had changed his hair to a dry hay color and, somehow, his eyes were now green. His flashy past appearance had disappeared.
“You’re still handsome, so be careful.”
“Am I handsome?”
“Of course.”
He wasn’t a key figure, yet described as very handsome—so he must be.
Cathy also complimented him, asking who the new secretary was. So yes, he must be handsome.
“I’ve heard it often, but it still feels new.”
“What did you say?”
“Never mind. What did you say I should look into first?”
“Continue researching the Master of the Mage Tower and Blue Bird, and fetch Vitalin for me.”
“Vitalin… you mean ‘that medicine,’ right?”
I nodded lightly at Ted’s question.
“Who’s going to take it? Surely you’re not planning to?”
“I am.”
Ted shook his head in disbelief.
“You must have only heard good things about Vitalin. It’s a dangerous medicine—you can’t take it casually.”
“It stimulates metabolism and gives energy, but is highly addictive and dangerous if taken repeatedly?”
“…The more I see you, the more amazed I am at the strange things you know.”
“And the more I see you, the more curious you seem about your client?”
I added, Isn’t keeping quiet about a client the basic principle of the Information Guild? Ted chuckled wryly.
“I expected you’d investigate me, but I didn’t expect you’d really do it. Investigating a client is a skill too.”
He must have investigated my identity after I hired him, then followed me to the carriage where I appeared.
“Don’t worry, I haven’t told anyone about you, my lady.”
“You need to know about a client to decide whether to sell information, so that’s fine.”
The Guild of Spiders is peculiar in that it does not sell information for immoral purposes. That was Ted’s conviction as Guildmaster.
“…What kind of person are you, knowing all this?”
“Stop asking and fetch Vitalin first.”
At the mention of the medicine, Ted’s face hardened.
