Chapter 64
‘What trick is this time?’
Eluana deliberately ignored Regis and addressed the mage.
“Recommend a protective artifact suitable for a child to carry.”
The mage’s eyes flickered nervously. He struggled to keep his gaze from drifting toward Regis as he presented the items. Even for a mage accustomed to noble treatment, dealing with royalty was challenging. And with the duke’s daughter present, the difficulty doubled.
“This is a tracking bracelet. It’s single-use, but it allows you to check the wearer’s location.”
“How does it work?”
“You just come to our magic shop whenever you want to verify the location.”
That meant the bracelet’s wearer could be tracked in real-time from the shop.
“Show me something else.”
“This is a protective artifact. Press this button, and a shield forms around the caster. The effect lasts five minutes, but it breaks if it receives more than a certain amount of impact.”
When Eluana’s reaction was lukewarm, the mage quickly pulled out another item, still cautious of Regis but focused on fulfilling his duty.
“This is a ring that functions like a scroll. Turn this gem, and it teleports you to a designated location. It’s single-use, but you can recharge it by bringing it back.”
“How do you designate the location?”
“The mage can input the coordinates. Go to the second floor, and they’ll assist you.”
“I’ll just buy it for now. What about the ring size?”
“It adjusts to your finger when worn.”
“Show me more.”
Eluana purchased a few more artifacts from those presented by the mage. Aside from the teleportation ring, she selected items suitable for the ‘heir training’ journey.
While waiting for the orders to be packed, a mage came running down from the upper floor and shouted loudly in front of the display.
“The potions you ordered are ready!”
A servant who had been standing behind Regis stepped forward, and the mage cautiously handed over a vial filled with a yellow potion.
“You must be careful, as you know.”
“The instructions suffice.”
The servant arrogantly snatched the vial, pretending to smell it before glancing at Regis.
“Your Highness, the potion is complete.”
“Alright. Let’s go.”
As Regis stood and began walking, the servant smirked and tossed the vial into the air, adding an exaggerated “oops” gesture.
Where the servant stumbled and threw the vial, Eluana was standing. By the time she and Ling realized what was happening, it was already too late. The vial tilted in midair, and the orb resting on Eluana’s shoulder bounced off.
Thwack.
The orb struck the vial’s neck, altering its trajectory. The potion splashed unpredictably.
“Huh?”
Regis and the servant’s eyes widened. Reflexively, Regis reached out to block the potion pouring onto him. As the scattered potion soaked his hands, a pop sound erupted, followed by a burst of light.
When the light vanished, only a gray pigeon remained.
Eluana, staring at the pigeon that had once been Regis, gently patted the orb on her shoulder and murmured,
“It’s a bird now.”
“…Yes. He’s turned into a bird.”
Ling commented as well. Indeed, Regis had become a pigeon.
“Noooo! Turn the prince back immediately!”
The servant finally grasping the situation screamed in panic.
“You instructed that it be a potion impossible to reverse. The effect will wear off in 24 hours. Just wait a bit…”
The mage stammered with a pale face, and the servant’s expression twisted in fury. If rumors spread about the prince being turned into a pigeon, it could bring shame—or worse—to both himself and his family.
They had to fix this, but all the servant could do was shout.
“Fix it immediately!”
His commotion drew other mages to gather and confer. Even for the mages, the prince turning into a pigeon was a serious incident. Alex, having checked the situation inside, returned to Eluana’s side.
The first room became increasingly chaotic.
“If this isn’t resolved, consider the magic shop closed!”
At that moment, with a splat, the pigeon defecated. Silence followed.
For a while, the only sound in the first room of the magic shop was the cooing of the pigeon.
It wasn’t until sunset that the carriage arrived at the duke’s residence. Due to the tumultuous ending, they were delayed more than expected. Upon arrival, Eluana immediately went to find Dave. Sensing her presence while surveying the garden, he turned around.
“Miss, do you need something?”
“I need to inform you of something.”
“Anything you say.”
Eluana hesitated for a moment, preparing to give Dave some troubling news.
“I encountered Prince Regis at the magic shop I reserved. It seems he was waiting for me. He even knew Louis was leaving for his heir training. I suspect one of the servants is betraying us.”
Dave’s frown deepened.
“Was everything alright?”
“I’m fine.”
The problem had befallen Regis, not her.
“It’s my oversight. I’ll locate the intruding rat in the house as quickly as possible.”
“Please do.”
After entrusting Dave, Eluana ascended the stairs. With the sun setting, she had to bid farewell to Louis. Yet her steps toward the daisy room were slow.
She could have asked Dave to prepare for the journey, but she didn’t want to leave before seeing Louis, fearing tears.
‘I mustn’t cry.’
She had to see him off with a smile.
Dragging her heavy shoulders, she heard the Duke of Spes’ voice through a half-open door.
“I hope you don’t remove this necklace from your body.”
“It’s beautiful. What is it?”
Louis fiddled with the golden necklace. Recalling Kazahr’s explanation that enchanting artifacts consumes “life energy,” Eluana’s chest tightened.
“It’s a protective artifact. Press this part, and a shield forms around you, sending a signal to Kairon and me. Only Kairon and I can deactivate it, so don’t worry—just wait if something happens.”
“Thank you.”
“Kairon is inexperienced. No ill will, but living with him may be difficult. If you want to return, you may do so. I’ll find another way to ensure your safety.”
“No. I’m fine. I can manage. I’ll be back.”
Louis smiled up at the Duke of Spes.
Eluana turned away, thinking it best for them to spend a little more time together. She also felt a twinge of guilt for momentarily resenting the Duke.
‘Father… You really are a good father, just as my dad was.’
Eluana paused outside Kairon’s room and knocked lightly.
“Come in.”
“Hello.”
Upon entering, Kairon looked up.
“What brings you here?”
“Oh… I…”
Impulsively, her eyes darted around, then she remembered the artifact she had bought.
“Could you set the coordinates for this to the duke’s residence? I bought it at the magic shop, but Prince Regis was beside me, so I didn’t register it.”
“Why is Prince Regis in the Spes territory?”
Eluana recounted the day’s events. Kairon’s violet eyes sparkled as he listened, and he burst into laughter.
After giggling for a while, he opened a pocket dimension.
“Where did I put this?”
He retrieved a head-sized communication orb and began rummaging in the pocket dimension.
“I need to organize this day properly soon.”
After digging through the pocket dimension for a while, Kairon pulled out a small box.
“Take this.”
Inside was a pair of earrings. Transparent gems changed to gold and green when Eluana touched them.
“Huh?”
“The color changes depending on the wearer. I put effort into it when making them. Try them on.”
Eluana wore the earrings, which melted softly onto her ears. They felt almost weightless.
“The left resists mental magic; the right neutralizes most poisons. Only you can use them.”
Eluana’s eyes widened. Unlike the crude artifacts at the magic shop, these looked like ordinary accessories but were genuinely magical.
“Thank you.”
“This is payment for the entertaining story. I’ll set Louis’ artifact coordinates. Wait a moment.”
Kairon retrieved a small object from the pocket dimension. It floated and flew out the window.
“It’ll bring the correct coordinates. Meanwhile, I’ll share this amusing story widely.”
He placed the communication orb on the table, grinning. As soon as someone appeared, he began narrating the story.
“…So that’s what happened. You should’ve seen him as a pigeon. Let’s see how the royal family reacts.”
Kairon laughed loudly, contacting all his mage friends. While preparing for the royal reaction, most were amused by Regis’ foolishness.
After spreading the news of Regis turning into a pigeon, Kairon turned off the orb, still chuckling. A mischievous glint lingered.
Finally, Kairon looked at Eluana.
“It’s fortunate it wasn’t you who got hit by the potion. That would’ve complicated things.”
Eluana, listening beside him, questioned,
“He’ll return to normal by tomorrow, right?”
He wasn’t injured or in danger; it was just a childish prank.
“Imagine if it had been you who pooped instead of Prince Regis.”
“That’s… a bit horrifying.”
Eluana shuddered involuntarily.
