CHAPTER 59………….
“Oops!”
I was planning to run before they arrived, but I completely forgot while talking with Leonhart.
“Uh? Your Grace?”
“…I wondered why you were so late. So you were with the Duke.”
Luspell and Owen, who had noticed me, widened their eyes and approached.
“May the hand of God remain upon you. Duke, is this our second meeting?”
“Greetings, Cleric Owen.”
“Ah…”
Owen suddenly pressed his hand against his forehead, as if trying to stifle dizziness.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just… a little dizzy…”
Owen smiled awkwardly, his face pale. Is he feeling unwell?
“Your Grace, may I sit first, if you don’t mind?”
“…You may.”
Owen staggered over to the sofa and sat down.
As I glanced at Owen’s back with concern, Luspell greeted me.
“Your Grace, how have you been?”
“And you, Professor…”
I almost smiled warmly without thinking but stopped myself quickly.
Owen and Leonhart were looking at us with puzzled expressions, as if wondering when we had become so close.
I glanced at them briefly and then pretended to frown.
“People might think the Professor and I are friends. Professor Luspell, you might want to relearn proper manners.”
“If the Duke says so, I’ll consider it.”
“….”
‘Hey! How can you say that! You should’ve just said “I don’t want to” like your usual self!’
Just look at their expressions. Can’t they read the atmosphere…?
Even though I tried to signal with my eyes, Luspell remained calm.
Typical of him—completely indifferent to others’ impressions.
“…Hmm, did you just rush out from the experiment?”
“How did you know?”
“How could I not? A magician looks like a mess, yet you expect me not to notice?”
“Huh?”
Luspell lowered his head to look at himself. Then he scratched his messy hair as if he had just woken up and asked:
“Am I really that bad? I just washed up.”
“Just washing doesn’t fix everything.”
He tilted his head curiously, then sniffed the heavily wrinkled and grimy cuffs of his clothes.
“Seems fine to me.”
Fine… really?
What good is just washing your body when your clothes stink? He probably just grabbed some cornered, unwashed clothing.
‘Still, his health seems pretty good.’
He wasn’t as skeletal as before, nor did he look sleep-deprived with rough skin.
His previously thin cheeks were now plump, and his skin looked fair.
‘Looks like he’s keeping the promise he made with me.’
A satisfied smile crept onto my lips.
“You seem to be eating regularly.”
“I set up a spell to alert me at meal times, but it’s so annoying.”
“Even if it’s bothersome, eat on time. And sleep on schedule, right?”
“Six hours is hard, but I try to get at least four hours.”
“Considering the experiments… you’re doing well.”
“Well, I promised.”
“If it’s too much, hiring a personal maid might help.”
“Do you know what kind of person you’re letting into the lab?”
“I have a method I used to find my fiancée. Want me to tell you?”
Luspell’s eyes widened.
“Your Grace is getting engaged?”
“I doubt anyone in the capital doesn’t know except the Professor. Stop staying only in the lab; go out, meet people.”
“Then what about Our Highness…?”
Luspell looked at Leonhart, utterly bewildered.
Then, Leonhart, who had been quietly observing, suddenly asked:
“Are the two of you… close?”
Luspell and I answered in unison.
“No?”
“No way.”
“From my perspective, you seem pretty close…”
“C-Close? What are you talking about!”
“Your Highness, you must be straining your eyes.”
Leonhart’s gaze grew even more suspicious.
Rationally, even if we were close, it wasn’t a problem. Luspell and I hadn’t truly become friends…
‘Then why do I feel guilty?’
Luspell probably felt the same.
We each took a step back. The atmosphere became awkward instantly.
Every time Leonhart alternated his gaze between us, my face stung as if pricked by needles.
‘W-We should run.’
Just as I was thinking of returning to the mansion…
“Professor Luspell!”
Owen sprang up and grabbed Luspell’s arm.
“Uh? What’s going on?”
“Do you remember saying you’d check something last time?”
“Check? What are you talking about… Ah.”
Luspell glanced at me before pulling Owen to a corner.
In my mind, the spirits’ live commentary began.
[About magic power?]
[Yes, you said you’d check next time. This is your chance. Go ahead.]
[…Now isn’t a good time.]
[Why not?]
[If you suddenly try to check for magic, wouldn’t it upset them? I’ll try when we’re alone later.]
[No, do it now.]
[You said the aura I saw wasn’t magic. Do we really need to check?]
[Yes, I must know.]
Luspell sighed in exasperation.
[Even if the Duke has magic, it doesn’t just disappear, and it’s not an urgent matter.]
It seemed Luspell wanted to check if I had magic, and Owen was insisting on doing it immediately.
[Seems Your Highness saw correctly. Luspell, were you friends with the lady before?]
[How could I be friends with the Duke? No way.]
[Did you forget what the lady did to Your Highness? How could you be close!]
[I said we’re not close! And the Duke is engaged. Honestly, if the Duke steps away from Your Highness, being close wouldn’t be impossible.]
[Do you trust the lady? Even the engagement could be a disguise. I don’t trust it.]
“Everyone in the capital already knows. What’s there not to trust?”
Luspell snapped and shouted.
He noticed Leonhart and I watching, then lowered his voice again.
[You know you’re acting weird, right?]
[I know. I also know I’m stubbornly insisting.]
[Explain. Convince me. Why are you doing this?]
At that moment, Owen turned sharply to stare at me.
I naturally avoided his gaze, feeling his mix of revulsion and obsession.
‘I’ve been found out.’
Owen was certain I was a shadow sorcerer.
‘Guys! What’s going on!? I was told if I took Lulu with me, it’d be fine! The Spirit King said so!’
Of course, my inner scream didn’t reach the spirits.
[Regardless of Your Highness’ problem, please. Luspell, trust me just this once.]
[Huh… fine.]
After finishing the discussion with Owen, Luspell stood before me, rubbing the back of his neck, looking awkward.
“Um… Your Grace, may I ask a favor?”
“What is it?”
“May I hold your hand for a moment?”
The moment he spoke, telepathic messages from the spirits flooded my mind.
[Rian, Luspell’s magic is moving.]
[Not offensive, it’s detection magic.]
[If you hold hands with that guy, your magic will be exposed. Be careful.]
I hardened my expression.
“Why should I allow it?”
“Well…”
Luspell just scratched his head, unable to answer properly.
Owen coldly pressed him.
“Professor Luspell, what are you waiting for? Go ahead.”
“…Owen, can’t you just ask?”
Owen ignored him and asked me directly.
“Is there a reason you’re avoiding a magic check?”
“It’s better for a cleric to speak clearly. Avoiding doesn’t mean refusal, just that I’m not obliged.”
“It’s not a crime to have magic. Avoiding it seems strange unless you want to hide something.”
Owen’s tone was unusually aggressive and rude.
“O-Owen?”
Leonhart grabbed Owen’s shoulder in surprise. Luspell fidgeted, unable to move.
The more urgent the situation became, the more my anxiety snowballed.
‘What happens if I get caught?’
Minimum execution = can’t return to the original world = certain death.
Cold sweat ran down my back.
‘Run.’
I forced a look of annoyance.
“I can’t stay here any longer. Your Highness, I’ll be going.”
