Chapter 10
When Frantes opened the door, he saw Madame Mezen leaning against the wall beside her bed with her eyes closed. In her hand she clutched a metallic object.
“Are you all right?”
“Do I look all right? I’m dying. Right here, in front of you. Don’t faint from shock—it would only upset Luna to see you collapse.”
“You look healthier than ever, which reassures me.”
Frantes dragged over a chair and sat across from her.
“You dislike roundabout words, so I’ll ask directly. Do you have any intention of giving me Amanta’s watch?”
Madame Mezen opened her hand wide.
The object she had been gripping was revealed.
A round brass pocket watch.
Old, scratched, the paint chipped—like some cheap antique.
Its hands were frozen, unmoving.
Yet this worn timepiece was one of the rare treasures of the Lotmeria family: Amanta’s Watch, created by their great ancestor, the legendary mage Amanta. Its worth was beyond measure.
“What if I didn’t?”
“Then I’d have returned immediately.”
Frantes said what he didn’t mean. In truth, he would keep returning every half-year until she relented. Until the watch was in his hand.
“If only you’d been born with magic, this wouldn’t be such a struggle. You should have been born a mage, like me.”
Madame Mezen smirked mischievously.
“Another talent suits me just fine. I rather like who I am now.”
Frantes parried smoothly.
By tradition, Amanta’s Watch could only be inherited by a mage of the bloodline—unless the last owner left a special testament. If Madame Mezen died without changing her will, the watch would automatically pass to another mage relative. That was unacceptable. Frantes needed it now.
Raising both hands, Madame Mezen lifted the watch into the air.
Brilliant violet light swirled around it.
Frantes watched quietly, the glow reflected in his clear blue eyes.
“Was it Verpfel who wanted it?” she asked softly, naming the crown prince who resided in the Golden Palace.
“Of course not. Verpfel still does nothing, as always. It’s Her Majesty the Empress’ will. She told me she once heard my late mother speak of the watch.”
Frantes chuckled.
As ever, the crown prince had no thoughts of his own; this was between the Empress and Frantes. Hearing her story, he decided it was a worthwhile insurance policy and traveled all the way to Tilbury.
“I thought as much. You do know the conditions for activation?”
“Of course. A subject, a mage, and a sacrificial medium. You needn’t worry—I’m no mage, and I don’t look like someone willing to give my life for another, do I?”
“No. A man about to marry would never make such a choice.”
“…How did you know that? Truly, nothing escapes you, Aunt.”
“Even in the countryside, ears exist.”
“I’m flattered by your interest. In that case, why not go ahead and name my bride?”
“That depends on how you behave.”
She waved a hand; the pocket watch’s lid snapped shut, and it drifted gently back into her palm.
“Luna doesn’t know you’re a mage, does she?”
“Luna?” Her brows twitched.
“What? May I not call her that, like you and Emily do?”
“Hmph. Call her what you like, it’s none of my concern. I just find it amusing. Yes, she knows neither my identity nor Emily’s—and she has no wish to. That’s what makes her a good girl.”
A sly curve tugged at Madame Mezen’s lips.
“In fact, I’ve just had an idea. Frantes, let’s make a deal.”
“Gladly. What are the terms?” he answered at once, as if waiting for it.
“If you stay in this Veila mansion for two months, I’ll give you Amanta’s Watch.”
“…That’s all?”
Frantes sounded almost deflated.
“There’s no advantage to you at all.”
Just two months’ wait for the treasure? It was too easy.
Could that even be called a bargain?
And yet, two months was awkward. He had calculated only two weeks’ stay in Tilbury. Any longer, and his aide Regen—already overburdened—would be furious.
“Yes. Nothing else. Endure for two months, and the watch will fall easily into your hands. I’ll summon a lawyer soon to revise my will, and I’ll show you the document with your own eyes.”
Her voice was firm.
“But you must promise—never to use it. There’s something you don’t know. The consequences of its magic would fall not only on you.”
“Such ominous words. What backlash could it bring?”
Seeing her solemn expression, he continued:
“Mages must not meddle with human destiny carelessly. You’ve said that many times. Very well. I’ll ask no further. I swear on the name of Lotmeria—I will never use Amanta’s Watch.”
Frantes spoke with solemn oath. Only then did Madame Mezen’s face soften with a faint smile.
“Thank you, Aunt. I knew you’d give it to me.”
Like a boy, Frantes leaned against her affectionately.
“During your stay here, you will learn to be grateful to me.”
She whispered meaningfully.
“I already am.”
Even if it meant a longer detour, in the end everything bent to his will. The world was on his side. Drunk with that certainty, Frantes asked a question he normally never would.
“Did you never wish to use the watch, back then?”
At the sudden query, her fingers twitched. After all, it had been long ago. Her eyes narrowed, gazing into distant, fading memories.
“I did. But to use it would have been selfish love. I refused to be so selfish.”
Her quiet voice carried a sorrow she had kept deep in her heart.
“I hope… you make the same choice as I did.”
The air grew heavy.
Then, as if to dispel it, she brightened her tone.
“By the way, did you enjoy yourself with Luna today?”
Frantes smiled faintly.
Emily and Aunt both care for Lunaria so much, despite knowing her only a few months.
Enjoy?
Did I?
A clear, flowerlike smile bloomed in his mind.
The warmth and pulse he’d felt through her slender fingers. The faint drifting scent of blossoms.
“I look forward to my two months here at the Veila mansion.”
Late at night, in a secret room at the back of a tavern.
Under red lamplight, a man paced restlessly. Each step kicked bottles and glasses across the floor with clattering sounds.
“Sit still, Nadian! I’m already furious enough to burst!”
Jakoran, shirt front open, swigged wine straight from the bottle and shouted.
Baron Nadian Eclobe gnawed at his fingernails, ignoring him.
“Can’t you arrange something? I must speak with him privately. Have your fiancée set up a meeting.”
Crash!
Jakoran hurled the bottle to the floor, shattering it.
“Are you insane? Or should I crack your skull open myself? You want me to ask him for that? Who the hell does he think he is?”
Even now, his blood boiled at the memory of that man calling Lunaria “Luna” so familiarly. And of Lunaria’s words before all his friends—
How dare she say she wanted to break it off first? If anyone ends it, it’ll be me!
He popped open another bottle and gulped it down.
“You wouldn’t know, never having been to the capital. That boy you call wet behind the ears is none other than the famous Grand Duke of Lotmeria. I must find out why he came all the way to this countryside.”
“So what if the capital’s so great? This is Tilbury!”
“Tilbury is still within the Empire. If Frantes gives me a little support, my petty debts will vanish.”
“Keep dreaming. Why would someone that great help you?”
The baron muttered to himself, ignoring the question.
“Damn it… still chasing women even here. What a spoiled brat. Or maybe it’s to my advantage. If his taste is that poor—could I not send my sister into his chamber? A mage! Yes, I need a mage. Someone to brew a potion strong enough to enthrall him.”
His eyes glazed as he whispered again and again:
“Jakoran, just bring Frantes to the place I say. Then the plan will be perfect.”
“Never.”
Madman.
Jakoran cursed under his breath and pushed himself off the sofa.
He left the room, heading toward the woman who always kept her window open—his secret lover.
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