Chapter 83
Zirk met with Alexis.
It was during a visit to the duke’s estate at Alexis’s request. In the office, only the two of them were present.
Alexis asked Zirk to interrogate a woman imprisoned in the basement.
And now, he was meeting Zirk to hear the results.
“Did you find out anything?”
“She was working for the Grand Duchess. Her name is Emma, and she was the chief maid closest to the Grand Duchess. She’s part of the organization known as The Shadow of the Rose.”
“The Shadow of the Rose, huh…”
“She said she came targeting the young lady.”
“I suspected as much. So it’s true.”
“More specifically, it seems she intended to kidnap her.”
“Kidnap?”
“Yes. It’s certain the Grand Duchess knows the young lady’s identity.”
“Was there anything else?”
“No, nothing more.”
“If the Grand Duchess knows, she may make a move.”
“What will you do?”
Alexis’s eyes turned serious.
“Soon, the dwarves will visit the estate to begin construction.”
Zirk tilted his head in confusion.
“Didn’t Elly say she wanted to build a lab near the Magic Tower?”
“Yes. She said she wanted to use the research stolen from the Grand Duchess. For that, she needs a place to work.”
“For the time being, I’d like you to take care of Elly and Prince Noah on Luminer Island, where the White Magic Tower is. Please pass this along to the Tower Master.”
Zirk smiled brightly.
“I’ll speak to the Tower Master right away.”
“Please do.”
“I’ll be on my way, then. Oh, and the woman in the basement became mentally incapacitated due to a mind-control spell. I’ll leave it to you to handle her.”
Mind-control magic was a dangerous spell that turned people into fools. That’s why it was only used for torture.
The reason Alexis had asked Zirk to handle the interrogation was to protect Elia. In a situation where the Grand Duchess could act at any time, information was power.
Thanks to that, they found out Emma had been the Grand Duchess’s head maid and had been ordered to kidnap Elia.
From that, they could infer the Grand Duchess knew Elia was at the duke’s estate and had made a move to abduct her.
It was now certain—the Grand Duchess was after Elia.
A short while later, Alexis summoned Noah and Elia to his office.
“Elly, the Grand Duchess knows.”
Elia nodded as if she had expected it.
“Luckily, it seems she doesn’t know the prince is here.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Elly, didn’t you say you wanted to build a lab on Luminer Island?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, I think it’s best for you and the prince to go stay there for a while.”
“Just the two of us?”
“Yes. The dwarves will start construction soon, and the estate will be quite noisy.”
Once construction started, things inside the estate could get chaotic. That chaos was the perfect opportunity for enemies to infiltrate. It was in times of noise and confusion that schemes were easiest to pull off.
“They sent a member of the Shadow of the Rose here to kidnap you.”
“I see… that happened.”
“Yes, and they’ll try something else again, no doubt.”
Alexis wasn’t someone who could stay by Elia’s side 24/7.
Elia herself was also busy with her own business ventures.
“Okay. It works out well—I was planning to meet Uncle Felix since the clinical trials for the burn ointment are finished.”
Alexis turned his gaze to Noah.
“I’m fine with it. The Tower Master wanted us to hold lessons on the island anyway. He said if we did it here, the mountain wouldn’t survive…”
“Then it’s decided. Once the Tower Master approves, you’ll depart.”
Both Elia and Noah nodded.
A few days later, Bromnick the dwarf arrived at the duke’s estate.
He wasn’t alone—his companions were with him.
Alexis and Elia welcomed them.
“Welcome.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Norman will show you to your accommodations. Please rest first and recover from your travels.”
“Thank you, Duke. Lady Elia.”
“Please, follow me.”
Norman respectfully led them away.
Bromnick and the other dwarves were deeply impressed by Alexis’s courteous treatment.
“Bromnick, you were right.”
“Indeed. I thought nobles were all arrogant and fussy, but the Duke is different.”
They had worked with nobles before.
Nobles tended to be showy and arrogant, especially toward other races. Many treated them as if they were smelly beasts and wouldn’t even let them near.
But Alexis shook Bromnick’s hand without hesitation and treated him with ease and warmth.
That left the deepest impression on them.
“This will be your room.”
When Norman opened the door, inside were plush beds and luxurious furniture.
Bromnick tilted his head.
“Are you sure we can really stay here?”
“Yes. The Duke emphasized that you should be treated with utmost respect. He said you’re very important people working for the estate.”
“Then we must not betray that trust.”
“We’re counting on you.”
Norman bowed politely, and Bromnick bowed in return.
“We’ll do our best.”
“There’s a banquet tonight in your honor. Please get some rest in the meantime.”
After giving the instructions, Norman left the room.
“They even prepared beds for us.”
The room was large enough to hold several beds with space to spare.
“No noble has ever treated us like this before.”
Bromnick smiled proudly as he looked at his pleased companions.
In the evening, Elia and Noah attended the banquet with Alexis.
Work would begin in earnest tomorrow.
It was also the day Elia and Noah would leave the estate.
“I’m sad you’re leaving tomorrow.”
Bromnick looked disappointed.
“We’ll come back when the construction is done. We can see each other before you leave.”
“Then, we’ll do our best to make the estate beautiful by the time you return, my lady.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Bromnick exchanged looks with his companions.
They raised their beer mugs with fiery determination, and Bromnick toasted with Alexis.
Elia and Noah toasted with juice instead.
They ate, drank, and enjoyed themselves late into the night.
A surprising thing happened—even after opening several barrels of beer, the dwarves didn’t get drunk.
Elia saw with her own eyes just how much the dwarves loved alcohol—and how strong their tolerance was.
The one who ended up passing out was Alexis.
He was known to be a heavy drinker, unmatched by most, but it seemed he couldn’t keep up with the dwarves.
“Elly, you know I love you a lot, right?”
Drunk, he clung to Elia, making Noah flare up.
“Duke, you know that’s a crime, right?”
“I can love my own daughter—who’s going to stop me?”
He hugged Elia tightly.
What shocked Noah was that Elia didn’t push him away.
Watching Alexis and Elia, it felt like they were truly father and daughter. It left Noah confused.
Could someone with no blood relation really feel like true family?
Noah, who had never experienced familial affection, found the scene hard to understand.
Part of him even felt jealous of Elia receiving the Duke’s love. It was a childish kind of envy.
“What am I even thinking right now…”
Noah shook his head and wedged himself between Elia and Alexis.
“Get off her—I can’t watch this anymore.”
“Your Highness, shall I hug you too?” Alexis joked.
As Alexis reached out to hug him, Noah desperately pushed him away.
“No, thanks! Please just stop and move away.”
“Ha ha ha! Looks like the Duke’s quite drunk,” Bromnick said with a hearty laugh, still holding his beer mug.
In the end, Noah had to call for Norman’s help.
Norman arrived with knights, who helped carry Alexis away.
Noah let out a deep sigh and looked at Elia.
She was staring back at him, her eyes narrowed.
