Episode 65
Sometimes, it’s better not to know certain things.
‘It’s a shame I couldn’t see Her Highness the Princess…’
But since he had coincidentally met Helena at the beach and could now even remove the shadow of the demon sword that had constantly threatened the Second Prince, he was content to return to the earth and become fertilizer for great magic.
‘However, at that time, I will definitely take that book with me.’
Ren vented his irritation as best he could and then left the smithy.
After he was gone, Moghold deactivated the memory orb he had secretly regenerated and hidden in the corner.
‘I leave the cleanup to you, Lenny.’
The face of the non-magical man prepared for death looked more peaceful than ever.
A few days later, renowned craftsmen from various fields swarmed into the hotel in a bustling crowd.
“What about triple-layered curtains? One that lets in a soft light, one that doesn’t, and one that completely blocks out the sun.”
“A sofa for ten people would be good, wouldn’t it? Then guests visiting the baby can relax comfortably.”
“We can place a tea table by each window. Should we make each seat three people? That might be too small.”
Amid the flood of suggestions, I shook my head in confusion.
“Wait a moment… This is a nursery. There’s no need for guests to come in here…”
“Oh, but there is, Madam!”
The craftsman who had been talking about the 10-person sofa cut me off.
“Isn’t a cozy nursery the pride of any kingdom noble? Here, the baby’s father and…”
The craftsman trailed off, glancing at Callisteon and grinning.
‘Even if he doesn’t know he’s a Grand Duke, and doesn’t know I’m a Princess…’
The surprising thing was that our Grand Duke of Babenberg tolerated the craftsman’s ridiculous attitude generously without reprimanding him. Thanks to this, the craftsman could continue.
“…the elegant Madam, holding the baby, a moment of domestic bliss…”
“There’s no need to show it to others.”
I firmly interjected and continued what I had been about to say.
“We will not place any furniture intended for guests. I will tell you what I need. Craftsmen confident in making these items, please raise your hand and let me know.”
The craftsmen looked disappointed but closed their mouths tightly for now.
“First, a wardrobe.”
The craftsman who had wanted to make tea tables instantly raised his hand.
“Yes, Madam! First, we’ll make the body from luxurious mahogany, and the handles with gold trim…”
“No gold handles are needed. However, can you make the wardrobe about… this tall?”
When I placed my palm at chest height and asked, the craftsman questioned back.
“Huh? The wardrobe?”
“When the child grows up and starts walking, it would be good if they could open it themselves.”
“Ah… It can be made, but children grow surprisingly fast, and…”
Callisteon, who had been observing until now, finally interjected.
“If they grow fast, we’ll just make another one. Make it as the Madam wishes.”
The craftsman immediately answered.
“Ah, yep!”
Did it seem like he was the one paying?
‘Erni would feel wronged.’
Actually, it was Ernst who had summoned the craftsmen. But it probably wouldn’t look good for the Crown Prince to be decorating a pregnant woman’s nursery, so he was waiting on another floor.
‘Well, currently, Callisteon is nominally the owner of this hotel.’
And I was just a guest staying in the upper-floor suite. We couldn’t reveal our status over such a matter, and the fact that the Princess was pregnant was an absolute secret, so I moved on, albeit discontentedly.
“And I’d like a slide, about… this big.”
This time, as I bent over to point to knee-height, Callisteon hurriedly supported my arm.
‘This is exactly why he looks like the father.’
I shot a glance at him for being overly attentive, when someone asked.
“Madam, excuse me, but what is a ‘slide’?”
They don’t know what a slide?
I was flabbergasted. I had paper and a pen brought over and drew a slide.
“It looks like this. Children can slide down and play on it.”
“Ooh, I’ve never seen such a thing in the Kingdom. After making this item, would it be permissible to produce more and sell them to other nobles?”
Callisteon abruptly cut in and scolded him.
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
But to me, it sounded like a very enticing idea.
I held up a single finger towards the craftsman.
“Ten percent.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I want a ten percent cut of the sales price. If you refuse, I will hire another craftsman and make and sell it first myself.”
“No, a noble lady, how could you…”
Callisteon, who had just scolded the craftsman, seemed to have already banished that memory and cut in again.
“If the Madam wishes it, there is nothing in this land that cannot be done. So, will you do it or not?”
While the other party was hesitating, the craftsman who had agreed to make the wardrobe struck first.
“I’ll give it a try!”
“No, you…”
While he was flustered, another craftsman also stepped forward.
“No, this one is making the wardrobe, so his time is short. I’ll make it!”
Amid the flood of volunteers, I was able to satisfactorily order the items.
That same night, The Imperial Capital
It was a time when he would normally already be in bed, but the Emperor made his way to the Empress’s chambers with heavy steps. He had wanted to question her since noon, but as the Empress had been stuck at the Crown Prince’s palace all day, he hadn’t caught a glimpse of her.
“His Imperial Majesty is arriving.”
Seeing the imperial guard announce this, it seemed she had finally returned to her room.
The Emperor entered the room and asked the Empress, who was calmly preparing for bed.
“…Why did you take the fragments of ‘Belih’?”
The Empress didn’t even flinch.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The Emperor sighed.
“Even broken, is it not an imperial heirloom? To move an object imbued with the Empire’s glory so recklessly… I know you are distressed over the Crown Prince’s matter, but…”
“I will restore ‘Belikh’.”
The Emperor’s sigh deepened.
“Empress.”
“The Crown Prince’s condition is undoubtedly due to the evil spirit of ‘Belih’. Wasn’t the Crown Prince closest when the sword shattered? If we restore the sword, everything will return to normal.”
To the Emperor, these words were utterly absurd.
“Do you not know how hard I’ve worked to ensure the fact that the Second Prince bore that terrifying thing, and that the Crown Prince was possessed by it, does not leak outside the imperial family? To be intoxicated by delusions and restore the demon sword! Even if it were possible, what wizard would follow such an order? Would the Magic Tower Master stand idly by?”
The Emperor held out his large palm to the Empress.
“Please return it.”
But the Empress didn’t even look at him.
“I’ve already given it to Moghold.”
“Who?”
The Emperor frowned.
Narses Moghold, the former Magic Tower Master, had bid a one-sided farewell seven years ago and abruptly disappeared. The young man he had put in his place as the new Master had never been as reliable or loyal as Moghold, not even for a single moment.
The Empress said with a sneer.
“Do you not remember how the former Tower Master tried to dissuade us from using the demon sword? I assumed he would come to the imperial palace if he heard about the Crown Prince’s accident. You didn’t truly believe the current Master Ren’s words that he was unreachable, did you?”
The Emperor asked, his face full of disbelief.
“So, he truly appeared?”
“The Magic Tower Master’s oath is valid until death, isn’t it? He will restore ‘Belih’ so the demon sword can choose a host once more.”
The Emperor flared up in anger.
“This is madness! You’ll lose our remaining son as well!”
“The remaining son!”
Then she screamed back.
“The remaining son is your son, not mine! I will sacrifice anything if there’s a way to save my son. Even if it’s your son, I don’t care!”
“…Dorotheo.”
“I’m tired. Please leave now.”
In front of her husband, the Empress nonchalantly opened the covers, got in, and lay down.
Watching her dark eyelashes close, the Emperor shook his head.
He left the room and quietly commanded the imperial guard waiting outside the door.
“Bring the Magic Tower Master to me. Now.”
