Chapter 18
The person I’d been watching with bright, curious eyes?
“For example… Melissa Ilberne.”
The moment Rudolf said that name, I understood exactly what he meant.
“She’s the second daughter of Count Ilberne. Recently decided to enter the Magic Tower. People laughed at her, saying it was incredible—starting life as the youngest in the Tower at thirty. Did you know?”
“No…”
I didn’t know that much. All I knew was that Melissa Ilberne had fought her elder sister for the position of head of the family, lost, and as a result, had no choice but to enter the Magic Tower.
“And that she has a genius-level talent for magic?”
That much, I knew—along with the fact that she would one day evolve into the mad mage who turned the Tower upside down.
But that wasn’t the only reason I’d been looking at her with shining eyes. Melissa Ilberne was also the one who, far in the future, would save Imelda’s life. I liked that scene so much that I’d been watching her the way one might watch a celebrity.
Rudolf’s mother was a Grand Mage of the Tower. Most of his political funding came from there as well.
Maybe that’s why—even while living in the imperial palace—Rudolf seemed well-versed in the Tower’s internal affairs. Well enough to even remember the talent of a mage who had only joined a few months ago.
“I truly didn’t know,” I protested, though I doubted he’d believe me.
“I just thought Lady Ilberne was fun to listen to…”
“Robert Sellon. Everyone looks down on him because he’s just a merchant without a title. But you paid close attention to what he said.”
I fell silent again.
The Sellon Trading Company was already fairly large, but Robert’s social standing kept it from gaining much attention. However, a few years later, when he would marry the youngest daughter of a marquis and become their adopted son-in-law, everything would change.
Robert Sellon had an extraordinary ability to track the flow of money. I’d thought it wise to listen closely to whatever he said, just in case.
But did I expect Rudolf to notice that? Absolutely not.
“Esmeralda Wood. Everyone calls her an airhead, but you don’t seem to think so. Layton von Archibald—scion of a prestigious family. People say he’s too simple-minded to support the royal family, but I think otherwise. Karina Belias. She has deep resentment toward her mother and brother. Pretends to be a dutiful daughter now, but in a few years, the Belias family will fall into her hands.”
Had you been watching only my face during conversations?!
Honestly, I couldn’t even remember everyone I’d paid attention to. But hearing Rudolf recite the list so accurately left me speechless.
“Funny, isn’t it? How the people you notice happen to overlap quite a lot with the ones I’ve been watching.”
That, too, was astonishing.
The people I’d noticed today were all characters from the original story—each destined for success, though that success was still at least three years in the future.
And yet Rudolf—without ever having read the original—was already keeping an eye on them. Even allowing for good intelligence sources, his insight was remarkable.
“And so, today, I was able to confirm it.”
Rudolf downed his champagne in one go, then set the empty glass down.
“That you’re quite a clever child.”
Ah. I realized something I’d been wondering about for a while.
Rudolf had invited me here for this very reason.
He had been testing me—releasing me into an aquarium full of nobles and following where my gaze landed, studying me.
“Why you notice them, how you know… I won’t ask who you are.”
That was as good as a declaration that he did suspect my identity. Cold sweat ran down my back.
“What matters is that you’re useful to me.”
With that, Rudolf refilled his empty glass and slid it toward me.
“So come to me, Lucillia. I’ll help you in return.”
A second recruitment offer—after Richard’s.
Until now, Rudolf had only concealed what he wanted. But this time, the proposal was clear and direct.
So I had to give him an answer—even if it was just to postpone it.
“Brother Richard made me the same offer.”
I said it while gauging Rudolf’s reaction. If it had been Richard, he would’ve gotten angry, but Rudolf didn’t seem to mind.
“But you didn’t accept his, did you?”
“He said my opinion didn’t matter much.”
“Why wouldn’t it matter? Only you can choose your own life.”
He added, meaningfully, “When standing at the crossroads of life and death, the choice must be yours.”
Life and death, huh.
“So if I choose not to side with you, you’ll kill me?”
I decided there was no need to play coy and lobbed the question straight at him.
Rudolf’s eyes widened slightly. Then he covered his mouth, bent over, and—
Kuhh—heh— Laughter leaked out between his fingers in a most unrefined way.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Rudolf Sol Esperusa, laughing like this?
I’d seen him laugh loudly before, but never this hard. Right now, it was as if he had thrown off all pretense.
The Rudolf I’d read about in the original wasn’t like this.
“You… pfft… really aren’t like a royal at all.”
His words stung, but he kept laughing. After a while, he looked up at me.
“If you choose no side, I can respect that. But if you choose someone other than me…”
His winter-sky blue eyes suited the gentle yet chilling words.
“Yes, as you said, I might have to kill you. I’d have no choice.”
What a vicious family.
Still, it was nothing I didn’t already know, so I wasn’t especially afraid. In fact, it was easier to have Rudolf state his intentions so clearly.
Before me was a very clear choice—but far too important to make right away.
“I’ll need time to think.”
“Of course.”
He nodded easily.
“Think carefully. About where you truly belong.”
Then he gestured to my plate.
“Want more?”
My appetite was long gone. I shook my head, and Rudolf said,
“Then why not head back? I’ll be staying here, but you must be tired—and you have a lot to think about.”
Music to my ears. I’d thought I’d have to stay until the party ended, so leaving early was a welcome option.
I popped the last cream puff into my mouth and stood. Rudolf drew back the screen to make way for me.
That’s when it happened.
“Prince Rudolf.”
A deep voice called out to us.
If it had been anyone else, I might have been annoyed, but the instant I heard it, my eyes turned toward the source. The voice had the pull of a black hole.
A tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man in all black approached and greeted us.
“A night full of silver.”
He was extremely tall, with a solid, powerful build that marked him instantly as a warrior.
His face was rugged, like a roughly hewn stone, yet strikingly handsome—especially his golden eyes, which shone like the lights filling the garden.
Golden eyes…?
A sense of dread crawled over me.
No… it couldn’t be. Surely there was more than one person with golden eyes here.
I tried to convince myself—until Rudolf smiled warmly and greeted him.
“Duke Aschenbach! You’re a bit late.”
I froze.
Of course. I shouldn’t have been worried only about the heroine.
Wilhelm Aschenbach. One of only two dukes in the empire. Known as the Black Lion of the Northeast.
And the father of the male lead.
I had just run into an incredibly important figure.
“Elena wasn’t feeling well, so we’re late,” he said, frowning.
“Oh dear. What happened to the duchess?”
“It’s my fault for not ensuring her health on such an important day.”
His tone carried a subtle edge—not so much concerned for his wife as irritated she had missed an important event. The attitude, which put others on edge, made my own expression stiffen.
Something’s off.
My first impression of the Duke wasn’t great. Yes, he had a good voice and was handsome, but there was an oppressive air about him that was unpleasant.
Like the type who would cut you down at the dinner table for holding your spoon wrong. Not someone I wanted to get close to.
And it didn’t match the original at all, which made me uneasy.
Well… maybe it was just appearances. I recalled the original setting.
The male lead, Tristan, had grown up in a warm, loving family. Duke Aschenbach was described as a kind father who cherished his wife and son.
I figured he must just act cold outside but be warm to his family. It was fitting enough for the male lead’s father.
Then, after finishing his greetings with Rudolf, the Duke gestured behind him. Two men who had been waiting at a distance walked toward us.
Wait.
“These are my sons.”
So suddenly?!
I’d been worrying about meeting the heroine first, but now I was about to meet the male lead—before the heroine!
“A night full of silver, Fifth Prince, Seventeenth Princess. I am Ludwig Aschenbach, heir to the dukedom. And this is my younger brother, Anton.”
That was it.
I forgot to reply and just stared blankly at them.
Why only two?
“Lucillia?”
Rudolf’s murmur snapped me back to my senses.
“Pleased to meet you, Duke. And you, young lord—and your brother as well.”
I stammered through the greeting. The Duke didn’t seem to mind, and his two sons, stiff with formality, didn’t seem to notice me at all.
Had Tristan not come today? That didn’t make sense. As the Duke’s son, he should be here, and if he had a reason not to come, surely Rudolf would’ve asked after him.
“Well, enjoy your evening, Duke.”
While I was still confused, Rudolf finished his brief conversation with the Duke. The man turned to leave with his sons.
“Excuse me,” I blurted out without thinking.
“Your youngest son isn’t here tonight?”
The Duke turned his head slowly toward me.
The moment his gaze locked on mine, my breath caught. His expression was nothing short of murderous. If I weren’t a princess, I felt he might have cut me down on the spot.
“I…” His golden eyes flashed. “…have only two sons.”
