Chapter 86……………..
“Uwaah!”
I screamed and looked at the child who had dashed into my arms.
Soft blond hair, eyes the shade of lush greenery, as if holding the colors of nature itself.
“…Jaister?”
It didn’t take me long to realize Jaister was the cause of that tremendous noise.
As I looked at him with a helpless expression, our eyes met.
“Where are the enemies…?!”
“How dare they storm into the Imperial Palace unless they’ve lost all sense of fear! Their heads should be cut off at once and hung upon the Imperial fortress wall as warning!”
“Come out immediately!”
A group of Imperial knights burst in, drawing their swords and radiating sharp hostility.
I, dumbfounded, glanced down at Jaister in my arms and gave an awkward smile.
“I… think it was my friend.”
“…Excuse me?”
“A… a friend, I said.”
The knights stared at me with bewildered faces.
Of course. Anyone would. The palace has the strictest of screenings against bringing in offensive-type artifacts or weapons.
‘From their point of view, they must have thought that among today’s invited nobles, some foolishly dared to smuggle in dangerous contraband…’
“Ah… did I get you in trouble, Lilien…?”
Jaister slumped his shoulders, separating himself from me, as I buried my head in my hands. I quickly grabbed his shoulders to assess the situation.
“How did you break through the Imperial barrier?”
“It just broke through easily.”
What the hell—summon the court mages immediately!
I was utterly aghast, quickly springing to my feet.
And just like that, the tea party was ruined.
* * *
Ruined, yes—but that didn’t mean we immediately returned to our residences.
“Why haven’t you gone back?”
“We will leave once that fellow departs.”
“He’s my friend.”
“…And I’m not your friend?”
“Please, just stay quiet, young lord…”
With a pounding headache, I looked at Rihardt and Jeron. Normally, like well-trained puppies, they were obedient—but in the very situations I wished they’d leave, they wouldn’t listen.
Meanwhile, Jaister only clung to me tighter, murmuring that he was scared of them. I sighed.
“Let me introduce you. This is Rihardt Will Elliot, viscount heir. And that snarky one there is Jeron Idrea, heir to a barony.”
“They’re your friends, Lilien?”
“…I guess so?”
“I thought I was your only friend.”
Jaister drooped his shoulders dejectedly, and I tilted my head.
“You can all become friends from now on.”
“….”
“By the way, what’s going on? Weren’t you unable to use magic?”
“Oh, that.”
As if recalling something as trivial as today’s lunch menu, Jaister casually answered:
“It just… happened somehow.”
Just happened?!
‘Wait, isn’t this way too early?’
In the future I knew, Jaister only awakened his first magic around the time we first met—at fifteen years old. Only then was he able to handle the mana inside him.
Considering he inherited the blood of a great archmage, it was quite a late awakening.
That delay is what made him so gloomy whenever he was alone, despite smiling brightly in front of me.
“What happened?”
With a serious expression, I cupped Jaister’s cheeks, asking about his recent circumstances while scanning his body for injuries. Luckily, I saw none.
Relieved, I exhaled and smiled faintly.
“They’re too close.”
Suddenly, Rihardt stepped in between me and Jaister.
At the intruder, Jaister furrowed his brows.
I was about to scold Rihardt, when Jeron tugged me aside with puffed cheeks.
“Why are you so intimate with him? More so than with me. Didn’t you have a bad relationship with the Tower?”
“Well, with the Tower Master, yes. But with his son, I’ve been close friends.”
“That’s right—Lilien is my first friend.”
Puffing out his chest proudly, Jaister brushed past Rihardt and clung to my side again.
“That’s insolent before Her Highness.” Rihardt growled.
“Why are you calling her by name? The only one allowed to freely say the First Princess’s name is His Majesty the Emperor himself.” Jeron snapped, bristling.
‘Why are they both like this to my friend?’
I remembered how Jaister once cowered alone in his own darkness. Instinctively, I pulled him closer and shielded him from the two.
Both Jeron and Rihardt looked hurt at once, especially Rihardt.
Feeling oddly guilty, I cleared my throat.
“In any case, my lords, please return. I have things to discuss with Jaister.”
“But Your Highness, he’s from the Tower. What if something happens? How could we leave you here alone?”
Rihardt carefully clasped my hand, gazing at me with earnest eyes. Yet I remained firm.
“No. His Majesty has already summoned me together with Jaister. I cannot take you along. And if anything happens, His Majesty will protect me.”
With that, I slipped my hand free of his grasp.
“Please return.”
“…I’ll send you letters.”
“You too, Jeron.”
“Then please at least answer my messages.”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Considering what just happened, I won’t be exchanging letters with you for a while.”
Turning away coolly, I took Jaister’s hand and headed toward the Emperor’s palace.
I thought I heard Rihardt snicker faintly behind us.
* * *
“What were you thinking, barging into the palace like that?”
When I scolded sharply, Jaister fiddled with his fingers, sulking.
“So I really did trouble you, Lilien…?”
“Charging into the palace without an invitation is dangerous! At worst, Estea could interpret it as the Tower challenging Imperial authority.”
“…Sorry.”
“At least—does Adix Rodburigo know you came here?”
“Yes, Uncle knows.”
“He knows…?”
So that man knowingly let his son teleport recklessly into the palace, where he could have been seized by Imperial knights and tortured?
‘Is he insane?’
Before I could finish the thought, Jaister shyly smiled and explained.
“Uncle said if I ever got caught, I should use this.”
He pulled something from his pocket, and my vision darkened.
That was… a destructive artifact.
If its formula was twisted, it would spare only those it didn’t consider enemies, while attacking all others indiscriminately.
In short, a weapon designed solely for Jaister’s use.
How did I know?
‘I wish I didn’t…’
Coldly, I fixed my gaze on the object in his hand and declared:
“Don’t use that recklessly. It’s dangerous. If you must, use it inside the Tower. Never here in the palace.”
“Okay! Got it!”
“And when you return, tell Adix Rodburigo this for me.”
“What?”
“Ask him if he wants to taste certain defeat again.”
“Mm!”
Jaister nodded eagerly, like a golden puppy obediently following its master.
I stroked his hair, letting out a weary laugh.
“I’ll smooth things over with His Majesty. You just stay quietly by my side.”
He didn’t really answer. Something about the way he half-listened left me uneasy, but I tried to dismiss it.
‘What could possibly happen?’
* * *
Plenty could.
“What did you just say?”
“….”
“I said I came here to take the First Princess with me.”
Jaister boldly declared his intent to kidnap me.
I slapped my forehead. The Emperor’s eyes flashed dangerously.
He had just dared to announce—right before the Emperor himself—that he would take away his daughter!
‘Why are you doing this?!’
I barely resisted the urge to grab Jaister by the collar and shake him. Instead, I nudged his arm with my elbow, silently begging:
‘Please, just stay still!’
‘No.’
Why?!
Before I could shout out to His Majesty, insisting I wasn’t going anywhere—
“I know Her Highness has recently suffered troubling incidents.”
“And what does that have to do with the Tower’s heir?”
“…Because I am her close friend? Isn’t it natural I’d worry for her safety? And wouldn’t it be better for her to stay safely at the Tower, rather than in a palace that can’t even protect her life properly?”
No, no, no! That’s not it at all!
I shook my head frantically. Why is this spiraling like this?
‘Wait—was this all planned with Adix Rodburigo?’
If so, I’d sooner be killed by him than by the Empress’s schemes!
Moreover, I could never survive comfortably in the Tower.
I clapped my hand over Jaister’s mouth before he could continue digging us deeper.
Forcing a smile, I addressed the Emperor:
“The Tower heir is just… saying nonsense, Your Majesty. He didn’t mean it. He’s not normally like this! I… I asked him to show me some magic, so maybe he came here just to do that!”
“But I really came to take you, Lilien—”
“Anyway! I will absolutely never go to the Tower! Once was more than enough!”
Then Jaister added quietly:
“Uncle said the Imperial court mages would struggle to produce an orichalcum substitute. Don’t you need help?”
I froze.
“…Help?”
“Yes. Uncle said he’d gladly assist, since I told him I wanted to be of help to you, Lilien. He even promised to support the project.”
“…I’ll go.”
“Let’s go right now.”
“Wait.”
Just as I was about to cave completely, the Emperor caught me, pressing his fingers against his temple.
He eyed Jaister warily, then pulled me protectively closer.
“I haven’t granted permission.”
“Locking away a child is hardly good for healthy growth, is it?” Jaister smiled serenely, countering.
“Are you trying to lecture me, heir of that eccentric Tower?”
“I only fear that Her Highness’s world will become too narrow. That’s all.”
While they exchanged tense words, my mind raced with calculations.
It was true—the court mages were limited. They were shields, not researchers. They spent all their time maintaining or reinforcing barriers, not developing new magical materials.
Even if they created a substitute for orichalcum, they lacked the expertise to craft tools or artifacts from it. At some point, I had already considered cooperating with the Tower…
‘And now, opportunity falls right into my lap.’
Smiling to myself, I met Jaister’s eyes. He beamed radiantly, as if sharing my joy.
“Her Highness seems to like the idea.”
“….”
“Of course, moving her residence would require proper guidance. But at least asking her opinion is only right, isn’t it?”
“…Ha.”
The Emperor gave a mirthless laugh. He set me down before him and peered into my eyes.
“Are you planning to run away from home?”
“What? No!”
Startled, I shook my head frantically. Jaister frowned at me.
With a bright smile, I quickly added:
“I only think it would simplify our relations and convenience, nothing more!”
“….”
“….”
“So, may I visit the Tower briefly? I’d like to discuss how we might cooperate on the orichalcum project. Also, I heard some plants from the Forest of Darkness could be useful medicinally. They say the bark of the carnivorous trees is extremely durable—I was thinking of sending an expedition.”
“…Hmm.”
The Emperor curled his lips into a wicked smirk.
Jaister looked at me in confusion, but I was too elated. Hugging him tightly, I exclaimed:
“I’m so happy! You really are my one and only friend!”
“….”
“No take-backs on helping me, got it?”
“I… I….” His eyes grew wet.
“You don’t understand how I feel… Lilien, you idiot….”
“What was that? You’re too quiet.”
“…I said, I’m glad you’re my friend too….”
“See! Your Majesty! Then I’ll head to the Tower at once!”
I turned to the Emperor, my eyes shining with rare excitement. He chuckled softly.
“Who on earth do you take after?”
“Surely you, Your Majesty? Anyway, I may go, yes?”
“…Hmph.”
“I’ll return quickly. It won’t be dangerous.”
“…Is it truly necessary for you to go in person?”
I tilted my head. Did I really have to? Letters and envoys could also handle the discussions.
Then I remembered—I had my mother to protect. I couldn’t just leave her and run off to the Tower.
After a moment’s thought, I murmured, “Should I send someone instead? But I don’t really have anyone trustworthy enough….”
At that, the Emperor raised a brow and gave the obvious answer.
“Why not? You have Duke Epsilard.”
Ah, of course—my grandfather.
