BHRMP CH 10

Chapter 10

After what happened yesterday with Gerard and the Green Hole—and after receiving the Green Gem—

Eloise had expected this question to come sooner or later.

But she hadn’t prepared an appropriate answer.

Left with no choice, she improvised.

“Sunlight, temperature, humidity?”

“So you’re saying you read the terrain.”

Gerard wrapped Eloise’s vague answer into something more convincing.

“Seriously. When I asked yesterday, you kept your mouth shut the whole time. So you knew from the beginning, Gerard.”

There was a hint of reproach in Crown Prince Noah’s cool voice, as if Gerard had hidden important information.

Eloise glanced between Noah and Gerard and quickly spoke up.

She didn’t want Gerard to earn Noah’s resentment because of her.

“I didn’t tell him! This is the first time I’m saying it today!”

Noah’s eyes narrowed.

Eloise met the crown prince’s gaze head-on.

If Gerard’s golden eyes were soft, like sunlight spilling through an afternoon window, then Noah’s were cold and sharp.

To avoid shrinking under that piercing stare, Eloise lightly clenched her fist on her skirt.

“Then is the claim that you read the terrain a lie?”

“No!”

Eloise lowered her gaze slightly and spun her thoughts quickly.

A moment later, she met Noah’s eyes again.

“I can tell when a Rainbow Hole will appear by observing the terrain and the sky.”

“And when exactly did you observe Windfield?”

“That’s…”

“I gave her a viewing orb.”

Once again, Gerard saved Eloise.

At this point, even Eloise felt suspicious.

‘Did I talk with Sir Gerard yesterday about what would happen today?’

Not at all.

She hadn’t even known these people would come.

Then how was Gerard answering so smoothly every time she was cornered?

“I’d like to hear more.”

“There’s not much more to explain. You heard the report that I stayed with the support team for a while, didn’t you?”

Noah shrugged, but anyone who knew the situation understood.

Crown Prince Noah still kept Gerard—his illegitimate half-brother—under surveillance and received reports about him.

“During that time, Miss Eloise told me she thought the Rainbow Hole prediction might be possible, and that she wanted to test it.”

“And?”

Morgana showed interest.

If Eloise truly could predict Rainbow Holes, it would be a tremendous achievement for the Demonic Energy Management Bureau.

And if Morgana handled it well and brought it to light, it would become one of her own shining accomplishments.

“So I gave her a viewing orb. Isn’t that right, Eloise?”

Eloise blinked rapidly.

She didn’t understand why Gerard was lying so thoroughly to help her.

But one thing was clear.

His lie benefited her.

‘I’ll accept the help now and repay him later.’

That was the best choice she could make.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“So if she can observe different parts of the continent, predicting Rainbow Hole incidents in the future is possible. That’s an impressive ability. What do you think, Your Highness?”

Morgana looked to Noah.

“It’s promising. But she’s only been right once. We’ll need to see whether this is real ability or mere luck.”

Doubt and the demand for verification were reasonable.

“Miss Rubelia, what do you think? Can you make another prediction?”

But for some reason, Eloise felt that what Noah truly wanted to verify wasn’t her ability—

It was Gerard’s words.

‘If I fail, His Highness will go after Sir Gerard.’

Sure enough—

“What do you think, Gerard? Will you vouch for her ability? Success or failure—both will be shared by you and Miss Rubelia.”

Eloise’s heart dropped.

She believed she wouldn’t fail.

But there was always the possibility, however small.

‘I can’t let Sir Gerard suffer because of me.’

Just as Eloise was about to object, someone spoke first.

“Your Highness, Miss Rubelia belongs to the Demonic Energy Management Bureau.”

It was Vice Director Morgana.

“From this point on, support for Miss Rubelia will be officially handled by our bureau. How her abilities are used afterward will also be our responsibility.”

Morgana frowned faintly as she pushed back against Noah’s words.

Servan, who had remained silent with a gentle smile, finally joined in.

“I believe Miss Rubelia’s predictive ability, much like the appearance of healers, may be divine providence. Miss Rubelia says it isn’t a revelation, but to be certain, I think she should meet His Holiness. What do you think, Miss Rubelia? Consider it a vacation to the temple.”

A subtle tug-of-war formed between Morgana and Servan over Eloise.

Eloise’s large eyes darted between them.

It was certainly an ability worth coveting.

But watching them compete over her before it had even been verified felt strange.

“Vice Pope Vandes.”

“Yes, Vice Director Raven.”

Sparks practically flew between them.

If Eloise’s ability proved real, the side that claimed her could gain the upper hand in managing the Disaster Response Headquarters.

“Wait a moment!”

Natalija’s irritation finally boiled over.

“Her ability hasn’t been confirmed yet, has it? Just like His Highness said, we need further verification.”

She spoke sharply.

“If Miss Eloise’s claim is true, we’ll need an enormous number of viewing orbs. Can the budget handle that?”

Viewing orbs capable of real-time monitoring was expensive to purchase and maintain.

They were rarely installed or used unless absolutely necessary.

“Who’s going to fund that? Vice Director Morgana? Or the temple?”

“I will.”

Gerard stepped forward as if he’d been waiting.

“The Mage Tower?”

Even Natalija, who liked Gerard, couldn’t help but scoff inwardly.

The Mage Tower was perpetually short on funds, having poured nearly all its budget into research.

Some mages even illegally distributed artifacts to finance their studies.

And now the Mage Tower would support something that might require dozens of viewing orbs?

For something unproven?

Even for mages known for pouring money into absurd research, this would surely face opposition within the Tower.

No matter how absolute Gerard’s authority was, unilaterally supporting a project of this scale wouldn’t be easy.

The cost wasn’t trivial.

“Sir Gerard, I know I’m not in a position to comment on Mage Tower affairs, but—”

“Then it would be best if you didn’t comment at all, Miss Natalija.”

Natalija’s eyes flickered.

Looking at Gerard’s calm face, she suppressed the emotions surging inside her.

“Sir Gerard, I only speak because I’ve always respected you—”

“Let’s keep it at respect. No need to add words.”

Gerard openly rejected Natalija.

For the second time.

In fact, he had been subtly dismissive since greeting her that morning.

‘Why is he like this?’

Gerard wasn’t close to Natalija, but he was known for treating everyone fairly.

He didn’t draw anyone especially close.

Nor did he push people away.

Except those who aggressively tried to heal him.

That was why Natalija—despite being the A-rank healer with the highest healing power—kept a careful distance and didn’t rush to offer healing.

Her hidden supporters had advised her to approach quietly, not hastily.

So she had planned to move slowly.

And yet—

Gerard had changed.

Natalija instinctively sensed danger.

Like many who were deeply narcissistic, she looked for the cause outside herself.

‘It’s her fault.’

Eloise—standing there with wide, innocent eyes.

***

“Do you know Eloise from the support team? She’s cute. Such a shame she’s not a healer.”

“Watching her makes you feel good. She’s like a busy little hamster. Sometimes I file complaints just to visit the support team—to see Eloise, you know.”

Did Eloise know?

That she was stealing attention meant for healers?

Just then—

“Regardless of the Mage Tower, I’ll fund support for Miss Eloise with my personal assets.”

“—!”

Everyone froze at Gerard’s words.

Especially Eloise, who was beyond surprised—she was shocked.

“If Miss Eloise’s predictions fail, then I’ll be the only one who loses. What do you think, Your Highness?”