Chapter 103
Maya sobered up as quickly as she had gotten drunk. Her face regained its color, and her mind was clear again.
‘I left Kendrick alone too long while I was talking.’
She should congratulate him first. Maya flung open the parlor doors.
“Maya.”
Kendrick rose from his seat. He smiled when he saw her, but his expression hardened when his gaze shifted to Tristan.
“Congratulations on becoming the Tower Master!”
“Thanks. It’s still a little overwhelming… but I suppose it’s a position equivalent to a ducal house.”
Kendrick naturally faced Maya as he handed over a box he had prepared especially for this day.
“A ducal house…? No need to compare. What you’ve achieved is just as remarkable.”
Encouraging him, Maya opened the box.
“A ring?”
It was a ring engraved with a tiny sword.
“Yeah. I don’t think I’ve ever given you something like this before. Since you became Commander of the Imperial Knights, I thought hard about what to give you and chose this.”
“You’ve never given me a ring, that’s true. It’s pretty.”
While Maya examined the ring, Tristan and Kendrick exchanged glances. Tristan’s lips moved silently.
‘What kind of tactless man gives a ring to someone on the day of her wedding?’
‘It’s a contract marriage. I don’t see the problem.’
To call such a man tenderhearted… Tristan sighed inwardly.
The day when Kendrick’s mask would be torn away before Maya had to come.
“Thank you. I’ll try it on later.”
“…Not now?”
Kendrick asked in a disappointed tone, but Maya was firm.
“No. Not now.”
Though the ring bore a sword and the reason for the gift was clear, Maya didn’t want to wear it in front of Tristan.
Contract marriage or not, they had both acknowledged having feelings for each other.
‘…I still don’t know what I want to do about that.’
She wasn’t sure if she should just accept Tristan, who claimed to love every part of her.
But whatever she decided, she didn’t want to do something now that would weigh on his heart.
Not even for a close friend like Kendrick.
Tristan casually addressed Kendrick.
“Since you’ve become Tower Master, I imagine the Emperor has contacted you.”
“…Yes, he has.”
Kendrick felt a strange sensation as he watched Maya’s changed demeanor.
She had chosen to postpone wearing jewelry that could be misinterpreted as something more—out of consideration for her new husband.
That was not something the old Maya, oblivious to such subtleties, would ever have done. She was changing… because of her contract husband, the Duke.
Could their relationship even be called a “contract” anymore?
‘It’s true they’ve grown much closer than before.’
Not to mention, hadn’t they slipped away during the wedding to speak privately?
“Soon, either Maya or I will personally visit the hidden section of the Imperial Library.”
Robert, Doshen, and Alec had all looked so delighted watching the two of them walk away together.
Kendrick felt his place shrinking.
The Duke filled Maya’s side so naturally, so effortlessly, doing things Kendrick hadn’t managed in all the years he’d been with her.
In that sense, the East was his final chance.
…His chance to finally rid himself of his meddling biological father as well.
“Maya has already been given permission to access the library freely. But today, there’s something else I wanted to tell her.”
Brushing aside Tristan’s question, Kendrick swept back his hair and smiled brightly. His dazzling looks shone even more, but Maya was focused on his words.
Something else?
Realizing this, Kendrick inwardly sighed and got to the point.
“Maya, the Tower is sending someone to the East as well.”
“Oh, a mage to accompany us?”
“Yeah. Guess who?”
Maya pointed naturally at Kendrick.
“You, I’d imagine. You don’t trust others easily.”
“Correct. Plenty of people doubt the new Tower Master’s capabilities, so I need a place to prove myself. The East is perfect for that.”
“Life as Tower Master sounds tough.”
“Truly. It’s exhausting.”
Kendrick even mimicked crying at Maya’s words. Any mage who had died at his hands would have been horrified at such an act, but pretending weakness before Maya was second nature to him.
If it won him her favor, he’d do anything.
“So, I plan to actively support Commander of the Imperial Knights, Maya Bearden.”
As if speaking to her, Kendrick narrowed his eyes.
“Unlike some people.”
It was meant to jab at Tristan—who, though always at Maya’s side, could never stand openly at the forefront.
“There’s no need for that.”
Tristan answered coolly, unfazed by the provocation.
“Maya is more than enough on her own.”
Kendrick’s face twisted.
But he couldn’t refute it.
He knew better than anyone how extraordinary Maya’s skill was.
Of course, his trip wasn’t solely for official credit.
He wanted to personally investigate the strange behavior of the monsters they’d been facing.
Even he, after witnessing the colossal beasts appearing in different regions, felt something was off.
‘…And whatever monster we meet next will likely be out for blood as well.’
Though the Tower had begun its own research, Kendrick hadn’t been Tower Master long enough to expect major results yet.
“That’s a relief. I can trust you.”
Maya smiled, reassured.
She had been worried about the last remaining monster, but Kendrick’s presence eased her mind.
Behind her smile, a silent battle raged between Tristan and Kendrick.
“How about we spar all night, like old times?”
Kendrick smoothly suggested spending the wedding night dueling—a veiled jab implying that, since it was only a contract marriage, there would be no consummation.
“All night?”
Maya’s eyes sparkled at the thought of training, but then her words faltered.
Contract marriage or not, the two of them liked each other… maybe tonight would be different.
Still, she was curious about sparring with Kendrick too…
Sensing her hesitation instantly, Tristan spoke up.
“I don’t mind, Maya.”
He smiled with composed ease.
“The night doesn’t only exist today.”
…Once again, Kendrick had lost.
***
That day too, Maya had generously shared lessons with the Imperial Knights, and she turned toward the library with a refreshed stride.
‘I’m going to fetch a book on swordsmanship.’
She already knew where to go. Using her usual “intruder excuse” too often was becoming risky.
“Welcome.”
The librarian greeted her the moment she entered. Security was clearly tighter, with staff stationed everywhere.
‘If not for Kendrick, this would have been impossible.’
Liserfield liked competent people. When Kendrick became Tower Master, Liserfield personally summoned him to congratulate him.
He promised Kendrick the same honor and wealth as the former Tower Master, believing they all wanted the same things.
It was a calculated offer, based on Kendrick’s background and reputation.
Though inwardly indifferent, Kendrick accepted. There was no harm in it.
Liserfield’s first order was a new magic ward.
The ward at the entrance to the secret chamber was designed to kill anyone it identified as not being Liserfield.
Once aware of intruders, he had no intention of leaving loose ends.
He judged that stronger magic was better than moving all the records.
And he was confident the culprit would return eventually.
Of course, Kendrick secretly made an exception for Maya.
The ward’s lethal spell wouldn’t affect her.
Not only that—he also secretly added an illusion function to the ward, ensuring Maya’s entry into the secret chamber wouldn’t be recorded.
Illusion wasn’t Kendrick’s specialty, so it wasn’t flawless, but it was enough to fool onlookers.
Following the instructions Tristan and Kendrick had given, Maya counted the bookshelves carefully.
In her hand was a crumpled little map they had drawn just for her.
‘From the Imperial history section, take one loop around…’
The directions had been simplified to the point of being childlike, perfect for a hopeless navigator like Maya.
“Take just one more step here, then turn your head to the right.”
Thanks to that, Maya reached the spot safely.
‘Found it.’
After waving her hand around to confirm her actions weren’t visible, Maya moved quickly.
The hidden space revealed itself, and she slipped inside at once.
