Chapter 36
Maia rolled the words in her mouth, her expression complicated.
“The Grand Duke of Aetherna.”
The Duchess of Adelstein smiled softly as she spoke.
The young man addressed as “Grand Duke” gave a light smile and kissed the back of the duchess’s hand.
“It’s been a while, Your Grace, Duchess of Adelstein.”
The Grand Duke of Aetherna was a direct descendant of the first Grand Duke of Aetherna, the twin brother of Emperor Adelstein.
“And the Duchess of Western.”
A direct descendant of the ancient imperial family, born on the same day as the Emperor, whose name was proudly inscribed in the Annals of the Founding Heroes.
But to Maia, he was simply a stranger.
She had never had any interaction with the Duke of Western’s circle.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace, Grand Duke of Aetherna.”
How could someone so noble and young not associate with the Duke of Western?
The answer was clear.
As Maia greeted him with proper etiquette, she thought—
Because the Grand Duke of Aetherna disliked the Duke of Western.
“Oh, no need to be so formal. Please speak comfortably…”
“No, I must decline. And I would also prefer that you not use honorifics with me. There is a clear difference in our status, after all.”
His green eyes, which had momentarily turned cold, returned to a friendly expression as he responded.
“Aren’t you the wife of the Duke of Western, whom His Majesty holds so dearly? I am choosing to use honorifics out of my own will, so I ask you to accept it comfortably.”
“…How gracious of you.”
Maia averted his gaze and replied in a low voice.
This was from a few years before Maia became the Duchess of Western.
The Grand Duke of Aetherna, known for not stopping women who came or those who left, was drinking in broad daylight with fellow noblemen, actresses, and dancers.
Back then, the young Duke of Western—who came from one of the most noble lineages apart from the royal family and grand dukes—was someone the Grand Duke of Aetherna had extended much goodwill toward and had invited to the gathering.
“Drinking and cavorting with women in broad daylight? Are you a rutting beast?”
The young Duke of Western, who had only recently begun appearing in social circles after spending his life in the imperial palace, was—put kindly—principled, and—put bluntly—unrelentingly strict about etiquette and decorum.
Everyone at the gathering froze in place when they heard what the young Duke of Western said to the Grand Duke of Aetherna.
The Grand Duke, who had never before been met with such sincere disgust, was too stunned to respond for a moment, then turned and shouted at the Duke of Western’s retreating back.
“Was that meant for me?”
“Who else could I possibly be addressing?”
The Duke of Western answered without a shred of hesitation.
The Grand Duke was left speechless again, but this time he didn’t hold back.
“That brazen bastard…! I’ll rip your tongue out today—”
“Please, Your Grace, calm yourself!”
“Your Grace!”
It was said that several grown men had to intervene to keep blades from flying that day.
Ever since that incident, the Grand Duke of Aetherna became obsessed with belittling the arrogant young Duke of Western.
But because the Duke was under the protection of the imperial princess Liv and the Emperor himself, the Grand Duke’s fury had no effect on him whatsoever.
……
And so now he must be staring so intently at Maia because she was the wife of the Duke of Western.
Though he had never directly tried to harm her—no, he’d even shown her some inexplicable, vaguely disturbing goodwill—it was already exhausting enough.
“I apologize for being late, Your Grace, Duchess!”
But the world refused to leave Maia in peace.
At the sound of a voice that sent chills down her spine, Maia instinctively stiffened.
The hazel eyes that met hers immediately lost their former sparkle.
“…And to you as well, Duchess of Western. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
Elise Adeline Keppel. The daughter of Marquess Keppel had arrived.
Wait—wasn’t the old marquess still alive?
Maia frowned, completely unprepared for this new arrival.
Why is she here?
“Oh my, Lady Keppel. I heard the marquess’s illness suddenly worsened, and you would be attending in his place.”
“…Yes, Your Grace. Unfortunately, my brother is currently abroad, so I happened to step in. I hope my presence isn’t an inconvenience.”
“Inconvenience? Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.”
…That marquess, always so vigorous, and yet somehow always bedridden during the Origin Rite.
Yes, she already knew this world wasn’t going to let her live smoothly.
Maia pressed a hand to her brow and swallowed her headache.
This was the third unexpected complication.
“Well then, now that everyone is here, let us depart. The journey is mostly smooth, but the Mage Tower is located in ancient terrain, and we may encounter magical beasts along the way. The Imperial Knights will be providing escort, so there is little cause for concern.”
And so, with the Duchess of Adelstein’s words practically dripping with ominous warning, the long journey to the Mage Tower began.
Even with three potential problems, there shouldn’t be any direct conflict—as long as they each stayed in their own carriage.
Thanks to the anti-shake magic carved into the frame, there was no motion sickness, and the inside of the carriage was pleasantly comfortable.
For about a week, Maia spent all day in the carriage, emerged to eat in silence in the evening under a tent, and slept in the tent at night.
“…I’m so bored.”
Maia muttered, staring blankly out at the blue sky through the window.
They were currently taking a break so the knights could rest.
Even as a child, Maia had hated the act of traveling.
Thanks to magic, she didn’t get sick—but the boredom of sitting idly with nothing to do and no one to talk to drove her insane.
She had heard that Elise Keppel was stuck to the Duchess of Adelstein like glue, and the Grand Duke of Aetherna was aimlessly downing alcohol.
Typical of them both. Maia leaned back against a cushion and stared at the ceiling of the carriage.
Because teleportation magic circles couldn’t be inscribed near the Mage Tower, they had to make the trip overland for every Origin Rite.
It usually took about three weeks.
Just the thought made her queasy. At this point, it felt like psychological motion sickness.
“…Maybe I should write to Rih.”
She fiddled with a small sculpture she had brought from home, then ordered paper and pen to be prepared.
It had been the first time reaching out since their last incident. It felt a bit awkward.
Still, she couldn’t let this cause a rift between them. That must be avoided at all costs.
Act natural. Casual, like nothing happened…!
Knock knock.
“Is there something you need, madam?”
“…?!”
Just as she dipped her pen into the ink, a familiar voice rang out clearly—like glass chiming—and startled her.
When she looked up, the Grand Duke of Aetherna stood leaning in the open doorway of the carriage, holding a wine bottle and gazing directly at her.
Her face twisted in irritation at the sight.
“…Your Grace, Grand Duke of Aetherna. I don’t enjoy day drinking, so I’m afraid I can’t keep you company—”
“You truly are just like your husband in every way.”
The Grand Duke smiled, though it was clearly forced.
“That’s not what this is. Please, come outside.”
“…Excuse me?”
“A mage from the tower has arrived. Quickly.”
…The tower sent someone?
Startled, Maia placed a sculpture on her letter to hold it down and stepped out of the carriage.
Before she knew it, she was walking behind the Grand Duke of Aetherna, following his brisk pace.
Eventually, she saw the faces of the Duchess of Adelstein, Count Polaris, and several others.
“I greet Your Grace, Duchess of Adelstein. I am Hael Terzen of the Mage Tower.”
Before them stood a young man who, unlike someone else, greeted them politely in a calm and respectful tone.
A lord of the Mage Tower. Then he must be a colleague of Rih.
Though not as renowned as Lord Rihael Earis, he was a magician acknowledged by the Tower Master—his reputation and skill were unquestionable.
…!
The first thing Maia noticed were his eyes—like pale sky-blue watercolor diluted with water.
She studied his face with sudden curiosity.
Hael Terzen appeared to be around the same age as Rih.
He had light brown hair falling to his shoulders, tied loosely with a blue ribbon.
Unlike Rih, who favored black and silver or bold red and gold-embroidered clothing, Hael Terzen wore pastel-toned robes of light sky blue and white that covered him from neck to toe.
Do magicians always wear such timeless, unpredictable fashion?
Maia smiled faintly at the thought. At that, Hael Terzen’s eyes seemed to tremble slightly.
He was, overall, a flawless and handsome young man.
Unlike Rih, who exuded a lofty, untouchable aura, Hael didn’t feel like someone removed from the world.
Apparently, not all transcendents were the same.
“Lord Terzen, what brings you all the way out here? I don’t recall such visits in previous Origin Rites.”
The Duchess of Adelstein spoke in a voice that was pleased but also clearly flustered.
Hael Terzen erased the flicker of emotion he’d shown while meeting Maia’s gaze and responded smoothly.
“This year’s Origin Rite is of particular interest to Lord Luar. As such, I have come in person to ensure the journey is proceeding without incident. I sincerely apologize for the unannounced visit and any discourtesy it may have caused.”
“Oh—no, not at all. In fact, we are most grateful.”
