Chapter 150
The Imperial Princess’s Palace was located at the far southern end of the imperial grounds.
It was a separate palace that the Emperor had personally granted for his frail daughter from an early age, a quiet space where even the palace staff’s entry was strictly controlled.
Guided by a maid, Eila walked along the corridor surrounded by gardens and a pond until she arrived before a small, cozy building.
“This way, Lady Eila.”
The maid stopped, carefully turned the doorknob, and opened the door.
At once, a serene and tidy interior came into view.
“You’ll be using this place. I’ve prepared everything on the supply list, but if anything is missing, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Eila slowly stepped inside.
The unique wooden scent of new furniture welcomed her.
She pulled away the white cloth draped over the furnishings, revealing long rows of bookshelves and a wide worktable.
On it were drawers full of dried herbs, tools for drawing precise magic circles, and even suppression devices for controlling mana.
It was a space that could well be called a laboratory.
“The Princess put a lot of care into this.”
“Yes, Her Highness personally checked everything one by one in preparation for your arrival.”
Eila brushed her fingers across the surface of the worktable. It was so clean that not even a speck of dust remained.
“Would you like to see the inner rooms too? There’s a lounge and a bedroom attached.”
The maid opened an inner door, revealing a cozy living space.
Following her inside, Eila saw a spacious room with a soft bed, a small table, a wardrobe, and a wide window overlooking a private garden and pond.
At last, she said with satisfaction,
“This is perfect. Now I can really focus only on research.”
She bowed her head toward the maid.
“Thank you for the trouble. You may go now.”
“If you need anything, just call for us anytime.”
The maid smiled and quietly withdrew.
Once the door shut, Eila finally let out a deep breath and eased her tension.
‘From now on, I can devote myself day and night to research.’
The day when she would reveal the truth to the whole world and set everything right was not far away.
Standing by the window, Eila inhaled deeply as the breeze drifted in.
The next day.
Labien visited the laboratory, bringing a difficult-to-obtain magical device and demonstrating its functions.
“As you can see, ordinary interference spells won’t affect this.”
He tapped the paternity-test artifact and continued.
“And yet someone managed to break through this sophisticated security magic… Well, unless they had detailed knowledge of the device’s principles, it would be impossible. I suspect the culprit once worked in the Magic Tower.”
“Most likely.”
“…Do you already know who it is?”
Eila only shrugged instead of answering.
Labien didn’t press her further. Rising slowly, he handed her a stack of documents.
“In any case, we should start with deciphering the security magic formula engraved on the device. Here, take this.”
It was a transcription of all the formulas used on the artifact.
From then on, the two of them immersed themselves in tireless research—scouring old books, reading countless papers, and testing method after method.
Perhaps their efforts bore fruit, for within just a few days, they managed to partially dismantle the formula.
“Look. When mana is channeled from both sides, the reaction is much more subdued.”
“Indeed… This works. How did you even come up with that?”
By then, the way Labien looked at Eila had changed.
“I must say, your mastery of magic is remarkable. Your theoretical grasp is on par with any high-ranking mage… Are you truly not interested in joining the Magic Tower?”
“As you can see, I have too many matters to settle first. Maybe I’ll think about it later.”
Eila gave a faint, bitter smile.
Just then, the laboratory door burst open, and a man strode in.
It was none other than her fiancé, Felix.
Labien, watching, murmured half-jokingly,
“Well, it’s no wonder. Soon you’ll be the duchess—no chance of entering the Tower then.”
“Haha, I guess Piyo’s gotten into trouble again.”
Eila rose awkwardly from her seat.
“What is it, Felix?”
Felix set down the little boy he had been carrying, grumbling,
“This rascal was running around, tripped, and started crying for you.”
Eila immediately approached Piyo.
“Are you alright, Piyo?”
“Hic… Eila…!”
The boy ran straight into her arms, sobbing miserably.
“I don’t wanna play with him anymore…”
“What happened? Did you two fight?”
“Fight? Hardly. I was just trying to feed him since it was time, but he kept running away.”
Felix ruffled his messy hair, visibly drained.
“And the little brat’s exaggerating. He kept struggling in my arms, and now suddenly he’s pretending to be hurt.”
Indeed, up until they reached the lab, Piyo had desperately tried to escape Felix’s arms. But the moment they arrived at the door, he instantly quieted down and began shedding tears in front of Eila.
Kneeling, Eila checked the scrapes on his skin.
“Does it hurt a lot?”
Piyo pressed his lips tight, sneaking a glance at Felix—then, after some hesitation, nodded vigorously.
Felix raised an eyebrow silently.
Unaware of their quiet standoff, Eila spoke gently.
“Sorry, I’ve been so busy I haven’t given you much attention.”
Piyo drooped his head sadly. She stroked his hair and whispered tenderly,
“Once this is all solved, I’ll spend time with you every single day.”
“It’s okay, Eila. I can wait as long as it takes.”
Eila smiled warmly.
“You really are such a patient and kind boy, Piyo.”
At her praise, a faint smile returned to his face. His teary eyes quickly cleared.
Soon, curiosity overtook him as he glanced around the lab, staring at the unfamiliar magical tools and diagrams with fascination.
“What’s this?”
He pointed at the paternity-test artifact on the table.
“That’s a paternity-testing device.”
“Pa…ternity test… device. Paternity test device!”
Piyo tilted his head, repeating the strange term again and again. Like a true dragon child, his instincts naturally drew him toward the magical tool.
“How does it work?”
“Well…”
Eila plucked a strand of his hair and placed it in the left bowl of the device. In the right bowl was already her blood.
“You put hair or blood from two people here. Then the device tells you if they’re family or not.”
“What happens if they are real family?”
“See that little vial? If they’re family, the blue liquid inside will turn silver.”
Eyes wide, Piyo stared intently at the vial.
The liquid slowly shifted—glimmering into a golden color.
“This means we’re not blood-related,” Eila explained kindly. “Because we’re of different species.”
Understanding dawned on him, and his face flushed red. Then, puffing his cheeks, he shook his head furiously.
“No! We ARE family!”
“…What?”
“Eila and I ARE family!”
The moment his lips quivered, mana surged violently through the room.
The floor and furniture shook as though struck by an earthquake, and papers scattered in the air.
Felix and Labien hurried to shield the falling objects.
“P-Piyo! Stop this at once!”
As Eila reached out in alarm, light burst from Piyo’s body, wrapping around the vial-shaped device.
“—!”
With an unearthly cry, the liquid inside began to churn.
Moments later, the golden glow faded away—replaced by a calm, unmistakable silver.
Eila stared, speechless. But the most shaken of all was Labien.
“Wh-what in the world is this…” he muttered blankly, eyes fixed on the device.
Jajjajajajaj… brilliant!…🤣🤭