Chapter 24
Swallowing back the curse that nearly burst out, Thermion spoke with an icy expression.
“…Do not utter that title so casually.”
“T–There must be some misunderstanding!”
“When you barged into the Grand Duchess’s chambers without permission, was that a misunderstanding too?”
“I only rushed there out of concern for Her Highness after hearing there were intruders!”
At the sight of him pleading his innocence with an aggrieved face, Thermion could only let out a hollow laugh.
Trying to wriggle out of the situation was one thing, but there were limits. If he had received a report, the normal response would have been to summon the knights—who did he think he was, going in personally with his retainers?
‘If he had confessed everything honestly and begged for forgiveness, I might have spared his life.’
Regardless of his crimes, Baron Beiton’s years of service to the ducal house could not be ignored.
This attitude, however, was practically a confession that he had something to hide. He himself had cast aside even the faint possibility of leniency.
Shaking off the last shred of mercy he had left, Thermion continued.
“Every time you spout nonsense, you should worry about the safety of your family.”
“Y–Your Highness!”
“You have a wife and two children, do you not? Including your parents, that gives you five chances to say something foolish.”
At the brutal threat, Baron Beiton’s body slid down the bars as he collapsed to his knees. No matter how grave his own sins were, he couldn’t drag his ignorant family down with him.
“Everyone out except Sir Dayfold.”
After the knights had fully withdrawn, Kubera cast a soundproofing spell around them. Once he confirmed the silence, Thermion fixed his gaze on Baron Beiton.
“Who planned this? Name them.”
“…I only know the name Brantin.”
“Brantin? The man who was locked up in the next cell? Brown hair, with a scar running across his right cheek.”
“Yes.”
At the description, Baron Beiton answered readily. His earlier bravado was gone; his face now showed complete resignation.
“He came to see me right after the former Grand Duke passed away.”
“…Right after my brother died? You were targeting Eleonora from that moment?”
Thermion’s face froze cold at the completely unexpected truth. Sensing his killing intent, Baron Beiton flinched violently.
“N–No, absolutely not! This incident involving Her Highness’s disappearance was not directly connected to me!”
“Start from the very first time you met Brantin. Everything you discussed, everything that’s happened since—tell me all of it.”
Swallowing hard, Baron Beiton began to speak in a trembling voice.
* * *
Baron Beiton and the two retainers who had conspired with him were stripped of their titles and reduced to commoners. They were also sentenced to thirty years of hard labor in the mana crystal mines—the most dangerous mines in the Grand Duchy.
His family, who had been living within the Grand Duchy, were likewise expelled, though they were allowed to keep a minimum amount of property. It had been confirmed that they were completely uninvolved.
At first, many argued that all of them should be hanged. However, Viscount Gavin, the council chair, proposed a compromise.
“Wouldn’t it be better to spare their lives and make an example of them, rather than execute them?”
“I agree. Even trivial labor is better put to use than wasted,” Kubera added, supporting Gavin’s position.
Once people like them were sent into the mana crystal mines, the chances of ever returning alive were extremely slim.
After much deliberation, Thermion accepted their proposal.
This punishment also served as a warning to other retainers who had yet to expose themselves—telling them to watch their step. In truth, there was another motive as well.
‘If something happens to Baron Beiton, that will prove it’s the work of those behind the scenes.’
With Brantin dead, Baron Beiton was now the only remaining point of contact with the external forces targeting the ducal house. His life would make for a fairly effective piece of bait.
After the meeting ended, Thermion summoned only Viscount Gavin and Kubera to his office.
“Is it true that the corpse decayed within a single day?”
“Rather than decaying… it crumbled into something like dust.”
“And you still can’t identify the magic used?”
Viscount Gavin pressed the question, but Kubera shook his head with a bitter expression.
“We’re searching through every possible record, but it’s not easy.”
“So it wasn’t ordinary magic. Your Highness, how about making a request to the Mage Tower?”
“It’s crossed my mind, but I don’t want to stir up trouble unnecessarily.”
The Mage Tower was neither particularly hostile nor friendly toward the ducal house.
While the Tower far surpassed them in academic research, the ducal house was generally considered superior in political influence and actual combat power.
Naturally, that put them in a subtly competitive relationship. Sharing sensitive information with such a group was uncomfortable.
‘…Should I ask Ailesia?’
She had already more than proven her ability. Restoring the barrier in an instant was proof enough.
But Thermion immediately checked that thought.
‘No. This is strictly an internal matter of the ducal house. It’s one thing to accept help—but I can’t pile on unnecessary danger.’
He didn’t want to drag Ailesia into complicated affairs. Even nominally, she was only a tutor; involving her further in such bloody matters felt wrong.
‘It’s better for Ailesia to focus solely on Elly. That’s what’s best for both of them.’
For now, he would push forward as far as he could on his own. If he needed help, it would be better to ask the Dowager Duchess instead.
“This investigation won’t be over in a day or two. Let’s take some time to think through the rest.”
“Yes, Your Highness. We’ll keep the retainers tight-lipped.”
Nodding to Viscount Gavin, Thermion turned to Kubera.
“There won’t be any issue with departing for the Grand Ducal Castle?”
“Thanks to Lady Millenov restoring the barrier, we have plenty of leeway. In fact, even the existing barriers have been further reinforced.”
“She truly isn’t an ordinary mage.”
Thermion murmured in quiet admiration—just as the office door burst open noisily, and that very extraordinary mage appeared.
She was accompanied by her adorable disciple—the beloved Grand Duchess herself.
“Ailesia? And Elly too, this early in the morning—what is it?”
“Elly says she wants to go to the Grand Ducal Castle with you.”
“…What?”
“I wanna go too, Uncle! To the Grand Ducal Castle!”
Leaping down from Ailesia’s arms, Eleonora planted her hands firmly on her hips and declared it loudly, her determined stance making it clear she wouldn’t accept refusal.
“…What is this now.”
Thermion grabbed his head as it began to throb.
* * *
About an hour earlier, before Thermion returned to his office—
“Did you sleep well, Elly?”
Ailesia asked gently as she looked at her squirming disciple beside her.
Eleonora peeked her head up, then broke into a wide grin, hugging Ailesia’s waist tightly and burrowing into her arms.
“Hehehe….”
“My baby, what’s got you so happy?”
“When I opened my eyes, Teacher was next to me… pretty….”
Still half-asleep and wobbling, the child was as adorable as ever, even first thing in the morning.
Unable to resist, Ailesia planted a soft kiss on Eleonora’s forehead.
“I wish I could sleep with Teacher every day….”
“You’d like that?”
“That’s how it was in the forest… I don’t like home, hiiiing.”
“Oh my.”
Those were dangerous words for the heart. Maybe because it had been so long since they’d slept in the same bed, her cuteness was exploding.
“Still, it’s time to get up, sleepy young lady. The sun’s already shining.”
“Okaaaay.”
After rubbing her eyes a few times, Eleonora sprang up and stretched. Her eyes sparkled brightly, as if she’d never been whining at all.
Normally she would’ve washed up first, but after last night’s chaos, this time was a special exception.
With a snap of her fingers, Ailesia made both of them look as fresh and clean as if they’d just bathed—skin and hair fluffy and neat.
“Shall we eat and then go see your uncle?”
“Uncle? What are we doing with Uncle?”
“He said he’ll be returning to the Grand Ducal Castle soon. We should see his face whenever we get the chance.”
“Eeeeh?!”
Right—that was it! Startled, Eleonora jumped up and down on the bed.
“What about Elly? Aren’t you taking Elly too?”
“I wonder? What do you want to do?”
“…I want to go together.”
The Grand Duchy lay at the northernmost edge of the Empire, where summers were short and winters long. On top of that, its educational environment and facilities were slightly lacking compared to the imperial capital.
Because of that, Eleonora had mostly lived in the capital since birth. There was no need for someone so young to endure unnecessary hardship.
“Then let’s beg your uncle to take you along.”
“Will Uncle agree?”
“I’ll help from the side. Your uncle’s weak to Teacher.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Teacher’s a super-strong witch.”
