Chapter 32
‘So, you’re saying there’s a way for me to acquire ownership of this mine?’
‘I can’t give you all of it, though.’
Still, it was true that Zen was basically taking most of the shares. The portion I had clearly marked as mine was about 30% ownership of the mana stone mine, and 30% of the profits from distributing the mined mana stones.
‘Even if I own mana stones, handling distribution is too much work. Better to hand over as much as I can to Zen and safely take a commission.’
Through Zen, I could make use of his merchant guild. He was someone Lady Meliz trusted, and in the novel I remembered, he hadn’t done anything shady, so I judged he was reliable.
If this deal went well, I could not only help Licht and Marine, but also create a stable “mana stone pension” for my own future.
‘Talk about killing two birds with one stone.’
Heh, a satisfied chuckle slipped out.
With that, the deal with Zen was settled, and I was able to invite Lady Marine—who had come up to the capital—to Zen’s café, Fairy. It wasn’t a normal café in use; Zen had bought an old place and used it as his own secret personal space.
I took out a small fragment of a mana stone that Zen had mined from the site. It was tiny, yet it shone with a clear light, radiating its presence.
‘Even I, who don’t know much, can tell it’s high quality. A very reassuring pension indeed.’
“Oh, once proper mining starts, we should give some to Lady Meliz too!”
She’d always helped me, but finally, I had something I could repay her with. Naturally, I’d set aside some mana stones for Lady Meliz.
“Hah, she’ll just take them herself. That woman’s never been the type to care about what’s yours or mine.”
“Lady Meliz?”
“You didn’t know?”
I’d thought this before, but the image Zen had of Lady Meliz was very different from mine. To me, she was always kind, gentle, and warm—like a mother. But the way Zen described her, she sounded rather rough around the edges.
“Unbelievable. Why does she only give me such a hard time!”
“Um, maybe it’s because you keep calling her ‘that woman’ or ‘old lady’…”
Embarrassed, my face flushed red. Maybe it was because in both my previous life and this one, I’d never really experienced what it was like to have a mother. Just thinking about kind Lady Meliz caring for me made my heart feel all warm and fuzzy.
“Hey, hey, why’s your face suddenly red? And that woman only looks young—she’s actually old! If anything, you’d be like her granddaughter.”
“You don’t actually say that in front of Lady Meliz, do you?”
“I used to, at least until the day she hurled a Fire Explosion spell straight at me.”
“…”
Wow, just imagining it was exhausting. I decided I never wanted to see the two of them together. In fact, I resolved to avoid it at all costs. I turned my gaze to the clock hanging in the corner of the café. Since it hadn’t been a short conversation, it was already close to 6 p.m.
“I should get going. I have to be back before dinner.”
“Suit yourself.”
Having achieved today’s goal, my steps were light on the way back. Hopefully, everything would continue to go smoothly!
“Let me know once the contract is confirmed!”
“The moment that count stamps the contract, the same document will be in my hands. Don’t worry.”
“Yes. Please let me know through the comm orb!”
Since traveling back and forth to the Imperial Palace took so much time, I managed to get an extra communication orb from Zen. When I asked if it would even work inside the prince’s residence, which was full of wards sensitive to external magic, Zen only answered with a smirk.
‘What a great magician he is, huh.’
Now I had several comm orbs dangling around—one for Lady Meliz, one for Zen. I really wished I could manage everything with just one. Having lived a life where a single smartphone had handled it all, this was a real nuisance.
‘Why hasn’t anyone made such a comm orb yet?’
Of course, the reason was obvious. There wasn’t a mana stone strong enough to amplify signals to contact multiple people at once. Skilled magicians could talk with two or three people without issue—it was just a matter of how you cast the spell. But my comm orb was an artifact powered by mana stones, and thus limited.
“Maybe this mana stone would work?”
I fiddled with the stone in my pocket. It might be worth testing.
While I hesitated, Zen opened a gate for me, and with a wave I stepped inside. Licht would soon finish training and, punctual as ever, come to dinner.
“I heard you went out today.”
“Yes, Lady Meliz’s disciple—who came as her errand runner—was staying in the capital.”
Zen showing up at the prince’s palace had been convenient. Thanks to that, I had a solid excuse to leave. I explained it away with a plausible story about needing to check my condition due to my special trait, as I picked up my fork.
‘Ah, today’s meal is melting me—’
As always, it was a splendid banquet. Perfect for replenishing my energy after a tiring day. I happily savored each dish. One problem had been resolved today, so I felt a little lighter.
“They say the duke’s disciple is young. And male.”
“Yes, young and male, I suppose?”
That was true—Zen wasn’t a woman. But why did Licht’s face look like that? Normally, his expression didn’t change much, but right now, he looked obviously displeased.
Come to think of it, when Zen had visited, Licht had been busy with his duties and hadn’t met him. Zen might be young, but he was certainly older than Licht. Yet Licht had described him as “young.” If Licht had seen him in person, he wouldn’t have said that.
‘He must be at least six or seven years older, right?’
Oh no, what if Zen just looked really old for his age? Better never to ask his age directly.
“Now that I think about it, you didn’t see him that day because you were busy. His name is Zen. He’s an old disciple of Lady Meliz. He’s left the Tower now, though.”
“I see. And it was about confirming something related to your trait?”
“Yes, um. He said he needed to check the state of my mana. And since I’m still lacking as a magician, he gave me some advice over tea. That’s why it took a bit long.”
—That was the story Zen and I had agreed upon.
Relia had also let me go today without fuss because she knew Zen was a magician acknowledged by Lady Meliz, and ranked higher than Relia herself.
‘I was so worried she’d insist on coming along because of the danger outside.’
“Still, it’s dangerous for you to leave the palace alone. From now on, I’ll accompany you.”
“Your Highness?”
Licht, his brow still furrowed, spoke in a firm tone. His expression looked sour, as if he’d bitten into something unpleasant.
“I trust there’s no issue with me accompanying you.”
“Oh, of course not.”
Ah… would I really have to bring him next time? That wouldn’t do. I’d worked hard to shake Relia off. I thought about how to dodge this, but Licht’s stubborn gaze shut my mouth.
‘I’ll just sneak out without telling him.’
Not every single thing needed to be reported to your boss. Flexibility! Adaptability! Very important skills! Luckily, I probably wouldn’t need to go out again anytime soon.
Lady Marine had needed persuasion face-to-face, but from now on, checking the contract status and all the miscellaneous details could be done from within the palace.
I quietly returned to eating. An awkward silence hung in the air.
After a while, a knock came at the reception room door. It was the butler, Taden, looking rushed, as if to deliver urgent news.
“Your Highness, the item you’ve been waiting for has arrived.”
“I see. I’ll check it.”
Something precious, perhaps? Licht carefully set down his utensils and took the box from Taden, handling it with great care.
‘What is it?’
For him to accept it in the middle of dinner, it must have been important. Curious, I watched as Licht examined the box. Then he held it out toward me, and Taden gently lifted the lid.
“It took longer to make than expected.”
Licht’s gaze returned to me. The novel often described his eyes as carrying the depth of the sea, and it really fit. I found myself momentarily caught in them, heat rising to my cheeks. I quickly turned my attention back to the box.
“What is this?”
Inside was a bracelet. It was silver, delicately engraved with fine patterns. Set into it was a small but brilliantly glowing blue gem. Faint magical energy surrounded it—it was clearly no ordinary accessory.
“It’s a video communication orb for you to use.”
Unlock soon!~