Chapter 52
“—If that’s what you’ll do, then of course, I’d be truly grateful, Your Highness.”
Afraid the atmosphere might turn tense again, I hurried to answer. Duke Meliz leaned back in his chair with a crooked smile.
“No need to handle it yourself. You must be busy. I’ll speak to Jen separately.”
“No, there’s no need to contact your disciple. Since coming to the capital, I’ve been holed up in the palace, so it’s natural he’d be curious. It seems I’ve been lacking in consideration.”
…Was that just my imagination, or did it feel like an invisible field of mana was crackling through the air? Meliz sat with a displeased expression for a while before standing and saying to me:
“Well, fine. Since you also have tasks to handle, let’s arrange the temple visit at a later date.”
“Yes, I’ll do that!”
“It’s an important matter, so I’d appreciate it if you could make sure it’s not delayed too long, Your Highness.”
“I’ll see to it. The duke must have plenty to do as well, so don’t trouble yourself and return to your work.”
Licht coolly parried Meliz’s gaze. His tone sounded caring, but in truth, it was basically telling him to leave already. Meliz’s face showed a flash of incredulity—then, suddenly, a mischievous smile spread across his lips as he approached me.
“Edel?”
“Yes?”
“Our Edel wouldn’t do anything I dislike, right?”
Such an out-of-the-blue question. Why would I ever do something he hated? Of course not.
“Of course not, never!”
When I blinked and answered, a satisfied smile spread across Meliz’s face. Then, raising both hands, he ruffled my hair, pulled me close, and hugged me tight.
“Right~?”
“Mmgh, y-yes, of course!”
“Aww, how cute.”
Even as I struggled to breathe, I couldn’t help but be aware of Licht watching. I’d tried so hard to act mature in front of him, but being treated like a child over and over like this—how embarrassing.
“……”
As expected, Licht said nothing, simply standing still as though startled. His blue eyes even looked like they trembled slightly. I tried to twist my body discreetly, to slip free, but Meliz’s strength was stronger than I thought.
After hugging me for a long while, Meliz suddenly pulled back.
“Oh? Wait. What time is it now?”
It was as if he suddenly remembered something. Shaking his head, he looked around for a clock. I glanced at the table clock beside my bed and said:
“Right now? Um, it’s just past two.”
“Damn, I’m late. I promised Reden I’d be back before two!”
“Lord Reden?”
But my question dissolved into thin air—Meliz had already opened the door and vanished. Faster than light itself.
Wasn’t there supposed to be some kind of magic-suppressing barrier around the palace? Who said that again?
Apparently, someone like Meliz could ignore even that. Truly incredible power.
But still, isn’t it rude to leave without even bidding farewell to the prince?
I glanced nervously at Licht, but he only wore an indifferent expression, as though used to this, and sat back down on the sofa.
So now it was just me and Licht left in the room, surrounded by awkward silence. While I struggled to think of what to say, Licht spoke first.
“You and Duke Meliz seem to share quite a close relationship.”
“Well, yes… even though I’ve reached adulthood, he still treats me like a child…. It was embarrassing to show that side of myself in front of Your Highness.”
I fidgeted with the hem of my dress awkwardly.
“I can understand why the duke treasures you so much.”
“R-really?”
…Was that a roundabout way of saying I’m childish? I couldn’t tell what he meant, since Licht’s expression was as composed as ever. The tension only grew thicker in the room.
I was trying to avoid being alone with him for a while after last night.
Was I the only one feeling awkward after that? His face seemed calm, unaffected.
If that’s the case, it’s kind of infuriating.
Just grabbing the naive mage’s hand out of nowhere! Looking down with those deep eyes! Honestly, it felt like I’d fallen victim to some sort of beauty trap.
But it’s not like I can tell him everything. The guilt just eats at me.
After all, the fact that I’m transmigrated is a secret. From the start, things were off. How could I possibly tell him the whole truth?
I cautiously studied Licht’s face while keeping my gaze lowered. He looked composed, but his hands gave him away—proof that he wasn’t entirely at ease either.
That large frame of his, fidgeting with a tiny teacup he clearly had no intention of drinking from. The sight nearly made me laugh. Why toy with the cup at all?
Maybe he was just as awkward as me.
His expression looks a bit stiff too, doesn’t it?
Thinking that I wasn’t the only one nervous gave me… relief? No, if anything, it made me tremble even more.
Almost without realizing it, I hid one hand behind my back. The memory of holding his hand the night before still lingered as warmth on my skin.
We sat there, stuck between action and inaction, until Licht finally broke the silence.
“I wonder if you rested well last night.”
He spoke carefully, as if weighing every word. I forced my voice to remain steady as I replied:
“I slept like a log. I even overslept today.”
“I’m glad. Sometimes when people are badly startled, they can’t fall asleep so easily.”
“Ah, I see.”
Why was it that the social grace I’d honed over ten years failed me precisely when I needed it most? Normally I could take nonsense and spin it into conversation, but now my mind was a complete blank.
“Your artifact idea—it was quite impressive. You truly are a person of many talents.”
“No, not really. It’s not something I could do alone.”
“Which makes it even more admirable. To gather the right people and set great plans in motion. You’ve barely been in the palace, and already so many follow you.”
“Follow might be overstating it… I’d say it’s more like cooperation.”
If Jen heard that phrasing, he’d definitely flip out—“Who’s following who?!”—I could already picture him shouting.
But Licht didn’t stop his praise, and my awkward smile was starting to twitch at the corners.
“There’s no need for such modesty. It truly is remarkable.”
And then the real danger arrived. Whatever fragile composure I had crumbled the moment Licht smiled radiantly at me as he spoke.
Why smile like that while complimenting me? His light-blue eyes shone with expectation, almost excitement. And was that… a faint blush on his cheeks?
For the first time, Licht looked like a young man his own age.
What do I do…
A shiver ran down my spine. I wanted to dismiss it as nothing, to believe it meant nothing, but my body betrayed me.
My heart was pounding like crazy. Thump, thump. Loud enough that I feared he might hear it.
“Thank you.”
Gathering every ounce of strength, I managed to make my voice sound somewhat normal. Please, please, don’t let my face be turning bright red right now.
I didn’t dare lift my head again, afraid Licht would still be smiling at me like that.
Please, someone—anyone—walk in right now!
Knock knock.
At that moment, salvation came with the sound of knocking. Licht’s compliments halted. After his answer, the door opened.
“Your Highness, a messenger from His Majesty. He requests urgent discussion.”
The attendant who entered wore different attire from the prince’s palace staff. He must have been from the emperor’s palace. Breathing heavily, he bowed low, urgency written all over his face.
“I’ll come at once.”
…Was it my imagination, or did Licht sound slightly annoyed? After replying to the servant, his gaze turned back to me. He let out a small sigh and murmured:
“Just when I thought we could finally spend some time together, so many interruptions.”
“…Pardon?”
“It seems I must go now. I’ll return in time for us to share dinner together.”
“Ah, yes!”
As Licht left, Lellia and Marine, waiting by the door, both bent their knees in greeting before hurrying over to check on me. I answered their questions about where Duke Meliz had gone with something vague, all the while staring blankly at Licht’s departing back.
Thump, thump, thump. My heart refused to calm down.
