chapter 28
“Um… Your Highness?”
“…….”
A firm yet warm sensation pressed against my back.
Startled, I lifted my head, and right before me was the familiar face of the Duke.
Is Duke Blake holding me right now? …Well, I was held by him last time too.
Back then, I hadn’t realized it because I was dazed from Ruth’s breath, but now, being in another man’s arms while fully conscious… hmm, it was a little… embarrassing.
When my eyes met the Duke’s expressionless gaze, it felt as if time itself slowed down.
He looked at me silently, almost suffocatingly, before letting out a small sigh and finally speaking.
“You seem to get involved in troublesome situations often, young lady.”
“Um… yes…”
I wanted to deny it, but I had no words.
When I met the Great Saint, when Ruth Halton caused a commotion, and now… this was already the third incident in front of the Duke.
Wasn’t I supposed to be the calm, refined young lady of a noble house? Why do I suddenly feel like a reckless, uncontrollable girl?
It’s not entirely my fault! Please don’t misunderstand!
“…Strangely, I find it hard to look away.”
“…Excuse me? What did you just say…?”
While I was lost in unnecessary thoughts, he murmured something quietly. I couldn’t hear it clearly and was about to ask him to repeat it.
At that moment, Brin, who I had momentarily forgotten, interjected.
“Priscilla, if you have a partner, why didn’t you say so? …But who is this gentleman?”
Hmm…?
‘Ah. She hasn’t seen the Duke’s face before either.’
Until I was recognized as a Saint, I had never seen Duke Blake in person either.
The borderlands were constantly under threat from monsters, so the Duke was almost always at war. His presence in the capital now was, in fact, an exception.
“This is His Grace, Duke Blake… Lady Bailey.”
I corrected myself to a formal tone, aware of the Duke behind me. Social etiquette—never forget it, even when familiarity lulls you.
At the same time, I subtly moved slightly away from the Duke, who I had been leaning on.
“…His Grace, the Duke?”
Brin whispered as if she couldn’t believe it. She must be shocked—just like I was.
The more I looked at him, the more accustomed I became, yet his appearance was still astonishing.
I was about to nod and respond to Brin, but somehow, my previously retreating steps had drawn me closer to the Duke again.
What? Is this some kind of teleportation?
“I am Blake Fraser. You said your name is Lady Bailey? …I haven’t heard it yet.”
“…I-I apologize, Your Highness. I am Brin Bailey of the Bailey family.”
Brin, startled, quickly bowed and greeted him politely. As a daughter of a noble house, her manners were impeccable.
“I’ll remember that.”
“…….”
“So?”
“…?”
“Do you still have business to attend to?”
Hmm.
I think I misheard. Didn’t the Duke just speak quite rudely?
“If you answer quickly, all the better. I’d like to reduce unnecessary time.”
So he did hear me.
‘Is His Highness in a bad mood today?’
Now that I think about it, I felt this way when I first faced the Duke as well…
“…Ah, I am… with Miss Priscilla…”
“You have a prior engagement with me, young lady.”
“…?”
At those unfamiliar words, I instinctively raised my eyes and met the Duke’s red gaze.
I lowered my head obediently again. It seemed I had just gained a promise I didn’t even know about.
If the Empire’s number-two likes it, then that’s how it is.
“I-I see. Your Highness. I shall take my leave, then.”
With that, Brin bowed and hurriedly moved outside.
A cold silence settled over the place she had left.
“…….”
“…….”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“I haven’t done anything of note.”
“…….”
“…….”
“You were… at the Mage Tower.”
“I had business there.”
“…….”
“…….”
What is this awkward atmosphere?
I should probably thank him… right? After all, it was thanks to the Duke that Brin left faster.
‘But why isn’t this conversation flowing? His Highness seems unusually irritable today.’
His face showed no expression, as always. That, in fact, made it even scarier.
Suddenly, I wanted to see that troublesome Brin again. You chatter too much, but as background music, you weren’t so bad…
Come back, Brin…!
“Ah, I see something amusing.”
“……!”
Unable to bear the awkwardness and trying to inch away from the Duke again, a familiar voice reached my ears.
“Sir Illine!”
“Long time no see, Priscilla. How have you been?”
Seeing the Mage Tower Master after a long time was a pleasant surprise, but in such an awkward situation, anyone would be glad. I found myself smiling brightly and moving toward him.
I felt a piercing gaze from behind, but that must just be my imagination.
It must be… just my imagination.
At the very top of the Mage Tower, in the Mage Tower Master’s private office.
“Oh? Your Highness, didn’t you say you were leaving earlier?”
“…….”
The Duke glared silently at the Mage Tower Master, who was grinning. Are they close?
The Mage Tower Master, Illine Mayer, had known my younger brother Edwin since his time in the Mage Tower during the Academy years.
I remembered being told as a child that the Mage Tower Master was over 80 years old. Later, when I had the chance to meet him, I thought, ‘He must be around 90 now? Long-lived indeed.’ But I never imagined he would appear as a child before me.
He doesn’t show himself publicly, which is why rumors about his appearance were so inconsistent.
‘At first, I thought he was a really strange person…’
There’s no way a 90-year-old would actually look like that. He must have disguised himself as a child with magic or some other means. I seriously considered taking Edwin away from him.
In the end, he was a good person. And there seemed to be a reason behind his childlike appearance.
Well, he’s Edwin’s mentor after all, so staring strangely is a bit… much.
“It’s strange. You seemed to be in a rush to go somewhere… Your steps were as harsh as usual. I tried to stop you, but I couldn’t. Boohoo.”
“……Noisy.”
“Oh, I’m just joking. Please do not be angry, Your Highness.”
…He is definitely a strange person. A 90-year-old crying ‘boohoo’ is creepy.
Even wearing those odd glasses marked him as unusual.
“Anyway, Priscilla, you came to see Edwin?”
“Ah? Yes, that’s right.”
“Edwin is in the research lab for a while. You’ll have to wait a bit.”
“I figured. I probably came at a busy time.”
“Well, Edwin would always welcome you if you came.”
The Mage Tower Master smiled.
My little brother is always cute, indeed.
“What brings you to Edwin today?”
“Oh, I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and continued.
“I heard Edwin helped build the Amur Church temple, so I came to express my thanks and also to ask for his assistance.”
I hadn’t told him directly that I became a Saint, but the news had already spread through social circles, and he would have known anyway.
He seemed unusually well-informed about worldly matters.
“I heard you became a Saint.”
“Yes, Sir Illine.”
“Congratulations. Hearing the voice of God is special in itself. It’s only right that you are blessed.”
This was one of the few people who did not discriminate based on such matters.
My parents were more accepting than I thought, but at first, I was worried about possible tension.
However, I always believed the Mage Tower Master would accept my conversion without issue. Maybe he’s just a bit of an eccentric.
“Sir Illine… thank you.”
“You’ll do well at anything, so don’t worry. Now, since we’re talking… do you have any requests for me?”
“No, nothing like that…”
“Don’t decline. Isn’t it just between you and me?”
Hmm. I feel a strong gaze.
“…Heh heh heh… Anyway, tell me. Is there anything you want?”
Anything I want?
Of course, I want the Iris Church restored and the world filled with delicious food… but the Mage Tower Master can’t grant that.
Aside from that… maybe just finishing quests quickly? If the time limit passes and the sugarcane seeds disappear, it would be disastrous.
Right, the remaining quests…
“…fundraising for donations…”
“Huh?”
Ah. My desires slipped out without me noticing.
Wait a minute.
Could this… be an opportunity?
