Chapter 59 ….
“Then the former Empress… is she Roland’s mother?”
“Why?”
“To grant a wish.”
“What on earth….”
Ela was about to say a wish, but suddenly went, Huh?, and closed her mouth.
‘Roland has magic power.’
Something was trying to click together in her head.
As Ela fell into thought, Desawa spoke.
“Did something come to mind?”
“Huh? No, um… no. It’s nothing.”
This was Roland’s private matter.
Ela wasn’t sure if it was something she could tell the sages, so she shook her head.
The sages exchanged glances and then looked back at Ela.
Desawa chuckled softly.
“His Highness Roland is truly lucky—to have a friend like you.”
“…Is he?”
“Of course.”
At Desawa’s emphatic reply, Ela broke into a bright smile.
Seeing her face, each of the sages felt something in their hearts resonate.
As expected of Solarun.
There was a reason she had been charming spirits for a thousand years.
Sorinoon smiled warmly.
“Come now, have some more. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. We’ll answer whatever we can.”
“If you liked the apple pie, shall we pack one for you?”
“Thank you!”
The sages’ hospitality was generous, and Ela was able to enjoy the rest of her time pleasantly.
Fish Ornament
The Moon Manor’s library was considerable—if not quite on the level of the Sun Manor.
Ela was searching through the collection, wondering if there might be records about the former Empress.
On the opposite side, books about demons were piled up as well.
Since she was sitting on the floor rather than a chair, Ela leaned her back against the bookshelf and looked up at the ceiling.
‘The Empress must have opened the double doors because of some deal she made with the demons. As a result, Roland gained magic power. There’s no way the wish was something like “please let my child have magic.” Since it was a wish related to Roland, he ended up with magic. Her Majesty the Empress passed away right after the Crown Prince was born… so was it while he was still in the womb? Ah!’
Come to think of it, the Emperor and Empress had gone a long time without having a child.
‘Then!’
Just then, she heard footsteps and flinched in surprise.
Leo was standing there.
‘Ah.’
“Hi. Did you come to read?”
Even to her own ears, her voice sounded awkward.
Blond hair, green eyes.
Her lovely-looking younger brother was two years younger than her.
Normally, it would be an age where they could be as close as she was with her older siblings—but she could count the number of times she had met Leo on one hand, both before and now.
“……”
Without even greeting her, Leo only stared at her sitting on the floor.
Realizing belatedly, Ela quickly stood up and brushed off her clothes.
“I was too lazy to carry the book to the desk. What are you reading? Want me to help you find something?”
She tried to imitate Helen’s warm tone.
Leo averted his gaze and spoke.
“…Get.”
“Hm?”
“Lost.”
“…??”
For a moment she was speechless and stared blankly at him. Leo ignored her and strode past.
What?
Did her little brother just tell her to get lost?
He did, right?
No—seriously?!
Ela hurried after him and grabbed his shoulder.
“Wait a second, that’s really rude.”
“Let go!!”
Leo shouted almost like a scream as he violently shook her off.
The reaction was so intense it left her stunned.
Ela looked at her own hand, then back at Leo.
“Don’t touch me!”
His eyes were blazing.
The hatred inside them was so clear that Ela unconsciously bit her lip.
“Leo, I—”
“Young master!”
The one who slid forward, raising her voice, was Tila.
In an instant she stood in front of Leo and looked at Ela.
“What exactly do you think you’re doing, miss?”
“I didn’t do anything. Leo was the one who was rude first.”
“There’s no way the young master would do such a thing. Come, young master, let’s return.”
At Tila’s words, Leo gave a small nod and began walking ahead.
Ela was dumbfounded.
She wanted to grab Tila and argue right then and there, but if she fought with Tila, she would one hundred percent end up fighting with her mother.
And if she fought with her mother, even Helen—who was already having a hard time these days—would get dragged into it.
‘But it bothers me.’
Leo.
Ela reflected on herself.
She felt like she finally understood, to the bone, what Helen had been reflecting on.
‘Up until today, I didn’t really pay much attention to Leo either. I think I just assumed Mom was taking care of him.’
But was Leo really okay under their mother’s care?
‘Next time, I’ll have to somehow make time.’
Thinking that, Ela let out a sigh. As she left the library, she saw Pia walking quickly toward her from the other side.
“Pia, what’s going on?”
“Lady Ela, Sir Kalos has arrived.”
“Kalos? All of a sudden?”
“Yes.”
Though puzzled, Ela followed Pia.
When told to change clothes, she lightly refused and entered the reception room.
Kalos was standing rather than sitting.
A noble sign that the matter was urgent.
“Forgive me for being in casual clothes, Kalos.”
Ela dropped the formal honorific and addressed him comfortably.
Since becoming closer to Roland, she had also grown more at ease with Kalos.
At her casual tone, Kalos’s expression relaxed slightly.
“No—the one being rude is me.”
Kalos was still holding his hat in his hand.
He hadn’t even entrusted his coat to the butler.
Another sign of urgency.
Ela asked,
“What’s going on?”
“I know you’re busy, but could you spare me a little time?”
“Right now?”
“Yes. Right now.”
Ela frowned slightly, then read the anxiety on Kalos’s face.
What could make him this anxious?
Roland.
Only one person came to mind, and Ela nodded.
“Alright. It sounds like we’re going somewhere I shouldn’t go dressed like this… Is it so urgent you can’t even give me time to change?”
“I’m truly sorry.”
“Fine. Let’s go right away. Should I have my horse brought out? Or—”
“The carriage is waiting.”
“Can I bring my secretary with me?”
If it was this urgent, Shayrun—who was a few years older—would be more reliable than her close maid.
With more experience, he could also advise how to act.
After a brief hesitation, Kalos nodded.
“If it’s someone trustworthy—just one.”
“He is trustworthy.”
Recommended by her sister.
Lea and Pia were disappointed, but given the situation, they accepted it.
They were also pleased by their lady’s cool-headed judgment.
Once Shayrun—who came running in his official uniform—boarded the carriage Kalos had brought, the carriage, as expected, headed toward the Imperial Palace.
Ela fiddled once with the pendant in her arms, then looked up and asked,
“So, what happened?”
“Roland’s condition isn’t good.”
“How?”
“After Ela found that inscription…”
Kalos looked straight at her, and Ela met his gaze.
His ice-blue eyes were sharp as blades.
“…we investigated the people around him.”
Naturally they would. A curse inscription targeting the Crown Prince had appeared.
And in his bedroom, no less.
Only a handful of close attendants could even enter that room.
“Did you find anything?”
“No.”
“Do you mean the investigation is still ongoing, or that you can’t find the culprit?”
Ela’s voice was low and calm. Kalos looked slightly surprised, then sighed.
“Both. We thought it would be quick, but since no culprit has appeared, the investigation is dragging on.”
“And?”
“In the meantime, Roland collapsed. He’s complaining of abdominal pain, but even the physicians don’t know the cause. So—”
“You thought it might be another curse.”
“Yes. We searched the entire bedroom again for inscriptions like before, and even now—after moving him from the Crown Prince’s palace to the main palace—it’s the same.”
Kalos placed a hand on his chest.
“I’m asking you. Please help, Ela.”
Watching this scene, Shayrun thought to himself:
We’ve won.
A child of the Grand Duke’s house had personally come to request help.
They had seized the high ground.
In chess terms—checkmate.
Ela leaned forward and placed her hand on Kalos’s knee. He lifted his head. Ela spoke seriously.
“Of course. We’re friends.”
Kalos felt the tension drain from him and let out a relieved breath.
This was a request made with the imperial family bowing their heads.
Whatever conditions the other side demanded—they would have no grounds to refuse.
Kalos looked at the girl before him.
She was a little dazzling.
“Thank you.”
He spoke honestly, and Ela smiled lightly.
“Don’t mention it.”
Ho.
Shayrun barely resisted the urge to stroke his chin.
The foundation of diplomacy is earning goodwill.
Few people could do that naturally without conscious effort.
But his young lady was one of them.
Satisfaction welled up deep in his stomach.
Good. The stage is set. Heh heh heh… Finally! I’m going to see the young lady use the power of spirits with my own eyes! With these very eyes!!
Ela poked Shayrun in the side when she couldn’t hold back his snickering.
“For now, I’ll issue a gag order.”
“Yes, of course, my lady. Ah, how sacred.”
“What?”
“Nothing. My lips are sealed.”
Shayrun barely managed to swallow his chuckle.
