Chapter 32
How dare you, an intruder, be so bold?
It was outrageous to Vianu.
“Are you demanding the reward after I rescued a drowning man?”
“I clearly told you from the beginning. Just focus on the Chromium Chloride detox and restoring your health.”
“You rummaged through the records room because you were dissatisfied with my treatment? Does that make sense?”
“Ha, we’re not getting through to each other.”
This insolent brat.
Vianu strode in and struck Roshiar’s back with all her might.
“Ugh!”
“Inseok. What on earth did you do to Lady Raisy? What were you thinking, casting a spell on a foreigner?”
Superficially, Vianu built her reputation as an apothecary, but her essence lay in magic.
The Zeta family of mages.
Long ago, their name was forgotten, but they still carried on the lineage of mages.
And the one who inherited its essence in its entirety was her grandson, Roshiar.
Roshiar, with his brilliant talent, had shown promise from the time he began to speak. Disregarding the effort and time Vianu had invested, he absorbed and manifested magic as naturally as breathing.
By around the age of ten, he had attained skill beyond that of a fairly seasoned apothecary. To exaggerate a bit, he even threatened to surpass Vianu, who had nearly 40 years of experience.
His capabilities as a mage had long since surpassed hers.
He was a child like fertile soil that would one day enrich Canis. With that conviction, she generously passed down her knowledge and secrets.
But then, Roshiar suddenly declared he would become a knight. It was the year he turned ten.
It was far too late to pick up a sword. Vianu and countless others around them tried to dissuade and persuade him, but they couldn’t break his stubborn resolve.
True to his unwavering determination, he managed to join a knightly order. However, he couldn’t become the top.
That’s why it was such a heartbreaking waste. To see her grandson, blessed with divine talent, struggling to become a mediocrity.
And in the meantime, she thought he had completely forgotten about magic.
“So it was you, grandmother, who caused Lady Raisy to collapse during the day.”
“That’s right.”
“A person’s life was at stake. Why would you do such a thing?”
“…Such a thing? You impudent brat!”
Her sharp palm struck Roshiar’s back once more.
As a mage, she admitted that her own aptitude didn’t even reach Roshiar’s toes.
But Vianu was no amateur, unable to detect that some kind of spell had been cast on Raisy when she was carried into the hut.
If only Raisy’s life hadn’t been hanging by a thread at that moment…
Her vexing grandson left in a flash, not even giving her a chance to press him. After that, he only sent one-sided letters.
There was no choice. She had to investigate on her own.
The magical barrier surrounding Raisy was extremely complex. It was like a fortress built like a maze with no exit, disregarding directions like up, down, left, and right.
Not only that, it was also exquisitely crafted. Daring to interfere carelessly would surely affect her life.
So, she prepared thoroughly.
“If I didn’t do this, you wouldn’t confess what you’re up to! Isn’t that right!”
To make the spell’s seams subtly unravel in reaction before Roshiar.
“How embarrassing. Even after all your efforts, I can’t tell you anything you want to hear.”
“You’re still stubborn even when caught red-handed…”
To be so shameless even after being caught.
What had he gone through while away from the estate to have changed so?
Then, a spark flashed in Vianu’s mind.
“…Could it be by the Lord’s will?”
No wonder this inherently timid boy had been acting so unreasonably.
Perhaps it was possible precisely because it wasn’t his own will.
“I can’t say that either.”
It had been nearly four years since Vianu last looked steadily at Roshiar’s face.
To be precise, three and a half years.
Her grandson had, without her realizing, learned to wear a look of concern fit for an adult.
Since when had he started making that expression?
Was it right after he returned from his first trip to the Euphorian Kingdom?
That journey had its oddities.
Lord Ash Canis, who should have departed and returned in the autumn, lost contact.
The former Lord and his wife had left the territory of Canis upon abdication. Even if summoned, it was uncertain how many seasons it would take for them to return.
But then, as if timed to prepare for the monsters, Ash Canis revealed himself only in spring.
Where he had been, what he had done, why his whereabouts had been mysterious after leaving his party behind. He said not a single word about the circumstances.
Not even about Roshiar’s position, who was said to be the only one allowed to accompany him.
It was a full season later that Roshiar briefly showed his face. And then, only word remained that he had left on another mission.
This was the first time he had stayed at the estate for over a full day since then.
If there was a difference between before and this time, what could it be?
“Then I shall ask the Lord directly myself.”
What is there to ponder when it’s right before my eyes?
Isn’t it in Roshiar’s hands now?
* * *
A storm was blowing outside the window.
Fortunately, it wasn’t thundering and lightning as fiercely as a while ago.
Relieved, I arrived at the office to attend to my morning duties, but…
“This is strange. I’m sure I put it here, but where did it go…?”
Chief Aide Fritz was frowning and circling around the desk.
What he was looking for was one of the piles of documents stacked like mountains.
“Federluke… Federluke…”
*Gulp.*
I see nothing, I hear nothing.
Pretending not to notice, I wiped the dust on the bookshelf with a cloth.
“Miss Raisy, by any chance, the document that was here…”
“Hmm?”
“Ah, never mind. There’s no way Miss Raisy would…”
Fritz didn’t seem to suspect in the slightest that I might have touched the documents.
Seeing me working on textbook materials in a corner of the aide’s office must have built a kind of trust.
“If you happen to find a document with the word ‘Federluke’ on it while cleaning, could you bring it to me?”
“Yes, I will.”
I’m sorry, Mr. Fritz.
That document you’re looking for… I burned it in the fireplace.
“Well then, I’m quite busy, so I’ll take my leave.”
I silently apologized to Fritz’s retreating back as he scurried away.
Finally, Ash Canis is returning.
Thanks to that, the aides have fire under their hands and feet. They must clearly report all documents processed or new matters that arose while the Lord was away.
For me, this is also the last time I can come and go from the office so freely.
Going forward, it won’t be easy to freely rummage through documents…
“Should I do one last desk check?”
The pile of papers on the desk had grown taller than yesterday’s. There was a reason Fritz gave up after pacing around.
I even thought about organizing the documents as a gesture of apology.
I decided to leave them as they were, thinking it would be worse than helpful if I accidentally knocked them over.
〈Timod Region Crop Report〉
〈Jerif Village Waterway Construction Plan〉
The newly placed documents didn’t particularly catch my eye.
“Oh my, that’s…”
There was an envelope leaning diagonally between the piles of papers.
Even at a glance, it had a luxurious sheen. A very familiar texture.
It seemed to be from the Euphorian Kingdom.
The vivid sky-blue color stirred mixed feelings that had been dormant within me.
“Don’t tell me…”
Carefully extending my finger so as not to disturb the papers.
The sender written on the envelope I barely managed to pull out was…
“Long time no see, Vivian…”
Vivian Jasmine Euphorian.
My half-sister.
It seems her habit of insisting on envelopes the color of her hair remained unchanged.
According to my calculations, Vivian will turn twenty this coming summer.
Barring any unforeseen events, she will fulfill her long-standing engagement in the winter.
And then, from a noble princess of Euphorian, she will become the great queen of Heydriz and continue her glorious life.
Unaware that secrets are hidden in our father’s death.
“What a tearfully blessed life.”
Why on earth would Vivian write a letter to Ash Canis?
At a time like now, when she should be deep in her bridal lessons.
I’m curious about the contents…
There’s a way.
By utilizing the special properties of the sealing wax used by Euphorian’s royalty.
Once again, I crouched before the fireplace where I had lit a fire earlier today.
Then, I held the back side of the envelope, where the wax was stamped, close to the candle flame.
Applying heat for a moment reduces the adhesive strength, making it easier to open the envelope’s flap.
This was also one of those bits of life wisdom Father taught me, I suppose.
He said he found out by chance. What on earth did Father do in his youth to know such things?
“What are you doing there?”
…This voice?
“Lord?”
Turning around, I saw Ash Canis standing at the doorway.
He looked exactly as he did over a month ago when he was seen off by the servants.
He must have been weary from the arduous battles and camping against monsters, so how could he look so fine?
“What are you doing there right now?”
Oops.
“Well, you see…”
Why has the person who was supposed to arrive in the evening returned so soon?
Saving the situation comes first.
“Ow, hot!”
