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Chapter 25
“…You know my name.”
“I memorized the names of all the knights.”
“Then… may I call you by name from now on as well?”
“Of course. I’d prefer it that way.”
A faint smile appeared on Rodrigo’s face.
“Then I look forward to working with you from now on, Lady Rena.”
* * *
“Why do you think His Majesty sent a messenger? There’s nothing significant going on around this time.”
“Exactly. The Duke just returned from His Majesty’s birthday celebration not too long ago.”
“Maybe there’s something he wants to say in private?”
“Come on now. If he wanted to speak in secret, would he make such a fuss sending all those people?”
I was currently listening to the maids chatting around the well.
After the grand welcoming ceremony in the morning, the maids gathered in small groups whenever they had a break to talk about the event.
Guessing the Emperor’s intention had become something like a betting game.
So, I pretended to be interested and joined their conversation casually.
“Maybe he just sent them because he was bored.”
Someone mumbled that, and laughter broke out.
“As if His Majesty has that much free time.”
“Exactly. It’s not like he’s senile or something.”
When I spoke a bit bluntly, the room fell quiet.
One of the maids carefully spoke up to me.
“Um, Lady Magician… There are a lot of ears in this mansion, so maybe you shouldn’t say such things…”
“Oh, I’m sorry. That was careless of me.”
I admitted my fault immediately.
She was right—who knows who might be listening? Speaking like I do when I’m with Calix could get me in trouble, or worse, reported for treason.
‘I wonder if Calix is handling things well.’
I sighed quietly as I looked toward the mansion where the grand welcoming banquet was taking place.
* * *
Robert Hohenheim, the Emperor’s envoy, was currently sweating bullets.
It was because the expression on the Duke of Hertrio’s face after reading His Majesty’s letter didn’t look favorable.
Of course, outwardly he was unreadable, calmly scanning the letter with a serene expression—but that unsettled Robert even more.
‘I have no idea what he’s thinking.’
“…Truly.”
After a long silence, the Duke finally spoke.
“What a splendid idea. His Majesty truly is remarkable.”
He folded the letter and slipped it back into the envelope.
“A glass greenhouse, of all things… Hosting a party in it during winter is certainly an entertaining idea.”
Relieved by the Duke’s positive reaction, Robert quickly responded.
“Ah, so you think so too, my lord? I happened to pass by it briefly, and even from afar, its grandeur was impressive…”
“…However.”
The Duke cut him off.
“This part about ‘be sure to bring your newly recruited magician’—what is that about?”
“Ah, that.”
Robert instinctively swallowed hard.
But he had been prepared for this. The Emperor had already instructed him on how to respond if the Duke asked about it.
He silently admired His Majesty’s foresight and answered smoothly.
“There are already many rumors among the nobles about your new magician. And understandably so. After all, the Hertrio Knights are known for only accepting the elite of the elite.
To hear that you recruited a magician of common birth you just happened to meet? Everyone is curious. His Majesty included.”
“….”
“And as you know, His Majesty has always had a keen eye for talent. Haha…”
That last bit was meant to be a joke.
“….”
But the Duke’s face turned ice cold.
‘Did I say something wrong?’
Robert reviewed his words and suddenly realized the Duke had misunderstood.
He thinks the Emperor might try to steal his magician away!
He hurried to clarify.
“Just a joke, of course. Surely His Majesty wouldn’t try to take someone who’s already pledged loyalty to you, my lord. You know His Majesty isn’t that sort of man.”
“….”
Even with the attempt at humor, the Duke’s face didn’t warm.
But then, as if nothing had happened, a smile appeared. A flawless smile—almost painted on.
Robert nearly forgot how cold the Duke had been moments earlier.
With that deep smile, the Duke said:
“Of course. How could I dare question His Majesty’s intentions? It’s just… as I mentioned, the magician is of common birth. I’m concerned they may not be familiar with palace etiquette.”
He added, as though expressing deep concern.
“It wouldn’t do for them to commit a faux pas at a party held by His Majesty himself.”
Ah, Robert realized what the Duke was actually worried about.
He was concerned that the magician, unfamiliar with noble customs, might embarrass either himself or His Majesty.
To ease the concern, Robert waved his hand.
“There’s no need to worry about that. His Majesty mentioned he plans to invite musicians and dancers of common birth to this party too.”
“Ahh…”
The Duke nodded, finally looking convinced.
Good, Robert thought.
It seemed he had successfully completed his mission of inviting the Duke to the Emperor’s winter greenhouse party.
So many envoys had been rejected by the Duke in the past. So many nobles had sent invitations, only to receive a cold refusal—or worse, no reply at all.
In fact, most invitations were likely tossed into the fireplace at the Hertrio mansion in the capital without ever being opened. Robert could wager his decades of diplomatic experience on that.
With the matter settled, the Duke stood up with a warm smile.
“You must be tired from your journey. Rest for today—I’ll have the maids bring you bathwater.”
“I appreciate your hospitality.”
“Oh, and one more thing. Though it’s improper of me to say this to a guest—I won’t be able to join you for dinner. I must step out this evening.”
Robert, half-rising from his seat, asked awkwardly,
“Is it something urgent?”
“There have been reports of monsters appearing in the forest along the edge of my domain.”
That brief answer explained everything.
Robert decided not to ask any more questions and bowed as the Duke left the parlor.
* * *
A few hours later.
I was in the moonlit forest with Calix after dinner.
“Monsters in the forest? Even a dog wouldn’t believe that nonsense. And he really believed it?”
There’s no way monsters would show up in the domain ruled by Duke Hertrio.
“Whether he believes it or not isn’t my concern. I said it’s true—what’s he going to do, argue?”
I was speechless at Calix’s boldness.
“There might not be monsters, but there is one lying Duke wandering around.”
Calix chuckled, clearly pleased.
“And accompanying him is the famous magician of humble origins.”
He had told me what the Emperor’s envoy had said about me—how people were curious that the discerning Duke of Hertrio recruited a magician of common birth he met by chance.
So technically, we were in the forest now, making that story not entirely false.
No one else was with us. The forest was quiet, just the two of us.
I glanced at Calix’s side profile under the dark night sky. I saw that face every day, but I could never tell what he was thinking.
This time was no different.
He told me that the Emperor planned to hold a party in the new greenhouse.
His expression while relaying that message had been so calm—it felt unreal.
And he had said he would attend without resistance.
‘Didn’t he hate the capital and the Emperor?’
Yet Calix looked as though he had been waiting for this.
Like he had another reason.
As that thought struck me, I shook my head, brushing it away.
Instead, I asked something else.
“You’re taking me with you, right?”
Calix replied.
“I don’t really have a choice. His Majesty is so curious about this new talent, after all.”
“….”
See? He’s being way too agreeable. That’s not like him.
I squinted suspiciously. Noticing my silence, Calix spoke with a mischievous smile.
“Why? You don’t want to go? Should we just tell the Emperor to shove it and go lock ourselves away somewhere warm for a month?”
“Separate rooms, right?”
“Nope. Of course it’s one room. Married couples are supposed to share.”
And that’s the Calix I know.
“Forget it. I’ve always wanted to visit the capital anyway. I’m glad I finally get the chance.”
‘And while I’m at it… I’ll get a good look at that Emperor, too.’
I gave a dry chuckle, ready to end the conversation.
“Aww, that’s a shame. That idea I just mentioned wasn’t so bad, was it?”
His voice came softly from beside me.
He was pretending to be disappointed—but I knew better.
Right now, he really was planning to go to the capital.
