🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 27
Life in society has taught me one thing: when it comes to job hunting, connections are everything. If two people have the same ability, you naturally lean toward the one you know. And if someone you trust recommends them, you want to hire them even more.
And if a powerful person recommends someone who’s lacking in skill? Then they just waltz right into the position. That’s the dirty reality of the world. Why would this place be any different?
For now, I had to stay in the Imperial Palace as Licht’s guest, but one day I’d have to return to the Magic Tower, start job hunting, and pursue independence. And having the recommendation of a royal family member who once studied at the Academy? That’s basically the expressway to employment!
I also remembered thinking, on my very first day in the palace, that making good connections would help me later. All of this combined into one conclusion in my head:
‘I need to get close to the Second Prince!’
Of course, he was the son of that scheming Empress, but in the novel, he wasn’t actually a bad person. He didn’t even know about the horrible things his mother was doing!
And besides, once Licht became Emperor, the Second Prince would likely retire quietly to the Academy. That would definitely help me. So, I put on my most polite, businesslike smile.
“Oh, I see. Since I’m not familiar with palace etiquette, it’s such an honor to meet you like this!”
Usually, when I was in the First Prince’s palace, I kept my reactions halfhearted, but now I was suddenly throwing myself into this greeting. I could feel Lellia, who stood beside me, staring wide-eyed at me. Sorry, Lellia—my future comes first!
“The honor is mine. To be able to converse with my brother’s precious guest—what a joy.”
…That adjective sounded a little odd. But I guess being the guest of Licht was a very honored position in the palace. Even the librarian had made quite a fuss when I entered earlier.
‘Maybe it’s just rare for outsiders to visit?’
‘Whatever, I need to secure this golden connection first.’
“Do you also like books, Your Highness? I heard that Prince Licht doesn’t come to the palace library very often…”
I naturally steered the conversation toward common interests. Always a good starting point. Of course, I knew this from the novel, but I pretended ignorance.
“Since I lived as a mage of the Magic Tower, I’m most comfortable in a library myself.”
“That makes sense. Ah, may I call you by name, Edel?”
“Of course!”
I had thought the prince, who once dreamed of being a scholar, might be introverted. But Caden seemed more sociable than I expected. Calling me by name and drawing closer so easily…
‘Huh. He’s the type who must make a lot of girls cry.’
With his flawless looks—no surprise, considering his mother the Empress and father the Emperor—and his ability to smoothly lead a conversation, he had all the right conditions to set noble ladies’ hearts aflame.
It reminded me of Licht. His sculpted beauty drew all eyes, but his demeanor toward others was often cold and dry. Even when he met Lucas or the Emperor again after two years away, he’d seemed distant.
Of course, I knew he was actually a kind and thoughtful person toward me.
“This is my favorite place in Ludenza Palace. I constantly expand the collection with new subjects every week—it’s the pride of the palace.”
The library in the Magic Tower wasn’t small, but it mainly held magical texts. The palace library, filled with books on every subject imaginable, was on another scale entirely. When I first stepped inside, the sheer weight of the building had overwhelmed me.
Caden’s face shone with pride as he spoke about it.
“That’s incredible. Do you personally manage it?”
“Well… somewhat?”
He trailed off, brushing back his hair. And I could guess instantly—ah, he’s doing this in secret, without the Empress’s knowledge.
What passion! His mother had dragged him back home to stop him from studying, but he’d built a giant library here to keep learning anyway.
‘My goodness! If he lived in Korea, he wouldn’t just ace Seoul National—he’d devour the whole Ivy League!’
A child forced to abandon his dream by parental ambition… How pitiful. Even a prince with everything couldn’t pursue the one dream he truly wanted. But knowing Empress Elicia, she wasn’t going to give up on controlling him anytime soon.
‘Well, if he can at least help my career, may blessings rain down on him!’
I tucked away my sympathy and focused on safeguarding my future.
“Your Highness, I heard you once studied at the Academy?”
“How did you learn that?”
“Oh, I happened to hear from other mages at the Tower. They mentioned that you attended.”
A complete lie. I’d dug up all this information purely for the sake of my future career. But who cares? Interviews are all about spinning facts into hopeful stories.
“Is that so? Strange. It’s been many years since I was there.”
“I heard you were such a distinguished student that you worked with many professors.”
‘And naturally built up golden connections along the way.’
I smiled sweetly, hiding my scheming thoughts.
“Well, a few times. Ah, that reminds me—Professor Derrick was from the Tower too.”
‘Bingo!’
I nearly cheered aloud at the familiar name. Wasn’t he the very same professor who’d sent me a politely worded rejection letter? I’d memorized his background thoroughly before applying.
“Yes, Professor Derrick Brenshaw!”
“Derrick Crenshaw.”
Damn it—I messed up his name! Foreign names are so confusing!
“Oh, right! My mistake. I’d heard his name so often in the Tower that I got mixed up. Haha.”
“That happens. You’ve never met him, then?”
“No, but I wish I had! The acceleration magic formula he restored—I thought it was such an incredible discovery.”
I threw out every bit of knowledge I had to make up for my slip. I’d never even seen the man’s face, but wow, wasn’t I good at flattery?
“Is that so? He’d be pleased to hear that. I’ll introduce you to him if I get the chance.”
“Oh my, that would be wonderful! I’d be so grateful!”
Exactly the answer I wanted! My eyes sparkled with joy as I clasped my hands. If Lellia hadn’t cut in at that moment, I might have grabbed Caden’s hand and run off to the Academy right away.
“Edel, it’s time for your afternoon appointment.”
“Huh?”
“Oh, you had plans? Forgive me, I’ve kept you too long.”
“Oh, it’s not—”
“Come, Edel.”
Before I could protest, Lellia practically dragged me out of the library. Only when we’d left and walked a bit did she finally stop and turn toward me, her expression stiff. Uh-oh. Did I do something wrong?
Her face looked unusually serious, almost conflicted.
“Edel, Prince Caden is indeed a good person, but…”
“Yes…?”
“It would be best not to get too close to him.”
Her tone was firm, something I’d never heard from her before, and my eyes widened in shock. Sure, behind those clear green eyes of the prince lurked the Empress watching like a hawk, but in the novel’s ending, Licht only recalled Caden as a brother who’d caused him pain—not as an enemy. Had something changed?
“Is… is it because Prince Licht doesn’t get along with him?”
“Not exactly. But if you get too close… Prince Licht might be displeased.”
“I see… So it’s like that.”
I couldn’t hide my disappointment. Ugh, seriously? I’d thought I’d found a golden connection, but it turned out to be fool’s gold… I knew those two weren’t exactly close, but maybe I had underestimated things.
Of course life here wasn’t going to be easy. If in the workplace, choosing the wrong side meant missing a promotion, here it could mean losing your life.
‘Well. Better to know now than to get caught in trouble later.’
Yes, I decided to think positively. There had to be other useful connections in this huge palace somewhere.
‘Wait… actually…’
I glanced at Lellia, who was guiding me back to Licht’s quarters. Didn’t she also study at the Academy?
“Lellia, what did you study there?”
“Me?”
At my question, Lellia let out a small “Ah?” and widened her eyes.
“Oh, His Highness never told you? I studied magic at the Academy. By graduation, I’d even earned a certified intermediate mage license.”
“…What?”
