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Chapter 09
Luar.
A name that would not change, even if a thousand years passed.
“What’s the use…”
Hael Terzen, a mage of the Magic Tower, sighed, a note of frustration in his breath.
The master of that great name had, for some unknown reason, shut themselves away at the top of the tower for over two years without showing even a single strand of hair.
“This is the first time in hundreds of years they’ve behaved like this.”
In the past, they were annoyingly active—constantly coming down from the top of the tower to interfere in everything and treating the subordinates like playthings.
Hael tossed the paper he was scribbling on into the towering pile of documents behind him.
Without the Tower Master, the Magic Tower could not function properly.
“I wish you’d at least tell us what’s going on…”
That’s what an aide is for—not just to serve meals and clean.
As he leaned absentmindedly on the window sill, a large owl crossed the sky, reflected faintly in the lenses of his glasses.
Flying awfully high…
Wait, that height—could it be the top of the tower?
“No way… The Tower Master?”
Hael leaned out the window, murmuring to himself.
But the silent Magic Tower offered no answers.
A room shrouded in heavy, dark purple curtains that blocked out even a speck of light. A figure sat with long, snow-white hair flowing down.
So beautiful it was almost eerie—an androgynous appearance that made it difficult to distinguish gender, creating an atmosphere that was neither awe nor dread but something in between.
Flap—
At the sound from the window, their delicate brow furrowed slightly.
“What is it now.”
With an irritated motion, they yanked aside the heavy curtain. A large owl was reflected in the windowpane.
The irritation on their face vanished as if it had never been there.
With a pale expression and dazed eyes, they stared at the bird flapping its wings.
Trembling fingers undid the latch that held the window tightly shut.
A flurry of feathers filled the room as the owl flew in and landed gently on their arm.
Their shaking hands struggled to untie the white paper note tied to the owl’s leg.
Finally unfolding the letter, their dry lips parted softly.
“You’ve returned to me.”
A trembling voice whispered faintly.
“…Maia.”
Several hours had passed since Maia left the head maid behind. She descended once more into the underground torture chamber.
As the torturer opened the door, a strong stench of blood struck her nose. The head maid looked disheveled, her wounds untreated.
Maia cautiously approached her. Up close, the head maid was barely breathing.
She clearly wasn’t in a state to be questioned or to answer.
“Did you get a confession?”
Maia looked past her at a man in a black mask that covered all but his eyes.
“She talked.”
He held out a small device adorned with a jade-green gemstone.
Click—a sound of a magical device activating, and the confession began to play.
[The person who poisoned the Duchess’s food… was me. I planned to kill that woman who took the Princess’s place.]
“This is enough. You’ve done well.”
“It was nothing. If you ever need anything, I will come running. I wish you peace, my lady.”
He bowed deeply, a gesture of respect, and left the bloodstained torture chamber.
Maia took a deep breath and pulled a potion from her coat.
She sprinkled a little over the head maid. Her external wounds quickly healed.
Aside from the bloodstained clothing, she looked uninjured.
Maia swept her hair back, which was getting in her eyes, and threw the empty bottle to the floor.
Crash—
The loud shattering sound seemed to reflect the state of her heart.
Inside the duke’s mansion, the night was still and silent.
Unusually, the Duke’s office was lit.
Without hesitation, Maia headed straight for it.
Ignoring the horrified look of the butler who came to greet her, she flung the door open.
The Duke of Western, lifting his head in shock from the papers he had been reading, saw her entering with a heavy burden—which she dropped onto the floor.
“…Maia?!”
That burden was the head maid, limp and unable to stand.
The Duke leapt to his feet in horror at the sight of her groaning on the floor.
His face turned deathly pale, a look rarely seen on him.
“She’s the real culprit.”
“What do you mean? Why do you have the head maid—?”
“She’s the one who poisoned me.”
At Maia’s calm response, the Duke stood frozen in disbelief.
He looked back and forth between the unconscious head maid in black and his wife, who was staring back at him without any sign of emotion.
Then he muttered softly.
“The head maid tried to poison you? …That’s absurd.”
“It’s true. I even brought proof, Your Grace.”
Maia replayed the confession from the magical device.
[The person who poisoned the Duchess’s food… was me. I planned to kill that woman who took the Princess’s place.]
The same words echoed again. As he listened, the Duke’s face grew even paler.
What is he afraid of?
The fact that a mere servant dared try to assassinate the Duchess of the prestigious Western family?
Or the realization that his judgment had been so terribly wrong?
“That can’t be…”
Maia didn’t bother correcting him.
Time passed in silence.
“…I will punish her myself. And I don’t know where you were tonight, but from now on, take a knight with you whenever you go out.”
The Duke spoke in a strained voice as he rubbed his face.
“I don’t need your advice. I won’t be staying here much longer anyway.”
The Duke flinched, staring at Maia.
She opened her mouth again, correcting his assumption.
“I’ll be deciding what happens to the head maid. And I suppose this is a good time to inform you: I intend to bring this case before the Imperial Court.”
At that, the Duke’s face contorted beyond description.
“What do you mean? The Imperial Court?!”
“I won’t settle for an easy punishment. If I leave it to you, all she’ll get is a quick beheading. Your Grace, I nearly died.”
His breathing became heavy. Maia looked away, her voice detached.
“You may not care much if I die, but I want to make sure the person who tried to kill me suffers as much as possible.”
“There’s no need for a complicated trial like this. Think of the effect this will have on the capital and our family’s reputation. Quietly handling it would be better for everyone.”
“I told you—I’m the one deciding how to deal with this. I’ve made up my mind, and nothing you say will change it.”
Maia’s voice was cold and resolute.
The Duke clenched and unclenched his trembling hands, speechless.
“Bring her in!”
The butler entered quietly at her command. Maia didn’t look back as she gave her orders.
“Lock the head maid in the dungeon. Make sure she’s watched so she doesn’t cause any more trouble.”
“…Yes, Duchess.”
The young butler seemed to glance toward the Duke, but he offered no objection.
Maia left the office.
An Imperial Trial was held when a criminal committed a serious crime that defied social status. In such cases, the Emperor himself would preside.
These trials didn’t issue light sentences like death or life imprisonment.
When Maia said she wouldn’t let it go easily, this is what she meant.
By putting the head maid on trial for the shocking crime of attempting to poison the Duchess of House Western, she would spread the disgrace far and wide throughout the capital—and use the shame as justification to request a divorce from the Emperor directly.
That was Maia’s true goal.
No matter how many times she declared she wanted a divorce, if the Duke continued to refuse to sign the papers, she had no way to oppose him.
Therefore, by making this incident public, a royal decree of divorce would be the fastest and most certain solution.
Having made up her mind, Maia immediately took action.
She had already submitted a formal request to the Imperial Court, and if things went quickly, the trial would be held within a week.
“…Ha.”
Maia tossed her coat over a chair and slumped onto the bed.
She had stayed up all night and was starting to see double.
Her eyelids grew heavier and her legs trembled with every step.
She couldn’t believe she’d managed to say all that to the Duke.
She rubbed her face and closed her eyes.
Flap—
Because she had gone out so late, she had left the window slightly open to let in some air.
