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Chapter 41
The next day, Grand Duchess Christina had an audience with the Emperor.
She looked at him with a faintly sorrowful expression.
“Your Majesty, I heard Prince Noah is gravely ill. Is he well?”
“It seems the Empress has been talking nonsense again.”
Although he mocked Christina for her friendship with Empress Marianne, the Grand Duchess wasn’t bothered. She dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief in an exaggerated gesture.
“Even so, I cannot help but worry… He’s living all alone without a mother.”
“I didn’t expect the Grand Duchess to be so invested in the First Prince.”
“The late Empress was a dear friend of mine, so naturally I must care.”
“Yes, the Empress did get along well with you. She was not someone who should have left so soon. I, too, grieve her greatly.”
The Empress had died suddenly of an illness.
Though people gossiped about how the healthy Empress had passed away so abruptly, the dead cannot speak. The Emperor declared it an illness and closed the matter without any investigation.
“You needn’t worry about Noah. I’ve sent him to Luminere to recuperate.”
“Luminere?”
“Yes, it was like the Empress’s homeland.”
“May I ask why you sent him there?”
“They say Noah’s sickness stems from his strong magical power. In Luminere, where the Magic Tower stands, he will be well taken care of. Who knows—just as with the Empress, perhaps Noah too has a natural gift for magic.”
Christina clenched the hem of her dress tightly.
“So that is Your Majesty’s great plan…”
“I am watching over Noah’s health. You need not trouble yourself further.”
“I had no idea Your Majesty was so attentive to the First Prince. That is a relief. Then… when might he return?”
She asked cautiously, and the Emperor readily replied:
“Noah will come back to the palace for his coming-of-age ceremony.”
“I see. Then from afar, I shall pray that His Highness Noah grows splendidly.”
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“No, I cannot take up any more of Your Majesty’s precious time. I will take my leave.”
“Very well.”
Leaving the audience chamber, Grand Duchess Christina returned directly to her residence and summoned her aide, Emma.
“Emma, find out if it’s possible to infiltrate Luminere.”
“I’m sorry, but that would be difficult.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, that place is our polar opposite…”
The White Tower stood in Luminere. Unlike Emma, who practiced black magic, the White Tower dealt with light magic.
The two were fundamentally incompatible. Black magicians were at a disadvantage, since the White Tower possessed annihilation magic designed specifically to suppress black magic—a spell personally created by its sly master.
“So Noah has gone to Luminere.”
“Truly?”
“Yes, I heard it straight from the Emperor.”
“And His Majesty told you so honestly?”
“He must have been confident. He knows even I cannot reach that place.”
“This complicates matters.”
“We’ll have to postpone what we’ve been working on for now.”
“Then…?”
“We’ll strike at House Cartelani first. Tell our people there to proceed immediately.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Grand Duchess Christina smirked as she looked out the window.
Her plans may have shifted, but they hadn’t fallen apart. She would simply deal with other matters first.
She resolved to crush House Cartelani.
After an early lunch, Elia was strolling through the garden when Merrill came running breathlessly with news.
“My Lady, the Duke is returning!”
“Truly?”
“Yes, a letter just arrived from Steward Norman.”
Still, even if he had already set out, it would take about a week to arrive—after all, the distance from the North to the capital was great.
Elia’s gaze drifted toward the mountains.
Like a volcano that could erupt at any time, they were unsettling, but thankfully still quiet for now.
Just then, the communication orb lit up.
It was a message from Lapis.
Elia sat on a bench and took it out.
—My Lady, I’ve handled the matter you requested.
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Since learning she had become a lady of noble standing, Lapis had also begun addressing her as My Lady.
But his voice carried concern.
—Are you certain it’s all right to reveal your existence to the White Tower?
“Yes, it’s fine.”
It was the only way to summon the magicians of the White Tower. And if she could establish ties with them in the process, all the better.
She could make use of them for a long time.
After ending the call, Merrill spoke up as if remembering something.
“Oh! My Lady, Helga asked me to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“She said that on the day of the attack, she saw a rose emblem on the sleeve of one of the men who collapsed.”
“A rose emblem?”
“Yes. I thought you should know.”
“Thank you, Merrill.”
A rose emblem…
Elia had a good idea what it meant.
So it really was Grand Duchess Christina.
Those wearing the rose insignia—known as the Shadows of the Rose—were Christina’s private organization.
Just as she suspected, they had made their move.
In the middle of the western sea stood an island crowned by a towering white spire.
A pure white bird flew to the top of the tower.
Sitting on the window ledge, gazing at the scenery, was a strikingly handsome man with long silver hair. He reached out toward the approaching bird.
This was Austin, the master of the Magic Tower, and the greatest magician on the continent.
“It has been a long time since I received news.”
As soon as the bird touched his hand, it glowed and turned into a letter.
“Black Pearl, hm…”
Austin opened the letter and read, then suddenly burst into laughter.
“Ha ha ha!”
As he laughed, a small figure appeared before him.
“What amuses you so much, Tower Master?”
“Perfect timing, Jirk.”
The short, curly-haired blond boy tilted his head. His pale face was angelic in its beauty.
“Prepare for a journey.”
“So suddenly?”
“An invitation has arrived.”
“An invitation?”
“Yes. From the Guardian of the World Tree—the one you’ve been longing to meet.”
“Truly?”
Jirk’s green eyes sparkled with excitement.
“I’ll prepare at once.”
“Bring as many magic stones as possible.”
“Magic stones?”
“Yes, they’ve asked for them as gifts.”
Though he didn’t understand why, Jirk did as told. If the Tower Master commanded it, there was always a reason.
Soon after, for the first time in decades, the Tower Master left with his disciple.
A week later, Alexis arrived.
Unlike when he left on horseback, he returned in a carriage.
Elia waited with the servants at the castle gate.
“My Lord!”
She waved excitedly, and Alexis stepped down from the carriage and swept her up in his arms.
“Elly!”
“Did you return safely?”
“Yes. And you’ve been well?”
“I have.”
After setting her down with a smile, Alexis returned to the carriage and brought out a boy.
“Elly, let me introduce you. This is Prince Noah. He’ll be staying here at the ducal estate for a while.”
Elia’s gaze fixed on Noah.
A thin frame, a pale face, bright golden hair, and violet eyes—there was no mistaking him.
In her previous life, fate had bound them together as enemies.
Noah, too, looked startled as he met Elia’s eyes.
The girl with rose-colored hair, clear blue eyes, and doll-like beauty was unforgettable.
“So you’re the Duke’s adopted daughter.”
“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Elia.”
“It seems you haven’t been granted the Duke’s surname, since you gave only your name.”
His tone was sharp as he looked at her.
“I’ll introduce myself properly then. Elia Ivan Cartelani, at your service. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Her flawless etiquette made Noah falter slightly.
“I heard you weren’t of noble birth, yet your manners are impressive.”
“I learn quickly.”
“I’m tired. Show me to my room. It’s ready, isn’t it?”
“You want me to?”
“Yes. You lead me. That’s fine, isn’t it, Duke?”
Noah smiled as he looked at Alexis, who then turned to Elia.
“I’m afraid no room has been prepared yet. We weren’t informed His Highness would be coming.”
“Sorry, Elly. I had to leave in a hurry and didn’t get the chance to send word.”
Elia glanced at Norman.
