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Chapter 47
“Thank you for taking care of me, Lord of the Magic Tower.”
“Knowing it’s enough.”
“And the reward…”
“I’ll take care of it later. How do you expect to help me in that body?”
“Still, will that be alright?”
“It’s fine. Time is all I have anyway.”
“I was just wondering if it’s okay to leave the Magic Tower empty for so long.”
Because Austin’s body was bound to the Magic Tower as payment for saving Zirk, he had spent many years within its walls.
“You haven’t left the tower in decades, so this much should be permissible. Don’t worry, take care of yourself.”
“Are you… worrying about me right now?”
“Worrying? Don’t be ridiculous… Sleep. I’m going.”
Elia watched his retreating figure and let out a small chuckle. As always, he was a kind person. Outwardly, he might seem otherwise, but Elia knew just how gentle he truly was. In the past, he had never refused any of her requests.
Feeling a pang of guilt toward him, she wanted to make sure he had freedom in this life.
She turned her gaze to the window. The sky was extremely clear.
[Elia, that guy is outside.]
When the branch sensed Noah’s presence and told her, her eyes naturally turned toward the door.
“It seems like you have something to say. Come in, then.”
But no one entered.
[Gone.]
‘I see.’
[So anticlimactic.]
‘Ignore it.’
Noah had a subtly picky side.
Inside the Prussian Grand Duke’s mansion.
Emma knelt before Grand Duchess Christina.
“What did you just say? That it was a failure?”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
Emma’s body trembled violently as she lay face down on the floor.
Grand Duchess Christina struggled to contain her anger and spoke carefully.
“So, you’re saying the Duke’s family is safe… How could this happen?”
“I didn’t expect the White Magic Tower to intervene either.”
“That old man from the White Magic Tower actually moved his heavy butt to help the Duke’s house?”
Christina’s thoughts grew deeper.
“The kidnapping failed, everything failed… What could it be?”
It was clear she was missing some crucial piece. Suddenly, an idea came to her mind.
“Do you know anything about the adopted child the Duke is secretly raising?”
“No, Your Highness. He’s been hidden so carefully that it’s difficult to find out.”
“There must be something. I feel like I’m always missing something.”
Things kept going wrong, and nothing was going according to plan. There must have been a reason.
“How is the search for the Guardian of the World Tree going?”
“We’ve inquired through every possible channel, but there’s no result.”
“Useless… It seems you’re incapable of doing anything properly either.”
“I apologize, Your Highness. I will accept my punishment.”
Christina looked down at Emma lying flat on the floor. She wanted to kill her on the spot, but Emma’s ability was too valuable. She had learned magic faster than anyone and shown exceptional talent.
“It’s a shame… Your talent is too precious to waste.”
“Your Highness…”
“I won’t kill you. Instead, focus entirely on finding the Guardian of the World Tree. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Go now. I will contact the organization to summon a new aide. For now, devote yourself to your mission.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Christina watched Emma leave, letting out a deep sigh as she sat on the sofa. The door cracked open, and Raul peeked in cautiously.
“Raul, what are you doing out there? Come in.”
“Mother.”
Raul approached cautiously.
“Seems our son is in a sour mood today.”
“Mother, I heard that Prince Noah has disappeared. Is that true?”
“Who told you that?”
“I… just heard it.”
“‘Just’ doesn’t exist…”
“I overheard what was said with the Queen last time. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t do that again. Prince Noah has left the palace temporarily due to his health. Don’t worry.”
“I hope Prince Noah doesn’t come back.”
“Raul, you shouldn’t say such things.”
“If Prince Noah disappears, I get a chance too.”
“Raul, you mustn’t go around saying things like that, do you understand?”
“…Yes, Mother.”
Raul studied his mother’s expression.
“Raul, if you have something to say, say it.”
“Mother, can you scold Prince Serhi for me?”
“What happened?”
“I had a fencing match with Prince Serhi, and he teased me, saying I have no talent and should just read books.”
“Oh dear, that must have upset you greatly.”
“Yes, I was very upset.”
“Raul, Serhi teased you out of jealousy, so understand him as your elder brother.”
“But Prince Serhi doesn’t consider me his elder brother.”
“One day, you will teach him a lesson, trust me.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Christina smiled warmly, ruffling Raul’s hair, her gaze briefly sharp.
“Oh dear, your economics class is about to start. Go quickly.”
“Can I come have tea with you after class, Mother?”
“Of course. Come after class.”
Raul left happily. Christina immediately called a maid.
“It’s been a while since we visited the Queen’s palace. Send word to invite her for tea.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Currently, the only mistress of the harem was the Queen herself. Originally, Grand Duchess Christina had been there too, but after becoming Grand Duchess, only the Queen remained.
Thus, the harem effectively belonged to Marianne, the Queen. With the Grand Duchess’ maid arriving, the atmosphere of the harem became sharply cold, as if winter had come suddenly.
“The Grand Duchess is coming?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What could bring her here?”
“Well…”
The head maid recounted the quarrel among the princes at the training grounds.
“So that’s what happened.”
Originally, Serhi had talent with the sword. Raul could barely keep up, and after losing, ran to his mother to report.
“Prepare properly. It’s been a while since she visited; we must treat her well.”
Grand Duchess Christina arrived at the harem.
“Your Highness, allow me to serve you.”
The head maid greeted her. Christina nodded and followed her inside.
The Queen was using the largest and most beautiful Garnet Palace in the harem. Upon arriving, Christina was guided to the sitting room.
Queen Marianne was having tea when Christina arrived and bowed.
“Welcome, Grand Duchess.”
“It has been a while, Your Majesty.”
“I see.”
“This sitting room suits you very well.”
“Is that so?”
“The understated atmosphere is very serene.”
The Queen smiled, lifting the teapot.
“I prepared chamomile since I heard you like it. Please have some.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Christina’s gaze fell on the Queen’s hands holding the teacup. Marianne’s manners were always graceful, perfect, and unpretentious.
“I hear His Majesty fell for your elegance, Your Highness?”
“That’s right.”
“This tea is truly excellent.”
“I believe you have something to discuss. Please go ahead, Grand Duchess.”
Christina eagerly set down her cup.
“Recently, Prince Serhi has shown signs of recklessness. He seems more interested in martial arts than academics and spends much time with the knights.”
“I’ve heard about it too, Grand Duchess. I understand, and I heard Prince Raul was quite upset.”
The Queen smiled and continued.
“I’ve admonished Prince Serhi, so he won’t harm your son with force.”
“That’s a relief.”
“But I worry that Prince Raul is too weak. How can a successor of the Grand Duke’s house be so frail?”
Marianne signaled for the head maid.
