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Chapter 33
“Video communicator?”
I tilted my head. I didn’t think I needed another one. The one I had used in the Magic Tower had been broken during the Apostle’s attack, but since Lady Melize had gifted me a new one, I’d had no problems contacting her.
“I already have this necklace.”
Maybe he didn’t know? I fished out the necklace-shaped communicator I’d tucked inside my clothes. Even if she had said she made it in a hurry, it was an artifact created by the Tower Master herself, Lady Melize. Its performance was top-notch. The image quality had been crystal clear the last time we spoke!
“I know Melize gave that to you, but this one is…”
Uncharacteristically, Licht trailed off, averting his gaze. He looked around the reception room for a moment, then cleared his throat and spoke again.
“This one is so you can contact me directly. I think it would be good for you to have.”
“…What?”
I was stunned. Wait, this communicator connects me directly to Licht?
‘Why me? Why would I ever need something like this with him?’
As I stared at him in silence, Licht hurried to explain, almost defensively.
“Like when the Apostles attacked the Magic Tower, an emergency could arise again. Since Duke Melize is far away, it would be better for you to contact me immediately if something happens.”
“Oh, that makes sense.”
But didn’t he say the Imperial Palace was protected by a barrier and therefore safe?
Still, you never know. Preparing for emergencies was always wise. If Lady Melize were far away, teleporting might take her too long. I nodded and carefully lifted the bracelet out of its box.
Knowing that this artifact would connect me directly to Licht made me feel strangely burdened. I doubted I’d ever actually use it, but since it was made for my sake, I should be grateful.
“Thank you. I’ll be careful with it!”
The bracelet fit snugly, as if it had been made for me. Its design was so elegant it looked more like jewelry than an artifact. I twisted my wrist this way and that, getting used to the unfamiliar weight.
“It shouldn’t be uncomfortable to wear daily. I had the weight minimized.”
“It’s super light! And at a glance, it just looks like a bracelet decorated with gemstones.”
“Of course. A royal’s item can’t be made carelessly.”
For a brief moment, pride flickered across Licht’s usually calm face. He rarely showed emotion, but there were moments when he seemed almost… cute. Like now. I fought the urge to laugh and idly rubbed the mana stone embedded in the bracelet.
Right, there’s no way he’d have it made sloppily. He’s a prince, after all.
Hmm. Suddenly, I realized just how much this must have cost. I resolved never to use it carelessly.
“I’ll carry it with care!”
“You don’t need to be that cautious. It’s for your safety. If you ever run into someone suspicious, activate it immediately.”
Thank goodness this communicator wasn’t a one-time use. Hopefully, it never breaks. At least, not because of me!
“Got it~.”
Licht quietly observed Edel’s expression as she examined the bracelet. She seemed pleased with it.
Good. What a relief.
It was the first piece of jewelry he had ever given to a woman, and the process had been more complicated than he’d expected. He’d had to consider the size, design, and weight, while ensuring the quality was suitable for emergencies. That meant finding a high-quality mana stone and a skilled enchanter to craft it.
He could have attempted to make it himself, but he lacked much experience in artifact crafting. Better to entrust it to a true master.
Fortunately, Lelia had provided Edel’s wrist measurements and even mentioned Edel’s fondness for blue-colored clothing and gems.
Mana stones come in many colors. It was only right to match Edel’s tastes.
Finding a stone with both high amplification and purity took time, especially since jewelers were reluctant to work with something so rare. In the end, Licht had to persuade one by offering five times the usual fee.
Lucas was surprisingly useful this time.
Even a tiny piece of such a stone would normally cost a fortune. Still, thanks to Lucas’s connections, Licht managed to commission the work.
Seeing Edel’s bright expression now, Licht felt all the effort had been worthwhile. Her delighted smile filled him with an emotion he struggled to name.
Joy. That’s the only word that fits.
Was joy supposed to feel so unfamiliar? The question flickered through his mind as he reassessed his own state. No matter how he looked at it, he was undeniably happy. And he knew it was all thanks to the little magician whose radiant smile was directed at him.
“Thank you! I’ll treasure it.”
Edel’s clear laughter doubled his happiness. Licht worried he might even laugh aloud himself. Not that smiling was bad, but he had never done it before, and his attendants would surely panic if he suddenly did. Suppressing the urge, he answered calmly.
“You don’t need to be overly careful. It’s for your safety. If anything suspicious happens, activate it immediately.”
If necessary, he could have ten more made. Or a hundred.
“Yes, understood.”
And the communicator wasn’t single-use. As long as the mana stone remained intact, she could always reach him. That fact alone pleased him.
If I can see her face more often…
Perhaps Edel would grow accustomed to him sooner. Licht touched the bracelet hidden beneath his own shirt sleeve. He hadn’t told her, but the pair had been crafted together—a set. The sizes and designs were slightly different, but both were made specifically for Edel and him.
Technically, he didn’t need one. Edel’s artifact had his mana signature engraved, and as a high-level mage, Licht could easily visualize any signal from it.
But if he wanted to contact her instead, it would be different. Edel’s mana was rare and precious due to its light attribute, but the total amount was still small. It would be difficult for her to properly send a signal strong enough for him to visualize.
So he’d had them linked as a pair. It was his first time wearing any ornament, since he had always disliked jewelry.
Then another unpleasant thought crossed his mind.
Come to think of it… how does she contact that disciple?
Since the Tower Master’s disciple had visited the Imperial Palace, Edel had gone out to meet him today. Had he given her a communicator as well? Licht’s brow furrowed sharply. From what Lelia had said, the man was rather good-looking too.
“Are you planning to meet him again?”
“Oh, you mean Jen?”
The way Edel’s face brightened at the mention of his name irritated Licht even more. He recalled the days he had lain unconscious in the Magic Tower.
A feeling he had tried to ignore slowly bubbled up inside him. Edel had always been weak to handsome faces. Her stories had always included praise for someone’s looks. Was that why she had fallen for him, too? Just because of his face?
A strange unease gnawed at him.
“So that’s his name.”
Unaware of his displeasure, Edel continued blithely,
“I’ll probably meet him again sometime.”
“I see.”
Suppressing the rising emotions, Licht muttered curtly. Part of him wanted to send word to Duke Melize: If you want Edel to relay a message, then come yourself instead of sending your disciple.
She shouldn’t have to go outside. It’s dangerous.
But he kept his complaints to himself.
Meanwhile, Edel was blissfully distracted, her gaze fixed on the desserts laid out before her. Since her arrival, the menu in the reception room had changed. Where before a cup of tea sufficed as the final course, now three different sweet desserts were always prepared.
“Mango. Oh, they even have mango here.”
Edel murmured happily as she cut into a large cake. For weeks, the desserts had been all strawberry-based, but it seemed the palace chef had begun experimenting.
Examining the cross-section of the cake, she popped a small piece into her mouth. A blissful smile instantly spread across her face.
Even after eating such luxurious meals every day, she still looked that happy. And somehow, her smile was contagious. A faint smile crept across Licht’s lips before he realized it.
The attendants around the room froze in shock.
Unbelievable.
Did you see that?
They dared not voice their astonishment aloud, but their mouths moved soundlessly. Since the day they had entered service in the Prince’s Palace, their master’s expression had never strayed far from stoic, displeased, or indifferent.
Yet just now, he had smiled. Clearly. Brightly.
At that moment, the rumor sweeping not only the palace but the entire capital of Ludensa grew even stronger.
