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Chapter 16
Why did I have to end up in a situation like this again?
This morning, documents from Reddick arrived regarding our broken engagement. The engagement had essentially been over for a long time, but if the paperwork wasn’t finalized, I wouldn’t be able to refute it later if the other party decided to change their story.
Now that all the documents had been properly exchanged, my relationship with Reddick Vanger was officially settled.
The engagement termination letter wasn’t long, but even in its brief phrasing, Reddick’s pride was evident.
“…Vanger will no longer tolerate Saya Erdona’s improper behavior… and will never forgive the humiliation she has caused…”
It seemed like he wanted to emphasize, in this way, that I was the real victim of this broken engagement. Fine, do as you wish.
Legally, we weren’t bound, but drawing this clear line was actually relieving.
But that relief was fleeting. Somehow, Pavel had learned the news quickly and invited me to the barrier ceremony along with Giselle.
Of course, it wasn’t for my sake.
It was to celebrate the resolution of the trouble that had long plagued Giselle. By inviting me to the barrier ceremony, he wanted to publicly show that Erdona would no longer be a problem—just as Giselle would want.
The barrier ceremony wasn’t a trivial event. It was an occasion to observe the maintenance of a barrier created long ago by the former royal magician—a highly meaningful national event.
Among the laughing nobles, I moved only occasionally like a statue enchanted by magic, killing time.
Because royal parties were rare, almost every noble of the system attended.
“How shameless. Showing your face in a place like this.”
“She’s a woman of unknown origin; what else would you expect?”
“Imagine how frustrated Lady Giselle must be.”
People, as Pavel intended, consoled Giselle and whispered about me.
Except for the last comment, everything was wrong. I wasn’t particularly affected and sipped my fruit wine.
“This is an invitation from the Crown Prince. You can refuse, but do you really think you’re in a position to?”
I didn’t argue with Giselle. There was no way I could refuse an invitation from the Crown Prince.
Moreover, this invitation had come in my name, not Erdona’s.
“Why on earth did he send it in my name?”
Was the point to attend together with Giselle? Everything I thought I knew about Pavel was collapsing. I began to doubt whether I really knew anything about him at all.
Giselle smiled artificially, surrounded by people. Kirill hadn’t returned from inspecting his territory yet, so she was alone.
The host of the party hadn’t appeared yet. That was fortunate.
Today’s party was an annual event. The royal family summoned all affiliated magicians to demonstrate the Emperor’s enduring power by reinforcing the royal barriers.
Giselle was invited not as Lady Erdona, but as a magician. That was why she had so many people around her. With each occurrence of this event, people became more certain she would be chosen as a royal magician.
“You look bored.”
A woman spoke to me. Glancing toward her with a bored expression, I almost choked, but managed to hold it back.
“…Dahlia?”
“Oh, you remember my name.”
Dahlia raised her eyebrows, looking surprised. Since I hadn’t expected to see her here, I glanced around to see if anyone was nearby.
“Oh, Chadwick isn’t here. Of course.”
She noticed my intention and replied.
“I’m a magician affiliated with the royal family.”
“…Then, there?”
“You could say both of us are affiliated.”
She smiled as if it were a witty joke. Why hadn’t I seen Dahlia until now?
“I only recently registered. It hasn’t been long since I showed signs of magic.”
She continued the conversation as if she could read my mind, winking one eye to indicate she was lying.
I seemed to understand how things worked. She must have been planted here by Cersi, staying under the royal family’s radar.
“Is it okay for me to talk to you?”
“Aren’t we on the same side now?”
“Sort of…”
I nodded and trailed off at Dahlia’s words.
“Don’t worry. I won’t put you in danger.”
“It’s not that I’m worried—I’m worried whether I can help you effectively.”
Dahlia downed a glass of fruit wine in one go and laughed.
Then Pavel appeared behind her, where I hadn’t noticed him. I didn’t know when he had been watching me, but our eyes met precisely.
I swallowed hard and hid behind Dahlia, evading his gaze, and my heart began pounding loudly.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dahlia, come with me over there. Quickly.”
“Uh, wait. One more glass…!”
Even while reaching for another glass, Dahlia followed me, holding her drink in one hand.
We stopped after moving far from him. The wall side was relatively empty as everyone gathered around the central courtyard.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s someone I want to avoid.”
“Lady Giselle Erdona?”
I was a little surprised by her question. Of course, she knew I was Erdona, but I hadn’t expected her to understand my relationship with Giselle as well.
“When Saya first came to ‘our house,’ I investigated Erdona. Sorry if it bothered you.”
Reading my expression, she quickly added,
“It didn’t bother me. It’s no secret.”
Dahlia laughed in relief. I wondered how much she had investigated about me and became curious.
“Did Dahlia know I was a magician too?”
“Dahlia, I have to ask you something.”
“What is it?”
“Did you know I was a magician?”
Dahlia blinked in surprise, as if she hadn’t expected the question.
“That’s a bit tricky to answer.”
“Why?”
She finished her wine and spoke almost like a lecture:
“Having magical power doesn’t make someone a magician. So I knew you had magic, but I didn’t think you were a magician… Who said you were?”
“Chadwick.”
“Oh? Really?”
Her answer was unexpected. I thought she would have nodded, knowing all along.
And the part about not all magic users being magicians…
“I thought so.”
Chadwick must have been mistaken. I felt relieved, but also a little disappointed.
Then a man’s voice came from a short distance. Both of us turned sharply, startled. Dahlia almost choked.
“Long time no see.”
Without sensing his presence before, Pavel had quietly approached us.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“Red Erdona.”
Dahlia, setting down her drink, also bowed politely.
“Your Highness, it’s an honor to meet you…”
“Step aside.”
Before Dahlia could finish her greeting, Pavel issued an order to her. Dahlia looked reluctant but didn’t dare disobey.
Once she stepped back, it was just the two of us in the quiet space. I had essentially led him here myself. My whole body tensed instinctively.
“I heard you received the engagement termination letter.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
That must be why he invited me to the barrier ceremony. The letter was essentially my invitation.
“Thank you for your concern.”
Now I wasn’t sure if he was paying attention to me for Giselle’s sake or for some other reason. Even though I knew it might be foolish to think so.
Pavel rarely paid attention to anyone except Giselle. So I assumed he was concerned about me because I had caused Giselle trouble.
“If I helped you…”
“…Me?”
“I need to ensure there are no complications.”
I blinked, not understanding his meaning.
“You look completely incredulous.”
“That’s not because I don’t trust you, Your Highness, but…”
“You said you hate lies.”
His sharp voice silenced me.
“Hic—”
I hiccuped from surprise, quickly covering my mouth with my hand.
“Even though I scare you so much, you always act as if you hate me.”
He chuckled lightly. It wasn’t a calculated laugh, just a natural one.
Almost immediately, he erased the smile, as if unaware he had smiled at all.
“Since I helped you, I want you to help me in return.”
“That is…”
“Of course, this is not a request but an order.”
His tone was casual enough that I almost mistook it for a request.
“Stand by my side at the barrier ceremony.”
“Your Highness.”
That was impossible. Standing next to him would interfere with my plan to leave the system.
“Then I will take it as understood.”
But Pavel didn’t wait for my reply. He walked past me and disappeared quietly, just as swiftly as when he had arrived.
