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Chapter 15
“By the way… how does this thing even work?”
I examined the crystal orb from every angle, then gave up and pressed it with my hand.
Apparently that was the correct method, because the orb lit up.
On the other side of the round crystal, a familiar face appeared.
“Shamal!”
I waved happily, and Shamal awkwardly waved back.
Seeing him through the orb felt strangely different.
[Wait a moment.]
Shamal briefly disappeared from the crystal’s view, then returned with someone else.
It was a man who looked significantly older than Shamal.
The dark shadows under his eyes made him look even older.
[I heard you were looking for me.]
I instinctively sensed that this was Derek, the mage from the First Princess’s palace—and Shamal’s colleague.
I smiled politely.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Rene from House Sober.”
[I’m Derek.]
Satisfied with my polite greeting, Derek stroked his beard with a pleased expression.
[So, what brings you looking for me?]
“I have a favor to ask.”
I held up the magic tool Shamal had given me.
“It’s a magical tool Shamal made. I’d like to use it inside the imperial palace.”
[So that boy actually managed to make something that looks… decent.]
I strongly agreed with him in my head.
“…Would it be possible to lift the restriction so I can use it in the palace?”
[And why would you request something like that?]
I expected that question.
So I began my prepared excuse.
“Actually… I’m a huge fan of the Crown Prince. It’s my dream to see him up close at least once….”
Of course, it was a lie.
I wasn’t a fan of the Crown Prince at all.
But I needed a believable reason.
So I enthusiastically praised the Crown Prince.
The reason I went so far with the compliments was simple.
Shamal had told me that Derek was an extreme Crown Prince fan.
He had even joined the imperial mages just to be closer to him.
Although he failed to become a mage assigned to the Crown Prince’s palace, he was still obsessed enough to be satisfied just existing in the same capital.
For someone like that, the Crown Prince was the perfect bait.
If he was a fellow fan, Derek would surely understand and allow the tool’s use.
At least, that was my theory.
I continued my passionate praise of the Crown Prince.
Thankfully, Derek listened with a deeply sympathetic expression.
As expected, fellow fans understand each other.
When I finished—what was actually a Crown Prince rant—Derek clapped.
[What a splendid speech.]
“Anyway, that’s why I’m asking this favor.”
[I understand the desire to see His Highness up close. He truly is like sunlight itself. Still, since this is a magical tool made by Shamal, I can’t easily lift the restriction. I am, after all, quite strict about my professional duties, and—]
This man talks a lot.
While smiling and listening, I “accidentally” dropped a pouch of gold coins.
“Oh my, I’m sorry.”
When Derek saw the coins, his eyes sparkled.
Hooked.
“Actually… I prepared this for you, Derek.”
[For me?]
“Yes, just a small gift.”
[Well now, this is quite troublesome.]
But his lips were clearly curling upward.
I shook the pouch slightly so the coins clinked loudly.
Derek’s eyes followed the sound like a pendulum.
What an easy man.
“Oh dear, I didn’t mean to trouble you. If this is inappropriate, I can always donate it to the Magic Tower instead….”
[No!]
The moment I mentioned donation, Derek slammed the table and stood up.
So violently that his chair toppled backward.
I covered my mouth to hide my smile.
Hooked completely.
[Cough. Since the young lady prepared this with such sincerity, I cannot refuse.]
“Then you’ll accept it…?”
[I’ll send my assistant soon. Please hand it over to them. And I’ll ensure the restriction is lifted as soon as possible.]
“Thank you very much, Derek.”
I smiled sweetly and then spent another full hour enthusiastically praising the Crown Prince.
…So exhausting.
* * *
That night, I woke up to the sound of tapping on my window.
When I approached, I saw a blue bird perched on the balcony railing.
Its black eyes stared directly at me.
As if telling me to open the window quickly.
I immediately opened it and let the bird inside.
It fluttered onto my desk and lifted one leg.
A note was tied there.
I carefully untied it and unfolded it.
It read:
[Send the gold and the magic tool. I will adjust the tool so it can be used in the palace, and my assistant will return it shortly.]
So Derek’s “assistant” was a bird.
I had assumed it would be a human.
Feeling slightly embarrassed at my narrow thinking, I handed over the gold and magic tool.
But they looked too large for the bird to carry.
“Can you manage it?”
At my question, the bird chirped loudly—beep!—and suddenly spread its wings.
Then it began rapidly expanding in size.
Another magically enhanced creature.
I clapped in amazement as the bird grew from palm-sized to nearly the size of my upper body.
The bird lifted its head proudly as if showing off.
“You’re amazing.”
Beep!
It chirped again, flapping its wings happily.
It seemed pleased by the praise.
How cute.
After basking in my compliments for a long while, the bird finally flew away at dawn, carrying the gold pouch and magic tool in its beak.
I watched its disappearing tail feathers before closing the window.
Everything was now ready for the First Princess’s tea party.
All that remained was to execute the plan.
* * *
The day of the long-awaited tea party.
After getting ready with the maids’ help, I wore the bracelet-shaped magic tool Shamal had given me.
It sparkled beautifully.
I had also secretly told “Uncle” to follow me and not cause trouble.
I warned her firmly not to react even if the First Princess provoked her.
So hopefully nothing would go wrong.
Assuming, of course, that Uncle behaved herself.
The First Princess was only sixteen, so surely she wouldn’t resort to violence.
Trusting in Uncle’s “gentlemanly” nature, I boarded the carriage.
While mentally reviewing my infiltration plan, I soon saw the imperial palace in the distance.
Near the gate, I ordered the carriage to stop.
“Wait here until I return.”
“Yes, my lady.”
I activated the invisibility magic by pressing the gem on the bracelet, then quietly approached the palace.
Just then, I saw the Marquis’s carriage carrying Uncle arrive at the gate.
“Lady Beatrice Lockwood of House Lockwood has arrived.”
The driver announced her identity, and a maid handed over the invitation through the window.
I had told Uncle to keep the carriage door open for ten seconds when presenting the invitation.
So why wasn’t the door opening?
If the gatekeeper let her in like this, she’d go inside alone.
Anxiously tapping my foot, I watched—
Bang.
“Eek! A bug!”
Uncle screamed and suddenly threw the door open.
