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Chapter 09
When I turned around, he was staring at me with a serious expression.
I couldn’t help but feel disgusted.
“I truly hope I misheard you.”
“No. I’ve seen the body of a woman I’m not married to, so as a man, I must take responsibility…”
“Sir!”
He shut his mouth into a straight line.
Seeing him up close only made me more uncomfortable and upset.
“You seem to be under a serious misunderstanding, so allow me to correct it.”
“……”
“Don’t try to shove me into your feeble version of chivalry.”
My tone naturally sharpened.
“I’m not some fragile damsel who needs someone to take responsibility for me.”
Pablo’s sneering face, mocking me as if he had caught his prey, flashed before my eyes from my previous life. I couldn’t suppress the rising fury.
Leaving him frozen in place, I spun around.
If he had any sense, he’d figure it out himself.
I didn’t care whether he followed me or not—I just left.
✦ ✦ ✦
He said he’d guide me, but in truth, I had just left Pablo behind and returned alone.
When I stepped into the carriage, I saw Kissel, now looking completely fine.
“You’re back?”
“Mhm. What were you doing?”
Even after hearing the news that an imperial knight had arrived, Kissel didn’t seem particularly interested.
He handed something to me. At a glance, I could tell it was a magic box engraved with a magic circle.
Inside were sparkling accessories. Huh…?
“They’re artifacts. You probably won’t need them, but just in case, please wear a few.”
“They’re all rings.”
“Ring-type artifacts are the least noticeable.”
At a glance, they looked like ordinary rings.
Two silver rings embedded with diamonds and one large black opal ring. All had simple yet elegant designs.
I chose the black opal ring and slipped it onto my fourth finger.
“It’s pretty.”
I stared at the shimmering opal, then took the ring off again.
“But what does this artifact do?”
I could roughly guess the purpose of the diamond rings from the magic circles, but the black opal one? I had no clue.
“It’s a brainwashing magic artifact that makes the target fall in love.”
Just as I was about to infuse it with mana, I froze and widened my eyes.
“Huh? What did you say?”
Kissel spoke casually and shrugged.
“Technically, it’s called brainwashing, but it basically makes someone fall in love with you the moment it’s activated.”
“……”
“I figured you wouldn’t need defense or attack-type artifacts, so I picked something a little more exotic.”
I stared blankly at the ring, holding it up to the light.
Kissel warned me.
“It’s valuable, so be careful. It’s a one-time-use item—once it’s activated, that’s it.”
“What the…”
A brainwashing magic that induces love?
This had to be the work of a long-dead, centuries-old Tower Master.
Only someone who surpassed the limits of humanity would dare embed such a forbidden, high-level magic into an artifact.
“Why would anyone make something like this?”
Since the Tower Masters were traditionally from ducal families, this artifact probably became part of the family’s inheritance after his death.
“So if I use this artifact, the person who sees me will instantly fall in love?”
Kissel suddenly approached and lightly brushed a long finger across the cold gem.
“I hope you never have to use it… Just remember, it works on only one person, one time.”
“I won’t forget.”
He didn’t seem pleased with this ring that induces love, judging by the wrinkle forming between his brows.
Why the scowl, when he’s the one who picked it out?
He tapped his temple and continued explaining.
“Anyone hit with this brainwashing spell falls in love the moment they lay eyes on the caster. Regardless of age or gender, they’ll fall for you.”
“Is there a specific activation method?”
For combat or defense artifacts, you usually just infuse mana and pretend it’s your own power. But this kind of rare artifact might require something different.
Kissel paused, then replied.
“You activate it by kissing the target.”
I reflexively widened my eyes at the word “kiss.”
“‘Kiss’ doesn’t exactly suit something like brainwashing, does it?”
“But kissing, love, and brainwashing all go hand in hand, don’t they?”
Is love still too soon for our young lady?
He added with a smirk.
“People in love often act like they’re brainwashed anyway.”
A plausible explanation.
Though I still wasn’t sure what love really was.
“Maybe the great mage who made this was in love with someone? Why else would he create something like this?”
“Probably. There’s no other explanation.”
He let out a low chuckle.
“Apparently, when this magic is used, the target loses all past memories involving the caster. Their feelings get overwritten by love. Quite the strange spell, right?”
He sounded as if he found it ridiculous that someone so powerful had created something like this.
To be honest, I kind of agreed.
‘A mage who could part the sea, collapse the earth, and tear the sky… made this?’
And all it does is make someone crave love?
“But if it’s in our hands now, I guess he never got the chance to use it.”
I murmured, slipping the ring on and off.
“What’s the side effect?”
There’s always a drawback to artifacts like this.
Just like how combat or defense artifacts drain your strength after use.
“There is a serious drawback. That’s why I said only to use it as a last resort.”
He emphasized this, just in case.
“Well… it’s not so much dangerous as it is annoying. You have to grant whatever the target desires.”
I immediately pulled the ring off in horror.
“Anything they want?”
“As far as I know, yes. You have to comply—at least at first.”
Kissel took the ring and put it back on my finger.
The wrinkle between his brows still hadn’t disappeared.
If he hates it this much, why put it back on me?
“You really think I’ll need to use this?”
He stared at the ring snug on my finger.
“Who knows? Maybe something will happen. Just try not to use it. Think of it as a last resort.”
“I’ll never use it. Doesn’t even seem likely I’ll need to.”
Right now, love feels like an illusion. I can’t imagine ever wanting it badly enough to trap someone like that.
But…
I had no idea that confidence would crumble—before we even reached the Imperial Palace.
✦ ✦ ✦
The Imperial Capital was breathtaking.
The weariness from days of carriage travel vanished instantly at the stunning view.
“Welcome, Lady Mertiel.”
“We’ve been expecting you.”
Wow…!
As if they had been waiting, maids swarmed around me.
“I dislike chaos, so please keep things quiet as we move.”
Well, it is the Imperial Palace. This level of greeting is to be expected.
It was more massive and beautiful than I imagined, but since I was used to the grandeur of the ducal castle, I adapted quickly.
Though to be honest, that castle was more of a giant prison.
Knights dismounted behind me in neat rows.
With the growing crowd, I decided to speak up.
“Where is my room? If I’m not careful, I might get lost, dazzled by the beauty of this place.”
“I will guide you, my lady.”
The maid at the front hurried forward and bowed.
“Very well, I’ll leave it to you.”
The other maids also bowed deeply. The majestic and solemn atmosphere made it clear—I was now in the Imperial Palace.
Not noisy, but quiet and composed.
It felt like I had to maintain perfect decorum at all times.
Thankfully, Kissel had given me a heads-up that I’d be in the guest-of-honor suite. Otherwise, I would’ve thought all rooms here were this fancy.
“This will be your room, my lady.”
Once we arrived, my luggage had already been neatly arranged by attendants, and the maid said formally,
“His Majesty ordered that the finest room in the castle be prepared for you. I hope it meets your expectations. If you need anything, please call.”
More maids arrived, offering to help unpack.
“I prefer not to have others touch my belongings. I appreciate your kindness, but I’ll call for you if needed.”
It was a clear dismissal, and they all retreated like a tide without a word of protest.
