TCTR 51

Chapter 51

I took a sip of my coffee and nodded bitterly.

“But in front of others, our relationship won’t change.”

“That’s… true. Unless the Crown Prince actively participates in pretending to be your lover,” he added.

Ugh… the coffee was so bitter.

I dropped a sugar cube into it.

‘Anyway, Eshed doesn’t know at all what my true intentions are with him.’

In the investigation, I had planned to pretend to be the lover of that man, whose identity was clean and perfect, without saying a word. I was hoping to gain some strength in the process.

‘For now, I just need to look convincing in front of others.’

If it helped achieve my one remaining wish, that would be enough.

Just as I was about to drop another sugar cube, Kisschel stopped me and pouted.

“Honestly, it’s suspicious. What exactly did the Crown Prince cast that dangerous magic for, for you?”

Well, there could be many reasons.

He said he needed a good chess piece.

To him, I was only worth that much.

Yes, exactly that much.

“That’s none of my business. As long as Adrian’s contract can’t be undone by anyone except a magician, I suppose I can rest easy for now.”

I secretly dropped another sugar cube into my coffee while Kisschel wasn’t looking.

It was still bitter.

“Usually, people wouldn’t think a prosecutor could handle magic, right? No, they’d probably think it’s just absurd.”

“Just like we, who trusted the Crown Prince and thought it was safe because it was a Grand Mage’s artifact.”

The previous noisy conversation faded, and we both mechanically started tapping our pens again.

“Should I call Ilia Oppa? He’ll do anything for money.”

“Ilia is currently bedridden.”

“Why?”

“He caught a cold while helping search for the Duke who went missing in the heavy snow.”

“Send him a present, lots of it.”

“Of course.”

As part of my plans, I had decided to make my 20th birthday party even grander than originally planned.

Naturally, this added more work.

As a result, I had been buried in work for the past few days.

“There’s too much to do.”

I buried my face in my knees and tried to cool my stiffened head from exhaustion.

“It’s snowing again today.”

I stared out of the window in my room, then glanced at the mirror sitting in the corner.

The snow was falling.

My 20th birthday was approaching.

Although my life had changed drastically, it felt like my heart hadn’t changed at all.

The reflection in the mirror still showed me, covered in scars, just as it always had.

I gently ran my hand over the smooth skin on my neck, which had been clear of marks until now.

“And now… even this place…”

A new mark had been left there.

‘Eshed.’

I whispered his name softly.

At that moment, a small vibration came from across the room.

I startled, quickly fastening my gown and looking around for the source of the noise.

“Oh! The communication orb?”

It was the communication orb Eshed had given me, which I had carelessly shoved into the corner of the room after returning from my trip.

“Why… Why is it ringing?”

Had Eshed contacted me?

Well, there was nothing strange about it.

After all, since I left the cabin, he had been eerily silent, which only made me more anxious. Now, he was suddenly reaching out to me.

That was enough to surprise me.

“Aah…”

But I couldn’t hesitate any longer, so I picked up the orb.

It was translucent, but as my hand touched it, it changed, revealing color.

The long, beautiful hand appeared in the video.

‘We used to communicate a lot through the orb, but why am I so nervous today?’

I realized how odd it was to feel so anxious.

He was writing on paper with his long fingers, moving them gracefully.

His face wasn’t visible, but his tightly buttoned vest below his neck was.

“Eshed?”

It wasn’t hard to raise my voice brightly.

• Ah.

It seemed like he finally recognized me, adjusting the angle of the orb with a soft sigh.

• I got caught up in work, my mind was elsewhere.

He mumbled to himself, and his demeanor was no different from the last time I saw him.

He looked as dry as a desert.

I hadn’t even worn a mask in front of him, and now he was the one peeling off layer after layer of his own mask in front of me.

‘It’s fine. I can handle this.’

It was actually for the best.

Though hearing why he contacted me was important, I decided to take this sudden contact as an opportunity.

I brought my face closer to the orb, my eyes shining.

“Of course. Actually, I wanted to contact you first, but I didn’t know if it was okay, so I kept waiting. That’s what you did too, right?”

A light chuckle came through the orb.

• If you want to think that way, then feel free.

The magical markings on his exposed neck shone in the moonlight, filling the dark, unlit room.

He absentmindedly scratched at his fingertips as he spoke.

“I got the letter. Did you receive it?”

Eshed briefly lowered his gaze, then pulled out a beautifully decorated envelope.

He held it up to his lips, his eyes turning into crescent moons as he smiled.

“That’s the invitation for my birthday party… You’ll come, won’t you?”

I wondered if he hadn’t read the invitation because he didn’t reply, but apparently, that wasn’t the case.

I should be grateful that he kept it safe.

At that moment, he lightly fluttered the letter.

• I believe in clear distinctions between reward and punishment.

“…”

• If you could do one thing for me, I’d gladly attend your party as your ‘lover.’

What was that supposed to mean?

“You’ll do anything for me, as long as you stay by my side,” I answered firmly.

Eshed took out the letter I had written from the envelope.

‘Ah, that’s the letter I wrote myself.’

I had filled it with the sweetest words I could, wrapping my thoughts around them.

‘I’ve never read a book full of sweet stories, and aside from Eshed, I’ve never heard such words from anyone, so it was hard.’

Writing a love-filled letter was more difficult than I had ever imagined.

• How about inviting Lady Hena Giselle to this party?

I tilted my head at that.

“Why her…?”

• That’s none of your business.

“Are you planning to meet Lady Giselle?”

• No way. If I wanted that, I could easily call her separately. I just have something I want to ask.

Lady Giselle.

Confusion swirled in me at his vague request.

It turned into a form of suspicion, focused on the woman who had been a candidate for the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

I hesitated before asking a question.

“Why do you want to meet her?”

Eshed raised his head.

You want to know the reason?

He frowned deeply, resting his chin on his hand as he muttered to himself.

“Is it because she was your fiancée candidate? Are you trying to make her your partner? There are plenty of people who would partner with Lady Giselle.”

• Haha, of course not. I told you, if you do me a favor, I’ll attend your party as your ‘lover.’

He seemed indifferent to whether Lady Giselle had a partner or not, making it clear he didn’t want to meet her.

“So…?”

• Inera.

Eshed gently folded the letter and held it up to the candle on the side.

• This conversation is taking longer than expected.

I closed my mouth.

• Stop talking nonsense and answer.

“…”

• Will you do my favor, or not?

He clearly used the word “favor,” but it was obviously a threat.

All he wanted was one simple answer from me.

As though he just wanted to end this pointless conversation quickly.

“Of course. How could I refuse your request?”

I smiled slightly.

Matching his mood, adjusting to his needs, holding my breath when necessary, and speaking up when I should.

“I’ll invite Lady Giselle.”

It was what I did best.