TVWD 63

Chapter 63.

Cough, cough.

Ted choked while sipping his now-cold tea. As his body suddenly jolted, Rhys looked at him with startled eyes.

“You really do have a knack for surprising people, my lady.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

After barely steadying his voice, Ted continued.

“You’re right, my lady. There’s Delphi.”

“What kind of place is Delphi?”

“They say it’s where human fate is born. The gods who govern life and death dwell there. Ah, beyond that, I really don’t know anything. Truly.”

Ted waved both hands as if to prove his innocence.

I nodded to show I understood.

“To reach Delphi from the Cold Forest, you’ll need the ‘Mirror of Truth.’ That item you’re carrying.”

“Isn’t the Mirror of Truth a tool that shows the map to Delphi?”

“That’s right.”

Ted no longer seemed surprised by anything.

“But strictly speaking, it doesn’t show the path—it reveals the way from the Cold Forest to Delphi.”

“So, there’s no point looking into the mirror before we reach the Cold Forest.”

“Exactly. You’ll need a glowstone to make the Mirror of Truth reflect properly. Shall I procure one for you?”

“I already have one.”

The man rubbed his temple, looking utterly exhausted.

“Is there anything else I need to prepare?”

“To make the Mirror of Truth display the map, you’ll need a glowstone, a magic stone, and a pure gemstone. I believe you brought the magic stone the other day, so we’ll need a gemstone now.”

Ted added that a red diamond would be the most efficient, and he would set aside a rough stone for that purpose.

“These act as a kind of fuel. Even with all the fuel loaded, there’s no guarantee the map will appear correctly.”

“Because it’s old?”

“No. They say ancient relics touched by the gods—like the Mirror of Truth—possess a will of their own. They only respond if they take a liking to you.”

The Mirror of Truth had answered when I asked it questions.

So, perhaps it didn’t dislike me?
If it did, I’d have to find another way.

“Whether it listens to me or not, I should still make preparations.”

“Yes, my lady.”

At least I’d gained a shortcut to Delphi.

I told Father that I wanted the Dark Forest—and if it proved too vast, I wished for half of the area bordering the northern region.

“The trees there aren’t even worth much as lumber. Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’ve thought it through carefully, and I won’t regret it.”

“Very well, if that’s what you want.”

Father respected my opinion and granted my request without hesitation.

I later heard that Count Ikel was both puzzled and relieved by my request for such worthless land—and that he even offered the entire Dark Forest.

The transfer of Count Ikel’s land was completed swiftly, and just as the matter was wrapping up, a letter arrived from Violet, asking to meet.

I gladly sent a reply accepting her invitation.

✦ ✦ ✦

At the Marquis of Robiang’s estate, four women who had attended Merina’s masquerade in matching dresses gathered once again.

My closest friends, of course—including Violet and her friend, Vieta.

“Lady Rosia, I’m getting married! Of course, we’ll have an engagement period first, but still!”

“Oh my, and who’s the lucky man to wed Lady Violet?”

“Why, it’s Arthur! Arthur, the son of Count Sharon!”

Violet’s voice rose a whole octave higher than usual.

“After all, we showed everyone we were close in public…”

Her cheeks flushed pink.

“Well, he had no choice but to marry me! Hohoho.”

He had no choice, huh? Things must have progressed quickly between them.

“It’s all thanks to you, Lady Rosia. Ever since I joined your clever little plan, everything’s gone wonderfully!”

“Me too. I’m engaged to Roy, the son of the Gurdon family.”

Violet and her friend Vieta both looked truly delighted.

According to Stella and Poni, the Sharon and Gurdon heirs were both quite handsome, and their families were better matches than either Violet or Vieta could have hoped for.

Vieta seemed to have completely forgotten how that same Gurdon heir once sided openly with Merina to humiliate Violet.

And Violet, too, appeared to have forgotten that incident entirely.

“Congratulations to you both. You’ll invite me to the wedding, won’t you?”

“But of course! We’d love to have you at the engagement as well, if you’re free.”

Both of them said they planned small, private engagement ceremonies—just family and close friends—to avoid any gossip.

“That’s all the more reason I’ll make time to attend.”

Violet and Vieta chatted away, smiling more than usual, until they excused themselves, saying there was still much to prepare for the engagements.

“Send me the invitations, you two.”

After seeing them off, I returned to find Stella sprawled on the sofa, while Poni was talking to Rhys.

“They’re holding a crown princess selection, Roa,” Stella said flatly, before I could even sit down.

“An official announcement?”

“They’ll make it public this week. Father said so, so it must be true.”

Since Stella’s father—the Marquis of Maritney—served as the Emperor’s chamberlain, his information was certainly reliable.

“You and I will be exempt, naturally,” I said, “but what about you, Poni?”

“Aaaah! Roa, you’re not participating? You’re leaving me alone to face that dreadful crown prince?!”

“Father introduced me to His Majesty as the next head of our house.”

I laughed as I poured tea, and Poni pressed a hand to her forehead.

“Ugh, if I’d known this would happen, I’d have taken heir training too. I spent my childhood playing around because I trusted my brother, and now look at me…”

“Honestly, even if you had, your brother would still have inherited, wouldn’t he?” Stella said.

“That’s true, but did you have to point it out now, Stella? You’re so mean.”

Poni’s brother was currently studying abroad in the Duchy, known for his brilliance.

The Pink family was already talented at making money, and he was said to be exceptional even among them—a terrifyingly gifted man in business.

Poni was always pushed by her father to enter the crown princess selections, though thankfully she’d never made it to the final round.

She’d intentionally dropped teacups, tripped, or played instruments poorly whenever the crown prince was around.

So, I could listen to her complaints with amusement.

“By the way, how’s Lady Ikel doing?” I asked.

“Who cares? It’s a relief not to see her.”

As Rhys looked on, Stella plucked a grape and offered it to him.

“I should host another party. The last one was ruined because of her, but without her, it should be fun.”

“Don’t forget to send me an invitation.”

“Of course. Oh, maybe I’ll hold a cute animal showcase!”

Poni’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Rhys, but I firmly cut her off.

“Rhys isn’t going.”

“What? He’d obviously win first place! Why not?”

“Silver foxes are sensitive. They hate crowds. Isn’t that right, Rhys?”

At my call, Rhys scampered over and perched on my lap.

As my friends looked on enviously, I gave a smug little shrug, making Stella and Poni burst out laughing.

✦ ✦ ✦

Not long after, I received invitations to both Violet’s and Vieta’s engagements—and, officially, the announcement of the crown princess selection.

Applications would be accepted for a month, regardless of social rank.

After an initial screening of documents, candidates would be tested on etiquette, music, and other skills.

Only about a third would make it past the basic rounds, and with so many applicants, the selection process alone would take nearly a month.

Since I had no intention of applying, I figured I’d have some free time.

Though I’d grown used to social gatherings, I was still glad the season was ending.

But that was my mistake.

“Roa, come talk with your father for a moment.”

The day after the crown princess selection was announced, Father summoned me to his study, his expression dark.

“What’s wrong, Father?”

“His Majesty wishes for our family to participate as well.”

“I thought we already decided to decline?”

“We did, but…”

Father sighed—a rare thing for him.

“He said it would look disgraceful if even the Maritney family withdrew, and asked me personally to reconsider.”