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chapter 17
“Madel, listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Uriella took a piece of paper from the drawer, scribbled something on it, and handed it to Madel.
“Take a carriage to this address. It’s the same place we went last time. By now, there’s probably already been a commotion, so it shouldn’t be dangerous.”
A trace of worry could be heard in Uriella’s voice as she spoke.
I mustn’t be too late.
“Take them to a nearby inn. Find a discreet doctor as well. And if anyone asks for their identity, show them this. They are people of the Duchess of Barrota.”
“Ma’am, these people’s identities aren’t even certain. If something happens later, you’ll be the one responsible.”
Madel had a good reason to be so cautious.
“I’ll just prove my own identity, then.”
If things went wrong, rumors could start—maybe that the Duchess of Barrota had been scammed, or that she was already secretly meeting another man behind the Duke’s back.
“Madel, I’m sorry to say this, but with your status, it’ll be difficult for you to verify someone else’s identity.”
Because they are all mages.
Uriella swallowed the rest of her words. She couldn’t tell Madel that she knew these people through magic. Doing so would only make Madel even more anxious.
“I see… that makes sense.”
“I know what you’re worried about, Madel. But I have everything thought out, so just trust me.”
Holding Uriella’s hand tightly, Madel could only nod in agreement.
“Thank you.”
“No, it’s my duty. I’ll go immediately.”
The Duke of Barrota couldn’t concentrate on his paperwork, likely because of the events at the palace.
He sighed deeply and put the documents down.
I’m not in my right mind right now.
The duke felt almost like a jealous husband, and it left a sour taste in his mouth. But anyone in his position would likely feel the same.
Even the bodyguards were sent away… what could they possibly have been discussing?
If the crown prince hadn’t suggested exchanging Erika Medina for Uriella, the duke wouldn’t have imagined such an absurd scenario where they met in secret at the palace.
A knock interrupted his thoughts, and Barrota straightened up.
“Duke, I’ve learned about His Highness the Crown Prince’s whereabouts.”
Barrota quickly snatched the documents from Victor’s hands.
“I’ve already checked everything in advance. There’s nothing related to the lady.”
“Are you sure?”
“Just to be safe, I requested inquiries at three places. I also instructed the knight order to investigate separately. Can’t you see the movement paths?”
The recorded movements were so detailed it was hard to imagine anything was left out.
“I’ve traced the last year’s movements entirely, but there’s no connection with the lady at all.”
“She might have met him before, though.”
Initially, Victor had suspected Uriella more than the duke did. But the more they investigated the crown prince, the less likely it seemed.
“Besides, we’ve already investigated everything about the lady. She had no connection with His Highness. The empress side is the same. And when I asked Sir Vincent about the situation, it turns out that when the crown prince tried to pressure Sir Vincent, she had no choice but to step back.”
Barrota paid no attention to Victor’s words, focusing only on tracking the crown prince’s movements.
“And even if they met a year ago, would he really remember her face for no reason? That’s impossible.”
“Uriella’s face isn’t one you can easily forget.”
Victor had no choice but to agree. Even a fleeting encounter would leave an impression; Uriella’s beauty was unforgettable.
“That’s true… but still, it seems unlikely. The crown prince, though handsome, always wore a robe when leaving the palace, so the lady couldn’t recognize him even if she saw him again.”
“You can’t be certain it was only the crown prince’s feelings. If they had feelings for each other, what then?”
“How can someone love a person whose face they don’t even know? And if they truly loved each other, they would have asked for help back then. Even if it was the crown prince’s solo feelings, the rumors in that small town would have spread, and someone would have gotten them out. Or they would have taken care of Marquis Longo in advance.”
The duke thought this in his head but kept searching for reasons why Uriella and the crown prince could not have been in love. Some indescribable emotion clouded his judgment.
“Duke, you may find this strange, but…”
“What is it?”
“…the lady seems to truly like you. So perhaps the suspicion should…”
“That’s nonsense.”
Victor recalled the last time he saw Uriella looking at the sleeping Duke of Barrota with a loving gaze.
“I’m serious. I could feel love in her eyes when she looked at you.”
“You must have been dreaming.”
“Please, just believe me. And why do you think it’s impossible?”
In stories and plays, it was common for a princess to fall in love with a prince who helped her. Given Barrota’s status and appearance, it was plausible.
“People tend to feel affection for those who help them in difficult moments, especially if the person is the opposite sex.”
“Uriella couldn’t love me.”
No, it shouldn’t be like this.
The duke thought this, sneering. Victor, unaware of his true feelings, quietly shook his head at the stubborn duke.
Following Uriella’s instructions, Madel arrived at the address. The alley looked even more sinister than before, and she shivered.
Even though it was near sunset, the alley seemed unnaturally dark, as if night had already fallen.
Ma’am said it would be safe, but no matter how many times I come here, I’ll always be on edge.
Recalling her previous visit with Uriella, Madel took a deep breath and lightly knocked on the door.
“I’ve come to repay you for the tomato soup.”
But there was no response. Curious, she put her ear to the door.
At that moment, the door creaked open.
“Good heavens!”
Madel’s heart raced in alarm.
“Pl-please help!”
The desperation in the man’s voice compelled her to enter. What she saw made her gasp.
“Th-this can’t be…”
The interior was a complete mess. Footprints covered the floor as if someone had tracked in mud, nothing was intact, and several people lay collapsed on the filthy ground.
“Are you okay? No, that’s not right. I’ll get more help!”
As Madel turned, someone grabbed the hem of her dress.
“Do you… need something?”
“Don’t go.”
The man’s voice was hoarse and strained.
“What? But we can’t stay like this. I can’t move all these people by myself, and they need a doctor’s examination.”
“No. Even if a doctor comes, this won’t be fixed.”
“I’m paying the doctor. There’s no doctor who would refuse! And the lady gave me money and proof of identity. Don’t worry.”
Madel assumed he was refusing her because of money.
“It’s not about money. Even if a doctor came, this couldn’t be cured. Please, get the red book from that bookshelf.”
Carefully, Madel moved to the shelf. There was only one red book, which she handed to the man. Trembling, he opened it, revealing it filled with purple gems—it was a box disguised as a book.
He picked up a gem and put it in his mouth.
“What are you doing? Spit it out!”
Madel patted his back urgently.
“Leave it. It’s not a gem—it’s medicine shaped like one.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Madel sighed in relief.
“You startled me! But if it’s medicine, you should’ve crawled there if needed.”
“I would’ve if I could. Thank you for helping me.”
The man, who had been collapsed moments ago, stood up and thanked her.
“I was trapped by magic. I couldn’t move even a step.”
Madel’s eyes widened.
“Magic? Then shouldn’t we call the authorities? How did you get tangled up with a mage?”
“I don’t know how it happened. Anyway, thanks. But now help me get out of here. And can I ask one more favor?”
