SWNOVELXO Chapter 99
“Pardon?”
Following Lady Michi…?
Andrea couldn’t immediately respond, not understanding Selleana’s instruction.
“Check where she’s going and who she’s meeting.”
“…”
“I won’t go out anywhere, so you can take Sir Pulina or Sir Deren with you.”
“No, I mean….”
“Please.”
Selleana smiled at Andrea, effectively dismissing any further objections. Seeing the exhaustion in her smile, Andrea could not argue any longer.
“…Understood.”
Andrea was a loyal servant of Elard. Although technically under the head of the family, since Selleana was Lady Elard, Andrea had to obey her unconditionally as well. He then stealthily disappeared.
The only one left waiting for Selleana in the empty entrance was Aiven, standing a little distance away. Selleana climbed the stairs in silence.
Michi, don’t tell me…
“You got wall-slam? Ha, that’s insane… And then, out of nowhere, the empress blessed me? Seeing the prince looking so honored, it was as if I was adopted into the imperial family or something.”
At that time, she just thought the empress was just being overly kind. Despite Rakrensius’s wariness of the empress, Selleana never thought the empress would try anything with Michi. But…
“Their Majesties have summoned all of Glen to get a closer look at Eirene.”
“I have to prepare some documents because of a sudden order to enter the imperial palace tomorrow, probably because of the national debt issue. They say it’s dinner with Their Majesties, but…”
Rosi and Doli… They became strange after meeting the empress. Needless to say Nesia. So…
If there was a common cause for the sudden changes in her friends.
If Michi was also affected.
Is the empress… targeting me?
“… It’s dangerous. Because I am the fifth prince whom the imperial family is wary of.”
“Which is why Elard will protect you. Such dangers…”
“No. I’m talking about you.”
Selleana thought of Rakrensius, who had repeatedly rejected her advances. If the empress was really involved in her friends’ transformations, how devastated he would be. So, for Michi’s sake and for her own. For the guilt that gentleman would feel.
Please, let it not be true.
Selleana tightened her grip on the clutch Michi usually carried for her.
* * *
“
Ta-da
!”
It was a few days later in the afternoon. When Selleana’s signal reached Rakrensius, he rushed over without delay.
“Welcome!”
“…Where are we?”
“My home library.”
“Yes, I can see that, but….”
Rakrensius looked around, bewildered. He often traced Selleana’s signals, but today, the location was somewhat different.
“But why… I mean, why are you dressed like that, Lady?”
“Can you accompany me for the day? I specifically chose a time when Master of Tower is not busy.”
Selleana was dressed in a commoner’s dress and robe, similar to when they went to the harvest festival night market. It seemed she had changed her clothes here, as her indoor clothes were draped over a chair like a discarded shell.
So she changed her clothes here… The thought momentarily overwhelmed him. Rakrensius hoped his face wasn’t turning red as he struggled to respond.
“Did you… change clothes by yourself?”
“
Huh
? Of course, I did it alone.”
“…But, Lady Branto….”
“
Ah
, Michi….”
For a moment, Selleana’s face seemed to carry a hint of bitterness. Blinking, Rakrensius saw her usual cheerful smile.
“We’re going to meet her now. With Tower Master.”
“…
Aha
?”
“First, please take us here.” Selleana handed him a note.
“81 Kenton Street, 3rd floor.”
The address seemed unfamiliar, indicating it wasn’t in a busy part of town.
“Can the wizard handle this? Just in case, I brought a map since you mentioned you didn’t know the way last time.” With that, Selleana unfolded a crumpled map of the capital.
I have no idea what this is about…
Selleana always used Elard or Benichi’s carriages. The only exception was the day they went to the night market after meeting at Glen Duchy.
To hide her movements? Something even Elard and Benichi shouldn’t know about…?
Something she had to do secretly from her friends…? But she said she was going to meet Lady Branto. She must have chosen the library as the meeting place because it wouldn’t be suspicious for her to be locked up there for hours.
…Who is she hiding from?
Well, if Selleana didn’t want to explain in detail, he wouldn’t pry. He was just happy that his abilities were useful to her and that she trusted him.
“Alright. Understood.”
“Are you sure you have enough time? Saendi said you usually start to have free time around this hour.”
“Well….”
Rakrensius almost reflexively retorted but managed to swallow his words, knowing his secretary had likely leaked his schedule. Ignoring his feelings and hoping that his growing emotions would eventually fade away had become such a strong habit, even though he had decided not to do so anymore. He mustered up the courage to say something sincere.
“…If it’s what the Lady wants, I can make time even if I don’t have any.”
“
Oh
…”
“Let’s go.”
“W-Wait.”
It was when Rakrensius was about to turn away, unable to bear the awkward silence.
“Why is Master of Tower like this?” Selleana grabbed his arm and held him in place. “If you’re going to touch someone’s heart, give them a moment to savor it.”
“…What?”
“Master of Tower….”
She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and burying her face in his chest. Rakrensius’s body stiffened at the sudden embrace.
“Why do you keep saying such wonderful things these days….”
“
Ah
, that….”
Wonderful things? Unsure if she was joking or serious, Rakrensius’s face stiffened in confusion. Selleana could probably hear his heart racing uncontrollably. The overwhelming and troubling feelings left him dizzy.
“Master of Tower.”
“Y-Yes…”
“Please take us like this.”
“What?”
“It’s perfect as it is.”
“…”
Perfect? He didn’t understand what she meant, but Rakrensius cast the teleportation spell as instructed. He couldn’t have imagined that there were faint traces of tears in the corner of Selleana’s eyes.
* * *
They arrived at a safe house. From the outside, it looked like a typical townhouse on the outskirts of a commercial district, but the interior was lavishly decorated. Silk wallpaper, magic stone chandeliers, high-end furniture adorned with mother-of-pearl and jewels….
A place that wealthy individuals would use secretly. Naturally, the windows were covered with shutters and thick curtains, so despite it being early afternoon, the chandelier was fully illuminated.
Beneath it, a man sat in a single chair. With platinum hair and violet eyes, he leaned back casually, resting his elbow on the armrest and his chin on his fingers.
“No way, that person is…”
“Yes. That’s the prince of Laten.”
Selleana gritted her teeth. And standing opposite him was a woman they knew all too well. With her honey blonde hair usually tied up, now cascading down messily, Michi had her head hanging low. In her hands were the disguise glasses Rakrensius had made for her.
Lady Branto…
Rakrensius swallowed dryly, glancing down at Selleana.
They had perfectly concealed themselves with magic. Even their sounds would not escape, but Selleana seemed too tense to explain anything further.
“Have you thought about it?”
“…”
“I think I’ve given you enough time.” With eyes hardened, Prince Erenst continued to arrogantly press her. “She won’t be able to enter the imperial palace. How can they let a woman who has been playing with a commoner man before marriage and become the crown princess?”
“You loose-lipped b*stard, did you tell him everything?”
Selleana’s raw hostility startled Rakrensius.
“Your Highness….”
“I told you to call me Erenst.”
“N-No, how could I…”
The biggest problem was Michi’s attitude.
“But how could I come forward… and be-betray Lea…”
“Betray? If your parents come to Laten, I can guarantee them at least a count’s title. Wouldn’t that be good for your family?”
“That’s….”
“Wouldn’t that be better to be a princess in the royal palace than a maid in the imperial palace?”
“…”
Michi usually avoided entangling with men, but she wasn’t shy when it came to speaking up when needed. At least, that’s what Selleana knew. But now, Michi couldn’t make any effective retorts to Prince Erenst’s demands.
“She wouldn’t usually….”
“Usually what…?”
Selleana’s murmur was meant for herself, but Rakrensius’s question made her smile faintly.
The scene continued similarly. Prince Erenst kept pressing Michi, and she kept faltering under his threats. Meanwhile, standing a bit away, one of Michi’s male leads, Arthur Marderung’s eyes sparkled as he watched Michi.
“Those perverted b*stards….”
Soon, Prince Erenst approached Michi, lifted her chin, and seemed about to kiss her. At that moment, Selleana’s fist trembled.
Bang!
“
Kyaa
!”
“Damn it…!”
With a sudden explosion, the magic stone light in the chandelier shattered. Startled by the glass shards falling nearby, Michi fell back, and Prince Erenst hurriedly raised his arm to shield his head.
“Let’s stop watching.”
“Ma-Master of Tower…”
“Next, shouldn’t we rescue Lady Branto?”