MFAWW 26

Chapter 26

“If you don’t like it, I can take it back.”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Don’t feel burdened. It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine!”

What do you mean fine! How am I supposed to wear a necklace made of a spirit stone without feeling anxious about it!

Whether I was flustered or not, the Crown Prince took the spirit stone necklace from my hands with the delighted face of an excited child.

“A wind spirit dwells within this one.”

He tapped the spirit stone with his finger, and suddenly a small gust of wind blew through the room. Even though the windows were closed, the wind that arose on its own tickled my hair and cheeks as it passed.

“This little one will connect us.”

“Connect us?”

“Yes.”

The Crown Prince smiled and lifted the necklace. His hand drew closer, parting my hair and brushing against the back of my neck.

*Click.*

With the sound of the clasp fastening, the necklace was in place. I looked down at the spirit stone hanging around my neck with a bewildered expression.

“Hmm, to put it simply, think of it as a communication orb used by mages.”

“A communication orb… That’s a magical tool that lets you hear voices even from far away.”

“You know your stuff. It’s similar to that.”

“Does a spirit stone have that kind of function?”

“Not all spirit stones do. The spirit stones typically circulated in the market are ones that once housed spirits in the past. This one has a spirit currently dwelling in it.”

“Is there a difference?”

“A big one. Hmm, I don’t have time right now, so I’ll explain later.”

Glancing at the clock hanging on the wall, he moved his lips toward the spirit stone.

“Iris.”

The moment the Crown Prince called my name, the spirit stone glowed blue in response.

“When I call you, the stone will glow blue like this. It’s the same when you call me.”

As I opened my eyes wide in surprise, the Crown Prince grinned mischievously. He gestured with his eyes as the blue-glowing spirit stone’s color shifted to red.

“Give it a try.”

“…Basil.”

I fiddled with the necklace and murmured the Crown Prince’s name softly. As soon as I finished speaking, the spirit stone took on a clear blue glow.

“If there’s no reaction when you call my name, try calling it ‘Sylph.'”

“Sylph?”

“That’s this little one’s name. Go ahead, call it.”

“Syl…ph.”

The moment I said Sylph, the spirit stone shone with brilliant colors, different from before. Somehow, it felt like it was rejoicing.

“The spirit likes you.”

The Crown Prince gazed at the sparkling spirit stone with a pleased smile. It was as if he was looking at a beloved puppy or an adorable niece.

“If something urgent comes up, use this to contact me. If you ever need help, call the spirit. It seems the spirit has taken a liking to you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, not just anyone can use a spirit stone. For someone who isn’t a spirit mage to borrow its power, they must be favored by the spirit dwelling within the gem.”

“What an honor.”

“Ah, spirit stones that once housed spirits can be used by anyone. But they’re almost one-time use. Because you’re using the spirit’s remaining power.”

“I see…”

“Once a spirit gives its heart, it keeps its faith to the end. As long as you wear this necklace, Sylph will answer your call anytime.”

“Thank you.”

I bowed my head toward him to express my gratitude. I was taken aback at having received such an unexpectedly precious gift.

“I’ll treasure it! I’ll wear it every day… Thank you so much.”

“If you’re grateful, contact me often.”

The Crown Prince smiled brightly. Entranced by his smile, as beautiful as a sprouting seedling today as well, I found myself nodding again.

“…What did you just say?”

The Empress asked, forcing her expression calm. She couldn’t believe the news Count Olette had brought.

“Lady Subrina’s cavalier is His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Hah…!”

Despite her efforts to remain composed, a sigh escaped between her alluring lips. The Empress looked at Count Olette with a dumbfounded expression. When he had come at this late hour requesting an audience, she had guessed something had happened, but the matter was more serious than she had anticipated.

“My daughter heard it directly from the Crown Prince himself.”

Count Olette spoke with a somber face. He had urgently entered the palace after hearing what his daughter, who had returned from going out in tears, had told him.

“What are we to do about this?”

Count Olette did not hide his unease. The situation had already drawn public attention, with the Bright family stepping forward in full force to reveal Lady Subrina’s existence.

The Marquess of Bright’s eldest daughter was a celebrity known to most people in the capital. People showed curiosity about Lady Subrina simply because she was the twin sister of Lady Bright.

Rumor-mongers who loved to gossip were enthralled by the appearance of a twin sister coinciding with Lady Bright’s disappearance. Whenever they gathered, they busily talked about whether Lady Subrina really looked like Lady Bright.

Since Lady Subrina had shut herself away in the Marquess’s residence, avoiding the intrusive reporters, curiosity only grew. Before long, people were eagerly awaiting the Imperial Palace Ball that marked the start of the Debutante season.

“If Lady Subrina appears with His Highness the Crown Prince at the Imperial Ball, she’ll be mentioned as a candidate for Crown Princess in no time.”

“That’s right.”

“Once it’s known that Lady Subrina has the Crown Prince’s protection, there will be no way to stop it.”

“Hmm.”

The Empress let out a low hum. Count Olette was right. Given the already heightened interest, it was certain that she would attract even more attention if it became known that the Crown Prince had volunteered to be her cavalier.

“The Bright family alone is already a headache.”

The Empress pressed her temples and lamented. Perhaps because of the experience of having been badly burned once before, the Bright family was different from before. The Marquess of Bright in particular was a problem.

Over the past few days, under the Marquess of Bright’s direction, several newspapers that had published particularly malicious articles about Lady Bright had come under audit.

At first, the guilds protested, but when it was revealed that they had evaded and embezzled taxes, they fell silent. In the process, it was discovered that an Empress-faction noble had been secretly sponsoring the newspapers, resulting in embarrassment.

That wasn’t all. Some newspapers, while introducing Lady Subrina, criticized in detail the malicious articles and exaggerated rumors about Lady Bright that had circulated before.

Since Lady Bright’s disappearance had already prompted voices of self-reflection among intellectuals, public opinion was gradually shifting—though not yet dramatically noticeable.

“Tsk.”

The Empress clicked her tongue. It was now certain that the Crown Prince and the Bright family had joined hands. If the Bright family, which led the neutral faction, supported the Crown Prince, the advantage they had maintained thus far would be overturned.

“I was too complacent.”

The Empress regretted it belatedly. She hadn’t expected the Bright family to come out this strongly. The Crown Prince was the same.

“What about raising the issue of his relationship with the Crown Prince?”

Count Olette cautiously opened his mouth after a moment of thought.

“His Majesty will not allow it.”

The Empress shook her head. This Imperial Knights Selection Exam was a measure by the Emperor to bolster the Crown Prince. He wanted to reorganize the Imperial Knights and create loyal vassals for the son who would succeed him.

Backed by the Emperor’s support, the Crown Prince had been appointed as the overall supervisor of the selection exam. He was in charge of everything related to the Imperial Knights’ examination.

“Once might be overlooked, but twice will not.”

Count Olette had already raised a rebellion once. It was only because the Emperor, who placed great importance on the Debutante, had sided with him that he got by—otherwise, he would have been criticized for challenging the Crown Prince’s authority.

“The problem is Duke Bright.”

“The Duke?”

“Yes. Perhaps we’ve poked the nose of a sleeping lion.”

The Empress’s voice lowered. No matter how she thought about it, it stung that Lady Subrina had discovered the Second Prince’s infidelity.

“Why would Duke Bright…”

Count Olette trailed off, looking as though he didn’t understand.

“Duke Bright holds half of the military in his hands. What would happen if he openly supported the Crown Prince?”

“Surely not… Duke Bright is a principled man who declared he would not involve himself in political strife. For him to now…”

Count Olette swallowed dryly. No matter how he looked at it, he found it hard to believe that a political outsider like Duke Bright would move to such an extent.

“People’s affairs are unpredictable. For the sake of family, people can abandon their own convictions all too easily.”

The Empress’s face darkened. Until now, Duke Bright had strictly adhered to the principle that soldiers should not meddle in politics.

But his recent actions had changed slightly. Duke Bright had been putting unusual effort into social activities, attending banquets hosted by military figures.

“Then what shall we do? If things continue this way, it will make meaningless the effort we went through to change the exam schedule and attach the Debutante condition.”

“…I must see His Majesty the Emperor.”

After a moment of silence, the Empress rose from her seat. If Lady Subrina and the Crown Prince appeared together at the Imperial Palace Ball, people would think there were marriage talks between the Bright family and the Imperial House. She had to prevent that at all costs.

“You may return now.”

“Your… Your Imperial Majesty.”

At the Empress’s dismissal, Count Olette cautiously spoke up, glancing at her.

“Would it be possible to allow my daughter to re-enter the palace now? The child greatly misses His Highness Pavel.”

At Count Olette’s words, the Empress frowned slightly. Her heart wanted to keep her out of the palace longer, but she couldn’t ignore the merit of bringing such information.

“So be it.”

“…! Thank you.”

At the Empress’s permission, Count Olette beamed and bowed his head. The Empress clicked her tongue inwardly as she left the Empress’s Palace.

The Emperor, who had recently grown rapidly frail, had retired to his bedchamber earlier than usual on his physician’s recommendation. No matter how powerful the Empress, she could not wake the Emperor, so she had to meet him before then. However, the Empress’s objective was not achieved.

“Your Imperial Majesty?”

“…Crown Prince.”

The Empress stopped in her tracks upon seeing Basil emerging from the main palace. Basil gave a light, smiling glance toward the Empress.