Chapter 76
The next day, at the appointed time, the palace carriage arrived at the duke’s mansion.
I went out ahead with Eloise to greet Marcel and Étienne as they got out of the carriage.
“Welcome, Your Highness. It’s been a while, Étienne.”
“Today, it’s not Raoul but the Montclair princess who welcomes me.”
“The young duke is out on estate matters in place of my father. And there’s no need for further excuses.”
Eloise smiled faintly, and Marcel chuckled along.
Étienne, ever stoic, had just the slightest upturn at the corners of his mouth.
“So, does that mean we don’t have to enjoy the garden’s flowers today? I’ve reached the point where I know exactly how many of each bloom are in the duke’s garden.”
“It’s about the season for summer flowers, but today I plan to show you the magic training ground instead.”
“What?”
When Marcel asked in surprise, Eloise didn’t answer verbally. She simply reached out her hand as if asking him to escort her.
He smiled faintly, took her hand, and walked toward the magic training ground.
Sophie followed behind, and I trailed, looking up at Étienne as we walked.
“It’s really been a long time.”
“Your happiness in Montclair has kept you so busy.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“I told you—Marcel has eyes and ears in Montclair.”
I wondered if their spies reported everything, even down to casual observations.
Surely, Sophie isn’t the spy, right?
I walked slowly, lowering my voice.
“C-could it be—”
“Sophie isn’t.”
“…Is there a magic that reads minds, by any chance?”
“Unfortunately, no such magic exists. You’re just… simple.”
C-could he at least say that more nicely?
I pouted, and from above, I heard a soft chuckle.
“It’s nice to see you like that.”
“Too late. I’m already sulking.”
I quickened my pace, running toward Eloise and Marcel.
Étienne followed closely behind, keeping pace.
When we arrived at the magic training ground, a larger-than-usual number of the duke’s knights were stationed around.
Étienne and Marcel tilted their heads in confusion at the sight, and Eloise explained:
“We mustn’t let the royal family know about this.”
Because of the duke’s house arrest, royal knights still surrounded the duke’s estate.
The number of knights had increased slightly since the first day, but it still wasn’t enough to completely cover the mansion.
They wouldn’t storm inside, but caution was necessary.
“Hmm, seems the princess forgot. I’m the second prince, you know.”
Marcel scratched his cheek and gave a wry smile. Eloise’s right eyebrow twitched in response.
“You’re an exception, Your Highness.”
Her expression and tone seemed to silently say, “Are you an idiot?” even though there was probably a special meaning behind her words.
Marcel must have sensed it, too, because he laughed awkwardly, uncharacteristically.
Eloise looked at each of us in turn and slowly bowed.
“Thank you all. You too, Your Highness, and you, Étienne. I heard you made an effort for me.”
When she straightened up again, Eloise’s face looked genuinely relieved.
It wasn’t her usual doll-like, emotionless expression; there was a spark of life in her features.
“I don’t know how to express my gratitude. Words alone aren’t enough—”
“That’s enough, Elli.”
“Yes, Eloise. Both Marcel and I only want your happiness.”
Wow. I was genuinely surprised that Étienne could say something like that.
I widened my eyes in shock, and he blushed slightly, looking embarrassed.
Seeing that, Eloise let out a short, sweet laugh.
“You’ve changed a lot while I was cold, Étienne.”
“Time… time has passed,” Étienne murmured softly.
Marcel ruffled his hair playfully, still smiling brightly at Eloise.
“Elli, I hope you’ve found your happiness. Don’t be bound by your family’s name.”
“That is—Your Highness. I mean, Seal.”
Eloise called Marcel by the nickname she used when they were playmates.
Marcel’s smile stretched to his ears—so obvious!
She seemed unaware of his feelings as she spoke calmly.
“I have something to show you.”
Finally! I’d been waiting for this moment.
I tapped at Eloise’s feet and raised my arms as if asking her to pick me up.
She lifted me with a gentle smile, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“What…?”
Both of them stared at us, eyes wide with curiosity.
Sophie, realizing what was about to happen, had tears welling up again.
“You’ll understand when you see it.”
Eloise held me firmly with her left arm and extended her right.
Mint-colored mana rose from her hand in tiny droplets, coalescing into blue flames.
Boom!
The flames shot straight toward the wall, breaking it instantly.
The training ground’s walls, which had only cracked under my mana, collapsed completely.
“Oh, I couldn’t control it properly since it’s my first time. I told myself I’d be gentle.”
Gentle…?
Everyone was speechless at the sheer power, unable to close their mouths in awe.
I thought, “Marcel should teach me magic,” but that wasn’t important right now.
“Elli! Congratulations on awakening your magic!”
“Really, congratulations, Elli.”
“I truly congratulate you, Eloise.”
“Miss, really, truly congratulations.”
Following my congratulations, everyone else chimed in as well.
Eloise, who had appeared calm, trembled slightly.
Eventually, clear droplets rolled down her white cheeks.
“I thought Sophie was happy enough for me yesterday, but I still had tears left.”
Sophie, who had been a little distant, hurried to get a handkerchief, but Marcel was faster.
He gently wiped her tears and said,
“Elli, what will I do if you get even cooler? I’ll have to step up as your playmate.”
“What does that even mean?”
Eloise laughed, tears still in her eyes, at his teasing words.
At that moment, murmurs and the sound of knights’ footsteps echoed from outside the training ground.
“Elli!”
The duchess’s shrill voice filled the training ground.
It seemed as if she used magic because she appeared in front of us instantly, inspecting Eloise carefully.
“Are you okay? The wall collapsed all of a sudden. I was worried.”
The duke arrived a moment later, looking at Eloise with concern.
“I heard an explosion and that the royal knights were rushing in. I wondered what happened.”
Eloise stiffened slightly under the loving gazes of her parents.
“…I’m fine.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Then, did Lisette cause this?”
The duke looked at me suspiciously. Eloise hugged me tightly, then spoke slowly to her parents.
“Mother, Father. Please summon the magic awakening assessor.”
“What? It’s Lisette, isn’t it?”
It’s not me!
I glared at the clueless duke, and the duchess let out a sharp breath.
“Hans! Bring the magic awakening assessor immediately! Kidnap him if necessary!”
The duchess, showing her hidden temperament, shouted.
From a distance, Hans responded, “Understood!”
“Madam, what is this…”
“Your Highness. Sorry for the commotion.”
The duchess spotted Marcel late and cut him off lightly.
Marcel, caught off guard after ignoring the duke’s words and greeting her, waved his hands and smiled awkwardly.
“It’s fine, Madam, I understand completely.”
“Then, you must act as a witness.”
“Of course.”
Still not understanding the situation, the duke looked from me to Eloise, to the fallen wall, and then back to his wife.
“Madam, so—”
“Serge. You’ll know everything soon. For now, have the knights monitor the royal knights’ movements.”
“…Understood.”
“Let’s go to the mansion’s reception room. Your Highness, please come with us.”
The duke left first to direct the knights, and the duchess led everyone to the second-floor reception room.
“Mother, what is all this commotion?”
“Raoul. Perfect timing. You come with us.”
Raoul rolled his eyes, taking in the atmosphere, and followed the duchess into the reception room with us.
Without specific instructions, the maids brought out tea and light refreshments, then quietly left, like a receding tide.
When the duke took the main seat, the previously empty reception room became full.
“Madam, can you tell us now?”
“Elli has—”
“Ma’am! We’ve brought the magic awakening assessor!”
