ITTRAETML 35

~Chapter 35~

After seeing Arwen off, Lovelace returned and stood before Larvihan’s bed, picturing her estate.
Specifically, her own room at Count Harmelda’s manor.

“What are you doing?”

“Don’t bother me, I’m trying to teleport.”

Larvihan burst out laughing at the sight of her standing so seriously, like some great magician.

“You think that’ll work?”

“It worked earlier!”

When she thought of Larvihan, she ended up here. So maybe, if she thought of her estate, she could go back there.

“Teleportation is an advanced form of magic. It’s not like moving a stream of water. You’re folding space and time itself.”

She knew it was supposed to be impossible. But then again—

Coming into this world in the first place was impossible too.

“If all you’re going to say is ‘it won’t work,’ then don’t interrupt me.”

“Why are you so desperate to leave? The banquet is in three days. You might as well rest here. Anna even said she’s cutting her vacation short after hearing you came.”

“Oh no… I troubled her.”

Lovelace was glad to see Anna, but she didn’t want to ruin her precious holiday.

“Anyway, why won’t it work?”

“If it were me, I’d be asking ‘Why did it work before?’ The normal state is that it doesn’t work.”

Larvihan gently took Lovelace’s hand and led her away. She had focused so hard that the veins in her eyes had burst. Sitting her on the bed, he covered her eyes with his hand.

“Why the bed when there’s a perfectly fine sofa?”

“Instinct, I guess.”

He didn’t even bother pretending embarrassment. Instead, it was Lovelace’s neck that flushed pink.

“I need to go back to the estate. There’s a lot to handle.”

“You hired people for that. More than twenty, if I recall. Every one of them capable.”

“You even know that?”

“I know more. I even checked their family histories. No problems among them.”

Does this man have 240 hours in a day? Or was it all Maxmuel’s effort? If it was, she should treat him to steak someday. Poor man.

“Still, the lord should be there—”

“You neglect your promise to me, yet you’re so diligent about the estate. Rey, lords who care like you are rare.”

“I don’t want to fail.”

Before she possessed Lovelace, her father had been a businessman. Once the business took off, he fell into pleasure, and the company collapsed.

Their home kept shrinking. They moved constantly. That was fine. What broke her were the suicides of her father’s employees.

If I fail… it won’t just be one or two deaths. The whole estate depends on me.

She hadn’t asked for this role, but as long as she had it, she would do her best.

Seeing the seriousness in her eyes, Larvihan lost his playful tone.

“You can work without leaving.”

He helped her up and brought her to his office.

“Count Harmelda, your paperwork is—oh, you’re here.”

Maxmuel, who had meant to tie Larvihan down with tasks, saw Lovelace instead and promptly excused himself. Another reason Larvihan liked him—quick to read the room.

Larvihan seated Lovelace at his desk and pulled a large crystal orb in front of her.

“What’s this?”

“A message orb. It’s linked to Harmelda Manor. Place your hand on it and call someone.”

Like a video call?

She did as told and called Judith.

—My lady! What happened?

Judith’s face filled the orb, so close it startled Lovelace into leaning back. Larvihan pushed her chair forward again.

“If you’re too far, she can’t see you.”

—That’s Lord Larvihan’s mansion, isn’t it?

“How do you know?”

—This orb only connects here. His Excellency installed it when you last visited.

Lovelace turned on Larvihan. When did he set that up without asking? Still, it was useful, so she let it go.

“Sorry, I ended up here by chance. Judith, is there anything urgent?”

Judith rattled off her report. Nothing required Lovelace’s immediate return.

“Judith, I’ll have to stay in the capital. Please handle things for me.”

She really was wasted as just a maid. Lovelace resolved to promote Judith when she got back.

—The work’s fine, but what happened?

“I have to attend a palace banquet.”

Judith went silent. Was she upset? If so, shouldn’t she have scolded her right away?

—My lady, I’ll come to His Excellency’s mansion right now.

“Judith?”

—Leave the work to Nora and Becky. They’re smart. I’ll teach them to use the orb. Please let me come.

“Isn’t it far and tiring?”

—Your dress and hair! I can’t trust anyone else with them. I already have plans in mind.

If she refused, Judith might burst into tears. Lovelace nodded weakly.

—I’ll be there soon! Don’t let anyone fit your dress before I arrive!

The orb flickered off.

“She really loves being a maid… I was thinking of making her a secretary.”

“Not a good idea.”

“You’re right.”

Lovelace agreed.

Working through the orb wasn’t difficult. Soon she and her staff were calling back and forth all the time. Larvihan’s office grew noisy.

“Should I prepare you a separate office?” Maxmuel asked, handing him coffee.

“You usually like quiet.”

True. Larvihan had always preferred silence. Even sharing a space with Maxmuel was a recent change—ever since he escaped the ice cave.

At first, even the sound of Maxmuel’s pen had driven him mad. But now he watched Lovelace chatter all day with a fond smile.

“Bring Rey some coffee too. And advise her when she stumbles, but subtly.”

“She wouldn’t learn better from you directly?”

“I’ve got my own work.”

“I can handle most tasks for you.”

“Will you deal with the old mages at the tower for me?”

Maxmuel clamped his mouth shut. He hated fighting mages.

“I’ll go. Watch over Lovelace.”

“Shouldn’t I come?”

Normally, he wouldn’t have asked. Larvihan was always strong. But he had lost before—overwhelmed by countless enemies. Sometimes Maxmuel wondered if it had really been defeat, remembering Larvihan’s face that day…

“Don’t think about nonsense. Just keep Lovelace safe. Stop Arwen or Nikolai if they show up.”

“Yes, sir.”

Larvihan ruffled Lovelace’s hair as she chattered at the orb, then left. She called after him, but he didn’t answer.

Larvihan didn’t go to the Mage Tower. Instead, he walked into a deep forest. The empire had two hells: the Ice Cave he had been trapped in, and the Fire Cave.

He entered the fiery cave without hesitation. Swords melted there, and without his water powers, he could feel the searing heat.

This is inconvenient. I need my strength back. But there’s no way…

Damn it. That’s why he came here, to meet someone he hated more than any enemy.

“How have you been?”

His beautiful voice echoed through the cave. At the end, a chained man lifted his head. His hair had grown so long it brushed the ground, his nails curling from their length.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty the Former Emperor.”

Larvihan’s lips curled as the chained man—Emperor Aktoberg of the past—struggled to raise his head.