TLHZV 57🔐

CHAPTER 57…………………………..

“The Tower of Nyx?”

At my question, Tristan nodded.

“Yes. The official records of the Papacy say there’s nothing wrong with the barrier around the tower. But if the Saint is right, then the barrier must have started to weaken—so we need a proper inspection.”

That reason made sense. They were probably bringing me along to check whether there were any traces of dark sorcerers having escaped.

A long-term mission, the very moment my sick leave ended. Just thinking about hearing my brothers’ and Yulia’s nagging was already giving me a headache.

“I understand. Shall I schedule it as an unofficial business trip, then?”

Tristan nodded.

“……”

“……”

And then he kept looking at me for quite a while. What was this about?

“…Your Highness. Is there something you wish to say to me?”

“No.”

I couldn’t quite bring myself to bluntly ask, “Then why are you staring at me like that?” What in the world was wrong with him?

Normally, Tristan had his face buried in paperwork and only looked at me when necessary. Even during conversations, unless it was something important, he wouldn’t even raise his head.

Ah, maybe it’s that?

With years of experience under my belt, I was confident I could see through Tristan’s intentions.

“?”

I placed on his hand the report I’d completed that morning.

“This is the monster-subjugation report submitted by the Grand Duchy. I noticed some numerical errors, so I corrected them.”

Tristan’s expression turned subtle. So that wasn’t it? At times like this, dealing with Tristan was like playing Twenty Questions—guessing one by one was half the fun.

Then the next try… this one.

Ssshh.

The fragrance of Hershmanti tea filled the office. It was the tea I’d given him as a birthday gift.

“The tea had gone cold, so I brewed a fresh pot.”

“…Thank you.”

Still not it?

Hmm. He was unusually difficult today. I quickly racked my brain and came up with another possibility.

“Ah, and I’m sure Lord Zion already told you, but I’m sorry for not informing you beforehand about this matter.”

He must have been pretty upset to only receive the report afterward. He didn’t show it much, but Tristan tended to get stressed whenever he felt a situation was slipping out of his control.

“Since it was about capturing dark sorcerers, I got carried away… I’ll be more careful next time.”

Even after my polite apology, Tristan’s expression only grew more complicated.

He looked back and forth between me, the report in his hand, and the Hershmanti tea, before finally squeezing his eyes shut—as though realizing how unlikely his intended action had been.

What on earth is going on with him?

This was really strange. At this point, I was even starting to feel a little offended. As I puzzled over what other reason there might be, Tristan finally spoke up.

“…My Lady, what do you think about marriage?”

What kind of philosophical question was that?

Surely he wasn’t asking for my legal interpretation of marriage. I had no idea what he was getting at. Normally he only ever talked to me about work.

Ah! Of course. He must be officially considering marriage proposals.

Given that Tristan was already at—or perhaps even past—the prime age for marriage….

The only reason no one contested his right as Crown Prince was because he was the Empire’s sole legitimate heir. Otherwise, by now, people would have raised doubts about his eligibility.

And with those rumors about him and me, it must have stirred things up even more.

It seemed Tristan could no longer put it off.

“Would you like me to narrow down the most suitable candidates from the official proposals?”

That was the perfect answer any subordinate could give, but Tristan’s face only darkened further.

“I wasn’t asking about my marriage—I mean, I was… but also yours….”

He muttered some incomprehensible words, then with a grave face, continued:

“…What kind of food do you like?”

This time I really had no idea what he was after. I tilted my head.

These are the kinds of questions you’d ask someone you’re interested in, aren’t they? First about marriage, now about favorite food…. Even I can pick up the hint here. Don’t tell me Tristan…

…likes Yulia?!

It wouldn’t be the first time something like this happened. Since Yulia and I were twins, plenty of people had tried to pry information about her from me.

Though being twins doesn’t mean we have the exact same tastes. Still, there were plenty of young lords who assumed so.

Some even asked me about my favorite food, then went and invited Yulia on a date to some fancy restaurant!

Well, Tristan has been around the Walker Ducal House often enough. And with that business about the Saint’s potion or whatever, he and Yulia might’ve had private contact too.

And since Yulia was always radiant and charming, there were bound to be suitors orbiting her.

I just hadn’t thought Tristan would be one of them.

Then again, how could anyone not fall for Yulia? Anyone with functioning eyes would.

Of course. Naturally.

Come to think of it, they actually made a rather good match. Though, honestly, whoever stood beside Yulia always seemed lacking in comparison, Tristan was handsome enough that he might just meet my sky-high standards—and Yulia’s too.

If only she weren’t a zombie.

Too bad the timing was awful.

I gave him a bright smile.

“We don’t really have any particular dislikes, but still… it’d be best if you asked her directly.”

“…?”

“I apologize if I overstepped.”

When I returned to my seat, Tristan still had a puzzled expression, as though a giant question mark hovered over his head.

Beside him, Werner’s face was red from holding back laughter.

“Pfft—Hhh… Forgive me, Your Highness,” Werner said through gritted teeth.

“But I can’t help it… it just seems hopeless.”

Tristan gave a heavy, serious nod.

“The Tower of Nyyx?!”

Yulia glared at me with a fierce expression. I’d expected resistance, but not this intense.

“Yeah. His Highness the Crown Prince said he wants to go in person to check the barrier.”

“Are you insane?! Do you even know how far Nyx’s Tower is?”

It was far.

Located near the southernmost tip of the Grand Duchy, it was the closest place on the continent to the Isle of Thanatos. That’s where Nyx’s Tower had been built.

“It’s the most war-prone conflict zone! Teleportation’s forbidden there! Even if you teleport as far as the Grand Duchy, it’s still a long way from the capital, Beford, to Nyx’s Tower…!”

It would be quite the expedition—at least a week’s journey.

“Do you absolutely have to go?” Edmond asked in a low voice.

“Yes. I think the point is to check if there are any traces left by the dark sorcerers.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to take the Saint instead of you?” Isaac suggested, but that too was dismissed.

“Nyx’s Tower is under Papal supervision. No need to broadcast that the Saint is working hand-in-hand with the Crown Prince.”

“I suppose….”

Isaac’s face fell.

“It’ll be fine. I’ll be moving together with His Highness’s guard. I’ll just be standing quietly in the back.”

Even so, my family didn’t look reassured.

“You’ve barely recovered from collapsing, and now you’re leaving again? No! Absolutely not!”

“It’s not like I can refuse, even if I don’t want to go.”

After all, this was the Crown Prince’s command.

“Emily, if you really insist on going, then step over this brother’s body first! You can’t, right?!”

Isaac sprawled dramatically on the floor.

“Which part should I step on first?”

The moment I asked, ready to stomp, Isaac scrambled to his feet in a panic.

“Do you have no heart?! No blood or tears?!”

“Sounds more like you don’t have them, being a zombie and all.”

“Don’t dodge the issue with facts!”

“Honestly. You’re not a child. The floor’s cold—get up.”

When I offered him my hand, Isaac’s eyes shimmered as if deeply moved. He grasped my hand, sprang up, and hugged me tightly.

“Our twins… when did you grow up so much? You even worry about your brother now.”

And then he wiped under his nose. Both Yulia and I scowled in unison.

“There won’t be any problems, so don’t worry. I’ll contact you often while I’m away.”

“Ugh. If only I didn’t have work…!”

“……”

Isaac and Edmond both looked visibly regretful. Edmond didn’t say much, but the way he fiddled endlessly with the pile of documents betrayed his feelings.

“I’ll go too!”

“…Huh?”

“I don’t have work, I don’t have a title, I’m not tied down to anything! Take me with you!”

Yulia declared boldly. Though it wasn’t really my decision to make….

Ah, but His Highness might actually like the idea.

Since he seemed interested in Yulia, if I hinted at it, he might agree right away.

…But I don’t like that.

They might make a good pair, but the thought of Yulia being taken away by someone didn’t sit well with me.

Above all, not until we fixed Yulia’s condition—otherwise it was nothing but a pipe dream!