CHAPTER 9
When I turned around, he was staring at me with a serious expression.
I couldn’t help but be disgusted.
“I sincerely hope I misheard you.”
“No, I saw the body of an unmarried lady. As a man, I must uphold—”
“Sir!”
He shut his mouth into a straight line.
Up close, he was even more unpleasant and irritating.
“It seems you’re under some kind of misconception, so allow me to correct it.”
“……”
“Don’t try to impose your pitiful chivalry on me.”
My tone naturally turned sharp.
“I’m not a weak woman who needs someone to take responsibility for me.”
I couldn’t control my anger as Pablo’s mocking face—back when he had hunted me down in my past life like a wild animal—flashed before my eyes.
I turned my body abruptly, leaving him standing still.
If he’s not a fool, he’ll find his way back.
I left the place without caring whether he followed or not.
✦ ✦ ✦
Although he said he would guide me, in truth, I just retraced my steps after abandoning Pablo.
When I entered the carriage, I saw Kisschel looking perfectly fine.
“You’re back?”
“Mm-hmm. What were you doing?”
Even though I’d told him a messenger from the Imperial Palace had arrived, Kisschel didn’t seem very interested.
He held something out to me. At a glance, I could tell it was a magic box engraved with a magic circle.
Inside were sparkling accessories—this is…
“They’re artifacts. I’m sure you won’t need them, but just in case, please wear a few.”
“They’re all rings.”
“Ring-type artifacts are the least conspicuous.”
To the naked eye, they all looked like ordinary rings.
Two silver rings with diamonds and one large black opal ring. All had simple yet elegant designs.
I picked the black opal ring and slipped it onto my fourth finger.
“It’s pretty.”
As I stared at the shimmering opal, I took the ring off again.
“But what does this artifact do?”
I could roughly guess the function of the diamond rings from the magic circles, but I had no clue about the black opal one.
“That one’s a brainwashing spell that makes people fall in love.”
I had just thought about pouring mana into the ring when my eyes widened.
“Huh? What did you say?”
Kisschel shrugged lightly.
“Well, it’s called brainwashing, but the moment it’s used, the target just falls in love instantly.”
“……”
“I figured you wouldn’t need a defensive or melee artifact, so I chose something unique.”
I stared blankly at the ring in the light.
Kisschel gave a warning.
“That one’s rare, so be careful. It’s a single-use item—once used, it’s gone.”
“But…”
A brainwashing spell that makes someone fall in love?
This had to be the work of the long-deceased Archmage from centuries ago.
Unless you’ve transcended human limitations, you wouldn’t dare to embed such a taboo, high-level spell in an artifact.
“Why would anyone make something like this?”
The Archmage was from the ducal family, so upon his death, his artifacts naturally became their property.
This must have been one of his legacies.
“So if I use this artifact, the person just… falls in love with me?”
Kisschel stepped closer and gently brushed his long fingers across the cold gemstone.
“I hope you never need to use it… but just remember: it works on only one person, one time.”
“I won’t forget.”
A frown formed on Kisschel’s brow, as if he disliked the love-inducing ring.
He was the one who picked it, though.
Tapping his temple with a finger, he explained further.
“Anyone affected by the spell falls in love the moment they see the caster. It works on anyone—man, woman, young or old.”
“Is there a specific activation method?”
Most offensive or defensive artifacts could be activated just by pouring in mana and using them like personal skills, but unique artifacts like this might work differently.
After a moment of silence, Kisschel answered.
“You activate it by kissing the target.”
I reflexively widened my eyes at the word kiss.
“Kiss and brainwashing don’t exactly go together, do they?”
“Kissing and love, love and brainwashing… I think they go quite well together.”
Maybe love is still too early for our lady?
He spoke playfully.
“People in love act like they’ve been brainwashed, desperately yearning for the other person.”
It sounded convincing.
I still didn’t know much about love, but…
“Did the Archmage make this because he had someone he loved? That would explain it.”
“Most likely. Otherwise, there’s no real reason to make something like that.”
He let out a dry chuckle.
“By the way, once the spell is cast, the target forgets all previous memories they had involving the caster. Their mind is overwritten with love. Isn’t that fascinating?”
He said it as if it was ridiculous that someone with such great power would create something so trivial.
Honestly, I kind of agreed.
‘The Archmage who could part the sea, shatter the earth, and tear the sky…’
And he made a love-craving artifact?
“But if it ended up in our hands, that means he never got to use it.”
I muttered, taking the ring off and putting it back on again.
“What are the side effects?”
All artifacts have limitations.
Like how offensive or defensive ones sap your strength after use.
“It has a pretty serious ‘restriction.’ That’s why I said don’t use it unless absolutely necessary.”
Just in case—you really never know.
He emphasized his words.
“Hmm… well, it’s not so much serious as it is annoying. You have to grant the brainwashed person’s wish.”
I couldn’t help but remove the ring in disgust.
“You mean any wish?”
“From what I know, yes. At least at first.”
Kisschel made me put the ring back on.
The frown on his neatly shaped brow hadn’t faded.
If he hated it so much, why make me wear it?
“Do you think I’ll actually need to use this?”
Kisschel looked down at the ring snugly fitted to my finger.
“Who knows? There might come a time when it’s necessary.”
He curved his lips into a smirk.
“But try not to use it if you can. This is your last resort.”
“I’ll never use it. I don’t think I ever will.”
To me, love was still an illusion. Would anyone ever appear who I’d want to bind with this spell?
However…
I had no idea that confidence would soon be shattered—long before we even reached the Imperial Capital.
✦ ✦ ✦
The Imperial Capital was dazzlingly magnificent.
The fatigue from days of travel vanished in an instant at the breathtaking sight.
“Welcome, Lady Mertiel.”
“Glad to have you here.”
Wow…!
As if they’d been waiting, the maids all rushed toward me.
“I dislike noise. Please make sure we move as quietly as possible.”
This was the capital representing the entire nation. A certain level of grandeur was to be expected.
Though I was a bit overwhelmed by its scale and beauty… I quickly adapted, being used to the splendor of the ducal estate.
Though it had been a giant prison in its own right.
The knights who had dismounted formed a line behind me.
Looking at the bustling crowd, I spoke up.
“Where’s my room? If I’m not careful, I might get lost, blinded by all this beauty.”
“I’ll show you the way.”
The leading maid quickly stepped forward and bowed.
“Alright then, I’ll leave it to you.”
The other maids bowed in unison, and the majestic atmosphere made me feel the full weight of the Imperial Palace’s presence.
No noise. Calm and composed.
The pressure to maintain decorum at all times was palpable.
If Kisschel hadn’t informed me that it was a guest chamber, I would’ve assumed every room in the palace was this lavish.
“Lady Mertiel, this is your room.”
Servants carefully brought in my belongings and stacked them inside. The maid who guided me spoke formally.
“His Majesty has ordered that you be given the finest guest room in the palace. We hope it meets your expectations. Please call us if you need anything.”
More maids came offering to help organize my things, but…
“I don’t particularly like others touching my belongings. I appreciate your kindness, but I’ll call you if I need anything.”
It was a clear dismissal, and without protest, the maids withdrew like the ebbing tide.
