CHAPTER 085
Philip re-entered the drawing room after seeing Selina off.
The problem was not anticipating anyone would enter.
Court wizards wouldn't suddenly come in, confused about the location of the drawing room.
"Are you sure it's alright? Just letting her go like that?"
The most shocked was Madden, the head of the court wizards.
He asked with concern.
"Wasn't that young lady acquainted with the Tower Master?"
"This is getting tiresome."
Philip furrowed his brow in frustration.
He had pretended it was nothing to Selina, but what she had seen was indeed a magic stone. Though no magic had been infused into it yet.
Philip was developing the magic stone with Madden.
A magic stone containing the energy to curse Lewis.
He had no intention of cursing someone simply out of hatred, but Lewis made it possible.
Lewis kept provoking him.
Philip realized the necessity of strengthening imperial power after encountering someone like Lewis.
With stronger imperial power, people like Lewis, who treated him with disrespect, would disappear.
Lewis is historically known for his exceptional magical power.
If such a person looked down on the imperial family, it could be a significant threat to the already weak imperial authority.
In the process of strengthening his power, Philip wanted to replace Lewis with another Tower Master who would be more obedient.
So, he created a magic stone to curse Lewis, intending to get rid of the bothersome Lewis first.
Madden, the head of the court wizards, who had been overshadowed by Lewis despite his seniority, shared his sentiment.
They didn't know that the curse's effect would aggravate Lewis's chronic illness.
However, during their scheming, Lewis hadn't been able to find out who made the magic stone.
Madden had acquired 'that' which could disrupt Lewis's tracking.
"Shall we continue our discussion? You said you could infuse stronger curse power?"
"Yes. It has become difficult to proceed rashly since Lady Elsner saw it, but..."
Despite being more experienced, Madden was cautious after the recent incident.
Philip, after some contemplation, spoke up.
"I should at least try to persuade her to keep silent."
* * *
"It was with the Crown Prince?"
I told Lewis and Michael about what I had seen earlier.
Since Michael was also aware of the magic stone incident, I mentioned it as soon as I arrived at the drawing room.
"Is there any chance someone could be eavesdropping here?"
I was suspicious since it was the drawing room in the palace.
Michael reassured me as I looked around sharply.
"Don't worry, Selina. There are no eavesdropping spells here."
Phew, that's a relief.
"Just to be sure, I'll cast a shield spell."
Lewis recited a short incantation.
"Now no one outside will hear us. Speak freely."
Indeed, a shield spell does give peace of mind.
"The Crown Prince was making something like that?"
Lewis's expression was extremely serious as he muttered.
"I might have mistaken it for something else, but just in case."
Thinking back, what Viscount Cliff had said might not have been something to overlook.
Alain had a magic stone, didn't he?
"Marquis, about Viscount Cliff."
"What about him?"
"He was swindled by Alain and asked the Crown Prince to capture him."
Lewis tilted his head slightly, indicating for me to continue.
"Could it be that Philip, intending to capture Alain for Viscount Cliff, changed his mind and gave the magic stone to have the job done?"
To send a magic stone, which counteracted Lewis, deliberately to him.
"Considering what happened in the street before..."
"In the street?"
"Yes. When that old lady was in danger, the Crown Prince just stood there watching."
"Oh, that time?"
"Yes. Thinking about that, he might have tried to use Alain, even if he got into big trouble with you... But this is just my guess!"
"I never considered the Crown Prince as a suspect."
Michael seemed bewildered as if he hadn't thought of it at all.
"I thought he was just interested in magic, visiting our department often."
"I see..."
But why would Philip create such a magic stone?
Even while suspecting Philip might be the culprit behind the magic stone, I wondered.
I knew he wasn't just a righteous person, but it didn't necessarily mean he would harm Lewis.
Why would Philip want to threaten Lewis?
While I was lost in thought, Michael and Lewis continued the conversation, fully believing in what I had said.
"I never thought much of his interest in magic, but now that Selina mentioned it, it's unsettling. Discussing curse magic with Madden..."
"That's typical of the Crown Prince. Instead of expressing dislike openly, he resorts to curses."
While Lewis was mocking Philip, I gently raised my hand.
"Just a question!"
"What is it?"
"If what I saw was indeed a magic stone, it means the Crown Prince intended to harm the Marquis, right?"
"That's right."
"I might be mistaken, but you both seem too sure. What if it wasn't a magic stone?"
Aren't they trusting my words too unquestioningly?
Lewis immediately responded to my question.
"The man with the Crown Prince, he's the head of the court wizards. It means they have the capability to develop something like that."
I see. He must have recognized who it was just from the brief description.
I realized afresh that they really were suspicious of Philip.
"Then it means the Crown Prince intended to curse the Marquis. But does he have a reason?"
"The Crown Prince would do that. We don't like each other. He just keeps a smiling face on the surface."
Lewis was so firm in his stance. I had forgotten he didn't like Philip.
"And I trust you because it's you saying it."
Lewis added this.
"If someone else had said it, I would have questioned the truth, but since it's you, I believe it right away."
He trusts everything I say...
In any case, Lewis was now convinced that Philip was behind the magic stone.
"But you seem surprisingly calm."
"Me?"
"Yes. I thought you'd storm to the Crown Prince right away."
Lewis chuckled.
"No matter how formidable the Croft and Tower Master's combination is, the opponent is the Crown Prince. Even if you asked about what you briefly saw, he'd deny it."
"······."
"And that would be the end of it. You can't just storm in and take it."
"Because he's the Crown Prince."
Michael also nodded with a regretful laugh.
I understood what they meant.
I nodded.
"So we have to seize the opportunity for sure? This time, it was a lucky coincidence."
"Exactly."
Indeed, the Crown Prince would be the next emperor.
The problem arose when the suspect behind the magic stone became the Crown Prince.
But even though they didn't get along, would Philip really do something like this?
Even though I heard from Lewis the reason, I still couldn't fathom Philip's motives.
In the original story, he was even a rival in love for Charlotte, but he never sent a magic stone or anything like that.
Our conversation didn't last much longer.
It was still Michael's work time, and we were in the palace.
"Let's talk again later."
"Got it. See you at the mansion, Selina!"
After saying goodbye to Michael, Lewis left the palace with me.
"Let's go. I'll take you to the duchy."
Lewis decided to take me to the duchy before heading to the tower.
As soon as we got into the carriage, he held out his hand to me.
"For my hand?"
It couldn't be because of the noise.
As I tilted my head and offered my hand, Lewis looked at the ring on my hand.
It was the ring we got made together recently.
Lewis fiddled with the ring, muttering an incantation.
"Now it's done."
"What did you do?"
"Can't you tell?"
"Uh... It feels like energy is welling up?"
"Wrong. It's a protective spell."
Oh, how embarrassing.
"I put a spell on it just in case. In a crisis, the power in it will protect you."
"Oh..."
I hope I don't have to use it.
Lewis even showed me how to use the ring as a weapon by making a fist.
"If you have to, just use your fist. Punch them."
"If I punch with a ring on, it would really hurt!"
I showed my fist in agreement with Lewis's joke.
Anyway, the spell was for me!
I smiled brightly, stroking the ring.
"Thank you, Marquis!"
* * *
Just as Lewis had prepared a protective spell for Selina in case of emergencies, Philip also had thought about that matter to some extent.
"It's already too late to silence her."
As Philip returned to the Crown Prince's palace after meeting with Madden, his knight, Sir Schuster, spoke.
When Selina opened the door, Sir Schuster was guarding outside the building where the magic department was located.
"It was my negligence. I should have stopped any intruders outside the drawing room."
It was too complacent.
Who would have thought Selina would find the drawing room where they were discussing?
To the bowing Sir Schuster, Philip spoke with resignation.
"What could we do? Who would have known Lady Elsner would come today?"
Philip visiting Madden occasionally was a known fact among the court wizards.
He had shown a great interest in magic for a long time, so everyone thought it was natural.
Besides, it was a conversation between the Crown Prince and their leader, Madden.
The court wizards weren't particularly interested in what their superiors were discussing.
After all, it was common for the Crown Prince to talk with high-ranking officials.
That's why Madden openly showed the magic stone.
"As Sir said, Marquis Yaniels probably knows. Lady Elsner would have told him."
"What will you do?"
"I plan to try persuading Lady Elsner. I've already informed Count Madden."
Though it might be impossible to silence her now, it would be best to try persuading her for future plans.
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