CHAPTER 082
His hand moved from the ring on his fourth finger to touch another finger.
For someone just fidgeting, his expression was quite serious.
"Marquis, aren't you staring for too long?"
"Just because. It's beautiful."
"Oh."
I involuntarily widened my eyes.
Was he saying my hand was beautiful?
I had extended my hand without much thought to show the ring, but his unexpected words left me stunned.
"Are my fingers really that beautiful...?"
They’re just long fingers, aren't they?
I was already curious about why Lewis was so attached to our rings.
But hearing such words made me feel a bit...
Somehow, what had felt like casual fidgeting now seemed to tickle.
I was looking at Lewis, who was quietly examining my hand, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Ah!"
The door suddenly swung open, and Michael appeared.
Oh my! I quickly pulled my hand back.
Lewis frowned and glared at Michael.
"What? No knock?"
"Oh, sorry. I heard you were here, so I just opened the door."
Then Michael looked at us with a surprised expression.
Why was he reacting like that?
The atmosphere was a bit strange, but there was no reason to look at us with a "Really, you two?" kind of gaze.
Of course, friends usually don’t touch each other's fingers like that!
"You two seem closer than I thought."
Michael said, looking bewildered.
Lewis clicked his tongue and responded bluntly.
"Just come in. I had something to tell you anyway."
"Really?"
As Michael entered, Lewis spoke.
"It's about the magic circle found at the temple."
Oh, so it was about the magic circle.
"I haven't told the temple yet. But it turns out there’s a similar-looking magic circle."
"Didn't you say last time that there were no records of it?"
"That was about records specific to that temple."
Lewis added when I questioned him, puzzled.
"I checked if there were any movements related to magic in the temple within the last 100 years."
"Ah, so what did you check this time?"
"A magic circle similar to the one in the temple. There was a record of a similar one being drawn somewhere else 200 years ago."
"What kind of magic circle is it?"
Michael, who had been listening quietly, asked.
Lewis answered in a calm voice.
"A summoning magic circle."
"Wow, really a summoning magic circle?"
What could they have been trying to summon?
Lewis quickly provided the answer as I was wondering.
"They seemed to have tried to summon a demon."
"What? A demon?"
"They failed, which is why we don't know about it."
My goodness... What were they thinking trying to summon a demon?
"What were they planning to do by summoning a demon?"
"It was for greater power. During a power struggle."
Oh my. Even in a power struggle, summoning a demon!
"It's really fortunate they failed."
I felt relieved.
Demons are something I've only heard of, and I never want to actually see one!
* * *
"Did you receive the Empress's invitation?"
When I attended Count Bolton's tea time, the topic of the Empress's invitation came up.
"I did."
It had arrived just yesterday. Both Bella and I received it.
It seemed quite a few young ladies had received the invitation.
"I received it too!"
"You too?"
"Me too."
Why would she invite so many people?
Just for conversation? The Empress isn't someone who often organizes such gatherings.
"Why do you think the Empress suddenly invited so many of us?"
As everyone was puzzled, Lady Bolton cautiously spoke.
"Actually, I heard recently that the Empress is searching for a Crown Princess."
"What?"
Everyone's eyes turned to Lady Bolton.
"Is that information reliable?"
"Really?"
Wow, such a heated response.
The eyes of the young ladies, except for me, Bella, and Charlotte, were sparkling.
Lady Redmond was the same... even Lady Redmond?
I thought many young ladies would react to the Crown Princess. Even if he was rejected by Charlotte, Philip is still everyone's prince!
"Any candidates? Has she thought of anyone?"
Lady Redmond asked eagerly.
Lady Bolton replied uncertainly.
"Wouldn't they first look at the ranks of the titles? Starting from the Dukes."
"Ah."
Lady Redmond sighed, seemingly disappointed. After all, she isn't from a Duke's family.
Lady Bolton looked towards us and spoke.
"The Duke's daughter from the Croft family might be a candidate."
Bella! Since Bella is the daughter of the Croft Duke, it made sense.
But suddenly, talk of finding a Crown Princess?
Normally, I'd think that was impossible.
But now, it seemed possible, right?
I recalled Philip's behavior when we met at the palace recently.
Though I didn't expect such rumors to spread so quickly.
Today, Charlotte was also present.
Many people must have noticed Philip's interest in Charlotte, but now no one seemed to be aware.
"I hope the reason for this invitation is indeed to find a Crown Princess."
"Yes!"
They were all focused on the position of Crown Princess.
Charlotte remained silent.
But the topic didn't change. At this rate, she might have to stay silent until the end of the gathering.
Perhaps that's why she quietly listened before speaking up.
"If the Empress is really looking for a Crown Princess, I hope His Highness meets a good match."
"What are the criteria for selecting the Crown Princess? It seems we all received invitations."
Lady Redmond asked curiously.
Since she didn't direct her question to anyone specifically, various responses came up.
"If this invitation is indeed the first step to selecting the Crown Princess-"
"If the criteria are the family status, then the Duke's daughter from the Croft family is a strong candidate. She's the only one of marriageable age among the Duke's families."
"No way."
Bella frowned at being called a strong candidate.
She hadn't seemed particularly focused on the conversation until then.
Bella spoke reluctantly.
"Even if I go, nothing will happen. It's not going to be me."
She meant that even if they were selecting based on family status, she wouldn't be the one chosen.
Since we all received the Empress's invitation, we decided to attend together.
* * *
The day to visit the Empress's palace arrived.
"I can't believe I'm coming to the Empress's palace..."
Charlotte murmured quietly as we entered the Empress's palace.
I whispered softly next to her.
"I'm nervous."
Anyone would be nervous in such a setting, right?
We followed the maid who came to greet us in the Empress's garden. There was a long table, and all the young ladies I saw at the last tea time were there.
The Empress must have sent out many invitations.
Besides the ladies I recognized, there were many others.
Today's gathering included a total of twenty-one young ladies.
Was this really to find a Crown Princess?
I wasn't the only one thinking this way; the young ladies' faces showed their anticipation.
Their expressions seemed to say, 'They must be really looking for a Crown Princess!'
Soon after, the Empress appeared.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress."
As the Empress entered the garden, everyone stood up and greeted her.
The Empress was a woman with a thin and sharp impression.
Despite the marks of time, her beautiful face naturally reminded me of Philip. The Crown Prince resembles the Empress a lot.
Though I had attended banquets hosted by the palace, I had never had a conversation with the Empress.
Thanks to this invitation, I was able to face the Empress up close.
"Living in the palace for over 20 years can get a bit lonely. I don't have a daughter, so I invited you young ladies, who are like daughters to me, to have a pleasant conversation."
But my gaze was drawn to a strangely empty chair.
If you’re setting up an outdoor event, wouldn’t you usually have the exact number of seats?
Why was that chair empty? Was it to balance the arrangement?
Or... was there another person coming?
At that moment, the Empress spoke up.
"Besides you young ladies, I have invited one more person."
"May we ask who that is...?"
Someone asked cautiously.
"I have invited the Crown Prince. I hope you young ladies will welcome him."
"Oh..."
In that instant, I saw it. The uncontrollable rise of the young ladies' lips!
Was the rumor I heard really true?
Philip appeared shortly.
"It should be about time. He's a bit late today."
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived."
As soon as the Empress mentioned Philip, the head maid announced his arrival.
"Mother."
"You're here, Crown Prince. Please have a seat."
Philip appeared just as he did when I saw him at the palace.
The young ladies interested in Philip looked at him with enchanted faces.
"You look handsome as always, Your Highness."
Hey, isn't that whisper a bit too loud?
Fortunately, Philip didn’t seem to hear it. He sat in the empty chair prepared for him.
He still doesn't look particularly pleased.
Philip acknowledged Charlotte with a nod. However, he didn't seem as visibly pleased to see her as before.
The Empress, having seen Philip sit down, finally revealed the reason for the invitation.
"There is no significant reason for inviting you along with the Crown Prince. He is my son, and he's close in age to you young ladies."
After that, she began to introduce herself to each young lady.
"It’s the first time I've had a conversation with Lady Horse."
"It's an honor, Your Majesty!"
"As I've heard, you're a very spirited young lady."
Since it was more like a brief introduction, the conversations were very short.
After meeting a few young ladies, it was my turn.
"I’ve heard much about Lady Elsner. Even within the palace, I often hear about you."
Comments
Post a Comment