CHAPTER 103
"Then, we need to meet her and cast the spell first..."
What Madden needed was a lure.
"I'm planning to host a party at my estate soon. How about that day?"
An opportunity to use Selina to corner Lewis.
Madden suggested inviting her to the party to trap Lewis.
Knowing that Selina was Lewis's weakness, Philip had no reason to hesitate.
'Yes. I need to use his weakness.'
Philip agreed.
"Alright, let's do that."
* * *
"My lady, an invitation has arrived."
A maid entered my room, handed me an invitation on a silver tray, and left.
"Where is it this time?"
I muttered as I opened the invitation.
It was the season for many parties, so the Croft Duke's estate had been receiving quite a few invitations lately.
Speaking of which, I wonder how Miss Redmond is doing?
She seemed to like Philip. I hope she's not suffering silently...
Considering how Philip interacts with nobles, he wouldn’t cut ties harshly once business is over. But still, I'm a bit worried.
With such thoughts, I opened the invitation and found an unexpected name written inside.
"The Madden Count's estate?"
Madden, the head of the court magicians?
It seemed his family was hosting a party.
But why invite me...when I have no interaction with them?
I showed the invitation to Lewis when he visited the duke's estate that evening.
"An invitation from the Madden Count's estate has arrived."
"I received one too."
"The Marquis did as well?"
Michael, who was also in the drawing room, added.
"I got one too. It seems all court magicians received invitations."
Since the number of court magicians wasn't as many as the knights, it looked like everyone got an invitation.
"I didn’t expect one to come to us."
At my muttering, Michael explained.
"Even if you're not close, Lewis is the head of the Magic Tower, right? Count Madden is the head of the court magicians, so there's enough formal reason to invite him."
"Well, Marquis Lewis is the head of the Magic Tower..."
"I've already decided to go with Lewis."
Lewis had said he wanted to disrupt Madden's curse work, and Michael seemed ready to help.
"I'm not expecting to find anything significant."
Lewis said with an indifferent expression.
"The research materials are likely kept in more secure places. At most, we’ll just confirm if they're in the mansion or not."
"...Can I come too?"
After pondering, I asked, and Lewis’s lips curved into a smirk.
"Why, you want to come? Considering you got an invitation too, there might be another scheme involved?"
"I think so too."
Selina, who was also a magician, didn’t receive an invitation, but I did, even though I had no connection with Madden.
I occasionally ran into him at the temple, but we barely exchanged words!
"Still, I want to check it out. If you're going, take me with you!"
I was more concerned about the curse materials with Madden than Lewis was.
Naturally, I wanted to join Lewis’s plan for his sake.
"Given that I was invited, Madden might have other motives. If I’m his target, we can turn it to our advantage."
So take me with you!
I flaunted my ringed hand.
"I have the protection magic ring you gave me, Marquis!"
"Should we take Selina along? She seems eager to go."
Fortunately, Michael noticed my sparkling eyes.
Lewis looked at me, resting his chin on his hand as I made my case enthusiastically.
I want to be helpful, Marquis.
When I swallowed nervously, he asked a profound question.
"Do you want to follow me that much?"
"Yes!"
"Do you want me?"
"I do!"
As I answered diligently, Lewis’s expression changed.
He laughed as if pleased by what he heard.
"Do you want me that much?"
"Huh?"
Oh...
I realized belatedly what I had enthusiastically exclaimed to.
Why do you ask such things here?
I shot Lewis an aggrieved look.
Michael was holding back laughter while watching us. If you’re going to laugh, just laugh...
"Alright. Let's go together."
Lewis, who was laughing as if he found it amusing, answered brightly.
He seemed to end the conversation before I could say, 'That was in the heat of the moment!'
Anyway, that’s how it ended up being the three of us going to Madden’s estate.
* * *
The carriage arrived at Madden Count's estate. Through the windows of the ballroom, the bright interior of the Count’s mansion was visible.
"Finally, today is the day."
I said resolutely as I held Lewis’s hand and got out of the carriage.
Today was the day. The day I would engage in secret activities with Lewis and Michael!
"Right now, you look too determined. Anyone can tell you’re here to cause trouble."
Oh, was I too resolute? It’s my first time on a mission...
Taking Lewis's remark to heart, I adjusted my expression and entered.
It didn’t seem much different from other parties. Even though many magicians attended, they were still all nobles.
Madden, having been notified of our entrance, approached us immediately.
"Welcome, Master of the Magic Tower."
He was usually draped in robes, but today he wore a suit fitting for the occasion.
After greeting Michael and me, Madden spoke to Lewis.
"Thank you for accepting the invitation."
"How could I not attend the invitation from the head of the court magicians?"
Lewis’s lips curved slightly, almost in a smile.
How could he smile so insincerely! Of course, it wasn’t a genuine smile.
"Enjoy yourselves until late."
Perhaps because of the many eyes, Madden concluded with simple greetings and turned away.
"The Crown Prince isn’t here."
I whispered to Lewis while looking around the ballroom.
Even though he attended Miss Redmond’s party, he didn’t come to this one, despite being close to Madden.
"Apparently, Philip doesn’t see the need to be here."
Still, we couldn’t fully relax. We couldn’t let our guard down thinking about the task at hand.
If we disappeared immediately after the party started, it would arouse suspicion.
So we decided to mingle for a while.
"Marquis of Croft, how is the Duke doing?"
"Lady Yaniels, you came as well?"
Some nobles recognized Michael and me and greeted us.
No one approached Lewis. He exuded an aura of not wanting to socialize.
"Lady Yaniels, care for a drink?"
"No alcohol."
Lewis intercepted the noble offering me wine.
Who would dare to offer me a drink with Lewis watching intently?
I chatted with acquaintances while having non-alcoholic drinks and food.
About an hour passed this way.
"Should we start looking now?"
Michael, who had been mingling, came over and whispered.
"I suppose we should."
Lewis replied.
In fact, we had devised a plan before coming here.
We decided to explore the upper floors once the party was in full swing.
If all three of us disappeared, Madden might get suspicious, so one person was to stay behind, and that role was assigned to Lewis.
Lewis thought I would become Madden's target if I stayed in the ballroom.
So I was to explore the second floor, and Michael the third floor.
"Have you learned how to use the magic tools I gave you?"
"Of course."
Instead of splitting up, Lewis helped me prepare thoroughly.
He provided various magic tools that I could use even without magical abilities.
"Marquis, I'm going now."
Lewis nodded while making eye contact with me.
He would use a tracking spell to know my location in the mansion anyway.
No matter where I went, he would know where I was!
The nobles' lounge was on the second floor.
As I looked around the corridor on the second floor, I heard Michael’s soft voice in my ear.
"Be careful, Selina."
Michael, who had no reason to go to the third floor, decided to use an invisibility spell to explore.
"You too, Michael."
I whispered to the now-invisible Michael and parted ways.
Holding a pouch containing magic tools, I looked around.
Now I needed someone to use these tools on...
'We need an insider's cooperation.'
Lewis had said while planning.
To find the materials quickly, we needed someone who knew the mansion well.
One of the items he provided was a spray that induced confusion.
Spraying it on someone’s face would make them momentarily dazed and answer questions.
'I made it especially for you.'
Lewis emphasized it was one of a kind.
Anyway, to use it, I needed someone familiar with the mansion.
Who should I choose?
While I was looking around the lounge, something bumped into my arm.
Huh? What is it?
Turning around, I saw a maid’s tray with a juice glass tipping towards me.
"Ah!"
An accident just as I arrived?!
Fortunately, the juice didn’t spill on me. A transparent barrier formed in front of me.
The ring's magic would emit light when used, so it must have been the protection spell Lewis cast on me before arriving.
However, my dress wasn’t completely spared.
The barrier only covered my upper body, so the juice splattered on the hem of my dress.
"I’m so sorry, my lady!"
The maid apologized repeatedly, flustered.
"I’m really sorry, my lady!"
"It’s alright. It can’t be helped."
With a regretful expression, the maid pointed to an inner room.
"Please come with me to an empty room. I’ll try to remove the stain."
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