CHAPTER 069
"Did you see my empty seat?"
He hit the mark. My eyes kept wandering in that direction a few times.
"Was it that obvious?"
I hesitated briefly before asking.
It's embarrassing, right? To think he was watching! And he even noticed everything!
"It was obvious. Why did you keep looking at my seat?"
"I just… felt disappointed."
Lewis smiled a bit more deeply.
"Did you miss me that much?"
"Of course. It's not like we're distant or anything! I didn't even make any mistakes today."
"I know. I saw everything you did well."
Then Lewis handed me the bouquet he was holding.
"These are congratulatory flowers."
I had guessed it when I saw him holding flowers, and indeed, it was a bouquet for me.
"Congratulations on successfully finishing the ceremony today."
Receiving congratulatory flowers from Lewis!
I beamed as I accepted the flowers.
"Thank you, Marquis."
I couldn't go to the Duke's estate with Lewis. He had just stopped by briefly and had to leave due to work.
"It would have been nice if we could have gone to the Duke's estate together for the after-party."
"You're going to see him so often in a few days that it won't matter," Bella said nonchalantly.
'If you want to see me, you can come to the tower,' Lewis had said.
I could visit him as he mentioned. Maybe I should go later. Today just didn't seem to be the right day.
But not seeing him for long today was regrettable.
Feeling a bit wistful, I fiddled with the bouquet Lewis had given me.
* * *
Had Charlotte really developed divine power? That was my lingering question after Raphael's Day had passed, a day I had been concerned about.
Charlotte had said the water tasted sweet, didn't she?
And it wasn't just any water; it was the special water given every morning at the cathedral.
Considering Miss Hoss's claim that Charlotte's taste might have suddenly changed seemed unlikely; divine power manifestation was the only explanation that came to mind.
But how could I confirm Charlotte's divine power?
Should I go back to the temple like before? They could at least confirm the possibility of divine power there.
However, returning felt awkward.
Due to the commotion caused by me, part of the temple was still under construction.
It felt wrong to go back as if nothing had happened.
I set aside my curiosity for now and headed to the tower, as I had an appointment with Lewis that day.
When I arrived, the wizards I had seen before greeted me.
"You're back again, Miss Elsner!"
"Hello! Is the Marquis upstairs?"
"Yes. Please go up."
I was guided by the same wizard who had shown me around before and went up to Lewis's office, which had an attached laboratory.
"Marquis, I'm here!"
I called out as I opened the door, but it seemed it wasn't the best time to be loud.
Lewis was asleep, slumped in his chair.
Just my luck.
I tiptoed towards Lewis.
His eyelashes, the same color as his hair, cast long shadows under his eyes.
His eyelashes are longer than mine.
He looked beautiful when he was asleep. I could watch him forever.
"Mm."
Lewis stirred slightly.
Did I wake him by making a noise when I came in? He seemed to be lightly dozing.
Would it help if I kept quiet now?
I picked up a blanket that was haphazardly thrown on the sofa. Since he was sleeping, I thought of covering him with it.
Please sleep well! I won't make any more noise!
But just as I was about to drape the blanket over him, Lewis's eyes snapped open.
"Oh!"
I was startled.
Lewis straightened up.
"When did you get here?"
"Just now."
"You should have said something when you arrived."
Lewis's voice was low, still tinged with sleep.
"You looked tired. You must be very exhausted."
"I stayed up all night here."
Oh dear… he must have been working all night.
"Do you have that many people with grudges against you? The tracking is more complicated than I thought."
Didn't he say he could still hear the noise even when we were together?
"What kind of bad people are troubling you, Marquis?"
There was no episode like this in the original story.
"Does this mean it’s useless if I'm not here?"
I placed my hand on his forehead. He remained still and then answered.
"It's still better than nothing."
"Really? Should I come more often?"
He had said the noise didn't go away because of the mana stones last time. It's probably still there now.
"Is it just that it feels a little better?"
"Not necessarily."
Lewis glanced at the mana stone on his desk.
"Even with that here, I'd be happy if you came often."
The way he said it made it seem true?
I nodded, and Lewis brought up another topic.
"I got a message from the temple."
"The temple? Is it finally a claim for damages?"
I counted the number of walls Lewis had broken.
How much would it cost to repair all that?
"They already sent that."
"Oh."
I hadn't noticed because he didn't show any signs.
"Then why did they contact you this time?"
"They want to investigate the magic circle. They asked for the tower's help."
Oh, that magic circle?
Come to think of it, the High Priest had mentioned it. They hadn't known about the magic circle until now, so they would investigate it.
Lewis had said to let him know if they needed the tower's cooperation.
It seemed they were requesting that help now.
"Will you be sending wizards?"
"No, I'll go myself. Do you want to come along?"
"Yes. I'd like to go too!"
I couldn't miss the opportunity that had come. With a suitable excuse, I planned to visit the temple frequently to make an impression.
So I wouldn't feel awkward visiting later with Charlotte.
We visited the temple the very next day.
We went without any wizards from the tower, just Lewis and me.
Lewis had said he alone would be sufficient as the tower’s representative.
But when we arrived, there were familiar faces. Philip and the court wizards were there.
Michael wasn’t here. Michael also worked at the palace.
Why was Philip here?
"Miss Elsner, you're here too?"
Philip looked at me with a puzzled expression, as if wondering why I was here.
"I came with the Marquis. It’s something I experienced too... Why are you here, Your Highness?"
"I heard something intriguing had been discovered. I have an interest in such fields."
Philip smiled.
"You're interested in things like this?"
Philip couldn’t use magic.
"I'm involved in supporting the court wizards, after all."
Although he couldn't use magic, he seemed interested in nurturing wizards.
Yet again, Lewis and Philip faced each other here.
Looking at Lewis, he already had a sullen expression.
Still, he greeted Philip. After exchanging pleasantries, Lewis spoke to the High Priest.
"You mentioned needing the tower's cooperation, but you've also invited the court wizards?"
"His Highness wanted to see the site himself."
Lewis’s look seemed to question why they had even called him.
The High Priest explained.
Philip added to the High Priest's words.
"The court wizards won't intervene. We'll just watch as the tower master conducts his examination. Let's call it an observation."
Lewis looked displeased to see an unwelcome face, but he started to move.
The temple has changed a lot since I last visited.
I had suspected they would request an examination of the magic circle, but still.
"The walls have all been restored!"
I whispered to Lewis.
When we arrived at the building in question, the walls that had gaping holes were all fixed.
"The repairs are complete."
Despite my whisper, the priest who accompanied us heard and smiled as he explained.
"This is the magic circle."
Seeing the magic circle again, it still didn't evoke any feelings.
How did I end up unlocking this room and discovering that magic circle?
"As I thought, I've never seen a magic circle like this."
Lewis said while examining the magic circle.
Even the tower master didn't know what it was.
"I searched the records just in case, but found nothing."
"So, is it impossible to identify?"
Philip asked cautiously, and Lewis replied.
"It seems it will take some time."
"If you need the help of the court wizards, let me know. I can send them."
"No need. The tower's wizards are sufficient."
Lewis's curt reply left Philip looking slightly embarrassed.
"I see. It seems the tower master considers it unnecessary meddling."
Ugh, such an awkward atmosphere!
But it wasn't a situation where I could openly intervene.
Still, there was a way. I quietly stood behind Lewis and tapped his back with my finger.
Marquis, let's smooth things over!
Fortunately, Lewis understood my intention and fell silent.
The High Priest, who had also been observing the tense exchange, intervened.
"Would you like to continue examining the site? We have prepared a place where you can have tea."
"Is that so?"
Philip and the court wizards left first.
"You go ahead. I'll stay here a bit longer."
Lewis sent away the staff too, leaving just the two of us.
"Marquis, please don't speak so harshly to the Crown Prince."
"Why?"
Lewis didn't understand why he should do that.
"You said it yourself. The Crown Prince is two-faced. There's no need to provoke and make an enemy."
"I already have plenty of enemies, adding one more won't matter."
Lewis chuckled, feeling no sense of danger.
"And the Crown Prince already dislikes me."
"He already disliked you?"
He disliked him already?
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