Chapter 162

 

* * *

 

The day after meeting with Stewart.

Melody immediately conveyed an important fact to Claude.

Regarding her exam, that there may have been some people monitoring Melody’s actions.

Though it was a story she had difficulty revealing with a fearful feeling, Claude gave an answer in a light voice.

“Do you think I wouldn’t have properly checked the surroundings while going all the way to Kristonson? It’s alright. Don’t worry.”

Judging by his confident voice, there must not have been anyone surveilling Melody up to that point.

Come to think of it, it was unnatural for the imperial family, which wasn’t exactly overflowing with manpower, to dispatch people all the way there just to monitor a Records Keeper examinee.

“Then… it should be okay, right?”

When Melody asked, he nodded confidently.

“Of course.”

“That’s a relief… I was really scared. More than that, I hope we hear back soon.”

“They’ll need time to consider too, so don’t rush them too much. Rather than that, Miss Melody.”

“Y-Yes?!”

“Seems like you’re busy with something?”

Claude looked puzzled at Melody, who was barely sticking her face out through the door crack.

“Since you’re speaking while standing in the hallway, it seems you don’t even have the leisure to enter my room.”

“Ah! Th-That’s…”

Actually, Melody wasn’t particularly busy with anything.

It was just… a bit difficult to enter his room.

But she couldn’t honestly tell him that, so Melody started making up a suitable excuse.

“Yes, I’m busy. Um, I…”

But she couldn’t think of anything on the spot.

As she pondered what to do, Isaiah’s scream was heard from beyond the wide open window.

Judging by Mrs. Higgins shouting “You rascal!”, Isaiah was definitely getting his big back slapped again.

“I-I made plans to meet Isaiah!”

Melody shouted that and quickly bowed her head.

“No, I…”

Claude belatedly tried to say something as if to stop her, but the door had already slammed shut.

“……”

He vacantly stared at the firmly closed door for a while, then hung his head deeply and sighed.

‘As I thought…’

He gained confidence in the assumption he had been pondering alone since that night.

‘It seems my rudeness has frightened Miss Melody…’

Suddenly, a lively voice calling “Isaiah!” was heard from outside the window.

Following the sound and looking outside, Melody was defending Isaiah in front of Mrs. Higgins.

Soon, the lady withdrew, and the two were left alone, grinning at each other.

There was no trace of the discomfort or awkwardness Melody had shown just a moment ago on her joyful face.

“……”

Claude’s grip on the window frame tightened for a moment.

Then, noticing his gaze, Isaiah briefly lifted his head and met Claude’s eyes.

The face of the man who had seemed like a kind bear turned into that of a sharp knight as he bowed loyally.

“……”

Claude just lightly nodded towards him, then fled from the window area as if escaping.

When he stood alone in the dim shadows untouched by light, the sunlight-like laughter of Melody and Isaiah could be heard from beyond the window.

 

* * *

 

Three more days passed, and the Emperor finally returned to the capital.

Since the major nobles, including Duke Baldwin who had accompanied him, also returned together, parties were held daily in the previously quiet capital.

This fervent atmosphere extended to the imperial family as well, and soon the imperial family also held a grand banquet.

At the perfect full-course dinner served on the endlessly long table, Melody could also attend as the young lady of the Higgins.

At this occasion, the Emperor rarely mentioned the name of his brother, the Tower Master Owen.

“This is a new gem of this nation, discovered by the mage Owen and his numerous apprentices.”

What he held out was a translucent jewel of light.

Formed by the condensation and solidification of nature’s mana, it was said to be smaller than an adult male’s thumb but took over a hundred years to create.

“With this, we will be able to utilize the infinite power of mana in new ways. It will surely pioneer a new future for this nation.”

The Emperor raised his glass high.

“For the mages’ great discovery!”

Dozens, no, hundreds of golden glasses were raised high following him.

The glamorous banquet of the capital nobles began.

…However.

There was a sad capital noble who could not attend that banquet at the ducal residence.

It was none other than Loretta.

The day after the banquet, the grief-stricken girl diligently ran to Melody’s room as soon as morning arrived.

Even though she visited quite early in the morning, Melody was already up and changing her clothes.

“My goodness.”

Melody approached Loretta without even buttoning the back of her dress and grasped both her cheeks.

“Our little princess’s cheeks are full of things to say.”

“Ugh.”

“There seem to be some slightly naughty words mixed in there too. Right?”

At Melody’s question, Loretta quickly hugged her around the waist.

“Now.”

Melody patted the child’s back.

“It’s alright, so tell me.”

“…I hate Father.”

After saying that, Loretta quickly lifted her head and added worriedly.

“Of course, I love Father. Very much.”

“I know.”

“But I hate him… a little.”

Mumbling that, Loretta snuggled into Melody’s arms again.

“I wanted to go to the banquet with Melody too! My big brothers went, so it’s unfair that only I couldn’t go!”

“That’s true.”

When Melody nodded, Loretta lifted her head again to explain.

“Of course, that banquet was held too late for a child to attend. That’s why Father said no.”

“That’s also true.”

“But still, I wanted to go.”

Loretta pouted her lips, and Melody laughed and hugged the child again.

“…I wanted to go with you too, Loretta.”

“I know, since we like each other.”

Loretta kissed Melody’s cheek with a smack, then slipped out of her arms.

“So tell me, how was it yesterday? Who did you dance with? Is it true that the imperial banquet hall is glamorous with lights of various colors created by magic?”

As Loretta’s questions started pouring out, Melody’s maid approached them.

She must have been concerned about Melody being in a half-dressed state.

“I’ll do this, so Melody, hurry and tell me, okay?”

Loretta ran behind her and quickly fastened the small buttons.

Left with no choice, Melody slightly nodded towards the maid. Meaning for her to give them space.

“How was it, hmm?”

Loretta fastened another button and urged again, and Melody began her story.

“The banquet was very nice. As Loretta knows, there were magical lights of various colors.”

“Was it amazing?”

“Yeah, and I danced with Father.”

Melody lowered her body a bit so Loretta could easily fasten the upper buttons too.

“That must have been fun. What else?”

“The food was delicious.”

“Goodness.”

The child seemed to be struggling with the fifth button that wouldn’t fasten properly, constantly fidgeting her small hands.

“I’m asking who else you danced with.”

“Hm? I didn’t dance with anyone else besides Father.”

At the answer that came as if it was natural, Loretta ended up losing the fifth button she had almost pushed through the hole.

“Wh-Why?!”

“There wasn’t really an opportunity for that. Actually, I didn’t want to either. I was so happy being with Father and Mother.”

“Ah…”

Loretta sympathized with Claude and Ronny who had attended the banquet, and started fastening the fifth button again.

‘…Poor big brothers.’

They must not have had the heart to disturb Melody’s happiness with the Higgins couple.

“Ah, and.”

The clueless Melody continued her story about the banquet.

“His Majesty declared he would hold a martial arts tournament.”

“So suddenly…? For no particular occasion?”

“Yeah, I guess he wanted to celebrate the discovery of mana stones in a special way.”

“He must be very happy. Sounds fun.”

Since she had finished all the buttons, Loretta took Melody’s hand and led her to a nearby sofa.

The two sat side by side and continued their conversation.

“And what else happened?”

“Hmm… That Master Jeremiah attended on behalf of Tower Master Owen?”

“Big brother did?!”

“Yeah. It was really brief though.”

The Tower Master’s first disciple, the mage Baldwin, received the imperial family’s accolades on behalf of his master.

In fact, it was only proper for the Tower Master to come directly, but Owen did not wish to directly accumulate glory upon his shoulders.

It was likely because he thought such things would somehow incur the Emperor’s vigilance in the future.

“After receiving His Majesty’s accolades, Master Jeremiah excused himself and left for the Magic Tower first. Along with all sorts of gifts prepared by the imperial family.”

“Well, big brother did say he dislikes crowded places.”

“Yeah, there’s that, but he was probably also worried about Evan staying up late.”

The moment Melody mentioned Evan’s name, Loretta flinched in surprise without realizing it.

In fact, ever since hearing about Jeremiah, she may have wanted to ask “Was Evan there too?”

Misunderstanding Loretta’s reaction, Melody kindly added an explanation.

“Ah, Evan is Master’s young apprentice. He had guided Loretta at the Magic Tower before, remember?”

Actually, Loretta didn’t just remember him, she knew much more.

Like how he blinks habitually because his slightly long hair sometimes pokes his eyes.

Or how he doesn’t even notice his robe slipping down when he’s focused on something.

And that he’s a kind child who shares his favorite star candies.

Loretta smiled brightly, unconsciously aware of her pounding heart.

“Of course I remember. Did Evan come to the banquet too?”

“Yeah. He dressed up very nicely. Master Jeremiah went through the trouble of personally cutting his hair.”

“He cut what…?!”

Loretta, who was about to shout without realizing, hurriedly shut her mouth.

‘He cut that hair without even telling me?!’

The corners of Loretta’s lips trembled.