The Imperial Palace was so splendid that even the air seemed to shine golden. No matter how many times she visited, she didn’t think she would get used to the atmosphere here. The space, filled without a single gap with various decorations and paintings, was dazzlingly brilliant.

The silver tableware on the dining table showed off its elegant appearance. The candlesticks bearing candles made with precious oils were equally luxurious. The food piled on the plates was uniformly exquisite and melted in her mouth.

“This is delicious.”

She spoke with sincerity.

“There could be no greater joy than that, as this gathering is meant to comfort your body and mind, my lady.”

Jeanne smiled brightly.

Today’s banquet was arranged by her invitation. Jeanne had sent an invitation apologizing for startling her with the bookworm during her last visit to the Imperial Palace.

Rashid sat beside her, and Crown Prince Castor sat next to Jeanne across from them.

A banquet hosted by the Imperial Princess with the Crown Prince in attendance. She wondered if there could be another occasion as luxurious as this.

“I’ve ordered the library to be thoroughly managed, so please don’t worry and visit again. They say that bookworm was the only demonic beast there.”

“That’s a relief. It was truly a fascinating demonic beast.”

The conversation naturally turned to the topic of demonic beasts.

“These days, demonic beasts are quite rampant, they say. I’m looking into why myself. We can’t have you being startled again like that time, can we?”

Jeanne seemed to think she had been terribly frightened by the demonic beast. While she was surprised, it wasn’t just because of the bookworm. She recalled the contents of the disappeared book while expressing gratitude for Jeanne’s consideration.

“So, sister, do you have any idea why demonic beasts are so rampant?”

Castor asked.

“Looking at the chronology, there were several periods in the past when demonic beasts suddenly increased.”

“Hmm.”

“Each time, mages tried hard to investigate the flow of magical power to find the reason, but it was in vain. It’s probably the same now, isn’t it, brother?”

Castor put down his wine glass.

“Yes. The reason remains unknown. For now, sending troops to control them is the best we can do—”

“And wait for the surge to subside with time. That’s the only way, you mean.”

“……That’s right.”

Rashid cut off Castor’s words, quite disrespectfully.

Suddenly, the temperature in the room seemed to drop.

“Could it be a period when their food becomes abundant? Or maybe when their natural predators decrease?”

She hurriedly offered her opinion to diffuse the tense atmosphere.

Usually when animals and plants proliferate, there’s always a reason. Like that year had good sunlight for bountiful crops, or pests thrived because their predators decreased.

“Food?”

Castor narrowed his eyes as he repeated her words.

“Isn’t Duke Penvernon the natural predator of demonic beasts?”

Jeanne also responded, her face bearing a half-joking smile.

Was it such a strange idea? If anything, it seemed rather obvious.

Everything in the world has a cause and effect relationship. If there’s a result, there must be a reason that caused it. If they couldn’t find the cause in the flow of magical power, shouldn’t they consider other directions?

“Since demonic beasts are also a kind of animal, I thought there might be some patterns if we study their ecosystem.”

Like periods when magical power increases and decreases like during the Little Ice Age, or perhaps something happens according to the moon’s gravitational pull and repulsion, like tides. While she couldn’t know for certain, she casually suggested that experts might find something if they investigated.

“Thinking of them as animals, that’s quite a fresh approach.”

“But in the biological picture book, I saw illustrations……”

“Those were drawn to help identify what they look like. The general consensus is that demonic beasts are fundamentally no different from ghosts.”

It was somewhat understandable yet not quite. If they’re no different from ghosts, does that mean they’re treated as monsters? Like zombies, for instance.

“I’ve never thought about it that way. Perhaps you’re really onto something, my lady.”

“Indeed. It seems worth considering. Don’t you think so, Duke?”

Rashid answered Castor while looking at her.

“Yes, indeed it is, Your Highness.”

Feeling somewhat self-conscious for some reason, she avoided his eyes while busily moving her fork.

Soon after, the post-dinner teatime followed.

While Rashid conversed with Castor, she spent time with Jeanne. This was a conventional custom in Grandia’s social circles.

While Jeanne explained how she had resolved the previous bookworm issue, she nibbled on orangettes with fragrant tea. The chocolate-coated candied oranges that had been carefully preserved in sugar for a long time were delicious.

“So I’m planning to expand library support a bit more.”

“That’s a wonderful decision, Your Highness.”

Jeanne grinned at her admiration. It was a refreshing smile that always made people feel good.

“What have you been up to these days?”

“I’m preparing to sponsor magical research.”

“Magical research? You always do such interesting things. How did you come up with that idea?”

Jeanne’s eyes sparkled with interest. It wasn’t that significant of a decision…… She felt oddly guilty.

“I happened to come across a magical toy, and it was quite fascinating and surprising. I thought if I sponsored the Magic Tower’s research, I might be able to get such interesting things before anyone else.”

“My goodness, is that reason enough?”

She felt relieved at the response. It was exactly the reaction she had expected. The less understanding she received, the better.

“Of course. Even a small toy required numerous calculations inside. There were so many things to consider for the magic formula to work properly.”

Even though it was magic, it wasn’t like something would just appear with an abracadabra; it deserved to be called research because the formula had to be structured so various effects would appear in the intended order. In some ways, it seemed like another form of science.

“That’s true, I’ve never thought about it that way.”

“Neither had I. I never really wondered about the principles before.”

“Listening to you makes me curious. When are you planning to go next?”

“Well, we haven’t discussed it yet……”

Maybe they would call when the research shows results? They don’t have to call at all. Just letting it be known that I’m sponsoring them is enough. I should talk about it a lot during this opportunity since I need to spread the word myself.

“I’d like to go sometime too.”

“Shall I let you know when they contact me?”

“I don’t think I can wait. I should find an opportunity soon. You’ll come with me, right?”

“Ah, yes……”

“When would be good?”

Jeanne actively made plans. Her progressive nature of moving straight toward what caught her eye was brilliant and dazzling. It was so dazzling that she almost wanted to avoid it, but she quietly basked in that light like a plant in the summer sun.

* * *

While Alisa and Jeanne conversed over tea, Rashid spent time with Castor.

During such times, men usually discussed politics, business, or hobbies like hunting and horse racing. Building close relationships was the purpose of this time.

The interaction between the Crown Prince and the Duke of Penvernon was notably worth attention.

Although the marriage talks with the Imperial Princess had fallen through due to the Crown Prince’s opinion, that too was merely a political act. Now that the Duke had taken another wife who got along well with the Imperial Princess, it was reasonable to predict that the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Duke would also grow closer.

“The Imperial Princess seems quite pleased with her interactions with your wife. I’ve never seen her talk so much.”

“It’s thanks to Her Highness’s consideration.”

Words without sincerity.

Castor chuckled and brought the glass to his lips. The light-flavored white wine exuded a fresh aroma. Though he usually enjoyed heavy red wines, sometimes something this light was also enjoyable.

“Your wife seems quite curious. It’s interesting. Even in trivial conversations, she has a way of subtly catching one off guard.”

“It’s because she naturally has a bright disposition and diverse thoughts.”

“You speak as if you know your wife well.”

“She is my wife.”

“I know.”

Castor couldn’t help but laugh at Rashid’s sharp attitude. My wife, he says. Was this really the same Duke Penvernon, defending a forced marriage partner imposed by the Emperor?

“I hear there’s been quite a bit of talk surrounding your wife. You must be worried.”

Castor brought up the rumors surrounding Alisa.

Rashid tapped the surface of his wine glass. He knew the Crown Prince was meticulous despite his pleasant and gentle appearance, but he hadn’t expected him to pay attention even to social rumors about noble ladies.

No, perhaps he was paying special attention. Rashid continued his reasonable suspicions.

“It’s just needless noise, so I don’t listen.”

“Even if you don’t listen, it’s still there. How can you just ignore it?”

“A tree touched by the sun need not hear the clamor of weeds in the shade.”

“Ah, indeed. That’s true. But isn’t there a way to make it less noisy?”

Rashid glared at Castor.

“Should I pull out the weeds then?”