“What a shame.”

She clicked her tongue.

“It was too high after all. I guess my wish won’t come true.”

“What did you wish for?”

“That……”

……In truth, she hadn’t wished for anything. Because she didn’t believe it. Prospering fortune, good health, wishes coming true…… She never thought any of it would become reality. That’s what superstitions were, after all.

“That I’d succeed in getting divorced quickly?”

“Really?”

“No.”

She shook her head with a playful smile. While it was what she wanted most right now, she didn’t want to make it a wish for this occasion. Shouldn’t she wish for something she’s more desperate for?

For example,

‘I want to go back.’

Perhaps she was making wishes knowing they wouldn’t come true. Because it was nearly impossible, that’s why she would pray to a deity. With desperate feelings hoping her earnest wish would be heard, toward the god at the highest place.

However, because she didn’t believe in Morea’s omnipotence, she wouldn’t wish to them.

“Let’s go now. We’ve walked enough.”

Trying to steady her somehow complicated feelings, she spun around. And the very next moment after taking a step, she stepped on a stone on the ground and her body tilted.

“Eek!”

Before her scream could end, Rashid’s arms quickly caught her. Her upper body, which had nearly fallen, floated in the air while leaning against him. It all happened in an instant.

Goodness. She could feel her heart pounding. If it weren’t for Rashid, she would surely have planted her face on the stone ground. Startled, she unconsciously gripped his collar tightly.

“Ah, you startled me. Thank you.”

She tried to straighten up from where she had been briefly leaning against him. Tried to.

Rashid pulled her waist more firmly. As a result, her body ended up completely leaning against him. Her cheek touched the collar of his coat. It was a position so close that it didn’t allow even the slightest gap.

“Rashid?”

There was no answer. When she lifted her head, Rashid was looking down at her. Moonlight fell behind his face. Ah, it’s a full moon tonight. That’s why it’s so bright. While she was thinking such thoughts, his face gradually drew closer to hers.

At his sudden action, she flinched and tightly closed her eyes. The moonlight that had been caressing her closed eyelids was blocked, and the world became darkness.

A scent that made it impossible to move her body gently enveloped her. The fragrance that brushed her nose became flower petals and softly pressed against her lips. This is the scent of camellias, she thought. So, Rashid’s……

“Ah!”

Suddenly coming to her senses, she pushed hard against Rashid’s chest. Her body stumbled from the recoil as she broke free from his arms. Rashid quickly caught her again.

“Why, wh, why, what……”

She was too shocked to speak properly. When she blinked repeatedly and looked up, Rashid was staring at her intently. His eyes were clear, as if he didn’t understand what was wrong.

“Is it a problem for a husband to kiss his wife?”

“No, but our agreement was different.”

“We never made such an agreement.”

Well, that’s true.

Her face burned hot. She was extremely flustered. What on earth was happening?

“I’m holding back because you asked me to wait.”

“……What?”

“What do you think?”

As he spoke, Rashid stroked her cheek with his finger. At his cold touch, she finally realized that her face was burning like fire.

“You’re bright red.”

“Th-that’s because I’m flustered.”

“I am your husband, and you are my wife. Isn’t it obvious?”

Rashid pulled her hand and placed a long kiss on the back of it. His gaze remained persistently fixed on her.

Beep beep, a danger alarm went off in her head. This shouldn’t happen. This was a situation that shouldn’t occur.

“I don’t know what you mean, but we’re getting divorced anyway, so you won’t have to hold back much longer!”

She knocked his hand away and walked quickly toward the carriage. She was so flustered that she forgot he hadn’t responded to her words. And she didn’t think at all about how those words might be interpreted differently.

* * *

Strange. These days she was somehow extremely busy with too many things to do. While it was good that she didn’t have to dwell on useless thoughts like that night’s walk, it was unsatisfying that she didn’t have enough time to contemplate achieving her goal. Why was everything so hectic?

She soon realized it was because of Jeanne.

Jeanne was proactive. She boldly submitted a visit request to the Magic Tower. Though it was called a request, coming from her as the Imperial Princess, it was practically an order.

The Magic Tower responded very promptly to the Imperial Princess’s visit request. She took her along to visit the Magic Tower. Since Jeanne insisted on going together, she couldn’t refuse.

The Magic Tower welcomed her again with the same appearance as a few days ago.

“We are honored by Your Highness’s presence.”

Gallard and Pilgrim behaved very formally before Jeanne. Really now, being a Duke’s wife wasn’t exactly a low position either. It somewhat irritated her to see them keeping their distance from the Duchess while prostrating themselves before the Imperial Princess.

‘Well, Jeanne is the only legitimate Imperial Princess after all.’

They explained their research much more thoroughly than they had to her. While they had mainly introduced interesting research to her, they showed Jeanne more important things. The kind of things that could lead to tremendous discoveries if handled well.

She almost got annoyed because of this, but since it wasn’t a field she was interested in anyway, and thinking about it, her purpose wasn’t providing a serious sponsorship, she decided not to take it too complexly.

She just followed behind her like a servant accompanying a high official on inspection, lost in her own thoughts.

“Excellent. I understand that the Empire progresses further thanks to the Magic Tower’s efforts. Please remember that I and other members of the imperial family are always watching over you.”

Jeanne gracefully encouraged them. Her smile, filled with princess-like dignity, was as beautiful as a fully bloomed peony.

“We are deeply grateful, Your Highness.”

Pilgrim responded obsequiously, and Gallard also bowed with emotion.

After touring the Magic Tower, Jeanne declared she would sponsor their research with her private funds.

And she added,

“I will happily align my intentions with those of Duchess Penvernon.” 

“What?”

Standing there absent-mindedly, she was startled.

Jeanne’s gaze toward her was even benevolent. Like looking at a child who got perfect scores on a test. Or perhaps like facing a daughter who helped the less fortunate? Anyway… it was definitely not the kind of look she should be receiving.

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have thought to visit personally. Let’s continue to keep watch over them.”

“You’re also the first person who offered to sponsor us directly, Duchess Penvernon.”

“It’s truly a progressive and delightful idea. Don’t you think?”

“Indeed.”

Jeanne and Pilgrim exchanged words in perfect harmony. But that wasn’t my intention at all…. Before she knew it, she had somehow become ‘the far-sighted Duchess.’

“I didn’t really do it with that kind of intention……”

“So modest as well!”

Before she could finish speaking, Jeanne laughed brightly. Her misunderstanding was too deep. Worried about receiving more unnecessary praise, she just kept her mouth shut.

She felt that things were going somewhat strangely, but she wasn’t sure how to make them go less strangely. At times like this, staying quiet was probably best…. Ah, her head hurt.

The Magic Tower gave a small gift as they saw them off. She accepted the prepared gift feeling like she was receiving a souvenir after a factory tour. They hadn’t given her anything when she came alone—what stingy people.

Each petal of the rose in the glass dome had a different color and an iridescent texture.

Jeanne was moved, saying it was such a wonderful gift. Surely she must have even more splendid things in her ornament room. She wasn’t sure if it was diplomatic behavior as an Imperial Princess or genuine feeling. Knowing Jeanne as she did, it was probably genuine.

She smiled brightly, as if following her lead.

The rose she quietly examined on the way back to the mansion gave off a deep fragrance. The flower that would supposedly never wither was beautiful. Though beautiful, she somehow felt it was a bit lonely.

Could anything in this world truly be eternal?

She couldn’t know.

* * *