Chapter 18 – Treasures of the Royal Family of Laran

The original male lead, Cade, had a quick temper. Ian entered the palace early in the morning and left before lunch, informing me that the Emperor and Empress wanted to see Benjamin immediately. Since the palace had many eyes, they would secretly come to where Benjamin was staying tonight. I hurried to my mother’s townhouse to inform her of this.

Except for my mother’s butler, Vanon, and the maid, Cora, all the other employees were sent to the Keppel estate under the pretense of helping with spring cleaning. In the now quiet townhouse, we waited for nightfall. When it was late enough that even the streetlights were off, the butler Vanon, who was watching by the window, informed us that a carriage was arriving.

“We greet Your Majesties.”

Mother led the bow, and we all followed suit. The Emperor, showing respect to the host, removed his hat and offered a handshake to my mother.

“Lady Hershey. Thank you for lending us your place.”

“Please, feel free to converse. I was just about to go out for an evening stroll.”

My mother, dressed for an outing, was followed by Cora and Vanon. The Emperor Cade scratched his chin and said,

“You are involved as well, so you may stay if you wish.”

“As one gets older, the only thing that grows is worry, so it’s better not to know secrets. The house is empty, so if you need anything, please ask my daughter. Liv, take good care of them.”

“Yes, Mother.”

After my mother left, it was just me, Ian, Benjamin, and the Emperor and Empress with one maid standing behind her. I thought her freckled face was unfamiliar, then suddenly realized she must be the real Isabella. The Emperor, sitting at the head of the table, asked Benjamin, who was seated next to me,

“Are you Benjamin Hershey?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You’re a wizard?”

“Yes.”

I was surprised to see how relaxed Benjamin seemed. He showed no sign of nervousness even with the Emperor and Empress in front of him. He didn’t smile confidently but didn’t look anxious or uneasy either; it seemed he simply didn’t feel the need to smile. It was completely different from how he had appeared with me and my mother a few days ago.

“This is Lady Isabella. Why don’t you introduce yourselves?”

While it was customary for the lady to offer her hand first, Isabella blushed and shook her head instead of extending her hand.

“I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“What?”

“This person is indeed a wizard.”

The Empress Celia asked curiously,

“But Miss Isabella, you said you couldn’t tell without touching before.”

“That’s for those who hide their wizardry, but this person… is honest.”

Isabella gazed at Benjamin with a look of admiration, as if she had fallen for him at first sight. While everyone looked at each other, trying to understand the situation, Benjamin remained calm. The Emperor stood up and said,

“May we speak privately for a moment?”

“I’ll show you to my room.”

Benjamin led the Emperor upstairs. Now, it was just me, Ian, the Empress Celia, and Isabella in the reception room. Isabella spoke in a dreamy voice,

“Wow, such intense magic power.”

Celia showed interest in her words.

“Does that mean Lord Hershey is a skilled wizard?”

“I wouldn’t dare to evaluate…”

Celia seemed pleased. I felt a bit proud. Even though it was Benjamin who confidently claimed he was a decent wizard and took action, I was secretly worried he might not be recognized. I was finally relieved and could smile.

“Um, Lady Keppel… right?”

“Yes.”

“Are you cousins with that gentleman?”

“Yes.”

“I want to be friends with you!”

Isabella, standing up, took the seat next to me where Benjamin had been sitting. I was a bit taken aback as this was an unfamiliar situation. Isabella leaned in friendly and suddenly said as if she just remembered,

“Oh, and I hope there’s no misunderstanding. I didn’t sleep with Duke Keppel. I don’t plan on having a Peco.”

I was too shocked to say anything. But Isabella, misinterpreting my silence, laughed and explained,

“Oh, Peco is a term wizards use to refer to non-wizards.”

“…I see.”

I looked at Ian. He seemed indifferent. Isabella, eager to show her friendliness, continued explaining without being asked.

“Magic power is inherited from parents. If you marry a non-wizard, the chances of having a non-wizard child increase. Are Lord Benjamin’s parents wizards?”

“No, they’re just ordinary people.”

“Then did he start learning magic very early?”

“He started learning at fifteen.”

“A genius!”

Isabella clasped her hands together in admiration. While I was pleased to hear Benjamin being praised, I couldn’t smile at Isabella’s next comment.

“Or maybe he’s actually adopted.”

…I didn’t know how to react. I responded with a reluctant expression.

“But Benjamin resembles my father a lot. How could he look so similar if they weren’t related?”

“Oh, transformation is my specialty. Would you like to see?”

Isabella covered her face with her hands, then spread them wide with a peek-a-boo motion. Her face had transformed into mine. That’s kind of scary… Celia intervened.

“Miss Isabella, you’re scaring Olivia. Please stop.”

“Are you really surprised by something like this, even though your cousin is such a powerful wizard?”

“…I’ve never seen Benjamin use magic.”

“Oh, I see.”

Isabella reverted to her original face and laughed foolishly. Her face was getting uncomfortably close.

“I wished every day to become beautiful, so I became good at magic that makes one beautiful. The source of magic is pure and intense desire. If Lord Benjamin wished to resemble someone, he could have made it happen. With his level of magic, nothing is impossible.”

I just smiled. I knew Benjamin’s childhood. If he had such abilities, he wouldn’t have suffered from our uncle’s violence. It made more sense that his abilities were the result of hard work during his studies abroad rather than innate talent from birth.

“Well, the Benjamin I knew was just an ordinary child. We didn’t even know he had a talent for magic before he went abroad.”

“But magic is largely hereditary… May I hold your hand?”

I offered my hand without resistance. Isabella suddenly beamed as she took my hand.

“Oh, I feel so good.”

“…Excuse me?”

“You must be related by blood. I can sense a very mild but warm and gentle power from you. It seems to be a holy power… It’s a shame. If you had awakened it as a child, you might have become a remarkable wizard too. But with holy power flowing through you, you’ll be healthy your entire life. You won’t fall victim to curses either.”

I see… As I silently listened, she suddenly rubbed her cheek against the hand she was holding. I gasped in surprise.

“This feels so nice. Can I hug you just once?”

A sudden clattering sound drew my attention. Ian was setting up teacups on the table.

“Please have some tea.”

Oh, I should have done that. Vanon had prepared everything, but I had forgotten because Isabella kept talking. Seeing Ian hastily setting things on the table, I quickly stood up to help him.

“Oh, I should have served the tea. I apologize, Your Majesty. My mother asked me to serve you wholeheartedly, but I’ve failed.”

“It’s alright, Olivia. But I envy you for having holy power. If I had it, I wouldn’t have suffered miscarriages due to curses…”

She lost her child because of a curse? I was at a loss for how to comfort Celia in her sorrow. Isabella, the only one oblivious to the mood, started talking to me again.

“People with holy power don’t fall victim to curses and heal quickly. Your flawless skin and beautiful hair are also signs of holy power. You probably don’t do much to take care of them, do you? I’m so jealous.”

She subtly grabbed my hand again. Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, I glanced at Ian and Celia for help. Celia noticed and spoke up.

“Miss Isabella, it’s time to return to my side. That’s Lord Hershey’s seat.”

“But when Benjamin comes, I’ll be too nervous. If Lady Keppel holds my hand, I’ll feel better.”

I recalled Benjamin’s words about how all wizards were suspicious and crazy. He also said that if anyone behaved strangely towards me, I should tell them to stop messing around. But I couldn’t bring myself to speak harshly to Isabella, who was behaving like a young girl. I just smiled awkwardly.

“Why don’t you go back to your seat now?”

Thankfully, Ian spoke sternly for me. Isabella pouted and reluctantly moved back to sit next to Celia. Seeing that Isabella and Ian didn’t get along well gave me a strange feeling. As Celia predicted, Cade and Benjamin soon returned to the reception room.

“He has something for you.”

Cade said as he sat at the head of the table. Instead of sitting next to me, Benjamin leaned against a nearby wall and spoke to everyone.

“First, I’d like to say that as a citizen of the Empire and a servant, I will sincerely assist the royal family. However, magic is not omnipotent, and it’s impossible to predict everything a person might do, so I cannot guarantee that I can perfectly protect Her Majesty and the unborn royal child.”

Celia wasn’t disappointed by his words. She probably never expected Benjamin to solve all their problems.

“Instead, I will lend you this.”

Benjamin removed a ring he was wearing and placed it on the table.

“It’s an artifact that protects the wearer from all types of magic.”

That’s quite a powerful item. I looked at the men’s ring adorned with a blue sapphire. While Celia cautiously picked up the ring and examined it, Cade asked,

“How effective is it?”

“It’s a treasure of the Larian royal family, so it hasn’t been tested, but it should nullify most magic.”

“…How did you come to possess a treasure of the Larian royal family?”

“It was a gift.”