I Became a Tyrant’s Maid - Chapter 67

Arcadion was the name of the largest magical artifact guild in the Posnian Empire at present.

It was so large that hundreds of magicians were on standby at all times, but no one knew who the owner of the guild was.

“But there’s a high possibility of being detected the moment we open a portal and arrive in the capital.”

“Then, should we leave it be? What if a tamer using black magic causes trouble?”

The official name for beast tamers is tamer.

So, to summarize the situation roughly, it’s like this.

The existence of tamers was very rare on the continent.

They were almost impossible to find except among the minority ethnic groups in the Desart Empire.

Tamers usually work by making contracts with spiritually charged beasts.

I heard they were strong enough in combat power to be almost on par with spirit mages.

“But it’s not certain yet, and since it has nothing to do with the imperial family, I think it should be fine.”

Ruel seemed to be trying to comfort Calix, but it didn’t appear that the comfort was properly received.

Calix was anxious.

Due to the summoning ritual performed by the Second Prince, the temple was already in a state of emergency.

Only a select few knew this fact.

Moreover, only the imperial family knew the reason why the situation had become like this.

They knew the culprit but couldn’t inform the temple.

If the temple found out that a member of the imperial family had performed a forbidden ritual, it was clear that problems would arise.

‘Even if it comes to that, the Second Prince would be the one punished, but…’

However, they had to be careful because when Calix becomes emperor later, the temple might exert strong checks and balances.

“Still, the timing is too bad.”

It seemed that black magic had almost disappeared after the execution of black magicians in Posnia ten years ago.

And now, suddenly, the appearance of black magic at this timing.

“For now, we need to make sure it doesn’t get entangled with the imperial family. As much as possible.”

I let out a short sigh.

“Your Highness, how about getting even a short rest for now? Your complexion doesn’t look good.”

There was nothing Calix could do right away anyway.

“There’s still about 2 hours left until the festival starts.”

Besides, he told me to go in and rest yesterday, but it seemed he himself hadn’t slept a wink.

It was because of the issue of the private audience with the Imperial Princess. Calix had been pondering and pondering on how to persuade her.

It wasn’t noticeable in the morning, but by the afternoon, he looked very tired.

“Do you think I can sleep in this situation?”

Calix asked sharply, but I answered in the most gentle voice possible.

“The festival is said to last about 5 hours, so you’ll struggle if you lack stamina. You’ll be more tired when handling state affairs too.”

Calix glanced at me and then quickly shifted his gaze to the clock.

It seemed he judged that my words had some merit.

“Then, shall we prepare?”

Although he rubbed his forehead as if annoyed, he eventually nodded with a sigh. I quickly drew the blackout curtains.

“I’ll wake you up in an hour.”

“…Don’t leave, stay in the room.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ruel answered proudly to Calix’s words. Calix’s expression furrowed again.

“Not you.”

Following Calix’s gaze, both Ruel’s and my eyes moved together.

“You.”

Me? Is he saying I should stay and attend to him?

“Shall I prepare some aroma oil, Your Highness?”

I hurriedly rummaged through the luggage bag and took out the oil, holding it in both hands.

At that, Ruel also seemed momentarily flustered, but upon seeing the oil bottle in my hands, he seemed to understand and let out a small sigh before saying.

“Then I’ll return in an hour, Your Highness.”

Bang, the door closed and finally only the two of us remained.

‘Oh, oh. How did he know I learned aesthetics, that rascal.’

The school had taught it briefly as a special lecture.

Of course, it was almost nothing more than common sense, but when I was really into skincare with my friend, I learned a lot of this and that.

But I didn’t know I’d be using it here.

“What’s that now?”

Calix hesitated and backed away from me.

“Ah, it’s called aromatherapy. I brought a few essential oils because they say the rising scent is good for mental relaxation, muscle relaxation, and such.”

Calix asked with his mouth half-open for a moment.

“Just how much luggage did you pack?”

“I packed everything I could, Your Highness, since it’s a long-term trip.”

I lit a small ceramic lamp and placed a teacup on top of it.

I poured some nearby water into the teacup and dropped a few drops of oil, and a subtle fragrance spread throughout the room.

“Your Highness.”

At my call, Calix glanced at me.

“Massage,”

“No way!”

Goodness. He shouted in a deep voice as if startled.

I mean, isn’t it normal to do facial massages and such during aromatherapy?

“Ahem, I understand, Your Highness.”

“…It’s fine, just stay still beside me.”

“Yes.”

He’s making such a fuss, really. If this is how it’s going to be, why did he ask me to stay?

I was dumbfounded.

Calix frowned and flopped onto the bed, closing his eyes.

“Your Highness, if you keep frowning, you’ll get wrinkles between your eyebrows.”

At my words, his brow immediately smoothed out.

I was satisfied.

***

The Day of Divine Harmony when celestial bodies overlap.

Long ago, it is said that the 16 gods of Desart waged war to claim the ‘Flame of Desire’.

Representing their respective regions, the gods divided into Western and Eastern factions, repeating an endless, hopeless war.

Finally, as all living things began to wither and die, ‘Badik’, the god of peace and dreams, secretly put the dragon guarding the flame to sleep and urinated on it, extinguishing the fire forever.

It was just a typical myth.

“This is a drink called the Flame of Harmony, Your Highness. It’s said to be made by mixing Desart’s traditional alcohol, Jou, with orange juice.”

I said as I handed Calix a small glass filled with the drink.

Although called traditional alcohol, it was a typical cocktail.

While officially called the Flame of Harmony, it’s known among commoners as ‘Badik’s Urine’, I heard.

It seemed to be because the orange tree symbolizes the god Badik.

“Not bad.”

Calix, who only tasted it briefly, didn’t seem very interested and passed the glass back.

Quite anxious, he tapped the armrest of his chair.

In the vast square, a large bonfire blazed, and nobles and royals were throwing orange peels into the fire.

It seemed they were disposing of orange peels that would be thrown away anyway, and throwing them because oranges are Badik’s symbol.

The fragrant scent of oranges spread everywhere.

“Prince Calix of Posman, shouldn’t you enjoy yourself since you’ve come all the way to Desart?”

It was then. A beautiful woman of indeterminate age appeared behind Calix.

Beautiful appearance, expensive-looking accessories, and lustrous dark brown hair that cascaded past her waist.

Without much thought, I could tell this person was the Second Imperial Princess.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Imperial Princess.”

I immediately bowed my head. The Imperial Princess smiled at my greeting and said kindly.

“By the way, isn’t it too obvious to throw out marriage as bait to lure me in and then not even come to ask for a dance, Your Highness?”

I was taken aback for a moment.

What? Marriage? As I stared with wide eyes, Calix blocked my view with his body, looking flustered. He hurriedly lowered his head and whispered to the Imperial Princess.

“I thought the Imperial Princess was quite busy. Didn’t you say you already had a man in mind?”

Then he smiled fiercely.

‘Oh my, oh my? Look at that? What are they saying? I can’t even hear.’

Regardless, slightly shocked, I blankly stared at Calix’s broad back.

Then the Imperial Princess smiled and whispered in Calix’s ear.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t hear what she said.

“Wasn’t it you who wanted a private audience with me using that as an excuse? At least keep up appearances.”

The corners of Calix’s mouth turned up crookedly.

It was an expression that anyone could see was a forced smile.

“Imperial Princess, may I… ask you for a dance?”

“My, I’d be delighted to accept, Your Highness.”

Calix, with a face full of annoyance, took the Imperial Princess’s hand and headed towards the stage.

‘Well then, I might as well throw some peels.’

I let out a short sigh and grabbed an orange peel from the basket.

And I said to Ruel, who was left standing awkwardly beside me.

“I overheard other servants talking while eating, and they said if the orange peel lands on top of the bonfire, your wish will come true. Have you heard of that?”

“I’m not sure.”

I took a stance as if throwing a baseball and threw the peel hard towards the top.

The orange peel cut through the air and landed with a plop on the top.

Whew, as expected of a people skilled in pitch-pot.

It was a one-shot, one-kill.

“Wow! It’s in!”

Jumping with joy at this small pleasure, I handed Ruel a peel as well.

“Would you like to try?”

Ruel looked at the orange peel I placed in his hand with a blank expression, then soon took a stance to throw it.

But then,

“For the sin of killing my family! Accept your punishment!”

At the sudden booming voice, I covered my ears.

And I thought.

‘Damn. I haven’t even made my wish yet…!’