“As expected, it is strange.”

Sasha, who had appeared a few steps away, began reporting even though Cedrion had not asked.

She had been carrying out a mission at the royal castle, but was summoned back to monitor Michael’s movements upon his visit.

“It was heavily guarded with extremely high-level magic.”

“High-level, you say?”

“A dimensional barrier, far beyond the capabilities of our guest, had been cast over the entire room.”

“Hmm.” Cedrion let out a low hum.

He knew that Michael’s magical power and skills were quite lacking for someone who had inherited Arcadia’s First Blood.

Norhart’s royal succession placed Cedrion directly after the legitimate offspring of the king. His claim to the throne was ahead of even the king’s siblings and nephews. Because of this, he had interacted with Michael frequently from a young age while visiting Belvo.

With his fair, angelic face, golden curls, and deep blue eyes, the young boy had adored Cedrion. It was only natural—his older cousin, four years his senior, who had inherited Arcadia’s First Blood more strongly than anyone, must have seemed incredibly impressive to him.

Of course, as Michael grew older, those days became nothing but a distant memory.

‘If only the queen had been in good health, she would have had another child. Revealing that Michael’s magic was subpar would have affected the royal family’s support, yet the king could not divorce her under the pretense of taking another wife. And he certainly wasn’t the type to father a child outside of marriage.’

Cedrion recalled King Julius II, who had once been like an uncle to him, and smiled bitterly.

A king neither generous enough to accept an inadequate son nor bold enough to take decisive action for a new heir. The royal family, weakened in power and declining in fortune, was embroiled in internal strife.

Even as a child, Michael must have sensed that his father resented him.

‘That’s why he turned to dark magic. Even resorting to using Odelia’s magical power…’

Back then, he was only nine years old. Could someone so young truly go astray so early?

Cedrion clenched his teeth, the friction between them producing a faint grinding sound.

“That means he has a highly skilled individual working for him. Perhaps…”

“To my knowledge, there are no more fugitives.”

Sasha’s voice rang with certainty.

Those born with magic without inheriting Arcadia’s First Blood—those who were not of royal or Norhart descent but still possessed magical abilities—were required to enter the Magic Tower.

Those who were expelled from the Magic Tower or left of their own volition were referred to as “fugitives.”

Though called “fugitives,” their whereabouts were strictly monitored.

Just as Sasha had only been left alone after it was confirmed that she was under Norhart’s protection.

“Someone unaffiliated with the Magic Tower, who does not possess Arcadia’s First Blood, yet is capable of such high-level magic…”

“It seems that what the oracle’s child said was correct.”

“That seems likely.”

The oracle’s child had claimed that Michael had a familiar.

And that familiar had taken the form of a cat, always lingering near Odelia.

‘…Wait.’

A sudden sense of unease furrowed Cedrion’s brow.

If Michael had been siphoning young Odelia’s magic to cast spells, then that meant the royal family was aware of Odelia’s magical abilities.

Yet they had not sent her to the Magic Tower.

Until now, Cedrion had only thought about Michael’s transgressions in practicing dark magic. But when he examined the situation more closely, something felt off.

‘The royal family knew, yet they overlooked it…? Is that why they continued treating Odelia as a strong candidate for Crown Princess?’

Realizing he had something more to investigate, Cedrion stroked his chin.

“Your Grace could likely break that dimensional magic, but…”

“Even if the decree he recited was false, we still have to go to the royal castle. If his associate is that skilled, they would notice my interference. For now, we’ll keep this as circumstantial suspicion.”

“Understood.”

When Michael had issued the questionable royal decree, Cedrion had harbored the same doubts as Odelia.

Was the official royal order truly the same as what Michael had recited?

Thus, he had ordered Sasha to search Michael’s quarters, but the high-level barrier had made access nearly impossible.

“It seems his familiar is of a much higher caliber than expected.”

“Perhaps the reason it was captured last time was that it had exhausted its magic maintaining the form of a cat.”

“…That’s possible. For now, I’ll handle matters while he remains here. You head to the royal castle ahead of me.”

“Understood.”

“Before that, take note of the Royal Guard’s physical descriptions. The leader of the Raven may be disguised as one of them and hiding among us.”

“Ah, so you think the leader of the Raven might be the familiar?”

At Sasha’s words, Cedrion gave a brief nod.

There was little known about the leader of Raven, but they could at least determine something—perhaps their hair or eye color.

“Also, gather detailed information about the current state of Belvo’s high society. Even though the gag order was issued, we need to confirm if discussions about Odelia are truly forbidden. What is the social atmosphere regarding Norhart and Lure? And…”

Cedrion paused for a moment before continuing.

“Also, check if it’s possible to visit Marquis Lure in the Coffin of Atonement.”

He enunciated each word carefully.

If there had been any dealings between the royal family regarding Odelia, only Marquis Lure would know the truth.

“Understood.”

Without another word, Sasha vanished.

***

“Oh dear, my lady. Are you all right?”

The nanny, who had returned earlier with Angie, let out a groan as soon as she saw me.

“They were so eager to drive people away, and now they suddenly want to see my face and call me back?”

“Exactly.”

Ah, today was exhausting.

As I half-collapsed onto the sofa, the nanny quickly approached and began removing various hair ornaments one by one. It seemed the maids had already been dismissed to allow for a private conversation about the royal family’s decision.

“Where is Angie?”

“The baby was exhausted all day, so she fell into a deep sleep as soon as we returned.”

“That’s a relief.”

I glanced toward the spot where Angie’s crib was placed. Her tiny back rose and fell as she slept on her stomach.

“Are you feeling alright? No discomfort?”

Dame Gwendolyn asked as she handed me a cup of medicinal tea. She had not attended the banquet, thinking that it would be unwise to appear before Michael, who was already prepared to scrutinize me.

“Yes, everything was fine, but earlier, for a moment…”

There had been a strange feeling when Michael had approached us.

What was it? I couldn’t quite recall.

“…No, I think it was nothing.”

I tilted my head in confusion and accepted the tea.

Maybe it was just the unease of dealing with Michael and his manipulations. That alone was enough to make my chest feel tight and my blood pressure rise.

If not for him, I wouldn’t have to suffer through this bitter taste every day.

“Did you manage to eat something at the banquet?”

“Yes, Cedrion spoke to the kitchen and arranged for food I could eat.”

I recalled the specially prepared low-sodium vegetable-based meal that had been set aside for me instead of the usual finger foods at such events.

‘Well, it was probably his aides who handled it. Would he really pay attention to something like that himself…?’

Did Cedrion even have that kind of consideration nowadays?

After I finished the tea, Dame Gwendolyn completed a simple pulse check.

“Did you experience any magic?”

“Magic? I don’t think so?”

“…Perhaps His Grace used teleportation magic?”

“Hmm… He might have used soundproofing magic to prevent Michael’s spies from listening in.”

I had pretended to be cold earlier, but there had been no use of magic.

“I don’t think that’s it…. Are you sure nothing happened?”

“Yes.”

“Did anyone make physical contact with you?”

“Other than Angie, not really…?”

There were Norhart retainers who had come to pay their respects to the future Grand Duchess, but those who had considered requesting a kiss on the hand had quickly fled under Cedrion’s watchful gaze.

Was that kind of formality excessive between an engaged couple?

As I recalled the event, Dame Gwendolyn tilted her head in curiosity.

“Why?”

“I can sense traces of magic on you. Hmm, maybe it’s just because so many people were around today….”

She clicked her tongue as if something felt off and shrugged her shoulders.

“And about the royal summons. You heard from the nanny, didn’t you?”

“Will you really be alright?”

The nanny expressed her concern again, her face even more worried than when she had learned I would have to meet Michael.

I let out a short sigh.

“There’s no choice.”

“Oh, my lady.”

The nanny wrung her hands anxiously, worried that my irreverent attitude might be overheard.

But what did it matter? I was already the daughter of a traitor.

“He was worried about Cedrion and me being left alone since we were like a son and daughter to him. Now that we are engaged, he wants to celebrate. However, he also needs to confirm whether our intentions are genuine, so we must go to the royal palace.”

“I’ve never heard of any of Arcadia’s First Bloodline possessing mind-reading abilities.”

Dame Gwendolyn’s response carried a tinge of sarcasm.

As expected of a true capitalist, she was entirely on my side as long as I paid her handsomely.

“It feels more like an excuse to bring us to the palace so Michael can keep an eye on us.”

“An excuse?”

“When he read the decree, it felt like he was making things up as he went.”

“Yes, exactly! And after personally coming to approve the engagement, he now wants you to visit the king in person? Does that make any sense?”

The nanny shook her head in disbelief.

“Michael is suspicious that Cedrion and I aren’t truly in love. But since he couldn’t find any flaws to expose, he wants us within his sight.”

“Ah, so it’s not genuine love….”

Dame Gwendolyn raised her eyebrows slowly, murmuring to herself.

“I worked hard to make sure he wouldn’t find any faults in us.”

“Yes, yes. Your acting was absolutely… flawless.”

She smiled, but there was a hint of mischief in her expression.

What was that reaction about?