“It doesn’t seem to be simply affected by black magic.”

“What do you mean?”

“Usually, the corrupted magic left in black magic victims isn’t this abundant.”

“Abundant?”

“Yes. Since black magic victims aren’t black mages themselves, they typically have just traces of corrupted magic that can be sensed. The black magic itself… that is, it doesn’t feel like a source of power.”

It was an ominous statement.

‘What exactly happened to this body?’

Lynen summarized the results once more.

“So Calliphe’s corrupted magic is closer to a source.”

“…Yes. That’s right. It’s not an amount a black magic victim would have.”

Both men’s gazes turned toward me.

Could they be suspecting me of being a black mage?

I narrowed my eyes sharply and glared at them both.

“What are you looking at? Want me to cast black magic on you?”

“Haha, Lady Calliphe. Please calm down.”

Allen patted my shoulder, seemingly soothing me. What’s with this treatment?

“With me here, no cleric would dare raise suspicions about you, Lady Calliphe. I’ll make sure of that…”

His reddish-brown eyes darkened.

―❛᎕❛

Even the light spirit nodded in agreement.

Then Lynen placed his hand on my other shoulder.

“What are you worried about? You are ‘betrothed’ to me.”

He emphasized that particular word.

“If anyone from the North suspects you of being a black mage, they would lose Ortega’s protection, and if they’re from the South, they wouldn’t be able to set foot in the island’s social circles.”

“I thought you weren’t interested in social circles?”

“It’s something I can do but choose not to.”

Lynen replied, suggesting it was nothing special.

“I disliked being pestered by the imperial family.”

“…”

Right. The Ortega family has produced high-caliber knights for generations, and the current head is a Sword Master.

‘Plus, they’ve been pro-emperor for generations.’

If someone were to express discomfort and hint at it to the emperor, that person would have to give up their social activities for the year by the next day.

Allen, who had been listening quietly, smiled with a strangely dark aura.

“As expected of the head of a knight family. I envy how you can solve anything with force and power.”

To this, Lynen also smiled politely.

“The saint’s holy power must be useful somewhere too. Don’t be discouraged.”

“Of course. If it can help Lady Calliphe when she truly needs it, then it’s a truly good power. Like now. Right?”

“It’s unfortunate that situations like this probably won’t happen twice.”

“…”

―ⵙ⽫ⵙ

Why are you two suddenly fighting…?

I clearly felt upset, but suddenly found myself caught between hot and cold waters.

I brushed off both men’s hands at the same time.

“Enough with the useless talk! Anyway, Allen. Are you saying that with your and the spirit’s power, it’s difficult to identify the nature of my corrupted magic?”

“Ah, yes. Unfortunately… but.”

“But?”

“The Mirror of Truth might be able to.”

“Mirror of Truth?”

Lynen answered my question.

“I’ve heard of it. It’s an ancient magical tool said to be in the imperial palace’s secret vault, correct?”

“Yes. The imperial palace’s secret vault is only accessible to the emperor, empress, and their successor among the imperial family.”

Allen asked Lynen with a sour expression.

“Duke Ortega, with your close relationship with the Crown Princess, couldn’t you easily borrow it?”

“…”

“…”

Lynen and I looked at each other.

Well, that’s the problem, we’re currently in the middle of a mental battle with her…

Just then, a polite knocking sound came in.

“Come in.”

“I apologize for interrupting while you have distinguished guests.”

Raul entered and greeted us. But Noah was beside him.

Looking dejected like a child caught in the act.

“What’s the matter?”

Worried, I asked immediately. It meant report regardless of the saint’s presence.

Raul understood right away.

“I caught the young master trying to go to the imperial palace alone again.”

“…Huh?”

What does this mean? Going to the imperial palace? Again?

As all the adults looked at him in confusion, Raul looked down at Noah.

“Young master. You need to explain.”

“…”

Noah quietly hid behind Raul. He didn’t move even when called again.

‘He went to the imperial palace alone? If he took the annex carriage, they would have recognized Noah at the palace. Then the Crown Princess might know too.’

Could another variable different from the original story have emerged? I’ve been working hard on griffin riding preparations, would I have to discard all that?

My brow furrowed with complicated thoughts. My mood worsened.

* * *

Noah resented Raul.

‘Raul isn’t a hunting dog. He’s a complete mutt. A traitor mutt…’

But was going to the imperial palace really wrong?

He just went there like visiting Mihail hyung.

He didn’t cause any trouble.

And he used the carriage that the Duke had previously said was free to use.

He couldn’t understand why this warranted a ‘spanking’…

‘I’m scared.’

Lady Calliphe’s gaze grew increasingly frightening.

“Noah.”

When Noah remained motionless for a while, Lynen finally spoke.

“Start by telling us why you went to the imperial palace.”

It was his usual calm voice.

Slightly reassured by this, Noah came out from behind Raul and hesitantly began to speak.

“I went to meet the Crown Princess…”

“Why did you go alone?”

Calliphe’s question was sharp.

Noah flinched and looked up.

Calliphe pressed her temple with her index finger, appearing to have a headache.

Noah’s heart sank.

‘That’s the expression she used to make often.’

The Calliphe from when she first brought him from the orphanage.

Noah’s body began to tremble very slightly.

But Calliphe didn’t notice this. Perhaps due to her suddenly tangled thoughts or the fatigue from griffin riding that had accumulated over days hitting her all at once.

Plus, she felt annoyed with herself.

‘I was so focused on my own affairs that I didn’t even know Noah had been going out alone for days. What an idiot I am.’

Unconsciously, her voice sharpened.

“I asked you twice why you went.”

“…!”

“Answer me.”

Noah clutched his clothes with trembling hands.

“I thought you wouldn’t give me permission…”

“Why decide that on your own? What if something serious had happened while you were wandering alone?”

“But.”

You didn’t allow me to participate in the harvest festival either. And the special unit member went with me.

While he mumbled these objections to himself.

Calliphe asked sharply.

“Have you forgotten when you were kidnapped by a monster?”

“…!”

“That time, Lynen and I were able to act quickly. But if something like that had happened this time…”

Calliphe’s brow furrowed as she let out a deep sigh.

“You never know who might target you. You need to understand that.”

Only then did Noah realize his mistake.

‘Why didn’t I think of that?’

Monsters could appear again, and since Calliphe was a high-ranking noble, others might try to kidnap Noah. Or forces supporting the Young Marquis might make a move.

In his determination to meet the Crown Princess, he had overlooked all these possibilities.

‘I’m stupid. Why did I do that?’

“So. Why did you go to meet the Crown Princess?”

“…”

“Why can’t you speak? Open your mouth.”

Those burning red eyes looked too frightening.

Neither the Duke who usually calmed Calliphe down when she was angry, nor the gentle saint said anything this time.

‘What should I do…’

If things went back to how they were before.

If he was expelled from this annex.

Noah felt his eyes growing hot as he stuttered, trying his best to answer.

“…I, I went to see Her Highness.”

“Yes, but why.”

“To protest…”

“About what?”

Sniff. Noah finally burst into tears.

“I, I don’t like that Her Highness is bu-bullying you. Sob… I went to a-ask why she’s b-bullying you.”

“…”

“It’s too unfair that o-only you can’t participate in the h-harvest festival…”

“…”

“Because you’re s-suffering because of that.”

I don’t like it.

Noah said, hiccuping through his tears.