Chapter 3: Founding Anniversary Festival (1)

Chloe expected Tehis to talk about Lucas, but that wasn’t the case at all.

“You must be aware that the founding anniversary festival is in a month. If it’s alright, I’d like to arrange for your dress instead of a meal at our next meeting.”

Time has flown by already. I think there will be progress with the fairy hatching soon.

Seeing the hint of annoyance on Chloe’s face, Tehis quickly continued.

“There’s no need for you to try on the dress personally. My aide can choose a dress and adjust the measurements for you.”

“Then please do that. Starting next week, I’ll be busy and won’t be able to focus on other things.”

The Grand Duke thought for a moment at her words and then made a suggestion.

“In that case, how about this? Instead of our meetings until the founding anniversary, give me your entire day on the day of the banquet.”

Chloe pondered over the tempting offer. The founding anniversary was about five weeks away, and there were two meetings left until then.

Skipping those and investing just one full day?

‘It doesn’t seem bad……?’

Since participating in the founding anniversary banquet would likely take up the entire evening, she considered the two promised meals as breakfast and lunch, and the time in between as compensation for postponing the meetings.

‘……Maybe it’s a bit of a loss?’

She adjusted the timing and suggested.

“From lunch until the end of the night, how about that?”

“Sounds good.”

If she had known he would agree so readily, she would have reduced the time even more. Chloe agreed to the time adjustment, feeling a bit of regret.

“Should I come to the Grand Duke’s residence by noon as usual?”

“Yes, Chloe. After the meal, the maids will help you get ready.”

Surely, I wouldn’t be preparing the whole time until we left for the capital, right?

Unaware that noble ladies often skipped meals on the day of a banquet, she thought it was a bit naive. She was busy thinking about producing results, having secured time to focus on her research.

‘The most urgent thing is the fairy hatching.’

Not knowing how much Riel would help, she had even prepared bribes, hoping for progress. She had no room for retreat, having included fairy wing powder in the potion combination she was researching.

Feeling anxious, Chloe glanced out the window and waved her hand to break the wind barrier. Recognizing the familiar scenery, she realized they were about to arrive at the warp gate.

“See you next time, Tess.”

“I’ll be waiting, Chloe.”

* * *

After parting with Tehis, Chloe spent a week holed up in her lab. She put down the vial at the sound of a knock.

“Riel?”

“Yes, Chloe.”

Opening the door without an incantation, Chloe let in her robed friend. Excited about the anticipated collaboration, her voice rose slightly.

“Welcome. You came to see the fairy egg, right? Have you decided what to do? I bought something you might like; I’ll give it to you when you leave.”

“Yes.”

Entering the artificial environment set up on one side of the laboratory, Riel responded briefly. Although such a short answer might have seemed disappointing, Chloe, who knew her friend well, continued speaking without concern.

“The egg is nestled between the roots of the Ptera. I created an environment using water from the Lake of Life and soil from the Blessed Land, but there was no reaction. Even sprinkling playful light didn’t help.”

“Let me take a look.”

The magical circle’s power created a mystical scene with water flowing around the central land and light clusters flying. Moving aside a large, translucent leaf revealed the egg buried among the tangled roots like a nest.

The egg, about the size of a child’s fist, had a delicate apricot color but looked more hard than soft.

‘This is my first time seeing it in person…….’

Staring at the small life form, Riel took out a translucent vial from her pocket.

“What’s that?”

“Something that might be needed.”

“……So what is it?”

“Secret.”

Ignoring Chloe’s bewildered gaze, Riel spread the pale pink liquid on her hands. The jelly-like substance stuck to her hands as she carefully held the egg. Rolling it slowly in her hands and then putting it down, the eggshell absorbed the liquid, becoming lighter in color.

Seeing a much better reaction than before, Chloe marveled as she examined the egg, while Riel explained.

“Now we wait.”

“How long? And where did you find out about this? Are you really not going to tell me what the liquid is?”

Still examining the egg, Chloe bombarded her with questions, to which Riel replied.

“Probably in a few months. And it’s a secret.”

“Riel……”

Chloe shrugged at her friend, whose face was hidden by the hood.

“If you don’t want to say, I can’t help it. Thanks for your help, Riel. I won’t forget this favor.”

“We’re friends, so it’s okay to forget.”

“Then I won’t hold back.”

Jokingly responding, Chloe laughed and pulled Riel’s arm. Leading the unusually smaller-feeling mage to the opposite side of the lab.

“It’s small, but please accept this.”

“What is it?”

Handing over a box she had kept in the corner away from light, Riel asked.

Chloe, knowing her friend would recognize it anyway, answered playfully rather than straightforwardly.

“Secret. Open it at night with the lights off.”

“Oh.”

Chloe burst into laughter at Riel’s dumbfounded reaction. For someone who slept longer than the average mage, the Lunaria containing moonlight would surely be helpful.

‘I should do something for the Grand Duke later.’

Though she didn’t know what that would be.

Chloe pushed aside the image of the man that popped into her mind. She had put out the immediate fire, but there was still plenty of work to be done.

* * *

“Yawn…….”

After spending an entire month in the lab, Chloe yawned despite having rested for a day. Stretching, she let out a groan.

‘The day has finally come.’

On the promised founding day, she slowly went to the bathroom to wash up. Drying her hair roughly, she opened her wardrobe. Seeing the summer dresses the Grand Duke had gifted her last week, saying the weather had warmed up.

Choosing the first one she saw, she glanced at the pile of letters stacked in one corner of the room. The last letter from Tehis, which had arrived weekly, lay open.

[Chloe,

Though it’s not warm, summer has arrived in the North. I’ve sent new dresses to match the season, and I hope they please you.

As you know, the founding anniversary is next week. I’ve prepared a dress in Escalante colors, but if you have a preference for a different color, please let me know.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Tehis Escalante]

Her reply had been very concise. She had said she didn’t care about the color and would see him next week.

Chloe brushed off the memory of quickly sending the letter and continuing her research. Though there was still time until noon, it was too awkward to start something else now, so she left the room early.

* * *

Appearing in the Grand Duchy with a shimmer of light, the mage met the one-eyed coachman. After a brief greeting, she took a comfortable carriage to the mansion and was quickly escorted to the office.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Tess, are you there?”

After a short pause, the door opened instead of a verbal response.

“You’re early, Chloe.”

Tehis, who had personally opened the door to greet her, stepped aside to invite her in.

Familiar with the interior, Chloe stepped inside without hesitation and replied.

“The timing was awkward. I didn’t interrupt your work, did I?”

“I had just finished wrapping things up.”

“That’s a relief. I realized there was something we should discuss in advance.”

“What is it?”

Closing the door, Tehis approached Chloe, who was leaning against the desk. It was the day to formally meet the princess again, and it would be a problem if any issues arose at this point.

In that sense, her question was as unexpected as ever.

“What do you think about wearing iron shoes on the day of the banquet?”

“Iron shoes……you say?”

Nodding at his puzzled look, Chloe continued.

“People usually dance at banquets, right?”

“That’s true, but…….”

As he tried to connect iron shoes to dancing, realization dawned on him.

Could it be?

“I’ve never danced before.”

“Hmm.”

“So not dancing at all is the best option, but if I have to, there’s only one choice.”

“Sacrificing my feet, I see.”

The Grand Duke found her smile, seemingly agreeing, less pleasant than usual.

Thinking about it, it was strange for a mage to know social dances, yet he hadn’t prepared for it at all. Moreover, she probably wouldn’t have taken the time to learn such things.

Getting stepped on wasn’t an issue; he could reinforce his feet with aura to minimize the impact. The problem was how the princess would react to their clumsy display.

Tehis pondered for a moment before suggesting an alternative.

“How about joining me on the terrace instead?”

“That intimate place for lovers?”

“……It’s not wrong, but it’s generally used for private conversations.”

“Same thing.”

Chloe’s response left Tehis speechless. He couldn’t fathom where she picked up such strange ideas, as it didn’t seem like something mages would discuss.

Unaware that Chloe was considered an anomaly in the Mage Tower, his confusion was understandable.

‘Are all the rumors about mages false?’

Oblivious to his inner turmoil, she shrugged and continued.

“I don’t mind. It’s actually better for building misunderstandings, so it’s a win.”

“Then let’s do that.”

Knock, knock, knock.

Just as their conversation wrapped up, there was a knock.

“Your Grace, the meal is ready.”

Hearing the servant’s voice, they looked at each other and nodded.

“Let’s go now.”