Chapter 13

That day, an unexpected commotion broke out in the annex.

Imperial mages, summoned by Orgon while they were on their way home, arrived with puzzled expressions.

Soon after listening to Orgon’s explanation, they began investigating not just Shaterian’s room but the entire annex.

Orgon, watching them disperse, approached Shaterian, who was sitting in a corner of the hall.

“So, you suspect Gusto Avidita?”

“Yes. He sent the same kind of flowers to the counseling office before.”

‘Those damned flowers.’

She clenched her teeth in frustration.

“Could Gusto Avidita even use magic?”

“No. When he attended the academy, he was in the General Department.”

“Hmm…”

Orgon frowned deeply, lost in thought.

Shaterian, too, recalled the Gusto from those days.

“Orgon, is there a way for someone to suddenly increase their magical power?”

No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t shake the unsettling air that had surrounded him.

That sinister energy—it didn’t feel like ordinary magic.

“No, there isn’t.”

Orgon spoke firmly, then added:

“…Unless he used dark sorcery. Dark sorcery doesn’t rely on magical power but instead works through spells, talismans, or ritual circles.”

“Dark sorcery? Wasn’t that eradicated centuries ago?”

“Well… considering how dark sorcery users are caught periodically, it doesn’t seem to be entirely gone.”

Suddenly, a memory from the original story surfaced. It involved Anella being kidnapped, and the mastermind behind it was a dark mage.

‘It was near the beginning of the novel…’

As she exhaled, she became acutely aware that the events of the original story were creeping closer.

The mention of dark sorcery users being caught periodically left her feeling even more uncertain.

She couldn’t tell if dark sorcery had always been secretly spreading or if her presence and regained memories had somehow caused this.

What was clear, however, was that Gusto had changed. And that her early graduation had influenced it.

‘I just hope the original storyline hasn’t been drastically altered…’

She had never imagined that simply graduating early would lead to such events.

Much time had passed.

The mages, who had been investigating the annex for a long while, gathered and urgently called for Orgon. Their faces were pale, as if they had seen something horrifying.

“What did you find?”

“W-We discovered traces of dark sorcery in Lady Shaterian’s room!”

Orgon’s prediction was correct. It was indeed dark sorcery.

“We are still searching the rest of the annex, and evidence used for the dark sorcery will likely surface soon.”

“We found it!”

Before the mage could finish speaking, a loud voice rang out from outside.

They immediately headed to the garden, where a group of mages had gathered, seemingly avoiding something.

One of the mages pointed to a wooden box unearthed from a pit.

It was sealed with paper covered in strange drawings, and even at a glance, it exuded an ominous aura.

“This is a talisman used in dark sorcery.”

The mage shuddered, as if the object was something that should never be seen. In contrast, Orgon approached without hesitation and picked up the box.

As soon as Orgon’s hand touched it, black smoke began to rise from the spot, and the paper burned away, releasing a foul stench that quickly spread.

However, before the smell could travel far, it was devoured by Orgon’s powerful divine power and disappeared in an instant.

The object, purified by divine power, brought immediate relief to the mages. They sighed in gratitude, thankful for the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince.

“It’s not dark sorcery that endangers lives. It’s just a spell for transporting objects.”

Orgon spoke, seemingly to reassure Shaterian.

The group relaxed, relieved that the dark sorcery had been purified. Among them, Shaterian was the only one who remained doubtful.

“Orgon, did you really purify it?”

“Yes.”

“But… it still feels strange.”

She struggled to find the right words. Just looking at the box gave her chills and filled her with an eerie sense of dread.

Orgon frowned.

“What?”

“No, just look. That box…”

“Shaterian!”

“Huh?”

Startled by his sudden scolding, she froze. Before she realized it, Orgon had moved closer, and now he loomed over her with a furious expression.

“Shaterian. Dark sorcery can enchant people, and talismans imbued with lingering thoughts are especially dangerous.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Shaterian shrank back at the cold glare she was receiving for the first time. Orgon, seeing her reaction, quickly took charge of the situation.

“I’ll report this to His Majesty. Until then, everyone is to remain silent.”

The mages dispersed at his command.

Orgon, staring at the scene for a moment, ran a hand through his hair.

“It’s best if you stay at the Crown Prince’s palace for the time being.”

“…Alright.”

Returning to Duchess Melis’ estate wasn’t an option, so this was probably for the best.

She didn’t mind if she faced danger alone, but her older sister and Lord Leheln were at the estate. She didn’t want them dragged into any trouble because of her.

And staying near Orgon, who wielded divine power, seemed like the safest choice. After all, he was the male protagonist.

“It’s better to keep this a secret from my sister and His Majesty, right? I don’t want to worry them unnecessarily.”

“Agreed.”

With Orgon’s approval, Shaterian waved her hand to summon the head maid.

“Head maid, could you move my belongings to the Crown Prince’s palace?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Watching the head maid head toward the estate, Shaterian turned toward the Crown Prince’s palace.

The next day.

After spending a sleepless night in worry, Shaterian woke up from a brief nap.

She prepared for work in a gloomy mood when she heard a knock on the door.

When she told the person to come in, Orgon poked his head inside.

“Terry. Did you sleep well?”

“No.”

“Hmm… Maybe you should rest today.”

His expression as he studied her face was serious.

‘Is it really that bad?’

She finished tying the white ribbon around her neck, thinking there was nothing she could do about it.

“If I rest, who’s going to do the work? Pell would have to do everything by himself. I do have a conscience, you know.”

“Even so…”

“I don’t want to work either…”

But what choice did she have?

If she wanted to save money, she had to work. And to work, she needed Pell.

Pell, who was as effective as a hundred people combined, was an indispensable asset to the Grievance Counseling Office.

As Shaterian left the Crown Prince’s palace, Orgon trailed behind her, constantly talking.

“If you get too tired while working, you can just leave early.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Sure.”

“If anything happens, come find me.”

“…Alright.”

“Do you really have to go to work?”

“Can you stop?”

“I’m just worried about you.”

“Even if my father were alive, he wouldn’t be this worried.”

“How can you say something like that…”

As they bickered, they eventually arrived at the counseling office.

Orgon had insisted that Pell, as one of Shaterian’s closest aides, should be informed of what happened yesterday. As a result, Pell looked at her with wide, startled eyes.

“Chief, are you sure you’re okay to come to work?”

“If I weren’t okay, I wouldn’t have come.”

“But your face looks completely worn out…”

When Shaterian glared at him, Pell quickly stopped talking. He hesitated for a moment before cautiously continuing.

“Stalking isn’t a light crime, you know.”

“I’m fine. Thank you for worrying about me. If I get too tired, I’ll leave early, so just focus on your work.”

Even then, Pell scrutinized her closely before reluctantly returning to his seat, saying, 

“Let me know if it gets too hard.”

After that, there was so much work to handle that time flew by quickly. Even after returning from lunch, the tasks kept piling up.

As the end of the workday approached, Bruf visited the counseling office.

He entered with a bright smile, holding a container of tea leaves in his hand.

Shaterian, resting her chin on her left hand, looked at Bruf.

The atmosphere was tense, and Bruf glanced around nervously.

“You don’t seem to be in a good mood today… Did something happen?”

“…”

Normally, Pell would have added a quip like, “She’s always like this,” but today he remained silent.

Noticing Pell’s unusual demeanor, Bruf set the container of tea leaves down on the table.

“Bruf, you seem to be doing well these days.”

“…I’m sorry if it seems like I’m the only one doing well.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Sighing, Shaterian began tidying up her desk.

“Pell, I’m leaving early.”

“Yes, please go home and get some rest.”

“Bruf, let’s go.”

“Pardon? Why me?”

“I’m heading to the Crown Prince’s palace. Are you coming or not?”

When she added, “If you don’t want to, then forget it,” Bruf hurriedly got up.

“…I’ll come with you.”

On the way to the Crown Prince’s palace, the silence was heavy.

Sensing the mood, Bruf tried to lighten it with a cheerful tone.

“If something’s bothering you, I’m here to listen. Sometimes, talking about it helps.”

It felt like dealing with a little brother who had suddenly matured. A soft smile spread across Shaterian’s face.

“Bruf, do you remember the flower baskets that kept arriving at the counseling office recently?”

“Yes. The ones sent by Gusto Avidita, right?”

“Yeah. But those flower baskets—those flowers—have been appearing in my room lately, too.”

“The flowers… appeared?”

Bruf tilted his head in confusion.

“Yesterday, the imperial mages investigated the annex. They said it was dark sorcery. They even found a talisman used for dark sorcery in the garden.”

“Dark sorcery”

Bruf turned to her, startled.

“Dark sorcery still exists… That’s a serious issue.”

“Exactly.”

It was still a mystery. The garden was one thing, but how had the flowers ended up in her room, inside the annex where maids were constantly coming and going?

The mages had conducted a thorough investigation, but they couldn’t uncover how it had happened.

“And earlier, Orgon came by and mentioned that Gusto Avidita’s whereabouts are currently unknown.”

“What? That’s a big problem. Who knows when he might show up again?”

“Exactly.”

“Chief, you don’t need to worry too much. After all, this is the imperial palace.”

Even though something like yesterday’s incident had occurred in that very palace.

Shaterian chuckled dryly and moved closer to Bruf. Then, she playfully patted his back.

“You seem to be getting along well with Sylphide these days. You’re always grinning like an idiot.”

“I-I’m grateful.”

Blushing, Bruf scratched his head.

“Seriously. You have me to thank for that.”

She teased him on purpose, draping an arm around his shoulders.

It was then.

Out of nowhere, she felt a sinister energy creeping in—a feeling she had experienced before.

Startled, she turned around, but there was no one there.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Trying to shake off the unease, she continued walking toward the Crown Prince’s palace.

It wasn’t until the next day that she realized someone had been watching them.