Chapter 5

Because of that, Lynette Aterne had been locked inside her room for several days afterward, though even that did not particularly bother her.

What truly remained, however, was the terror born from years of accumulated ab*se, deeply engraved into her mind.

“How dare you! After everything I fed you, clothed you with, and raised you for, this is how you repay me? Carlisle Preston? You dare choose some penniless nobody who can’t even compare to the Crown Prince?”

The duke’s fury, carved deep into her bones, still remained vivid.

Lynette slowly lowered her eyes, trying to force away the fear that instantly threatened to consume her whole.

After some time passed, she raised her head again.

And found Eris Clifford looking at her.

That gaze slowly moved away from Lynette and toward Carlisle standing beside her.

Golden hair that shone like sunlight.

Green eyes similar to Carlisle’s.

As always, Eris wore a warm smile.

A voice clearer and brighter than sunlight itself flowed from her lips.

“Carlisle, it’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it really has.”

“That hurts my feelings, Carlisle. Why are you suddenly speaking so formally to me?”

“Well, I can hardly avoid speaking formally to the future crown princess, can I?”

Lynette Aterne watched the two of them indifferently with her blue eyes.

Carlisle Preston and Eris Clifford looked remarkably close.

And the person who had made that happen was Lynette herself.

Because it had been the best option for Carlisle.

“Really? Lynette, if it’s your request, then I’ll try speaking to my father as well. Carlisle is exactly the kind of talent our family would love to have. But if you hand Carlisle over to me with your own hands… will you really be alright with that?”

“……”

“I certainly wouldn’t mind.”

Lynette still could not forget the way Eris Clifford had spoken warmly, almost cheerfully.

It was then, for the very first time, that Lynette felt defeated by Eris.

For the first time, she had personally handed over something that belonged to her.

“It’s been a long time, Miss Aterne. You’ve become even prettier.”

“Yes, and you as well, Miss Clifford. Perhaps it’s because you’re so loved by His Highness—you become more beautiful by the day.”

The words were perfectly proper, though not a shred of sincerity was contained within them.

But by now, Lynette could say things like that effortlessly.

Empty words had always been easy.

What was difficult was speaking honestly.

At Lynette’s response, Eris’s gentle smile deepened slightly.

“His Highness will return shortly. He only stepped away for a moment and said you may begin tea without him. Please, sit.”

Once the two of them took their seats, tea was placed upon the table.

With unhurried movements, Lynette took a sip before quietly setting her cup back down.

“Carlisle, how has your research been lately? His Highness is extremely interested in it. So is my father. He’d love for you to visit our estate sometime—would your schedule allow it?”

“Yes, I’ll make time to visit. I’ve been researching magic diligently, but there are simply too many ancient records, so comparing them to modern findings has been somewhat difficult.”

Ortia desperately wished to restore magic once more.

The power possessed by magicians had once been immense, and because of that, it had also been abused.

Those with authority seized control of magicians and wielded them however they pleased, subjecting them to endless exploitation and cruelty.

As a result, some magicians chose s*icide, while others concealed their powers entirely.

There were even magicians who refused marriage and childbirth altogether to prevent their bloodlines from continuing.

And after countless years passed like that, magic gradually faded away.

What remained now were only traces.

And those traces were exactly what the royal family and nobility of Ortia most desperately wished to reclaim.

But the royal family had no intention of handing magic back over to the nobility.

Especially not to nobles like the Duke of Aterne.

From childhood, Crown Prince Elaine had dreamed of reviving magic.

To Ortia, magic was like an unfinished debt.

After all, they had practically destroyed with their own hands the very thing that had once made the kingdom strongest.

Because of that, Elaine sought out the descendants of magical families, hoping to support and protect them.

He wanted to strengthen the kingdom and ensure magic would be used properly.

And no one understood that side of Elaine better than Lynette Aterne.

As she quietly listened to the conversation between Eris Clifford and Carlisle Preston—the two people who shared years and moments she herself knew nothing about anymore—a knock sounded from outside the room.

“His Highness requests that you proceed to the luncheon hall first. I will escort the three of you.”

“Very well. Let’s continue our conversation there. Miss Aterne, shall we?”

“Yes.”

Lynette quietly followed behind the two of them as they walked ahead.

***

The sunlit conservatory dining hall was overflowing with natural light.

Sunlight spread softly across the marble floor, and faint rays shimmered against the glass windows still touched by traces of morning dew.

The dining table, draped in pale blue and cream-colored linen, was not yet filled with seasonal fruits, but freshly baked butter rolls and warm soup had already been prepared.

Standing by the window with his hands clasped behind his back, Elaine escorted Eris Clifford first.

Lynette Aterne bowed politely toward Elaine before taking the seat prepared for her.

After seating Eris, Elaine immediately approached Carlisle Preston and extended his hand.

“Mr. Carlisle Preston! I’m truly glad you came. There’s much I wish to discuss with you. Come, sit!”

Carlisle accepted the handshake with proper courtesy.

“The honor is mine, Your Highness. Thank you for inviting me.”

“No, I’m the grateful one. Please, sit! The seat beside Lynette is yours.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Once all four of them were seated, the luncheon flowed naturally.

The Crown Prince welcomed Carlisle’s dispatch more than anyone, and Carlisle—who had said he also had something he needed from the royal family—was likely the same.

From time to time, Lynette joined the conversation with appropriate responses and acknowledgments.

In truth, this luncheon itself existed for Elaine and Carlisle.

Neither Lynette nor Eris needed to lead the discussion.

“I would also appreciate it if the royal family could share the research conducted thus far. I intend to provide all of my own research materials as well.”

After setting down his utensils, Elaine turned his gaze toward Carlisle.

Though he smiled as though delighted to finally have someone with whom he could discuss magic, his eyes were more serious than ever.

For the Crown Prince as well, Carlisle’s dispatch was an opportunity he could not afford to lose.

“Of course. The royal family has been researching magic for quite a long time now. The greatest mystery to me is manifestation—what exactly causes it to awaken. Based on the last remaining records, it’s certain that descendants of magical families are still alive and likely around our age. But finding them has proven extremely difficult. And there’s always the possibility that they’ve already lost their magical abilities entirely. Magic itself is no longer as strong as it once was.”

Magic had nearly vanished.

As magicians suffered persecution, even their bloodlines gradually lost their brilliance, and now even those traces had become faint.

Carlisle nodded as though agreeing with Elaine’s words.

“It is certain that the power of a family line is inherited. Bloodline is the most important factor. However, even the Magic Tower is still researching what triggers manifestation itself.”

“Yes. I do not wish for magic to be abused ever again. Research and discovery must continue, but those who seek to misuse it will face severe punishment. I hope the Magic Tower will trust the royal family in that regard. Don’t you agree, Lynette?”

Lynette set down the glass she had been holding before responding to Elaine.

“Yes, Your Highness. At present, all that remains are practical support spells useful for daily life.”

She turned her gaze toward Carlisle.

“Mr. Preston, His Highness wishes to protect both the Magic Tower and magic itself. The royal family of Ortia’s ultimate goal is to revive magic, ensure it is used properly, and protect the surviving bloodlines of magical families.”

“I’m aware. And because the Tower Master trusts that goal, he permitted this dispatch.”

Elaine let out a pleased laugh and lifted his champagne glass.

After emptying it in one go, he spoke to Carlisle once more.

“Good. I’m truly grateful for that. But Carlisle, didn’t you say there was something you wanted as well?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I would like permission to enter the royal archives.”

“The royal archives?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’d like to examine any materials that may possibly be related to magic.”

At Carlisle Preston’s request, Crown Prince Elaine let out an awkward smile.

Running a hand across his forehead, he turned his gaze toward Lynette Aterne.