Chapter 6

Access to the royal archives was extremely limited. Aside from the royal family and one or two aides they personally designated, no one else could hold the key to the royal archives.

However, the royal family’s position was too precarious to issue an immediate refusal, and Carlisle’s argument held some merit.

Studying the books in the archives from the perspective of a researcher currently studying magic at the Magic Tower might lead to new discoveries.

Lynette spoke to Carlisle with a calm and detached demeanor. It was also the role of an aide like Lynette to resolve her superior’s awkward situations.

“I hold the key to the archives, so please come to me if you need it. I do not believe you can enter the royal archives alone. I ask for your understanding in this matter.”

A satisfied smile played on Carlisle’s lips. He beamed at Lynette and gave a slight flick of his chin.

For a fleeting moment, Lynette was captivated by his smile.

“That is sufficient. Thank you.”

“Now, now, then it’s settled. What a relief. I know I can trust Lynette with this,” Elaine said.

As soon as Elaine finished speaking, one corner of Carlisle’s mouth curled slightly. Lynette knew exactly what that expression meant. Her grip tightened on her cutlery.

“How fortunate it is that Your Highness has found a loyal person you can trust by your side for a lifetime. Congratulations, Your Highness.”

“Indeed. I feel it would be nothing short of perfect if Lynette could stay by my side for the rest of my life.”

Lynette didn’t answer Elaine’s soft words and instead put food into her mouth. Through the strangely heavy atmosphere, Eris’s gentle voice drifted in.

“Oh my. Your Highness, if you speak like that, I—the one who will become your consort—will feel slighted.”

“Eris, you are the one who will be my lifelong partner, but I simply hoped Lynette would assist me for a lifetime. Is that too greedy of me?”

“I was only joking. The most important thing is Miss Atherne’s will, isn’t it? What do you think, Miss Atherne? Being the Prince’s aide must be an honorable position.”

After putting down her cutlery and wiping her lips, Lynette gave a formulaic response.

“I always consider it an honor, as the position is more than I deserve. I am the one who should be grateful to Your Highness for keeping me by your side.”

Carlisle suppressed a laugh, unnoticed by anyone. Then, he locked eyes with Lynette. Even as he saw her blue eyes sink coldly, he raised an eyebrow as if he were enjoying himself. Without breaking eye contact, he made a request.

“Would it be alright if I visited the archives after the meal?”

The answer came from Elaine’s lips instead of Lynette’s.

“Of course, naturally. Since helping you has now become Lynette’s duty, feel free to make such requests without hesitation.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

After that, the conversation centered on the Crown Prince’s upcoming wedding, the honeymoon, and stories from the academy days of Carlisle, Eris, and Lynette. Lynette finished her meal while maintaining only the minimum required courtesy.

“Then, feel free to look around the archives. I shall look forward to your research results.”

“I will do my best not to disappoint you.”

“Yes, yes. Now, I shall go spend time with the lady who will become my consort. Lynette, I leave Mr. Preston in your care.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As Elaine escorted Eris out of the dining hall, a chilly air lingered between Carlisle and Lynette.

The moment they entered the royal archives and the door closed, Lynette immediately frowned at him.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“What?”

“Do you think I don’t know you’re doing this on purpose?”

“If you know I’m doing it on purpose, why do you react? Lynette, it’s because you’re like this that I keep wanting to provoke you.”

“What?”

Carlisle stepped closer, closing the distance. The bridges of their noses almost touched, and their breaths mingled once more. If they moved just a bit closer, their lips would touch. Lynette stopped breathing for a moment and stared at Carlisle.

Amidst the mingling breath, Carlisle spoke seductively.

“If you hate the idea of becoming mine, why don’t you try taking me instead? I wouldn’t mind that either.”

A crazy human. Carlisle was the craziest human Lynette had ever encountered. Lynette pushed him away forcefully. He stepped back obediently, even raising both hands as if to show he had no intention of forcing her.

“I told you clearly. Let’s just do our respective jobs.”

He shrugged at Lynette’s words and pulled a book from the very top shelf of the archives.

[Ancient Grimoire]

Lynette’s blue eyes widened in surprise at his natural movement, as if he had known the grimoire was there all along.

“Lynette, what do you think? About magic. Do you also believe, like the Crown Prince, that there are mages remaining in this country? I don’t think so. I’m worried your superior might be wasting his energy on something useless.”

In truth, Lynette’s thoughts were the same as Carlisle’s. Elaine seemed to believe that the last bloodline of a mage family, hiding their power and identity somewhere, was still breathing, but Lynette did not think so. It was a field of study that had already become too obscure. Even continuing research and finding traces was not easy.

Carlisle looked around the archives, where golden dust had settled, and added as he perched on a desk.

“Of course, research into magic must continue. I agree with that. However, I am skeptical about the existence of mages. What do you think? You must have consistently researched magic following His Highness’s will. Answer me.”

After being lost in thought for a while without answering, Lynette slowly approached him.

Carlisle did not avoid Lynette as she closed the distance. Lynette raised her gaze and met his eyes. The sunlight dwelling in his pale green eyes looked just like a forest. After staring for a while into those eyes—which made her feel as if she were in the middle of a forest where it was easy to breathe—Lynette’s blue gaze slowly shifted toward the Ancient Grimoire in Carlisle’s hand.

“Yes, I agree with you. In reality, it would be difficult to revive magic as it once was.”

Even so, research into magic was necessary. Furthermore, in the one-in-a-million chance that a mage’s bloodline remained, she had to find and protect them before her father, Duke Atherne. If the Duke found them first, terrible things would happen afterward. Nodding slightly, Lynette continued.

“However, we cannot completely rule out the possibility. As I mentioned during the luncheon, our goal is to protect magic. To ensure it is no longer abused.”

The obsession with magic remained fervent. Lynette knew all too well how many nobles were still searching for records of magic in secret from the royal family, driven by the vain belief that possessing a mage would allow them to place the entire continent beneath their feet.

The corner of Carlisle’s tilted lips curved. Lynette took a step back and looked him straight in the eye again. After watching her for a moment, Carlisle’s lips slowly opened.

“Still as clever as ever, Lynette.”

Closing the gap of the step she had taken, Carlisle reached out and placed his hand on the desk she was leaning against. As he drew close, she froze instinctively and could only turn her gaze toward him. However, Carlisle did not look at Lynette. Placing the grimoire on the opposite side, he opened the book as if it were nothing.

As he turned the pages, the scent of paper and the dust of the old archives scattered in the wind.

[O thou who openest this book, forget not.

Magic springeth not from the earth, nor bloometh from the fire.

Its source lieth in a place unseen,

And only the Flame within the Heart shall summon it.

Yet the flame dwelleth not in all,

Only those born of the Blood Chosen by Heaven shall endure it.]