Chapter 16

How was it that I had ended up at a gathering like this again?

This morning, the documents containing the annulment had arrived from Redic. The engagement had effectively been broken for a long time already, but without putting it in writing, there would be no way to refute it if the other party changed their story later.

Now that the documents had been fully exchanged, my relationship with Redic Bangeger was cleanly settled.

The annulment papers were not long, but even in those few lines, Redic’s pride was palpable.

“…Bangeger will no longer tolerate the insolent attitude of Saya Erdona… and will absolutely not condone the humiliation brought upon…”

Even in this way, he wanted to make known that he was the greater victim of this broken engagement. Let him do as he pleased.

We were no longer legally bound, and having the line clearly drawn was rather a relief.

But the relief lasted only a moment. Whether he had heard the news quickly or not, Pavel invited me to the barrier ritual together with Gizelle.

It was not for my sake, of course.

It was to celebrate the conclusion of the matter that had long tormented Gizelle. By inviting me to the barrier ritual, he intended to publicly show that Erdona no longer had any problems. Because Gizelle would want that.

The barrier ritual was no modest affair. It was a national event of great significance, where everyone gathered to watch the barrier completed long ago by the first imperial mage being reinforced.

Amid the laughter-filled nobility, I moved only occasionally, like a statue under a spell, merely killing time.

Since parties hosted by the imperial court were rare, nearly every noble of the capital was in attendance.

“How shameless. To show her face in a place like this.”

“With an origin no one even knows, how could she have any common sense?”

“How troubled Lady Gizelle’s heart must be.”

The people comforted Gizelle and whispered about me, exactly as Pavel had intended.

Except for the last remark, they were all wrong. I was not particularly wounded and drank my fruit wine.

“It is an invitation from His Highness the Imperial Grandson. Refusing is your choice, but do you think you are in a position to refuse?”

I did not argue with Gizelle’s words. There was no way I could dare refuse an invitation from the Imperial Grandson.

Especially since this time the invitation had come in my name rather than under the name of Erdona.

‘Why on earth did he send the invitation in my name?’

So this was what he had meant by seeing Gizelle together next time. All the knowledge I had accumulated about Pavel was crumbling to pieces.

I began to doubt whether there was anything I could truly claim to know about him.

Gizelle was far away, surrounded by people and wearing a false smile. Kirill had not yet returned from his estate inspection, so she was alone.

The host of the party had not yet appeared. That was rather a relief.

Today’s party was an annual event. The imperial court summoned all the mages belonging to it to demonstrate them reinforcing the barrier, showing that the emperor’s power was still firm.

Gizelle had been invited today not as the Lady of Erdona but as a mage. That was why there were especially many people around her. As this event repeated year after year, people became convinced that Gizelle would be chosen as the imperial mage.

“You look bored?”

Just then, a woman spoke to me. Turning my head with the bored expression she had mentioned, I nearly choked on my drink and barely managed to hold it in.

“…Dahlia?”

“Oh my, you remember my name.”

Dahlia raised her eyebrows as though surprised.

Since I had not expected to see her here, I looked around to check who was nearby.

“Ah, Chadwick isn’t here. Naturally.”

She said, having understood my intent.

“I’m a mage belonging to the imperial court, you see.”

“…Then, at that place.”

“Shall we say we both belong to both?”

She laughed as though she had made an amusing joke. Why had I not seen Dahlia before now?

“I registered only recently. It hasn’t been long since I showed the signs.”

She continued the conversation as though reading my mind. She winked one eye. It meant it was a lie.

I seemed to have a rough idea of how Cersi operated. They must have planted her here. This was how they had evaded the eyes of the imperial court.

“But is it all right for you to talk to me?”

“Aren’t we on the same side now?”

“That’s true, but…”

At Dahlia’s words, I nodded and trailed off.

“Don’t worry. I won’t put you in danger.”

“That’s not what worries me—I’m worried about whether I can help you properly.”

Dahlia deftly picked up a glass of fruit wine and downed it in one go, then burst out laughing.

Just then, Pavel appeared behind her, where I had not seen him before. I did not know how long he had been watching me, but our eyes met precisely.

Gasping, I hid myself behind Dahlia’s body. Having cleverly avoided his gaze, my heart pounded noisily belatedly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Dahlia, come over here with me. Quickly.”

“Uh, hm? Just a moment. One more glass…!”

Even then, Dahlia reached out to grab one more glass of fruit wine, then followed after me with a glass in one hand.

Only after we had moved far away from him did I stop walking.

Since everyone was gathered around the central courtyard, the area by the wall was quiet.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s someone I want to avoid.”

“Gizelle Erdona?”

Her words surprised me a little. Of course she would know I was an Erdona, but I had not expected her to grasp the relationship between Gizelle and me.

“When Saya first came to ‘our house,’ I looked into Erdona. I’m sorry if that upset you.”

Perhaps she had read my expression, because she quickly added that.

“It didn’t upset me. It’s not even a secret.”

At my words, Dahlia smiled in relief. As I wondered how far she had investigated me, a question suddenly occurred to me.

‘Then did Dahlia know that I am a mage as well?’

“Dahlia, I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Did you know that I’m a mage too?”

Dahlia blinked in surprise, as though she had not expected such a question from me.

“That’s a bit awkward to answer.”

“Why?”

Dahlia finished the rest of her fruit wine and spoke as though giving me a lecture.

“Having mana doesn’t make someone a mage. So I knew you had mana, but I didn’t think you were a mage… Who said you were?”

“Chadwick.”

“Oh my, did he?”

Dahlia’s answer was unexpected. I had assumed she already knew and would nod in agreement.

And her words that having mana did not make someone a mage…

‘I suppose so.’

Chadwick must have been mistaken. That was a relief, and yet in a way it was also a pity.

Just then, a man’s voice came from a short distance away. Both of us flinched and turned to look. Dahlia even choked slightly.

“It has been a while.”

I had sensed no presence, yet Pavel had somehow drawn close to us.

“Your Highness, Imperial Grandson.”

“Red Erdona.”

Dahlia, having set down her fruit wine, also curtsied.

“Your Highness, it is an honor to meet—”

“Step aside.”

Before Dahlia could even finish her greeting, Pavel dismissed her. Dahlia looked displeased, but she did not commit the folly of talking back to him.

With Dahlia withdrawn, it was just the two of us in the quiet space. In the end, it was as though I had led him to a secluded spot myself. My whole body began to tense on its own.

“I heard you received the annulment papers.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

So that was why he had invited me to the barrier ritual. The annulment papers were practically the invitation that had brought me here.

“Thank you for your concern.”

Now I began to suspect whether he was taking an interest in me for Gizelle’s sake, or whether there was some other reason. Even knowing such thoughts were foolish.

Pavel was not a man who paid attention to anyone other than Gizelle. That was why, until now, I had thought he paid attention to me because I had harmed Gizelle.

“If I were to say I helped you.”

“…Me?”

“Because there must be no loose ends.”

Unable to understand his words, I blinked.

“You look as though you cannot believe a word of it.”

“It is not that I don’t believe you, Your Highness, it’s just…”

“I believe I told you I dislike lies.”

At his sharp voice, I shut my mouth.

“Hic.”

I must have been so startled that a hiccup escaped me without my meaning it to. I quickly covered my mouth with my hand.

“You fear me so much, yet you do all the things I dislike.”

He laughed lightly. It was not a laugh with any intent behind it—it seemed simply to slip out naturally.

As though unaware that he had laughed, he quickly wiped the expression from his face.

“Since I helped you, I would like you to help me with one thing in return.”

“That is—”

“Of course, this is not a request. It is an order.”

His tone was so crisp that I nearly mistook it for a request, just as he had said.

“Stand by my side at the barrier ritual.”

“Your Highness.”

That could not be allowed. Standing by his side would take me further from my plan to leave the capital.

“Then I will take that as understood.”

But Pavel walked past me without even listening to my answer. He disappeared as quickly as he had come.