Chapter 17: 17

    I slipped the glass rabbit Elizabeth had given me into my bag. A week passed in the blink of an eye in the meantime.

 

　Whenever I had free time, I would take out the rabbit and hold it up to the light from various angles, overlapping Elizabeth’s eyes in my memory, and before I knew it, the hands of the clock were moving on their own and time would pass like wind. If I looked at it before going to bed, I could fall asleep easily and have a good night’s sleep. The next morning, I would wake up feeling refreshed.

 

　I suspected that it was a blessing for me, but Harold brushed it off, saying, “I don’t feel anything.”

 

　So, the weekend after the meeting with Lord Domenic.

 

　I and Harold were served dinner at the Marquis Marshall’s residence.

 

　I could see that the servants’ faces were stiffening at the thought of having the Crown Prince as an unexpected visitor. I thought to myself, “I’m sorry ……, but this was Lord Domenic’s proposal, so I had no choice”.

 

　I asked Lord Domenic to sneak me out when he returned to his residence, and tomorrow we will be going from the Marshalls’ house to Edward’s parents’ house, the Norden Count’s house.

 

　Edward will not be there at that time. He has been invited back to Miss Ulysses’ house.

 

“I should be the one to stall Mr. Edward tomorrow, right?”

 

　Raphael, who was also an invited guest of Miss Ulysses, said as he moved the food around. With his father in front of him, the usual boisterousness of his language and mood was somehow surprassed.

 

　The fact that he is the of the Lord Domenic is a good thing. This is a good thing.

 

“The son of the Marquess of Enghant is there too?”

 

“Yes, Father. Perhaps Mr. Edward and Mr. Lukes are preparing a gift. I would only give a bouquet of flowers, though. ……”

 

“I had no idea that you were involved in this as a secret agent of His Highness the Crown Prince. I was surprised when I heard about it, I would be proud of you for being of service to His Highness.”

 

“It is a great honor to receive such praise from you, Father.”

 

　Raphael responded smilingly. Looking at him like this, it seems that they share similar features, such as slanted eyes and a soft mouth.

 

　I finished my meal with a sense of embarrassment. Having caught a glimpse of the Marshall family’s dining table, which I had questioned last week.

 

　Once the meal was over, the Marshalls’ hospitality was complete: bath, change of clothes, and preparations for bedtime. All that was left was to sleep and prepare for tomorrow.

 

　After receiving the evening greeting from Lord Domenic, Harold and I decided to have tea in the guest room at Raphael’s invitation.

 

　In the absence of his father, Raphael was back to his usual self.

 

“So how’s it going with Miss Ulysses?　Have you been able to extract any information from her?”

 

“And how is the Crown Prince with his fiancée?”

 

“As usual.”(Harold)

 

“You don’t have to answer for me, Harold. …… progress is being made. Look at this.”

 

　I took a leather pouch from my breast pocket and showed the cotton rabbit. Raphael looked around at the rabbit in amusement, but after a moment said, “I’ll show you what I’m talking about.”

 

“That’s a cute little glass rabbit.”

 

“…… that’s all you got?”

 

“Yes?”

 

　”It’s still a nondescript glass rabbit, apparently. Don’t nod your head behind my back, Harold.”

 

“Ulysses and I haven’t made much progress either.”

 

　Raphael shrugged his shoulders and sighed exaggeratedly. The expression on his face was one of genuine regret.

 

“I knew she was after you,” he says.

 

“Me? It’s not going to happen like in the novel, no matter how many charms she has…”

 

“Ulysses doesn’t know that she has the charm. She doesn’t know much about magic. I believe that she thinks she is the heroine of the novel. Isn’t she so cute?”

 

　Raphael’s eyes were filled with a complex color as he let out a laugh.

 

　”I’ve been devoted to Elizabeth for most of my life, so I don’t know what goes on in the heart of a woman who is in love.”

 

“You’re not seriously going to hit on her?”

 

“Well, yeah. If Ulysses gives up on you and switches to me, it’ll all be over, won’t it?”

 

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“……, you’re going to take her as your wife?”

 

   I glared at Raphael while Harold spoke behind me.

 

“I’m sure he doesn’t mean to offend you.”  

 

　

*********

 

    The next morning, two carriages departed from the residence of the Marquis de Marshall.

 

　One carriage carried Raphael to the Baroness Maryfield’s mansion, where Miss Ulysses was waiting for him. After about 30 minutes, the other carriage took me, Harold, and Lord Domenic to the Count of Norden’s mansion.

 

　No one in the carriage opened their mouths.

 

　The Count Norden’s mansion is as venerable as his family. The stone walls are massive and knightly, without ornate decorations, and are perforated with triangular holes at equal intervals.

 

　The iron gate opened to welcome the carriage.

 

　The servants, who knew the head of the house, were all servants of the owner. The servants knew the acquaintances of the head of the family, but they did not remember the details of the son of the family who was coming over. They would think of me as Lord Domenic’s son.

 

　The interior of the mansion was the epitome of simple and sturdy, and the number of servants was much smaller than those of other noble families. However, I could see that each of them was well trained. It was truly a knight’s house.

 

　I was shown into a guest room decorated with armor, and within a few minutes, Count Norden arrived.

 

　He entered with his arms outstretched to welcome the Marshal Duke, who was also a friend of his at the royal court, accompanied by his family courtier.

 

“!”

 

　His steps stiffened.

 

“This is my son. We have been looking forward to your visit.”

 

　Before any more words could escape Count Norden’s mouth, Lord Domenic beat him into it.

 

　Count Norden’s face turned into a panic with that one word, and he seemed to realize that something was going on. After exchanging greetings as usual, he sent the maids away.

 

.

 

    The only five people left were myself, Harold, Lord Domenic, Count Norden, and the family courtier. 

 

“My son insisted on seeing it, so we came here.”

 

“I am so glad to hear that. I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. I bought it about three months ago and forgot all about it. ……”

 

　The face, which had been pale with surprise, regained its colour. 

 

“The reason why the Crown Prince paid a secret visit to me is because His Highness found out that I have an interest in magic stones, right?”

 

　”If the Lord knows the reason, it seems that Count Norden does not have a guilty conscience.”

 

“Let’s have someone bring it to me at once.”

 

　Count Norden signaled with his eyes and the family courtier quickly left the room.

 

　After waiting for a while, talking about the weather and various stuff, there was a knock at the door and the family courtier reappeared. He bowed deeply, holding a wooden box in his arms.

 

　With a gesture of reverence, the wooden box was placed on the table and the lid, which had been unlocked by Count Norden, was slowly opened. The goldwork on all four sides glittered.

 

　Inside the box was a round ball of intricate hues. Streaks of light appeared in the translucent stone, changing from green to purple.

 

　Lord Domenic stared at it with a stern face.

 

　It was a simple self-defense device,  even I, a magician, could see it.

 

　No matter how beautiful the stone is, I cannot feel any magical vibrations from it.

 

“It’s a fake replica.”

 

“Fake replica?”

 

“Count Norden, do you know what it is?”

 

　Count Norden turned pale and looked at me.

 

　It was a more astonished expression than when he had just recognized the Crown Prince.

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