Chapter 40

“Ah… hello?”

 

I tapped the communicator a few times.

 

“It’s not working again. Maybe I should get it repaired.”

 

It had given me trouble earlier when I tried contacting my father too. A static noise crackled, and then the communicator fizzled out—its light dying altogether.

 

“Maybe it’ll work if I use it outside instead of inside the mansion?”

 

It had to be that the communication network didn’t reach all the way here. Holding the communicator in one hand, I stretched my arm out the window. Maybe this way it would pick up a signal. I tried connecting to Freyer again.

 

“Please… just connect!”

 

But unlike before, when at least I’d get some static, the communicator didn’t react at all. I sighed and lowered my arm.

 

“Great. Just great….”

 

Other people used these things without trouble. Maybe I was too impatient from having lived in a modern world. I set the communicator down on my desk.

 

“If I were an engineering major, I’d have invented a proper phone. Seriously….”

 

Today I missed science and technology more than usual. My eyes drifted to the magic stone resting on my desk.

 

“I need to tell Freyer I got him the highest-grade magic stone.”

 

But with the communicator malfunctioning, there was no way to get the message to him. I’d managed to get the stone myself, and I needed to tell him I was grateful for his concern.

 

“And I don’t even have an invitation, so I can’t enter the Imperial Palace.”

 

Even if I told the palace guards I came to see the Second Prince, no one would open the gate for me. A good idea struck me and I slapped my knee.

 

“I can ask the palace guards to deliver a letter to Freyer!”

 

Using the Empire’s Communication Department would take too long, so giving a letter directly to the palace guard sounded perfect.

 

“It’s a pretty good idea.”

 

The national council meeting was right aound the corner—I couldn’t just sit and wait. I sat at my desk and picked up my fountain pen.

 

 

***

 

 

I peeked into the hallway through a crack in the door.

 

“No one’s here.”

 

It was around lunchtime, so everyone would be in the kitchen preparing the meal. Perfect time to slip out unnoticed. I hurried down the stairs—only to run straight into Norman at the front entrance.

 

“Oh, hi Norman.”

 

Norman narrowed his eyes at me. I awkwardly looked away from his suspicious gaze.

 

“My lady. Where are you going?”

 

“…Ha… haha. Just for a walk.”

 

I discreetly hid the magic stone case and the letter inside my cloak. Absolutely no one could find out about this.

 

“With that outfit, and by yourself, you say you’re going for a walk, my lady.”

 

Wearing a hooded black cloak didn’t exactly scream ‘casual stroll.’ As I kept sneaking glances at him, Norman’s expression only stiffened further.

 

“It’s cold outside these days! And Winnie seemed busy, so I thought I’d go alone.”

 

“……”

 

“I’ll be right back.”

 

With a strange look, Norman suddenly shouted in his booming voice: “Winnie!”

 

“Yes!!”

 

Winnie appeared down the hallway, holding a cookie. I pressed a hand to my forehead. Why here, why now, Winnie…

 

“Winnie. Are you occupied with anything at the moment?”

 

“No? I finished all my morning tasks so I was just having a snack. Do you need something done?”

 

She tilted her head.

 

“Oh? My lady, are you going out?”

 

“Winnie. The young lady wishes to take a walk. Go with her.”

 

I couldn’t take Winnie. This was something I had to do alone. I was starting to panic.

 

“I can take a walk by myself.”

 

“No, my lady! Outside is dangerous.”

 

“Winnie. Go change quickly.”

 

This was bad. My brilliant solo-plan-to-sneak-to-the-palace was seconds away from collapsing.

 

“I’ll be right back, Butler!”

 

Winnie grabbed her skirt and dashed down the hallway, while Norman blocked me with his body.

 

“Please go with Winnie, my lady.”

 

I understood he meant well, but I was suffocating. I glanced at the magic stone and letter hidden under my cloak. I just needed to hand over a letter—just that much, then see Freyer. That was all.

 

“…Fine.”

 

I stepped backward, waiting for my moment. When Norman turned his eyes toward Winnie’s room, I darted past him.

 

“I just need some alone time! I’ll be back soon!”

 

I flung the front door open, shouting back at him. As I stepped outside—

 

I collided with a solid wall of darkness.

 

“Huh—?”

 

Before I could even try to catch myself, I stumbled backward. I shut my eyes tight, bracing for impact—

 

But strong arms wrapped around my waist.

 

“……Thank the heavens.”

 

A deep, pleasant voice washed over me. Freyer’s voice.

 

It wasn’t a wall at all—I had crashed directly into Freyer’s chest. Before I knew it, I was fully in his arms.

 

“I was worried.”

 

I couldn’t even ask how he ended up here. His hands around me trembled faintly, like he had been genuinely afraid for me. I blinked, startled. After a moment his hands steadied.

 

“Are you hurt anywhere, Lilithia?”

 

He gently released me and met my eyes. Concern darkened his expression. I nodded, still trying to sort through the mess in my head. Relief washed over Freyer’s once-tensed features. That was when chaos erupted around us.

 

“H-Huff—there’s been an intruder at the mansion!”

 

A guard who had been posted outside rushed into the entrance hall, panting hard. Everyone stared at him.

 

“I-It’s him!”

 

The shocked guard pointed at Freyer. Norman immediately lowered the guard’s arm.

 

“The young lady’s guest, it seems. Best not to be rude.”

 

Norman was quick, as always—a man didn’t serve in this house for decades without keen instincts.

 

“My lady! Sorry I’m late—let’s go for our walk!”

 

Winnie came running out, now dressed for going out, her face puzzled at the scene before her.

 

“……?”

 

“Winnie. A guest is here, so it seems the young lady won’t be going out right now.”

 

Winnie blinked, finally catching on.

 

“Then… should I prepare refreshments?”

 

“Yes. Please do.”

 

She hurried to the kitchen. Norman adjusted his monocle and spoke:

 

“This is not the best place. I’ll guide you to the drawing room.”

 

Norman led the way. Freyer released my shoulder.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

He took my hand—firm, warm—and gently pulled me along. I followed him to the drawing room, half dazed.

 

‘What is even happening…?’

 

 

***

 

 

We sat down in the drawing room.

 

“Please wait a moment. Refreshments will be brought shortly.”

 

“Thank you,” Freyer replied.

 

“If I may say something, though I know it may be rude.”

 

I was startled—Norman hadn’t said a single word on the way here. Freyer nodded.

 

“Go ahead.”

 

“I do not know what relationship you have with our lady… but please contact us ahead of time before visiting. We have many preparations to make for guests.”

 

“I will in the future. I was… pressed for time today. I apologize.”

 

“Thank you for understanding. I’ll take my leave.”

 

Norman bowed, then shot me a pointed look—an unmistakable ‘We’re talking later, my lady.’

 

He left, and I groaned internally. Sure, I’d been heading out to meet Freyer—but to Norman, it now looked like I had tried to sneak out recklessly to meet the man I liked.

 

‘You’re wrong, Norman! I had other reasons!’

 

I looked at him with pleading eyes, but he didn’t even glance back.

 

‘This is all wrong!’

 

Knock knock.

 

Winnie entered with a serving cart. She poured the tea and arranged the sweets.

 

“Enjoy your time together.”

 

‘Enjoy… what time?’

 

Her cheeks were pink. I followed her gaze—

 

Freyer was still holding my hand.

 

Only now, in the rush, did I realize he had never let go. And now Winnie thought there was something between us.

 

“I’ll leave you two alone!”

 

She fled the room before I could deny anything.

 

“Your Highness… could you please let go of my hand?”

 

Freyer frowned faintly but released me. My hand tingled—he’d held it long enough that it almost felt numb. I flexed my fingers and asked:

 

“How did Your Highness come to my family’s estate?”

 

I had been on my way to meet him, but I had no idea why he had come to find me.

 

“To save you.”

 

“…What? Save me?”

 

I blinked in confusion.

 

“The communicator connected, but I couldn’t hear your voice. I thought something had happened. But it seems you’re fine.”

 

“You received my call?”

 

He nodded. I didn’t think it had gone through at all—there hadn’t even been a flicker of light.

 

“I contacted Your Highness because I had something important to tell you, but the communicator doesn’t work well at my mansion.”

 

If something serious really happened, and I were kidnapped, this faulty communicator would be a disaster.

 

‘I should give one to the butler just in case something like that happens…’

 

“Actually, this is the reason I reached out.”

 

I pulled a small box from my cloak and opened it.

 

“Tada. I got a top-grade magic stone.”

 

I set it on the table with a proud smile.

 

“I was going out to tell you about this.”

 

“…Troublesome.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I also acquired a magic stone to give to you.”

 

Freyer placed his own small box on the table.

 

Two highest-grade magic stones glittered side by side.

 

Was getting these stones really that easy?

 

Well, not for me—my father helped. But Freyer…

 

“I offered the Magic Tower a full year of research funding to get this.”

 

“A… a whole year’s research funding?”

 

I shot up from my seat.

 

‘A whole year’s research funding… how many bolts of fabric is that…?’

 

The numbers were so astronomical my hands trembled. I’d gotten mine easily thanks to my father, but Freyer had spent a fortune.

 

“Refund—let’s refund it! Your Highness!”

 

“Impossible.”

 

I nervously fidgeted with my fingers. I couldn’t repay something that expensive.

 

“But I can’t give you money…”

 

“I didn’t say you had to. Are you uncomfortable?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Freyer thought for a moment, then spoke: “Then one wish will be enough.”

 

It was an enticing offer.