Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: The Magicians' Show
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"Oh, you've arrived."
"Lady Monad... no, Countess."
Familiar faces gathered in the annex greeted her.
Some of the noblewomen ambiguously welcomed Juliet—some flusteredly averted their eyes, while others offered awkward smiles.
The aftermath of Duke Carlisle's rampage still lingered.
Juliet gave them an appropriate smile in return.
In truth, preparing for the wedding was just a nominal excuse; this gathering was really for building connections.
Fatima, who met Juliet's eyes, exchanged an awkward glance for a moment but afterward tried her utmost to avoid eye contact.
"How about arranging the guests like this?"
"And the entrance order..."
The noblewomen surrounded the prospective crown princess, kindly offering all sorts of suggestions. Fatima, encircled by them, looked happier than ever.
Being seen in a good light by the bride here meant securing a prime spot among the maids of honor or bridesmaids.
A crown princess's maid of honor was quite a prestigious title.
But Juliet was the only one in the room uninterested in such a title.
Everything important—from the types of flowers for the wedding day, to the ribbon colors, to guest arrangements—was left to the prospective crown princess's closest confidants.
While the bridesmaid candidates busily shared opinions around Fatima, Juliet's task was making ribbons for wrapping gifts.
It was simple manual labor that anyone could do, but she didn't mind at all.
"Um... Countess Monad. We'll handle that."
"It's fine."
The palace maids approached her restlessly, but Juliet slowly moved her hands. She wasn't particularly skilled with crafts, so it took time.
The atmosphere at the Carlisle ducal residence was like thin ice, making it awkward to stay there.
With the conflict with the Guinness Marquisate dragging on, the duke's administrative officials all wore grim expressions as they rushed about frantically.
They wouldn't even explain what the issue was with the Guinness Marquisate's magic stones.
"That's something you don't need to worry about."
Lennox had cut her off curtly.
With no pretext or way to help, Juliet found this place more relaxing, where she could at least let her mind wander.
'Why did Marquis Guinness suddenly acquire a magic stone mine?'
Juliet pondered.
It was something that hadn't happened in her previous life's memories.
In her past life, Marquis Guinness harbored deep resentment toward the North, which monopolized magic stones, constantly scheming against them until he was ultimately killed by the duke in a territorial war after defeat.
'But now, Marquis Guinness is still alive.'
He should have died a few years ago, as in the past.
Well, with so many things different from the past, it might not be so strange that the marquis was alive.
But the sudden discovery of a magic stone mine in the south was definitely odd.
'Mines don't just pop up overnight.'
How on earth had he gotten his hands on a mine?
While Juliet was lost in thought, an ominous conversation unfolded around the prospective crown princess.
"His Imperial Majesty said he'll bring rare magical beasts on the wedding day."
Fatima bragged to those around her.
"Both Majesties already dote on Princess Parima so much."
"Indeed. They hired extra wizards instead of just using the court wizards, right?"
"They even brought in wizards from the Marigold Merchant Group!"
'Wizards from where?'
A sudden sense of foreboding made Juliet lift her head. Fatima wore a triumphant expression. In the warm atmosphere, Juliet was the only one feeling anxious.
"Your Highness, the wizards have arrived!"
"Bring them in!"
Before Juliet could find an escape, the door opened, and a group of people poured in.
They wore flashy robes that screamed "wizard" to anyone who saw them.
Younger than the court wizards, they still bore the haughty expressions typical of wizards.
"Welcome!"
Despite the empire's nobles' warm reception, the wizards merely nodded curtly in arrogance.
And Juliet locked eyes with the last wizard to enter.
He flinched noticeably upon seeing her.
'Esselrid?'
Only then did Juliet understand why Esselrid had looked so strange yesterday when he said he was heading to the palace.
***
The Marigold Merchant Group's connection to Juliet was still unknown in the capital's social circles.
After the Lucerne incident, Juliet's maternal grandfather, Lionel Levatan, had thoroughly silenced everyone.
"What magic will you show us, wizards?"
The noblewomen asked with sparkling eyes.
"Everyone's looking forward to it. The court wizards' fireworks are always spectacular."
But the wizards' attitudes were rather impertinent.
"Hah, we're not here to show off some lame fireworks."
"Of course. True magic is mastery of the universe's principles..."
Excluding Esselrid, the other wizards spouted incomprehensible nonsense with puffed-up airs.
The noblewomen, unaccustomed to wizards, exchanged bewildered glances.
It roughly amounted to, "I don't get what they're saying, but I'm curious what they'll show us, so let's wait."
"That'll be explained by our friend Esselrid... Essel?"
One wizard, mid-boast, elbowed Esselrid in the ribs.
"What are you doing?"
While the other wizards droned on with pretentious preambles, Esselrid had been desperately signaling Juliet.
"Cough! Ah... what?"
Esselrid quickly composed a dignified expression and cleared his throat.
But his wizard colleagues were sharp.
They spotted a woman quietly trying to slip out.
"Countess Monad!"
Just then, a kindhearted noblewoman called out to Juliet.
"Come watch the magic with us!"
Fatima nodded awkwardly as well.
"Yes, Juliet. Come join us. The ribbons can wait."
At that, the eldest-looking among the four wizards exclaimed in disbelief.
"Hah! As I said, noble ladies, magic is sacred and must never be treated as mere entertainment..."
Mid-lecture, the wizard paused. His gaze fixed on the woman whose arm was ambiguously held.
"What did you just say?
Countess Monad... Juliet?"
The complexions of the wizards—excluding Esselrid—changed in an instant.
She'd even disguised herself to infiltrate the merchant group just to see the baby dragon, they said. Indeed, they all looked like they had extraordinary personalities, Juliet thought.
The wizards in their flashy robes sprang up from their seats without missing a beat.
"...What better spectacle than magic! Right?"
"Our duty is to delight our clients!"
Their tone was a far cry from moments ago.
Pop!
"Oh my!"
Starting with white doves flying from the hand of the woman in the green robe, the other three wizards eagerly showcased their flashy tricks one after another.
"What else shall we show you?"
It was no exaggeration to call it a competitive talent show.
"Hey, man, Essel!"
"You do your thing too! That fire-breathing one!"
Pushed into it, Esselrid reluctantly stood and waved his hand.
Not fire, but fire-breathing dragon-shaped soap bubbles popped into existence in the air, shooting out iridescent rainbows.
"Good heavens!"
"I've never seen anything like this!"
The noblewomen in the salon clapped in utter delight.
This went on for a while. Once they'd exhausted their repertoire, the wizards sat back down, panting with weary expressions.
One of them muttered with desperate eyes.
"Um, so now the baby dragon..."
"That was great!"
Juliet smiled brightly, cutting them off.
"Wait just a moment!"
"We can show more!"
What was the point, then?
The wizards had clearly forgotten the real reason they were hired.
The noblewomen were endlessly delighted by the wizards' antics, but Fatima—the only one sensing something off—grew increasingly grim-faced.
"Excuse me for a moment."
"N-Noble lady!"
Juliet seized the chance while the wizards were surrounded by the other noblewomen and quickly slipped out.
"Oh?"
Outside, Jude, who had been sitting on the floor yawning, grinned at the sight of Juliet.
"Why are you out already?"
"Let's go home."
"Right now?"
"Quickly. The fire-breathing wizard's coming after us."
"What? Our carriage..."
"Leave it."
Juliet dragged Jude along relentlessly, hurrying away. It was just as they were exiting the annex.
"Eek!"
Suddenly, a frail scream rang out.