Chapter 12
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Forming an Alliance
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Early morning.
As soon as Ekyon ran into Crown Prince Niu, she shouted.
"Crown Prince! I heard you cut yourself with a knife on purpose! What if the one holding that knife harbored treasonous thoughts?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, her hands and feet trembled.
She clearly looked deeply shocked.
"It was something I thought was absolutely necessary. And thanks to that, it all worked out well."
Niu replied calmly, aware of that fact.
There was no reason to raise his voice at someone who was genuinely worried.
"Even so..."
"Thanks for worrying, but it was something I really wanted to do. It was also necessary since I'd been stagnant for months."
Niu smiled as he drew the line.
He appreciated the concern, but it was starting to feel like nagging and suffocating.
'I was too presumptuous.'
Ekyon belatedly realized she'd been sufficiently rude and bowed her head.
Concern should always be in moderation.
Even good intentions, if expressed too excessively, were no different from blame.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not something to apologize for, so lift your head. I appreciate the sentiment, but it was a bit too much and made me uncomfortable. That's all."
"Yes. I'll be more careful from now on. I'm just glad you're safe."
Ekyon only raised her head after letting out a long sigh.
The opportunity hadn't vanished yet, so she just needed to be cautious going forward.
"Thanks. From today on, I'll be training separately, so you keep training here with Antiope as usual."
"Without the Crown Prince?"
For a moment, Ekyon's eyes went wide.
"Yeah. I think it's better to calmly contemplate and verify my Unique Magic on my own. Master agreed too."
"Ah... I see."
Ekyon responded in a disappointed tone.
With even the old man agreeing, she had nothing more to say.
Fortunately, the goal of becoming useful could still be achieved, but...
It meant one major source of pleasure was gone.
"Antiope. Once training ends, come straight to the next training hall over. I'll be there."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Antiope, who had been quietly tucked away in the corner, bowed her head silently.
She'd been so devoid of presence that she almost seemed like mere decoration.
"Then, I'll head out first."
Niu gazed at the two girls for a moment before opening the training hall door.
Coincidentally, the Old Mage was standing just beyond it.
"Your Highness. On your way to the training hall?"
"Yes. Please take good care of those two. I'll do some pondering on my own."
"Of course. Let me know if you get a sense of it. Lacking as I am, I'll explore various ways to apply it."
"Thanks."
Niu gave a light greeting and departed.
A brief vacancy opened up, but the old man promptly filled it.
'They seem a bit put out.'
The old man stroked his chin as he surveyed them.
Ekyon, whose eagerness to learn was visibly fading.
Antiope, feigning motivation while staying subdued.
Their contrasting demeanors were almost amusing.
'Even if laced with calculations, youth is youth.'
A gentle smile curved the old man's lips.
Knowing the reasons behind it only made it more enjoyable.
"Now, both of you, come over here."
The old man led them in and immediately began the lesson.
Both had quick mana sensitivity and were on the cusp of basic magic lessons.
Both had sharp senses and swift comprehension.
They also excelled at retaining what they'd understood in their minds.
One innate from birth.
One honed postnatally in harsh conditions.
"Very good. With this, mana operation lessons are complete. Starting next time, we'll move to basic magic. Take a short break."
The old man withdrew the mana enveloping the children's bodies and stepped away.
Not leaving entirely, just a momentary rest.
There was one reason the old man deliberately vacated the spot.
The kids felt more at ease alone together.
"...Hoo."
Antiope regulated her breathing while staring at the closed door.
She was calmer than when she'd first started learning magic, but still impatient.
Even a day sooner, an hour sooner.
She wanted to master magic just a bit faster to prove her worth.
'Calm down.'
Desperation was good, but excessive impatience led to major stumbles.
Like the time she'd tried hauling a massive water tub to dodge the master's whip, only to spill it and earn a worse punishment.
Antiope steadied her emotions by recalling those old experiences.
Horrific every time she did, but it helped settle her mind.
"You."
Just as her anxiety ebbed, Ekyon spoke up.
A noble lady addressing a subordinate.
Especially rare for a bug-like demonkin slave.
In this vast Imperial Palace, at most the Crown Prince's wet nurse and the Emperor.
Everyone else treated her as if she didn't exist.
"Yes. I shall listen attentively."
Antiope turned toward Ekyon and bowed her head.
Eye contact was proper etiquette when receiving orders or conversation.
"What's your name again? Not ignoring you—just want to remember it right."
"It's Antiope."
"Pretty. Nice ring to it."
Ekyon stared directly into Antiope's eyes, rudely intently.
Her blue-tinged irises were utterly captivating.
'She'll grow into a real beauty.'
Ekyon was confident in her own looks and certain she'd only get more beautiful.
And she was equally sure Antiope wouldn't fall short.
A woman as stunning as herself always at his side.
From Ekyon's view, ample cause for anxiety and jealousy.
But Ekyon worked to quell the jealousy and shift her mindset.
The Crown Prince's personal maid, taken in by him personally.
His attitude toward demonkin alone demanded it.
'If jealousy takes hold, it's over.'
The Crown Prince couldn't be satisfied with just one woman anyway.
Not his personality—forces of circumstance would see to that.
History proved it: every Ion male born thus far had embraced many women.
Naturally, Niu would follow suit.
Ekyon read the future from history and factored in Niu's personality.
Thus reaching a conclusion short of outright rejection.
Must be embraced, no question.
Of course get along amiably, even prepare to share his bed.
No fantasies of principal wife, concubine, or exclusivity.
Dreams bred greed, and greed clouded judgment.
A major poison to her goal of winning his love.
Being loved.
In a way, a harder aim than marriage itself, but...
Ekyon's resolve was ironclad.
"I'm Ekyon. Let's get along from now on."
Thus, she greeted without leaning on her family.
Not as a daughter of the Duke, but as one person seeking goodwill.
To win the king, first win his inner circle.
Calculated, sure—but her wish to befriend wasn't entirely false.
"I'm at a loss how to respond to such undeserved courtesy. I'll give my all."
Antiope, flustered, bowed deeply.
Her politeness bordered on suspicious.
"I'll give my all too. But this isn't just simple goodwill."
"Pardon? Ah... yes."
Young ladies rarely voiced their calculations outright.
They showed through veiled words and actions.
She'd clearly been taught that by the Crown Prince's wet nurse, yet Ekyon was different.
Bluntly direct.
"A bit disconcerting, huh?"
"Yes. I haven't met other young ladies, but I've heard they don't talk like this."
"Exactly. Usually it's subtle barbs until tempers finally snap and honesty emerges."
Ekyon chuckled, twisting her lips.
Images of those pretentious young ladies surfaced one by one.
"Not sure if it's proper to say, but I'll keep it in mind."
"Good. No harm in remembering. Still, don't get defensive outright—respond softly. If you draw first blood, they'll hit back harder."
"Thank you. But... why tell me this?"
Why, exactly?
Curiosity flickered across Antiope's pupils.
"Told you already. I want to get close. That's why. It'll be the same going forward."
Not idle chit-chat tossed out thoughtlessly.
Sincere.
Antiope felt confusion beholding a young lady so unlike her wet nurse's teachings.
Even her eyes betrayed no deception.
It only heightened her fluster, making it hard to find her footing.
"If I may be so bold, one question?"
"As exclusive maid, no need to bow so low. Anyway, what is it?"
"Nothing else, but you said it's calculations making you want to get close. Yet I can't see what benefit I could offer you, young lady."
"Playing dumb? There's plenty."
Ekyon slyly rolled her eyes and caught her breath.
Sitting frozen too long had her fidgeting.
"His movements. Emotions. You're in the perfect spot to observe up close, right?"
"So, you want information on the imperial family?"
"Nothing that grandiose. What he likes day-to-day, his emotional state. What kind of women catch his eye."
Not state secrets—just everyday talk.
The Crown Prince's feelings and preferences.
All prime ingredients for capturing his favor.
Confidential in a sense.
But true national secrets? She'd have to tilt her head at that.
Everyone did it.
'What to do...?'
Antiope felt her thoughts tangling.
The most knotted and bewildering mess of her life.
Should she spill? Or was she obligated to?
Tough call for someone only days into formal maid service.
"Don't overthink it. Help me, and I'll help you."
At last, the impatient Ekyon muttered in a sigh-tinged voice.
Infinitely better than crumbling, but still frustrating.
"Help each other?"
"Yeah. No title on me, but I can leverage the authority. That alone's a boon. You could say things tough to voice to the Crown Prince or your teacher."
Antiope lapsed into silent contemplation.
Undeniably solid proposal, yet her tongue stayed glued.
Beyond pros and cons.
Hard to gauge if it'd harm Niu.
"Is that truly the only reason for offering such generous terms?"
Finally, she abandoned rumination and posed the question.
Fear subdued, courage scraped together.
'That's a bit much?'
Ekyon's brows furrowed ever so slightly.
Not irritation—embarrassment at having to answer.
Just brush it off adequately?
Ekyon hesitated a moment, then met Antiope's gaze and spoke.
Fearful, trembling.
Yet guarding her master despite terror—no room for lies.
And she wasn't an enemy.
"Because I like the Crown Prince."
Ekyon's cheeks blazed scarlet.
Her head burned as if she'd faint, yet relief oddly washed through her.
'Ah... so that's it.'
Her mind, crammed with tangled thoughts, cleared refreshingly.
Thoroughly relieving.
Romantic feelings, youthful innocence.
Emotions invisible in her slave days—understanding had lagged.
But now comprehended, no answer rang clearer.
If smitten, of course.
"Since the young lady braved embarrassment to answer so candidly, I'll do the same. Please treat me well."
Antiope bowed with a now-comfortable heart.
Expand your allies, find utility even in foes.
By those teachings, Ekyon fell squarely in ally territory.
For the hard-won haven.
For the Crown Prince, whose grace demanded a lifetime's repayment.
'Grab chances when they arise.'
Suddenly, fierce light flashed in Antiope's eyes.
She sensed true palace life beginning now.