The Second Prince at the Banquet
The imperial princes—blood relatives of the emperor who ruled the empire, and the ones destined to inherit the next generation of power.
Though the emperor was still in robust health, the five princes beneath him were already engaged in fierce, behind-the-scenes maneuvering to secure their succession.
If the First Prince, the most likely candidate, valued martial prowess and possessed a belligerent personality, the Second Prince was the complete opposite.
Relaxed, intellectual, and deeply interested in magic.
When he casually swept his gaze around and waved his hand, the tense atmosphere that had gripped the room began to loosen.
At the Second Prince's words, people began waving at him or approaching to shake his hand. Karin made no effort to stop them.
"Your Highness the Second Prince, I've been so eager to meet you!"
"I haven't forgotten the kindness you showed me last time!"
As he received greetings from within the crowd, his eyes met Roggerd's, and he began waving his hand vigorously.
The moment he finished speaking, the royal guards once again began pushing back the crowd. Karin walked skillfully down the path that had opened before him.
One step. Two steps.
When he finally stopped in front of Roggerd, the older man bowed his head deeply.
When Karin shifted his gaze, Roggerd simply took another sip of wine.
As Karin smiled and took another step closer, Roggerd carefully observed his attire.
He wasn't dressed ostentatiously, but that very restraint made the neatness of his clothes stand out all the more, highlighting the Second Prince's presence.
Karin casually picked up a wine glass and took a light sip.
It was a story Roggerd had already heard.
If he remembered correctly, it was a specialized unit meant to capture magic-using criminals.
After all, the court mages Karin mentioned were the very ones who had come to him for advice on the matter.
Karin swirled his wine glass as he spoke.
The empire had many criminal organizations, and the Dawn Moon had been the most dangerous among them.
After the Inspectorate's persistent pursuit, a large-scale eradication had been completed, but the damage had been enormous, leaving a security vacuum for quite some time.
But.
That was only the surface reason.
Since the Inspectorate had long supported the First Prince, it was common knowledge—not just to Roggerd—that this move was intended as a check against them. The only reason they couldn't block it was because there was a clear justification.
When he raised his wine glass, Roggerd clinked his own against it.
Recruiting Roggerd was an implicit offer to bring him onto his side.
It meant stepping into the imperial family's political struggle.
Berna, who had been listening from behind, slowly lifted her head and realized the situation had grown far more serious.
At Roggerd's polite yet firm refusal, murmurs spread through the surroundings. But the Second Prince, as if he had expected it, simply let the corners of his mouth curve upward.
His eyes remained fixed on Roggerd, but Roggerd did not back down.
At those words, Karin let out a soft laugh and responded in a rather serious tone.
At the unyielding way the head of House Payless expressed his thoughts, the Second Prince burst into laughter.
Roggerd bowed his head once more in polite acknowledgment.
The Second Prince took a sip of wine, then popped a chocolate brought by an attendant into his mouth. Roggerd slowly looked up at the prince, who had fallen silent.
…
For a moment, Roggerd's eyebrow twitched.
Had he been summoned merely for this single proposal?
…He was aiming for this.
Karin's eyes remained relaxed.
No matter what he said, in the end, he was still a member of the imperial family.
By personally calling the head of House Payless, he had not only demonstrated his influence over the magical community but had also satisfied his personal sense of superiority. Roggerd, who had experienced such political tactics countless times, neatly tucked away his emotions.
Karin shrugged, then gestured to the royal guards to make way for him. They promptly lined up and opened a path to the entrance once more.
Berna stepped forward first to guide Roggerd. He bowed one last time toward the prince before turning his back.
Karin spoke as if he had something else to say.
"…"
The Second Prince's wife was the eldest daughter of the current Lugvida family.
If it was her sister, then he must be referring to Serean Lugvida.
Roggerd offered a neutral response to appease the Second Prince, who simply nodded as if he had no intention of pressing further.
He spoke with a relaxed smile, subtly boasting.
Roggerd maintained his courtesy until the very end as he left the banquet hall.
When he climbed into the carriage, his wife, Clenoa, was already seated across from him.
As Roggerd adjusted his tie and let out an irritated sigh, Clenoa spoke.
He crossed his arms and turned his gaze out the window. The carriage began to move, and the scenery started to flow past.
At the mention of Eline, Clenoa's face stiffened slightly, but she nodded skillfully in response.
Clenoa spoke calmly, her expression unchanging, as she looked up at Roggerd.
She had fallen in love with him when he was a court mage full of intelligence and reason. But at some point, that brilliance had vanished, leaving only a cold, snow-covered mountain in its place.
…
If Roggerd learned that Eline had a lover, it was obvious how he would react.
In his educational philosophy, which thoroughly excluded emotion, love was nothing short of a sin.
Absolutely not.
The only thing Clenoa could do for Eline was to keep that fact hidden.
Whether he knew her feelings or not, Roggerd, who had been staring out the window, grew lost in thought. His brow furrowed as if the conversation with the Second Prince lingered in his mind.
"Berna."
"Yes."
Berna, who had been outside the carriage, opened the door and answered.
"Write a letter."
"Who shall I address it to?"
"Eline."
Clenoa froze for a moment.
Roggerd continued staring out the window, but his eyes held not the scenery outside, but a poisonous glint.
"Understood."
As she said, Berna had already been reporting Eline's grades and matters such as her contact with the Magic Tower.
Everything except the one thing Clenoa had asked her to conceal.
How shameless.
"What should the content be?"
When Berna asked, Roggerd quietly recited.
Clenoa listened to the story in silence.
She normally wouldn't have paid any attention to the Lugvida family. She had heard they had a genius as well, but assumed the young lady was still a step below Eline.
But perhaps because the Second Prince's behavior today had bothered him.
No matter how many dozens of talents the Second Prince brought, he needed to show that none could compare to the single masterpiece he had created.
"…Understood."
Berna nodded and immediately began writing something down.
Clenoa let out a breath, feeling somewhat relieved.
If it's the Sacred Fire Festival…
Clenoa searched her memory.
It was the academy's spring festival, and she recalled there was some sort of competition involved.
Eline probably hadn't participated in it until now.
She wouldn't have had the reason or the time.
This time, she simply hoped her daughter would use the tournament as an excuse to enjoy the festival.
Together with her lover.