Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: A Sharp and Deadly Dagger
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Back in her room, Lucillea went straight to her desk and took out a piece of paper and a pen.
["Luci, what are you writing?"]
"Shh. If you talk to me now, I'll forget."
Sitting down, she immediately began to recreate the pattern on the paper.
The memory was vivid.
Every thin line, every intricate curve and its precise position.
*I'm saving this, just in case.*
It'll be a relief if it's nothing, but...
A few minutes later, Lucillea set down her pen and slowly rolled up the paper. Then, she carefully opened her ingredient-gathering box.
As she opened the lid, a chill wafted out.
Noa had cast a spell on it to keep her collected ingredients fresh.
Lucillea slipped the rolled-up paper between the transparent glass jars filled with her ingredients and let out a sigh.
"There."
She couldn't know what this magic circle meant right away.
But she was curious. A strange magic circle, in the home of such a seemingly perfect and devout baron.
She felt like a detective.
*It might be helpful in some way later on.*
After all, mages and magic circles were inseparable.
Lucillea tidied up her things and went to bed.
Lying in a soft bed for the first time in a while, Lucillea fell into a deep sleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
***
The next day, the same sun rose over the Imperial Palace in the capital.
Purified sunlight streamed into the Empress's palace, flowing gently across the white marble floors.
Attendants and maids bustled about, spreading tablecloths, arranging flowerpots, and wiping smudges from the windowpanes.
Though their movements were brisk, their conversations were cautious.
"Do you think His Highness the Grand Duke will come to the banquet this year?"
The ladies-in-waiting, walking down the corridor after entering the palace, conversed in low, secretive voices.
"He probably won't come this year, either."
"I suppose so. He's missed it every year."
"Wasn't that because he was away on a military campaign?"
"I heard that wasn't the reason. Even when he was at the grand ducal estate after returning from the campaign—"
"Shh."
Another lady-in-waiting cut the speaker off.
The ladies-in-waiting turned their gazes to the end of the corridor.
It was Empress Elluana, mistress of the palace.
Startled, the ladies-in-waiting hurried over and bowed their heads.
"Your Imperial Majesty."
As the ladies-in-waiting offered their greetings, the Empress responded with a gentle smile.
"Your hard work so early in the morning brings such life to the palace, ladies."
"You are too kind, Your Majesty."
Empress Elluana continued, her smile never faltering.
"However, it is said that in the palace, even the walls have ears."
Her words carried a quiet authority, a warning not to speak carelessly.
The ladies-in-waiting bowed their heads even lower.
"O-Our apologies, Your Majesty."
With a gentle smile, a polite tone, and a graceful gesture, the Empress forgave their transgression as if she were a saint.
"I trust you will all be diligent in your duties. The banquet is only two days away."
At her words, the ladies-in-waiting bowed even lower, and the Empress dismissed them with a light wave of her hand.
The ladies-in-waiting quietly withdrew, their footsteps quickly fading into the distance.
After watching them for a moment, the Empress turned her gaze to the noblewoman standing quietly beside her.
The lady wore a long, flowing black dress, and a black veil cascaded from her hair, obscuring half her face.
Just then, a ray of sunlight from a window fell upon her face, revealing the captivating features beneath the veil.
It was Anasis, Elbadin's sister and the Marquise of Belgar.
She was as silent as the Empress's shadow, but a deep ambition dwelled in her eyes.
The Empress gave Anasis a slight nod and resumed walking.
Anasis followed a step behind her.
"Anasis, I believe a more leisurely cup of tea is in order today."
"It would be an honor, Your Majesty."
The Empress and Anasis made their way to the Empress's drawing room.
The drawing room was cozy and elegant.
Sunlight streamed through a large window, filtering past embroidered curtains to bathe the room in a soft, golden glow.
An ornate teapot was placed gently on a silver tray, and the fragrant aroma of tea soon filled the air.
Maids carefully filled their cups before bowing deeply and withdrawing.
The sound of their footsteps faded away.
When the Empress lifted her teacup, Anasis followed suit.
Their movements were silent, yet a sharp tension lingered at their fingertips.
The Empress carefully set down her teacup and looked at Anasis.
"So, is the 'gift' our dear Marquise promised me being prepared well?"
Anasis traced the rim of her teacup with a finger.
Her gold-set amethyst ring caught the light, glinting faintly.
"Of course, Your Majesty. I have entrusted it to a reliable individual—one who holds the deep trust of the entire empire."
"A reliable individual, you say."
The Empress gave a faint smile.
"I trust your judgment, Marquise. However."
The Empress continued, an elegant smile playing on her lips.
"I still question whether the value of this 'gift' is truly worth the price I am to pay."
The Empress's voice remained soft, but it was laced with the cold calculation of a woman weighing a proposal.
Anasis lowered her gaze and answered calmly.
"When it comes to matters concerning the Imperial Family and the Grand Duke's house, I do not employ people carelessly. You can trust me, Your Majesty."
Her reply was impeccably polite, yet her tone was brimming with confidence.
"As promised, I will make the arrogant wolf of the North kneel at Your Majesty's feet."
The Empress's eyes narrowed.
Anasis raised her gaze to meet the Empress's directly.
"I intend to place in Your Majesty's hand the sharpest, most fatal dagger, to be plunged into the heart of House Descartes."
The Empress's eyes narrowed with interest.
"It will be a problem if that dagger is meant merely to bring down a single heir. That, Anasis, is something I can achieve even without your help."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Anasis smiled.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty, you will have the North in the palm of your hand."
Only then did a satisfied smile grace the Empress's lips.
That was what the Empress truly wanted.
To seize complete control of the North—the only power that would dare oppose the Imperial Family when her son became the next emperor.
Its immense wealth, its military might, and its independent authority that neither the Imperial Family nor the Temple could trifle with.
"Very well. I shall look forward to it. To the day you spoke of, Anasis."
"It will be proven soon. Very soon."
Anasis raised her teacup, imagining the day her 'gift' would shatter Grand Duke Elbadin.
Behind the gentle smiles exchanged between them, a cold tension spread, a quiet prelude to the coming banquet.
The Empress raised her teacup again, while Anasis gazed at something beyond the window.
Her gaze was already far beyond the palace, fixed upon the Grand Duke's domain in the North.
Upon the grand ducal house, where the stage she had set would soon be revealed.