Chapter 129: An Invitation from the Master of the Magic Tower
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 129: An Invitation from the Master of the Magic Tower
“You’re right. To be precise, I didn't reincarnate here with my memories; I possessed this body.”
“Possessed?”
“Yes.”
I explained the concept of possession to Nathaniel and told him my story in detail. As I spoke, the expressionless look on his face shifted into something strange.
“I see.”
“It’s wild, isn't it?”
“It is.”
I never imagined anyone other than the demons would know I was a possessor.
My mom had also possessed a character, but since she had no memories of her past life, I couldn't talk to her about the old days.
So, the only ones who knew the truth were the demons I’d contracted with. I never thought I’d end up telling a human.
Perhaps that was why I started feeling a bit uneasy and anxious around Nathaniel. It wasn't like I had died and been reborn; I was essentially living in someone else's stolen body.
I didn't think I’d feel very good if Nathaniel started looking at me like I was a monster. No, it would probably feel much more devastating than that.
As that thought took hold, it became harder and harder to meet Nathaniel’s stiff gaze.
Just as I was about to lower my head instinctively, I heard his voice again.
“Then you aren't going anywhere?”
“What?”
“You aren't going back to the world you originally lived in, right?”
“...?”
His pale gray eyes seemed to darken as he stared at me. I was momentarily lost for words by the sheer intensity of his gaze.
Then, snapping back to my senses, I nodded.
“Yeah. My original body died. It’s like... I was hit by a carriage—a car accident, I mean—and died.”
Maybe it was because I was flustered, but I started rambling. I blurted out things I didn't even need to say before cautiously checking his reaction.
To my surprise, Nathaniel looked satisfied. I had no idea what was going on in his head.
“That’s a relief. I was worried about that.”
“Worried?”
“Yes. I was afraid my angel might have wings.”
“...?”
I understood him less and less.
Doesn't he know by now that I’m not an angel? So why the 'angel' talk? And what’s this about wings?
To me, it felt like I’d only been gone for the blink of an eye, but in reality, I had been asleep for ten years. Had that affected my brain cells? I couldn't quite grasp what Nathaniel was saying.
“You know I’m not an angel, right?”
“You’re an angel to me.”
“....”
His expression was so serious that I couldn't tell if he was joking.
Then again, Nathaniel was usually expressionless. There was no way to tell if he was kidding just by looking at his face.
“Hmph. Anyway, there’s no way for me to go back to my original world. I’ve decided to live my life thinking of this body as the real me.”
“Yes, that’s a good decision.”
“R-right.”
Nathaniel nodded and smiled. He almost looked relieved.
Still, I was glad he didn't find me repulsive for being a possessor. Finally, I tried to make sure he’d keep his mouth shut.
“Please don't tell anyone else about this.”
“I won't. It’s a secret between just Dia and me.”
“Uh, yeah. Right. A secret.”
Nathaniel whispered as if sharing a deep intimacy and gave a beaming smile. Perhaps because his face was usually so stoic, even a slight lift of his lips made him look like a completely different person.
Nathaniel reached out and gently took my hand.
“You shouldn't tell anyone else either, Dia.”
“Of course not.”
I wasn't crazy enough to go around telling people I was a possessor. It wouldn't do me any good; it would only become a weakness.
When I nodded quickly, Nathaniel looked even more pleased.
He wasn't a child, yet he seemed so happy to share a secret. Maybe he had only grown physically and was still a child at heart.
Thinking that made me feel better. To be honest, I’d been feeling awkward because I hadn't adjusted to the suddenly grown-up Nathaniel, but seeing him act like a happy child over a secret put me at ease.
I squeezed Nathaniel’s hand and gave him a bright smile.
*
As I expected, once a week had passed and I’d proven my physical condition was perfect, I became incredibly busy.
I had to receive the education I’d missed as an Imperial Princess.
Fortunately, thanks to the perks of possession, I could read the language, and since I was fairly bright, the lessons weren't too difficult.
One shouldn't underestimate someone who survived fourteen years of grueling public education in South Korea, got into a prestigious university against needle-thin odds, and even landed a job at a major corporation.
Of course, the culture here was different from Korea, and the subjects were naturally distinct, so there were moments of confusion.
Still, I could proudly say I was doing better than my mom had worried I would. After about a month, I truly felt like an Imperial Princess representing the Empire.
“You are truly marvelous, Imperial Princess.”
“You flatter me, Lady Morgan.”
I offered an elegant smile to my new etiquette teacher, Lady Morgan.
I let out a soft laugh as I looked at Victoria Morgan, the former Marchioness Morgan, who was now in charge of the etiquette education for the Imperial family and the children of high-ranking nobles.
Despite her prickly first impression, she was now looking at me with eyes full of complete trust.
“I believe there will be no issues with the upcoming ball.”
“Do you think so?”
“Of course.”
A ball was being held to celebrate the awakening of the Imperial Princess after ten years. That was why etiquette education had been the top priority.
‘I’ll have to dance this time.’
In the past, I could get away with not dancing at balls by using my age as an excuse, but now that I was grown, I would definitely have to dance with someone. My mom was currently the belle of society, but as her daughter and the Imperial Princess, it was practically an obligation for me as well.
‘Well, there’s Dantalion. And Grandpa said he’s coming to the ball, too. There are plenty of people to dance with.’
Because of that, I wasn't worried at all about being a wallflower. If anything, I was worried that the people who doted on me would keep asking me to dance.
Even when I was little, Marianne, Abel, and Nathaniel used to fight over who would dance with me. I wondered if something similar would happen this time.
I chuckled, recalling events that didn't feel like the distant past to me. Before I knew it, the lesson was over.
“Is your lesson finished, Imperial Princess?”
“Teacher Mel!”
After Lady Morgan left, someone else entered the drawing room. When I saw Melissa, I jumped up from my seat.
“It’s been a long time, Imperial Princess. I’m sorry I’m late.”
Surprisingly, Melissa hadn't changed a bit from ten years ago. Other people might look young for their age, but they still showed some signs of aging; Melissa, however, looked exactly the same.
Only her hairstyle was slightly different. For a moment, I felt like I had traveled back to when I first met her at age five.
‘Do mages not age either?’
I wondered if mages, like Sword Masters, stopped aging once they reached a certain level. It didn't seem like she was just "young-looking."
“As it turns out, I was given a rather high position in the Magic Tower, so it wasn't easy for me to get away.”
“In the Magic Tower?”
“You know His Majesty has been reducing the authority of the Temple and encouraging magic, right? Thanks to that, the Magic Tower has become very busy.”
“I see.”
It was what I had expected. It was a predictable outcome following the fall of the Empress Dowager.
I hadn't been outside the Imperial Palace yet, but even when I went to the East in the past, people had many complaints.
Other regions—unlike the North, which ignored the Temple and actively used magic—couldn't even use warp portals properly.
But now that magic and magical tools could be used anywhere in the Empire, it was only natural that the Magic Tower, which had been walking on eggshells around the Temple, would become busy.
“I’m so sorry, Imperial Princess. I should have come the moment you opened your eyes.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m just happy to see you now, Teacher Mel.”
“I’m so glad you woke up safely.”
Melissa stared at me with a face that looked like she might cry at any moment.
Ten years is a long time. Everyone said they believed I would wake up, but there must have been a part of them that wanted to give up or turn away from me when I didn't wake for a whole decade. Waiting faithfully for such a long time is nearly impossible.
That’s probably why the story of Nathaniel and me sounded so romantic to people.
I quickly cut off my straying thoughts and talked with Melissa. There was so much I wanted to say to her now that we’d met again.
“Would you like to visit the Magic Tower with me after the ball is over?”
“Pardon?”
“The Master of the Magic Tower wishes to meet you, Imperial Princess.”
“The Master of the Magic Tower?”
My eyes widened at the surprising words from Melissa.