Chapter 130: Mother’s Opposition
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 130: Mother’s Opposition
Anakin Gray, the Tower Master.
In the original novel, he was a character whose name only appeared a few times. Perhaps because the Magic Tower had secluded itself from the world, the Tower Master, much like Melissa, never showed his face.
Furthermore, since he held no direct grudge against the Temple, he had remained quiet in the original story, unlike Melissa, who actively cooperated with Dantalion.
For such a man to say he wanted to meet me personally was quite unexpected.
“I told the Tower Master about your talent, Princess. It seems I piqued his interest.”
“Ah, I see.”
It appeared my constitution—possessing a vast amount of mana—was intriguing to him. Besides, I did have a talent for magic.
I recalled Melissa’s previous suggestion that I should study at the Magic Tower when I grew up. Since I wasn't a real princess anyway, becoming a disciple of the Magic Tower and actually becoming an Archmage sounded like an interesting path.
[Hmph. A master contracted with an Archdemon is already practically an Archmage.]
‘But magic is a different story.’
[Honestly, the greed of humans knows no bounds.]
Desmond clicked his tongue. Regardless of his grumbling, my heart fluttered at the mere thought of going to the Magic Tower and meeting the Tower Master.
“You’ll go with me after the ball is over, right, Teacher?”
“Of course.”
Melissa nodded with a bright smile. Looking at her, now much gentler than before, I tried to suppress my racing heart.
*
“You’re going to the Magic Tower after the ball?”
“Yes.”
Dinnertime was when the entire Imperial Family gathered. Although everyone had their own palace, they all met at the Emperor’s Palace every evening to spend quality time together.
Dantalion, who had been slicing a tender steak, paused at my words and asked for clarification. I gave a small nod.
Immediately, my mother’s worried gaze locked onto me. Having expected this, I wore a sheepish smile.
“How can a child who has never even been outside the palace go to a place like the Magic Tower?”
“I have so little experience, so I should start gaining some now.”
“It hasn’t been long since you woke up.”
“You know I’m perfectly fine, Mother.”
At my rebuttal, Mother bit her lip. Her eyes, filled with overwhelming concern, remained fixed on me.
It was only natural for her to worry. After going missing, being kidnapped by the Temple, placed under a curse, and only waking up ten years later, the idea of me going to the Magic Tower must be terrifying for her.
However, at fifteen, I wasn't the same as I used to be. I could command demons better than before, and in times of danger, I could even summon an Archdemon.
Moreover, if I could learn magic systematically at the Magic Tower to handle this immense mana, no one would ever be able to touch me again.
That was why I had to go to the Magic Tower, no matter what.
“It would be better to summon the Tower Master to the Imperial Palace instead…”
“He is not the type of person to come all the way here, Empress.”
“Sigh.”
At Dantalion’s soft voice, Mother let out a deep sigh. She then shot a slight glare at Dantalion for not taking her side.
“Surely you aren't planning to send the Princess to the Magic Tower, are you?”
As she asked in a sharp tone, Dantalion’s gentle expression wavered slightly.
“If it is what the Princess wants…”
“Your Majesty!”
The dinner hour, which was usually overflowing with laughter, turned into a mess in an instant. I glanced nervously between the two of them. Kairen, sitting next to me, was doing the same.
My poor younger brother watched Mother and Dantalion alternately with wide, startled eyes. It was likely his first time seeing the two of them, who usually got along so well, having an argument.
Feeling even more guilty that it was because of me, I reached out and gently stroked Kairen’s hair.
“Why don't we discuss this more later?”
“Ahem, yes. Let’s do that.”
Realizing this wasn't the kind of behavior they should show in front of Kairen, Dantalion cleared his throat and nodded. Mother simply lowered her head without a word.
I continued my meal while constantly checking Mother’s reaction, but she didn't meet my eyes until the dinner was over.
*
“Sigh.”
The next day, I let out a sigh as I recalled the previous night’s dinner. Nathaniel, who had been visiting the Princess’s Palace almost every day, asked in a curious voice.
“Is something wrong?”
“Mom—I mean, Her Majesty the Empress—is against me going to the Magic Tower.”
I hurriedly corrected the informal title I had used as a child and took another long breath.
“Why?”
“I think she’s anxious about me leaving the palace.”
“Then you can just go together.”
“I might be able to, but Mother is the Empress. She can’t just go to a place like that whenever she wants.”
“Hmm.”
Nathaniel tilted his head as if he didn't quite understand. For someone like him, who could go wherever he pleased at any time, it seemed a difficult concept to grasp.
However, my head was already too cluttered to explain the complexities of her role as Empress or the depth of her maternal worry.
As I continued to sigh, Nathaniel kept a close eye on my expression.
“But you still want to go to the Magic Tower, right, Dia?”
“Yeah. An opportunity to meet the Tower Master doesn't come easily.”
I nodded while sipping my tea.
I was fifteen now. Since ten years had already slipped away, I didn't actually have much time left.
In this world where marriage happened early, I would face pressure as soon as I came of age. Furthermore, I was officially an Imperial Princess—the only princess of the Empire. Marriage proposals would surely come pouring in.
Of course, Mother, who loved me, and Dantalion, who loved her, would delay my marriage as long as possible if I wished, but it wasn't a problem I could avoid forever.
So, I wanted to do everything I wanted to do before then.
“Couldn't you just keep asking until she gives her permission?”
“Mom won't even see me…”
“I see.”
In fact, I was in such a state of panic that I couldn't even focus on using the proper formal titles for my mother.
It wasn't that I hadn't thought of Nathaniel’s suggestion. I had intended to start persuading her today, but Mother had been avoiding me all day.
When I went to see her, the Head Maid said she was busy; when I went back, she said she was out. After several failed attempts, I had just returned to the Princess’s Palace for my lessons.
At this rate, there was a high chance she wouldn't even show up for dinner. It seemed she intended to avoid me to prevent the topic from being brought up again.
“That is a difficult situation.”
“Yeah.”
“Still, she won't be able to avoid you forever.”
Nathaniel spoke in a relaxed tone, despite his concern.
I knew he was right, but I couldn't help feeling anxious.
“If you want to talk to her right now, use me.”
“Use you?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
When I tilted my head and asked, Nathaniel wore a languid smile. He looked quite confident.
And I had no choice but to follow his lead.
*
“Nathaniel is here to deliver a message from His Holiness?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Veronica asked the Head Maid to confirm. The Head Maid nodded with a calm expression.
After a moment of deliberation, Veronica gave her consent.
“Very well. Let him in.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
This was Veronica’s office. Since Nathaniel had been coming to deliver messages as the Pope’s successor, it wasn't a particularly strange occurrence.
Most likely, he was here to discuss attendance for the upcoming ball celebrating the Princess’s safe awakening.
The aging Pope had been suffering under the curse of the Empress Dowager and the High Priest for a long time. Although he had risen from his sickbed after the curse was lifted, his health was poor enough that he wished to hand over his position to his successor, Nathaniel, as soon as possible.
It would be difficult for such a man to travel all the way to the Imperial Palace. He would surely entrust the matters regarding the ball to Nathaniel. It was predictable, but she still had to hear it from Nathaniel directly.
‘The Magic Tower.’
Thinking of the ball naturally brought Claudia to mind. Not long ago, the child had said she wanted to go to the Magic Tower.
Veronica felt her mind go blank for a moment. If the child were to collapse again in a place beyond her reach and never wake up, she wasn't sure what she would do to herself.
The past ten years had been horrific. It felt as though she were living without truly being alive. Even when she wanted to die amidst her dark thoughts, everyone told her the child was still breathing and would wake up soon.
That was how Veronica had endured those hellish ten years—believing that her child would wake up one day.
She had only just been reunited with her, and now she had to send her away to a distant place again? Veronica could never bring herself to do that.
“I greet Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Welcome.”
Snapping out of her thoughts, Veronica looked at Nathaniel as he approached.
However, he had not come alone. Veronica’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the figure standing beside him.