Chapter 137: Melissa’s Two Faces
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 137: Melissa’s Two Faces
Could he have noticed something? It hasn't been long since Nathaniel and I met, yet does he already know how close we are?
Perhaps sensing the doubt flickering across my flustered face, the Master of the Magic Tower spoke with a casual smile.
“It’s not because of any rumors. I simply thought that regardless of who it was, if they came to guard the Princess, it would be best for you to stay close.”
“Ah, I see.”
I struggled to hide my agitation. To think the Master of the Magic Tower was already aware of the rumors surrounding Nathaniel and me.
Then again, even someone completely out of touch with the world would have heard stories about the Imperial Princess. My falling into a slumber due to a curse was quite famous, after all.
“You didn’t bring any servants at all.”
“Well, that was one of the conditions, wasn’t it?”
“True, but… I didn’t think you’d actually follow through.”
“Pardon?”
The Master of the Magic Tower stared at me with an inscrutable gaze as he spoke. His reaction suggested he was genuinely surprised.
Even though the Temple’s restrictions had been lifted, the Magic Tower was fundamentally a place far removed from secular society.
So, even if I had been personally invited by the Master himself, I couldn't exactly show up with a long train of servants. In the first place, it was the Master who had specified that I should only be accompanied by a single guard.
Yet, he hadn't expected me to actually come without servants. Did that mean he thought I would ignore his request and bring them anyway?
In truth, I wasn't someone accustomed to being waited on. Perhaps because I had spent more time asleep than awake since my possession, the excessive attention from servants still felt uncomfortable at times.
If anything, the Master’s requirement was a relief for me. That was why Nathaniel and I had come with such light hearts, just the two of us.
“Should I have brought at least one?”
“No, you did well. It was a condition that had to be met for the security of the Magic Tower.”
“Then why…?”
“Usually, those who feel no need to listen to others tend to break promises without a second thought.”
The Master of the Magic Tower was still smiling, but his expression felt chilling for some reason. His words, too, carried a subtle, sharp edge.
“If you require someone to wait on you, I shall send someone.”
“No, I’m fine on my own.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Once again, the Master scanned me with those strange eyes. It was the look one might give a peculiar creature.
Is this his first time seeing someone who doesn't need servants?
Then again, considering I was currently the Imperial Princess and had lived as a Little Lady before that, it might be surprising to hear me say I was fine without help.
“I decided to leave my status behind when I came to the Magic Tower. So, I can handle this much.”
“A commendable mindset.”
When I spoke seriously, trying to project a dignified impression, the Master nodded in admiration. The look of seeing me as a strange creature vanished.
“Once you’ve finished unpacking, I will give you a tour of the tower.”
“Alright.”
As I nodded, the Master gave a disciplined bow and stepped back. I watched him leave the room with a slightly uneasy feeling before turning to Nathaniel.
“Let’s see your room too, Niel.”
“Okay.”
Nathaniel’s room wasn't much different from mine. The size and furniture were similar, though the wallpaper had a gray tone and pattern that gave it a much calmer atmosphere.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
“It’s fine.”
Nathaniel replied in a dry, flat voice. His reaction had been the same whether it was the small room he stayed in after leaving the Temple or the dazzlingly luxurious Imperial Palace.
I chuckled, thinking how typical that was of him. After checking out each other’s rooms, I returned to mine.
We each unpacked our belongings. We hadn't brought much anyway, since the Magic Tower had agreed to provide most of our food, clothing, and shelter. I placed a few items and Bibi’s rabbit doll—which I’d grown quite attached to—on a corner of the table and turned around.
“Niel, can I come in?”
“Yeah.”
As soon as I finished unpacking, I went to Nathaniel’s room. He told me to come in immediately.
He seemed to have as little to organize as I did, as he was already sitting comfortably in a chair. I approached him.
“Niel, do you have any interest in learning magic?”
“Magic?”
“Yeah!”
Even Priests can use magic if they have the talent. I had seen Diandre use magic with my own eyes.
So, if Nathaniel wanted to learn magic while we were here, I wanted to take classes with him. When I looked at him with sparkling eyes, Nathaniel remained silent for a moment, looking flustered.
“Let’s take classes together. It’ll be fun.”
“Hmm.”
“Why? Not interested?”
Nathaniel, who had been indifferent to almost everything, showed a hint of reluctance for the first time. Come to think of it, he had found Melissa uncomfortable when they were younger.
I thought it was just a personality clash, but could it be that he disliked magic itself?
“Yeah, not really. I don’t think I have much talent for it.”
“I see.”
It seemed Nathaniel had already tried to learn magic before and realized then that he lacked the aptitude.
Magic was certainly a field where talent made a world of difference. No matter how much I encouraged him, it wasn't something that could be forced.
I accepted his answer and gave up quickly. Still, since Nathaniel had volunteered to be my guard, he would be by my side wherever I went in the tower.
‘Why am I so happy about that? It’s almost embarrassing.’
I pressed down the corners of my mouth, which were trying to curl upward on their own. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Knock, knock.
“Yes!”
The door swung open the moment I answered. Melissa stepped inside.
“Teacher Mel!”
“I’ve come on behalf of the Master.”
“Oh, that’s great.”
“Hehe, you must be hungry. Shall we go get something to eat first?”
“Yes!”
I answered Melissa’s suggestion energetically. We followed her guidance toward the dining hall.
“The Magic Tower doesn't really have strict social divisions, so many people eat together. The tower is large, so there are dining halls on every floor, but unless something special comes up, you can eat here on the top floor, Dia.”
“Yes, Teacher.”
Nathaniel and I were here under the guise of being Melissa’s disciples. Since most of the mages in the tower didn't know my true identity, I had decided to use a pseudonym—the same name I’d used outside, ‘Diana.’
Since the nickname was the same, it didn't feel awkward at all. As we headed to the dining hall, Melissa’s expression hardened when she ran into someone.
“A-Ah, hello, Lady Melissa.”
“Right.”
When she replied in a stiff, cold voice, the person—who had their hood pulled low—glanced at her nervously before scurrying away. Watching this from behind, I blinked in surprise.
“Since we’ll be around other people soon, I’ll speak more casually.”
“Ah, yes.”
Melissa whispered softly and gave a small smile. It was the familiar face I knew.
Was I seeing things just now? Feeling dazed, I blankly followed behind her.
“Gasp, it’s Lady Melissa.”
“Damn, I thought she just left, but she’s back already.”
“Another pair of poor sacrifices has been hooked.”
I heard whispering voices from the surroundings. I scanned the dining hall.
It wasn't particularly large, but it wasn't small either. It looked like a good size for about a dozen people to gather and eat.
Come to think of it, I’d heard there weren't that many mages living in the tower—around a hundred or so. Plus, with dining halls on every floor, it made sense that there weren't many people here.
“Hiek!”
“…?”
When my eyes met a mage’s, they looked horrified and quickly turned away.
What? Do I look that scary? That shouldn't be the case.
“You get your food here.”
“Ah, yes.”
As it turned out, they hadn't been looking at me, but at Melissa. I nodded, feeling bewildered by Melissa’s blunt instruction.
It wasn't my imagination. Melissa was a completely different person in front of other mages—and not in a good way.
‘They did call her a madwoman.’
The description of Melissa from the original novel suddenly flashed through my mind—her fanatical crusade to destroy the Temple.
It seemed this was Melissa’s true nature. I stole a glance at her cold face as I received my food.
Right now, she seemed so on edge that there was no telling what would happen if someone crossed her. Following behind her with my tray, I found myself swallowing hard.