Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Spark (7)
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Approaching Varkus closely, I asked,
"Did you receive a message? Or did you send one?"
"Neither."
Varkus's face was somewhat tense as he said that.
"But just now..."
"I don't know either! I tried contacting Lady Kaela, but I have no idea how to use it!"
I flinched and stepped back at Varkus's shout, his face flushed with anger.
"She definitely told me how, but even when I do exactly as she said, there's no response! No message from Lady Kaela either. Damn it, I... I never heard about anything like this!"
"Mr. Varkus, calm down!"
He seemed just as baffled by the situation as I was.
I tried to soothe him, but it was like my words weren't getting through. He clutched his head and muttered to himself.
"No, that's not it. There's no way Lady Kaela would just toss me into a place like this."
"Mr. Varkus."
Desperate to calm him, I grabbed his arm.
At that moment, murmurs from people outside the public hall's fence and the rapid sound of approaching hooves reached us.
We all turned toward the entrance at once.
A knight in splendid blue knight's attire was just stepping into the public hall.
"It's a messenger from the family knight order."
Clemence's face hardened. It meant more news had just arrived.
The messenger dismounted and dashed straight into the public hall.
"Let's go."
Clemence led the way, with Wedin and me following behind.
Varkus, who had been worked up, chased after us as well.
The family knight order headed straight for the duchess's room, and we hurriedly climbed the stairs after them.
We reached the third floor in an instant and were heading toward the duchess's room at the end of the corridor when—
"Miss Clemence, stop."
Clemence, who had been leading, halted before the knight in blue attire.
Three family knights were blocking the corridor, guarding the door.
The messenger had already entered the duchess's room.
The door was firmly shut.
"I need to hear what the news is too."
Clemence spoke firmly, but the family knight shook his head with an expressionless face.
"Please wait. I'll ask the madam."
As he spoke, the family knight quickly glanced at me, Wedin, and Varkus.
His gaze made it clear we were unnecessary here.
"This... this is ridiculous!"
Just then, the door flew open, and the furious duchess stormed out.
Her anger had reached its peak; she wasn't even trying to hide it with her fan.
"Ivela, calm down."
The White Guard Knight followed behind her.
He looked utterly exhausted from dealing with her.
"Calm down? Calm down! What good does calming down do? Has anything been resolved while we've been calming ourselves?!"
"Mother."
The duchess, who had been yelling at the White Guard Knight, whipped around to glare at Clemence.
I flinched at the spark of fury in her eyes—even though it wasn't directed at me.
Clemence kept her composure and asked calmly,
"I saw the messenger arrive. What happened this time?"
The duchess's furious glare softened slightly upon seeing Clemence.
"Clemence, something insane has finally happened. That mad prince has arrested the opposition nobles and exiled some of them."
"The opposition nobles..."
"The utterly good people who worry about Elgrace's future. People who share our cause. Your father has decided to leave the capital for now."
The duchess's gaze passed over me and Wedin, landing on Varkus—and sparks flew in her eyes.
"Varkus!"
Her bellow echoed down the corridor, making Varkus's slender frame shake violently.
His face drained of color.
"Wh-why are you like this, Madam?"
"Didn't you know? You didn't hear anything?"
"I knew nothing! This is the first I'm hearing of it."
Varkus's voice was filled with injustice.
But the duchess glared at him sharply.
"We'll talk separately."
Varkus opened his mouth as if to refuse, but his ashen face couldn't form the words.
The duchess brushed past us, her two maids flanking Varkus tightly, pushing and pulling at his clothes.
Varkus looked just like a man being dragged to the gallows.
"Mother!"
Clemence tried to stop the duchess, but it was no use.
"Go back to your room, Clemence."
The duchess spoke curtly without turning and strode quickly down the corridor.
Behind her followed Varkus and a group of family knights.
"...There's not much we can do."
After the storm had passed, the White Guard Knight emerged from the room and spoke in a subdued voice.
His expression was one of despair.
"Grandfather... What happens now? What about the delegation?"
"We'll know when we arrive in Elgrace. For now, do as your mother says and return to your room."
Clemence let out a small sigh and nodded.
The White Guard Knight turned to me and Wedin with gentle eyes.
"I'm sorry you got caught up in this. And thank you for being by Clemence's side at a time like this."
His fresh expression of gratitude made me shake my head.
"No, it's only natural. We're friends."
"I'm glad you're her friends."
The White Guard Knight smiled faintly, patted our shoulders, and left down the corridor.
Clemence's assigned room was a guest suite at the opposite end of the corridor.
Before entering, I peered out the corridor window to check the situation outside.
Some of the delegation hadn't returned yet after going for meals, making the public hall look even more desolate.
The knight squad that had gone to respond to the magical beast attack hadn't returned, nor had Knight Jennerd or the kingdom knights.
Only scattered servants from Flavia and family knights from Duke Lesis's house were visible.
Where was Father? Had he heard the messenger's news?
"Lib?"
Wedin called me just before closing the door.
I stepped away from the window and entered Clemence's room.
For now, staying with Clemence was the best we could do, so Wedin and I decided to do just that.
Clemence's room consisted of a large parlor separated from the bedroom.
Prepared for noble guests, everything from the wallpaper and carpet to the furniture and wall paintings screamed luxury.
But from lack of use, it felt neglected and desolate.
I pulled up a small chair and sat, while Wedin closed the door and took a seat opposite.
Clemence placed three glasses of water on the round table one by one.
"I'm fine alone."
"No."
"You're not."
Wedin and I spoke at the same time and exchanged glances.
I cleared my throat awkwardly.
"I'll stay until the knights return from chasing the beast, Clemence. My brother and Ash are with them too. I won't be able to rest until I know everyone's okay."
Only then could I sleep easy.
Clemence laughed out loud.
"Got it. Do that."
We tacitly agreed to avoid heavy topics like the duchess or the situation in Elgrace's capital.
There was nothing fifteen-year-olds like us could do about it here.
So the conversation naturally shifted elsewhere.
We started with things like the flowers in the framed paintings or Flavia's dusty winds, but then Wedin suddenly brought up a rumor about Elgrace he'd heard at the tavern.
"A black dragon? For real?"
Clemence's eyes widened, and I sighed loudly.
I really didn't want to hear that story again.
"It's just a rumor. From some drunk guy. Can't trust it."
"Just something to keep in mind. No harm in being cautious."
"A black dragon. It must be huge..."
Clemence furrowed her brow, trying to picture it.
To her, dragons were probably just from the hero fairy tales she'd read as a child.
"Not just big—super dangerous. Wonder if the knights can handle it."
I didn't like Wedin harping on it, so I cut my hand firmly through the air.
"No, there's no such thing."
"You never know? You're the one with no proof dragons are gone."
What kind of absurd argument was this?
I let out a disbelieving chuckle, and Wedin smirked too.
"No proof either way for both of us, so let's prepare for all possibilities."
At that moment, the door burst open suddenly.
We hadn't heard footsteps in the corridor or a knock, so we were startled.
Standing there was a maid with her black hair neatly pinned up, her face expressionless.
Her hands clasped neatly in front, she stared silently at the three of us.
"Ka-Kalia? What's going on?"
The surprised Clemence rose unsteadily from her seat.
One of the duchess's shadow-like maids.
The maid named Kalia stepped forward wordlessly.
In the next instant, six family knights in blue attire flooded into the room behind her.
Wh-what?
Were there this many family knights?
We jumped to our feet in shock.
The spacious room felt cramped and oppressive with six burly knights inside.
"Tell me what's happening, Kalia."
Clemence asked in a lowered voice. Kalia didn't answer.
The sturdy knights all had blank expressions.
The atmosphere was off. This felt bad...
"Mage."
The moment Kalia looked straight at me and spoke, my hand reaching for the staff at my waist was snatched by an approaching knight.
"Ugh!"
The staff clattered to the floor, and a thick hand clamped over my mouth instantly.
"Lib!"
Wedin lunged to help me but was grabbed by another knight.
Wedin's legs kicked wildly, toppling the round dining table as his waist and arms were restrained.
"Let go! Let me go!"
"Kalia! What are you doing?!"
Clemence shrieked.
I tried to bite the hand over my mouth, but it was too strong—impossible.
My breath was getting shorter.
Kalia advanced another step toward Clemence, her face still blank.
The pale-faced Clemence backed away, glancing between me and Wedin.
The family knights approached her...
"It's the madam's orders, miss. Come quietly, and we won't harm your friends."
They'd blocked my hands and mouth to prevent magic.
For a typical kingdom mage, maybe.
I suppressed my boiling emotions and tried to focus.
As I drew in mana, red-glowing mana began swirling at my feet.
Just as I started forming the spell, my mind went white.
Pierce the family knights with red crystals and escape? In front of my friends?
Red crystals don't distinguish friend from foe.
At that instant, Kalia whipped around to me.
Her cold, emotionless eyes stared straight into mine.
As if she'd sensed I was about to cast magic.
Her pale white hand shot toward my neck, and the moment it touched, I felt something snap.