The Man in Second Place
Since it was a promise with Raphael, she would make an appearance but not actually attend the event, so there was no risk of anyone’s feelings getting hurt.
Keeping a certain level of acquaintance with him was simply more advantageous, so it was better to leave things as they were.
Yet for some reason, Pay’s attitude had grown noticeably colder over the past few days. That bothered him.
In the past, she would have showered him with praise the moment he used spatial magic—calling him truly amazing and thanking him in that sweet, bird-like voice. Today, however, all she had said was a single, cool “Good work.” Even those words felt distant, leaving him uneasy.
Why?!
Don’t tell me she’s… bored of me already?
Since nothing had truly begun between them yet, the word “boredom” didn’t even apply. The only possibility he could grasp at was that she had simply cooled toward him. Still, whether it was boredom or cooling off, the real problem was that her attitude had changed so drastically!
Pay and Raphael continued their conversation, completely ignoring Lucius, who had been left standing alone behind them like an afterthought.
“How has the atmosphere been in your household lately? I imagine it’s still difficult.”
“Lady Pay, you needn’t feel any unnecessary guilt over what happened. They committed a grave mistake, so they must accept the consequences. I’m prepared for that.”
Even as he spoke those words, the Orleans ducal estate had been turned upside down. Not only the region where the mine had been discovered, but the Orleans trading company within the capital had also been subjected to raids and searches.
Today’s so-called “Penitential Charity Ball” had been organized under the pretext of donating ten times the amount of food prepared for the event to the slums. While the intention sounded noble, such events were generally regarded as humiliating for noble families.
The Klein Duke had always made donations to the monastery without needing any special occasion…
Pay, suddenly recalling a positive memory of her birth father, turned her head sharply in an attempt to change her mood.
And then she saw him.
Lucius was leaning against a pillar, wearing an awkward expression. He looked just like a drenched white puppy.
Those black eyes gazed at her timidly, as if pleading for attention.
Pay immediately turned her head away again.
He should have treated me well when we were together!
Hmph!
She had considered confessing first, but the idea left a bitter taste in her mouth. She didn’t believe that confessing first meant losing, yet her mood was too sour to go through with it.
This was entirely Lucius’s fault.
Of course, he had given her flowers and a ring and had even asked for her forgiveness, but he had never said the most important words. Why hadn’t he told her that he liked her? Why hadn’t he asked to court her properly? She wasn’t the kind of woman who could read everything from a single glance.
Hmm?
Raphael always wore a smile, but his perceptiveness far exceeded that of most people. The suspicious rift between Pay and Lucius was obvious to him, and he found it genuinely intriguing. This was a first, after all.
Pretending to know nothing, he sidled up to Pay and began his usual playful antics.
“Then, Lady Pay, would you care to dance a song with me once the music starts?”
“Right here?”
“Why not? Even if it’s not as spacious as downstairs, there’s still enough room for two people to dance.”
The second floor was structured like a square frame overlooking the hall below, with the edges connected. Just as Raphael had said, there was plenty of space for two people to hold hands and spin without any trouble. As long as they didn’t lean over the railing, they wouldn’t be easily seen from below.
Pay let out a small laugh.
“You really are something, Raphael. You’re the host of today’s ball, aren’t you? The Duke and Duchess couldn’t attend, so how can the host be up here fooling around on the second floor? Besides, if you keep hiding up here, the orchestra won’t even start playing.”
“Tch.”
As he grumbled under his breath, Pay smiled and gave him a gentle push on the back.
“Go on downstairs. Use the stairs without the piano.”
“This is my house, you know. The fact that you already know the layout of the ducal estate so well makes me think you might be considering becoming the Duchess of Orleans…”
“I’m not, so hurry up and go.”
Raphael kept talking even as he started moving.
“Don’t come crying at my wedding later, Lady Pay. I’ve said it before—I’ve never asked anyone to marry me twice. It’s truly a shame. Are you really fine with letting the flower carriage meant for you leave like this?”
“I told you, it’s fine.”
I hope someone in particular is listening to this.
Pay smiled faintly, yet she was acutely aware of Lucius standing behind her.
She still liked him very much and wanted to be with him. However, she had no intention of waiting like a fool for him to make up his mind.
Opportunities didn’t come around whenever one wished. She knew her own worth. Even if this was her first love, loving and protecting herself came first.
Once Raphael had gone downstairs, the crowd below fell silent for a moment before erupting into murmurs again as he began speaking. The distance between the floors made it difficult to catch the exact words.
Hmm…
Lucius, who had been cautiously inching closer while gauging her mood, spoke from behind her.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“No.”
Even that single word sounded cold to Lucius’s ears. Pay had answered normally, yet the chill in her tone was unmistakable.
While he stood there dejectedly, unable to even reach out, the soft sound of string instruments rose from below, filling the space with the melody of a waltz.
Pay slowly turned around and faced him.
“Would you care to dance a song, former Tower Master?”
Only then did Lucius realize her tone had been flat all along. He quickly stepped forward.
The music drifting up from below was loud enough to fill their ears, so neither of them missed a single beat.
Her movements were as graceful as a ballerina turning inside a music box.
Pay dances beautifully.
As Lucius silently admired her, she spoke first.
“You look like you’re in a good mood, Lucius.”
“Me?”
He hadn’t realized it, but his mouth was curved in a smile, and the arm that should have rested lightly on her waist had boldly slid around to her opposite side. If she allowed it, he looked ready to pull her into his arms and fly straight to the Magic Tower from the second-floor terrace. It was something he could actually do.
“Yes.”
Pay looked up at him with her clear green eyes.
Lucius was handsome. He had been dazzling the first time she saw him at the summer festival, and today his radiance seemed even brighter than usual. His silver hair resembled a pale crescent moon, and his eyes were darker than the blackest night.
Many people approached him because of his mysterious silver hair, only to falter when they met his cool, sunken gaze. Those who only observed him from afar would never know how brightly his eyes sparkled when he was deeply immersed in the pursuit of truth, like a true mage.
He was beautiful.
It was a uniqueness that belonged only to Lucius, transcending race—dragon, elf, or human. At least in this generation, Pay was probably the only one who knew it.
She liked that.
My man. His secret that only I know.
W-wait, what am I thinking? I’m supposed to be angry at Lucius right now, so why am I falling for him all over again?
As Pay’s lips twitched while lost in thought, Lucius assumed her mood had shifted and quickly blurted out whatever came to mind.
“I guess I’m happy because I’m dancing with you.”
“…Have you danced with many people before?”
“Huh?”
His reply was filled with confusion.
Lucius answered foolishly, then immediately regretted it.
This was clearly suspicion and jealousy. It seemed Pay had developed quite the misunderstanding about him. This was bad!
Despite enjoying the long games of dragons, he had never once engaged in even a light romance, let alone a lifelong commitment. In his own way, he was a rather pure man.
Feeling a cold sweat form on his back, he quickly explained.
“No, I mean… aside from occasions where it was absolutely necessary for formalities, I’ve never enjoyed a flashy social life with anyone.”
“Is that so?”
“Besides, you’re the first person I’ve shared the history of the Arcan Empire with. And… you’ll be the last. There won’t be anyone else after this. In the rest of my life, there will only be you.”
Hmph.
His answer pleased her, and Pay’s mood softened slightly.
Taking the opportunity, she asked, “What was the ancient era like?”
“What time period are you curious about? Before the Sharp Empire? Or the ancient empire itself?”
Even though her question was quite abstract, Lucius responded seriously.
“Any time is fine. Just tell me what the overall era looked like through your eyes.”
“Hmm… Before the Sharp Empire, there were many kingdoms and tribal states in constant conflict. It was a more chaotic time than now. Still, people lived and survived. Their descendants are here today.”
“I see.”
The brief conversation came to an end.
They continued dancing with only half a sheet of paper’s worth of space between them until the slow waltz finished.
Throughout the gentle steps, Lucius pondered inwardly.
She seemed interested in the ancient era. Maybe he should teach her more about it. Perhaps that would help melt away her sudden coldness…
“…I wonder if she’s gone.”
“Hmm?”
As the waltz ended and they reluctantly let go of each other’s hands, Pay muttered, “The Saintess. She endured the imperial palace and even came all the way here to this ball. She must have some scheme in mind. Lady Klein didn’t come, but she could be planning to meet someone and plot something again.”
“Should I go check?”
“Ah… That might be good. Oh, but what if people question me and pick a fight?”
Pay had been about to agree readily when she hesitated.
Officially, the noble society believed that Pay had caused a series of incidents due to her inexperience with Drakan flight. It was also widely known that Lucius of the Magic Tower was her companion.
After all, a 7th-circle mage who could use all attributes evenly was rare.
She was officially a subordinate of the Crown Prince. If she openly mentioned that matter, it would be seen as opposing the imperial family, so it would be difficult for her to speak freely if she went out there.
However, while Lucius’s abilities far surpassed hers, he was vulnerable in that particular area…
Power was truly strange. It could make the weak strong and push the strong into anxiety.
When Lucius noticed her worried expression, he eagerly added, “I can just disguise myself with another appearance! Yes, if anyone asks, I’ll say I’m Baroa. That should work, right? I’ve already stepped down from the Tower Master position, so there won’t be any burden on anyone.”
“What? But your appearance as Baroa is exactly the same as Lucius.”
He shook his head.
“No one knows. It’s true that the thought-form took on my appearance, but you’re the only one who has actually seen my real face. I took off my robe briefly to protect you, and by the time we reached the monastery, I had put on something else. I spent the entire year walking around the Magic Tower in my robe anyway.”
“Really?”
Now that she thought about it, his words made sense.
When Lucius had come to the Magic Tower, the mages from Baroa’s era had naturally still been there, yet none of them had recognized him.
So I’m the only one who knows…
“How about this?”
Before he even finished speaking, he quickly cast a transformation spell.