“Hmm.”
Ian flipped through the detailed blueprint of the skeleton watch, which required semi-automatic winding of the mainspring.
“This is the design of the skeleton watch. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask.”
“Could I perhaps meet the artisan?”
“Of course. It’s my business, after all.”
Upon Ian’s confirmation, Edelmar called Yan over and handed him the blueprint.
Yan then left, and Ian watched him disappear.
“I have something I’m curious about.”
“Hmm?”
“Where does Yan come from and go off to?”
Ian was puzzled by Yan, who always appeared and disappeared into thin air. While it made sense in a building or a crowded street, Yan also vanished and reappeared in open fields without cover.
“Ah, that’s because Yan isn’t human.”
“What?”
Seeing Ian’s surprise, Edelmar chuckled and called Yan back.
Moments later, Yan returned, empty-handed, having already delivered the blueprint.
“Yan is actually a spirit, originally summoned by the first emperor.”
“A… spirit?”
Ian, bewildered by the sudden mention of a spirit, asked again.
Edelmar nodded in affirmation.
“Yes, the sword spirit of the former emperor. He was supposed to protect the imperial lineage, but my father, the former emperor, passed him down to me.”
“Aren’t spirits typically in the form of animals?”
It was Yan who answered Ian’s question.
“The form is a matter of preference.”
“…Preference.”
“Yes. I chose this form because it’s the most suitable for protecting my master.”
“I see.”
“Do you have any other questions?”
Ian shook his head.
As Yan respectfully bowed and disappeared, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
“Duke, an invitation has arrived from the palace.”
“An invitation?”
Ian looked at Edelmar, who shook his head in response.
“Bring it here.”
Ian took the invitation from the butler.
“The second prince?”
“Did he send it?”
“Yes.”
The invitation, stamped with the golden seal of the imperial family, formally invited Rose to the second prince’s palace.
“So, he started that fire to do this.”
“The second prince likely thinks that if he befriends Rose, she can’t befriend the crown prince.”
Clicking his tongue, Ian tossed the invitation onto the table.
“Founders of this nation seem to be treated quite lightly.”*
Edelmar laughed quietly.
“Don’t laugh. This is the work of your family.”
“Isn’t it amusing, though? Fighting over something as trivial as the throne.”
But it wasn’t trivial, thought Ian, shaking his head.
“Butler, is the servant who delivered the invitation still waiting?”
“Yes. He’s awaiting a response.”
Ian rose from his seat and sat at his desk, taking out stationery embossed with the emblem of the Loenbaum family.
He wrote a polite refusal, just as the second prince had sent a polite invitation.
Ian placed the letter in an envelope and handed it to the butler.
“Deliver this.”
As the butler left with a bow, Edelmar asked,
“So you refused?”
“Yes.”
While one might consider an invitation from the emperor, the title of duke allowed him to decline invitations from either the crown prince or the second prince.
“I don’t think the second prince’s approach was entirely wrong.”
“I have no intention of letting Rose get entangled in the throne succession dispute.”
While wary of dark magic, Ian was determined not to let Rose be drawn into the battle for the throne.
It doesn’t matter, as we will be independent eventually, so why get involved in all that mess?
“Then how do you plan to refuse?”
“I was already looking for a way to do that.”
Unless he was working, Ian was always thinking of ways to escape the traps set by the dark mage.
Just in case, he had also sent a carrier pigeon to Fred, asking for advice if he had any good suggestions.
Knock knock.
There was another knock on the door.
‘Didn’t the servant already receive the letter?’
If the second prince had ordered that the servant shouldn’t return without permission, they could refuse the letter.
“Come in.”
With Ian’s permission, the butler entered.
“Duke, young lady Wistel has come to visit.”
“Young lady Wistel?”
Edelmar’s lips curled up in a smile.
“See, I told you this was interesting.”
Ian glared at Edelmar before speaking to the butler.
“What is the reason for her visit?”
“She wishes to meet our young lady.”
Meeting her without even an acquaintance?
“Are you going to refuse?”
Ignoring Edelmar’s provoking tone, Ian instructed the butler.
“Escort her to the parlor. Also, bring Rose and Fenrex here.”
After the butler left, Edelmar remarked.
“I thought you would avoid her.”
“I can’t miss this opportunity to see if she’s connected with the dark mage.”
“Oh.”
Ian clicked his tongue at Edelmar’s sly response.
Tap tap!
A very soft knock, unlike the butler’s, was heard—a gentle knock from a small fist.
“Come in.”
The door opened slightly at his gentle invitation.
“Uncle!”
Ian lifted Rose, who came running toward him, and kissed her on the cheek.
“What have you been up to, Rose?”
“I was reading a book!”
Despite her words, Rose’s twin pigtails were completely messy, as if she had been rolling around on the floor.
“Good girl.”
“Hehe.”
Ian, pretending not to notice, placed the smiling Rose on his lap and untied her hair ribbons, retying her hair.
“Fenrex.”
Sitting beside Rose and fiddling with his small hands, Fenrex looked up.
“I need you to do what you did at the palace again.”
“Here?”
“Yes.”
Fenrex wagged his tail, seemingly in disapproval.
“I don’t want to transform into a wolf.”
“It’s for Rose.”
“Tch.”
Fenrex jumped down from the sofa and shifted his form. Once he had transformed completely, he nudged his head against Rose’s lap.
“Puppy!”
Rose, who hadn’t seen Fenrex in his wolf form for a while, exclaimed in excitement.
Ian, not entirely pleased with Fenrex’s affectionate display, lifted Rose as a knock sounded, prompting him to stand up.
“Are you coming along?”
“Yes.”
Edelmar readily stood up. Together, Ian, Edelmar, and Fenrex headed toward the parlor.
“Where are we going?”
“Someone’s here to see you, Rose.”
Rose tilted her head, confused.
“But I don’t have any friends except Fenrex.”
Fenrex’s tail wagged vigorously, almost like a helicopter.
“That’s right. They’re not a friend. Let’s find out why they want to see you. But remember, Rose, don’t say anything.”
“Why not?”
“Because they might be a bad person. Let me talk to them first and let you know.”
“Okay.”
When they arrived at the parlor, Ian nodded to the servant, who opened the door.
Inside, a girl sat on the sofa with long, silver straight hair and a pink dress adorned with lace and frills.
She had large, blue eyes reminiscent of the sea, a prominent nose, and bright red lips, almost like a finely crafted doll.
‘This must be Yekhaterina.’
She looked exactly as described in the flow. Seeing others enter, the girl rose from the sofa and greeted them with a graceful bow.
“Greetings, Duke Loenbaum.”
“Stand up.”
Ian’s tone was cold. Yekhaterina, who flinched slightly, managed a polite smile and greeted Edelmar next.
“Greetings, Grand Duke.”
Ignoring her, Edelmar took a seat on the sofa and extended a hand toward Ian.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Isn’t it better for me to handle this?’
‘No, if anything goes wrong, shouldn’t you take the lead?’
While Ian and Edelmar communicated silently, Fenrex, wagging his tail, walked into the parlor.
“Puppy?”
Fenrex, who still appeared more like a puppy than a wolf, bared his teeth slightly in Yekhaterina’s direction.
“Eek!”
In that moment, Ian and Edelmar’s expressions hardened.
“No, Fenrex!”
At Rose’s loud reprimand, Fenrex whimpered and lowered his ears and tail.
“You can’t behave like that to a guest! Come here.”
Fenrex walked over to Rose’s side.
Watching Fenrex’s strange behavior, Ian turned to Yekhaterina.
“You may sit now.”
“Thank you.”
Yekhaterina sat down gracefully, exhibiting the poise of a mature lady rather than a five-year-old.
‘So, this was Yekhaterina before possession.’
In flow, Yekaterina’s possessed age was 20, so this was still the pre-possession phase.
“What brings you here?”
Yekhaterina answered clearly and precisely.
“I am honored to have been chosen as a friend to the crown prince, so I came to get acquainted with Lady Rose, who will also be a friend.”
“…It hasn’t been decided yet whether Rose will be chosen or not.”
At Ian’s words, Yekhaterina gave a subtle smile.
“It just hasn’t been announced publicly. The crown prince has already chosen Lady Rose as a friend.”
‘So, the purpose of this visit was to establish some legitimacy.’
Observing Yekhaterina quietly, Edelmar asked.
“Who told you the crown prince made this choice?”
“I heard it directly from the crown prince.”
Edelmar smirked slightly.
“Only the emperor can choose a friend for the crown prince. Do you think the prince himself can make such a decision?”
“That….”
Yekhaterina stammered, flustered, as if trying to make an excuse, but Edelmar waved his hand.
“That’s enough. We’ll confirm the details with His Majesty.”
Yekhaterina’s face turned visibly uneasy. Ian, who had been watching her carefully, turned to Edelmar.
“Please hold her for a moment.”
Edelmar frowned.
‘Is this really necessary?’
‘It’s better to be certain.’
Clicking his tongue, Edelmar took Rose into his arms.
Turning his full attention toward Yekhaterina as if to initiate a serious conversation, Ian spoke.
“I appreciate your intentions, my lady, but Rose is quite shy around strangers. Moreover, since nothing has been finalized, if she were to grow close to you and then return to the duchy, it might deeply sadden her. So, I’d rather not encourage a friendship just yet.”
“But this is also the crown prince’s wish.”
Ian cast a scanning spell.
🍓; *the treatment of the nation’s founders appears to be casual or dismissive, implying that their contributions are undervalued or not appropriately honored.
