Prince Narcissus and His Monster Attendant

As Ariel and Anna entered the Ann and Roy store, all eyes immediately turned to them.

Ann, behind the counter, welcomed them warmly—a change from their previous visits.

The discomfort that had lingered because one of Alfred’s subordinates had stolen a bracelet was now gone, thanks to Ariel’s neat resolution of the matter.

She led Ariel and Anna to a private meeting room inside the shop.

“What brings you here today?”

Ann asked with a gentle smile, and Ariel, unsure if he could secure a good deal, inquired with some concern.

“We’re looking to sell a mask.”

“And the asking price?”

“One thousand pounds.”

“That’s quite high.”

Ann hesitated, shaking her head slightly, and Ariel threw in an enticing offer.

“We’ll give you exclusive rights to it.”

“Hmm, okay.”

Ariel’s dramatic appearance at the noble assembly and the rumor that she had handed over a criminal and a bracelet had dramatically increased her value. One thousand pounds wasn’t a small amount, but the investment was worthwhile, especially with the promise of exclusive rights.

“Please fill this bag.”

“Will do.”

Ariel pulled out the mask she and Anna had made from the bag. Showing the bag to Ann, she asked her to fill it with whatever was needed.

Ann glanced at the seemingly small bag, which might have been an inventory magic bag.

Being able to use an inventory suggested the possibility of magic, typically a privilege of the nobility. But given Ariel’s humble appearance, she was likely from a fallen noble family at best.

“Anna, don’t you want anything else?”

Ariel excitedly packed the bag with items.

The people in the shop were astounded by how much the bag could hold, and Ann’s face almost turned ashen.

“That’s enough!”

Ariel stopped just before Ann could faint.

Ann seemed to want to say something but held back, her trader’s intuition telling her that Ariel was no ordinary client.

“Anything else you need?”

“That’s all for today!”

Ann managed a strained smile, and Ariel, genuinely pleased, beamed.

As Anna stepped out the door, she asked in a low voice, cautiously, “Princess, didn’t we take too much?”

“Maybe a little?”

“Is it okay?”

“Probably.”

“Aren’t you too carefree? What if assassins kidnap you without anyone noticing?”

“Hehe, no way. Who would dare touch the crown prince’s servant?”

Ariel spoke too lightly, causing Anna to sigh as she watched her naively positive companion.

‘Princess is always so optimistic. If it weren’t for her upbeat nature, she probably couldn’t handle the current situation.’

It was puzzling where Ariel had learned her bargaining skills.

‘She seems naive yet so bold.’

Anna followed Ariel, excited about their trip to Charden.

They had planned to explore the castle grounds that morning, enjoying some rare free time to tour the Romanov Empire.

While they were getting ready, Leo entered.

“Where are you going?”

“We’re going to look around the castle. But what brings you here, steward?”

“The crown prince has ordered preparations for a trip to Charden.”

“Charden? Why?”

“He’s going on an inspection tour of the kingdom.”

Ludwig had discussed the pretext and preparations for the trip to Charden with his close aides. A business-related visit was agreed upon as the best excuse, and Leo had come to convey this.

“Ah, I see. I’ll head out first then. There’s a lot to prepare before we go to Charden.”

That’s why Ariel had stopped by the shop earlier than planned to pick up essentials for Charden.

Cheered by the successful shopping, Ariel and Anna toured the grand and bustling streets of the Romanov Empire.

Ian, using invisibility magic, followed them.

He had transformed into a bird and flown over after seeing Ariel outside the castle.

The last time Ian had used teleportation magic to meet Ariel, he had landed in the imperial garden and unexpectedly ran into Robert.

He had managed an awkward greeting and left, but Ian shuddered to think what might have happened if he had run into Elias instead.

Teleportation was convenient but risky due to its visibility, so transforming into a bird and scouting a safe landing spot before reverting back was safer.

This time too, Ian flew in as a bird and transformed back into a human, concealing himself with invisibility magic.

“……”

Ian watched Ariel for a long time and was surprised by her unusual appearance at Ann’s shop. Ariel was both naive and clever, and that was part of her charm. Ian delighted in figuring out when to reveal himself to her.

***

Queen Linda of Charden was nodding off while embroidering when a leaf gently landed on her dress. The leaf carried a message from Ariel, stating that she and the Crown Prince were coming to Charden. The message also mentioned that the Crown Prince had never seen Gale’s face and thought he was a con man’s younger brother.

Therefore, she requested to be treated just like a farmhand doing menial tasks in the Kingdom of Charden, and warned not to be alarmed by her magically altered appearance.

“……Ouch!”

Startled, Linda pricked her finger with the needle. A drop of red blood emerged from the tip of her finger.

***

Ariel was on her tiptoes trying to reach an umbrella in the shop but couldn’t quite reach it. She looked to Anna for help, but she was busy applying lipstick. Just as Ariel stretched again, the umbrella danced in front of her eyes.

Startled, Ariel grabbed the umbrella, and there stood Ian, looking exceptionally dashing.

“A mage! What brings you here?”

“I came to ask you on a date.”

“But I’m a man right now.”

“I know.”

“Of course, you’re a mage…”

“Ariel?”

“So, I mean…”

Ariel stammered and blushed while Ian looked on with an affectionate smile.

“Who are you? Do you have business with, uh, Rapun…?”

Anna looked suspiciously at Ian, who had appeared out of nowhere.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

He quickly took Ariel’s hand and dashed away.

“Princess… no, no. Rapunzel…!”

Anna was left stomping her feet, unable to finish calling out.

After running for a while, Ian slowed down once Anna was out of sight.

“Ha ha.”

“Panting, Ariel asked, “Mage, why are you running like that?”

“To have a date without interruptions.”

“But I’m…”

“It’s okay. Who cares if you’re a man or a woman when we’re out eating? Let’s just have a meal.”

Ian led Ariel to the finest noble restaurant in the Romanov Empire. The owner, who recognized his face, greeted Ian and Ariel with great respect.

***

“Who took him?”

“A handsome man.”

“That doesn’t help much! Can you describe him more precisely?”

“Cool gaze, gentle as moonlight in his eyes, his nose beautifully sculpted, his lips neither too thin nor too thick, just the right shade of crimson…”

“Stop, I’m literally just trying to ask for an objective description.”

“So, his eyes are intelligent but charming…”

“Enough. Just go.”

Ludwig watched Anna’s retreating back, his chest tight with frustration.

Rapun had told Anna they would be sightseeing in the castle and return by evening, but Anna rushed back alone, panic-stricken that Rapun had disappeared.

When asked who it was, she only described his appearance. Ludwig asked again, only to get more metaphysical descriptions.

Strangely, the more he asked, the more agitated he became.

Though Ludwig tried not to show it, the man was incredibly handsome. Perhaps a sense that he might even surpass himself was creeping in.

“Did you perhaps put a binding spell on Rapun?”

Ludwig asked casually, and Leo looked embarrassed.

“Didn’t you do it, Your Highness?”

“Isn’t that the steward’s job?”

“……Your Highness must do it directly.”

“I’m sealed from using magic, can’t I cast a binding spell? Pity. If I had, he would only be able to move around the castle… Any other methods?”

“There is tracking magic.”

“Tracking magic…”

“The Master of the Mage Tower is an expert.”

“Ian, huh…”

Ludwig was somewhat reluctant to seek Ian’s help, especially as Anna’s description eerily reminded him of Ian. Particularly those cool and intelligent eyes were troubling.

Ludwig’s worry for Rapun dried his mouth and set his heart aflame.

“Where on earth could Rapun be?”

Could she have been kidnapped by the recent spate of abductors targeting women in and around the castle?

Yes, ever since she got that new mask, people have been looking at Rapun differently. She must have been kidnapped because she’s become too beautiful.

‘Should I tell Robert to mobilize the knights? No, first…’

As he stepped outside for some fresh air to clear his conflicted mind, Rapun, as if by some miracle, came running breathlessly up to him.

“Your Highness, have I kept you waiting too long?”

“It’s enough that you returned.”

Ariel asked, her voice raised in excitement, and Ludwig dropped his face onto her shoulder, relieved to the point of losing all his tension.

“Your Highness?”

Startled, Ariel asked, and Ludwig, with his face still buried in her shoulder, spoke in a hoarse voice worn by worry.

“It’s enough that you returned. To me…”

 

 

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