Episode 27
The carriage headed towards the capital where the Terium royal family resided.
The Drenihanian territory was very close to the capital, so there was no need to travel a long distance to reach it.
As befitting the capital of the most powerful nation, the streets were vibrant and lively.
The grandiose castle, visible from afar, gradually approached, and as we finally arrived at the main gate, an indescribable sense of awe overwhelmed me.
A towering golden eagle statue, symbolizing the former emperor who sealed an ancient dragon, hung at a distant height.
‘It’s been a long time since I visited the palace.’
Except for the time when I visited with my father when I was young, wasn’t this my first time?
As I walked forward, guards in armor adorned with the royal crest approached.
Among them, the chief of protocol responsible for welcoming royal visitors approached with a benevolent smile.
“Nice to meet you, Sierra Drenihan, the noble of Drenihan. You requested entry into the Royal Magic Department, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Thank you for the prompt response, even though it was just yesterday.”
“No problem. As per the long-standing argument that there should be a low threshold for visiting between the royal family and distinguished noble families, we have simplified the entry procedures.”
The chief of protocol spoke, bowing his head deeply.
“I will guide you to the Royal Magic Department.”
In the vast royal palace, not only state affairs but also administrative matters were handled.
Although there was a magic tower classified as the third nation within the empire, by fostering an independent magic department even within the royal family, they prevented an excessive concentration of power in the magic tower.
The majestic buildings of the imperial palace elicited admiration just by looking at them.
In the famous Riche Garden, known as the most beautiful garden, foreign royalty and renowned nobles were seen conversing and strolling.
It was indeed a garden that surpassed the epitome of splendor.
I had seen it once when I was young, but even now, I could understand why Riche Garden was an indispensable setting in the songs of poets.
As I walked toward the building where the Royal Magic Department was located, I saw a procession of people that looked like a parade of the imperial family.
Amidst the long procession of courtiers, I widened my eyes when I noticed the person at the front.
It wasn’t just because he was an exceptionally handsome man.
A man with honey-like blonde hair and orange eyes like the dawn.
He was the Crown Prince, the handsome son of Freya, the imperial beauty, who was said to have rivaled my mother in beauty.
He was walking towards the direction of the natural path where I happened to be.
And of all things, it was in my direction.
It was amusing to think about whether I should turn to the side and avoid it, considering that it would be absurd to turn to the chief of protocol amidst the procession of the imperial family.
I simply stepped aside and courteously nodded like other nobles.
Dozens of feet passed in front of me.
Then suddenly, the procession came to a halt.
The leader, the one with authority, had suddenly stopped walking.
The Crown Prince turned around, retracing his steps.
Precisely in my direction.
“Sierra Drenihan, isn’t it?”
“…I greet His Highness Theodore von Terium.”
I looked up at the tall man and replied, “What brings the Lady to the palace? It feels like it’s been a long time since we last met.”
In the atmosphere that seemed to greet an old friend after a long time, I was the one who felt awkward instead.
Was it really a new experience to meet after such a long time? After all, we had only briefly interacted when we accompanied our fathers to the imperial palace when we were young.
‘I’ll eagerly await your return, lady Drenihan,’ were Theodore’s parting words, and since then, we had never accidentally met.
Although we had roamed the palace in our childhood, we never intentionally crossed paths again. The memory of him striking me like a bolt had made it challenging to approach him willingly.
‘Theodore von Terium.’
The true male lead of the original work, the Crown Prince who mimicked the main villain.
Inevitably, he was a character who, due to the narrative structure, had a strained relationship with me, the original protagonist. After his ambitious aspirations for the imperial throne were thwarted, he committed acts that should never have been done.
He tampered with forbidden powers—dark magic.
The “National Monster Invasion Incident,” a major crisis for the protagonists in the later part of the original work, was initiated by him.
‘In other words, he’s a dangerous character.’
Someone I shouldn’t get too close to.
“Thank you for remembering the past. I have matters to attend to in the Magic Department, so I must hasten my steps.”
If the matter I brought up was just a courtesy greeting, it implied that I was busy and wanted to finish the conversation.
Understanding my intention, Theodore nodded, saying, “If it’s urgent, I shouldn’t keep you with a reunion like this.”
Yes, that’s right. Now you can go your way, and I’ll go mine.
“Let’s go together. I also have business at the Magic Department.”
“What?”
Even though I clearly saw you heading in the opposite direction, I emphasized that I was a busy person and suggested that he could go on his own.
“Shall we?”
Despite my dumbfounded expression, Theodore smiled brightly and took the lead. The court magician, who quickly followed behind, turned to me, flashed a friendly smile, and said, “Please come quickly.”
I followed him with sluggish steps.
From a distance, I hadn’t noticed, but seeing the procession of court magicians following me made me feel quite burdened. Of course, they were merely following Theodore’s direction, not me.
“It’s been almost ten years, and time seems to have passed quickly. I almost didn’t recognize you since it could have easily slipped my mind.”
Although we had only met when we were kids, it was fascinating that I could recognize him at a glance. Theodore, with a face that unmistakably belonged to the imperial family, was memorable, but I must have changed a lot since our childhood.
“I’ve heard that you’ve regained your health and increased social activities. It seems you’ve changed a lot from what I’ve heard.”
Thanks to Jeria, there must be plenty of gossip circulating about me, so it was natural that Theodore would be informed.
“Still, the reason I could recognize you is because of that necklace.”
“The necklace?”
I looked down at the crimson gemstone necklace hanging around my neck. I had kept it on me since obtaining it in the forest. I still hadn’t figured out the mysterious power it possessed. After that moment, it had resumed its role as an ordinary necklace, and I saw no reason to divulge its secret.
“It’s the precious item you cherished so much when you were young. Lady Sionne’s only gift left for you, as you particularly liked it. I remember it vividly.”
Theodore seemed to remember the blurred moment quite well.
“I thought I had lost it for a long time, but I recovered it recently. As you remember, it’s something very precious to me, so I was quite happy about it.”
“You lost it. It must feel even more precious now.”
“Yes, haha.”
“That necklace isn’t just a memory of our first meeting for me. Lady Sionne always wore it, so it left a lasting impression.”
“Have you met my mother?”
“Yes, I happened to meet her when I was even younger, right here on this path. Lady Sionna, who had lost her way and was wandering, comforted and consoled me.”
Theodore chuckled briefly as if recalling the memory.
“As people say, she was like sunshine. She held my hand, guided me on the right path, and told me many stories to ease my anxiety. Among them, one story still stands out in my memory.”
“What was that?”
I was curious about a story about my mother that I didn’t know.
“It was about the spirit living in that necklace.”
“Spirit?”
“Yes, as you know, spirits have long concealed their forms in the ancient times and have been dismissed as mere legends. At that time, I believed the story as if it were real. But as I grew up, I realized it was a fabricated tale created for my childish curiosity.”
Theodore finally stopped in front of the building where the Magic Bureau was located.
“Anyway, thanks to that memory, I could recognize you even in this chance encounter today. I suddenly remembered some urgent business, so I should return to it.”
“Oh, I see.”
He was just going in the direction of his original destination, and I couldn’t tell why he had redirected his steps towards the Magic Bureau. However, since the story about my mother was quite intriguing, I smiled and said, “Thank you for being my conversation partner for a while. Please, go ahead and check.”
“No, it was rather fitting for me to go along with your whim. I hope we can have a comfortable conversation like this next time as well.”
With those words, Theodore turned around and walked away, leading the long procession as usual.
Those people were in a position to detour the long way due to the master’s caprice.
“Here is the Royal Magic Bureau. If you are looking for the Healing Division, it’s in the administrative office, so just go this way.”
Watching their retreating figures with a disapproving look, I shifted my steps toward the building at the words of the court magician.
