Chapter 95

“It’s just that… I beg your pardon for saying this, but there’s been little progress.”

“….”

So, it really is that hard to find her.

Ignis let out a long, weary sigh.

“Even the most highly trained knights struggle to track down a Transcendent. We’ve investigated thoroughly, both through the knights Sir Butler dispatched and through my own information guild, but we’ve found no trail. It seems they’re using some kind of unusual magic.”

“I see.”

Ceria spoke at last, her expression equally troubled.

She had never once failed in a task entrusted to her by her liege. The very thought of failure for the first time sharpened the glint in her eyes.

“I tried tracking His Highness’s magical seal, but there was nothing. As if she had simply vanished into thin air.”

“….”

“I wonder if she might be a priest from the temple. If someone possesses divine power strong enough to neutralize that kind of poison, the temple would never just let them go unnoticed.”

“The temple… so, the temple.”

Ignis murmured under his breath.

Only a cold draft stirred the long, empty corridor. He stared down the dark corridor where Karentina had vanished, then turned on his heel.

“Expand the search to include the temple. Continue the investigation.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ceria bowed deeply.

‘I must find that woman no matter what. If I can secure her, she might be the key to curing Father’s illness. And beyond that, she could become a powerful asset against House Horton.’

A cold glint settled in Ignis’s crimson eyes. His heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor like a distant drumbeat.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

After Damion’s return to the estate, Karentina had been enjoying sweet, leisurely days ever since. The moment he resumed his position as the heir apparent, affairs in the North began progressing more swiftly, and as a result, she found herself with fewer responsibilities and an abundance of free time.

Thanks to that, she now had plenty of hours to spend enjoying tea with Stella or immersing herself in books from morning till evening. Aside from sharing dinner with the ever-busy Damion, life had become delightfully indulgent.

‘The life of a pampered aristocrat really is the best.’

Of course, once she returned to the capital and regained her magic, there would be no more time for leisure like this. She was already laying careful plans in anticipation of that day.

Among the many enterprises of House Horton, the crown jewel was undoubtedly their dominance over high society’s fashion, exquisite gowns and dazzling jewels that set the trends across the empire. And behind it all stood a formidable ally: the Alchemy Tower, an institution utterly indispensable to this world.

If the Grand Temple oversaw healing and the spiritual devotion of the people, then it was the alchemists who crafted the magic tools essential to daily life. And the one who commanded all those alchemists, the Master of the Alchemy Tower, was none other than the Duke of Horton’s younger brother, and the Imperial Consort Christina’s maternal uncle.

‘I’ll take everything from them.’

Karentina smiled coldly, the corners of her lips curling into a sharp grin.

The novel had begun with the same events, but now, a subtle fracture was forming, one that quietly steered the story onto a different path. By the time they realized it, everything would have already collapsed beyond repair.

But first, I’d need to remove my uncle’s family from the board.

The best course would be for the Emperor to rise and formally grant Damion the title of Duke.

If Damion inherited the ducal title through proper means, he wouldn’t even be able to lay a finger on the magic stones.

‘I wonder what kind of face he’ll make when he sees me.’

Karentina let out a faint chuckle and set down the quill she’d been diligently writing with. On the sofa, Stella bounced her feet excitedly, beaming.

“You know, I’m really happy I get to be with Karen every single day.”

How could someone speak so sweetly?

Karentina’s expression melted like a marshmallow left out in the sun. Meanwhile, Gemma looked on, her gaze full of affection for the little girl.

“When we return to the capital, please visit the palace often. His Highness will be terribly lonely.”

Stella’s shoulders drooped as she pouted once more.

“But I like it here… Can’t I just stay and live with you, Karen?”

Hiding her sadness, Karentina gently stroked the child’s hair with a tender hand.

“I’ll come visit you at the palace often. I have a feeling I’ll be going there quite a bit anyway.”

“Really? You’ll come to see me?”

“Yes, I promise. I’ll visit often.”

Stella beamed like a flower in full bloom as she turned to Gemma.

“Gemma, what’s my brother doing right now?”

“I believe he’s discussing the return to the capital with the chamberlain.”

Stella’s lips jutted into a pout.

Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t seen much of Ignis since the knights returned. To be fair, with her sharing meals more frequently with Damion these days, there had been fewer chances for their paths to cross. From morning until just before dinner, Karentina spent her days with Stella, and most evenings, Stella dined with Ignis.

Maybe it’s because he’s been spending time with the female lead.

Karentina recalled the recent grand banquet, where she’d spotted Ceria at Ignis’s side.

‘Ceria, working alongside Ignis… now that’s something I’m curious about.’

Lost in thought for a moment, she was brought back to the present by Gemma’s voice.

“Your Highness, shall I have afternoon tea brought here?”

Stella crossed her arms, a thoughtful expression settling on her face.

“Hmm, I’m not sure.”

“How about the glass conservatory?”

Karentina suggested with a gentle smile, and for a moment, Stella instinctively began to nod, but then hesitated. Even though she didn’t show it outwardly, the little girl was in quite a sulky mood. For a while, things between Ignis and Karentina had been soft and warm, like a spoonful of pudding. But ever since the knights returned to the estate, their relationship had gone stiff, like day-old bread.

‘This won’t do. I’ll have to step in!’

With a determined look, Stella clenched her tiny fists.

“Gemma, I want to have tea in my brother’s room.”

Both Gemma and Karentina’s eyes widened at the same time.