ALL NOVEL Chapter 46
“Master of the Tower, I’ve arrived. May you be blessed by Orot’s grace on this peaceful afternoon.”
When Selleana entered the office of the tower master, Rakrensius was engrossed in documents at his desk, holding a fountain pen in his left hand.
“It’s troublesome if you keep popping up like this unannounced.”
“You don’t seem too busy to me.”
“I am busy.”
Continuing their usual banter, Selleana handed a document to Sandie at the door, sealed with Benichi’s seal. After reading the contents, Sandie quietly left the room.
What’s going on? The lady came, but no refreshments were served.
Regardless, Selleana began browsing the bookshelves.
“The Truth Beyond the Horizon?
Oh
… Someone here also considered the planet to be spherical.”
Another book by Di…
Selleana’s recent choices in books, borrowing one or two from him, were quite unique, all written by his friend using his hand.
“There are indeed interesting books in the Master of Tower’s library.”
She liked Wilshe that much, but to have such consistent tastes? These books, compiling intriguing theories not present in this world, were also an amusing project for Rakrensius.
Then, even if she cancels the request, will she visit a few more times to borrow books? No, she said academic books weren’t to her taste…
Could they continue their relationship, even in the name of friendship, without burdening her? Swallowing such thoughts, Rakrensius observed Selleana from beneath his hood. Seemingly not finding a book that caught her interest, she took out a few of Di’s books displayed around, flipped through them, and put them back.
It was when Rakrensius forgot he was supposed to be reviewing documents and was merely staring blankly at Selleana.
“Still no progress?” Selleana suddenly asked him, causing Rakrensius to startle. “You have done it properly, so cheer up.”
Did I frown?
Rakrensius gently rubbed his forehead.
“I’m not urging you. I’m just asking for a report, got it?”
“This magic tower isn’t a detective agency…”
“Oh my, if you had said that from the beginning.”
“Even so, you would have insisted on pushing through the request, talking about ‘Elard’s methods.’”
“Forced it through? I would have just offered a more generous advance.”
While saying this, Selleana had already approached his desk. Rakrensius involuntarily shifted away, feeling guilty about yesterday’s event. Although he had disguised himself as Collin and used illusion magic, it’s unlikely she’d see any resemblance between yesterday’s and today’s.
“Moreover, considering Master of Tower had imperial blood, how could I, a mere noble daughter, dare to.”
“I never dreamed Lady thought so highly of me.”
“
Oh
, didn’t it show?”
“Not at all…”
Selleana smiled and perched on Rakrensius’s desk.
“How can someone who claims to treat me with respect barge in without a word every other day?”
“Barge in?”
“And to just sit down like this…”
Recklessly… Rakrensius’s pupils trembled as he took in Selleana’s dress, which had taken over half his desk.
Selleana was bolder than usual today. Was it because she was upset about his rudeness yesterday? If so, he had no right to complain. Rakrensius’s throat moved slowly.
Is he getting nervous…?
Selleana, looking down at him, wore a slightly crooked smile.
This is why I asked Sandie to leave.
The document shown to Sandie was actually a note asking her to take a break until Selleana left.
“I’ve been thinking these past few days.”
Selleana’s fingertip touched Rakrensius’s face, and he couldn’t bring himself to pull away, just like yesterday.
“If you really can’t find that man…”
Selleana’s fingertips slipped beneath his hood, tracing the firm brow bone and the edge of his eye socket. It was a cautious touch as if confirming the contours of his face. The man’s face involuntarily flushed.
“It wouldn’t be bad if Master of Tower took his place.”
“What… are you talking about?”
“Contract marriage.” She lightly tapped the tip of his prominent nose as if marking him. “Well, a contractual relationship would be fine too.”
“Now, what…”
“I’ll be honest with you. I need an excuse not to participate in the selection. The imperial family said they wouldn’t allow it because it would hurt the crown prince’s reputation unless I became someone’s lover who would be dying without them.”
“
Ah
, so you were lying about having a lover…”
“It wasn’t a lie.”
“But saying this to me now means you’re giving up on that love. The man Lady was looking for.”
Was it because of the awkwardness from yesterday? Or was it because it felt cruel to do to the real him what she had done to his illusion? Rakrensius’s voice sounded a bit pained.
“So you weren’t that sincere about him?”
“Sincere…”
Selleana gently stroked his firm jawline. Rakrensius, feeling uncomfortable, turned his head away.
Look at this.
Acting like a grumpy stray cat, this man always suppressed his feelings, but there were things he couldn’t hide. For instance, whenever her fingertips even brushed against his skin, his firm lips would soften.
“That sincerity, we can build it from now with you, Master of Tower.”
“Yes? What are you…”
In a swift motion, Selleana pushed back his hood.
“…Lady!”
His brilliant silver hair was revealed, and the tips of his ears were mercilessly red, just like yesterday.
How could I have been so blind to such oblivious clues?
When she faced Collin yesterday, the reason Selleana didn’t feel any regret about his refusal was simple.
They looked similar.
Was it because his features weren’t well-remembered or because she hadn’t immediately thought of Rakrensius at first? The memory of their first meeting was blurry, and yesterday, Rakrensius had used illusion magic. But watching him turn away or bite his lip, staring blankly at her, letting his lips part slightly, she had to realize. So, she tested it.
“Perhaps… Can I touch you one last time?”
Selleana reached out and stroked Collin’s cheek. Then, the man’s lips softened, and his ear tips reddened, just like now.
If the tower master is Collin.
Once she thought that, everything that had been suspicious made sense.
“Wine? Ah… Lady Branto.”
He knew Michi enjoyed wine.
He must have heard Michi saying she’d go for wine at the masquerade.
“But that author is about to retire.”
He also knew the unpublished fact of Wilshe’s retirement. When asked how he knew, he couldn’t answer properly.
Because Collin is either Wilshe himself or someone very close to him.
Yesterday, at the fair, a man named Nick, a wizard, was serving as a porter.
Seeing the tower master drinking coffee every day, he must regularly buy coffee beans.
Moreover, guild members who followed Collin reported he vanished in an instant, losing his trail. It was a speed hard to explain without magic. And most importantly…
That sword. I’m sure I heard it at the banquet.
Selleana’s gaze landed on the sword hanging in the middle of the bookshelf. A grand sword with both the hilt and blade in black. She hadn’t recognized it out of its scabbard, but now, seeing the embossing on the handle and its size, it was unmistakable.
He kept it there because I hadn’t recognized it.
In conclusion, Collin was a character Rakrensius appeared to be using magic to disguise himself. With all that conviction, Selleana looked again at Rakrensius.
“If it’s the man I spent that night with, whether his hair is black or silver.”
Selleana’s fingertips brushed aside the long bangs covering his forehead. His neat forehead was revealed, exposing his perplexed aquamarine eyes.
“Whether his eye color is red or blue.”
The monocular that had persistently hidden his face fell into her hand. The man, realizing everything was exposed, couldn’t stop her. His icy blue eyes froze, capturing her image.
Ah, indeed… It’s no wonder I fell for him at first sight.
Silver hair, a firm jawline, cold eyes. Looking at Rakrensius’s fully revealed face, Selleana wore a satisfied smile.
“It seems like anyone would be a suitable marriage partner for me.”
So, he already knows that the man I asked him to find is himself.
“Don’t you think so?”