ALL NOVEL Chapter 53
Despite searching across the continent, there was no trace of the hidden wizard, as if she had decided to disappear. It was after 13 years, through the saintess, that he learned of the child between him and Titi.
[Please, raise our child freely.]
Unable to deny the woman’s last wish, especially after learning she had sent the child alone due to a terminal illness, the emperor chose to keep a distance, ensuring the child wasn’t subject to any checks. This decision had long since skewed the father-son relationship. Regret seeped in when he saw the dignified appearance of his child at his birthday party for the first time, realizing he had done nothing while the child’s innocent face shone as brightly as Titi’s.
Maybe I should invite him to the hunting competition… Ah.
Right. This was the problem. Lately, whenever he dwelled on Rakrensius even a little, his mind would fog up as if shrouded in mist. Was it because he had neglected his fatherly duties for too long or because he felt he no longer had the right?
* * *
“So, you came to see me because various men have started showing interest in your friends?”
“Yes. It made me think I need to persuade the Master of Tower more earnestly.”
“I don’t see how that logic follows…”
Rakrensius sighed and signaled to Saendi at the door. Saendi had been too engrossed in Selleana’s lively entrance to remember to bring tea, something Rakrensius quickly ordered to accommodate Selleana’s probable thirst after her long chatter.
[Master of Tower, I’ve returned to the duchy. It looks like I won’t be able to summon you rashly for a while, so don’t miss me too much.
With love, your Lea Kim.]
When Rakrensius received a telegram from Selleana a few days ago, he thought it was for the best. Being at the duchy, she wouldn’t call him recklessly, and with the distance, she wouldn’t visit as often.
She’ll be busy catching up with her family after a while. It’s fortunate…
The disappointment hidden in his heart was all too familiar to him. But he overlooked the fact that even before her departure, Selleana visited the tower daily, and now, trying to woo him, she was putting in even more effort.
“It’s really important to me. How can the son of a family friend from her childhood suddenly confess his feelings now? Does that make any sense?”
“What’s impossible about that?”
“The families have lived in different worlds for a long time, despite their parents being close when they were young.”
That’s when the protagonist of Doloret’s original story appeared. The kind, mature, and adorable son of a family friend from the healing story of their childhood. However, the current Doloret had built up her family instead of healing, and contact with that childhood friend’s family had long been cut off.
But now, suddenly claiming to have pined for her since childhood? Did that make any sense, especially not right after Doloret’s debutante ball?
I went to see her to think of a way to keep Prince Erenst in Laten for a long time, but I was in shock because of that man.
The shock was mutual. Both Margrave Gotenfrid and Prince Erenst could claim love at first sight from chance encounters. But why now for Doloret’s original male lead, coinciding with their marriageable age?
Something was off. She feared she might inadvertently get wrapped up in Pavellian’s schemes.
But I won’t let that happen!
That’s why she immediately sought out Rakrensius.
“So, Master of Tower.”
“No.”
“Then first…”
“I won’t date either.”
“
Tsk
.” Selleana pouted at his ironclad refusal. “Master of Tower, you’re truly throwing away your fortune.”
“I know,” Rakrensius replied silently, keeping his lips sealed.
This silence continued until Saendi set down the tea and left. When the room was filled only with the clinking of dessert cutlery, Selleana spoke up.
“Master of Tower.”
“Yes.”
“Can I ask something else?”
“If I said no, would you not ask?”
“That’s not it, but…” Selleana smiled and gently rolled her eyes. “Is that sword the treasure you possess?” Selleana tilted her head towards a sword hanging between bookshelves.
“
Ah
…” Rakrensius hesitated, dragging out his response.
[…]
No reply came from his friend, who observed the situation without adding anything.
No, there’s no need to discuss it in the first place.
The response was predetermined.
“Yes, it is.”
“No wonder… It looks extraordinary. Can I take a closer look?”
“Yes, of course…”
Again, no word from his friend. So Rakrensius casually guided Selleana to where the sword hung.
Because knowing Di’s existence itself is not dangerous…
Revealing just enough was better for keeping secrets, as even wizards were aware of this extent.
“Wow, it’s quite large.”
The entirely black sword seemed fit for a bulky warrior due to its wide blade. However, the hilt wasn’t practical and was decorated in many places, suggesting it wasn’t meant for actual use. A large gem embedded in the guard emitted an extraordinary aura.
“It felt powerful even from afar.”
“
Um
…” At Selleana’s casual remark, Rakrensius played dumb.
Selleana smirked at his feigned ignorance, examining the sword closely. “Is it a kind of magical sword? Is it the first emperor’s?”
“The first emperor?”
“The crown prince’s relic is the first emperor’s shield, so I wondered if they were a pair.”
“No, this is… a relic from the kingdom era.”
“
Aha
.”
Selleana flicked her eyebrows slowly.
A relic from the kingdom era that rivals Pavellian’s relic… Could it belong to the founding emperor?
She pondered, deciding not to probe further as he seemed reluctant to elaborate.
“May I hold it?”
“Well… yes.” With no objection from his friend, Rakrensius handed the sword to Selleana. “Be careful.”
“It’s not as heavy as I thought?”
“Because it’s a relic.” Though he responded lightly, Rakrensius knew his friend had slightly adjusted its weight.
“I think it suddenly felt lighter, just like back then…
Ah,
of course, you and this sword are strangers to me.”
“…”
While teasing him, Selleana scrutinized every detail of the sword.
It looks dull, but there are no notches… It really doesn’t seem used for combat.
Her experience with Peredo’s swords helped.
Selleana mentally noted things to investigate through Doloret.
If only the tower master had fallen for me, I’d ask outright why this relic subjects him to imperial scrutiny.
For now, she had no answer if he asked why she was curious, given his repeated desire to remain uninvolved.
“It really doesn’t suit you, Master of Tower.” Pretending her interest was spontaneous, Selleana returned the sword. “I’m not teasing, okay?”
“I know. Well, I indeed can’t wield a sword properly.”
“Really? Didn’t the imperial family teach you self-defense swordsmanship?”
“I was supposed to be the fool, happy to be left alone by the imperial palace, so I learned just the basics. It would’ve been trouble if I showed any talent.”
At Rakrensius’s cynical reply, Selleana chuckled.
“Well, you use magic… Is it inherited from your mother? There haven’t been wizards in the imperial family before.”
“
Aah
… Yes. My mother was a wizard.” Sadness tinged Rakrensius’s voice as he thought of his mother, from whom he had been separated early.
What kind of person was the tower master’s mother? If Doloret hasn’t found any information yet, she must be exceptionally ordinary or extraordinary.
Not liking the gloom on his face, Selleana lightly touched his forearm with her hands, subtly feeling the firm muscles through his shirt.
“What are you doing?”
“
Hmm
, just right for a man’s forearm.”
“Lady…”
“Muscles bulked up like Peri’s aren’t my type.”
“…”
“
Ah
, he’s my second brother. The one who glared at you during the emperor’s birthday party.”
“I remember…”
Resigning himself, Rakrensius allowed her to fiddle with his forearm. As Selleana did so, she casually asked, “…Can it talk?”
“Yes?”
“The sword. Like in stories where swords have their own consciousness.”