"Ah...!"
For a moment, Perdes was about to say no, but then he realized that he and Adele were lovers who loved each other terribly and swallowed his words.
Jack had noticed something after being around him for so long that it was okay to say that, but he had to be careful with his words because it was Gnosis.
Feeling reluctant to admit it, Perdes instead asked a question.
“Why do you think so?”
“That is because His Highness’s expression as he looked at the pen was that of a person in love.”
Was it so? Perdes swept his dry cheek.
He wanted to check if Gnosis's words were true, but he couldn't see his own face unless he looked in a mirror.
Gnosis looked at the mana pen and admired it.
“It’s a one-time coming-of-age gift, but they gave you a Mana pen, and a top-quality pen at that. I guess that shows how great the wealth of the Leopold Duke’s family is.”
“Is this pen top quality?”
“Yes. It’s an extremely expensive and good mana pen that a poor magician like me can’t even dream of even if I save up my entire life.”
Perdes knew that mana pens were expensive, but he didn't know that they were something so good that Gnosis would be impressed by them.
So how much does this mana pen cost?
He was curious, but he didn't want to know. The moment he found out the price, he thought he would never use this Mana pen.
At the same time, the mana pen felt very heavy.
To be exact, it was the weight of the mind.
Even though it was a once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age gift, since he received such an expensive and nice gift, it was right to give her a gift that matched his birthday gift.
'The problem is I don't have the money for that.'
It's not like he didn't have any money at all.
Perdes started a small business using the maintenance allowance he received from the imperial family every month.
Over the past two years, the business has grown steadily, adding to his fortune.
But it was a drop in the bucket compared to the wealth of the Duke Leopold's family.
It couldn't even be compared to Adele's personal assets.
So he was wondering what kind of birthday present he should give her, but when he found out this fact, he couldn't help but sigh.
As Perdes' expression darkened suddenly, Gnosis asked in puzzlement.
“What are you worried about?”
“No, nothing.”
Perdes shook his head and put the mana pen back in its holder.
“Why are you putting the mana pen back in the storage? If you draw a magic circle with it, you can definitely check the effect.”
“It’s an expensive item, so it seems a bit of a waste to just use it for testing purposes.”
“Oh, right. That’s true.”
Gnosis nodded in agreement.
“However, if you keep it for too long, it will lose its value as a mana pen, so I hope you will use it later.”
“That’s right.”
“I don’t know when that will be,”
“Young Lady.”
“!”
I looked at Perdes in surprise as a cold, large hand reached out over the one holding the documents.
On the other hand, Perdes spoke calmly.
“You need to focus on the meeting.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
I hurriedly pulled my hand away from Perdes and looked at the official who had the right to speak.
“What did you say? I’m sorry, but can you say it again?”
“No. Right now...”
Let's focus on the meeting, Adele Leopold.
You shouldn't let personal matters distract you from your work.
I tried to focus on the meeting by keeping my eyes straight ahead, which kept rolling to the side.
“Thank you all for your hard work.”
Fortunately, my efforts worked, and I was able to conclude the meeting without incident.
As I was leaving the conference room, relieved at that fact, Perdes grabbed my arm.
"Wait for a second."
I looked back at Perdes, more surprised than before.
“I have something to say.”
"Later..."
“It’s a story about the imperial knights coming tomorrow.”
I was going to say we could talk later if it wasn't urgent, but it was urgent.
It was also a very important story.
I nodded, swallowing what I was about to say.
Perdes locked the conference room door to prevent anyone from entering, then came closer and asked.
Even though it was close, it was just the exact distance we were sitting at during the meeting.
“Did you hear that I reported everything about Chernosser to the Emperor?”
“Yes. I heard it from Jack.”
“Did he say anything else?”
What else?
“I guess he didn’t. Well, Jack didn’t notice at all, so that makes sense.”
“What happened?”
“Is it because of that guy?”
"Yes?"
When another question came back that had nothing to do with my question, I asked back.
Then Perdes continued with a slightly serious expression on his face.
“That man, no, the Emperor, is trying to kill me, so you said let’s stop here?”
“...!”
The reason I didn't tell Perdes was because I didn't want him to suffer from the fear that he might die.
So, even though I thought in my head that I should deny it, my heart was too shocked to deny it.
“Judging by the reaction, I guess I was right.”
“...How did you know that?”
It would be pointless to deny it now, so I asked a question instead.
“When Jack told the Emperor that the knight in question had been captured, the bastard said this.”
Perdes raised the corners of his lips.
“Then the 4th Prince must be fine too.”
"Ah...!"
I thought the Emperor was after Perdes, but it was only a guess.
But after hearing Perdes' story, my guess changed to certainty.
The Emperor really wanted to kill Perdes.
For a moment, my eyes spun.
“Isn’t that why you tried to kick me out?”
"...That's right."
There was no reason to hide it any longer, so I confessed everything obediently.
“That’s why I wanted to send you away, Perdes. If you stay by my side, something bad will happen to you too.”
“What that means is that there is something wrong with Young Lady besides me.”
Is that how the story goes?
“And why are you so sure that I’ll be dead? I just have to protect Young Lady from that.”
“This is what I am protecting you from.”
“I just don’t understand.”
Perdes tilted his head.
“If the Emperor intends to kill me, wouldn’t it be just as dangerous if I leave Young Lady’s side? In fact, it would probably become more dangerous.”
“If you just leave, then yes.”
“What does it mean?”
I was going to tell him when the royal knights came by, but I couldn't help it.
Since we've already come to the topic, I thought it would be a good idea to do it, so I took out the item I had asked Aldor to do from my pocket and handed it to Perdes.
For a moment, Perdes was about to say no, but then he realized that he and Adele were lovers who loved each other terribly and swallowed his words.
Jack had noticed something after being around him for so long that it was okay to say that, but he had to be careful with his words because it was Gnosis.
Feeling reluctant to admit it, Perdes instead asked a question.
“Why do you think so?”
“That is because His Highness’s expression as he looked at the pen was that of a person in love.”
Was it so? Perdes swept his dry cheek.
He wanted to check if Gnosis's words were true, but he couldn't see his own face unless he looked in a mirror.
Gnosis looked at the mana pen and admired it.
“It’s a one-time coming-of-age gift, but they gave you a Mana pen, and a top-quality pen at that. I guess that shows how great the wealth of the Leopold Duke’s family is.”
“Is this pen top quality?”
“Yes. It’s an extremely expensive and good mana pen that a poor magician like me can’t even dream of even if I save up my entire life.”
Perdes knew that mana pens were expensive, but he didn't know that they were something so good that Gnosis would be impressed by them.
So how much does this mana pen cost?
He was curious, but he didn't want to know. The moment he found out the price, he thought he would never use this Mana pen.
At the same time, the mana pen felt very heavy.
To be exact, it was the weight of the mind.
Even though it was a once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age gift, since he received such an expensive and nice gift, it was right to give her a gift that matched his birthday gift.
'The problem is I don't have the money for that.'
It's not like he didn't have any money at all.
Perdes started a small business using the maintenance allowance he received from the imperial family every month.
Over the past two years, the business has grown steadily, adding to his fortune.
But it was a drop in the bucket compared to the wealth of the Duke Leopold's family.
It couldn't even be compared to Adele's personal assets.
So he was wondering what kind of birthday present he should give her, but when he found out this fact, he couldn't help but sigh.
As Perdes' expression darkened suddenly, Gnosis asked in puzzlement.
“What are you worried about?”
“No, nothing.”
Perdes shook his head and put the mana pen back in its holder.
“Why are you putting the mana pen back in the storage? If you draw a magic circle with it, you can definitely check the effect.”
“It’s an expensive item, so it seems a bit of a waste to just use it for testing purposes.”
“Oh, right. That’s true.”
Gnosis nodded in agreement.
“However, if you keep it for too long, it will lose its value as a mana pen, so I hope you will use it later.”
“That’s right.”
“I don’t know when that will be,”
Perdes said with his eyes, and Gnosis added with a smile.
“The first thing I recommend is a birthday gift for your fiancée.”
“...Young Lady’s birthday present?”
“Yes. A simple magic circle of about 1 circle can be activated by drawing it with that mana pen, so I think it would be very meaningful to make a special magic tool just for her and give it to her as a gift.”
The reason Perdes kept nodding his head while listening to Gnosis's story was because he too was planning to create a special magical tool to give to Adele as a gift.
He was just worried that it seemed too shabby compared to the gift he had received.
He wonder what kind of magical tool he should make that Adele would like.
“If you haven’t decided on a gift yet, may I, the old man, make a recommendation?”
Gnosis laughed inwardly as Perdes nodded his head.
Usually, Perdes was good at controlling his facial expressions, so it was hard to read what he was thinking, but it was different when he was talking about Adele.
The expression on his face was clearly readable as if looking at the palm of his hand.
That means Perdes likes Adele.
The innocent love story of the young disciple who was like a grandson was so cute and lovely.
Gnosis guess just looking at it makes him want to help.
“How about a singing magic lark or a magic alarm clock? They are currently the most popular items among the noble ladies in the capital.”
Perdes' head tilted.
“Why on earth is that so popular?”
“That’s because it’s a recording of the voice of a loved one. Isn’t it the dream of many lovers to wake up to the sound of a sweet song or voice sung by their loved one?”
Is that so? Perdes didn't understand, but he nodded when Gnosis said so.
And he also knew that magic larks and magic alarm clocks were popular.
It was something he learned naturally while doing business.
So it was understandable why Gnosis recommended it, but the problem was that it was a gift he couldn't give to Adele.
Because she and him weren't really lovers.
Because it was a contractual relationship that wouldn't have been strange if it ended at any time...
“...”
Perdes just took to heart what he already knew, but his mouth felt bitter as if he had chewed some bitter herb.
"Your Highness?"
“...I need to think more about Young Lady’s birthday present. It’s important.”
Maybe...it could be the last.
Perdes swallowed those words with a bitter smile and picked up his usual pen.
“Let’s continue testing.”
After I told Perdes to stop here, he and I didn't have much conversation.
Even when we happened to meet, he was quick to avoid eye contact.
To be exact, I was the only one who avoided it.
If I had something to say, I would avoid Perdes as much as possible, to the point of saying it through someone else.
But there were often times when we had to face each other and talk.
"This is..."
The weekly meeting was just such a case.
Now that I'm back, Perdes doesn't have to attend the meetings anymore.
However, since he was the one who had ruled the territory for the past two years, he decided to continue attending for the time being.
That way, the managers won't find it strange.
“The inner wall suffered little damage from the heavy snow, but the outer wall...”
He was so nervous that he couldn't concentrate on the meeting.
Today, of all days, I brought the item that Sir Aldor had requested, so my eyes were drawn to him even more.
I should have told you not to come today.
No. How can that be?
"... Miss?"
Then he will be more upset...
“The first thing I recommend is a birthday gift for your fiancée.”
“...Young Lady’s birthday present?”
“Yes. A simple magic circle of about 1 circle can be activated by drawing it with that mana pen, so I think it would be very meaningful to make a special magic tool just for her and give it to her as a gift.”
The reason Perdes kept nodding his head while listening to Gnosis's story was because he too was planning to create a special magical tool to give to Adele as a gift.
He was just worried that it seemed too shabby compared to the gift he had received.
He wonder what kind of magical tool he should make that Adele would like.
“If you haven’t decided on a gift yet, may I, the old man, make a recommendation?”
Gnosis laughed inwardly as Perdes nodded his head.
Usually, Perdes was good at controlling his facial expressions, so it was hard to read what he was thinking, but it was different when he was talking about Adele.
The expression on his face was clearly readable as if looking at the palm of his hand.
That means Perdes likes Adele.
The innocent love story of the young disciple who was like a grandson was so cute and lovely.
Gnosis guess just looking at it makes him want to help.
“How about a singing magic lark or a magic alarm clock? They are currently the most popular items among the noble ladies in the capital.”
Perdes' head tilted.
“Why on earth is that so popular?”
“That’s because it’s a recording of the voice of a loved one. Isn’t it the dream of many lovers to wake up to the sound of a sweet song or voice sung by their loved one?”
Is that so? Perdes didn't understand, but he nodded when Gnosis said so.
And he also knew that magic larks and magic alarm clocks were popular.
It was something he learned naturally while doing business.
So it was understandable why Gnosis recommended it, but the problem was that it was a gift he couldn't give to Adele.
Because she and him weren't really lovers.
Because it was a contractual relationship that wouldn't have been strange if it ended at any time...
“...”
Perdes just took to heart what he already knew, but his mouth felt bitter as if he had chewed some bitter herb.
"Your Highness?"
“...I need to think more about Young Lady’s birthday present. It’s important.”
Maybe...it could be the last.
Perdes swallowed those words with a bitter smile and picked up his usual pen.
“Let’s continue testing.”
***
After I told Perdes to stop here, he and I didn't have much conversation.
Even when we happened to meet, he was quick to avoid eye contact.
To be exact, I was the only one who avoided it.
If I had something to say, I would avoid Perdes as much as possible, to the point of saying it through someone else.
But there were often times when we had to face each other and talk.
"This is..."
The weekly meeting was just such a case.
Now that I'm back, Perdes doesn't have to attend the meetings anymore.
However, since he was the one who had ruled the territory for the past two years, he decided to continue attending for the time being.
That way, the managers won't find it strange.
“The inner wall suffered little damage from the heavy snow, but the outer wall...”
He was so nervous that he couldn't concentrate on the meeting.
Today, of all days, I brought the item that Sir Aldor had requested, so my eyes were drawn to him even more.
I should have told you not to come today.
No. How can that be?
"... Miss?"
Then he will be more upset...
“Young Lady.”
“!”
I looked at Perdes in surprise as a cold, large hand reached out over the one holding the documents.
On the other hand, Perdes spoke calmly.
“You need to focus on the meeting.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
I hurriedly pulled my hand away from Perdes and looked at the official who had the right to speak.
“What did you say? I’m sorry, but can you say it again?”
“No. Right now...”
Let's focus on the meeting, Adele Leopold.
You shouldn't let personal matters distract you from your work.
I tried to focus on the meeting by keeping my eyes straight ahead, which kept rolling to the side.
“Thank you all for your hard work.”
Fortunately, my efforts worked, and I was able to conclude the meeting without incident.
As I was leaving the conference room, relieved at that fact, Perdes grabbed my arm.
"Wait for a second."
I looked back at Perdes, more surprised than before.
“I have something to say.”
"Later..."
“It’s a story about the imperial knights coming tomorrow.”
I was going to say we could talk later if it wasn't urgent, but it was urgent.
It was also a very important story.
I nodded, swallowing what I was about to say.
Perdes locked the conference room door to prevent anyone from entering, then came closer and asked.
Even though it was close, it was just the exact distance we were sitting at during the meeting.
“Did you hear that I reported everything about Chernosser to the Emperor?”
“Yes. I heard it from Jack.”
“Did he say anything else?”
What else?
“I guess he didn’t. Well, Jack didn’t notice at all, so that makes sense.”
“What happened?”
“Is it because of that guy?”
"Yes?"
When another question came back that had nothing to do with my question, I asked back.
Then Perdes continued with a slightly serious expression on his face.
“That man, no, the Emperor, is trying to kill me, so you said let’s stop here?”
“...!”
The reason I didn't tell Perdes was because I didn't want him to suffer from the fear that he might die.
So, even though I thought in my head that I should deny it, my heart was too shocked to deny it.
“Judging by the reaction, I guess I was right.”
“...How did you know that?”
It would be pointless to deny it now, so I asked a question instead.
“When Jack told the Emperor that the knight in question had been captured, the bastard said this.”
Perdes raised the corners of his lips.
“Then the 4th Prince must be fine too.”
"Ah...!"
I thought the Emperor was after Perdes, but it was only a guess.
But after hearing Perdes' story, my guess changed to certainty.
The Emperor really wanted to kill Perdes.
For a moment, my eyes spun.
“Isn’t that why you tried to kick me out?”
"...That's right."
There was no reason to hide it any longer, so I confessed everything obediently.
“That’s why I wanted to send you away, Perdes. If you stay by my side, something bad will happen to you too.”
“What that means is that there is something wrong with Young Lady besides me.”
Is that how the story goes?
“And why are you so sure that I’ll be dead? I just have to protect Young Lady from that.”
“This is what I am protecting you from.”
“I just don’t understand.”
Perdes tilted his head.
“If the Emperor intends to kill me, wouldn’t it be just as dangerous if I leave Young Lady’s side? In fact, it would probably become more dangerous.”
“If you just leave, then yes.”
“What does it mean?”
I was going to tell him when the royal knights came by, but I couldn't help it.
Since we've already come to the topic, I thought it would be a good idea to do it, so I took out the item I had asked Aldor to do from my pocket and handed it to Perdes.
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