Killian spoke softly and smiled even brighter. Julia blinked at the unexpected words, then smiled brightly in return without thinking.
It was because Endymion was someone she believed in, and he took it as something he said he believed in as well. Shr thought that he was jealous because he was originally a very affectionate person.
At that moment, Endymion firmly pressed Killian's shoulder.
"There's one thing I'm curious about."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Killian glanced at the heavy arm pressing against his shoulder before answering.
Endymion remained silent for a moment. Then, when Killian held his posture without faltering under the pressure on his shoulder, he slowly lowered his arm.
And then he pointed to Killian's hand and asked...
"Have you ever taken that ring off?"
A silver ring worn on Killian's left ring finger. It was a magic control ring with the same function as Julia's.
Julia pursed her lips in bewilderment.
"Your Majesty, why do you ask such a thing?"
"No."
Julia's voice was buried in the soft voice. But somehow, the tone was strong, so Julia rolled her eyes in puzzlement.
"Not once in all these years."
"That's amazing. After that much time, it would have been easy to miss even by accident."
"Because it was a secret that I had to keep with the Queen. If I were to get caught, it might harm the Queen, so I never let my guard down for even a moment."
Julia's eyes widened. Endymion was cold as always, and Killian was affectionate as always, but the atmosphere felt strange.
Julia looked between the two men, hesitant.
"But it doesn't matter now."
Then, Killian spoke softly and raised his hand. Then, looking at Julia, he took off the silver ring without hesitation.
"Brother!"
Julia grabbed his hand in surprise, but the ring was already completely off Killian's ring finger.
"Oh, come back quickly!"
"It's okay."
Julia shouted urgently with wide eyes, and Killian patted her hand and whispered. Only then did Julia realize something was strange and look around.
"Magic power... why isn't it showing up?"
The surroundings were quiet. When Julia took off her ring, the magic that had been raging like a war was gone, and when Killian took off his ring, not even a trace of his nose was visible.
Then, Endymion gently wrapped his arms around Julia's waist and pulled her into his arms.
"It's dangerous, so come here."
Endymion added that he didn't know when his magic would burst out. Julia nodded dumbfounded and took a step back.
Then Killian smiled and said calmly.
"My magical powers have long since deteriorated."
"What are you talking about?"
Julia asked in surprise. Endymion stared at Killian, eyebrows furrowed.
"I once wielded magical powers, but now I am no match for even a low-level wizard. I think it naturally disappeared after being held down for too long. Now, I am just standing on the border between being a normal person and being a wizard. Nevertheless, I wear the ring because I am afraid that the Magic Tower will become greedy and forcefully demand my repatriation. I have not told you because I am worried that the Queen will be worried."
"Oh my god, that kind of thing."
Julia muttered, covering her mouth. Her first thoughts were joy and relief, but later she glanced at the person in question, not knowing what to do.
"There is no need to make such a face, Your Majesty. I am happy."
Killian consoled her. Julia was finally about to celebrate the peace she had found, relieved by him.
"So, does that mean you can't use magic at all?"
Endymion asked with a blank expression. Killian nodded and explained.
"Yes. I have an innate ability, and unlike ordinary people like Your Majesty, I can sense magical power. However, I cannot use magic."
"I see."
Endymion answered briefly and closed his mouth. Killian nodded and returned his gaze to Julia.
"Your Majesty, please do not go to the Magic Tower. I beg you to do this. The Magic Tower will never give up its greed."
Killian's voice was urgent. Julia hesitated, her face troubled.
No one knew better than Killian why he was so strongly opposed to going to the Magic Tower. But didn't Chiara try to kill her twice?
Now that she knew that there was a formidable magical force lurking behind it, Julia could not ignore it. If she does not cooperate with the Magic Tower to root out that evil force, she does not know when or what kind of threat it will pose.
'But I can't reveal everything that's going on inside Semele to my brother.'
Matters directly related to the well-being of the nation were confidential. No matter how close they were to each other personally, as long as she was the Queen, it was something that could not be revealed to a foreigner.
Given that Killian didn't mention the demon that had appeared in the garden. It seemed that he, like Boris, thought everything was due to Julia's magic.
So, it was even more difficult to tell the shocking fact that all of this was connected to the forces of magicians who were against the Magic Tower.
"I know better than anyone that Your Majesty is of mid-level skill. However, there are also the Tower Lord and high-ranking magicians in the Tower. If they are so greedy that their teeth chatter, they would kidnap Your Majesty and bring you to the Tower!"
"My Queen will return safely under my protection."
Endymion cut off Killian's protest. Killian hesitated at his firm stance, and Julia smiled and nodded.
Killian bit his lip in bewilderment at the two people's reactions that seemed to have already been decided. Julia reassured him again, telling him not to worry.
"I'll be back safe and sound. When you return to Ametrine, I'll send you a letter after everything is sorted out, so don't worry too much."
Only then did Killian agree. Of course, his eyes still showed a desire to stop.
But Endymion held firm, and Julia had faith in him, so he didn't become more stubborn.
"Wouldn't it be better to leave before it's too late?"
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
The other messengers had almost all returned, and it was time for Ametrine's messenger, Killian, to leave. Furthermore, even though his magical powers had completely deteriorated, he might be exposed if he ran into Boris, a wizard, at the castle, so it was dangerous.
"I will pray to God every day. Please return safely, Your Majesty."
"Yes. I am so glad and grateful that you came to my coming-of-age ceremony. Until I contact you again, please take care of yourself. I plan to visit Ametrine later, so I hope to see you then."
Julia held out her hand in farewell. Killian carefully took Julia's hand in his own.
"...I, too, was happy to see you again, Your Majesty. I look forward to seeing you again."
Killian shook her hand gently and let go. Julia gave an elegant nod and went inside with Endymion.
Bam.
"..."
There was only silence in the empty hallway. Killian swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue and walked forward.
"... How did you hide it all this time?"
Je was the first to discover it, but he held back with great difficulty. He thought it was a jewel that would be of greater use than his personal greed. That's why he couldn't let it be stolen by the magic tower.
There was deep hatred in his silver eyes.
They walked down a long hallway and came to a bend leading outside. Killian snapped his fingers as he was completely out of the reception hallway.
Tick-!
A very faint silver flash of light flashed and dispersed. The silver magic that had been floating in the air like dust quickly disappeared somewhere in the castle. There were maids and knights at the end of the corridor, but no one noticed.
Killian wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Pain followed as he forcibly pulled out the power that had bound him in a forbidden way.
"This should be enough to buy us some time."
The magician who appeared was confirmed to be a lower-ranked magician. It was certain that his power was detected one by one through the secret detection magic. So he wouldn't even notice what was happening.
Killian bit his lip, suppressing the pain.
It was all done. The plan that he had been waiting for 12 long years was right before his eyes.
"I could hold both jewels and dreams in this hand."
A moment of carelessness and misjudgment ruined the perfect plan. Killian looked back as he left the queen's palace.
"... That can't be."
In the dazzling sunlight, the silver eyes shone sharply.
***
"Mion, why did you do that earlier?"
Julia asked as she entered the room. Endymion sat down on the sofa, unbuttoning his cravat, and looked at her.
"No, Brother. I'm talking to Lord Oberon. I know he's worried that his secret will be revealed."
Julia looked at him with a little resentment.
Julia had no choice but to tell Endymion, but she still didn't want Killian to know that a third party knew his secret.
"How surprised must the person involved have been? Also, he must have felt like I was being too talkative."
Julia grumbled and sat down next to Endymion, then retaliated by tightening his cravat that had been half undone.
Then, Endymion, who had been silently watching what she was doing, opened his mouth.
"Someone came to see Chiara Soare last night."
"Uh?"
Julia stopped her hand in surprise. Endymion took her hand and slowly untied his cravat as he continued speaking.
"I went to the prison to question her further. I got a magic blocker from Boris Arcon to prevent her from talking nonsense. When I got there, I saw a wizard trying to kill her."
"What?"
Julia opened her eyes wide in shock. She instinctively recognized the identity.
That's the guy. The one Chiara called 'him'!
Endymion slowly moved his hands and explained everything he had seen.
"I didn't hear the conversation, but I'm sure they were trying to silence her by killing her. The dead don't speak."
"Oh, how did he manage to infiltrate the Semele Palace? And the special prison is a place where magical power is blocked!"
Julia cried out in thought. Endymion nodded.
"That's right. But if he's a wizard of a higher rank than the one who created the prison's magic blocker, then it might be different. Boris Arcon said that a wizard who can summon beasts and create potions that change appearance would be at least mid-level."
Then, it was said that the person behind it was a lieutenant wizard or higher. Julia was so surprised that she was at a loss for words and then belatedly looked closely at Endymion.
"Are you hurt? How could something so dangerous happen and you not tell me a word? You should have told me right away!"
"How can I wake you up when you're sleeping like you've passed out?"
"But you should have woken me up! Next time, wake me up no matter what! Got it?"
Julia grabbed Endymion's cheeks and turned them around, urging him on.
As Endymion reluctantly nodded, Julia lifted his hand to check for any signs of injury. Then, upon confirming that everything was fine, she let out a sigh of relief.
"I heard he was hit by a sword with magic blocking in prison and couldn't use magic. So don't worry, it wasn't dangerous."
Endymion belatedly glanced over and explained further.
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