Julia asked cautiously, looking over the piled-up reports. Now that she was back, she had to really get to the bottom of it.
"That's probably true. We'd better dig it out before it seeps in any deeper."
Endymion said calmly, putting down the papers he had been reviewing. Julia rested her chin on her hand, worried.
"Boris said that it's hard to find clues because black wolves don't communicate through messengers or chimneys. Then, let's first look for those among the high-ranking nobles who seem to have a magical aura."
"It's so extensive that it might be difficult for you. And since they're gloomy, there's a high chance that they've already made such preparations."
Endymion said, crossing his arms. Julia said, "Ah." and frowned.
'I wonder if there's a good idea...'
"If the three of us, including Duke Hyde, think about it, a good idea might come to mind."
It was quite inconvenient to have to hide the details from even him since he didn't know who the Black Wolves were. So Duke Hyde only knew that the forced summons was resolved amicably on the condition that Julia would provide some help to the Magic Tower.
Of course, Duke Hyde isn't that kind of person, but his entourage might be members of the Black Wolves.
"What could they possibly reveal about themselves?"
We have to catch it quickly. Julia rested her chin on her hand and tapped her cheek with her finger.
The posture of sitting on the crimson sofa seemed relaxed and comfortable. Before, even when there were only two of them, Julia always had to keep her back straight and maintain an uncomfortably dignified appearance.
"It looks good."
Endymion, who had been staring blankly, spoke while resting his chin on his hand. Julia turned her eyes away from him as if she was thinking.
"What?"
"Be comfortable. You never did that before you went to the Magic Tower. Especially not outside the bedroom."
Julia looked down at her posture. Her shoulders were horizontal, her back was straight, and her posture was really off.
Julia, surprised even by herself, tried to correct her posture, but Endymion added a word.
"So now my other spaces are as comfortable as my bedroom?"
"Yeah, well."
Julia nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. It was strange to think that after living together for twelve years.
But really, in the past, unless it was a completely private place like a bedroom, there was a strong subconscious feeling that at least some basic rules had to be observed. It was like a barrier that kept the two of them out of sight.
But that finally melted away cleanly after she had her coming-of-age ceremony and visited the magic tower.
"It was a good thing I went to the Magic Tower. If I had known this would happen, I would have gone sooner."
Endymion muttered contentedly. Julia burst into laughter at him, slightly teasing him.
"It's not because of the magic tower, but I think it's because we've gotten a little closer. We used to sleep apart from each other in bed, but now I sleep with you in my arms."
Suddenly, Julia stopped talking. She looked thoughtful with a face that said she had made a mistake. Endymion, who was listening, twitched the corners of his mouth.
"That's what it was."
"Oh, no! That's not it! That's right, just like you said, we'll work together to solve a big problem at the Magic Tower!"
Julia tried to clean up the mess, but it was already spilled milk. The more she rambled, the more the satisfaction on Endymion's face grew.
Eventually, Julia shut her mouth and cried.
"Yes. I'll assume it's because of the magic tower."
"Are you kidding me right now?"
Julia grumbled bitterly.
Although she was vehemently denying it, he seemed to be much more relaxed than before. Endymion liked that more than anything else.
'If I keep teasing her, she won't show me next time.'
It was pretty when she laughed and cried in his arms, but it was also cute when she was upset.
Endymion changed the subject, thinking with a possessive mind that he would soon have to add that expression to his collection of secret portraits.
"Come to think of it, it's about the magic tower. The black wolves stole the magic stone and were so aggressive that they even broke the gate. We could throw that out as bait."
"Bait?"
Julia asked, blinking. Endymion nodded and explained.
While they were there, Pal controlled the tower, so no other wizard knew exactly what was going on. The news almost leaked to the Black Wolves, but Hamas was already locked up.
"Since the gate has already been activated, they must have known that we went to the Magic Tower. However, they probably don't know anything about the details of the agreement, other than the fact that I avoided being forcibly summoned. Since they are those who want to check the influence of the Magic Tower, they must be desperate to find out what we did there by now."
Surely, they would be paying attention to the first steps of the two. They were nervous about how the Semele royal family and Magic Tower would collude.
"A good idea occurred to me."
Julia quickly suggested, a bright idea flashing through her mind.
"They don't know how much we know about them. They don't even know that we've met the Lord of the Tower! So let's pretend we don't know anything and show off our friendship with the Lord of the Tower. Then, those people who let their guard down will definitely try to find out the truth."
The Magic Stone. That was the perfect bait. It was the most representative object that symbolized the Magic Tower, and it was also the core of the gate that the Black Wolves had broken.
As Julia was trying to explain it, the answer suddenly came out.
"Shall we use the magic stone?"
"Wow. How did you know?"
"I guess you really know how to read minds."
Endymion said calmly when Julia asked curiously.
"Of course, I know what you think. Now that we sleep together at night..."
"Hmm! Hmm! It seems like I'm hearing some pretty rude things in broad daylight!"
Julia rolled her eyes. Endymion rested his chin on one hand and tilted his head.
"You liked being rude, didn't you? That night a few days ago, you were definitely..."
"Stop it! Stop it!"
It seemed like she had to be embarrassed like this to be satisfied.
Julia became thoughtful and covered Endymion's mouth, then looked around hurriedly.
Even though she knew there were only two of them in the room, she was embarrassed that his voice might leak out and be
overheard by someone.
"You really, why did you change so suddenly? We were clearly friends Just a moment ago!"
Julia whispered and complained.
Whenever he makes plans as a serious friend or King, he changes into a sly husband as soon as he gets the chance, so Julia can't get used to it at all.
"You keep doing this, so I keep getting nervous. I never know when you'll embarrass me! Are you kidding me by doing this because you find it funny?"
"No way."
Endymion kissed Julia's palm, blushing. Julia blushed but obediently took her hand away.
Endymion looked at her like that, thought for a moment, and then said.
"Then, ask me whenever you feel nervous."
"What?"
"Are we friends now or are we husband and wife?"
What is that? It's not like there are two personalities.
Julia looked at him with bewildered eyes, but Endymion calmly began to hold her hands one by one.
'Oh.'
She felt tense at the movement of his fingers being entangled and stroking her persistently.
"What, right now? Are we a friend or a couple?"
I still have a lot to do today. Surely, you're not kidding!
As Julia looked at him with urgent eyes Endymion, who was tightly linked with his hand, stared blankly at her.
"...friend."
"phew."
Julia was obviously relieved. Endymion felt a little annoyed by her overly calm reaction.
But he couldn't confess the truth that he felt a fire burning every time he saw her. If he did, he really thought Julia wouldn't even meet him in broad daylight.
"Then we should start spreading the rumor first. We have to make them believe that we are very close to the Magic Tower."
Fortunately, the somewhat sloppy distinction of identity seemed to have worked. Julia quickly became serious and focused on her original purpose.
A plan was soon drawn up.
1. Spread the rumor that Queen Semele possesses a special and beautiful jewel.
2. Show off your friendship with the Magic Tower and subtly hint that the jewel is a magic stone.
3. Throw a party to show off your jewels. Secretly set up traps to catch anyone who approaches the jewels.
It was inspired by the previous operation to recover the magic stone stolen from the Duke of Moffat's castle. It fully utilized the fact that subtle word of mouth can more effectively agitate people.
But of course, things were different than before.
At that time, the black wolves had failed in their attempt to steal and conceal the magic stone. However, this time, they had deliberately thrown out bait and planned to lure them into falling into their own trap.
The two soon began to plan a detailed operation with Boris joining them.
***
A blow.
Endymion stopped before the woman he had encountered in the Queen's Palace corridor. Her same blue eyes blinked coldly.
"It's been a long time, Your Majesty. How have you been?"
It was his half-sister, Iris. Endymion nodded his head, looking at her with an indifferent expression.
"As you can see."
"At least pretend to be happy. Aren't the servants watching?"
Duchess Iris Hyde lowered her voice to a whisper. Her cold, disapproving eyes glared at him.
'Since when have we been so close?'
Endymion frowned, suddenly wondering why she was acting like that.
"Julia strongly urged me to be friends with her. If Julia hears about this and gets angry, will you take responsibility?"
But Endymion quickly changed his mind at the sound of a voice whispering quickly.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you, so I'm really happy. I wonder if you and my nephew are healthy. You'll be staying in the palace until you give birth, so if there's anything that bothers you, please let me know. Oh, I'm going out now and I'll go to Bluebell. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
Iris opened her mouth in disbelief. Endymion seemed like some kind of fraud, spitting out words without even licking his lips.
But the servants who followed looked at him with admiration and longing. Iris awkwardly raised the corners of her lips and spoke vaguely.
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. But when you say Bluebell, do you mean the dessert shop?"
"Yes."
Iris looked at Endymion suspiciously. The siblings had always been indifferent to each other, so she was unfamiliar with the sudden favor.
"Ah. I don't really like sweets."
"Then I can't do it."
As expected, Endymion didn't even show any regret, as if it was just a passing remark. Iris said, "Well, then that's how it is," and then tilted her head in confusion.
Bluebell was the most famous high-end dessert shop in Semele.
They mainly sold small, sweet items such as macarons, tarts, and cakes. They were very delicious, but they were also popular for their pretty colors and sugar decorations that made them almost too pretty to eat.
In particular, noble ladies would line up to buy desserts, which were sold in limited quantities each day.
Wasn't that all? It was a store with a brilliant history of 50 years. That's why there was even a joke that all the nobles from the capital had eaten Bluebell dessert at least three times when they were growing up.
"Isn't that a place that young ladies like? Why is Your Majesty there?"
"I'm going to buy some honey marine whipped cream."
The name of the dessert came out of the mouth of the arrogant King. It was a really cute word that did not suit him at all.
No, even leaving that aside, Iris looked at his younger brother with a haughty look on her face, holding back her laughter.
"Are you planning to buy it for Julia?"
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