He didn't know why Yvonne was so sad, but something was shocking about Crown Prince Adrian's misdeeds.
His heart ached.
He bit his lip roughly and thought for a moment.
And after a while, he spoke with a determined look in his eyes.
“Barden. Listen carefully.”
"Yes."
"I don't think this will work. I really need to meet the Third Prince myself."
“...I agree, Father.”
“Do you understand what I’m saying? This is a matter that involves your fate, the Little Duke.”
"Father. As a noble of the Verbent Empire, I, too, am capable of making sound judgments. His Highness the Third Prince is a remarkable man. He has simply kept it a secret until now."
“Did you know that?”
Duke Argenthoz opened his eyes wide, unable to hide his surprise.
"Yes. Besides, while fighting alongside His Highness the Crown Prince this time, I realized he had some issues."
“Oh, really. Let’s talk about that separately later.”
Duke Argenthoz smiled with satisfaction as Barden nodded in response.
The Third Prince was the only legitimate heir to the imperial line, excluding Crown Prince Adrian.
Although he was born to a concubine, not the Empress, Adrian was actually the same.
Even though he was the Third Prince who had no power and never showed up except for official events, what could he possibly do?
Now he has the prestigious Argenthoz family of the Empire.
Founding father, magic tower, wealth, power.
If the Argenthoz family supports him wholeheartedly, the Third Prince will no longer be a pyramid.
A place with strong power on its back.
Barden recalled the 3rd Prince, who had a dull expression and never said a word when attending official royal events.
"Father. By the way, what do you plan to do with Duke Iels?"
“Ahem.”
"I warned him, but I'm worried he didn't fully understand. What if he just poked at Yvonne, who's finally come to terms with her own feelings, and hurt her? Why doesn't Duke Iels return to his domain?"
"That's right. Duke Iels... Yes, if he flirts with Yvonne one more time, tell me. I'll meet him in person and give him a stern warning."
Duke Argenthoz also strengthened his resolve as he looked into his son's eyes, which were filled with trust.
The public blind dates that were contractual are now over, so there is nothing more to see.
And the next morning.
Before leaving for work, Duke Argenthoz received a report about Yvonne.
It was heartbreaking to receive a message that his daughter was still sleeping at seven in the morning.
Yvonne, who used to wake up at 4 a.m. and wander around the townhouse, is so exhausted that she's just sleeping.
He sighed as he went to work at the top of the mountain.
"I wish Yvonne, who used to wake up at dawn and run around like a little kid, would return to her normal self. But it takes a long time for a wounded heart to heal."
Kaiser Argenthoz, who lost his beloved wife, also wandered for a long time.
"But Yvonne is younger than me. I'm sorry I can't help her. I'm sorry, Camilla."
He slowly entered the tower, repenting to his dead wife for not taking good care of Yvonne.
“Hmm?”
Today, the lobby felt dazzlingly bright, so he slowly closed and opened his eyes.
'?!'
“Hello, Lord of Magic Tower.”
The one who brightens up this gloomy magic tower where wizards with dark shadows under their eyes from fighting formulas every day wander around like zombies.
Duke Rudnine Iels, whose mere presence shone brightly, appeared in the lobby of the tower and smiled brightly at Duke Argenthoz.
'What, what is it!'
Just as he was about to lose his mind, Duke Argenthoz finally came to his senses, remembering Barden's words.
A kind guy who smiles at everyone.
Duke Argenthoz glared at Rudnine with a sharp gaze.
But even while staring, he thought.
'He's handsome. Just like me when I was younger.'
Even under the sharp gaze of the Duke of Argenthoz, Rudnine smiled gently as if nothing had happened.
He walked briskly with his long legs and stood in front of Duke Argenthoz.
Duke Argenthoz greeted Rudnine, who was standing before him, with a trembling voice.
“Duke of Iels, it’s good to see you. It’s been a while... You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you.”
The Rudnine he saw when he was young was a pretty boy who was upright and polite, unlike other children.
But now he had grown into a full-grown young man, taller than the Duke of Argenthoz.
“Yes, thank you. It’s all thanks to you, Duke.”
The Duke of Argenthoz couldn't help but smile happily as Rudnine answered politely, feeling so sincere. He barely managed to lower the corners of his mouth.
"No, come to your senses. What's the credit for me? Did you really put honey on your tongue? Ahem!"
He had to try to pull himself together.
What Barden said was true.
His heart ached.
He bit his lip roughly and thought for a moment.
And after a while, he spoke with a determined look in his eyes.
“Barden. Listen carefully.”
"Yes."
"I don't think this will work. I really need to meet the Third Prince myself."
“...I agree, Father.”
“Do you understand what I’m saying? This is a matter that involves your fate, the Little Duke.”
"Father. As a noble of the Verbent Empire, I, too, am capable of making sound judgments. His Highness the Third Prince is a remarkable man. He has simply kept it a secret until now."
“Did you know that?”
Duke Argenthoz opened his eyes wide, unable to hide his surprise.
"Yes. Besides, while fighting alongside His Highness the Crown Prince this time, I realized he had some issues."
“Oh, really. Let’s talk about that separately later.”
Duke Argenthoz smiled with satisfaction as Barden nodded in response.
The Third Prince was the only legitimate heir to the imperial line, excluding Crown Prince Adrian.
Although he was born to a concubine, not the Empress, Adrian was actually the same.
Even though he was the Third Prince who had no power and never showed up except for official events, what could he possibly do?
Now he has the prestigious Argenthoz family of the Empire.
Founding father, magic tower, wealth, power.
If the Argenthoz family supports him wholeheartedly, the Third Prince will no longer be a pyramid.
A place with strong power on its back.
Barden recalled the 3rd Prince, who had a dull expression and never said a word when attending official royal events.
"Father. By the way, what do you plan to do with Duke Iels?"
“Ahem.”
"I warned him, but I'm worried he didn't fully understand. What if he just poked at Yvonne, who's finally come to terms with her own feelings, and hurt her? Why doesn't Duke Iels return to his domain?"
"That's right. Duke Iels... Yes, if he flirts with Yvonne one more time, tell me. I'll meet him in person and give him a stern warning."
Duke Argenthoz also strengthened his resolve as he looked into his son's eyes, which were filled with trust.
The public blind dates that were contractual are now over, so there is nothing more to see.
And the next morning.
Before leaving for work, Duke Argenthoz received a report about Yvonne.
It was heartbreaking to receive a message that his daughter was still sleeping at seven in the morning.
Yvonne, who used to wake up at 4 a.m. and wander around the townhouse, is so exhausted that she's just sleeping.
He sighed as he went to work at the top of the mountain.
"I wish Yvonne, who used to wake up at dawn and run around like a little kid, would return to her normal self. But it takes a long time for a wounded heart to heal."
Kaiser Argenthoz, who lost his beloved wife, also wandered for a long time.
"But Yvonne is younger than me. I'm sorry I can't help her. I'm sorry, Camilla."
He slowly entered the tower, repenting to his dead wife for not taking good care of Yvonne.
“Hmm?”
Today, the lobby felt dazzlingly bright, so he slowly closed and opened his eyes.
'?!'
“Hello, Lord of Magic Tower.”
The one who brightens up this gloomy magic tower where wizards with dark shadows under their eyes from fighting formulas every day wander around like zombies.
Duke Rudnine Iels, whose mere presence shone brightly, appeared in the lobby of the tower and smiled brightly at Duke Argenthoz.
'What, what is it!'
Just as he was about to lose his mind, Duke Argenthoz finally came to his senses, remembering Barden's words.
A kind guy who smiles at everyone.
Duke Argenthoz glared at Rudnine with a sharp gaze.
But even while staring, he thought.
'He's handsome. Just like me when I was younger.'
Even under the sharp gaze of the Duke of Argenthoz, Rudnine smiled gently as if nothing had happened.
He walked briskly with his long legs and stood in front of Duke Argenthoz.
Duke Argenthoz greeted Rudnine, who was standing before him, with a trembling voice.
“Duke of Iels, it’s good to see you. It’s been a while... You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you.”
The Rudnine he saw when he was young was a pretty boy who was upright and polite, unlike other children.
But now he had grown into a full-grown young man, taller than the Duke of Argenthoz.
“Yes, thank you. It’s all thanks to you, Duke.”
The Duke of Argenthoz couldn't help but smile happily as Rudnine answered politely, feeling so sincere. He barely managed to lower the corners of his mouth.
"No, come to your senses. What's the credit for me? Did you really put honey on your tongue? Ahem!"
He had to try to pull himself together.
What Barden said was true.
The Duke of Iels was the perfect man who appealed to people of all ages and genders.
He thought that if a man like this were to show Yvonne kindness without meaning to, his daughter might get hurt.
So his vigilance became even stronger.
'I made a mistake.'
He tried to cheer Yvonne up by introducing her to a young man of noble birth who was as handsome as the Crown Prince she had been in love with.
But Rudnine was just too good a guy.
Duke Argenthoz was straining his eyes to avoid being bewitched by Rudnine when Rudnine suddenly burst into a faint smile.
“Why is that?”
Looking at Duke Argenthoz, who was frowning and asking, Rudnine bowed and apologized politely.
“Oh. Sorry.”
"Hmm."
Rudnine tilted his head slightly to the left and gazed at the Duke of Argenthoz with a vague look.
“Princess Agenthoz looks just like you, Duke. Truly... that’s right.”
Duke Argenthoz felt strangely uneasy as he was receiving Rudnine's strange gaze.
What is this strange feeling, my face and neck turning red and hot?
Duke Argenthoz became increasingly confused.
'Why are you looking at me like that!'
In order not to be swayed by the scheming Duke of Iels, Duke Argenthoz quickly got back to the main point.
"Yes. Why did the Duke of the Iels family, a sword-believer, come to the Magic Tower?"
The Duke of Argenthoz raised his chin arrogantly and sneered at Rudnine, but he simply smiled and quickly replied.
"Lord of the Magic Tower. I want to learn magic. So, I came here early to see if there was a suitable magic teacher at the Magic Tower who could teach a beginner like me."
The Duke's eyes widened as he looked at Rudnine, who was answering honestly.
“...Why bother? After all, the Duke is a precious sword master.”
"Ah, what's so great about being a Sword Master? This time, I came to the capital and encountered many convenient magical items. I was amazed by the splendid magic the wizards created."
“Hmm?”
“I respect you, Lord Magic Tower.”
Duke Argenthoz was now beginning to feel a little dizzy.
'Why is this happening?'
The previous Duke of Iels, whom he encountered in his youth, disdained magic and hated it deeply.
No, rather than hating it, they were a family that was united by blind faith in the sword.
Yes.
The Guardian of the Northern Gate, the Sword in the Black Moon, and the Duke of Iels, haven't they all been like that?
He thought the current Duke of Iels was the same.
But Duke Iels, who grew up inheriting a family tradition close to brainwashing, wants to learn magic.
He wonders what on earth is going on, or is there some other evil intention?
It was difficult to grasp Rudnine's true intentions.
Rudnine spoke with a serious look to the Duke of Argenthoz, who was suspicious and wary of him.
“The destructive power of a sword and the destructive power of magic are similar, but magic requires a higher level of concentration and training.”
“Ahem, that’s right.”
“Moreover, magic can heal as well as destroy, and it has a way to defeat even special monsters that swords cannot penetrate, so it should be considered superior.”
“Oh.”
Duke Argenthoz found himself nodding to Rudnine's words without even realizing it.
Rudnine smiled and continued speaking.
“Magic is incredibly splendid and beautiful. The people who use it are even more beautiful.”
Rudnine, who was saying those words, thought of Yvonne for a moment, and his eyes became moist.
But the Duke of Argenthoz, completely oblivious to the fact that Rudnine was thinking of his daughter, answered excitedly.
“Thank you for the compliment. Magic is truly a splendid and beautiful, highly advanced discipline, and a practical skill.”
"That's right. The Duke helped my father. I've been thinking a lot since then. I realized that if we're going to protect the Northern Gate, we'll need magic from now on."
“...Is that so?”
"Yes. The number of monsters that can only be bound by magic has increased significantly. Magic is incredibly important, and it's crucial. I realized my abilities were woefully inadequate. I absolutely had to learn magic."
Duke Argenthoz was gradually falling for Rudnine's string of sweet words.
No, he was so moved that he couldn't help but feel moved.
'The Empire's precious Sword Master... admits his own shortcomings in front of me, the Master of the Magic Tower, and praises my magic as the best. Is this man even humble? Does he even possess humanity?!'
Duke Argenthoz was confused by the sight of Rudnine, who was so perfect that he felt the world was unfair.
With that kind of Duke of Argenthoz in mind, Rudnine naturally turned to the topic of Yvonne.
"Magic is truly amazing. Born into the renowned magic family of Argenthoz, the Princess is incredibly mysterious, intelligent, and beautiful. After meeting her, I realized this: she is truly remarkable."
“...That’s true. Yvonne is truly an outstanding magician.”
The Duke of Argenthoz's jester, hearing his daughter's praise for the first time from anyone other than Yvonne's teacher and aide, ascended to heaven.
“Haha. She’s my daughter, but she’s really good.”
"Yes. For various reasons, I ended up meeting the Lord of the Tower, but I really couldn't understand him. The man who broke the Princess's heart... that man."
Rudnine, who had been smiling gently, turned cold and angry as he spoke his last words.
“As expected!!! Duke Iels thought so, too?”
The Duke finally raised his hands and clapped loudly.
As the applause of the Magic Tower Lord in the lobby of the Magic Tower building rang out loud, the magicians who were going to work looked at them with a puzzled look.
It's amazing that the workaholic Magic Tower Lord, who only works without expression, is reacting so strongly.
Duke Argenthoz was so excited that he didn't even care about the wizards' gazes.
The 'man' that Rudnine is talking about is, of course, Crown Prince Adrian.
The Duke of Argenthoz raised his voice in an agitated tone.
“That’s what I wanted to say!”
He thought that if a man like this were to show Yvonne kindness without meaning to, his daughter might get hurt.
So his vigilance became even stronger.
'I made a mistake.'
He tried to cheer Yvonne up by introducing her to a young man of noble birth who was as handsome as the Crown Prince she had been in love with.
But Rudnine was just too good a guy.
Duke Argenthoz was straining his eyes to avoid being bewitched by Rudnine when Rudnine suddenly burst into a faint smile.
“Why is that?”
Looking at Duke Argenthoz, who was frowning and asking, Rudnine bowed and apologized politely.
“Oh. Sorry.”
"Hmm."
Rudnine tilted his head slightly to the left and gazed at the Duke of Argenthoz with a vague look.
“Princess Agenthoz looks just like you, Duke. Truly... that’s right.”
Duke Argenthoz felt strangely uneasy as he was receiving Rudnine's strange gaze.
What is this strange feeling, my face and neck turning red and hot?
Duke Argenthoz became increasingly confused.
'Why are you looking at me like that!'
In order not to be swayed by the scheming Duke of Iels, Duke Argenthoz quickly got back to the main point.
"Yes. Why did the Duke of the Iels family, a sword-believer, come to the Magic Tower?"
The Duke of Argenthoz raised his chin arrogantly and sneered at Rudnine, but he simply smiled and quickly replied.
"Lord of the Magic Tower. I want to learn magic. So, I came here early to see if there was a suitable magic teacher at the Magic Tower who could teach a beginner like me."
The Duke's eyes widened as he looked at Rudnine, who was answering honestly.
“...Why bother? After all, the Duke is a precious sword master.”
"Ah, what's so great about being a Sword Master? This time, I came to the capital and encountered many convenient magical items. I was amazed by the splendid magic the wizards created."
“Hmm?”
“I respect you, Lord Magic Tower.”
Duke Argenthoz was now beginning to feel a little dizzy.
'Why is this happening?'
The previous Duke of Iels, whom he encountered in his youth, disdained magic and hated it deeply.
No, rather than hating it, they were a family that was united by blind faith in the sword.
Yes.
The Guardian of the Northern Gate, the Sword in the Black Moon, and the Duke of Iels, haven't they all been like that?
He thought the current Duke of Iels was the same.
But Duke Iels, who grew up inheriting a family tradition close to brainwashing, wants to learn magic.
He wonders what on earth is going on, or is there some other evil intention?
It was difficult to grasp Rudnine's true intentions.
Rudnine spoke with a serious look to the Duke of Argenthoz, who was suspicious and wary of him.
“The destructive power of a sword and the destructive power of magic are similar, but magic requires a higher level of concentration and training.”
“Ahem, that’s right.”
“Moreover, magic can heal as well as destroy, and it has a way to defeat even special monsters that swords cannot penetrate, so it should be considered superior.”
“Oh.”
Duke Argenthoz found himself nodding to Rudnine's words without even realizing it.
Rudnine smiled and continued speaking.
“Magic is incredibly splendid and beautiful. The people who use it are even more beautiful.”
Rudnine, who was saying those words, thought of Yvonne for a moment, and his eyes became moist.
But the Duke of Argenthoz, completely oblivious to the fact that Rudnine was thinking of his daughter, answered excitedly.
“Thank you for the compliment. Magic is truly a splendid and beautiful, highly advanced discipline, and a practical skill.”
"That's right. The Duke helped my father. I've been thinking a lot since then. I realized that if we're going to protect the Northern Gate, we'll need magic from now on."
“...Is that so?”
"Yes. The number of monsters that can only be bound by magic has increased significantly. Magic is incredibly important, and it's crucial. I realized my abilities were woefully inadequate. I absolutely had to learn magic."
Duke Argenthoz was gradually falling for Rudnine's string of sweet words.
No, he was so moved that he couldn't help but feel moved.
'The Empire's precious Sword Master... admits his own shortcomings in front of me, the Master of the Magic Tower, and praises my magic as the best. Is this man even humble? Does he even possess humanity?!'
Duke Argenthoz was confused by the sight of Rudnine, who was so perfect that he felt the world was unfair.
With that kind of Duke of Argenthoz in mind, Rudnine naturally turned to the topic of Yvonne.
"Magic is truly amazing. Born into the renowned magic family of Argenthoz, the Princess is incredibly mysterious, intelligent, and beautiful. After meeting her, I realized this: she is truly remarkable."
“...That’s true. Yvonne is truly an outstanding magician.”
The Duke of Argenthoz's jester, hearing his daughter's praise for the first time from anyone other than Yvonne's teacher and aide, ascended to heaven.
“Haha. She’s my daughter, but she’s really good.”
"Yes. For various reasons, I ended up meeting the Lord of the Tower, but I really couldn't understand him. The man who broke the Princess's heart... that man."
Rudnine, who had been smiling gently, turned cold and angry as he spoke his last words.
“As expected!!! Duke Iels thought so, too?”
The Duke finally raised his hands and clapped loudly.
As the applause of the Magic Tower Lord in the lobby of the Magic Tower building rang out loud, the magicians who were going to work looked at them with a puzzled look.
It's amazing that the workaholic Magic Tower Lord, who only works without expression, is reacting so strongly.
Duke Argenthoz was so excited that he didn't even care about the wizards' gazes.
The 'man' that Rudnine is talking about is, of course, Crown Prince Adrian.
The Duke of Argenthoz raised his voice in an agitated tone.
“That’s what I wanted to say!”
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