I tilted my head and asked incredulously.
“There is nothing wrong now.”
"In that case, it's best to change them. The magical tools themselves are made of Viscario mineral and are semi-permanent, but Your Highness's body will gradually become accustomed to them. It's best to use increasingly stronger magical tools."
It made sense. Sylvia held out a small jewelry box. I opened it and found a ring that fit my hand perfectly.
This time, the rare magic stone wasn't embedded, and a more complex magic circle was drawn. Just looking at it gave me a sense of security.
I took off the magic tool I was wearing on my index finger. It was a moment of emptiness, the thick ring I always wore missing.
“Ugh...”
A severe headache and nausea washed over me. My vision flickered white and then black countless times. I reached out to the air and, without realizing it, rolled off the chair. As I scraped the floor, I heard Sylvia calling me from afar.
Was the pain permanent, or was it fleeting? At some point, my mind, which had been so dizzy, cleared, and I realized I was breathing heavily. Surprisingly, realizing this brought a sense of calm and allowed me to catch my breath.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
I closed my eyes and nodded. As I exhaled and lowered my head, my headache seemed to go away. Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw a new magical tool attached to my index finger.
It was only then that I realized someone was embracing me from behind. Even without turning around, I knew who it was simply by the firmness of their embrace. He willingly knelt down, following me as I rolled across the floor. I slowly turned around and forced a smile.
“How did you... know?”
I could tell from the hoarseness in my voice, barely able to spit it out. My agony wasn't fleeting; I'd screamed with all my might. Perhaps Julian had put the ring on, too. Julian hugged me tighter and breathed a sigh of relief. His breath was trembling, suggesting his shock.
"Sorry."
“Don’t apologize.”
I nodded at the kind words.
“Yes, thank you.”
Julian kissed my forehead and then hugged me.
“From now on, whenever you meet a wizard, be sure to call me too.”
“It’s only this once.”
“No one can beat your strength.”
The words were funny, but what came out of my mouth was a gasp, like a gasp of air. As Julian lay me down on the bed, Sylvia approached me with a worried look on her face.
“Your Highness, I apologize. It was my fault.”
I shook my head. Actually, I should have known, not Sylvia. I knew better than Sylvia how this curse had affected me in my past life.
During this time, I was constantly in pain, barely able to sleep properly. Later, I became accustomed to the pain, and days passed where I fainted from exhaustion. However, with the help of this magical tool, I suppressed the curse and forgot the pain.
“You had to replace your magic tools at some point, right?”
“I had to strive for more perfection.”
“Don’t blame yourself. We’re on an adventure.”
As we were taking each step towards the unknown, it was inevitable that accidents would happen.
Only after I repeatedly assured her that I was fine did Sylvia, hiding her self-reproach, offer to call a doctor. I agreed, knowing the baby might have been frightened.
Julian sat next to me and held my hand the whole time until the doctor arrived.
“I think it was you who was surprised, not the baby.”
Instead of answering, Julian kissed my fingertips. The ticklish expression of affection made them tremble. I opened my mouth, seeing Julian's eyes still trembling.
“Read me a storybook tonight, yes?”
“It won’t be fun.”
"How fun! Be sure to read it to the baby, because he'll probably be surprised. Dad needs to calm him down."
It was a remark meant to appease the father rather than the baby. Julian seemed to understand the meaning and smiled gently.
"Sylvia said she'll probably find out about my curse soon. And about the portal. So all we have to worry about is the baby."
"Yes."
We chatted away and waited for the doctor. But for some reason, the doctor, who seemed like he'd arrive soon, didn't show up even after a long wait. I asked Anna, who was waiting nearby, to find out what was going on.
Anna came back in hastily, not long after leaving.
"The Imperial Knights are requesting entry. They are also holding Lady Sylvia."
Julian frowned.
“They dare?”
The affectionate air shattered as Julian asked fiercely. Even as he spoke, his hand still held mine, still gentle. Unaware of this, Anna, fearful of Julian, quickly lowered her head.
“...It seems that they have learned that Madam is under a curse.”
Julian's gaze grew fiercer. A glint seemed to shine through his eyes. Julian rose from his seat, and I grabbed his arm in a desperate grip.
“Julian, let’s go together.”
“You are resting.”
“Let’s go together. You said you’d go with me if I insisted.”
At my words, Julian, as if he had no other choice, helped me up. He nodded to Anna, and she hurried over and wrapped her coat around me. I walked downstairs alongside Julian.
The imperial knights were permitted to visit the Grand Duke's mansion. However, they were forbidden from entering the mansion. They came right up to the mansion and stood guard.
The imperial knights bowed and greeted Julian.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duke!”
The booming voices seemed to indicate that they hadn't forgotten the bare minimum of courtesy. But with Sylvia held captive by their side, they had already committed enough rudeness.
“Why are you keeping the wizard I hired with you?”
"Your Highness, we are here to monitor Her Highness. We have heard that this individual was hired to break Her Highness' curse, and we must confirm this."
“I see.”
Julian quirked a corner of his lips and stepped forward. Each step was graceful and arrogant. The royal knight wanted to retreat, but seemed to be holding on with great effort.
“Who did you hear that from?”
“I can’t tell you.”
"There was something similar in the East. They framed Count Winsley, but then refused to reveal who the informant was. It's truly bizarre."
"Your Highness, you cannot pressure us like this. It is a good thing that the Grand Duke's servants are loyal to the Imperial Family."
That meant someone had reported my curse within this mansion. Every mansion had at least one rat, so I couldn't guarantee that no one would have such a thought.
But how? It was just me and Sylvia in the room, and Anna was guarding the outside. Even though I was having a seizure, only Julian and Anna were allowed inside. How could they possibly discern whether my screams were a seizure caused by a curse?
"You can't get any information from this dukedom. Send Sylvia here."
The imperial knights looked at each other, then, as if determined, pushed Sylvia towards us. Sylvia stumbled for a moment, then straightened up and approached us.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but I didn’t say anything.”
“Don’t worry, I believe you.”
Even if word of the curse had leaked out, it wasn't Sylvia's fault alone. Someone was undoubtedly determined to uncover the secret.
The imperial knight who sent Sylvia back spoke proudly.
“His Majesty the Emperor’s permission will be forthcoming.”
The reason the imperial knight was so rude and could not even cross the threshold of the mansion was that they did not have the Emperor's permission.
But with the Emperor's permission, there was no one in this world whom the Imperial Knights could not enter, nor anyone they dared to capture. A situation unfolding that even Julian could not prevent.
I held my breath. I had always been a stumbling block to the Emperor. I had pressured and imprisoned Prince Cain, and I held the heir to the Duchzan family. That scheming coward couldn't miss this opportunity.
Julian gripped my hand tightly. I raised my head and looked at him.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go with you.”
I nodded. Before I could even get drunk on that reassuring voice, a thought flashed through my mind.
“Since it’s going to end up like this anyway, let’s go to the capital first.”
"Beforehand?"
Julian furrowed his eyebrows, as if he didn't like the idea. He seemed concerned about me getting even slightly closer to the palace. I smiled at him.
“I think it would be easier to go on my own feet than to be dragged along, and there’s a show I really want to do.”
I gently placed my hand on my stomach. If the imperial family were to make me a cursed woman, it was only fair that I, too, ruin their reputation.
“There is nothing wrong now.”
"In that case, it's best to change them. The magical tools themselves are made of Viscario mineral and are semi-permanent, but Your Highness's body will gradually become accustomed to them. It's best to use increasingly stronger magical tools."
It made sense. Sylvia held out a small jewelry box. I opened it and found a ring that fit my hand perfectly.
This time, the rare magic stone wasn't embedded, and a more complex magic circle was drawn. Just looking at it gave me a sense of security.
I took off the magic tool I was wearing on my index finger. It was a moment of emptiness, the thick ring I always wore missing.
“Ugh...”
A severe headache and nausea washed over me. My vision flickered white and then black countless times. I reached out to the air and, without realizing it, rolled off the chair. As I scraped the floor, I heard Sylvia calling me from afar.
Was the pain permanent, or was it fleeting? At some point, my mind, which had been so dizzy, cleared, and I realized I was breathing heavily. Surprisingly, realizing this brought a sense of calm and allowed me to catch my breath.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
I closed my eyes and nodded. As I exhaled and lowered my head, my headache seemed to go away. Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw a new magical tool attached to my index finger.
It was only then that I realized someone was embracing me from behind. Even without turning around, I knew who it was simply by the firmness of their embrace. He willingly knelt down, following me as I rolled across the floor. I slowly turned around and forced a smile.
“How did you... know?”
I could tell from the hoarseness in my voice, barely able to spit it out. My agony wasn't fleeting; I'd screamed with all my might. Perhaps Julian had put the ring on, too. Julian hugged me tighter and breathed a sigh of relief. His breath was trembling, suggesting his shock.
"Sorry."
“Don’t apologize.”
I nodded at the kind words.
“Yes, thank you.”
Julian kissed my forehead and then hugged me.
“From now on, whenever you meet a wizard, be sure to call me too.”
“It’s only this once.”
“No one can beat your strength.”
The words were funny, but what came out of my mouth was a gasp, like a gasp of air. As Julian lay me down on the bed, Sylvia approached me with a worried look on her face.
“Your Highness, I apologize. It was my fault.”
I shook my head. Actually, I should have known, not Sylvia. I knew better than Sylvia how this curse had affected me in my past life.
During this time, I was constantly in pain, barely able to sleep properly. Later, I became accustomed to the pain, and days passed where I fainted from exhaustion. However, with the help of this magical tool, I suppressed the curse and forgot the pain.
“You had to replace your magic tools at some point, right?”
“I had to strive for more perfection.”
“Don’t blame yourself. We’re on an adventure.”
As we were taking each step towards the unknown, it was inevitable that accidents would happen.
Only after I repeatedly assured her that I was fine did Sylvia, hiding her self-reproach, offer to call a doctor. I agreed, knowing the baby might have been frightened.
Julian sat next to me and held my hand the whole time until the doctor arrived.
“I think it was you who was surprised, not the baby.”
Instead of answering, Julian kissed my fingertips. The ticklish expression of affection made them tremble. I opened my mouth, seeing Julian's eyes still trembling.
“Read me a storybook tonight, yes?”
“It won’t be fun.”
"How fun! Be sure to read it to the baby, because he'll probably be surprised. Dad needs to calm him down."
It was a remark meant to appease the father rather than the baby. Julian seemed to understand the meaning and smiled gently.
"Sylvia said she'll probably find out about my curse soon. And about the portal. So all we have to worry about is the baby."
"Yes."
We chatted away and waited for the doctor. But for some reason, the doctor, who seemed like he'd arrive soon, didn't show up even after a long wait. I asked Anna, who was waiting nearby, to find out what was going on.
Anna came back in hastily, not long after leaving.
"The Imperial Knights are requesting entry. They are also holding Lady Sylvia."
Julian frowned.
“They dare?”
The affectionate air shattered as Julian asked fiercely. Even as he spoke, his hand still held mine, still gentle. Unaware of this, Anna, fearful of Julian, quickly lowered her head.
“...It seems that they have learned that Madam is under a curse.”
Julian's gaze grew fiercer. A glint seemed to shine through his eyes. Julian rose from his seat, and I grabbed his arm in a desperate grip.
“Julian, let’s go together.”
“You are resting.”
“Let’s go together. You said you’d go with me if I insisted.”
At my words, Julian, as if he had no other choice, helped me up. He nodded to Anna, and she hurried over and wrapped her coat around me. I walked downstairs alongside Julian.
The imperial knights were permitted to visit the Grand Duke's mansion. However, they were forbidden from entering the mansion. They came right up to the mansion and stood guard.
The imperial knights bowed and greeted Julian.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duke!”
The booming voices seemed to indicate that they hadn't forgotten the bare minimum of courtesy. But with Sylvia held captive by their side, they had already committed enough rudeness.
“Why are you keeping the wizard I hired with you?”
"Your Highness, we are here to monitor Her Highness. We have heard that this individual was hired to break Her Highness' curse, and we must confirm this."
“I see.”
Julian quirked a corner of his lips and stepped forward. Each step was graceful and arrogant. The royal knight wanted to retreat, but seemed to be holding on with great effort.
“Who did you hear that from?”
“I can’t tell you.”
"There was something similar in the East. They framed Count Winsley, but then refused to reveal who the informant was. It's truly bizarre."
"Your Highness, you cannot pressure us like this. It is a good thing that the Grand Duke's servants are loyal to the Imperial Family."
That meant someone had reported my curse within this mansion. Every mansion had at least one rat, so I couldn't guarantee that no one would have such a thought.
But how? It was just me and Sylvia in the room, and Anna was guarding the outside. Even though I was having a seizure, only Julian and Anna were allowed inside. How could they possibly discern whether my screams were a seizure caused by a curse?
"You can't get any information from this dukedom. Send Sylvia here."
The imperial knights looked at each other, then, as if determined, pushed Sylvia towards us. Sylvia stumbled for a moment, then straightened up and approached us.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but I didn’t say anything.”
“Don’t worry, I believe you.”
Even if word of the curse had leaked out, it wasn't Sylvia's fault alone. Someone was undoubtedly determined to uncover the secret.
The imperial knight who sent Sylvia back spoke proudly.
“His Majesty the Emperor’s permission will be forthcoming.”
The reason the imperial knight was so rude and could not even cross the threshold of the mansion was that they did not have the Emperor's permission.
But with the Emperor's permission, there was no one in this world whom the Imperial Knights could not enter, nor anyone they dared to capture. A situation unfolding that even Julian could not prevent.
I held my breath. I had always been a stumbling block to the Emperor. I had pressured and imprisoned Prince Cain, and I held the heir to the Duchzan family. That scheming coward couldn't miss this opportunity.
Julian gripped my hand tightly. I raised my head and looked at him.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go with you.”
I nodded. Before I could even get drunk on that reassuring voice, a thought flashed through my mind.
“Since it’s going to end up like this anyway, let’s go to the capital first.”
"Beforehand?"
Julian furrowed his eyebrows, as if he didn't like the idea. He seemed concerned about me getting even slightly closer to the palace. I smiled at him.
“I think it would be easier to go on my own feet than to be dragged along, and there’s a show I really want to do.”
I gently placed my hand on my stomach. If the imperial family were to make me a cursed woman, it was only fair that I, too, ruin their reputation.
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