My Childhood Friend Is An Archmage Chapter 56
Translated by d6y (ko-fi)
Chapter 56
"...Is that all?"
"What do you mean, Kayla? I know you have a busy life as the deputy Duke of Kaerun, so it would be a lot to ask you to make time once a week for me."
"It wouldn't." I shake my head. "Ryan, I can always make time for you if you want."
That is nothing but lip service. As a noble under imperial authority, I have no veto power. If the imperial family says so, so be it.
But the crown prince seems to be misunderstanding something.
"That's very kind of you."
What's kind?
"This may sound strange, but there's something I've noticed about this whole incident." He leans in a little toward me. "You say you have no relationship with Lord Lancer, but from what I see, you two are very close."
I can notice where he's going with this conversation. He's probably worried that me and Lancer are together, but don't worry, Your Highness. That's not the case.
"Lancer and I are just friends," I reply nonchalantly.
"Kayla, there's no friendship between men and women."
"Then Lancer and I would be the first example to contradict that premise."
"Can you take responsibility for that statement?"
"I don't see why I should be held accountable," I smirk, glancing at the Crown Prince. "To me, you and Lancer are in the same position, I don't particularly favour either of you."
Because I'm trying not to like any of them.
"...." He stares at me for a moment, stunned.
The first few seconds seem peaceful, but when the stare starts to last more than that, it seems strange. "Why are you staring at me?" I ask, just as his gaze was starting to feel a little overwhelming.
"...Does that mean Kayla likes me and Lord Lancer equally?"
I'm unable to make out the meaning of his question. "You can take it that way." So think what you want, Your Highness.
I lift the teacup and sip the tea within. I'm not sure what he's trying to say, but once he heard my answer, he didn't look too bad.
At times like this, I feel uncomfortable not being able to hear his thoughts.
"I have one more question." Sitting across from me, the crown prince speaks up again. "If something similar were to happen to me, would you come to my rescue like you did to Lancer?"
The teacup I'm holding freezes midair.
Hmm? That's an unexpected inquiry. What kind of bizarre question is that?
"Prince Ryan, what you asked just now-"
"No, you don't have to answer that." He springs to his feet. "Thank you for the nice tea. Next time, I'll make sure to prepare some."
"You're leaving already?" As I watch him hastily straighten his collar, I stand from my seat.
"Well, I'm sorry. There's a lot of business to attend to today."
What, you said earlier that you didn't have much to do today….
"And on second thought, I should've been more considerate so that you could rest some more, that was my mistake. I'll take measures to ensure your recovery as quickly as possible."
"...Thank you."
Truthfully, my physical condition is as good as it could be from the healing magic Viscount Artisina had been conjuring on me when I was passed out. I feel sorry that the Viscount became a human magic power generator for my sake.
"I want you to come see me in the palace every Saturday afternoon."
The crown prince gestures to his servants waiting in the distance. Soon, one of them approaches us, carrying the crown prince's coat.
"Until then, I will be waiting for your arrival this Saturday." With that, he began to walk out of the garden without waiting for my response.
But exactly ten seconds after he walks, he stumbles and falls with a thud to the garden floor.
The Duchy's servants serving the refreshments nearby gasp in surprise. On the other hand, his servants calmly wait for him to pick himself up, as if they were used to this.
This time, I react like the latter.
He falls really easily.
If he falls like that at his coronation, it'll be a national disgrace.
* * *
"I'd like some records of Princess Bliss of the Hebnia Kingdom, please."
After sending the crown prince off, I went straight to the library.
"These are all materials you've seen through once before, do you still want them?" The librarian, who somehow remembers that I had sought out information about Princess Bliss years ago, asked.
"Are there any new ones?"
"No. It's been a long while since she passed away…."
"Then request the Imperial Library. If you can, borrow records from the libraries of other nobles as well."
"Yes, my lady."
The librarian errands his apprentices to retrieve the documents. Soon enough, they're delivered to my office.
The reason I decided to revisit the records of Princess Bliss was simple.
An archmage is a once-in-a-thousand-year occurrence. It's almost miraculous that there's another archmage besides Lancer in the Hebnia Kingdom only decades ago. The only archmage in the modern era besides Lancer is none other than Princess Bliss.
If I investigate her, I might be able to find out how to stop Lancer's rampage. It doesn't have to be a complete solution, just at least some helpful information.
Thinking so, I first opened the book detailing the births and achievements of the royalty of the Hebnia Kingdom.
Princess Bliss died about fifteen years ago. She passed away at the same age as I am now. And as the librarian said, there's no new entry added about her in the last 15 years.
Princess Bliss, who died at a young age, remained bright on the paper. Her dimpled smile was fleetingly pure. Her silver hair was finely braided around her shining golden eyes, the floral ornament at the end of the braid couldn't be found in this empire.
She looks familiar.
I think to myself as I stare at her portrait. Perhaps it's because I've already seen it years ago.
A voice interrupts my flow of thoughts, "my lady." There's a knock on the door. It's Austin.
"What's going on?"
"The servants from the imperial court have come to see you, my lady."
"I didn't call for servants."
"They were sent by His Highness the Crown Prince to see to your health."
Aha. I recall what the crown prince had said before parting,
"I'll take measures to ensure your recovery as quickly as possible."
Is this the measures he's talking about…
"It would be impolite to send them back now since the Crown Prince sent them. Shall I escort them to the parlour first?"
"That's what I was thinking. Go ahead and greet the guests, I'll be there shortly."
Throwing on my clothes, I trudge to the drawing room.
As I enter, several people rise from their seats simultaneously. "It's an honour to meet you, Princess Skyla!"
"Nice to meet you."
I'm a bit taken aback. I didn't expect this many people.
The people the crown prince sent were various. There were cooks, pharmacists, and even a masseuse. With so many of them, the parlour feels crowded.
"I am here to prepare nutritious meals for Princess Skyla, by order of His Highness!"
"I'm here to brew herbal teas for the Princess that are good for your mind and body!"
"I have come to play the harp for the princess to calm you before you sleep!"
I wonder if the imperial court enjoys such luxuries. The crown prince had indeed sent all sorts of people to serve me.
Each of them tells me of their duty and introduces themselves briefly. And finally, the last person reveals his.
"I'm here to cast healing spells on Princess Kaerun!"
"...." The moment I lock eyes with him, I'm at a loss for words.
Grey hair like pebbles beneath a stream, eyes reminiscent of a cat's that shine like gold.
It's him again….
The man standing before me is, unsurprisingly, Viscount Artisina.
"Viscount Artisina."
"Long time no see, Princess Kaerun!" He greets me with an awkward laugh.
'Princess, you're beautiful in anything you wear, but the icing on the cake is your face!'
I turn to him sternly. "Viscount, please follow me to my office."
"M-Me?"
"Did I not say 'Viscount'?"
"Will I be the only one… following you?"
"Yes."
I entrust the others with Austin before leaving the parlour and striding away. After a moment's hesitation, Viscount Artisina hurries after me.
"Excuse me, Princess! Are you feeling better now…."
"I'm fine, thanks to the Viscount who cast a lot of healing spells on me." For a while now, everyone I met had been concerned about my health, so this question no longer surprised me.
"Did the Princess know in advance that I was coming here?"
At the question, I jerk my head towards him instead of up the stairs. The Viscount, who's been following me closely, nearly falls over on the spot.
"Viscount, look at my face."
"Y-Yes?"
"What do you see?"
He stares at me firmly before stuttering, "T-The prettiest woman in the world."
"That's not what I… I mean my expression. Didn't you see how surprised I looked when I saw you?"
"Ah, so that's the look of surprise. I didn't realise since you don't show your emotions on your face."
I don't bother to respond to that comment and opt to open my office door instead. I stride in and take my seat.
"Sit down." I gesture to the chair beside my desk.
The viscount meekly settles down beside me. "Why did you call me here, my lady?"
A man and woman in an enclosed space like this…. No way…. Has the Princess become interested in me?
No, it's nothing like that. Dream on.
