The Archduke rejected His Majesty's offer as though it were worthless.
> *"Mariel Loctrin remains a minor. The ceremony may be postponed until she reaches the age of eighteen."*
That was the official response. From the Principality of Benvito.
"Duncan!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"It's unlikely we'll be able to penetrate the fortress directly." Fernando rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his grey eyes distant with calculation. "It would be far easier to execute our plans if we could draw them *outside*. We need to lure them to the capital. Then we might have a chance."
And suddenly, realization struck him like lightning.
*Why hadn't I thought of this before?*
He slammed his fist against the armrest of his chair in frustration. How had that helpless girl managed to escape from such heavily fortified guards? And with a *child*, no less? And all without anyone's assistance?
Leaving Benvito Fortress was every bit as difficult as entering it. The fortress was so thoroughly guarded that remaining unnoticed was essentially impossible. All of its numerous inhabitants were subject to special registration—every single one counted and tracked. Moreover, anyone who arrived at the fortress underwent rigorous inspection. And beyond the outer walls, Calix's men conducted constant reconnaissance raids, sweeping the surrounding territory for threats.
"This is simply *ridiculous*! How did I not consider this immediately?"
"Your Majesty?"
"Think about it, Duncan. *See* it for yourself."
Furthermore, the elder sister had been constantly tormented by nightmares—probably half-delirious from the relentless assault on her mind. It was difficult to maintain sanity under such conditions, let alone plan an elaborate escape.
"And that means..." Fernando's face suddenly froze into something resembling a death mask. A strange, dangerous expression flickered through his grey eyes. He fixed his gaze on his assistant with unsettling intensity.
"How did they manage to escape *at all*?"
---
## — The Great Temple, Prefecture of Gevium —
Early one morning, Roshan burst into Her Holiness's office and found Judith in a state of considerable agitation.
The moment the priest entered, she seized his hand, waving a sheet of expensive paper with barely contained indignation.
"Grand Duke—just *look* at this!"
"Judith?"
"This is simply *outrageous*!"
Roshan carefully extracted the paper from her trembling grip. The letter bore the seal of Benvito.
"A message from the Archduke?" He unfolded it and began to read.
A moment later, one eyebrow rose in surprise.
"So that's how it is..." His expression shifted to something between amusement and concern. "Well, what can I say? It appears a jungle lion is preparing to attack a tiger living in the neighboring territory."
He attempted to calm Judith as quickly as possible. After all, the Holy Ruler of Gevium was an extraordinary individual who possessed immense divine power. When her emotions ran high, the consequences could be... *significant*.
"We're *holding* Mariel?" Judith's voice rose with outrage. "How *dare* he phrase it that way? What does he even mean by such accusations?"
"Calm yourself, Judith. Benvito has every legal right to request her return to the Fortress. Especially since his wife, Asella Benvito—who is also Mariel's sister and legal guardian—resides there."
"But read *this* part!" Judith jabbed her finger at the offending passage. "It says that if we don't send Mariel Loctrin to Benvito Fortress *immediately*, he will personally lead troops to Gevium! What kind of request is that? It's a blatant *threat*!"
Roshan sighed. She was right, of course. Although the letter's tone was formal—even meticulously polite—its content barely concealed the menace beneath.
"'Report immediately to the Fortress to negotiate the return of Mariel Loctrin,'" Judith quoted mockingly. "Who does he take me for? Does he imagine I'm some lapdog that will come running, tail wagging, at the first summons of its master?"
"But Your Holiness," Roshan said gently, "even without this letter, you were already planning to visit the Principality of Benvito. Were you not?"
His words struck true. If Mariel hadn't appeared at the Temple so unexpectedly, Judith would have already departed for the fortress—*demanding* the handover of both Mariel and Asella. Of course, in that scenario, it would have been the Temple threatening the Grand Duke, rather than the reverse.
Judith exhaled slowly, some of the tension leaving her shoulders.
"It's true. But..."
"Well, why drag it out? This visit serves our purposes as well," Roshan added reassuringly, placing a firm hand on his student's shoulder.
"I suppose you're right." Judith's expression softened slightly as she reached her decision. "Especially regarding Asella... I believe I'll finally be able to see Adele Charts' daughter with my own eyes."
"Very good."
"Fine, then. I'll go." Her jaw tightened. "And I'll look that vile, arrogant bastard directly in the face—"
"Judith?"
"*So*, Judith," she corrected herself with a rueful grimace. "I truly have no desire to see the Archduke. However..." Her voice gentled. "I'm deeply worried about Asella. And Mariel as well. Why didn't she come through the portal with her sister? They were *always* together. What could possibly have happened?"
"She must have had no choice." Roshan's tone grew somber. "She most likely had to remain behind to close the portal—to ensure Mariel's safe escape."
Judith sighed and fell into contemplative silence. After a long moment, she looked up at the priest with resignation in her eyes.
"You're not coming with me, are you? You'll need to stay with Mariel."
On the day the portal had opened and Mariel entered the Temple, she had sealed away all her supernatural abilities and chosen to embrace her magical power instead. As a result, a true awakening had begun—one that had plunged Mariel into a deep sleep lasting several days.
When she finally regained consciousness, she remained weak and fragile. She would lose consciousness while eating, or collapse mid-conversation without warning. Roshan had spent most of that time caring for her in the Hall of Prophecies, monitoring her condition with growing concern.
"Everything is progressing well, isn't it?" Judith asked. "It's just that awakening is always so difficult. One never knows what challenges might arise."
Roshan shook his head with a gentle smile. "Everything is fine, Your Holiness. Mariel has awakened her true power."
"*Truly*?" Judith's eyes widened with joy. "Praise the goddess! *Finally*!"
Her face transformed, a radiant smile blossoming where worry had been moments before.
"How *happy* Adele would be, if she were alive to see this." Then her expression sobered. "But right now, there are more pressing matters to address."
Judith folded her hands in prayer. Roshan touched the bridge of his nose, watching as she offered thanks to Gernia. In moments like these, she was magnificent—truly the viceroy of the goddess, the divine ruler of Gevium.
*If she had simply used her power to eliminate her enemies directly, the number of mysterious accidents in the Temple would surely have decreased.* But then she wouldn't be Judith.
When she finished her prayer, she looked up at Roshan with curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"She is Adele's daughter, after all. Will the Lord of the Magic Tower be able to handle such a child? I confess, I'm concerned."
Roshan grinned. "I certainly hope you were joking just now."
"Hee-hee! Do give Allen my regards. I suspect he'll be *delighted*."
"Oh, my!" Roshan exclaimed, suddenly remembering. "I completely forgot to mention—I received a message from Allen."
"Is it regarding Mariel? Does the Lord also wish to get his hands on this child as soon as possible?"
"I don't believe so. The prince has requested a personal audience with the Master of the Magic Tower."
"The *Archduke*?" Judith's brow furrowed with confusion. "But what concern could he possibly have with the Lord of the Magic Tower?"
"Allen himself didn't seem to understand the purpose of the request."
"That *is* rather odd," Judith mused. "There truly wasn't a reason stated in the meeting request?"
"It's merely my speculation," Roshan lowered his voice slightly, "but I believe it has something to do with Asella."
"I feel deeply uneasy about this." Judith sprang from her seat again, agitation returning full force. "Are you *certain* he can't harm her? If there's even a possibility—that damned man will answer for all his actions. I'll go to the fortress immediately and—"
"If that were his intention," Roshan interrupted calmly, "he would have simply summoned a priest-healer."
Judith, who had been pacing with the clear intention of reducing Benvito Fortress to rubble, stopped mid-stride. She blinked rapidly, clearing the battle-fury from her thoughts, and slowly returned to her seat.
"...That's true."
"So what are your plans? I suggest we first visit the Tower, and then proceed to the Fortress."
"Agreed. Mariel must be properly introduced to the masters of the Magic Tower." She paused, considering something carefully. After a long moment, she asked, "Master... do you truly believe the Archduke could be on our side?"
When she posed the question, Roshan's recent conversation with Mariel surfaced in his memory.
*"Is it true that you saw his golden stream?"*
*"Yes, just recently—when he left the castle to pursue my sister."* The girl had paused thoughtfully before adding, *"The color has grown much stronger and more saturated since I first observed it."*
"Listen, Judith. A rich golden flow is proof that his feelings not only remain constant but have grown even *deeper*. Even though he personally destroyed her family's home."
"The Archduke is actually *in love* with Asella?" Judith's voice dripped with disbelief. "I simply cannot fathom it. That man... how could he possibly feel affection? How could he experience *any* such emotions?"
"Yes," Roshan agreed quietly. "There are people who seem incapable of positive emotions—yet display negative ones, like anger or hatred, with alarming intensity. However, the Archduke is, in some ways, a unique individual. It's as though his emotions have simply... *atrophied*."
"What do you think? Is it *good* that he desires Asella?"
"Who can say?" Roshan shook his head slowly. "None of us can foresee the future. Even Adele, with her gift of prophecy, could not avoid her own death."
He met Judith's troubled gaze with steady eyes.
"I believe it would be wise to accept his offer and pay a visit to the Fortress. Perhaps that will allow us to gain a clearer understanding of the situation."
"It's worth attempting, at the very least," Judith conceded.
---
## — Benvito Fortress —
Asella set the newspaper down with a quiet sigh.
"I believe that's encouraging news, my lady," remarked Raizen, who had thoughtfully provided an entire stack of capital newspapers. They all carried the same story—prominently displayed on the very front page.
> **HEIRESS OF THE LOCTRIN FAMILY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED**
The news confirmed that Mariel's title had been established by the Emperor while the Charts family still existed. Thus, at the time of the family's fall, Mariel had possessed no legal connection to the Charts whatsoever.
Everything was exactly as the Grand Duke had promised.
Mariel was no longer in danger.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Asella felt genuine relief wash through her chest.
But—
*You mustn't trust him, Asella.*
*This man killed your mother.*
*This entire situation is merely a carefully orchestrated scenario. You cannot predict what his next move might be in this dangerous game you're playing with him.*
And yet... *he saved Mariel*.
Asella shook her head vigorously, trying to dispel the treacherous doubt creeping into her thoughts. If the Archduke hadn't destroyed Charts, Mariel would never have been in danger in the first place.
But according to the article, it was Philippe and Anthony who had plotted the betrayal. Which meant that with or without her husband's involvement, the Charts family would have been destroyed regardless.
Still...
*At the very least, he could have warned me—if he had any respect for me whatsoever. Some kind of explanation. Anything.*
*I mustn't be mistaken about this.*
*Who am I to him, after all? Why should he bother explaining anything to a woman who is destined to die anyway? Sooner or later. Just like her mother—the moment she becomes completely useless to him.*
Asella murmured the words quietly to herself, deliberately speaking aloud in an attempt to make them feel true. Though some stubborn part of her mind still struggled against the conclusion, manifesting as a barely perceptible flicker of doubt.
Then her attention drifted to the blanket draped across her lap.
It was the same blanket in which Calix had carried her from the secret room. The memory of that night came flooding back with startling clarity.
---
*Calix lifted her into his arms and walked toward one of the walls—a wall that appeared completely solid, indistinguishable from any other.*
*He extended his hand.*
*Obeying its master's will, a door materialized in the empty space—as though it had always existed there, merely waiting to be summoned.*
*When the door swung open, Asella immediately recognized their destination.*
*His Highness's bedchamber.*
*Reading the silent question in her eyes, the prince said quietly:*
*"The room isn't actually close to my bedroom. The path between them is considerable."*
*"So this is a portal?" Asella breathed, stunned.*
*"Don't get your hopes up." His voice was flat, matter-of-fact. "Only a person with Benvito blood can open that door."*
*Asella's heart plummeted as she realized how utterly, inescapably trapped she had been mere moments ago.*
*While she struggled to calm her racing pulse, Calix crossed the bedchamber in several long strides and laid her gently upon his bed.*
*"You will remain here until you've fully recovered."*
*Asella blinked in fear, the realization dawning that she had simply tumbled from one trap directly into another.*
*"But..." Her voice emerged small, uncertain. "Where is His Highness going to sleep, then?"*
*By the end, her words had grown as faint as an ant's whisper.*
*"The same place you are." He glanced at the enormous bed—easily wide enough for four people to sleep without touching. "Isn't this bed sufficient?"*
---