CH 133

“Can you see it too?” Cecile asked, noticing Richard’s gaze.

“Yes. I’m about to be blinded by it,” he replied apathetically.

He hadn’t been sure what the light was at first, but now he knew. ‘It’s definitely the power of an archwitch… but weren’t all the witches supposed to be gone?’ When Estian had first briefed him on Yuliana’s mysterious power, the first thought that crossed Richard’s mind was Archwitch. Still, witches, like dragons, were beings thought to have long ceased from existence. Unlike dragons, witches did not leave behind physical remains, but they hadn’t appeared for centuries, which is why Richard assumed their powers had completely vanished. Confronted by the sight before him, he now knew the truth. ‘Turns out the power was merely slumbering.’

Richard turned back to look at Cecile. If Yuliana’s power was that of an archwitch, then what about her? There was no emitted light or power emanating from the empress, but she remained unaffected by the princess’s power. Whatever the case may be, the mage lord had managed to complete at least one of the tasks left by Estian. He made a note to carry out a thorough study on witches upon his return to the Mage Tower. Yuliana no longer interested him. Cecile was the sole mystery that captured his attention.

“Don’t worry. These lot won’t be able to hurt a hair of yours,” Richard whispered.

“If you had such an ability, you should have protected Lady Irene as well,” Cecile replied coldly.

“Why would I protect that woman? My promise with the emperor was to look after you,” Richard retorted incredulously. His pledge to Estian was to secure the empress’s safety. Anything else was not of his concern.

Cecile seemed to be contemplating Richard’s response. After a brief silence, she responded, “I see. Then it simply won’t do unless I protect her.”

“You? With what? Do you want to avenge your handmaiden? Then I’ll just take care of it. It may be a little difficult, but I am an archmage. Killing one princess is—”

“Richard,” Cecile interrupted, grabbing Richard by the collar. She pulled him close to whisper in his ear. “Do you know what was the first lesson I learned in my childhood? To settle my business myself. Interfere, and I will deal with you first. Do only that with which you are required.”

It was true. Those words were the first lesson the maids had taught to Cecile. She fully intended to adhere to their teachings. Having conveyed her warning, she roughly released Richard’s collar, and he stumbled back.

‘I “am” a mage lord, you know! An archmage! Did I just lose in spirit?’ Richard thought, dumbfounded. He was surprised to find himself intimated by Cecile’s aura.

Meanwhile, a dealer had taken their position at the center of the game table, and was checking the participants. There were a total of six players. Aside from Cecile and Yuliana, there were four other royals and esteemed nobles of high rank with names familiar to the empress.

The first game was a symbolic christening for the casino, and it was a matter of course to place big bets in the hopes of future prosperity. A common myth was that the riches of the casino were exponentially tied to the status of the game’s participants, which is why the most high-ranking guests were invited to join the first game.

The hotel owner carried in a fancy wooden box filled with chips, and approached the princess. Spectators waited with bated breath to see how much money she would bet. Flashing a smile at the crowd, Yuliana picked up all the chips of pure gold seated at the top row.

“Goodness!”

“All gold chips!”

Murmurs broke out as they looked on in awe. Her actions seemed excessive, even for a first game.

“I’ll bet only this much,” Yuliana announced casually.

Only this much? The onlookers were dazed. The chips amounted to an unimaginable sum, yet she acted as if it was a mere drop in the bucket, implying that she had plenty more money to spare. Everyone watched the hotel owner move on to the empress, expecting Cecile to follow suit.

“Not enough,” the empress remarked.

“Pardon me?”

“It’s the celebratory first game, is it not? I cannot be satisfied with this amount.”

Cecile removed an earring, a gift she’d received from Estian when she once complained of boredom. When she’d heard of its backstory, she thought it was a treasure too good to be true. She hadn’t originally planned to use it here, but it felt like the right opportunity. It was the perfect tool to seize everyone’s attention, with its appearance more dazzling that pure gold.

“This was made from a blood drop from the phantom beast known as the blue phoenix. It was gifted to me by His Majesty.”

Her words elicited surprised looks. No one could believe that the resplendently blue piece of jewelry was blood and not a gem. Cecile flung the earring onto the table, and it collided with a shattering noise. A blazing blue light flashed from the earring, which took the form of a giant bird that began to hover and circle above Cecile’s head, as if protecting her. The stunning sight was on the scale of a legendary phenomenon.

“It is said to be priceless, according to what His Majesty told me. Will this suffice as the first game’s wager?”