CH 19

Perhaps?

While working at the court, I’ve been thinking about it in the back of my mind the whole time.

It’s difficult to forget.

That scene, that sensation, is etched clearly in my memory.

The Mystic Will (Audiobook)

His figure wrapped in a pitch-black mist.

I was afraid of that appearance.

If curses were visible, it would surely be that color.

“No… it can’t be.”

It must be different.

After all, he is investigating the black market with His Highness.

Few people know about this.

Because he is trusted by His Highness, he must be involved in this matter.

He has no reason to curse His Highness.

Even from a positional standpoint, Cain-sama would not benefit from cursing and killing His Highness.

It must be different.

As far as I can think, I come to the conclusion that it must be different.

But it crosses my mind.

His back wrapped in black mist.

I can’t forget it, no matter what…

“Your Highness…”

I want to see you soon.

I want to meet you and make sure.

If I can see His Highness through the magic tool, this restlessness will be resolved.

I can prove that the discomfort I feel is a misunderstanding.

I hope that’s the case. 

❂❂❂

Just randomly passing time, evening came.

I hurried back to the royal castle and went straight to the dining hall, waiting for His Highness.

After a while, His Highness arrived at the dining hall.

“Your Highness!”

“Freya. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I slept soundly! But more importantly…”

I was holding a magic tool in my right hand.

His Highness noticed it.

“Oh, you’ve completed it. To finish it in less than half a day, you’re truly amazing.”

“Thank you.”

His words of praise made me happy, but there was something else I wanted to know now.

“After dinner, could you let me try it out?”

“I’m sorry, but…”

I said, knowing it was impolite.

“Could we try it out here and now?”

“Freya…?”

I pleaded with serious eyes.

Perhaps he understood that, as His Highness also put on a serious expression.

“Alright, there must be something.”

“Yes.”

I just had to make sure, to dispel this uneasy feeling as soon as possible.

Please, I begged silently…

And then, I put on the magic tool. 

I hope it’s a mistake.

“——!”

“Freya?”

“…No way…”

I doubted my own eyes.

But I didn’t doubt the effect of the magic tool I had created.

It was working normally.

That’s why it looked like it was mixed.

A dark haze was hanging over the bright white flow of magical power.

Various emotions rushed into my head.

Fear of knowing the fact I didn’t want to believe.

And fear of having been engaged to such a person until recently, causing my breathing to become erratic.

“What’s wrong, Freya!”

“Haa, haa, haa…”

“Calm down! Take a deep breath!”

The prince supported my body, which was about to collapse from hyperventilation, and held my hand while I took deep breaths.

I could hear the prince’s voice and the sound of my heartbeat.

I regained my composure.

“Are you calm now?”

“Yes… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. What happened? No, what did you see?”

“…”

Should I tell him?

What if it’s just a misunderstanding?

There’s also the possibility that it’s just a coincidence…

“Freya.”

He tightly grips my hand.

“I trusted you and entrusted you with this. So, no matter what is said, I will believe it.”

“Your Highness…”

“Tell me. What did you see?”

“…Yes.”

I told the prince everything.

Without holding anything back.

❂❂❂

Time passes by.

In the royal castle, a soirée was being held.

Every three months, a soirée was held in the royal castle, inviting the notable nobles.

Of course, the royal family also attended the soirée.

This time, since the king and the first prince were absent, the second prince, Julius, attended.

The soirée was lively and exciting.

Behind the scenes, the two encounter each other.

“What is it that you wanted to talk about? You said it was an important matter.”

“Oh, I have something to tell you. Duke’s son, Cain.”

The two faced each other in a dimly lit room with only one light on.

As the soirée was about to end soon.

Before everyone left, Julius called him out.

“Did you find out about the information I mentioned?”

“No, not yet. The nobleman who is connected to the black market is still unknown. It seems they won’t show themselves easily.”

“I see. By the way, it was you who told me about the connection between the black market and the nobles.” 

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Thanks to the information you provided, we were able to capture the bandits quickly.”

“I was just lucky. Your Highness’s swift action was everything.”

Julius reflected on the events that had led up to this point.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly.

“That’s why I thought it was different. I had excluded only you as an option.”

“Your Highness?”

“Because if it was true, what was the point of cooperating with me? It would only have strangled your own neck… but it wasn’t like that. It was all about removing yourself from the equation. Did you purposely approach me?”

“What are you talking about——”

“Did you curse me too? Was it you?”

Julius glares at him with a strong look.

It can no longer be concealed.

Once he uttered the word curse, there was no turning back.

“That is… what do you mean?”

But it’s not a mistake.

He trusts Freya’s arms.

She said it herself.

The name of the culprit who cursed himself is…

“When did you notice?”

“I knew it… Cain!”

Their expressions change.

His Highness with anger, Cain with a smirk.