Effective crest tools required the calculation of a magical formula and the technology to create it. On top of that, there was physical manufacturing to consider too.
Some were even made with metal coverings to prevent the spell’s effects from spreading. In other cases, the crest tools came with special pipelines to get the concentrated magic where it needed to go.
This was how the Bureau of Magic also accumulated the know-how to work with metals and other materials in addition to the purely magical aspects. They were very much a scientific institution, even if their name seemed contradictory.
Back on Earth, I’d heard that Western science originated from alchemy as well—a kind of magic in itself. Perhaps it was a natural occurrence for this world to develop scientifically as people demanded new uses of magic.
“The bureau believes that, after another year or two of research and improvements, they’ll be able to develop an effective crest tool for harvesting honey that isn’t too expensive either,” I said.
“…And they want my family to provide the funds to develop it?”
“Yes, they told me as much.”
I was glad to see she picked up on things quickly.
Be it science or magic, money was a requirement in all forms of research and development. Production of the crest tool would probably go smoothly with Lady Fillia’s investment.
The bureau would then offer her family the latest honey-harvesting crest tool at a low price, compensating them for the investment. The more research they put into it, the greater the benefits for both parties.
The Bureau of Magic could simply go to another noble family who practiced beekeeping if Lady Fillia refused to fund their efforts. If they successfully completed the crest tool with this new investment, the quality and speed of that family’s harvests would improve. It would also make Lady Fillia’s family’s honey less valuable.
Lady Fillia was definitely clever enough to recognize that threat.
After pondering it for a moment, she reached a conclusion. “Very well. I can’t decide this on my own, but I’ll discuss it with Father and try to persuade him to help.”
“Thank you. I hope you receive a favorable response.”
If the duke made the investment and the crest tool was developed successfully, my reputation would be bolstered as well. After all, I was the one to bring Lady Fillia and the Bureau of Magic together.
I was eager to see the fruits of the bureau’s hard labor.
“I’ve heard that you’re extremely intelligent, Queen Laetitia, but it seems those rumors were accurate.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
I was very pleased to hear Lady Fillia’s opinion of me had improved.
Keeping my promise about my birthday gift probably helped too, but little by little, it felt like Lady Fillia was opening up to me. The optimal outcome would be to forge a friendship with her. If we couldn’t make it that far, we could at least prevent unnecessary disputes if we knew each other’s skills, personalities, and principles.
I was calculating our relationship in my head as I discussed methods of harvesting honey with Lady Fillia. But suddenly…
“Meow meow meow!!”
“Wheat?!”
Wheat, the Gardener Cat, burst into the courtyard. His tail was puffed up in a show of his total panic.
“Meow meow! Mraw mraw, mraw! Meow meow meow meow meow!!”
“Calm down, Wheat. I can’t understand what you’re saying.” I tried to soothe the agitated cat, urging him to explain it with gestures and hand motions instead. But then…
“Laetitia! What have you done?!”
It was Princess Ileze who flew out into the courtyard next. She pursed her lips furiously and glared down at Wheat.
“You…! Just what have you been teaching these disgusting cats?!”
“What’s all this about?” I stood in front of Wheat protectively and questioned the princess. “Gardener Cats are intelligent Mythical Beasts. They wouldn’t harm someone or cause a disturbance without a good reason.”
“Intelligent?! Is that what you call this?!”
“…!”
A young maid followed Princess Ileze into the courtyard.
Her black and white uniform was stained with spots of blood, and her right arm had visible claw marks.
“Only a vile cat would do such a thing! What if it leaves scars?! This maid is no commoner servant like yours! She belongs to an earl’s family in the Maldion Empire! How do you intend to make this right?!”
“A Gardener Cat would never scratch someone without warning. What did she do to him?”
“Liar! She merely walked next to him and he attacked her for no reason!!”
“Was she walking next to the Gardener Cats’ field? There’s a fence put up there, and King Glenreed has given official orders that no one should enter that field. But it sounds like she went and did it anyway.”
My voice was cold. Anger was starting to build up inside of me. She’d ignored the fence and the orders, and now she was acting like a victim. I didn’t understand how she had the nerve.
The Gardener Cats had already been on edge too. I wasn’t going to let this slide. I shot Princess Ileze a glare.
“How dare you make that face?! Are you defying me?!” she hissed.
“You’re the one being defiant. If she entered an area that’s supposed to be off-limits, it’s her own fault for getting hurt,” I said.
“All she did was chase after her hat when the wind blew it away! Then the Gardener Cats swarmed my maid and hurt her! They’re the ones who are in the wrong!!” Princess Ileze pointed her folding fan at me, emphasizing her reckless claim. “You better be ready! You’re going to pay for this, no matter how you try to get out of it!!”
Her Highness shrieked that declaration at me before promptly turning on her heel.
As I watched her strut away, looking oddly proud of herself, a realization came over me. This was no accident. It had been entirely orchestrated. She must have lured her maid into getting scratched by the Gardener Cats so that she could damage my reputation.
I knew the princess was thoughtless, but this was on a completely different level…
“I’m sorry, Wheat,” I said. “You shouldn’t have been dragged into a fight between humans like this.”
“Mraw…”
Wheat’s ears flattened against his head. I wasn’t sure if that was because he’d managed to calm down a little, or because he felt as apologetic as he sounded.