Chapter 136

Obviously, she couldn’t tell him that she was simply too nervous to move, and that she kept her hood on around others out of fear. She remained as still as a doll as the duke folded his hands on his lap. “So, you would maintain your silence even before me,” he said. Monica’s silence was not a counter to intimidation. She was simply too nervous, and scared she’d bite her tongue if she tried to speak. And if she asked why he’d called her here, she’d inevitably end up in hot water—her tongue would, that is. “Very well,” the duke continued. “Then I will get straight to the point.” O-oh, thank goodness. The point… Monica had thought she’d run out of mental energy before they even broached the main subject. She privately sighed in relief. “First,” said the duke evenly, “I would like to express my gratitude and respect for your accomplishments in the dragonraids threatening our kingdom—regarding both the Black Dragon of Worgan and the Cursed Dragon of Rehnberg.” To be honest, Monica had mixed feelings about his gratitude. She hadn’t slain the Black Dragon of Worgan at all, and she already suspected the duke’s involvement in the events in Rehnberg. You set all that up, didn’t you? she thought, wondering for a moment if she should say it. In the end, though, she kept her mouth closed. The man in front of her was even more skilled at negotiation than Felix. She wouldn’t get any information out of him. Not easily anyway. The only ones who know the cursed dragon incident was a setup are the Abyss Shaman and myself… And we’d better keep that information private. If she said something careless, it might reveal her suspicions to the duke. Therefore, silence was the best move. First, she wanted to know his reason for summoning her here. “I have a job I’d like to request of you,” said the duke, “seeing as you are the most talented mage in our kingdom.” …A request? she thought dubiously. “I would like to entrust you with the role of bodyguard,” he declared. “Specifically, for the second prince, Felix Arc Ridill.” Monica let out a silent scream. I’m already doing that right now! For a moment her thoughts were in chaos, but when she thought about it more calmly, she realized that the duke didn’t know about her mission at Serendia Academy. The only ones who did were Louis, the king, and a few collaborators. Monica thought this over, making sure not to show how rattled she was. Why would the duke ask the Silent Witch to guard Felix? Probably to get me in the second prince’s camp, she thought. Monica was currently viewed as a hero, the slayer of two dragons, and she had a lot of eyes on her. And since the public story about the Rehnberg incident was that she’d fought alongside the second prince, the duke must have assumed the two of them already knew each other somewhat. That was why he’d set his sights on her now. If she officially became Felix’s bodyguard, others would assume that she’d aligned herself with the second prince’s faction. It didn’t matter who she supported in reality. If she accepted the duke’s request and became Felix’s bodyguard, that alone would convince everyone that she was now his ally. The only supporter of the second prince among the Sages is the Gem Mage. If I join him, it will alter the balance of power… And that was, in all likelihood, exactly what the duke was after. “Will you accept?” he asked. Monica silently shook her head. To begin with, she was already acting to protect Felix under orders from the king. She couldn’t accept a conflicting request from the duke. He watched her closely. His eyebrow hadn’t twitched, and he hadn’t frowned. But she felt a mounting sense of intimidation from him. And yet for all the influence and authority Duke Clockford wielded, he couldn’t give orders to a Sage. All he could do was make requests. And Monica had the right to refuse him. The duke glanced at the two mages standing behind him. “These two are very talented, straight from the Magic Corps. I can assign them to you if you wish. And if you desire anyone else, I can pluck them from the necessary organizations.” The man was feared and respected as one of the highest authorities in the kingdom. And he was doing his utmost to win over the Silent Witch and get her on his side. It was clear how much value he saw in her now that she’d slain two dragons. Monica silently rose to her feet and began walking toward the door. She intended this to signal that she had no more to say. As she placed her hand on the doorknob, the duke called after her, his voice even, not flustered in the slightest. “The Noble Assembly is considering creating a Chief Sage position for the Seven Sages. I could recommend you for the spot.” Even if they could create such a position, they would need the king’s sign-off. Duke Clockford didn’t have that authority. And yet he had stated it categorically. That could mean only one thing. He plans to extend his control to the entire kingdom, she thought. “Felix will be king eventually,” the duke continued. “I can have him appoint you Chief Sage…and he will do what I say.” At this, Monica’s vision went blank. The back of her head felt hot and numb all at once. Something dark rose from the pit of her stomach. A powerful emotion was threatening to overcome her. She didn’t know its name, but it drove her to cast an unchanted spell. White particles of light began to emerge from below her feet, floating up and taking shape. Soon, they became a flock of fluttering white butterflies. It was a mental interference spell. This was a forbidden technique with restricted applications, but she purposely used it anyway. She wanted the duke to know that if he tried to force this deal any further, she would respond appropriately. She turned around as the butterflies surrounded the duke and the mages behind him. The latter were clearly disturbed. The duke, however, didn’t bat an eyelash. “Name your price, Silent Witch,” he said. She could choose to remain silent here. She would gain nothing from speaking to this man. Nevertheless, she leveled a stare at the duke, her eyes devoid of emotion. “You have nothing I want,” she said. But if she had to say, there was one thing she wanted from this callous man, and one thing only: the truth. The whole truth. Laid bare for all to see. Were you behind the cursed dragon? Were you involved in my father’s death? Why does the prince do whatever you say? But she knew he wouldn’t answer any of these questions. Hiding how her legs shook, she left and headed back to her own room. She wanted to be alone there for the rest of the day. Just before reaching her chambers, Monica spotted someone a little ways in front of her. It was a young man with blond hair in splendid formal attire—Felix. His hair was uncharacteristically disheveled. He must have left the banquet hall in quite a hurry. “Lady Everett,” he said. “I heard that my grandfather summoned you.” “……” “What did he tell you? He didn’t force any impossible requests on you, I hope.” Monica stifled a relieved sigh. He doesn’t know about the duke’s request, she thought. His voice and expression both looked genuinely concerned. The fact remained, however, that he was the duke’s puppet. Why do you do everything he tells you to? The words nearly made it out of her mouth, but she swallowed them back down and passed by Felix’s side. The prince was sincerely worried about her. But he was hiding something. I’m…scared of you. As Felix called her name from behind, Monica entered her chambers and shut the door. She didn’t bother lighting a candle. Instead, she immediately collapsed into bed, cradled the sleeping Nero in her arms, and closed her eyes.