I returned to my room in the palace in high spirits.
Going on a date in town with Ed…it’d been like something from a dream.
And the hair accessory he’d bought me as a present was just what I wanted; elegant but simple. As I gazed at myself in the mirror, I heard someone say my name from behind me.
“Charles!”
I turned to see my brother standing in the doorway. I hadn’t even noticed him, I’d been too busy admiring my reflection.
“You seem like you’re in a good mood. Did you enjoy your excursion?”
“Oh, very much!”
“Good, that’s good. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Huh? Sure.”
I blinked at him.
He must want to talk to me about Ed. A princess going out with an untitled aristocrat…well, it is highly unusual.
But how much did Charles know about our relationship?
Seeing the concern on my face, Charles quickly smiled.
“Bel, to start off…happy sixteenth birthday.”
“Thank you.”
“Sixteen means you’re an adult now. Marriage offers could come at any time. We’ve already had invitations for visits from several royals from countries that are desperate to see you. After you appeared publicly during our Sunruta Kingdom trip, several of the foreign princes became very taken with you, it seems.”
“……”
My face stiffened.
Marriage offers?
I knew that as a princess, I was expected to form a political alliance through marriage for my country’s sake.
But all I could picture was the face of my beloved Ed…
I remained silent, not sure what to say. Eventually, Charles broke the silence.
“Bel…do you have feelings for Ed?”
Charles cut straight to the point. I was taken aback and could feel myself blushing. My bashful expression seemed to tell Charles all he needed to know.
“You know, he came to me before your birthday and said something.”
“He did? What did he say?”
Ed didn’t mention anything about that…
I tipped my head to one side and peered at Charles in confusion.
“You know that preparations are underway for your coming-of-age ceremony, right? Well, in the midst of all that, Ed came to my office, all serious, and said that he was going to become a Magic Count and then propose to you. He asked me to block all other incoming marriage propositions for now.”
“What?!” I yelped in shock then quickly covered my mouth with my hand.
True, it was only a matter of time until marriage propositions started coming my way. I was of age now, after all. But I was just so shocked that Ed had made his intentions so openly known to Charles.
Charles was smiling. “Boy, was I shocked, Bel!” he exclaimed.
“But did you see that Illusion Ed cast? He’s amazing. That’s a magic technique originally worked on by the great magician Longile. He left detailed records, but nobody has been able to replicate it in decades. And in just one year, Ed succeeds? Even the Head Magician at the research lab calls him a genius!”
Then Charles paused for several moments.
“However, becoming a Magic Count…that’s a different story altogether. You need to invent something incredible that changes daily life for every subject in the kingdom. Only then can you be bestowed with the rank of Magic Count.”
“Ed said he’s working on Magic Sigils that can be used by anyone, even those without any magical power,” I said.
“Yes, I heard about that. But he said he still hasn’t been able to make any progress on them.”
I clenched my fists. Had Charles come here to tell me to forget about Ed and go and get married to some foreign prince?
“Two years.”
“What?”
Two years of what? I frowned, not comprehending.
“I spoke with Father and then told Ed. Youth won’t last forever, you know. He’s got two years to pull it off. After that, all bets are off.”
I blinked rapidly, completely taken aback.
“You’re going to give us a chance, then?”
“We don’t want to lose a magician as fine as Ed. It would harm the kingdom as a whole. Ed knows this.”
“Two years…” I mumbled the words under my breath.
In other words, if Ed could manage to become a Magic Count within the next two years, then our marriage would be permitted. If not, I’d be quickly married off to a foreign prince before I became too old to hold any value.
Giving Ed a chance could only benefit the kingdom as a whole.
“You’ve got a deal.” I nodded firmly. Charles smiled at me.
“We’re all wishing for your happiness, Bel. Well, anyway, today is a day for celebration! Shall we go?”
Charles took my hand and we both got to our feet.
“Roast beef’s on the menu, Bel. Your favorite.”
“Really? Yay!”
Grinning, I replayed my conversation with Charles in my mind.
Two years…
That was both a long time and like no time at all.
But I had the feeling that if anyone could pull this off, it would be Ed.