Chapter 263 – The Princess's Secret Letter

“Speaking of which, I heard you’ve been looking into healing methods for my ailing father.”

“Yes. I thought I might be able to help if it involves techniques different from ordinary Healing Magic.”

The conversation seemed to have shifted to matters concerning the visit to the sickbed.

“Is that so? I’ve also been researching magic for my father’s recovery… but perhaps a different approach might offer some prospects.”

“I hope that proves true. Actually, I still haven’t been told anything specific—what exactly is His Majesty Eberhart’s condition?”

“You’ll understand when you meet him in person. If those around my father are keeping it secret, it would be better if I didn’t speak of it either.”

“Understood.”

“I pray it goes well.”

With those words, Zadias stood up.

“Well then, Your Highness Stephania. My apologies for the haste, but I must take my leave now. Messengers from the Castle might arrive as early as today.”

“Yes.”

Ambrum also rose to see Zadias off.

“Benedict. Make sure you protect Her Highness properly.”

“Yes, sir.”

From whom, and for what purpose was she to be protected? After offering Elliot superficially polite words meant only to maintain appearances, Zadias left the inn.

After Zadias departed, we went from the inn room down to the basement and reported everything to everyone.

“Honestly…”

After hearing the full account, Princess Stephania frowned with what seemed like displeasure.

“For someone of royal blood… his words carry remarkably little weight.”

Claudia also closed her eyes and shook her head.

The way he treated Marquis Zilbolt and Elliot differently in public versus private, or his pretense of researching magic for King Eberhart’s recovery. The gap between Zadias’s true intentions and his outward behavior must have given them thoughts about him as a member of the royal family.

Rosemary was hiding her mouth behind a feather fan, but she seemed to be smirking. Well, Rosemary herself had utilized her own infamy and never shied away from taking the forefront. Compared to her, Zadias’s methods—with his smooth path to succession already guaranteed from the start—probably seemed half-hearted.

“If Zadias isn’t researching for treatment… then what is he researching?”

Grace tilted her head.

“Magic that the elders of the Sages’ Academy had kept secret… or perhaps techniques brought about through connections with Demons?”

“Does Elliot know?”

“…Sorry, Ashley. I don’t know the specifics of what he’s researching either. Zadias seemed concerned about when Gem control occurs and what long-term effects it might have. When Gem-induced control seemed likely, he would at least provide some justification, even with me.”

When Ashley asked, Elliot answered with some apparent guilt.

He had been used for experiments… but since he was more useful to Zadias than expected, he probably wasn’t pushed to the point of being used up. If Gem control happened frequently, the burden on the wearer would likely be significant.

Even if the justifications seemed like flimsy excuses to normal observation, they served to facilitate the Gem’s control.

“I’m not very familiar with Zadias’s inner circle… but aren’t the current Black Knights composed of factions originally close to Zadias from the Magic Knight Order and Sages’ Academy?”

“I believe so.”

“Then outsiders likely can’t get involved. If he was only maintaining appearances, Lord Elliot would be in the same position.”

Marquis Zilbolt added to Elliot’s words as if supplementing them.

So Zadias was colluding with those who had won the Faction Conflict and taken control of the Sages’ Academy.

“What about Zadias’s influence over the entire Magic Knight Order? Just the official story is fine.”

“Official story… meaning if we ignore the collaborators, correct? In that case, moderately… I’d say. Not particularly strong.”

Elliot answered. In other words, typical for royalty.

This meant that if Zadias were clearly at fault, the entire Magic Knight Order serving King Eberhart wouldn’t side with him.

But thinking about it differently, it also meant that despite not controlling the entire national army, Zadias was maneuvering behind the scenes with that show of composure.

“Perhaps he’s confident that even if his plot is exposed, he can seize the throne by force, or he possesses enough military strength to show such composure.”

“…That’s not composure, it’s arrogance. When your methods succeed a few times, you start thinking they’ll work again. I’ve learned this painfully well, but it’s difficult to recognize when things are going smoothly.”

With that, Rosemary shrugged. Marlene nodded emphatically at her words.

Rosemary was probably thinking about her experience with me. Marlene might be recalling Roy’s actions. Well… I should take this to heart too, since I might get tripped up if I treat it as someone else’s problem. We have several unexpected cards up our sleeve, and I want to effectively utilize our strengths by pressing them advantageously.

“Ah. Another carriage has arrived.”

In Caduceus’s field of vision, a carriage appeared coming down the main street.

“This time? The messenger from the Royal Castle you mentioned earlier?”

Sheila tilted her head.

“Probably, yes.”

The carriage bore Silvatoria’s national flag. It was undoubtedly a messenger from the Royal Castle… but the escort seemed rather large for a simple envoy.

…Probably because they’re wary of Marquis Zilbolt? If so, it might be a messenger from someone who holds a grudge against Zadias…

“Hmm… Should I speak directly this time if it’s a messenger from His Majesty Eberhart?”

Princess Stephania tilted her head.

“Understood. Regarding the escort, we’ll continue as before. Also, I have a slight idea…”

As she said this, Princess Stephania blinked.

“—According to the court physician, His Majesty’s condition has stabilized. Therefore, the day after tomorrow or the following day… the sooner, the better. If Your Highness Stephania has any preferences, they wish to coordinate. Please convey any requests.”

The court lady who came from the Royal Castle seemed to be here to arrange the schedule for the meeting with King Eberhart.

“I too look forward to the day I can see His Majesty Eberhart again as soon as possible. I’m pleased to hear sooner is better.”

“Understood. Then shall we set it for the day after tomorrow?”

“Please proceed accordingly.”

She exchanged such words with the court lady.

“Your Highness, how do you find Silvatoria after your long absence?”

“Well, I’m still unsettled, so it’s not quite like sightseeing…”

The court lady’s gaze wandered about, seeming somewhat restless. Then, from the direction of the inn’s back entrance, voices that sounded like people arguing could be heard.

“…What’s going on?”

Princess Stephania tilted her head.

“I’ve been ordered to guard Your Highness’s safety. I’ll go check.”

With that, Elliot left his seat. The guards Marquis Zilbolt had assigned to Princess Stephania also peered out the back window as if trying to discern the source of the voices.

Noticing this out of the corner of her eye, the court lady smiled somewhat awkwardly.

“…Are these people escorts from Verdgar?”

“Yes. They’re all trustworthy individuals.”

When Princess Stephania answered with a smile, the court lady suddenly erased her smile, took a letter from her sleeve, and placed it on the dining table.

“This letter is from Her Highness Adriana. I also have a message from Her Highness. She said she’s looking forward to seeing you again.”

“I’ve received it. I’ll be sure to read it later… during a quiet, calm moment. Please give her my regards.”

Just in case, considering any eventuality, I took the letter. I didn’t detect any suspicious weight or magical power. As I hid it in my breast pocket to keep it from others’ sight, the messenger’s expression showed relief.

“…I’m relieved to have fulfilled my duty.”

The court lady let out a deep breath, smiled, bowed, and departed.

Hmm. Well, the convenient disturbance that caused Elliot and Marquis Zilbolt’s subordinates to leave their posts… was of course no coincidence.

If there were watchful eyes, a messenger from the anti-Zadias faction would find it difficult to act, so we intentionally created an opening. Those causing the commotion outside were both Elmer’s subordinates, so they’ll probably withdraw at an appropriate time.

“Adriana is my friend. She’s Zadias’s half-sister… and the First Princess of Silvatoria.”

Princess Stephania gave a brief explanation.

…I see. She went through the trouble of creating an opening to contact Princess Stephania. It seems safe to consider her an ally.