Chapter 88 – Paper Airplanes and Fortune Tellers

I had Alfred make two prototypes and finished versions of the Amulet of Evil Repulsion. Having confirmed their performance, I needed to report to the Royal Castle first.

Alraune’s Kiss wasn’t something that could be made public, nor was it even known, but if no countermeasures existed… in the worst case, extreme reactions like arresting alchemists and apothecaries couldn’t be ruled out.

So… I had to prepare countermeasures first and adjust things so the reaction wouldn’t be too dramatic. Otherwise, it would be difficult to lay the groundwork properly.

If the Marquis’s household had been involved with secret potions, they would have arrested the creator and smashed the ringleader before any discussions could happen.

“Excuse me. His Majesty has entered the Nation Protecting Ceremony, so audiences will be unavailable for the next three days.”

That’s what the minister who attended to me said when I went to the Royal Castle.

“The Nation Protecting Ceremony?”

“Yes. He instructed us to inform Ambassador-sama should you visit during his absence.”

The Nation Protecting Ceremony. It was a ritual to prevent Termwills’ towns and Theoreme Castle from turning into labyrinths, keeping them in their current form.

Anyway, for three days, he would apparently seclude himself in the “Sanctuary” located in the keep of Theoreme Castle to perform the ceremony.

This seemed to be a secret ritual that only Termwills’ royal family—or rather, those who inherited the throne—could perform… but in any case, during that period, the doors connected to the Sanctuary would be closed, making entry or exit from outside completely impossible.

With King Melvin effectively absent for three days, the question became who I should approach.

Since I didn’t know who was connected to whom, the people I could safely confide in about the secret potion and its countermeasures were limited from the start. First, King Melvin, Prince Albert, and Princess Marlene. The Knight Order Commander might also be acceptable, but…

It would create a strange process of presenting to the prince something made by the prince himself.

But since the prince was familiar with the palace’s internal affairs, he would probably take action. The fact that he could produce the necklaces himself was also significant. He should be able to make as many as needed and distribute them to important figures.

So… led by a maid, I headed straight for the King’s Tower. When I arrived, a chair was placed on the usual terrace, and Princess Marlene was sitting there. Since her feet didn’t reach the floor when seated, she was swinging them slightly while moving the paper airplane I’d made for her earlier as if holding it up to the sunlight.

She looked happily squinting, but this felt like a scene I shouldn’t interrupt. That paper airplane was the one I’d given to Marian at the workshop.

That said, there was nowhere to hide. As I was thinking about coming back later after some time had passed, Prince Albert appeared from a nearby door.

“Marlene. That’s something precious you received from Theo-kun, right? It’s fine to bring it out, but be careful it doesn’t get blown away by the—”

Prince Albert started to say but then froze.

Our eyes had met across the garden. Well, what can I say… if he hadn’t said those words, I might have passed it off as something borrowed from Marian or something else I’d made.

“Um…”

“…First, could you let me explain the situation?”

“Really, I’m sorry.”

Summoned by Prince Albert and Princess Marlene, I was invited to their chambers where Prince Albert first bowed his head to me.

“If people knew I had frequent public interactions with you, it would draw attention. Though I’m royalty, my position is weak. I wanted to do something about that, so I used this ring to change my appearance and went out into the town for various activities. Please forgive me.”

Princess Marlene looked like she might cry, but when I smiled and said “It’s fine,” she showed me a smile. Prince Albert also seemed relieved by my reaction, but since it was relatively normal for him, his smile gradually became strained.

“…You don’t seem very surprised. Could it be you noticed quite some time ago?”

He must have realized why I hadn’t said anything.

I couldn’t very well tell him it was because I’d known from the beginning through BFO. So I pretended I’d vaguely suspected it.

“Hmm. The atmosphere felt similar, so I thought it might be something like that. Since I brought Princess Marlene to the workshop, I thought you’d probably tell me eventually… so you don’t need to worry so much about it.”

“…I see. But there’s a difference between being found out and confessing yourself, right…?”

“Is that how it is?”

“That’s how it is…”

Princess Marlene was looking at the dejected Prince Albert with worried eyes.

“Sigh. I messed up. From autumn onward, there are many balls and such. Since Her Highness Rosemary often leaves the King’s Tower empty, I got careless.”

I see. While the cat’s away, as they say.

“The reason I didn’t tell you… is because I can relax and feel at ease when I’m at the workshop in Alfred’s form. I wondered if things couldn’t stay the same after confessing, and I just couldn’t bring myself to say it. If you’d already suspected… then it was all meaningless.”

“If that’s the case, then can we keep things as they were when you’re Alfred? Though I will change my speech when you’re the prince, of course.”

“That would be a great help.”

Prince Albert smiled wryly.

As for Princess Marlene… perhaps because she no longer had a secret to keep, she actually seemed in high spirits. She came up to me, took my hand, and beamed.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“Is this room soundproof enough?”

“Well. It’s a royal chamber, so that should be fine. Marlene.”

Prince Albert’s tone remained as casual as ever, but the smile had vanished from his eyes. When Princess Marlene heard her name called, she nodded and sat in a chair in the corner of the room where she couldn’t hear the conversation.

Well, I think sending Princess Marlene away before hearing the details was the right move. He probably intended to decide whether to tell Princess Marlene after understanding the content.

“First, let me explain why I had the Amulet of Evil Repulsion made. I’ve learned that a magic potion called Alraune’s Kiss exists. The necklace is a countermeasure against it.”

Lowering my voice, I took out the necklaces made by the prince and princess.

When I briefly explained the effects and production methods of Alraune’s Kiss, the prince looked quite serious and seemed to be thinking about something. Eventually, he spoke.

“So you want us to make more of these necklaces, is that it?”

“That’s correct. Based on the premise of trustworthy individuals, please distribute them to important figures, including for self-defense.”

“I understand. I’ll go to the workshop now and… another all-nighter, I suppose.”

The prince seemed like he was going to be quite busy. Though I feel somewhat responsible for always bringing him troublesome matters.

“This, you know. It can get through magical inquisition, right?”

The prince seemed to have been pondering something, but he frowned and spoke.

“…Probably.”

For example, it would be easy for the perpetrator to create a situation where they “know nothing.”

If they relied on magical inquisition, they would likely let the criminal escape. Even if they conducted an inquisition, they would have to proceed with questions assuming the use of this potion.

“There might be… enemies within the Royal Castle. I have various thoughts about this matter, but I probably can’t maintain an impartial perspective regarding this issue. For now, I won’t say anything reckless. Until the Nation Protecting Ceremony ends and Father returns, I’ll basically act in a self-defense capacity.”

“Understood.”

I understand what the prince is thinking. Indeed, King Melvin’s absence comes at a bad time.

It would have been good to hear from Kathryn herself, but she wouldn’t speak honestly with someone like me.

By the time the potion’s effects were confirmed, I was already in the Count’s territory via the dragon palanquin. Father himself said he would take additional measures against the Marquis’s household, and he left me a note before returning home.

As for my absence, that would eliminate the danger of assassination in its own way. You could say the timing was perfect.

“Understood. I’ll go meet someone today who might know about the situation.”

“I see. Please be very careful.”

“Yes. You too.”

Having settled matters with the prince, I left the Royal Castle.

Anastasia the fortune teller, huh. According to Prince Albert, although she’s said to have connections with court nobles, she apparently maintains equal relationships with everyone.

She sometimes appears suddenly, then is absent for quite long periods—her behavior is apparently unpredictable.

He said she’s often at her mansion during early autumn.

The part about her being a fortune teller who’s often accurate bothers me.

If she’s using the secret potion, she could easily know others’ secrets, and she could fake future predictions too.

Of course, she might be a genuine fortune teller, but first, asking about Kathryn’s condition that day would be the standard approach. Whether she’s innocent or guilty, I can probe while hearing her story. I might hit the jackpot right away.

Now, Fortune Teller Anastasia’s mansion is in central Termwills. It’s quite a large mansion.

When I knocked on the gate, the one who greeted me wasn’t human but a doll—a magical creature.

“I am Theodore Gartner. I wish to meet with Ms. Anastasia.”

The doll nodded its head up and down, then placed its hands on its hips and bowed.

Quite human-like behavior. I couldn’t tell if it was being directly controlled or acting autonomously, but I should probably assume it’s quite high Rank. I can’t let my guard down.

The doll guided me deep into the mansion. Eventually, I was led to an inner room.

“Welcome. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Anastasia Almendaris.”

“Theodore Gartner.”

There was a young woman there. Her age—since her face was covered by a veil, I couldn’t tell clearly, but her voice sounded young. Perhaps under twenty.

Not just her face, but almost her entire body was concealed by flowing garments.

Silver hair and brown skin visible around her eyes… matched the characteristics I’d heard about.

“Oh. So you’re Theodore-sama? I’ve heard about you. What brings you here today?”

“Well. I’d like to ask about the ball held at the Marquis’s household the other day.”

“I see. That’s fine. Please, over here. My morning client just left, as it happens.”

As she spoke, Anastasia gestured for me to sit at the table.

Immediately, a doll brought tea. Well then.

“Interesting. The doll’s… a familiar?”

“No. It’s a magical creature, but not a familiar.”

Hmm. So she’s using subjugation magic on magical creatures to make them obey commands?

Unlike familiars like Caduceus, there don’t seem to be limits like one per person. Instead, she probably can’t form sensory links.

“Fufu, you’re quite studious, aren’t you? They work very well without a single complaint. I find them very useful.”

When I looked at the doll, Anastasia narrowed her eyes happily beneath her veil.

While watching her face, I brought the teacup to my lips and drank it all.

After confirming I’d swallowed, the woman spoke.

“Hey—Theodore Gartner-sama.”

Instantly, I stopped moving, dropped the cup onto the table, and stared vacantly into space.

“…Fu, fufufu”

Anastasia laughed at my completely unnatural reaction. This is it, then.