Chapter 20: A wizard who loves flowers
A few days later.
The Emperor’s birthday banquet, which had been lively for various reasons, had concluded without incident.
Marquis Niklad, Jerome’s secretary, visited the Emperor’s office to report on the results of the banquet.
“When considering these points, I believe the banquet was concluded successfully,” Marquis Niklad said in a cheerful voice.
However, Jerome’s reaction was indifferent.
“…Successful?” Jerome muttered coldly, raising an eyebrow.
“The most important guest didn’t even attend the banquet and returned to his homeland.”
“Ah, that’s because…”
The most important guest referred to the newly crowned King of Kalus and his delegation.
Of course, Marquis Niklad had not anticipated such an occurrence either.
It was simply unthinkable under normal circumstances.
Even Marquis Niklad had been quite surprised when he learned of it.
“I heard that an urgent matter arose.”
“An urgent matter?”
“Yes. I wasn’t informed of the details, but they expressed regret at not being able to stay until the end. The gifts they prepared were also exceptionally precious.”
Marquis Niklad explained in a calm voice.
“It’s said that the new king is quite impulsive, even within his kingdom. So, I don’t believe there’s any need to dwell on it.”
Marquis Niklad recalled the departing Kalus delegation.
Indeed, they didn’t look displeased as they left.
If anything, they seemed amused.
“Oh! And they specifically asked me to convey how much they enjoyed the pre-banquet festivities, though I’m not sure what happened.”
Marquis Niklad added, as if suddenly remembering.
Jerome furrowed his brow.
“What could have happened during the pre-banquet festivities for them to find it amusing?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but given their reaction, I think the Empire’s dignity was sufficiently preserved.”
“Dignity?” Jerome scoffed coldly.
“At a banquet attended by foreign dignitaries, the captain of the Imperial Knights declared himself a lover. How does that preserve the Empire’s dignity?”
“…”
Marquis Niklad pressed his lips together tightly.
It was clear that Jerome was in a foul mood.
No, not just foul—his anger was palpable.
It had been a long time since Marquis Niklad had seen Jerome this upset.
In fact, it was one of the rare occasions he could count on one hand since becoming Jerome’s secretary.
Surely, this wasn’t just because the King of Kalus had missed the banquet.
Could it be because of Sir Leonard’s lover declaration?
No, that was impossible.
After all, the Emperor had the Imperial Consort, Fay, by his side.
The Jerome that Marquis Niklad knew wouldn’t be bothered by such matters.
‘What could possibly be the reason?’
Marquis Niklad couldn’t think of anything.
Just then.
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the office door.
“Your Majesty, it’s Gabian.”
It was Gabian, the head of the Imperial Guard.
“What is it?” Jerome asked.
“‘He’ has arrived.”
“‘He’? Could it be…”
Jerome’s expression brightened noticeably.
“The magician?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
At Gabian’s nod, Jerome stood up abruptly.
“Let him in.”
_
“Your assistance was invaluable this time as well,” Jerome said to the man seated across from him.
The man had soft silver hair and wore a white mask that partially obscured his face.
He had recently resolved one of the Empire’s significant issues.
In fact, this wasn’t the first time.
The man had resolved numerous important matters for the Imperial Palace.
“Without you, we might not have been able to solve this problem.”
“You flatter me,” the man replied.
“I’m not being polite,” Jerome said curtly.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that the Empire owes you a great deal.”
The matters the man had resolved were of great importance.
They were tasks that even high-ranking officials and court magicians had been unable to handle.
“I’m glad I could be of help.”
“Have you given any more thought to my previous proposal?” Jerome asked.
“If you join the Imperial Court as a royal magician, I’ll grant whatever you desire.”
“…Yes, I’ve thought about it.”
The man nodded slightly, and Jerome’s expression brightened.
“Good. What are your conditions? Name anything, and it shall be yours.”
The man hesitated before answering.
He turned his gaze toward the window.
Outside, colorful flowers swayed, and butterflies flitted about.
After contemplating the serene scenery, the man turned back to Jerome, as if steeling his resolve.
“It seems the position is too much for someone like me.”
“…?”
“I’m just a magician who loves flowers.”
The man offered a humble smile.
“I’m sorry, but it seems what I want isn’t here.”
***
“Ha.”
The man exited the Emperor’s office and ran a hand over his face, letting out a deep sigh.
‘Perhaps it’s time to stop coming here.’
He suspected Jerome would continue making such proposals.
While he had managed to deflect this time, he couldn’t refuse indefinitely.
Of course, the Emperor’s offer was highly tempting.
It felt far beyond what he deserved.
But he couldn’t accept it.
Doing so would invalidate the reasons he had left “that place” in the first place.
He had been helping the Imperial Palace purely because of the flowers.
Yes, the flowers.
If he left, he could simply find another place to admire them.
Still, he felt a pang of regret at the thought of leaving.
The flowers here had brought him great joy, along with countless memories.
‘Come to think of it, I’ve gained more than just memories of flowers here.’
The man recalled a certain encounter.
‘Who would’ve thought of sneaking me out as a maid?’
He chuckled quietly to himself.
It was quite an amusing experience.
An experience I would likely never have again.
That night’s events were memories I would never forget.
As he lowered his gaze, he looked at his right pinky finger.
The very hand marked with the token of a promise.
He had resolved not to do anything reckless again.
Of course, today wasn’t like the time he had snuck into the Imperial Palace.
‘If she found out I came back, how would she react?’
She would surely be quite surprised.
He chuckled once again.
Would he see her again?
“…It’s probably impossible,” he muttered.
After all, she was someone far beyond his reach.
Right. It was absurd.
As he thought so.
“Kyaah! Your Majesty’s dress is covered in dirt…!”
“It’s fine, Lady Marie.”
The voice that captivated his ears caused him to turn his head instinctively.
“Ah.”
He let out a meaningless sigh.
His pupils trembled slightly.
At the end of his gaze.
Amidst a garden surrounded by countless flowers.
“…I didn’t think I’d see her.”
A familiar silhouette appeared.
***
“Your Majesty! Please, allow us to handle this.”
The maids spoke to me in worried voices.
“Yes, there’s so much dirt here.”
“It’s fine. I can handle this much myself.”
I shook my head.
Of course, I understood the maids’ concerns.
Here I was, digging in the garden to plant a flower, my dress and hands covered in dirt.
The Empress of the Empire in such a state—it was enough to make them want to faint.
Sorry, everyone.
But I wanted to tend to the flowers I received as a gift personally.
This amount of digging should suffice, right?
I put the trowel down and picked up the flower next to me.
It was a flower with a soft lavender hue.
“Every time I see it, it’s so beautiful.”
Behind me, I heard the maids sighing in admiration.
“Isn’t this the umpteenth flower?”
“I stopped counting after the tenth time. They’ve been delivered every single day.”
“Who could possibly be sending them?”
Indeed, who could it be?
As they said, the flower was sent anonymously.
From some point on, flowers had been left at my door each day.
Moreover, they were always a different kind.
The maids were constantly speculating about who the sender might be.
“Could it be Sir Leonard?”
“What? Sir Leonard?”
“Well, didn’t he declare that he wanted to be Your Majesty’s lover recently? It’s plausible.”
“Oh, my!”
The maids, unable to contain their surprise, gasped at the mere possibility.
Our maids. Their imaginations are truly vivid.
“Or perhaps it’s a gift from someone who respects Her Majesty?”
“That could be it too. After the banquet, everyone’s been talking about Your Majesty.”
Hmm, is that so?
Could it really be a fan of mine?
As I entertained the thought, I placed the flower into the ground.
“You shouldn’t plant that flower in direct sunlight.”
A deep voice fell from above my head.
Startled, I looked up.
Huh?
“…You?”
Beneath a white mask, golden eyes gleamed.
As he lowered his head in a polite bow, the earrings dangling from his ears swayed lightly.
“We meet again.”
“Flower lover?!”
“To think we’d meet here again… Wait. What…?”
He looked flustered.
“Flo-flower lover?”
Then he pointed at himself.
I nodded.
Yes, you.
The one who sneaks into the Imperial Palace just to see flowers, showing me the romance of the century.
Oh! But more importantly.
I quickly scanned my surroundings.
Thankfully, it seemed no guards were paying attention to this spot.
“Your Majesty, is he someone you know?”
The maids’ curious eyes sparkled.
Oh my, oh my. How do you know him?
Their gazes seemed to ask that very question.
I gestured for the maids to leave and whispered in a small voice.
“What are you doing here?!”
Don’t tell me he snuck in to see the flowers again?
The place where we met was, of all places, the garden.
Seriously, he must be mad about flowers!
“You said you wouldn’t do anything reckless again. But now you come here in broad daylight?!”
Even if I wanted to help, I couldn’t anymore!
Unlike my frustration, he replied calmly.
“There’s no need for concern.”
“What?”
“I haven’t broken the promise.”
“You haven’t broken it?”
I eyed him suspiciously.
He pulled a small object from his coat.
“This time, I entered through the main gate.”
“…!”
It was true.
What he held in his hand was none other than an official Imperial entry permit.
The kind issued to officially invited guests or merchants granted access.
The first time we met, he had snuck into the Imperial Palace.
And now, he held an official entry pass?
I was dumbfounded.
“Who exactly are you?”
What was he, a spy?
A forger, perhaps?
Goodness, this man was scarier than he looked!
The flower lover said nothing.
He wore a serious expression, as if he were making an important decision.
After a moment of hesitation, he slowly opened his mouth.
“…Cedric.”
A faint smile, like a blooming flower, appeared on his lips.
“From now on, I’ll be greeting you as Cedric, a royal magician of the Imperial Court.”
“…!”
Wait a minute.
Royal… magician?
—
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