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Chapter 98

"Is your dress very wet?"

"Not that much. It should dry soon."

I took the dry towel the Grand Duchess offered. If Julia were here, she could have dried it in an instant. I sat on the sofa and patted my damp hair dry.

"I heard about what happened at the Founding Festival hunting competition from Grace."

She sat across from me, brewing tea as if nothing were wrong. No stuttering, no fumbling—as if her strange behavior had never happened.

Shimota Grace. How much help did the Grand Ducal house give her that she spilled everything?

"The princess's unique magic is... disgustingly hideous, I heard."

I expected her to talk about nearly dying from the mutant beasts, but instead she expressed curiosity about my Goblin Club—in a rather rude manner.

She said it so casually that I almost wasn't sure if it was an insult. It was an insult, right?

"Could I see it? Ah, it's not just curiosity. I'm sorry if I offended you."

"Wouldn't anyone be offended after being told their unique magic is disgustingly hideous to their face?"

"Grace said that—I was just relaying her words. I don't think that way, so you don't need to be on guard with me."

Ha! Hahaha... What?

Shimota Grace, whose expressions are easy to read, suddenly seemed cute by comparison.

"My own unique magic is also quite hideous, actually. Almost no one knows what it is—I don't want it known."

She poured the tea and slid it toward me. I'd never heard anything about the Grand Duchess's unique magic.

"Could I see yours? If you're curious, I'll show you mine in return."

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. A trade of information? Not bad. My Goblin Club had been seen by many, and they already knew some of its abilities. But the Grand Duchess's unique magic was virtually unknown.

I waved my hand and summoned the club. The Grand Duchess's eyes widened at the yellowish, bulky club.

"This is... that..."

Her lips stretched wide. Her grey eyes gleamed with greed.

Not the look of someone seeing an ugly, worthless magical tool—greed.

"What abilities does this club have?"

She was quite good at pretending not to know what she already did.

"Similar to my father's."

"Algenprina Duke..."

"It destroys magic circles."

I ran my hand over the club's rough surface.

"And it's very sturdy."

Her eyes scanned my club thoroughly—clearly looking for something else.

"What are these differently colored gems?"

"Not sure. Maybe they're there to hurt people? They'd hurt if you got hit with these bumpy parts."

Why would I tell her the real purpose?

"It's ugly, right? I know. When I was young, I hated it so much I didn't even want to summon it. Other young ladies bloom flowers or create gentle breezes... look at this! It looks slimy to touch and like it smells bad just to be near, doesn't it?"

My lovely, adorable Goblin Club—cover your ears. I'm sorry, Mommy. I'll polish you nice and shiny when we get home!

As I swung the club and unloaded a torrent of self-deprecation, the Grand Duchess's face twisted in confusion.

"Any other abilities?"

"Nope! That's all. Really unimpressive, right?"

I shrugged and smiled. The Grand Duchess stared at me. She didn't ask directly, though—I was ready to deny it if she brought up teleportation.

Holding her gaze, I watched as the corner of her mouth twitched, and her index finger curled back as if moving on its own. I smiled benevolently and grabbed her hand.

"Don't worry, Grand Duchess. I've never seen a unique magic uglier than mine."

Her hand clung to mine like a lifeline.

"Your hands are cold—are you okay?"

"Yes. It happens sometimes."

She stood up, and I watched her every move, ready to act.

Then I noticed something strange about the lounge.

"There's no mirror."

This wasn't just a regular room—it was a powder room lounge.

"I don't keep mirrors where I am."

She stood before a white cloth at about her height.

"Would you come here, Princess?"

I gripped my club and walked over, ready for anything.

"Don't be tense. It's just a mirror."

Was her unique magic mirror-related?

She pulled the cloth off. It was just an ordinary mirror. Until I met her gaze through the reflection.

If anything changed in me—if something grabbed me or tried to enter me—I'd have shattered it immediately. The Grand Duchess grinned triumphantly, eyes gleaming with greed... but nothing happened to me.

"How...?"

Her shocked face twisted viciously.

"Impossible. No..."

The massive mirror trembled, and a crack spread from its edge.

"Kyaaaah!!!!"

She collapsed, clutching her head. What the hell!! I don't want to be misunderstood!!

I grabbed her and stumbled backward, away from the mirror.

"Gaaaaah!!"

Hearing her fit, people rushed over.

"P-pr-princess. Give him to me. Please don't do this. Please...! I want it to stop! Sa-save... aaah!!"

Grasping my dress hem, she looked up with disheveled hair.

"What did you say?"

Before I could ask what she meant, the lounge door burst open. Four handmaidens entered—but I sensed a fifth presence. Perhaps because the hat was mine, I could feel someone hidden under it. The four handmaidens scanned the room with stiff faces, then looked down at the Grand Duchess.

'Why aren't they helping her?'

They didn't fuss or interrogate me.

"What are you just standing there for?!"

Finally, two handmaidens supported the staggering, half-conscious Grand Duchess. Her limp hair swayed helplessly.

"Take Lady Ternia to her room. You, go to the Grand Duke."

"Yes."

The handmaidens' faces showed no concern for the Grand Duchess—only something close to contempt.

Damn, what is this?

"I apologize for startling you, Princess. The Grand Duchess has been having frequent fits lately—you've witnessed an unpleasant sight. I'll escort you back to the ballroom."

Unpleasant sight? Did this handmaiden just call her own mistress an unpleasant sight?

"Release me."

Just then, the Grand Duchess straightened her back and spoke in a solemn voice—the same aloof figure I'd met at the ballroom earlier.

...Had she come to her senses?

"Ha, nothing goes right."

"Your Highness."

The handmaiden who'd been holding her with contempt deeply bowed and extended a hand. The Grand Duchess took it, stepped forward, and looked me straight in the eye.

"Let me give you some advice."

I was now certain—this was a completely different person. Not quite a split personality, but not the same person either. She was distinct from the trembling woman moments ago.

Overwhelmed by the inexplicable situation, I stared at her blankly.

"Advice...?"

"There's no use struggling. Everything flows as it should. Lambert's son, and you—you will all end up with me."

With that, she turned and walked away. All but one handmaiden followed.

"I don't need an escort. I can go alone."

"Princess, you look unwell."

"I'll go back alone. Pretend today didn't happen."

"Thank you for your consideration."

She left without hiding her annoyance. Alone, I approached the mirror cautiously. It was ordinary. When I'd met her gaze through the mirror, she'd looked expectant—so was the condition for her unique magic eye contact through a mirror?

So what was supposed to happen when our eyes met?!

"Hariella."

A familiar voice came from empty air in the quiet lounge.

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