In the golden chambers of the Bergen Empire’s Imperial Palace, the meal concluded for Emperor Adhvan, the beloved Princess Julian, and Claude, who was also unexpectedly part of their company.

Although he was scarcely able to join in the tender father-daughter conversation, Claude was content just to be there.

He escorted Julian back to her western palace chambers after the meal.

“I am truly grateful that I was able to be with Your Majesty today thanks to you.”

“I was happy to help my brother have a good time too.”

“Thank you for saying that. It must have been a tiring day; make sure you rest well.”

“Brother, you should rest, too.”

As Julian entered her chambers, closing the door behind her, Claude hurried to his office.

“Your Majesty, you have arrived.”

Chase awaited him, a tense expression etched across his face.

“Chase, did you inspect the bedroom as I instructed? Anything out of the ordinary? There wasn’t nothing, was there?” 

Anxious, Claude spilled out his questions all at once. Chase began to report immediately.

“Documents regarding the state of the bedroom before the princess arrived were present. As I reviewed the room with the documents in hand…”

“Just tell me the important bits for now.”

Chase paused for a moment before continuing.

“Nothing had changed. Aside from an increase in the princess’s wardrobe, nothing additional was found.”

“Any peculiar or unfamiliar dresses?”

“They were all items purchased by you or His Majesty for the princess.”

“Any signs of someone else entering?”

“I checked especially around the windows for signs of outsiders but found none.”

“What about the storage where Julian’s gifts are kept?”

“I checked there too. However, they were all gifts that had been initially reported to the palace.”

There was no sign of anyone entering, nor were there hidden items from another person.

As if they knew to be suspicious from the start, it seemed meticulously prepared.

Claude met with an unfruitful report, sighed heavily, running his fingers through his hair. Chase, feeling as if he hadn’t been of much help, displayed a regretful expression.

“Chase. Good work.”

He managed his expression once more. Despite the disappointment, he had to accept the results from Chase, who meticulously checked ten things when asked for one.

“However, Your Majesty, while I didn’t find an item, I did discover something somewhat unusual.”

“What is it?”

“A small amount of a red powder, not recorded in the reports, was found under the princess’s bed and under her desk.”

“Red powder?”

Chase showed him the powder, collected in a small white pouch. It was a blood-red powder.

“At first, I thought it might be a medicine the princess takes, so I visited the palace pharmacy, but they said they do not use a red powder.”

“It could be something other than a medicinal ingredient.”

“That’s why I asked the chef in charge of the princess’s meals if he had served any dishes containing a red powder recently. However, he assured me he had not used any red spices for digestion purposes.”

“What about for makeup?”

“I considered that too, but I was unable to ask the princess’s maidservant, for fear the question might leak.”

Claude silently patted Chase’s shoulder firmly, a sign that he was quite pleased with the report, which smoothed the creases of worry from Chase’s face.

“First, show the powder to the pharmacist and if needed, share a little with him to find out what it is,” Claude instructed.

“Yes.”

“Proceed discreetly, you know what I mean?”

“Yes, I’ll make sure no information leaks.”

“And, I need something else.”

Chase waited for the next order, his eyes reflecting immediate readiness.

“I think I’ll need a new wig. Also, some shabby clothes, perhaps something like a coat that merchants wear.”

“Are you planning on conducting an inspection yourself?”

“Yes, I can’t find everything out just by staying in the palace.”

Keeping all possibilities open seemed the thing to do. Nodding, Chase began to list things needed for the inspection.

“Chase, report all of Julian’s activities to me from now on. Even the trivial things, I want to know it all.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Claude, feeling one step closer to understanding Julian’s true nature, gripped the envelope containing the red powder tightly.

* * *

“Thank you for coming with me, Mr. Ray.”

“Not at all. I’m glad to be of help, Iva.”

A moonlit night.

Iva and Ray, relying solely on a single oil lamp and the bright moonlight, were headed to a lakeside a little away from the villa.

During the day, Mainy, who had boldly proposed to Iva in her brother’s stead, had confidently stated that her own brother was a wizard.

A shocked Iva, unable to believe it, had asked for confirmation several times, so Mainy suggested they meet at the lakeside in the forest that night and she would show her directly. 

Unfamiliar with the geography of Grace, Iva asked Ray for assistance, and he was happy to guide her. 

Actually, his willingness was 10% wanting to help Iva and 90% wariness about that brother, but he concealed his feelings and accompanied her regardless.

“But Mr. Ray, or should I say, Teacher Apple, did you originally teach children?”

“…Don’t tease me. I occasionally help my brother with teaching the kids.”

“I see. Teacher Tomato.”

“Are you going to do this too, Miss Iva?”

“Hehe, your reactions are just too fun, Mr. Ray.”

Iva teased Ray as if she was Leo.

Back when he was the commander of the knights, Ray, true to his nickname of the Black Wolf, was fierce enough to be practically unapproachable. 

But the Ray of Grace had softened slightly, becoming a bona fide youngest sibling, making her continually want to tease him.

Since coming here and getting to know this new side of him, Iva had grown quite comfortable with Ray.

“When will we see the lake?”

“We’re almost there. We just have to go down here. Watch your step.”

Ray descended the high rock first and extended his hand to Iva.

“Thank you.”

Iva gripped his hand tightly, relying on him as she carefully descended. Lifting her head as the path opened up before them, an enormous lake was gently shimmering in the moonlight.

“Wow. It’s really beautiful.”

“It’s even more beautiful at night.”

Being in the midst of the forest, the refreshing scent of the trees mixed with that of the lake, crafting a delightfully cool ambiance.

The more she looked, the more Iva was enraptured by the jewel-like beauty before her, while Ray watched her, unblinking.