Chapter 100

Argen waited for the formula written across the pale nape of his wife’s neck to disappear.

And a moment later—

“We’re running low on tea. Bring some more.”

As though nothing had happened, he dropped back into his chair and called to the servants standing at a distance.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

One servant approached without a sound and quietly poured more black tea into his cup.

Argen savored the warm fragrance.

Across from him, Grace had regained consciousness and was staring at him in horror.

“...Argen, you...”

“What is it?”

“...You... What in the world....”

Grace’s mouth, which had been about to form more words, suddenly snapped shut like a machine.

“.......”

She let out a breath.

Unable to say anything, she could only glare at Argen with her beautiful pale-green eyes.

“You’re much more beautiful when you don’t say anything unnecessary, Grace.”

Only then did Argen finally feel at ease, releasing a long, leisurely breath.

In truth, he had guessed what Grace wanted from the moment she invited him to tea.

Aisha’s dark magic.

And, of course, the public sparring match that was bound to have reached her ears.

He had not wanted to go this far, but unfortunately, Grace was far too thorough and intelligent to remain nothing more than Argen’s ordinary wife.

That was why Argen had accepted her invitation.

But he had come with a purpose of his own.

To shut this talkative woman’s mouth.

“The more you try to say the forbidden words, the harder it’ll be for you to breathe, so please relax your expression and give up.”

“.......”

Grace said nothing.

But as she drew in a breath, fury burned vividly in her eyes.

“That’s better.”

She was exactly the kind of woman he wanted.

Quiet.

Never getting on his nerves.

Simply beautiful.

Only now did Argen begin to find his own wife pretty.

“There are quite a few forbidden words, so conversation will probably be difficult for you. But if you stop concerning yourself with outside affairs and behave yourself in high society, it shouldn’t cause you too much trouble.”

There were, in fact, far more forbidden words than one might expect.

Dark magic, along with every roundabout description that could refer to dark magic.

Aisha, along with every description that could refer to Aisha.

Kreutz.

Duke.

Monsters.

Magic and magical formulas were forbidden as well, and she was barred from mentioning any incident related to what Argen had done.

The conclusion was simple.

Grace had lost everything.

The monsters and magic she had studied since childhood.

Even House Kreutz, whom she had regarded as dependable allies.

She had lost her very identity.

“...You...”

Grace forced the word out as though grinding it between her teeth, and moisture slowly gathered in her eyes.

At last, tears spilled down her pale cheeks.

“I don’t know what you were thinking when you did this... but someday... you’ll pay for it.”

“Hahahaha! How frightening!”

Argen could only laugh at his wife’s anger.

At first, he had hesitated to use forbidden dark magic.

But once he started, it turned out to be nothing at all.

Using it on Grace was no different.

Now that she could no longer mention magic, she could not undo the dark magic placed upon her.

And to people who knew nothing of magic, she would still look exactly the same as before—the queen of the Frozen Kingdom.

“Well then, enjoy the rest of your tea. I’m busy, so I’ll be going.”

Argen watched Grace swallow her tears with an amused smile before walking out of the glass conservatory.

There had once been two people who could speak of his crimes.

Now there was only one.

Princess Aisha.

It was time to get rid of that little brat.

“.......”

Left alone in the conservatory, Grace watched his retreating back before quietly lowering her head.

She felt like a bird trapped inside a cage.

***

Tree, King Argen’s aide, had found the king deeply suspicious lately.

He had struggled his way through learning magic and risen all the way to the prestigious position of royal aide, yet all he actually did was spy on Queen Grace or spy on Duke Kreutz.

And lately, for some reason, his master had been in such a good mood that he hummed to himself every day.

All while ordering Tree to conduct unpleasant investigations for him.

“Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“The boy named Avin is indeed Duke Pose’s illegitimate son.”

The task Tree had been assigned this time was to investigate a boy who had recently arrived in the kingdom.

“I see. I wondered how he could use a poison power, but it seems he really does have Pose blood in him.”

The corners of King Argen’s mouth rose faintly as he examined the report.

Watching him, Tree suppressed a sigh and spoke carefully.

“...Your Majesty. May I offer a word of caution?”

“Go ahead.”

“The boy you brought here is undeniably talented, but if it becomes known that he possesses a poison power, public opinion may turn against him.”

“Hmm.”

“After the incident involving Duke Pose, people may feel revulsion toward poison powers themselves. And wasn’t this public sparring match with House Kreutz arranged specifically to calm the unrest caused by Duke Pose’s case?”

Argen listened thoughtfully to Tree’s concerned words, then nodded.

“By the way, how did this boy escape? I heard the Kingdom of Doctia imprisoned everyone connected to House Pose.”

No.

He had changed the subject entirely.

As always, the king had not listened to a word Tree said.

Tree swallowed another sigh.

“He may be an illegitimate child, but it seems he was treated as though he barely existed within House Pose. The Kingdom of Doctia appears to have been unaware of the boy’s existence.”

“Oh?”

This really isn’t the time to be fascinated by some illegitimate child.

Tree bit his lower lip as he watched King Argen continue making noises of admiration.

Argen was always like this.

The only things he ever wanted were Queen Grace’s extraordinary magic and Duke Kreutz’s absurd power.

I should have become the queen’s aide instead.

Should he write a letter of resignation?

But outwardly, there were few positions more prestigious or enviable than serving as the king’s aide.

Tree was lost in those troubled thoughts when—

“Tree.”

“Y-Yes!”

Argen’s sudden call snapped him back to attention, and Tree answered in a hurry.

“Are you one of my people?”

Argen stared directly at him as he asked.

Startled, Tree lowered his head and answered for the moment.

“Of course. Everyone in this kingdom belongs to Your Majesty.”

“No. I asked whether you are one of my people. Whether you will go anywhere with me and whether you are in the same boat as I am.”

Tree’s body stiffened when he met Argen’s gray eyes again.

Normally, Argen was—

How should he put it?

A man so consumed by jealousy and his hobby of disparaging others that he neglected his own responsibilities.

But right now, Argen looked as serious as someone preparing to do something enormous.

Tree understood.

Argen was testing him.

This was the kind of conversation that could never be repeated to anyone.

Perhaps even one that might demand he break the law.

“O-Of course. I belong to Your Majesty.”

He did not want to say it.

But neither could he declare here and now that he was not the king’s man.

Tree squeezed his eyes shut and bowed his head even lower.

A low, satisfied chuckle came from across from him.

“Then come with me. There’s something I want to show you.”

Argen suddenly rose from his seat, left the office, and headed toward the underground chambers.

This was where the treasures of the Frozen royal family were kept, and no one outside the royal household was permitted to enter.

Naturally, Tree had never even considered looking in this direction.

The place was treated almost like a legend among the people, and he had never had the leisure to become curious about it in the first place.

Argen opened a glittering door lavishly finished in gold.

Beyond it lay an elegant, subdued corridor the color of deep wine.

There were three doors.

One led to the room containing treasures passed down through generations of the Frozen royal family.

One led to the room containing treasures owned by Queen Grace.

And the last belonged to Argen.

“I think I’ve acquired something rather rare. I wanted to show it to you.”

Argen chuckled as he opened the door to his own room.

Tree swallowed hard.

The sight of Argen opening that door seemed to move in slow motion.

He was so curious and so frightened at the same time that his heart began pounding.

What kind of treasure could the king of this country value enough to keep hidden away so carefully?

A chandelier made from first-grade crystal?

No.

If it were merely some luxury item like that, Argen would have flaunted it rather than hidden it.

Then what was it?

What in the world could it possibly be...?

As the door opened wider, Tree’s eyes widened with it.

And then—

“Hello.”

Inside the room stood a small boy.

A child who looked no older than seven.

“...Your Majesty. That boy is...”

“Yes. Avin. Duke Pose’s illegitimate son.”

Confused, Tree looked around for the rare treasure, but aside from several strange potions displayed on an old shelf, there was nothing particularly remarkable in sight.

Don’t tell me the king has finally gone senile and is calling this illegitimate child a treasure....

Disgust flickered through Tree’s eyes as he glanced sideways at Argen.

It’s not too late. I really should switch sides and serve Queen Grace instead.

“Avin. Show Tree your ability.”

“Yes.”

That was when it happened.

The instant Argen gave the order with smug confidence, goosebumps rose across Tree’s arms.

There was not a breath of wind inside the room.

And yet a sudden chill swept over him.