Chapter 92

"Thank you for coming."

A few days after the end of the National Guard Ceremony, a messenger from King Melvin arrived, instructing me to bring Grace and Ashley to the castle. We went to the king's tower and were led to a room in the salon, where we were greeted by King Melvin, Prince Albert, and Princess Marlene.

Considering the timing and the people gathered, I suspect it's most likely about Rosemary's treatment, but I don't understand why Grace and Ashley are also here. The fact that they are dressed in dresses for the occasion is a treat for me, though.

First, King Melvin and I sat down away from the others to talk.

"At such an important time, my daughter has done something foolish. It is due to my lack of virtue."

Saying this, King Melvin closed his eyes.

"No, Your Majesty."

"I thought it necessary to explain Rosemary's treatment myself. First, her right to succeed to the throne has been revoked on the grounds of illness. She will be restricted in her actions through the use of subservience magic and will be isolated in the northern tower. The information she possesses must be kept secret, but given its usefulness and her magical potential, it's not as simple as just silencing her."

So, it's about confinement and isolation under the pretext of illness and convalescence. She might still be a valuable asset in the fight against the demons. The royal family also needs capable blood relatives to continue the National Guard Ceremony in the future.

"What do you mean by 'restriction'?"

"Restrictions on the use of magic, experiments, and research. We will use subservience magic to seal any exposure of secrets. We must ensure that the information she holds cannot be easily extracted."

"I understand."

King Melvin let out a small sigh.

"Well, now. Since we've come out of the National Guard Ceremony, I must explain to you what we know about Rosemary's methods."

Yes, I have a few questions. The biggest one is how Rosemary, as a princess, managed to act freely. Managing the greenhouse, concocting secret potions, and increasing the number of puppets she used. If she let the magical creatures do most of the work, it would significantly reduce her own effort. By being overly domineering towards the servants, she could make them avoid her, making it easier to act without being noticed. Based on the information I have, that's about all I can deduce.

"From a young age, she would spend all her free time in the library. She showed interest in magic and studied under a teacher. She was excellent, but at some point, she abruptly stopped studying magic and began to openly dislike magicians. It was probably around this time that she discovered the hidden library in the castle."

"Hidden library...?"

"Yes. It could be opened by tracing the wall reliefs with royal blood. Originally, it was a secret escape route for the royal family. I can't go into details, but it allows one to leave the castle without being seen."

She either discovered it by chance or through research. King Melvin referred to it as a hidden library, which suggests that it was used to store dangerous books that couldn't be made public. Rosemary's ambition was likely sparked by this discovery.

"There are also books about the castle and the labyrinth."

Naturally, these books would be encrypted like the secret texts of alchemists. If the king needs the content of these books to be deciphered in the future—considering the secrets of the castle, the labyrinth, and the demons—Rosemary will be necessary. She can't be executed.

"But wouldn't it be suspicious if she just locked herself in the library to escape?"

"You're right. She used a familiar to create a body double. I found this out from the hidden library."

"Body double—"

I remember that when I fought as Anastasia, there were magical creatures under her control, but no familiar. The familiar must have played a crucial role. A familiar that could serve as a body double...

"A Doppleganger?"

In the BFO, it's a magical creature that can take the exact form of a given target when fed their blood. Its true form is a translucent, featureless being. If she kept it in her room or the library, she could gain the freedom to act. The method to create it was likely found in the hidden library. During the autumn, when there are more balls and events, she could leave the castle openly without a body double. With the body double and the fortune-teller, she could appear in different places simultaneously. The fortune-teller was probably always Rosemary in disguise.

"Indeed, you know a lot."

King Melvin smiled wryly.

"But why was the existence of such a hidden passage kept secret?"

Others aside, it wouldn't make sense if King Melvin didn't know.

"...This is a shameful family matter. Such secrets were passed down orally to the successors. A few generations ago, one of the royals lost part of the knowledge. They neglected the National Guard Ceremony, and the labyrinth swallowed the tunnels as a warning for the breach of contract."

"Breach of contract..."

"Yes, a magical contract with the labyrinth. That's how it was passed down. The National Guard Ceremony being held at this unusual time is likely due to this."

Since it's a contract, only the king can perform the ceremony.

"...Rosemary's meritocracy... indeed, there is some logic to it. If we continue this way, we might have to ensure that the most capable person inherits the throne."

If neglecting the ceremony means the labyrinth will swallow things, then it should take precedence over the heir. However, this could lead to conflicts within the royal family.

"There's one more thing I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

When I asked, King Melvin lowered his voice and said:

"It's about the attempted assassination of Marlene. She admitted to other things, but... she insisted that she wouldn't make a mistake with the dosage of the poison."

"...What do you mean?"

Mistaking the dosage?

"Marlene ingested poison and was on the brink of death—but Rosemary said that if she had intended to silence Marlene with the poison, she wouldn't have made such a mistake. At that time, Albert and Marlene's mother used Sacrifice to save her."

Sacrifice. One of the prayers that the priestesses of the Moon Temple can use. It allows them to take on the pain and suffering of others, which is as powerful as a strong healing spell but carries significant risks. There's a chance of losing one's life depending on the severity of the other person's injuries. If she took on the poisoning of a child, it would reflect the severity of the child's condition. Albert mentioned that he had a concubine who was a novice priestess. That must be Marlene's mother.

"Regardless, it's unclear who did it and for what purpose."

Indeed. The assassination case seems to be back at square one. Perhaps Rosemary thought she wouldn't lose as long as she had political power, despite her lack of ability.

After some thought, King Melvin said:

"This is a matter I have discussed with Lady Penelope."

He prefaced it by saying:

"Albert and I believe that it would be safer to entrust Marlene to you. That's why I brought Grace and Ashley with you. Would you consider adding Marlene to the group of your fiancées?"

...What?

I looked back at King Melvin, but he didn't seem to be joking.

Princess Marlene can't chant. Given the necessity of the National Guard Ceremony, she can't inherit the throne. Finding a marriage partner would be difficult, given that she can't speak. King Melvin and Prince Albert likely thought that placing her in the temple would ensure her safety and position, using her inability to speak as a safeguard.

I have little interaction with the nobles and lords of the castle, and my title is related to the labyrinth. I am somewhat separated from politics, but as a direct vassal of the king, I might be approached with marriage proposals during the social season from autumn to winter.

From the king's perspective, if I were engaged to Princess Marlene, I wouldn't be easily drawn into any faction through marriage. Grace and Ashley, who were already my fiancées, are a different matter. If Marlene were added to the group, it would be difficult for any noble to try to marry their daughter to me.

Even considering the decline in the royal family's qualities... if I were engaged to a magician like me, it could be hoped that a talented relative would marry into the royal family in a few generations.

"You and Marlene seem to have a good relationship. I must be cautious about proposing marriage to someone who has lost her voice. I want you to consider this as an option for her future, not as a forced decision. Of course, this is only if you all agree."

Three people. It would be problematic if the relationship with the other fiancées were bad. If I were separated from politics and couldn't be used for political marriages, it would be best for her to be as happy as possible.

"Please discuss this among yourselves and share your honest thoughts. I'm not saying this out of convenience. As a king, sending Marlene to the temple would also be a beneficial option."

What do I think of Marlene? What do the two of them think? And then...

"I would also like to confirm Princess Marlene's own wishes."

"Yes."

King Melvin nodded in response to my words.