46.
Mage Jeremiah.
He was the secondary male protagonist who harbored a fervent, deep-seated love for Princess Ellensia.
Although Ellensia was destined for Nasar, the book described Jeremiah as a devoted guardian who watched over the woman he loved from the shadows. The problem was that he was a highly dangerous individual for the villain, ‘Philomel’.
In the story, there were more than a few times when Philomel, suffering from an inferiority complex over not being the true princess, tormented Ellensia—only to be judged and punished by Jeremiah.
‘To think I was siblings with such a troublesome person…’
The book *Princess Ellensia* hadn’t detailed Jeremiah’s family life, so she had been completely in the dark. As the initial shock subsided, a wave of irritation surged within her.
‘Why didn’t you write such important information in the book!’
A fierce resentment toward the author of *Princess Ellensia* flared up, but now was the time to deal with the immediate problem. Specifically, the problem known as Jeremiah.
‘It’s obvious he won’t listen if I just tell him to stay put.’
Even in the book, Jeremiah pathologically refused to follow others’ instructions. He felt like a natural-born rebel. After pondering for a while, Philomel approached Leguin.
“Leguin.”
“What?”
“You told me to live my life doing whatever I want, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“There’s something I want right now. But to achieve it, I need your help. Will you help me?”
“So, you’ve finally recognized my true value.”
Leguin met Philomel’s eye level and offered a satisfied smile.
“Fine. Tell me what it is.”
“Please make sure Jeremiah can’t go anywhere.”
“What? Are you crazy? Why would I…”
Jeremiah’s protest didn’t reach its conclusion.
“Done.”
*Whoosh!*
Because, thanks to Leguin, he had been transformed into the exact same state as the brother he had mocked just a few dozen minutes ago.
“Mmph! Mmph, mmph, mmph!”
Bound hand and foot, Jeremiah erupted in fury, but it was nothing more than meaningless writhing.
‘I meant for you to persuade him, not tie him up right away…’
It was an awkward situation, but the milk was already spilled. Seeing as persuasion seemed impossible for someone like Leguin, this might have been for the best. Philomel gave Jeremiah an apologetic look.
“I’m sorry. Please bear with it for a little while. I’ll untie you once I decide what to do with you.”
According to *Princess Ellensia*, the two were supposed to meet in the winter, three or four months before Ellensia arrived at the Imperial Palace. Since Philomel had accelerated Ellensia’s appearance by about a year, they would have met this winter in the original timeline.
Of course, worrying about the relationship between two people who hadn’t even met yet might be unnecessary anxiety. If she just let Jeremiah leave, they might never meet at all.
‘Ellensia will be residing in the Imperial Palace, after all.’
Besides, since Jeremiah now knew she was his younger sister, there was a possibility he wouldn’t grow to hate ‘Philomel’ as he had in *Princess Ellensia*.
However…
‘I shouldn’t let my guard down.’
Now that she had decided to remain in the Imperial Palace for the time being, Philomel was determined to be as cautious as possible. But what if Jeremiah left, only to run into Ellensia in some unexpected place and fall in love with her? With Ellensia already acting strangely hostile toward her, she couldn’t afford to have Jeremiah added to the complications.
‘I have no choice but to keep potential dangers close and manage them.’
The best course of action was conciliation. But if that was impossible…
‘If it’s impossible…’
“You’re thinking of disposing of him, aren’t you?”
“Hey, that’s the look someone gives when they’re about to lock someone up.”
“……”
Just as she was deep in thought, Leguin and Lexion got in her way.
“Phil, even I can’t grant a request to get rid of him. But if it’s just simple confinement, I’ll consider it positively.”
“Mmph, mmph, mmph!”
“Mmph, mmph.”
At the mention of confinement, the two brothers, tied up side-by-side, rolled around on the floor in protest. Philomel let out a small sigh.
“For now, why don’t Lexion and Cadin head back? You’ve officially become Court Mages, so you have duties to attend to. And as for Jeremiah…”
Leguin cut in, interrupting her.
“Should I put him in the dark dimension?”
“…Is that dark dimension a painful place?”
“Not at all. It’s cozy and nice. There’s nothing there, so it’s perfect for just lying down and reflecting on oneself.”
“Then please do that.”
Philomel nodded. She would think about how to handle him if he refused to be conciliated later.
Leguin snapped his fingers, and Cadin was released from his bonds.
“Phew! I thought I was going to die of frustration!”
Cadin jumped up and stretched. His slightly tanned skin made his healthy charm stand out even more.
“Phil, call me whenever you need me! I’ll drop everything and come running!”
Philomel gave a slight nod toward Cadin. He laughed heartily and disappeared beyond the maze with Lexion.
Beneath the canopy, only Leguin, Philomel, and Jeremiah remained. Leguin snapped his fingers, and a magic circle blossomed on the floor, followed immediately by the appearance of a pitch-black hole.
‘Is this the dark dimension Leguin was talking about?’
Philomel peeked into the hole. It looked empty, a void of absolute darkness without a single ray of light.
“Up we go.”
Leguin walked over and picked up Jeremiah. Then, with the casual attitude of someone tossing a pair of socks into a dresser, he shoved him into the dark dimension.
“Mmph, mmph, mmph, mmph!”
With veins bulging on his forehead and his body flailing, Jeremiah disappeared into the void. Philomel didn’t know much about him yet, but she guessed he was likely screaming something to the effect of, ‘You wretched old geezer! I won’t let you get away with this!’
“What are you going to do next?” Leguin asked, dusting off his palms. “Do you really have to stay in the Imperial Palace? Wouldn’t a mansion near here do?”
“Do you own a mansion in the capital?”
“I can just buy one.”
“Oh…”
To buy a mansion in the capital would surely require an astronomical amount of funds. Seeing Leguin say it so nonchalantly, Philomel was once again reminded that he was a Tower Master who had accumulated immense wealth.
“You don’t need to go to such trouble. It’s something I can only do if I’m in the Imperial Palace.”
Philomel turned her head, forcing herself to be firm. She wasn’t exactly thrilled with the decision to stay in the palace, given the people who would surely whisper behind her back. But the subject she intended to observe moving forward was the Princess.
‘And the Princess lives in the Imperial Palace.’
There was no point if she didn’t observe her up close.
“Tch, fine.”
Leguin clicked his tongue, resigned.
“Do you not like the Imperial Palace?” Philomel asked cautiously.
“The air is so full of divine power, it’s disgusting.”
Now that he mentioned it, she remembered that magic and divine power were fundamentally incompatible. Because the palace was where the descendants of the gods resided, it was overflowing with divine energy. Having lived there for over ten years, Philomel had never felt any discomfort, but it seemed to be a different experience for mages.
“I’m sorry. Because of me…” Philomel muttered with a sullen expression. Somehow, it felt like everything was her fault.
Leguin flinched. “No, well. It’s not like I can’t stand it.”
“Even so…”
“It’s fine. As long as I don’t get near that person, it’s quite pleasant.”
“That person?”
“Who else? You know, the one who reeks of unpleasant divine power even when they’re standing still.”
“Ah.”
Philomel could easily guess who Leguin was talking about.
“Then, Leguin, please turn into a cat and go back to my room first.”
“Why?”
“Because I plan to go see that person now.”
She had a problem she needed to resolve with Eustis.
***
A short while later, Philomel arrived at the office and requested an audience. She thought he might be reluctant to see her, but the Emperor readily granted her permission.
“You’ve come early. Without further deliberation.”
His expression was dark, but he didn’t avoid her like he had the last time.
“I have thought about it as much as I needed to, and I have come to give you my answer.”
Philomel sat on the sofa, facing Eustis, and said cautiously.
“No. Before that, I have something to say. Something I must say, regardless of what your answer might be.”
“Please, speak.”
Eustis lowered his gaze and opened his heavy mouth.
“I’m sorry.”
His low voice echoed through the office.
“I… committed a grave sin against you. I should never have said such things. I want to apologize, even if it is late.”
His self-deprecating apology continued.
“That is not all. I have been so indifferent to you all this time. Using my own misery as an excuse, I didn’t even try to see you properly.”
Eustis slowly stood up and approached Philomel.
“It is too late, but I want to ask for your forgiveness. No, you don’t have to forgive me—just don’t disappear without a word. You are only sixteen. You haven’t even had your coming-of-age ceremony yet.”
The age of adulthood in the Belerov Empire was eighteen. Philomel had nearly two years left.
“Even if I am not your biological father, I am still your guardian. You are still of an age to be protected by an adult.”
A hand clad in a black glove rested gently on Philomel’s shoulder. It was a very cautious touch.
“If you don’t want to be by my side, I will find a place that is comfortable for you. But even if you don’t want to see me, I want you to remain somewhere within my reach. That way, if something happens, I can protect you.”
“……”
Philomel looked at him, unable to say a word.
“I am truly sorry. There is no other way for me to express this but through these short words.”
She could feel the lingering, unhealed agony in the furrowed brows of Eustis.