Chapter 49: Veramood Lunatil

“Are you not planning to go to the ice tower anymore?”

Arcana frowned slightly at the thought of the ice tower.

Ice tower—

The name of the tower seems like a tower from the north, but it actually exists in the south. A mirage in the middle of the desert, a base for mages. 

[A huge beautiful icy tower, in the middle of the desert of death, now you’re here at the Mage’s Tower]

Although there was a song sung by a bard, in reality only a handful of mages have seen the Ice Tower. Those mages spent their entire lives studying and learning magic in the Ice Tower. There were also only very few who came out. It was said that mages should not exercise their power outside, and a great mage is a magician who leaves themselves to the flow of the world. 

Still, the royal families of each country were aware of the existence of the Ice Tower and established a peaceful interaction with those mages. One, it was to also keep the mages in check, and two, to prevent this unknown and powerful force from leaning to one side, trying to keep it neutral. 

And using that as a pretext, the great sage—the head of the tower—could obtain research funding from each country.  

“I’ll have to go after the final exam.”

“Ah, you don’t use magic?”

“Yes.”

Living like a normal person. 

“What are you going to do after that?”

“Well, what should I do?” Arcana stared at Sigrid.

“Mages are rare, so everyone will want to be introduced to you.”

“I’ll think about it if you introduce me.”

Sigrid pondered for a while before shaking her head. “No, I don’t think I have anyone high enough to introduce you to.”

“That’s alright” Arcana lightly drank his tea.

“It’s all right, you say,” Sigrid murmured quietly. But then she shook her head. It wasn’t a matter for her to question, moreover there were still five more months left anyway.

Sigrid got up from her seat after breakfast. 

“I’m going.”

“Sword practice again?”

Sigrid nodded at Arcana’s question. She’s been practicing her swordsmanship in the hunting ground where the crown prince had been attacked in the past until lunch. She actually felt that The Aura responded well when she was meditating in the forest. More than that, she felt that the other side might have spied on her for a while. It would be better for her to practice in the forest since she said it last time. 

Sigrid straightened her back as she thought about meeting the crown prince. 

The Imperial Palace. The first area. 

Her mind recalled where she went in and out of that restricted area because of that one person. She somehow thought that perhaps over there later, she might meet His Majesty. However, the thought made her eyes giddy. What should she do if they met anyway? She would most likely say nothing. 

Questions filled in Sigrid’s head. Was that person sad? Did he ever regret making her that way, even once? Would he be sad? Did he think it was a waste doing that to her? Or did he think it was good? Did he feel good about it? Or he felt nothing about it? Really? Nothing? Not even little?

Sigrid closed her eyes and opened them again. The garden has been wonderfully transformed. It made her wonder whether Arcana had cast a spell on the garden. Anyway, when it was summer, the garden finally would be worth seeing as the roses that Arcana took care of would be blooming beautifully.

After staring blankly at the garden, Sigrid headed to the stable. She shook off that pitiful thought. It was useless to worry about it. Because she didn’t know the answer anyway. Also, it was in the past. It was over. 

Sigrid put a rope halter on Echo, then properly put a saddle on its back. She then climbed onto the back of Echo. For some unknown reason, she wanted to ride quickly today. So she rode echo very fast.

After lunch, the practice was over. Sigrid came to the Knight Order to make sure there was nothing important going on, then she went back home. In the evening, Marisuez was supposed to pick her up. Therefore, after she was at home, she prepared right away.

In this area, Seria could not do much help. The other maids already helped Sigrid and it was also because she had never served the body of a noblewoman. 

Sigrid didn’t do much. Other than putting her hair up, having her corset tightened, and the clothes on, she only lightly applied a bit of lipstick.

“I’ll be back.”

Sigrid greeted the count’s coachman and climbed into the carriage. There sat a dazzling Marisuez.

“Marisuez, you’re so pretty today.” Sigrid muttered blankly. Marisuez seemed to adorn herself ten times more than usual.

“I knew it.” Marisuez looked Sigrid up and down.

“Hm?”

“Wearing only dress! And only put your hair up too!”

“Isn’t this okay?”

“Yes, it’s okay. That’s enough. It’s exactly like a poor young lady!” Marisuez was fanning out her fan.

Sigrid didn’t know whether that was a compliment or a curse. 

“But, you’re my friend. This won’t do. It is unaccataptable.” Marisuez knocked a box next to her with her fan. “This is why I want to meet us early on purpose. I’ll lend you accessories.”

“Thank you.”

Marisuez shook her head. “I’m just lending them. You don’t have to thank me.”

“But, it’s expensive.” Sigrid said earnestly. “It’s the same as lending my sword to you. Thank you for believing in me.”

“I lend these to you because of the friend level.”

“Oh, it’s up.” Sigrid rejoiced when she saw Marisuez fingers spread out.

“I’ve been thinking about it, so it was time to raise the level.” Marisuez raised the tip of her chin. 

The carriage rode briskly into the mansion of Marquis Alsekida. The mansion was already noisy. 

When Marisuez and Sigrid got off the carriage, Rowen Green came to meet them directly at the front door. 

“Rowen Green is so pretty too.” Sigird opened his eyes wide.

“Thank you, Sigrid is pretty too.”

“Lend me your maid, Rowe.”

“Maid?” Rowen Green was puzzled by Marisuez’s words.

Mrisuez pointed to the box that had been given to a servant to carry.

“I brought some accessories to lend to Sigrid.”

“Oh, I see.”

Rowen green nodded and brought the two inside.

Sigrid’s hair was untied, combed, arranged in a more complicated updo, and adorned with colorful accessories. She was taken aback by the fact that a different look at hair alone could change her impression drastically.