Chapter 203
“Magic Tower master…!”
The one who let out a voice filled with joy was the emperor’s most cherished daughter, princess Erzebet.
As soon as she spotted Franz, she ran over, her skirt fluttering.
“Y-Your Highness…!”
A servant’s eyes widened as the servant let out a voice full of bewilderment.
It was because of Erzebet’s behavior, which showed no regard for dignity.
Watching the scene from afar, Franz could only scratch his head awkwardly.
When a superior makes a mistake, the subordinates end up walking on eggshells too, don’t they? Even though he had clearly done nothing wrong, he found himself feeling self-conscious for no reason.
Still, she was only 11 years old now. He also thought she might just be acting her age.
While he continued that train of thought, the princess had already arrived right in front of him.
“Magic Tower master Franz Gilbert greets Her Highness the princess.”
Franz bowed his head politely in greeting.
Even though she was 11 years old, her status as a princess didn’t just disappear.
“P-please raise your head. How could a master bow to his disciple?”
Franz raised his head at her command.
However, he had a question, so to speak.
He had no memory of accepting her as a disciple.
“Is it perhaps because of what happened before…?”
Franz had previously looked over the princess’s magic.
Namely, the day a major incident almost occurred because she couldn’t control her magic.
She must have thought they became master and disciple based on the small teaching he gave her that day.
'The master-disciple relationship between Mages isn’t something that can be formed and broken so easily, though…'
In truth, it didn’t really matter what Franz thought.
The other party was a princess with the emperor as her father. If someone like her said she wanted to be a disciple, he had no choice but to accept.
In other words, there was never a choice to begin with.
“It’s a little late, but I want to express my gratitude. Thank you for protecting me and the empire.”
“I didn’t do anything that grand. I merely did my best within my reach.”
“You are humble, Magic Tower master.”
The princess let out a small laugh.
“Humble, huh…”
He hadn’t particularly thought of it that way.
To begin with, how many people could proudly boast of their achievements in front of the princess?
Excluding the emperor and the Prince, there would be no one anywhere in the empire.
“Would it be rude if I asked you to tell me what happened that day…?”
“It wouldn’t be rude, but…”
Franz trailed off and glanced sideways at the emperor.
Since it wasn’t exactly a pleasant story, it was necessary to seek permission.
The emperor nodded once. It was a clear sign of permission.
“It is not a short story, so it might be better to move somewhere else.”
“There is a space for teatime in the garden. I will guide you.”
The princess took a step forward and instructed the servant to prepare tea and refreshments.
When she came running with her skirt fluttering, she seemed just like an 11-year-old kid, but in matters like this, she definitely gave off the feeling of a princess.
After we had walked for a short while along the path in the garden following the princess, a stone structure with a hemispherical roof appeared.
Inside, luxurious tables and chairs were placed, making it the perfect spot to enjoy teatime while admiring the garden.
“Although it looks plain right now, it becomes a beautiful place in the spring when the flowers bloom.”
“It must be a spectacular sight. The garden of the Imperial Palace is beautiful, after all.”
As he was having such idle conversation with the princess, the servant arrived not long after.
Teacups and refreshments were placed on the table.
Taking a sip of his tea, Franz set the teacup down soundlessly and began his story.
The princess’s eyes sparkled brightly the entire time she listened to the story. Like a child listening to a fairy tale read by their parents before falling asleep.
Eventually, when the story ended, she jumped up from her seat.
“You are truly amazing…! The Saintess, the Hero, the Elf, all of you…!”
Unaccustomed to receiving praise, Franz offered an awkward smile.
Still, it was always a joyful thing to have someone recognize his efforts.
Separate from that fact, however, the servant faced a second crisis.
It was a natural result, considering the princess had not only jumped up during teatime but also shouted in an excited voice.
“I want to practice magic too, so that one day I can save the people of the empire from crises just like you, Magic Tower master.”
Wouldn’t the best thing be for crises not to occur at all?
Franz thought so, but he didn’t bother saying it out loud.
He had no desire to rain on a kid’s parade when she was dreaming.
“Your Highness will surely become someone far greater than me.”
“Then could you perhaps take a look at my magic? I’ve learned a little from the Imperial Family mages in the meantime.”
“It would be difficult for me to show you anything, but if it’s just watching, I can do that as much as you’d like.”
After that, it was time for Franz’s magic lecture.
Her claim of having learned from the Imperial Family mages wasn’t a lie, as the princess’s magic skills had grown more than before.
To the point where she could maintain water in a round sphere and move it freely through the air.
Even if you gathered every 11-year-old on the entire continent right now, there probably wouldn’t be anyone more outstanding than she.
“A disciple…”
Seeing her magic, he couldn’t help but seriously consider it.
Whether it was her passion for magic or her talent, she lacked nothing.
Well, it was still too early to judge.
They say you can tell a tree by its seedling, but no one can predict whether it will eventually become a giant tree or wither away.
“You have grown a lot.”
“R-really?”
“Yes, you are excellent.”
At Franz’s praise, the water that had been maintaining its spherical shape began to fluctuate wildly. The change in her emotions had affected her mana control.
“Princess, you must not be swayed by your emotions.”
“Yes…!”
The irregularly moving water gradually stabilized and formed a round sphere.
It was a level of adaptability that made it hard to believe she was a young child with severe emotional fluctuations.
Was it because she had physically learned restraint while living as a princess?
Well, the personal reasons didn’t really matter, though.
Afterward, Franz pointed out the areas where the princess was lacking and what she had done well.
Just realizing what she lacked would allow her to grasp the direction she needed to move forward.
“The next time I see you will be in about three weeks.”
“You need to recover your body too, Magic Tower master. Then I will train hard until then.”
The princess answered calmly, but regret was dripping from her voice.
She was definitely disappointed to miss out on the opportunity to learn.
But what could be done? It took half a day to get from the Magic Tower to the Imperial Palace even riding the special carriage.
It was far too burdensome a distance to visit frequently.
After exchanging a few more words, the magic lesson concluded.
The princess rose from her seat and left with the servant.
Thus, the only ones left were Franz and the emperor.
“Your Majesty, I would like to head back slowly as well.”
“Without even having a cup of tea?”
“My mind is not at ease thinking of those who must be working at the Magic Tower.”
“You truly live a busy life. You could afford to take it a little easy.”
Did he know exactly whose fault it was that he lived so busily, even as he said that?
Franz forced down those feelings and offered a smile.
“Anyway, thank you for today. Even if it was just lip service, I was able to see my daughter smile.”
“Your Majesty, I do not lie when it comes to magic.”
“Then are you saying my daughter truly has talent?”
“It is still too early to say for certain, but as of right now, yes.”
A bright smile spread across the emperor’s face. Since he was someone who always had deep wrinkles furrowed between his brows, it could be called a truly rare occurrence.
It must be that joyful an occasion. They say a child’s joy is a parent’s joy, after all.
Afterward, Franz stood up from his seat along with the emperor.
It was now time to head back slowly to the Magic Tower.
“I have one question, though.”
Just as Franz was about to get into the car, the emperor suddenly spoke.
“Do you perhaps have any thoughts of making more of those carriages? I should say that looking at it makes my heart strangely hot. It feels as if something inside me is boiling.”
Do cars make a man’s heart run hot regardless of era and age?
It was a truly fascinating thing.
“I will prepare to do so as soon as my body recovers.”
“Then I will leave it in your hands.”
With the emperor seeing him off like that, Franz started the car.
* * *
It was late at night when Franz, who had departed from the Imperial Palace, arrived at the Magic Tower.
As he stepped out of the car and set foot on the ground, it felt as if the strength was draining out of his body.
As expected, long-distance driving was not something a person should do.
Franz dragged his exhausted body and took a step forward. And not long after, he was able to arrive at the Magic Tower Lord’s Office.
“Franz?”
“Finally.”
“Magic Tower master.”
“You’re late.”
The ones who welcomed the exhausted Franz were none other than the familiar four.
With teacups and refreshments on the table, it seemed they had been having teatime.
“Why are you doing that in the Magic Tower Lord’s Office? There are plenty of places more spacious and comfortable than here.”
“We were waiting because we thought you might be arriving around now, Magic Tower master.”
“And if I hadn’t come?”
“We could just go downstairs and sleep in our quarters.”
When she put it like that, he didn’t really have anything to say.
Only a hollow laugh escaped his lips.
“Here, sit over here.”
Franz was led by Yusti-ah’s hand and half-forced to sit on the sofa.
Another teacup was placed on the table, and warm tea from the teapot filled the cup.
“Ah, come to think of it. This arrived.”
Arian said so and held something out.
Franz withdrew the hand he was about to use to lift his teacup and accepted the letter.
“A letter…?”
The pure white envelope was sealed with red wax, and the seal stamped into the wax was all too familiar.
And rightfully so…
“This is from my family home…?”
Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their heads toward Franz.
For a moment, all noise vanished and an awkward silence fell, and soon, as if they had made a promise, they all swallowed their saliva at the same time.
Franz’s family home, the Gilbert Baronial House.
In other words, it was the very first place they had to conquer in order to become his wife.