Ask Away, Your Majesty - Chapter 22
Kyle, once again, suppressed his nagging curiosity. Leaning against the wall, he decided to inquire about something a bit lighter.
“Do those iron rods really chase after you?”
“Why? Do you want to experience being chased by the iron rods?”
“Besides making potions, you have such magical abilities. It’s fascinating.”
Lorienne glanced elsewhere, feigning disinterest. There was no need to mention it was an illusion spell.
“I need more than potions to protect myself, so I’ve honed a few supplementary magical abilities.”
Kyle was secretly surprised when Lorienne mentioned the rumor about iron rods chasing after other people. Having the ability to turn people into dogs with a potion wasn’t something to take lightly, and the fact that the iron rods had the power to pursue people was equally astonishing.
Kyle’s green eyes sparkled for a moment as he looked at her.
A year ago, when Kyle was entrusted with imperial duties by Tyr, he completely overhauled their system of court mages. He filled the positions of palace sorcerers, traditionally considered prestigious, with young and talented individuals. As a result, the Imperial Palace of Astum transformed into a research space for palace sorcerers, and the magical research of these outstanding sorcerers was already shining within a year.
Kyle rubbed his chin as he regarded Lorienne.
I’ll need to keep a closer eye on her.
Her magical abilities piqued his curiosity. He gave her a sly smirk—the reasons behind the unfamiliar emotions he had been feeling became clear.
* * *
Kyle opened the drawer of the study desk and gazed silently inside. Inside, there was the dog transformation potion that Pico had fetched yesterday. And on the desk was the ennew Lorienne had given him a few days ago, shriveled and withered.
It’s weird that I’m so concerned…
Kyle found himself thinking of Lorienne several times a day. It wasn’t just curiosity about her magical abilities—she popped into his mind, coming in and out of his thoughts with no warning.
He remembered the moment she called him a fake Archduke or the way she fretted over the gold coins when he first visited Loftis. He thought about the way she refused to bow before the arrogant nobleman, or the way his face flushed with anger when he overheard what was being said to her inside the shop.
And most especially, the unhygienic way she sucked her fingers while eating ennew..
Thud.
Kyle slammed the drawer containing the potion shut. Then, he stroked his chin, lost in thought.
“Pico, I want you to go to Loftis right now and request a potion that will turn you into a dog.”
“What? A potion to turn me into a dog?”
“Yes.”
“…Why?”
“There’s something I need to confirm.”
* * *
A few days later, after finishing the late evening meal, Kyle headed to his study. Walking beside him, Pico rubbed his puffy eyes and let out a small yawn.
“I’ll be off now. I’ll stop by the sorceress on my way home to pick up the potion I requested. If I knew you’d be in your study all day today, I would have just left work a bit early and visited Loftis. Well, even if I rush there now, it seems a bit late…”
Hearing Pico’s complaining, Kyle abruptly stopped walking.
“Did she tell you to come today?”
“Yes. She did mention to come today since the potion would be ready by now, but… why?”
At Pico’s puzzled inquiry, Kyle halted with an ominous look.
“Let’s go now, then.”
“…You’re coming too? Why? If it’s just for my potion this time, you don’t need to go with me…”
Kyle rolled his eyes at Pico’s words.
“If I say let’s go, we’re going. What’s with all the unnecessary chatter? There’s another potion I need to request.”
“Another potion?”
“Yes.”
Pico’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Undaunted by his stare, Kyle strode past Pico and walked away.
As he rode to Loftis, Kyle thought to himself.
Why did I suddenly decide to go here?
In reality, there was no other potion to request. Unconsciously, he had taken the lead when Pico mentioned ‘Loftis.’ He couldn’t understand why he had done that, but his body was steadfastly heading outside the palace.
With unanswered questions in his mind, Kyle galloped on. When he arrived at Lophis and stood in front of the door, his head snapped around.
This smell, it’s exactly that smell!!
