The Elven Duke Reluctantly Marries The Cursed Lady - Chapter 2
This was a story from 10 years ago — back when Hydrangea became fed up with repeatedly facing difficulties with women. During an evening party at the Royal Castle, he walked along an empty hallway to avoid the women who had been following him.
In the middle of his walk, he caught sight of a man kneeling and pleading in front of the office of the Magic Division. He was a middle-aged man with brown and gray hair, so skinny that his cheeks were hollow as if he were nothing but skin and bones.
He was wearing a black cloak with the emblem of the two-headed dragon which showed he was a member of the Magic Corps. What is he doing there? Hydrangea thought as he observed the situation.
“I’m sorry, just a little bit! Please, please!”
“Even if you come at this hour, the person in charge isn’t around! Go away!”
What are they arguing about? Hydrangea decided to pass the time by meddling in their business.
When he asked what the matter was, the commissioner stood straight up after he saw his elf ears and guessed that he was a member of the Duke Laudense House. Standing stiffly, he reported.
“This person is requesting access to the books in the forbidden archive! However, the person in charge is not around and this man, Syran von Northpole, is a fifth class mage and has no access to the forbidden books!”
The Magic Division was divided into ranks which depended on the amount of magic and ability of the user. The first class is Stoicheia, which was granted only to Hydrangea. Aside from the founder, he was the only one to possess such a title, which proved that he had an abundance in mana and the talent to match.
To be granted the title, one had to master not only various magic and the four great magics, but they also must be proficient in transfer magic, spirit magic, and fairy magic.
Next was the second class, Deuteros, which was granted to Hydrangea’s father Aster, the current Duke, and ten others.
The third class was Dorit, which was granted to only 50 people, fourth class was Quarta, and the fifth class was Pempton, of which most members of the Magic Division belonged.
The man named Syran was a fifth-class mage. Normally, access to the materials inside the forbidden archive was granted to second class mages and up.
“What is his reason for perusing the archive?”
“He refuses to tell us no matter how much we ask.”
“I see.”
It just so happened that he was looking for a place to hide himself, so Hydrangea decided to borrow the guest room next to the office to question Syran.
When he was brought to the guest room, Syran was pale and trembling.
I wonder what’s happening to him, Hydrangea thought.
“Hey.”
“Hi, hyai!!”
Lord Syran is around 40 years old, almost the same age as my father and yet he looks frightened and restless. I wonder how he became like this.
“Do you know who I am?”
“Ah, y-yes! You are His Excellency Hydrangea von Laudense of the Duke Laudense House and a first class mage.”
“Very well.”
At least he seems to be thinking straight. Then, he remembered what his father told him before. ‘Your magic will make sensitive people shrink back. You can’t do anything about it, but you can adopt a softer approach.’
Easy for him to say. How does one soften their approach? Hydrangea, who was 16 years old at that time, did not understand.
“So why are you insisting on seeing the books from the forbidden archive?”
“Ah… Th-that’s… I, I can’t tell.”
“I see. Then go home. Right now.”
“N-no!”
Syran stood up and prostrated himself in front of Hydrangea.
“Oh please, please have mercy. I am not going to misuse the books in the forbidden archive!”
“Then why won’t you tell me why you want to see it?”
“I simply cannot tell you!!”
Syran looked desperate.
He claims he will not use it for evil purposes, but he is unable to say what he would use the forbidden books for either. I can’t imagine what type of circumstances he has to insist on like this.
“Please, Your Excellency!”
“I will not allow you to peruse the forbidden books in my name, lest you cause trouble.”
“I would never do anything to embarrass you, Your Excellency.”
“Then why can’t you tell me your purpose?”
“Only this. I definitely cannot tell you.”
“…”
Sighing, Hydrangea stood up. Just as he was about to leave the guest room, Syran held onto his waist.
“Lord Laudense!!”
“Hey, let go!”
“Please, please!”
Syran bawled uncontrollably and looked pathetic in his current state.
He doesn’t look like he would do anything bad and even seems good-natured. But without hearing his reasons, I cannot simply let him inside the forbidden archive.
“Th-then please place a curse on me! You can even curse me with death if I do anything evil!”
“You…”
