The Elven Duke Reluctantly Marries The Cursed Lady - Chapter 59
At the very least, I must teach Violette the basics of magic before I let her accompany me to work.
Prince Magnolia was Hydrangea’s first disciple while Violette was his second.
Presently, he is also an instructor in the Magic Academy that the first Duke Laudense founded. However, he has completely rejected individual offers of taking in disciples.
Taking in a disciple and teaching them magic is a terribly arduous task. Although he gave in to Prince Magnolia’s petition to take him on as his disciple, he regretted it many times after accepting the offer.
The apprentice mage who did not know how to control his mana repeatedly let his magic run wild. He had let out explosions, flooding, and blinding flashes of light among others.
The First had created powerful barriers around the Magic Academy, so even if the spells cast by students failed, the damages were not serious. On the other hand, the prince attended his lessons in a detached building in the royal castle, so there were no barriers in place to prevent damages brought on by failed spells…
The young Prince Magnolia who was brimming with curiosity often made big mistakes.
Of course, his master Hydrangea interfered before he could unleash his magic, but interfering with other people’s magic required a high level of skill.
During their intensive lessons, there was never a moment of peace for Hydrangea.
He suspected it was going to be the same for Violette, but he was wrong.
Violette had secretly read her father’s magic books during her childhood, so he did not have to explain everything from scratch.
Moreover, she had also perfectly mastered the ancient language used to cast magic so there was no need for him to conduct any classroom lessons before teaching her magic.
Violette also easily passed the written exam he had her take for the elementary course that is used in the magic academy.
“Then, you grasp the mana within you and manifest it to make the water in the cup to vibrate. Grasping mana means—”
“Like this?”
Violette grabbed the cup and used her mana to create ripples on the water’s surface.
“I’ve read about this too and tried it before.”
“…I see.”
She learned Blessing magic without difficulty, and it only took her one practice session to also learn Recovery magic which students from the magic academy learn for the first time.
Hydrangea felt like he was watching himself during his magic academy days.
They only had three classes so far, but Violette was already an excellent mage.
“By the looks of things, you should be able to accompany me to the Magic Division tomorrow without any problems.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I think it would be better to wait and see how things go. Then, we’ll send an invitation to Tritoma Celsia after you get used to practicing magic.”
“Alright.”
Suddenly, he felt piercing gazes directed towards him. When he looked around, he saw Pomeranian and Snow White.
It felt as if they were asking what they were going to do with themselves while Violette was away. Aside from Pomeranian, Snow White would be able to protect Violette once she became an adult. But since she was still a juvenile, it was better not to take her along.
A mythical beast takes three months to grow into an adult. Snow White was growing well by eating milk and fruits everyday.
When she first hatched, she was smaller than Violette in cat form, but she is now larger than a small dog like Pomeranian.
Lately, she has become attached to Verbena and the other attendants, but she is still wary of Hydrangea and would not let him touch her.
It had been troubling him for the past few days, and was wondering how this happened.
He glanced at Violette.
We’ve been careful not to make contact, so she hasn’t changed into a cat lately.
If I got down on my knees and begged, would she let me touch her fluffy body?
Hydrangea thought as he crossed his arms and wrinkled his brows.
I want to pet her so much. I want to rub my cheeks against her and squish her paws forever.
“……”
“What’s wrong, Dear?”
“It’s nothing.”
His self-respect kept him from begging on his knees.
Pretending to touch her accidentally isn’t good either. He was a gentleman in a strange way.
“Let’s end today’s lesson for now.”
Violette hugged her ruby wand and bowed.
“Thank you, Dear.”
She looked so sweet that he wanted to pat her even though she was not in cat form.
I must be tired from working, Hydrangea thought.
◇◇◇
The next day, Hydrangea cast illusion magic so Violette could accompany him to work.
While the spell was active, those around Violette will see her as a cat.
“The spell is already in effect. Now, people around you will see you as a cat even if you are in human form.”
“…Wow, it’s effective even on me.”
“Of course. I was the one who cast it after all.”
When Violette looked at her hands, all she could see was a cat’s front paws.
“It feels so strange that although I’m walking on two legs, my mind tells me I’m walking on four.”
“Illusionism is an art meant to deceive a person’s perception, so it’s only natural.”
“Nya~”
“Hmm?”
“I-I’m sorry. I thought I was a cat.”
“You seem to have weak resistance to illusions. Tell me if you’re having a hard time adjusting.”
“Yes, thank you very… meowch.”
“……”
“……”
Violette’s face turned redder every time she meowed.
To Hydrangea who had cast the illusion, Violette appeared human. However, due to the effect of the illusion, Violette seems to have been tricked into thinking that she was a cat.
Hydrangea called Verbena to confirm the effect of the spell.
“You called, Master?”
“Yes, I have something to ask you.”
He pointed to Violette who was seated at the sofa and asked,
“What do you think?”
“Oh dear. Did the Madam turn into a cat even though she is accompanying you to the workplace today?”
“Nyaa!”
The spell is a success. Other people seem to see Violette as a cat now.
But I’m a little worried since Violette might only be able to speak cat the longer she is under the spell’s influence.
“Well then, Verbena. Please take care of the house while we are away.”
“Of course. Please get along with Madam.”
I wonder about that. Before he could answer, Violette trotted up to him. They almost made contact, but he avoided it just in time.
There was a twinkle in her eye as she looked up at Hydrangea.
He couldn’t help but feel wary of those overly innocent eyes.
She must be feeling very happy because she hasn’t been out in a while.
“Oi, don’t look at other men like that, you hear?”
“Nya?”
“……”
Violette, who thought she was a cat, did not understand what he was saying.
How did it come to this? Hydrangea was greatly troubled.
Verbena was looking at him suspiciously so he had to hide his puzzlement under a cough.
“We’ll get going then.”
“Have a safe trip.”
After being sent off by Verbena, Hydrangea and Violette teleported to his office in the Magic Division.
