My Childhood Friend Is An Archmage Chapter 77
Translated by d6y (ko-fi)
Chapter 77
* * *
Later that day, after returning home, Lancer wrote to Hubert, who was staying at the Imperial Knights' quarters.
Hearing that a young lady had taken an interest in him, Hubert was filled with hope that they could pursue a new encounter in their love lives.
His immediate reply to Lancer's letter was telling.
Dear Lancer,
Lancer.
You are the only hope for this country. You are a wonderful man who brings back life in humanity by pouring hope and light into it. This is a brotherhood that should go down in history.
I love you.
-Hubert
I've never read a letter so brief, and yet so powerful.
Fortunately, the next day a letter arrived from Artberry. She says she will meet Hubert at the end of the week.
It would be a great opportunity for her.
She can clear up any misunderstandings she may have of Hubert. As well as to make amends with the Soli Duchy, who has great influence in the capital.
Lady Artberry has nothing to lose.
The meeting place is naturally set for the Soli Duchy. After Lancer and I explained the situation, the Duke and Duchess of Soli readily agreed to allow Lady Artberry to visit.
Hubert planned to meet her in the drawing room for light refreshments, then show her around the mansion, and finally show her the interior gardens.
Everything seems to be going smoothly.
But even as Lancer and I prepare for their meeting, I feel uneasy.
Ryan must be up to something.
I vividly remember his thoughts from our last meeting. The Prince seemed outwardly pleased to hear from me that Lancer was arranging a meeting between Hubert and Lady Artberry. But he was thinking inwardly that he would not allow them to meet.
What on earth was he up to?
I couldn't bring myself to ask the Crown Prince outright on the spot, so I kept quiet. I thought I'd bring it up later when I had a chance. But he cleverly avoided all my questions about it.
So in the end, I have no clue.
Was it just a random thought?
I ponder as I sit in front of the campfire. It's been getting quite chilly lately, and having a fire like this in the evening is incredibly cosy.
"My lady, would you like some hot tea?"
Phoebe asks me as she approaches me. I nod, accepting the teacup from her. I nudge the seat next to me.
"You too, sit down."
"Me too?"
"Yes. I know you've had a lot on your plate with the Empress's birthday party, so sit down and get some rest."
"...Then please excuse me."
‘My hard work has been recognised by the lady! I've been praised by the lady! I'm the happiest maid in the world!’
Nodding to me, Phoebe meekly takes her seat beside me.
The invitation to Princess Julia's birthday party arrived last week, just as the Crown Prince told me. Her birthday party will be held at the Imperial Palace two weeks from now.
The current Emperor has three children. Crown Prince Ryan is the eldest son, followed by Second Prince Rowan, and the youngest, Princess Julia.
Princess Julia is still a young girl, turning nine this year.
Rumour has it that she was very weak as a child, causing the Emperor and Empress much concern. Fortunately, she is now said to have recovered her health to some extent, but she still tends to refrain from outside activities due to her poor physical condition.
This birthday party for Princess Julia is therefore a rare and precious occasion.
Although the tea party just ended, it would be nice if Lancer could make some more friends at this birthday party.
With that thought, I sip the warm tea. The heat from the bonfire warms me even more.
Winter hasn't even arrived yet, but I'm already trying to stay warm like this. How would it feel when the actual season comes?
"His Highness the Crown Prince seems to be quite fond of you," Phoebe, who's been staring at me, speaks up.
"What makes you think so?"
"He's been seeing you once a week, and didn't he invite you to the Princess's birthday party this time?"
I shrug. "Our weekly meetings are to see and hear how well Lancer's training is going so that he can better control his emotions, and the Princess’s birthday party is for all the nobles in the capital."
However, Phoebe has a different idea.
"Whether it's for Lancer or not, isn't it true that His Highness sets aside precious time only for the lady every week?"
"Hmm."
I suppose it might seem that way from the outsider's perspective.
It doesn't matter anyway. No, it's working out for the better. By now, people should have realised that it's not just a one-time thing between me and the Crown Prince after our dance.
They'll know that there's been an ongoing relationship between us ever since. So when he later announces his engagement to me, they won't be suspicious.
"And from what I've been told, this year's birthday party for the Princess will not have many guests due to her health."
Uh, I've never heard this before.
"...There won't be many guests?"
I thought since it was obviously the Princess's birthday party, it would be crowded with nobles.
I thought it would be a grand affair, with so many guests that it would fill an entire hall in the palace, with nobles lining up to wish the Princess a happy birthday.
Am I mistaken?
Phoebe nods. "Yes. From what I've heard from my contacts in the other noble houses, this is a party with roughly less than a dozen people attending."
"...." As I listen to Phoebe's words, I begin to feel uneasy.
The fewer people there are, the more attention is naturally drawn to Lancer. And if Lancer uses his magic out of context, as he did at the tea party last time....
Well, the Emperor will have him banished to the North in no time.
I suddenly feel an unexplained tension in my stomach.
However, Phoebe is oblivious to my inner turmoil and continues. "It's clear that His Highness has had his eye on you since the Imperial Ball, so why don't you end your relations with Lord Lancer while you still can?”
"What?" I blink my eyes slowly at the question. I'm quite sure how to respond to this completely unexpected statement.
But Phoebe’s demeanour is more determined than before. "It's all very well for you to try to put an end to Lord Lancer’s rampage, but there will be many problems along the way."
"...."
Many problems….
"If you continue to have this relationship with His Highness, you might even be able to become the Crown Princess, but if Lord Lancer is holding you back—"
"Phoebe." When I roughly understand what she's trying to tell me, a cold voice comes out of my mouth without realising it. "Don't say that. I've never once thought of Lancer as an obstacle."
Sure, there's been times in the past when his obsession has been annoying or troublesome.
But as I begin to understand a little more about why he behaved the way he did, I don't want to leave him alone anymore.
"...I apologise for my presumptuous remark." Hearing the sternness in my voice, Phoebe sees the error of her words and apologises.
"Phoebe, I know it's coming from a good place in your heart… but I wish you wouldn't try to say those things as far as Lancer is concerned."
Saying that, I give her a small smile. I want to show her that I'm angry, otherwise, she might soak her pillow with tears tonight.
"I consider Lancer to be a good friend."
The words are unmistakably sincere, and perhaps there's not an ounce of falsehood in them.
Perhaps.
* * *
At last, the day had come for Hubert and Lady Artberry to meet.
And indeed, as the Crown Prince had said, the meeting between Hubert and Artberry will not take place.
At noon I set out for the Soli Duchy. Arriving to encourage Hubert, I seek out Lancer first.
"The youngest master is in the second master's room," a butler informs me.
Arriving at Hubert's room, I knock on the door. As I wait for it to open, I hear a guttural sigh from within the room.
What was that?
My hand freezes on the doorknob.
It can't possibly be Lancer's sigh. He's never known worry, not even once.
Then, that means it must be Hubert's….
"Ah, Skyla!" The door opens with a squeak and Lancer appears.
"What's going on?" I ask, looking between Lancer and Hubert, who's sighing heavily in the room.
When I see him sitting on the couch, head in his hands, I instinctively know something bad has happened.
"Oh, it's Skyla...." Raising his head towards me, Hubert squeezes out a voice that sounds like it took a crawl to get out of his throat.
"What's going on?"
"... I'm not seeing Artberry today." Letting out a sigh as thick as smoke, Hubert buries his head in his hands again. "I got a sudden call from the head of the Imperial Knights, there's a special drill in an hour from now."
“...What?”
