My Husband Is Not the Magic Tower Master - Chapter 9

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 9

‘She refuses with such venom,’ I thought.
Love, after all, is relentless and merciless.
I’d never seen anyone willing to leap into hellfire itself just to avoid meeting their betrothed.
Eight o’clock in the morning.
Documents dispatched from the Administrative Department were being shuttled over to the Security Department in an endless stream atop a massive cart.
Staring at the bottomless mountain of paperwork, I could already feel dark circles blooming beneath my eyes.
“Will I even make it home…?”
Even if I managed to leave on time, I’d still need to change clothes and touch up my makeup, which meant the schedule was hopelessly tight.
Without some miracle, I’d never make the appointment.
All of this was orchestrated according to the Crown Prince’s design.
I reconsidered the matter seriously.
“Maybe I’ll just skip changing and go as I am.”
“What? Absolutely not!”
Elline looked up from the report she’d been reviewing, her head shaking vigorously in protest.
Now that she’d agreed to support my marriage to Lucas, she’d insisted on overseeing both my outfit and makeup for the meeting.
If I truly couldn’t manage it, she’d said wistfully, she’d even take on my share of the work herself.
At least Carlo’s early arrival and fast work pace had been a blessing—he’d already finished more than half the tasks.
“Still, since Carlo finished the bulk of it this morning, if the director and I handle what’s left, we should be able to pull through somehow.”
“And you’re still stuck with this much?”
I turned to look at the pile of papers still heaped on the table, my expression one of exhaustion.
Besides, that mothlike director of ours would be no help whatsoever.
Elline protested that it was fine, her lips curving weakly, but I didn’t believe her for a second. A grimace masquerading as a smile was no smile at all.
Watching Carlo across the room as he sent approval documents up through the Direct Mana Conduit, I gathered a mountain of files into my own arms.
My processing speed wasn’t slow either, after all.
“The tower security section looks finished, so I’ll handle the design portion. Elline, can you pull together the spell list we need to revise from last year through early this year?”
“Good heavens. Rozé, you really have no intention of leaving this morning, do you?”
“I just need to finish by morning. It’s possible.”
Starting now, I’d make it possible.
I stripped off my coat carelessly and fished a hair tie from the bag I’d set down.
As I pulled my hair back into a tight knot, my eyes met Carlo’s—I nodded to him and then released a stream of Water Mana in front of me like a whip of water.
Carlo moved my magical formula over to the research experimental desk.
“…You’re planning to use Concurrent Magic?”
“Yes. It’s been a while, but I need to finish fast, so there’s no other choice.”
“I’ll support you so your mana doesn’t drain. This method can lead to exhaustion quickly.”
There was a note of caution rather than mere concern in his tone.
Concurrent Magic was a technique that channeled Water Mana into multiple spells, executing them continuously and repeatedly.
It was a rare method only water-attribute mages could perform.
It was excellent for mass-producing experimental results like a factory machine, but one misstep could deplete my mana entirely, leaving me bedridden for days.
‘If I get sick, that’s fine. At least I won’t have to work.’
Even if it ruined my afternoon schedule, it made no difference.
Lucas might want to cancel the meeting, but he’d have no way to avoid me.
Today’s encounter had to happen.
Only then would he flee from the wedding, and formally propose to Elline afterward.
As it turned out, the attempt was successful.
Carlo steadily raised my dropping body temperature, his eyes blinking calmly throughout.
“Morning departure shouldn’t be difficult.”
“Thank you for the help. Thanks to you, I won’t end up sick.”
All the magical support needed for our collaboration was complete.
My departure time came around half past one.
“Your magic is truly the best, Rozé!”
“You finished even earlier than I did, and here you are.”
Elline threw her arms around me in an exuberant embrace.
With everyone’s work finishing ahead of schedule, it was enough to breathe life back into our flagging spirits.
The completed report was condensed by magic and sent fluttering like a butterfly through the Direct Mana Conduit toward the Administrative Department.
I said goodbye to the people in the department who had overtime remaining and left, taking my coat with me.
I’d meant to greet Carlo as well, but for some reason he wasn’t at his desk.
On the way to the Mage Dormitory for the dinner, Elline spoke with a sudden smile, as if she’d just remembered something.
“You know Carlo? The way he came in so early this morning—he must have really wanted to avoid overtime today.”
“He probably has something important scheduled.”
“Come on, calling him ‘that side’? That’s such a cold way to refer to him, isn’t it?”
“A bride-to-be can afford to be a little cold.”
And yet something about the two of us felt off.
Elline conceded my point, clutching her stomach as laughter burst from her.
Her movements seemed exaggerated somehow. I could sense she was deliberately forcing brightness into her demeanor, and it made my heart ache.
“…You’re working so hard.”
You, laughing instead of weeping. Me, pretending ignorance when I know the truth.
This period needs to pass as quickly as possible.
I sat in the chair and gazed at Elline in the mirror, already brushing my hair.
On the makeup table, which came standard with the room, sat a Jewelry Box that she must have brought from the Mansion at some point.
“What do you think? Absolutely breathtaking hair, right?”
“Yes.”
The braid on one side, dusted with jewel powder, was so dazzling I thought I might turn away from it.
I’m more of a casual person by nature, but dressed up like a great noblewoman, movement felt uncomfortable.
‘I’m used to just throwing on research robes, so actually dressing up like this is exhausting.’
I was wearing the Blouse and Skirt Elline had chosen last night, with a Jacket draped over them.
As I turned back toward the room with the vanity, I suddenly caught sight of Elline sitting with her back to the door.
Her shoulders trembled slightly—as if she were crying.
……
I didn’t enter the room. Instead, I leaned my back quietly against the adjacent wall.
No matter how I try not to notice, I notice.
The fact that I have to steal the man my friend loves—it doesn’t sit well with me either.
‘If only….’
Recalling what had happened in front of the experimental table moments before, I smiled bitterly without meaning to.
* * *
Throughout the morning shift, there wasn’t time to eat, so I skipped lunch as well.
Carlo would occasionally grasp my wrist, slowing my pulse with cool energy, and speak to me.
“It’s not a pleasant sight, seeing you overexert yourself like this.”
“But you’re overexerting yourself too.”
“That’s precisely why I’m saying something. Why am I overdoing it right now?”
“Ah. You’re speaking casually?”
“My apologies. The words just slipped out.”
I thought about responding in casual speech myself, but he quickly changed his tone.
Just as exhaustion was setting in from finishing the report, the Special Administrative Department—conscience apparently intact—sent a Meal Box.
Carlo asked my permission before placing a few pieces of fruit directly into my mouth.
“I can eat on my own, you know.”
“But you don’t have hands free, Rozé.”
“That’s true, but only because they’re occupied.”
One hand was at the experimental table, and the other was in his—a fair observation.
At last the experiment results came through with sufficient repetitions, and the work was nearly complete.
When I finally glanced back at Carlo with fresh eyes, a smile was blooming at his lips.
“Even with that look, my mood doesn’t worsen.”
……
“You’ve worked hard.”
Getting out of the morning shift shouldn’t be difficult.
As he released my hand and passed by me to return to his seat, a subtle fragrance drifted from him.
Without thinking, I turned to watch Carlo.
‘If it were him…’
Would my heart be different now?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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