On Official Duty with My Tower Master Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 90

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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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Chapter 90
‘She invited Simona here on purpose, knowing we’re close.’
The fact that I’d arrived in the same carriage as Simona was itself a ploy to corner me.
If that was the case, then even if I avoided this dinner, more opportunities would inevitably be created where we’d meet.
Tap. Tap.
I drummed my fingertips against the table, collecting my thoughts with deliberate calm.
Simona had cultivated strong connections with high-ranking officials and was positioned to inherit a countess title eventually.
From the 2nd Princess’s perspective, she would make a useful chess piece to keep close.
‘Surely the 2nd Princess isn’t trying to involve Simona in that dreadful business?’
To find out, attending the dinner seemed necessary. Besides, I had no convincing excuse to refuse.
‘She won’t be openly threatening me with Simona present.’
I stood and glanced around the space where Tris might be, in Invisibility.
‘I’ll need to prepare other contingencies beyond Tris.’
***
That evening.
After leaving the Monster Ecosystem Bureau, I stationed Tris in the colorful gardens of Rose Palace.
The residences of the Imperial Family were ringed with countless Barriers and protective enchantments—even an Invisible Tris might be detected.
“Tris, wait here. This shouldn’t take too long.”
[Whiiing…….]
Tris was reluctant, but the white Magical Beast in the lonely birdcage of the garden caught sight of Tris and its eyes lit up.
Last time it had seemed so lifeless I wouldn’t have been surprised if it collapsed any moment, yet now discovering a strange Magical Beast had set its eyes rolling eagerly.
The white beast’s affection and curiosity wilted the instant Tris turned Invisible.
Something tugged painfully at my chest, so I brought Tris gently back into the beast’s view.
“Stay with this Magical Beast. I’m not sure if you can communicate even while Invisible, but try.”
I stroked the empty air where I felt Tris’s round head, then stepped into the palace.
Behind me, I sensed the soft, clouded emotions of the curious Magical Beasts, and a corner of my heart ached.
‘Is there really no way to save that one?’
As I composed my troubled, uneasy feelings, a servant led me toward the dining room.
The space was so opulently decorated it was hard to believe it was for dining.
“I greet Your Highness the 3rd Princess and the 2nd Princess.”
Though I’d arrived a little early, the 3rd Princess, the 2nd Princess, and Simona were already seated in the dining room.
“Come, sit. We’ve been waiting for you.”
The 3rd Princess smiled with an eager expression and gestured to my seat—beside Simona.
I knelt respectfully in greeting, then sat next to my senior, murmuring quietly.
“You arrived early, Simona.”
“The foundation of flattery is diligence.”
A characteristically Simona response.
But once seated, the candlelight on the table was unnecessarily bright, stinging my eyes.
The beautiful silver tableware spread across the table caught the flickering light and blazed—not so much gleaming as radiating an intense, sharp brilliance.
The artificial feeling didn’t end there.
‘Why do I sense pure mana from the 2nd Princess?’
The same horrible, unsettling aura I’d felt during my visit to her residence was emanating, but it was extraordinarily faint.
And woven through it was something luminous and powerful I couldn’t identify.
It was like a transparent glass marble hidden inside black ink.
‘It’s not unfamiliar, but what is this?’
I brooded while the 3rd Princess and 2nd Princess exchanged light conversation.
Then, from a corner glance at the table, I caught something incongruous.
“……?”
Five place settings were arranged on the table.
Me, Simona, the 3rd Princess, the 2nd Princess.
According to what Simona had told me, these four were supposed to be all the guests for tonight.
I asked Simona silently with just a tilt of my lips; she shook her head, equally puzzled.
Then the 2nd Princess smiled gracefully and turned toward the dining room’s entrance.
“Our final guest has just arrived, it seems.”
A cool breeze drifted through the slowly opening doors—a fresh, subtle fragrance blending grass and sea, crisp yet understated.
I saw the last guest enter and drew in a sharp breath.
Cade, dressed in a simple, unadorned Robe, stepped into the dining room.
“I greet Your Highness the 3rd Princess and the 2nd Princess.”
Cade paid his respects with natural formality and sat across from me.
He showed no surprise at seeing me.
Since I’d left Tris waiting in the Rose Palace gardens, he must have known I was here.
But the complete absence of suspicion made me wonder if he’d known from the beginning.
‘You left Melgote, though? How long are you staying?’
Cade could use Teleportation to travel between the Imperial Capital and Melgote several times a day, but something told me he wouldn’t.
The Robe he wore was simpler than usual, and an Empty Craft Scroll Pouch hung at his waist.
‘I’ve never seen him carry a pouch or bag like that before.’
Those wouldn’t be necessary if he was merely commuting between the Imperial Capital and the Magic Tower.
‘Is he planning to stay through the betrothal ceremony?’
I hid my displeasure and looked down at my appetizer.
As the main figure of the betrothal ceremony, Cade’s presence wasn’t unusual, but we had work to do.
The Crystal Whale Subjugation Investigation Unit’s activities required us to be at sea, at minimum.
His being here for some reason deeply unsettled me.
Then the 3rd Princess gazed at Cade, seated beside her, with a satisfied expression.
“He truly suits Rose Palace. My eye for such things is never wrong.”
The way she spoke of Cade as though he were part of the palace’s décor sat ill with me.
I waited for the cold, biting response I expected from him.
“It is an honor.”
“……?”
An answer I hadn’t anticipated came from his lips.
Gone was the sarcasm that usually colored every word—in its place, a measured and demure reply.
Simona, startled by this, nudged my arm with her elbow.
As the silver tableware clinked softly and the meal began, the confusion deepened.
“But what is this? I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Cade pointed to the intensely bright candle spread across the center of the table, starting casual conversation.
The 2nd Princess answered with a soft smile.
“It is a candle made by grinding Crystal Whale crystal, coating it on the wick. See how it glows so brilliantly each time the wick burns?”
“The 2nd Princess has given it to me as a gift. Today I light it for the first time at this gathering. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Hearing the 3rd Princess’s words, I gasped involuntarily, my mouth falling open.
I quickly pushed food into it, trying to appear unconcerned.
I’d never seen Crystal Whale crystal utilized in this way before.
The luminous, powerful aura I sensed threading through the 2nd Princess’s repugnant mana was emanating from that candle.
Now that I understood the identity of this unnaturally brilliant light, that ostentatious gleam felt like a scream.
Yet something still seemed wrong.
I understood she was using the candle to mask the traces of corrupted mana—Rose Palace’s protective magic would activate otherwise, which would be problematic.
It was speculation, but perhaps that’s why she couldn’t employ complex magic.
‘Is that why she came by carriage instead of using Teleportation?’
But even with this smokescreen, I couldn’t fathom how she planned to manage during her stay at the Imperial Palace.
She seemed determined to remain until the betrothal ceremony concluded.
‘Is it a display? Or could it be……’
I ate without truly tasting the food.
“Vivian, you look troubled. I wonder if the cuisine doesn’t suit your palate.”
“……!”
The 3rd Princess’s sudden question made me swallow hard and pull on my practiced social smile.
“It’s more than generous.”
“Good. One must eat well when about to undertake important work.”
“Yes. Thank you for the delicious meal.”
Contrary to my worry, the 2nd Princess made no move against me.
All my careful planning seemed wasted—it was just an ordinary dinner.
Yet I wasn’t naive enough to think it was truly just that.
The meal pressed toward its close, but I couldn’t let my guard down.
“Investigator Vivian Solling. There is something I wish to ask you.”
The 2nd Princess’s gaze then fixed on me with perfect precision.

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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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