Chapter 106

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“You did it, didn’t you?”

Lulu chuckled, and Carl, hiding the bite marks on his wrist beneath his sleeve, narrowed his eyes.

“Be quiet. You’re in trouble.”

Lulu turned away, pouting, while Marco, still on his knees beside her, nervously glanced at the prince.

While Carl Lindbergh and Adrian had been enjoying their reunion, Lulu and Marco had spent the night wandering through the underground tunnels, finally discovered by the soldiers. Carl Lindbergh, awakened from a sound sleep, had rushed to the drawing room without even washing his face.

His tailbone, his spine, even the corners of his lips, throbbed with every movement.

Adrian had tried to lift him into his arms, seeing him limping, but Carl, still fuming, had pushed him away, allowing Adrian only to support him by the waist.

“That’s a restricted area! What were you thinking?!”

“Whimper…”

Elizabeth, who’d followed them and was now being scolded alongside them, hung her head low.

“I had my reasons! And I made a discovery!”

“You should have informed someone! What if something had happened?!”

Carl placed his hands on his hips, his tone sharp.

“The castle is swarming with soldiers. And I had Elizabeth with me.”

“Is Elizabeth your guard dog? Did the monster attack because there weren’t enough soldiers? Why are you so reckless?!”

Lulu’s informal speech, which she’d used with Carl Lindbergh from the start, didn’t bother Carl. However, Adrian, standing behind them, stiffened, his face turning icy.

“How dare you speak to the prince with such disrespect.”

He strode towards Lulu, his eyes blazing.

His first true night with Carl had been memorable, but their morning after had been anything but leisurely.

Marco, who was easily frightened, wouldn’t have dared to enter the restricted tunnels without the prince’s explicit permission. It was clearly the witch’s fault, and her insolence was infuriating.

Adrian, standing beside Carl Lindbergh, pulled him closer protectively, glaring at Lulu.

“I don’t know what you discovered, but you’ll be punished for worrying him.”

“Adrian.”

Carl’s warning made Adrian pause. Lulu scoffed.

“You have no sense of propriety. Just because Carl tolerates your presence, and I choose to ignore your blatant disrespect, doesn’t mean you can treat me however you please.”

She winked at Carl.

‘Weren’t you going to tell him I’m your sister?’

‘Ah… right…’

“Don’t you dare look at him like that.”

Adrian’s voice was low and menacing. Carl closed his eyes, wincing.

He’d forgotten to tell Adrian about Lulu. It would only become more difficult with time.

Lulu, Carl Lindbergh, and Leia Lindbergh… three siblings. How would Adrian react?

His heart pounded nervously.

“Um… about this…”

Marco, seeing Carl fidgeting uncomfortably, Adrian speechless and fuming at the witch’s impudence, raised his hand timidly.

He’d finally mustered his courage. His hand trembled as he reached into his pocket.

“We found this… plant… growing in the underground storage room. It has a… peculiar scent. I don’t know if it’s… magically active… but it was growing in clumps, near the rocks.”

Adrian’s eyebrows twitched.

The scent was less ‘peculiar’ and more putrid.

Even Carl Lindbergh, with his heightened senses, recoiled.

“Adrian, this…”

Adrian, who’d been examining the plant, also frowned, setting it down.

It smelled exactly like the stench emanating from the Queen-monster.

“But… there was no such smell in the storage room,” Carl Lindbergh muttered, confused.

The plant, which looked like a cross between chives and garlic chives, or perhaps an orchid leaf at best, radiated a foul aura, making both Adrian and Carl frown.

Just then, the drawing room door burst open.

“Well, well! What interesting things you’re cultivating in Lindbergh Castle!”

Carl’s eyes widened at the sight of the newcomer, who entered with a booming laugh.

 

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“I apologize for the late introduction. I am Marquis Taylor Macallan. A humble servant of the glorious Heineken Empire, currently serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs. I’ve arrived as the vanguard of the additional envoy dispatched to Lindbergh.”

Carl found his hand grasped by her, the Marquis then kneeling on one knee and kissing the back of his hand.

Adrian, watching her theatrical display, could only rub his forehead in exasperation.

“You arrived sooner than expected.”

Adrian, seeing Carl’s questioning gaze, winced and added, “We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

“I left my wife in Heineken and immediately departed. I couldn’t resist. Chaos and intrigue… they always excite me.”

Marquis Macallan, a tall, striking woman with vibrant blue hair, kept her gaze fixed on Carl Lindbergh.

Adrian instinctively stepped forward, shielding Carl from her intense scrutiny.

The Marquis, amused by his protectiveness, let out a booming laugh that echoed through the drawing room. Carl, peeking out from behind Adrian, observed her curiously.

“Do you know anything about this plant?”

“Oh? Straight to business before even a proper greeting?”

“Ah, I apologize. Welcome to Lindbergh, Marquis…”

Carl Lindbergh stammered, flustered, and the Marquis grinned, her teeth flashing.

“I’m just teasing, Your Highness. Business before pleasure, right?”

Carl Lindbergh could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

“And why are these two being punished?”

She gestured towards Lulu and Marco, still kneeling, Elizabeth lying dejectedly beside them. She then proceeded to plop down onto the sofa without waiting for an invitation.

Janis, ever perceptive, placed a teacup before her.

Carl and Adrian, seeing their efficient and seamless teamwork, finally sat down as well. The Marquis, grasping Janis’ hand, exclaimed, “Another angel!”

Lulu, seizing the opportunity, stood up and dusted off her pants.

She recognized the Marquis.

A dominant Alpha female, second only to Grand Duke Balvenie Heineken in both magical and physical prowess. She hid her ruthless nature behind a playful facade. But what had she done in the original story…?

Lulu blinked, then sighed internally.

Knowing the original plot was useless. Everything was deviating, and trying to keep up was exhausting.

Marquis Macallan, sitting with her legs crossed, a wide smile on her face, didn’t seem to mind that she was the only one in a cheerful mood.

“Lindbergh is known for its beautiful people. Judging by the prince’s beauty, the new Imperial Consort will be just as stunning.”

“I’m not fond of compliments about my appearance.”

Carl Lindbergh said flatly.

His face had been the cause of too much trouble – the incident at the Thomas estate, the Queen’s curse… He was starting to develop a complex. He wished he’d been… more ordinary.

‘That face is a blessing, you fool,’ Lulu muttered internally, rolling her eyes at Carl Lindbergh’s response.

“I apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness.”

The Marquis placed a hand over her heart and bowed her head slightly.

Carl, who hadn’t expected an apology, waved his hands dismissively.

“It’s fine.”

“Then I shall continue complimenting you until you learn to appreciate your own beauty.”

Carl Lindbergh stared at her, bewildered. What kind of logic was that?

“Restrain yourself, Marquis. You are in the presence of the future Empress of Heineken.”

Adrian’s sharp tone made the Marquis scratch her head.

Despite being significantly younger, Adrian’s aura was still formidable.

“My apologies, Your Highness. I get carried away sometimes. I have a low tolerance for silence.”

“Then perhaps you could use that enthusiasm to identify this plant, Marquis.”

Carl Lindbergh, feeling drained by this pointless conversation, steered them back to the main topic.

“This is called ‘tenjira.’ It’s used for magic purification and vitality enhancement.”

“What?!”

Lulu gasped.

“So, it’s not poisonous?”

Adrian asked, and Marquis Macallan shook her head.

“In small doses, it’s a potent elixir. It’s quite difficult to cultivate and harvest.”

“Difficult to cultivate? But it was growing everywhere.”

Lulu interjected.

“Oh my, what an adorable little fairy. Did you discover this, little one?”

This woman… flirting was clearly her default setting.

Lulu sat demurely beside Carl Lindbergh. Adrian glared at the Marquis, but Carl, sensing his displeasure, reached out and took his hand, silently calming him.

“I’m a lady, not a ‘little one.’ And yes, I found it. It was growing everywhere, like weeds or moss.”

Marco nodded in agreement.

“How did you find it?”

Lulu pointed at Elizabeth.

“There was a small opening in the underground storage room, a ventilation shaft. I peeked inside, and saw a gap, big enough for a person to squeeze through. I was going to ignore it, but Elizabeth… she growled at it.”

Not just growled, but bared her teeth, her expression ferocious, Marco added.

“I understand.”

The Marquis held up the plant, and Elizabeth growled at it.

She hadn’t shown any such reaction earlier, subdued by Carl’s scolding.

The Marquis pulled out a handkerchief, carefully wrapping the plant and tying it securely.

“Tenjira is commonly found near magic crystal mines. In its natural state, it’s harmless. However, it becomes… problematic when ingested by those with magic, or when its fumes are inhaled in large quantities. Creatures with refined essence, such as magical beasts, instinctively avoid it.”

“Magical beasts?”

The Marquis looked at Elizabeth intently.

“That’s no ordinary dog, Your Highness. You’ve tamed a magical beast.”

“Elizabeth… is a magical beast?”

Carl Lindbergh and Marco exclaimed in unison, shocked.

She was large, yes, but also gentle. She’d never harmed anyone.

The Marquis rested her chin on her hand.

“Were you not aware, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

Adrian shook his head.

“I was initially suspicious, but she’s always been friendly, even to strangers, so I dismissed the thought.”

“Prince and Your Highness. Magic is deeply intertwined with this world, but it’s not always the answer.”

Carl Lindbergh and Adrian Heineken both straightened up, her words catching their attention.

“Taming a magical beast is difficult, but not impossible. Even without magic.”

The Marquis explained.

“Magical beasts are creatures outside the goddess’ embrace. That’s why they harbor an inherent animosity towards humans, making them difficult to control. However…”

Carl Lindbergh thought the phrase ‘However…’ reminded him of a TV show he used to watch. He gulped nervously.