The next morning, after sorting out the day's chores at the shop, I made my way to the royal palace somewhat later than usual.
Before heading to the workshop, I dropped by the Director's office to submit my audience request, and the very first thing out of his mouth was,
"Come."
I didn't quite understand what he meant.
"Where to?"
The Director was already moving, taking the robe his secretary handed him and putting it on as he walked. I called after his back.
"The Central Palace. Explain the magic tools to the Galesh envoys."
I was even more confused. Galesh envoys?
"The envoys have apparently taken quite an interest in the magic tool that put a stop to the epidemic."
Irena-san immediately jumped in to clarify.
"Word came down just a moment ago that we're to head over and give them a detailed explanation."
"Why on earth has this come up now? The envoys are here to discuss the wedding, aren't they?"
I could understand them being interested in the epidemic incident that had caused the wedding's postponement, but did it really warrant summoning the people directly involved to give a thorough briefing? What, are they bored?
"Stop overthinking and hurry up."
When I looked up, the Director was already gone. Urged along by the secretary, who was apparently staying behind to mind the office, I rushed off after him.
Summoned in a way I hadn't anticipated, I was led with the Director into an inner courtyard. A table and chairs had been set out on the terrace, where the noble guests were listening to the discussion over teatime.
The King and the Chancellor were nowhere to be seen. To my surprise, the one entertaining the envoys was Alec, with Rock and what looked like other royal guards stationed around them.
I'd been startled to see a flash of golden hair the moment I was shown into the garden, but there was no chance to talk privately about this sudden summons. After a brief introduction from the Director, I gave a simplified explanation of the cause of the epidemic, as requested.
"...What an extraordinary story."
Letting out something like an admiring sigh, the Galesh envoy spoke in fluent Trausian.
There were two envoys. Both had black hair and black eyes, and wore ultramarine blue cloaks. Galesh was apparently a homogeneous nation where there was little visible difference between nobles and commoners. Ultramarine blue was, if I recalled correctly, the colour of their national flag.
One was a gentle-looking, bearded man of considerable age, while the other, who'd been chiming in attentively, was a much younger man. The older one introduced himself as Duane, and the younger as Will.
Will looked to be in his mid-twenties at most. He showed genuine interest in what I was saying and reacted with sincere surprise. Since he was the only one carrying on like that, it looked all the more exaggerated.
"Do you have the actual magic tool? I would very much like to see one in person."
His tone toward me was extremely polite. Maybe he just didn't know any rough language.
"My apologies. We installed everything we produced on-site, so I have none with me."
"I see. A shame."
Will shrugged, looking genuinely disappointed. Perhaps because he was a diplomat, but he seemed like an approachable person. Even setting aside relations between nations, I felt I could just be kind to him on a personal level.
"I don't have the physical tool, but I do have the magic circle itself committed to memory. If you'd like, I can give you a more detailed explanation of how it works."
"Really? Please, by all means."
"But, the time..."
I suppose I'd already been talking for a while, because the Director glanced over at Alec to check.
Alec answered without hesitation, "It's fine."
"Please continue your explanation until the envoy is satisfied."
"You needn't worry on our account. For the time being, we are simply waiting on the Princess's recovery."
I almost turned to ask Will, "What do you mean?"
But I swallowed the question at the last moment, because Alec was staring at me. It felt as though he were pleading with me not to ask.
Oblivious to the brief exchange on the Traus side, Will continued cheerfully.
"My king instructed me firmly to see how the Princess is doing. But I can hardly barge into the room of someone bedridden, so I find myself with too much time on my hands."
So they really had been bored. The question was whether Princess Philia really was ill, or...
I'll ask Alec later if I got the chance. Either way, there was nothing I could do here.
"Could you lend me a pen and ink? Some space too, while you're at it."
I pulled out a piece of paper from my pocket, and after Alec and Will moved their cups aside, I moved closer to them and quickly sketched the outline of the arsenic-removal magic circle.
"Do you know Mitoan?"
"I've studied the language. Unfortunately I had no talent for magic, so I'm not very knowledgeable on that side."
"If you know the language, that's enough. I'll start with the basics of magic circles, then."
I'd heard Galesh was a country more active in magic tool development than Traus, but unless you were a mage technician, you wouldn't be expected to know the fine details. Even so, Will had a perfect grasp of Mitoan, and on top of that, was extraordinarily quick on the uptake. Even the technical parts went smoothly without me having to repeat myself.
"Truly intriguing."
Will murmured again.
"I'm glad you find it so."
"Yes. You are intriguing."
...Hm? When I made a puzzled face without thinking, he continued, looking amused.
"Bright and forthright, dignified and composed, hardly the bearing of a commoner. Combined with your knowledge, I find you to be a truly rare talent."
The latter part seemed to be addressed to Alec.
"Thanks to her, your nation has had at least one system dismantled and a new one created. She is rather like a deadly poison, but used well, she could prove an excellent medicine indeed."
...All I'd done was explain some magic, and now I was being analysed. It vaguely felt like he was insulting me, but Will himself remained completely innocent.
"Your Highness, do tuck her into the wedding luggage. My king is fond of rarities."
He'd just said something outrageous. I could tell he was joking from his tone though. Alec, of course, laughed and brushed it off.
"My apologies, but I could not agree to that. Not even at the cost of my own life."
He was laughing, but the way he deflected was, uh, a little scary. What was that?
"His Highness truly cherishes his retainers, doesn't he."
Duane quickly stepped in to smooth things over. The bearded old man, who'd been smiling away this whole time, spoke in such a relaxed drawl it was almost frustrating. To match the gentle man's pace, Alec returned a leisurely nod.
"A nation is, after all, a gathering of people, so what should be valued most is its people. In her place, I shall prepare a gift that will be sure to please the King of Galesh."
"You are most considerate, Your Highness."
Will, who'd looked a bit surprised, smiled again. Then he turned to me and said mischievously,
"If you ever get kicked out of Traus, do come to Galesh. I shall put in a word with the King."
He really was enthusiastic. Did the duties of an envoy include headhunting?
In Galesh, which relied on magic tools as its main wartime force, mage technicians might be highly valued.
A young new King was on the throne now. How had Galesh changed? I could only hope that no one was being forced to make weapons against their will any more.
"I have no particular plans on getting kicked out, so I'll gratefully accept the sentiment."
When I answered like that, Will gleefully reported to Duane, "I've been turned down." Duane, smiling, nodded back with, "Turned down indeed."
...How should I put this? They are a rather unique pair of envoys.
Once we'd talked the matter through from top to bottom, the Director and I were dismissed.
The sun was still high. I'd probably managed to kill over an hour for them. It must be tough for Alec since he had to keep them company the whole time. Being a prince isn't easy either.
Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to ask about Princess Philia. With him glued to the envoys, my audience request likely wasn't going to go through either. And I really wanted to know. What a hassle.
Trailing well behind the Director's brisk steps back to the institute, I looked around hoping some clever idea might be lying about somewhere, but of course it wasn't.
Rudely stuffing my hands into the pockets of my robe, I racked my brain, when, suddenly, my left fingertips brushed against a slip of paper.
The stack of notes I'd brought was in the right pocket. I had no memory of anything being in the left.
When had this been slipped in?
I took it out and unfolded the twice-folded paper to find very familiar handwriting.
It seemed I hadn't been summoned just to kill time, after all.
After work, I hurried home and waited, explaining the situation to Rille-nee over dinner. Waiting for whom, you ask? The person who'd quietly slipped the note into my pocket.
As darkness gradually filled the streets, there came a knock at the door.
Rille-nee and I exchanged glances. With a privately-purchased magic lamp in hand, the two of us moved to the shop's entrance. Normally I wouldn't carelessly let people in this late, but tonight was an exception.
When I opened the door, two figures stood there. Catching the light, the golden hair under both their hoods shone bright.
"Welcome."
I quickly ushered the visitors inside and locked the door behind them.
"Apologies for bothering you so late."
The one lowering his hood and bowing his head was unmistakably Alec, and Rock was with him.
The note had given me advance warning of their visit. Alec had probably slipped it in while I was at the table drawing the magic circle and giving my explanation.
First the Princess, now the Prince. When had our shop become a drop-in spot for the royals? Not that I minded.
Naturally, Alec hadn't come to socialise.
"Forgive the sudden visit. I have a request to make of you, as friends of my sister."
He repeated the words from the note to us.
"Actually, my sister has shut herself in her room and won't come out."
Princess Philia, it seemed, had decided to go on strike.