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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: A Reckless Act and a New Secret
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‘Right, Eaton.’
I ran to Eaton.
“Eaton, what were you thinking, acting so rashly? Your life was in real danger. So was mine.”
“…”
I stood before Eaton, who was leaning against the wall. It was only then that I saw the tears welling in his eyes.
Seeing Eaton standing there, his face flushed red, I was at a loss for words.
“Darcy, what on earth did you say to him?”
“I asked if he thought killing him now would be the end of his revenge.”
“…”
“I asked if he was okay with ruining the lives of all mages.”
Darcy stood beside me and met Eaton's gaze.
“I asked what made him any different from the Emperor's faction, who destroyed their homes, if he was going to throw away the lives of all mages with a single mistake.”
It was extreme, but he wasn't wrong. Even if Eaton had succeeded in harming Ryan, it wouldn't have ended there.
On the contrary, the hatred toward mages would have grown, and my business plans, now entangled in this, would have gone up in smoke.
“You almost harmed her too, which is a poor way to wrap this up as something you ‘couldn't help.’ You tried to repay kindness with malice.”
Eaton bit his lip hard. Darcy raised a finger to his temple and continued.
“Don't let your emotions eat away at your reason.”
“Don't lecture me.”
“I don't know. You might learn something if you look at what became of me when I was consumed by fear as a child.”
At Darcy's self-deprecating words, I poked him in the shoulder.
No, I wish he wouldn't say things like that! I think he's fine now!
“You weren't consumed by fear; you're a monster tainted by them. You became a prince because you wanted power.”
Eaton's voice was filled with resentment as he spat out the words.
But Darcy was as calm as a placid sea.
“No, I'm simply biding my time.”
“…”
“Because death is too simple, too fleeting. I can't grant them such a blessing.”
“…”
“To do that, I need power. Toying with their minds is just a bonus. Didn't you see it earlier?”
“Alright, Eaton. It's enough that you know you were wrong today. Never, ever do that again. Or it's really over.”
Afraid their relationship would worsen, I cut in to change the subject.
“But how did you even get out? Without anyone seeing you?”
Eaton, who had been glaring at Darcy, looked at me and meekly lowered his head.
His voice, which had been booming just moments ago, became as small as a bird's chirp.
“…I felt suffocated, so I went out for a walk. I found a servant's uniform in the stables and changed.”
It wasn't even his first time sneaking out. It was amazing he'd made it to the stables without being seen.
“I'm good at hiding my presence. On the island, the security was so tight that I was bound to get caught.”
I must have looked too openly surprised. Eaton quickly defended himself, but his confidence was fleeting.
“I'm really sorry about today. No, I apologize. I thought a chance like this wouldn't come again, so I lost my head and almost ruined everything.”
Eaton finally admitted he had been reckless.
“Since nothing happened in the end, I'll let it go.”
It was good that he apologized first, so I forgave him. But I didn't forget to add a warning.
“But from now on, you really have to stay in your room and do as I say. Otherwise, the contract is off.”
At my warning, Eaton obediently nodded.
…To be honest, I couldn't trust him completely, but there was nothing else I could do for now.
“I'd like to rest.”
Darcy, who had been listening with his arms crossed, whispered.
“Right, let's go to the room.”
It was a relief we were arguing in a room, at least.
We took Eaton and entered the theater room.
The room was a mess from Eaton's continuous use.
It was cleaned daily, but with someone living in it, the atmosphere was inevitably different than before.
“This was our space.”
Darcy, who seemed displeased by this fact, frowned slightly and took off the bag he was wearing.
‘Is it a bag that can hold anything, like the pouch he gave me before?’
Judging by its color, which was the same as a magic stone, it seemed so. It was like looking at Doraemon's pocket.
“The thing you mentioned.”
Darcy held out a band that looked like it could be strapped to a thigh.
“I made it so the gun shrinks when you're carrying it normally. It won't be cumbersome even if you wear it with a dress.”
“Is that even possible?”
“It's a similar principle to making the pouch.”
I had no idea what that principle was, but if a genius said so, it must be true.
I took the belt and examined it. It was a beautiful, subtle mix of magenta and violet.
“Thank you, Darcy.”
“I made you wait a long time, so I won't charge you for it.”
“No, you should take payment.”
The closer you are, the more important it is to be clear about transactions. Especially with Darcy.
“I'm hurt you'd draw a line like that.”
“I'm not drawing a line; I'm acknowledging your work.”
As I was correcting him, a knock sounded at the door.
“Just a moment.”
I went to the door and received the magic stones Ryan had left earlier.
‘Right, I still had these.’
I set the boxes of magic stones by the door and went back to Darcy.
Since they were given to me and not Marquis Etoile, I should be able to use them as I pleased.
‘If he says otherwise later, I can just replace them with stones from my own mine.’
Surprisingly, Darcy and Eaton were continuing their conversation.
In Eaton's open palm was a round, finely crafted lump of magic stone. It looked just like a jewel.
I sidled up next to Darcy and asked Eaton.
“Is this what you were going to throw at Ryan?”
“It may not look like it, but it's a bomb. A magic tool.”
Eaton grumbled. His switch to formal speech, perhaps out of guilt for what just happened, was cute. It seemed his conscience was pricked after all.
I narrowed my eyes and said playfully.
“You're very interested in magic tools.”
“O-Of course not!”
Eaton reacted obviously again. He'd never be able to keep a poker face.
‘Darcy is the one who's truly good at making magic tools.’
Seeing the two of them, an idea flashed in my mind.
‘Maybe I can close the distance between Darcy and Eaton.’
I started talking about Darcy's skills.
“All the magic tools I've shown you so far were made by Darcy.”
Eaton loved the video player. I could still vividly picture him watching a play on it this morning, completely captivated.
“Darcy might be able to explain the principles to you.”
I tried to tempt Eaton by playing up Darcy's appeal as much as possible.
“No!”
Of course, Eaton wasn't one to be swayed so easily.
“I can't tell you the principles, but I can give you one to take apart.”
Darcy added from the side, pulling a video player from his bag.
Eaton seemed tempted by this offer. I could practically see his ears perk up.
“However.”
Darcy paused, placing the video player in Eaton's hand.
“If you'll leave so Marso and I can be alone.”
“I'll be in the bathroom.”
He didn't want to openly accept Darcy's help, but it seemed he couldn't resist the temptation.
Eaton answered swiftly and ran to the door connecting to the bathroom. He then holed himself up inside and shut the door.
In an instant, the two of us were left alone.
Darcy placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Now then, shall we have our talk?”
“Is there something we need to talk about?”
The same chill I'd felt when he caught me holding Eaton returned.
‘But there's no reason for me to be scared about this, is there?’
We're not even a couple. It felt unfair, but I didn't want to say that to a clearly displeased Darcy.
“How is the output of your magic stone mine?”
And the question Darcy asked was completely different from what I'd expected.
I'd gotten way ahead of myself. I ducked my head to hide my beet-red face.
When my face fell into shadow, Darcy immediately asked with concern.
“Are you sick?”
“No, I'm not. Just a slight headache.”
I answered him hastily, took a deep breath, and lifted my head.
“There's nothing wrong with the mine.”
“Is that so?”
I didn't read detailed reports on the mine, but I was aware of the general production levels.
But why was he asking this? My embarrassment faded as curiosity about his reason took over.
“It seems the magic stone output from the imperial family's and Marquis Epekel's mines has decreased.”
“Magic stones?”
It was completely unexpected.
There was no mention in the book of magic stone production decreasing.
On the contrary, the popularity of magic tools had grown because of Reshuan and Ryan's love story, increasing the demand for magic stones.
“But it's a relief to hear your mine is fine.”
“Yes. There haven't been any problems.”
“It's not certain information yet, so just be cautious.”
“I will.”
It was a shame I didn't have an informant I could use at times like this.
If I had information, I could cross-reference it with Darcy's or even provide him with intel myself.
For a fleeting moment, Leticia's face crossed my mind.
‘She said she was sorry.’
She didn't seem to be lying, but how long would that sentiment last? How much could she change for me?
Let's not dwell on uncertainties.
Shaking my head, I fell back into thought.
‘If it's something that didn't happen in the book, it must be related to the changes.’
The main plot of the book began to change completely after Darcy's appearance.
Could this be a butterfly effect caused by his survival, when he was originally supposed to die?
