◆ An Inquiry, Conducted in Silence, Enforced with Rigor.
“I have brought them.”
At the sound of the Chief Lady-in-Waiting’s voice, the heavy doors swung open.
Following her lead, I stepped through, and the doors immediately shut behind me.
I could sense the flow of magic—a strong barrier had been erected.
This place was heavily warded.
The room was dark, far removed from the brightly illuminated halls below.
Given the many steps we had ascended, this place was undoubtedly located high within the castle, perhaps even within the rafters of the grand hall.
As my vision adjusted to the dim light, I recognized the towering chandeliers hanging over the vast ballroom below.
So, this is where we are.
It was not simply a chamber, but a concealed passage overlooking the Grand Hall.
The massive arches supporting the ceiling stretched outward, their ends disappearing into the stone floor.
This was a place meant for observation.
As my eyes adapted, I began to see figures seated in the darkness.
Rows of ornate chairs lined the space, occupied by distinguished men and women.
Some were familiar, others unknown to me.
One figure in particular caught my eye—someone whose presence was known throughout the Magic Academy, yet whom I had never spoken to directly.
She turned her gaze upon me.
The Grand Duke’s Daughter.
“So you have come. Thank you.”
Her voice was clear, like a bell ringing in the still night air.
“You were summoned as one of the involved parties.”
“If I may inquire, is this for… the results of an inquiry, Lady Grand Duchess?”
“Hohoho… You have keen insight, I see.”
Her smile did not reach her eyes.
“Indeed. We are about to observe a ‘farce’—one I have invited you to witness.”
Then, her gaze shifted.
“Oh? You have brought guests?”
“Yes. A friend, and his betrothed.”
Her eyes flicked toward the nobleman seated beside her—a man of considerable rank and influence.
His presence exuded authority, yet the moment she addressed him, a tension entered his posture.
“Minister of Military Affairs… have you spoken of this matter to your family?”
His deep voice, though usually commanding, carried an undercurrent of unease.
“Grand Duchess, I am bound by my oath of secrecy. Even to my own kin, I would not speak of such matters.”
She let out a soft chuckle.
“I see. So then, your son approached him of his own volition? How fortunate. Truly, a testament to your education.”
Her expression sharpened.
“The essence of education lies not in the teachings received, but in how one chooses to embrace them.”
“One of your sons failed, but the other succeeded… and the difference lay in their sense of ‘noble duty and honor.’”
“A commendable outcome, Minister. His Majesty and the Chancellor shall deliberate on whether your house is to face censure.”
The Military Minister exhaled slowly, as if releasing a great burden.
“It seems I stand upon a razor’s edge.”
He then turned to his son—the nobleman beside me.
His expression was grave.
“Come. Sit beside me.”
He then addressed his future daughter-in-law.
“This is a matter of great consequence. Pay close attention. Observe carefully. For one day, the weight of this house shall rest upon your shoulders.”
His son paled.
His fiancée looked ready to collapse.
Well… That was to be expected.
The Minister had all but declared that he was considering naming his son as his successor.
A future Minister of Military Affairs.
What an arduous path you have ahead, my friend.
“You as well—take a seat.”
“That will not be necessary.”
I placed a hand over my chest and bowed.
“I am merely the third son of a frontier knight’s house. A place among such esteemed company is far beyond me.”
“To even consider sitting here is unthinkable.”
The Grand Duchess smiled faintly.
“Then… someone bring him a blade.”
“…Pardon?”
“A guard’s sword. Or a ceremonial blade from the Grand Duke’s armory—it matters not.”
A knight stepped forward, offering me a sheathed sword.
I pulled it halfway from its scabbard, confirming it was a true blade, then fastened it to my waist.
In this moment, I had become a knight in service to the Grand Duchess.
Even temporarily, this was an honor of great significance.
My role was clear.
I stepped behind her chair and stood at attention—ever watchful.
A low chuckle resonated through the chamber.
I turned toward the source.
There, seated upon a higher platform, shrouded in shadow…
Two figures.
Though their faces were obscured, I knew at once who they were.
His Majesty the King.
Her Majesty the Queen.
An almost unbelievable realization.
I had not expected to stand in their presence this night.
And yet, having been entrusted with this duty, I could not bow.
My new station forbade it.
I had been granted a role, and to abandon it for formality would be disgraceful.
The King’s voice rang through the chamber.
“Tell me, Grand Duchess… have you taken a liking to him?”
“Your Majesty, he possesses the heart of a noble.”
A graceful yet unyielding reply.
“Indeed… He is a fine one.”
The King let out a booming laugh.
“Bold, yet steadfast. A warrior of the frontier, loyal and unwavering.”
His voice grew fond, almost nostalgic.
“It would seem that the words I once spoke remain true… ‘The Kingdom’s honor lies in its frontiers.’”
His laughter echoed once more.
“Good! Very good!”
…Was I just praised by the King?
This was beyond surreal.
His Majesty—the ruler of this land, a man who rarely left the deepest halls of the castle—sat here.
In this place.
At this moment.
Not in some grand audience hall, nor in the throne room, but here.
Which meant only one thing.
A ruling of grave consequence was about to take place.
The King.
The Queen.
The Minister of Military Affairs.
The Grand Duchess.
And no doubt, other key figures who attended the royal councils.
Among them were those aligned with the Second Prince—his closest allies and their betrothed.
These were people of a station high enough to be the banquet’s ‘guests of honor.’
Yet none of them were present in the main hall.
I turned my gaze downward, toward the ballroom below.
There, a dazzling crowd awaited the banquet’s commencement.
Among them… women dressed in garments befitting those seated here in the shadows.
Decoys.
A tactic from my past life’s memory.
Shadow doubles.
Even the Grand Duchess had a stand-in.
I examined her movements—subtle, practiced, refined.
Yet… a keen observer could still discern the difference.
Everyone in this chamber had been given a role to play.
And the weight of what was about to unfold…
Pressed upon me like an unshakable omen.
“A farce,” she had called it.
Then let us see how this ‘performance’ begins.