Winter had also arrived in the Wethered Kingdom.
Two months had passed since the rebellion instigated by Lucas Gallagher. The initial public unrest had subsided, and a quiet atmosphere had returned to the capital city.
“Ugh, it’s so cold today,” Jared Murphy muttered. With his official appointment as a Court Mage only a week away, he was living through days of heightened tension.
His late mother, Liz Murphy, had also been a Court Mage—a skilled one, though perhaps a bit prone to excess. Though his memories of her were few, the thought of reaching the same pinnacle as her brought him joy. What truly made Jared nervous, however, was Olivier. Having met his elder fiancé, the young man had been made to promise to become a Court Mage. Then, with astonishing timing, he became a candidate and was now on the cusp of his appointment.
—Is this really okay, our relationship as it is?
At times, he found himself contemplating his future. He had once envisioned leaving the country upon reaching adulthood, wandering freely and experiencing the world. Alternatively, he had considered returning to study under a master to pursue the heights of magic. He had never dreamed he would be chosen as one of the twelve recognized mages in the kingdom.
“My combat uniform is ready, so preparations are complete,” he said aloud.
Opening his closet, he saw the navy blue, military-style combat uniform neatly stored. Alongside it were laced boots and a simple yet durable dagger. These were Jared’s combat attire for his role as a Court Mage, things he would wear daily after his appointment. Crafted by the kingdom, they were of the highest quality—excellent for defense and highly resistant to magic and weaponry. The mere tailoring of such an outfit would cost a fortune.
Similar uniforms had been provided not only to Jared but also to his secretaries, Lily Rüdiger and Ernesta Kaif. While their military-style attire remained similar to his, theirs featured skirts. Lily wore the same boots as Jared, while Ernesta had chosen heeled ones; both were prepared. All that remained was to go to the Royal Palace and receive his formal appointment from the King. However, it seemed a series of parties would follow, which already dampened his spirits.
“The Duke seems to be thinking of various things for me, so it’s up to me now… perhaps?”
He recalled a recent conversation with the Duke. Upon his appointment as a Court Mage, Jared would also be granted the title of Count. Although he would have no territory and be a noble in name only, he would still be a Count. He had heard that previous Court Mages usually bought mansions after their appointment.
“This is the place where I feel most comfortable.”
He was content with his current situation, but this mansion belonged to the Alway Ducal Family. While there had been talk of giving it to Olivier, the Duke had offered to let Jared have it if he wished. Whether Olivier or Jared inherited it, their lifestyles wouldn’t change significantly. The important thing, it seemed, was that it not remain within the Ducal Family.
This was likely due to external concerns. Jared, unfamiliar with aristocratic customs, found it rather perplexing. Furthermore, during his discussion with the Duke, he had been asked to consider marrying Olivier soon after his appointment as a Court Mage.
He understood that marriage would eventually happen, but the Duke urged him to do so as soon as possible. The reason given was to quell the ongoing calls for him to take a consort. The reason marriage proposals still reached Jared was that he was not yet married. He wanted to retort that he was engaged, but aristocratic engagements could easily change based on family matters. While Jared and Olivier’s relationship was personal and unlikely to waver, outsiders did not see it that way. Because of this, he received audacious proposals from those who wanted him to break off his engagement with Olivier.
Marriage was deemed the best way to escape this troublesome situation. It was also suggested that Olivier might become more accommodating towards the idea of taking a consort if he felt more secure. Jared himself had no desire for a consort, but the Duke’s family and his own ancestral baronet family felt differently.
Currently, the Alway Ducal Family was monopolizing the newly appointed Court Mages. Although the Duke Rüdiger’s family had a connection, it was merely through a secretary and a friendship. They wished to connect with Jared through a consort marriage. The Alway Ducal Family had no objections, but they stated they could not force their daughter. Therefore, they hoped marriage would bring Olivier peace of mind and a sense of security.
“I miss the days when I fought without thinking.”
Pfeil, who lived in the same mansion and had also been chosen as a new Court Mage, was someone whose thoughts were inscrutable. He had become a Court Mage merely to reside in this country. His motivation stemmed from a woman named Ernesta. He, too, had completed his preparations as a Court Mage. He had no secretary and did not seem to require one, nor did he intend to hire one in the future. His khaki combat uniform bore a resemblance to Jared’s, as did that of another new Court Mage, Laurentz Herring.
Though his selection was unconventional, as he hadn’t been nominated as a candidate, there were few dissenting voices after he resolved the recent incident. Of course, there were objectors, but Pfeil had utterly defeated them in combat, silencing all opposition. It was said that some of those he defeated were captivated by his power.
The primary concern was whether the young man, a former assassin, would betray the country. However, these murmurs subsided when Duke Harald Alway became his guardian. Many expressed a desire to marry him, as he was not nobility, and they wished to integrate him into their families. However, the Duke’s family, Jared, and even Olivier were inundated with contact from those who didn’t know how to approach him, much to their exasperation.
Pfeil, uninterested in women other than Ernesta, would meet with those proposing marriage to maintain appearances, but he would clearly decline on the spot. Sometimes, the girls whose parents had ordered them to meet him found his manliness so compelling that they became infatuated. The former assassin’s infatuated admirers would contact not only Olivier and Jared but also Yeny and Emilia, leaving them no choice but to offer wry smiles at the added trouble.
“Jared-sama, is this a good time?”
As he was lost in thought, a knock sounded on his door. Upon his reply, a woman in a maid’s uniform, Trane Glasler, entered with a poker face.
“There is a letter from Herring-sama.”
“From Laurentz?”
He thanked her and accepted the letter. It was from Laurentz Herring, his fellow student and one of the new Court Mages.
