"Ah, is it about the salamander again? The king ordered to execute the spies from Lusitania."
Several empty sake bottles dotted the space between them. Prince Theodosius added another to their pile after filling his cup. He sighed joylessly.
"I am already crying for blood. Enough with the party, To battle!" His voice carried over the raucous party, and his vassals immediately responded as one.
"..Yes, your highness!"
The king didn't even bother to stop his son. He smirked and order everyone that the party has now ended.
Plates and cups were abandoned as the hall erupted in the chaos of vassals posturing for a non-existent battle.
"Will you all please calm down?" Lantis's calm manner restored the normal party atmosphere.
"Prince Theodosius, settle down, will you? How about you have another drink? here, have a cup on me." the pink-haired man calmly said.
"I'm starved, Lantis. Not thirsty. The drink can only sustain me so far. And recently, I've lost my appetite for drinks. Even my old favorites taste like swill."
"This one's good for swill. And didn't you bring it back? Where's it from?"
"It's a local brew from Tristanios. I had someone from my army send it here."
He drinks one and it is the taste that he always wanted.
Prince Theodosius glanced to his side, seeing only Lantis, disappointedly tilted another cup back. But that seeking gaze told Lantis everything. He smiled.
"Who'd you drink it with? it was a woman, wasn't it?
"Don't confuse me with you." The prince said seriously.
"By the way, is it at your cousin, oh.. your fiancee, rather, has accepted her fate to become a summoner?"
His eyes widened, "This fast?"
'How could Professor Hayden persuade her this much? In just a month?'
"She has the talent, you know. I haven't seen her in person and I can't even speculate the rumors of her. Is she intelligent?" the prince shrugged, "I'm going to visit her tomorrow. Tell them to send the letter to the house of Castilla immediately."
* * *
Seraphim is having a hard time experimenting. She is thinking of countless ways to make a mixture suitable for Anastasia. Ever since she hoisted her to the fountain and got the chance to get her strand of hair from the brush, Seraphim hadn't left her room.
Her mother lets her do what she wants, as long as she studies and be an heiress that's worthy of their family.
"If only I have a black sorcerer on my side."
Yes, Seraphim is practicing black magic. Throughout the empire and kingdom's laws, it is forbidden for someone to use black magic. If someone is found using it, they will be quickly thrown out of their palace and the title will be stripped. Not just that, but death also awaits.
She didn't want to be a Countess. What Seraphim wanted was to be the Queen. Being the queen is her dream. She was supposed to be the crown princess, but after Anastasia being recognized as the genius of the century, the King changed his mind and put the engagement to Anastasia.
"Ugh! this stupid steel magic! I will be the future queen, mate with the prince, and have a son that will be the future ruler who has golden eyes and he shall be the strongest and wisest ruler through the kingdom's history."
Seraphim's ambition has gone way up high. It can be stopped, but no one will stop her. She doesn't have friends to start with.
She was known as a villainess that looks like an angel. If it wasn't for her look, she would look like a real demon.
"Young miss, Baroness Aldreda has arrived."
Her class will start again, she has no other choice. She hid the materials quickly and went to the drawing-room.
Seraphim studied hard on her own, she will never let Anastasia overshadowed her again.
"I'm impressed, Lady Seraphim. You learned a lot."
She manages to learn the ancient language and imperial language in a mere month. On top of that, she studied alchemy hard and created dozens of potions.
"I will study harder than before, Baroness!"
"Yes, you should."