Chapter 421. Enthusiastic (2)

Translator: Aura / Editor: HB168

“I really wish I was powerful enough to freeze the whole river…”

The servant who brought water to fill the buckets looked at me, alarmed. From his expression, he seemed be thinking, ‘how many more times will I have to fetch water?’

Rose, who was sitting on a bench fanning herself as she watched me, laughed.

“Your Majesty is already truly extraordinary. Your Majesty doesn’t need to master her magic.”

Countess Jubel, who was playing chess with Laura, also interjected while she moved a chess piece.

“That’s right. Your Majesty can hire experienced mages.”

Laura did not participate in the conversation because she was focused on her chess game.

Mastas was also busy advising Laura and Countess Jubel.

“No, not that one. Why are you moving that pawn there…?”

I sighed and looked at the fifteen buckets which had been lined up in the garden. Chunks of ice floated on the water, as if they had broken off a glacier. It was the result of many failed attempts to freeze all the water.

This time, Heinley and I shrewdly took advantage of Sovieshu’s undesirable visit to borrow mages from the Eastern Empire, but since this may not be possible in the future, I wanted to master my magic just in case.

I was frustrated that I wasn’t improving at the pace I expected.

My ladies-in-waiting seemed to find my frustration odd, since I wasn’t a mage originally, but now that I had gained the ability, wouldn’t it be nice if I could use it properly?

The more things one can master, the better.

Even though I trained in my own way, it wasn’t yielding results. In fact, the best place to learn was the magical academy, but they wouldn’t want to help me.

Although Heinley was no longer involved in the phenomenon of mana decline, he still hadn’t managed to dispel the suspicions against him.

Suddenly, I had a new thought.

‘Couldn’t Grand Duke Kapmen help me now that he has recovered?’

No sooner had I thought of it than Grand Duke Kapmen appeared. I seemed to have called him with my thoughts.

He stared at the buckets with surprise and I quickly approached him.

“Grand Duke Kapmen. Could you help me train?”

Grand Duke Kapmen was no longer under the effects of the love potion, so he is no longer attracted to me.

He had already helped Heinley learn to control my mana, and now he could help me train. He was one of the top graduates of the magical academy, after all.

However, Grand Duke Kapmen listened quietly to my thoughts and immediately shook his head.

“No.”

“You can’t?”

“That’s correct. Each person devises their own method to master their magic. If our abilities were similar, I could help you a little, but since our abilities are completely different, I can’t…”

Grand Duke Kapmen stopped abruptly as he spoke. Did he come up with an idea? There must be a way to help me!

“What’s going on?”

Grand Duke Kapmen hesitated. From his stiff expression, he seemed unsure whether to tell me.

“What is it?”

At my insistence, Grand Duke Kapmen reluctantly spoke.

“Actually… a friend of mine is coming to visit soon.”

“Oh! Your friend is a mage with an ice-related ability?”

“Yes.”

Great! His friend can help me!

“Could your friend help me?”

However, Grand Duke Kapmen seemed completely uncomfortable, even though he was the one who mentioned his friend in the first place.

“Is it not possible?”

At my insistence, Grand Duke Kapmen awkwardly confessed.

“My friend deeply hates the nobility.”

“He’s a commoner?”

“Yes. His parents are freed slaves.”

“I see.”

“Your Majesty is a member of the Imperial Family, so his hatred will be even greater… he probably won’t want to help you.”

“Then how did you befriend him?”

“I’m an exception because I am a foreigner from the Hwa Continent.”

I nodded with regret, and Grand Kapmen said,

“Please forget what I said.”

Then he turned and walked away. Mastas, who had been listening to the exchange, advised me as if it were a simple matter.

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t you just have to conceal that you are the Empress in order to learn from Grand Duke Kapmen’s friend?”

When I looked at her, Mastas smiled.

“That’s Your Majesty’s specialty.”

“Learning?”

“Concealing.”

If I hide my identity as Empress, I can learn to master my magic…

We’re both friends of Kapmen’s, so my identity won’t be a problem. There are many rich commoners, so it won’t be unusual if I am accompanied by an escort. Besides, he’ll be nearby since he’s visiting the capital.

‘It should work.’

Once I convinced myself, Kapmen quickened his steps. It was clear he wanted to run away because he had heard my thoughts.

“Grand Duke.”

But when I called out to him a little loudly, he turned around helplessly, stared at me, and walked towards me with resignation. Still, he tried to dissuade me.

“It’s not a good idea.”

“Isn’t it enough to conceal my identity as a noblewoman?”

“Someone else might be able to fool him, but Your Majesty cannot conceal her nobility even in the eyes of those who don’t know it.”

“You think so?”

“It’s evident at first glance that Your Majesty is a noble, even someone who comes across Your Majesty in passing would notice.”

“That’s not true. I can pretend to be a commoner.”

“How would you do it?”

Before I knew it, my ladies-in-waiting had set aside the chess game and turned their attention to me.

I felt embarrassed to have all eyes on me, but when I met Grand Duke Kapmen’s friend, I would have to perform as a commoner in front of more people. I could not hesitate in the face of this audience.

I cleared my throat, spoke with a rough voice, gestured with my hands very casually.

“Hey! Hey! Over here! Young man, do you have some time? I have plenty of money and time, would you like to come with me to a pleasant place to talk? Hey, I have a business proposal for you!”

“!”

“What do you think?”

Kapmen’s jaw dropped wide open, so wide as if it had been broken. And I heard a roar of laughter behind me. It was Heinley.