As Onyx said, nothing could be confirmed yet. However, when all the small, overlooked circumstances were put together, they were no longer small or ignorable.
“I have a request.”
“It’s been a while. Alright. Anything.”
Onyx nodded at Veronia’s request.
“I think it’s time to leave this place. This time, somewhere far from the capital would be good.”
“Okay. One month. I’ll have everything prepared by then.”
“Thank you, Onyx.”
Seeing Veronia’s calm, composed expression, Onyx felt an inexplicable chill in his heart. He didn’t expect to hear the words “I have a request” from her lips again.
‘But why do I feel so… disappointed?’
Onyx was a bit perplexed by the sudden, unpleasant feeling that clung to him.
It had been quite a long time since he’d known her.
In this world, only two people, Veronia and Onyx, shared the biggest and heaviest secret. Did he think they had grown closer because of that? That it was more than just a client-employee relationship?
‘…I must be crazy.’
A snicker escaped him, finding it ridiculous. And inwardly, he thought of one more request.
‘I need to find evidence. Evidence that Killian knew Veronia’s true identity!’
He had to find solid evidence and present it to Veronia. Only then could she leave this place without any regrets.
‘But how do I find it?’
Finding evidence out of thin air seemed almost impossible. But it was also a task that had to be solved.
He clenched his fists tightly. It had been a while, he thought. Meeting a request that made his blood boil like this. Even though it was actually a request he hadn’t officially received.
[This is the timeline separator]While Veronia was getting her wounds treated at the clinic, Onyx visited his regular magic tool workshop. He had Veronia’s mana stone piercing made here five years ago as well.
Clark, a mage and master craftsman of magic tools, greeted Onyx.
“Hey, welcome. It’s been a while, Onyx.”
“Do you remember the piercing you made five years ago?”
Seeing Onyx getting straight to the point without even greeting, Clark let out a small laugh.
“Of course. I never forget a magic tool I’ve made once I’ve received an order.”
Clark tapped his head lightly with his finger, smiling confidently.
“As expected. Excellent, Clark.”
“If I remember correctly… it was for a woman, with silver hair and green eyes. And burn scars and a tattoo on her cheek.”
Clark rummaged through the densely packed ledgers on the shelf, recalling the memory from five years ago.
“Here it is!”
Having found the order form from that time without much difficulty, Clark asked Onyx.
“You want me to make the same thing, right?”
“Yes. Please. Right now.”
“Right now?”
Clark’s eyes widened in surprise. But Onyx remained as calm as ever.
“Yes. How long will it take? 30 minutes? An hour?”
“This guy…”
Clark was dumbfounded. No matter how excellent a mage and skilled craftsman he was, no matter that Onyx had been a regular customer for over 10 years…
“Even so, right now is a bit too much…”
“I’ll pay five times the price. If you can make it right now, within 30 minutes.”
“…”
Clark stared at Onyx silently for a moment. He hadn’t been rushed like this in the past 10 years, so it must be quite a serious matter. Clark nodded immediately.
“Alright. I’m not doing this because you’re paying more. Onyx, I’m doing this because you look that desperate.”
“So does that mean the price stays the same?”
“…That’s not what I meant. You said five times, right?”
“Tch.”
“Wait a moment.”
Clark left Onyx and entered the workshop. He had to hurry to complete the magic tool within 30 minutes.
“Hmm…”
Feeling too restless to just sit still, Onyx got up and started browsing through the displayed magic tools and their descriptions to pass the time.
Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind.
‘Perhaps…?’
As he was deep in thought, the workshop door opened and Clark came out. In his hand was a box containing the mana stone piercing.
“Here, it’s done. Take it.”
“Oh, money really does talk.”
“What? I told you it wasn’t about that.”
“Right. Let’s say it is.”
“Whatever you say.”
The two men chuckled, exchanging silly jokes as befitting their long acquaintance.
“By the way.”
Onyx suddenly started speaking with a serious expression.
“What is it?”
“Even if someone is wearing this mana stone piercing, would it be possible to see their original appearance?”
“Of course.”
“What? Of course?”
Onyx’s jaw dropped in astonishment at Clark’s nonchalant response.
“You could use a magic tool that allows you to see the original appearance of a magically transformed form, couldn’t you?”
“Ah…?”
Clark continued his explanation with a grin.
“We mages also gather and chat sometimes, you know? We’ve received this kind of request, we’ve done that kind of work, we’ve made magic tools for such and such purposes, mostly trivial conversations like that.”
“…”
Onyx, who had been listening quietly, frowned. It was a signal to get to the point quickly.
‘Geez, with that temper! Tsk.’
Clark inwardly clicked his tongue and furrowed his brow. Nevertheless, he got straight to the point.
“It was around the time you ordered this piercing. One guy said he had received an order to make a magic tool that could see the original appearance, not the magically transformed one.”
“…”
“All of us gathered there were surprised. We’ve heard many orders for magic tools that help with appearance transformation, but this kind of request was unusual. That’s why it’s still vivid in my memory.”
Onyx’s eyes widened as he listened to Clark’s story. Meanwhile, Clark continued speaking.
“Everyone gathered there said this: One of the appearance-altering magic tools we made will inevitably be exposed.”
“Where is that magic tool workshop?”
“Why… Don’t tell me… Was it you? Was the magic tool I made exposed?”
“Just tell me already. Where is it?”
“…”
Clark’s face turned pale. Regardless of the reason, it was a very shameful situation for a magic tool he had made to be ineffective.
“Even if you go there, they won’t disclose the client’s information. That’s the rule.”
“In this day and age, is there anything money can’t do?”
“…”
Fair enough. Clark gave up on adding any more words and handed over the address to Onyx.
“Well, thanks for your work.”
“…”
Onyx left as soon as he received the address. Left alone, Clark slumped down in his chair helplessly.
He recalled how they had chuckled and joked among themselves five years ago. They had even made bets on whose magic tool would be the one to get caught.
“Did I… lose?”
He felt so embarrassed and ashamed that he just wanted to disappear.
“Sigh…”
A deep sigh laden with anguish escaped him involuntarily.
[This is the timeline separator]“The coronation is in two days! Time really flies, Your Majesty.”
“Indeed, Mother. I’m grateful for your efforts in ensuring the smooth progress of the coronation preparations.”
Despite their busy schedules filled with various appointments as the coronation approached, Jonathan and Sandra were enjoying a brief tea time during a break.
The atmosphere seemed to be continuing harmoniously when suddenly Jonathan’s aide entered.
“I have a report, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“What is it? I’m having tea time with Mother right now. Couldn’t it wait?”
“Well, that is… It’s regarding Prince Caspian, Your Majesty.”
At the aide’s words, the smile instantly vanished from Sandra’s face. Instead of Jonathan, Sandra gave the order.
“What about Caspian? Speak quickly.”
“He caught a pickpocket in the square where the festival is being held and… killed him, it’s said.”
“That…”
Sandra and Jonathan were lost for words at the aide’s report. Breaking the momentary silence, the aide continued his report.
“Chancellor Drea and Princess Espin were also present at the scene, it’s reported.”
“Oh my…”
Sandra’s face gradually lost its color, turning pale. At that moment, Jonathan clicked his tongue and spoke.
“I wonder if Caspian’s violent tendencies are only getting worse with age instead of improving? It’s a great concern.”
“How can you speak of violent tendencies when he merely punished a criminal, Your Majesty?”
Sandra snapped back, displeased with Jonathan’s disparaging remarks about Caspian.
“A pickpocket wouldn’t normally be considered a capital offense, would they? Moreover, it happened in the square during the festival period, so there must have been many witnesses. It’s worrying.”
“…”
Sandra bit her lower lip and clenched her fists. She seemed quite heated.
“Your Majesty, I must go now. I need to meet Caspian and inquire about the details of what happened.”
“Yes, of course. I hope there won’t be any trouble.”
“What trouble could there be over killing one pickpocket? Well then.”
“Take care. I won’t go far, Mother.”
Watching Sandra leave in a hurry, Jonathan let out a small chuckle. He had a feeling that some quite interesting events were awaiting. He ordered his aide:
“Find out exactly what happened, from beginning to end, in detail.”
“I will obey your command, Your Imperial Majesty.”
As the aide left, Jonathan, now alone, laughed out loud with great satisfaction.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
