The Grand Duke’s Fox Princess

Episode 102: A Strange Body (IV)

When Viscount Diaclen noticed Heinricion and the fox, he smiled with curved eyes, expressing his delight.

“I didn’t expect you to come this far. Please do everything you want.”

“Let’s have the conversation we couldn’t finish last time.”

“That’s what I wish for as well.”

‘Okay. I’ll find out your intentions this time.’

Right when Eristella grinded her teeth, irritated with the showy conversation disguised with pretentious laughter between the two.

Viscount Diaclen’s gaze turned to the fox.

“I hope you have a good time, too.”

He spoke with excessive interest and kindness towards the fox.

Eristella wrapped her body around the back of Heinricion’s neck, staring intently at Viscount Diaclen.

“See you later in the banquet hall.”

Upon entering the banquet hall, it seemed that most of the nobles from the capital city and nearby territories had gathered.

The turn out was much hotter than expected, as if to prove that it was the most talked-about thing in the empire right now.

At this rate, it seemed like it wouldn’t work even if they told people about the danger with tolerable words.

Heinricion had intended to announce that the objects had dark magic.

Just in case, he had even requested support from the imperial family.

However, in this situation, his claim would likely be regarded as jealousy of Viscount Diaclen’s business and an attempt to bring it down.

Even if the imperial family were involved.

Rather, it seemed that their side would be put in an ambiguous situation, inviting suspicious eyes.

‘At the very least, we must find out if Viscount Diaclen can use magic.’

Eristella and Heinricion secretly observed the people in the banquet hall.

They wanted to see if any of them had symptoms similar to Leighton’s friend.

There might be people who show premonitory symptoms.

‘How is it? Are there some?’

“There are one or two iffy ones. I’m not sure.”

‘It’s the same for me.’

There were a few people with dark complexions, poor concentration, and occasional trembling of their hands.

However, it was difficult to determine with just those.

‘As expected, there is a limit to what one can check with the eyes. How should I check?’

Eristella’s eyes darkened as she looked around the banquet hall.

‘Anyway, there are more people than I thought.’

That’s how many people were interested in Viscount Diaclen’s business.

Stopping this banquet midway would be harder than she thought.

But that didn’t mean she could let this situation continue any longer.

It was certain that if it spread like this, it would get out of control later on.

Maybe it was already in that state.

Heinricion and Eristella agreed that it should not be delayed any longer.

‘Let’s take a closer look, focusing on the suspicious people.’

It was the moment when Heinricion and Eristella resumed watching the people’s condition.

Viscount Diaclen, who had returned to the banquet hall, stepped up to the podium.

“I prepared a special gift for those who attended today.”

People were excited at the words ‘special gift’ and looked at Viscount Diaclen with eyes full of anticipation.

“I would like to give it to those who found the mark I hid during today’s banquet.”

After saying something that sparked people’s curiosity, Viscount Diaclen added with a relaxed smile.

“Of course, there will be a raffle right after the luncheon tomorrow. Please enjoy yourselves tonight.”

People cheered. It was clear that the special gift he was talking about was related to a new product that was only rumored.

It was natural for everyone to be intrigued.

Eristella pretended to be enjoying herself, but her eyes were rolling. She vowed to look for the marks secretly later, one by one.

That was how much she fretted over the well-being of the people.

Then. Viscount Diaclen approached the fox.

“Before that, I will give the special guest, the fox, a gift I prepared separately.”

Before anyone could even blink, he put a necklace on the fox.

“It suits you well.”

He added that he hoped it would like it. Then he announced to everyone,

“This also has a special feature. You’ll find out what it is during this banquet. Please look forward to it.”

With that, even more anticipation was created for the banquet participants.

‘What is your intention of giving this to me?’

‘It can’t be to just get people’s attention.’

As Eristella stared at the necklace, Heinrcion muttered in a low voice, hugging her in his arms.

“It’s dodgy. I think it’s better to take it off. I will keep the necklace.”

‘No. We don’t know what his intention is. I’ll watch over it.’

It was clear that Viscount Diaclen was suspicious of the fox.

In any case, Viscount Diaclen certainly drew attention. If there were no particular problems, the nobles who wanted to put their feet into this business presentation would move on their own.

If so…

Looking at the reactions of the people surrounding Viscount Diaclen, a possibility came to mind.

Class was an absolute criterion in the social world, but sometimes it went beyond it.

A wizard with great talent.

And when it created great wealth, it would bear a position and influence beyond its status.

As a result, one could later obtain the title he or she wanted accordingly.

At this rate, it seemed highly likely that Viscount Diaclen would move in this trajectory.

‘What do you really want?’

‘I guess I’ll have to check it out.’

Eristella briefly noted that Viscount Diaclen greeted a couple of people before exiting the banquet hall.

‘I’ll look around and come back.’

Eristella hurriedly gave a signal to Heinricion.

“Don’t go too far.”

Heinricion requested. Eristella nodded and darted toward the entrance.

‘I must check where and what Viscount Diaclen is doing.’

*******

It was when Eristella was pursuing Viscount Diaclen.

In an instant, he disappeared.

‘Where did he go?’

She scanned the surroundings, looking for the viscount.

“You keep chasing me.”

Suddenly, he appeared from behind.

As he looked at the fox, one corner of his mouth was raised into a meaningful grin.

Eristella and Viscount Diaclen faced each other.

“As expected, you are not an ordinary fox.”

And discerned each other’s identities.

He was sure he knew the fox was Eristella.

‘Indeed, what I felt last time wasn’t an illusion.’

Eristella was convinced.

Viscount Diaclen was Declen. And he knew that the fox was Eristella.

They didn’t say it out of their mouths, but their eyes were full of conviction. That the other was aware.

“It’s been a while.”

Viscount Diaclen greeted Eristella first.

“I did think that day would not be the end.”

It was like he had been waiting, wondering when and in what form she would appear.

“But I didn’t expect you would continue to live in the form of a fox.”

It was when Diaclen, no Declen, reached out to pet her.

Eristella freaked out and avoided it. ‘Where do you think you’re putting that hand?!’

She bared her teeth and strongly indicated her displeasure, and Declen held up both of his hands as if to tell her to calm down.

“All right. I won’t touch you.”

Declen was relaxed.

‘Ugh, it’s because I look like this right now.’

Even so, Eristella couldn’t back down or run away.

Unwilling to lose, she glared at Declen.

But how the hell did he change his face or voice?

That was a question that was still unanswered.

“Are you curious about this face?”

He brought it up first, as if he had read Eristella’s mind.

Knowing that he now had the advantage, he deliberately asked.

“I will give you a special notice.”

Abruptly, he started using black magic.

‘It was a trap.’

In this condition, Eristella wouldn’t be able to do anything against Declen.

Still, she urgently tried to defend.

‘Huh…? What?’

He didn’t attack. Instead, his appearance changed.

To the Declen that Eristella was looking for.

“They are both me. I didn’t use magic specifically to change my appearance. It just changes naturally when I use magic.”

‘…….’

“They are both the real me.”

Eristella had thought that either one of them was a disguise or something else.

But it wasn’t.

When he didn’t use black magic at all, he was Viscount Diaclen, and when he used black magic, he became Declen.

Could one’s appearance change depending on the presence or absence of magic?

“As for the question of how that could even happen, solve it yourself.”

Once again, it was as if he knew her question even before she voiced it. He even left homework.

“If it’s Your Highness the Princess, I’m sure you’ll be able to find out.”

This scratched Eristella’s nerves.

Ame: I’m worried about the necklace…