Releasing the curse

Because witches have long been extinct, books related to them are hard to be found.

Elroy had tried to look for something related to the curse at the castle's library he was guarding. There wasn't anything significant there. Elroy also did not find anything in his family's estate library.

If it's like this, the only way is to go to the Palace library or the Main Church library, thought Elroy.

Suddenly Elroy regretted not having taken the Knights Examination like his father had ordered him to do.

"Hey, it's your turn to go shopping today, right? Hurry and get ready!" said Ferdinand, who suddenly appeared and disturbed Elroy.

Elroy gave his friend an annoyed look. "You go instead of me," he said.

"What?" asked Ferdinand in disbelief. "I know you've been stuck in this cold library for a few days while there was time, but to think you'd miss today!"

"So what today?"

"Friend, the sun has shown its rays. The snow is starting to melt. Do you want to miss the first rays of the winter sun?" Ferdinand chuckled. "It's because you've been sitting here too long. What are you looking for, anyway?"

Elroy quickly closed his book. "It is nothing. Go there already, after this I'll be out."

"You are very suspicious," said Ferdinand. "When you return from the market, don't forget to check your surroundings, ok! The wild animals should have calmed down."

"Yes, yes. I know."

It turned out that what Ferdinand said was true. That day the sun looked bright enough for winter. The gray clouds in the sky were only visible thinly. The snow was still piling up, but it wasn't thick anymore.

Elroy and his friends were walking on the road wet with melted snow. There were two minor accidents due to the narrow streets, but Elroy dealt with them quickly. The rest, the situation outside is under control.

"Last year went smoothly!"

"There is still a great deal of work to be faced. Let's hope this year will be just as smooth as last year."

"Yes! Wow, I can't wait for Her Highness' debutante! What kind of dress do you think Her Ladyship should wear? Who is she going to dance with?!"

"Why are you even excited like this?"

Elroy heard a familiar voice. Turning around, it was the voice of Mariette's lady-in-waiting.

Looks like they're shopping too, Elroy thought as he watched them.

Princess Debutante. She would turn 17 this year, so it was only natural for the Palace to have her debutante. Elroy had heard that some of the other noble daughters would also have their debutante at the Palace. Of course, the main star is the Princess, Louisa.

Also Prince Louie.

"Those twins have grown up," Elroy muttered.

Soon the news about Princess Louisa's debutante will definitely become a hot topic in the kingdom. People will be busy guessing and fighting to be the Princess' first dance partner.

Elroy himself was not interested. The Princess was too young for him–their age gap was 10 years. Rather than dancing with the Princess, Elroy was more interested in dancing with Mariette.

No. Wait a minute…

"My Goodness! What was I thinking just now?!" Elroy cursed to himself.

Dancing with a woman… And that woman is practically his own neighbor.

Elroy really couldn't imagine it.

***

"You've come at the right time," said Ferdinand when Elroy returned from the market. "But... first, may I know why your face is like that?"

"Like that" Ferdinand meant that Elroy's face was red and messy. Imagining himself dancing with Mariette, Elroy rubbed his face hoping the image would disappear. He also couldn't focus on the road, so he hit something in front of him several times.

In short, Elroy's face was battered now.

"Don't mind me," said Elroy. "Just tell me what happened."

Ferdinand waved a letter in front of his face with a grin on his lips. Elroy knew why: the letter was stamped by the Palace.

Elroy read it carefully. It has his name and Ferdinand's name on it, as well as all their achievements. This was followed by a request that Elroy and Ferdinand be willing to become temporary tutors for His Royal Highness Prince Louie. If their work is deemed good, it is not impossible they will get a promotion.

It took time for Elroy to understand it.

He was asked to come to be the Prince's tutor!

"Isn't this a great opportunity?" said Ferdinand. "Get out and see the world, buddy. With your skills and family name, you should be Prince Louie's personal knight!"

"Yeah…" Elroy muttered under his breath.

But his thoughts were not at all in line with Ferdinand's.

If he was invited by the Palace, he could go to its library and learn about Mariette's curse!

More than that, Elroy could meet Mariette more often on this occasion.

"Is this what they called fate?"

"No, this is called parental prayer. You don't know how the Marquess and Lady Gauthier pestered me about you seem to have no ambition in life," said Ferdinand.

Elroy laughed. "They like that to you? Whoa, sorry, buddy."

"You dare to laugh?! Even though I had enough to hear my parents babble. Why do I have to listen to your parents babbling too?!"

"Because you're my best friend." Elroy grinned broadly. "That's enough. Let's start making notes and delegating tasks. We'll leave and never know when we'll be back, right?"

"Yes, yes. Ready, chief."

The beginning of this year will be a busy one. It is possible that even as the Prince's tutor, Elroy will also be busy. But, well, he would definitely find time to infiltrate the library and look up a lot of information there, right?

After all, the Palace was the residence of the late Queen. Besides the book's information, Elroy could find information from something else. That way, the possibility of releasing the curse on Mariette will be even more significant, right?

Haha, I sound too meddlesome, thought Elroy with a faint smile. He looked out one of the windows in his room.

Elroy couldn't let someone never smile in their life.