Chapter 16: The Ability That Didn’t End Where It Seemed (4)

“Y-You’re asking me to make such an undeserved choice. How could I possibly take on such a heavy responsibility?”

Everyone knew that Prince Raion was the legitimate son of King Laskan’s beloved queen.

Naturally, if a wizard without notable skill were to become the prince’s tutor, there would be endless gossip.

Worse yet, it could even endanger his life.

Of course, Patrick roughly understood what was going through his mind.

“His Highness has chosen you. Therefore, you must also make your choice. Will you walk a different path than now, or will you continue to bury yourself in magic books here? Ah! I forgot to mention one condition. You’ll be paid fifty gold per month.”

Fifty gold was nearly two and a half times Caldein’s current salary.

Since the Phalon Continent was also divided into twelve months like Earth, that meant a tremendous sum of six hundred gold a year.

Caldein had never once received such an amount as salary in his entire life.

“F-Fifty gold?”

“In exchange, you’ll reside in Taron’s Palace. And aside from lesson hours, you’re free to pursue any kind of research or activity you desire. Especially if it’s magic-related, His Highness will provide full support.”

It was an incredibly generous offer—one any wizard would dream of.

Caldein’s jaw dropped open in astonishment.

“If the terms don’t suit you, we’re willing to discuss adjustments. What do you say?”

Faced with Patrick’s earnest proposal, Caldein hesitated.

At that moment, Haren, who had quietly been listening beside them, cut in.

“Is there another spot open? I’d love to go too. If Caldein doesn’t want to go, I could take his place.”

“Captain!”

Startled, Caldein shouted toward her.

Haren patted him lightly on the shoulder.

“Do you think opportunities like this come often? When one appears, you grab it—no matter what it is!”

“B-But…”

As a wizard, Caldein had lived a lowly life.

He was uncertain whether someone like him even deserved such an offer.

At that, Patrick played his final card.

“This might be your last chance. If you truly don’t wish it, I’ll return now.”

Patrick made to stand.

At that moment, Caldein shouted, his mind made up.

“I’ll do it! I accept the offer!”

A faint smile appeared on Patrick’s lips as he slightly turned his head.

But once he turned completely, his face had returned to its calm, solemn expression.

“You’ve made a wise choice. Then, be prepared. The royal decision will be finalized today. I’ll take my leave now.”

After bowing, Patrick exited the room.

Even after that, Caldein still wore a dazed expression, unable to believe what had just happened to him.

He still couldn’t quite grasp that such an opportunity had truly come his way.

Meanwhile, Patrick, having left the 13th Mage Division, did not head outside but instead toward the main palace.

Passing through the gates guarded by royal knights, he requested an audience with King Laskan through the royal steward.

Naturally, since the king was well acquainted with Patrick, who had once served as Sierra’s butler, he gladly granted the audience.

“Butler Patrick, paying my respects before His Majesty the King.”

As Patrick bowed upon entering the office, King Laskan rose from his seat to greet him.

“It’s been quite some time. Why have you kept your distance for so long, only to visit me now?”

Before the late First Queen Sierra’s death, Patrick had occasionally served and conversed with King Laskan as well.

Because of that, the two shared a close bond.

However, after Sierra’s passing, their relationship inevitably grew distant.

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

“More than that—what brings you here now? Has something happened to Raion?”

Worry flickered briefly across the king’s expression.

“No, Your Majesty. I’ve come regarding His Highness’s affairs, to make a humble request.”

“A request to me? Very well, let’s hear it. Sit down for now.”

“I could not dare sit before Your Majesty.”

Patrick was neither a noble nor a royal.

Merely standing face to face like this already pushed the boundaries of formality.

“Ah, how unfortunate. You and I needn’t stand on such stiff ceremony.”

To King Laskan, Patrick was the only person he could truly open up to.

Of course, there was also his father-in-law, Duke Saliann Arenvatz, but since Sierra’s death, the duke had left for the borderlands to oversee the frontier.

“Then, with your permission, I shall take a seat.”

At last, Patrick sat facing King Laskan.

“Good. Now speak. What request about Raion brought you here personally?”

“It is as follows. His Highness wishes to learn about magic. Thus, I humbly ask Your Majesty to permit me to bring a royal mage to serve as his instructor—similar to a swordsmanship tutor.”

At that explanation, King Laskan tilted his head slightly.

“Raion… wishes to learn magic?”

When Raion was young, he had been determined to have no aptitude for magic. Since then, he had never studied it at all.

Naturally, his sudden desire to learn magic was peculiar.

“Is there any particular reason for this?”

“It is nothing extraordinary. Rather than learning spellcraft itself, he seems simply eager to study the principles of magic. I believe his recent sword training has sparked his thirst for learning.”

Hearing Patrick’s detailed explanation, King Laskan nodded slowly.

“Hmm… There’s nothing wrong with learning, I suppose. In that case, should I have someone sent from the Royal Mages or the 1st Mage Division?”

King Laskan wanted to assign the very best teacher to Raion.

However, that wasn’t what Raion intended.

Of course, Patrick had already anticipated this situation.

“It’s not that His Highness wishes to learn magic itself, so there’s no need for high-ranking personnel. Rather… wouldn’t it be better to choose someone with deep knowledge of magical theory?”

“Like with his sword instructor—do you already have someone in mind?”

“Rather than a specific preference, I believe Caldein Flavan, a wizard from the 13th Mage Division—the department responsible for preserving magical knowledge—would be most suitable.”

When Patrick even specified the affiliation and name, King Laskan understood exactly what he meant.

“Very well. Let it be done. I’ll instruct the secretary to issue the order.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Patrick bowed deeply, grateful for the king’s prompt decision.

“As a father, I’ve done little for my son. I can only entrust Raion to your continued care.”

“You need not worry about that, Your Majesty. Ah, there is one more thing I failed to mention.”

“What is it?”

“If possible, might you ask those outside to step back for a moment?”

“So be it.”

King Laskan immediately called for his attendants and ordered everyone nearby to withdraw.

Once the room had quieted, Patrick spoke, his tone grave.

“Your Majesty, are you aware of the peculiar cooking recipes that have been spreading through the royal city lately?”

At that, King Laskan’s eyes widened.

“So you’ve heard of them as well? Have you tasted a dish made with those recipes? It was astonishing! I almost regretted all the food I’ve eaten before.”

Like a man who had been enlightened to the truth of flavor, King Laskan couldn’t stop talking.

“It’s truly incredible. Even when ordinary chefs cook with those recipes, the dishes are marvelous—but to think of the person who actually created them! I’d give anything to taste food prepared by that very hand.”

“Hahaha… It seems Your Majesty has fallen quite deeply for them.”

“But of course!”

Patrick pondered carefully how to steer the conversation, overwhelmed by the king’s immense enthusiasm.

“Ahem… The truth is, Your Majesty, I was the one who released those recipes to the public.”

“What? You created them? How could that be? I wasn’t even aware you could cook!”

As the royal butler, Patrick’s duties rarely took him into the kitchen—save for when he supervised the serving of meals.

Most butlers only knew culinary theory, not practical cooking.

“Before I entered the Arenvatz household, I spent several years traveling across various countries. I picked up some skills along the way. This time, since only a small staff accompanied us to Taron’s Palace, I ended up handling the cooking myself.”

“Then why hide such talent until now? If I’d known earlier, I could’ve tasted it long before this!”

King Laskan sighed in regret, and Patrick bowed his head even lower.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. But I could not interfere in the palace’s cuisine without overstepping my bounds, so I kept quiet.”

“Then tell me—why reveal it now through the trading company?”

Of course, everything Patrick had said so far was a lie.

It was Raion who had created the recipes, but since such a claim would be unbelievable, Patrick intended to serve as his shield.

“It was for the people, Your Majesty. If I had sent the recipes straight to the palace, the common folk would’ve lost any chance to learn them. I wanted to ensure everyone could benefit, and that led us here.”

“Hmm…”

The matter was indeed serious.

King Laskan pondered how best to respond.

At that, Patrick rose from the sofa and knelt before him.

“If this act deserves punishment, I will accept it in whatever form Your Majesty deems fit.”

As the tension in the room deepened, the king furrowed his brow slightly.

“Patrick.”

“Please speak, Your Majesty. I’ll stake my life on your command.”

“Do you truly not know what I think of you? Do you believe I cannot understand the heart behind your actions?”

“Then…”

Patrick slowly lifted his head and met King Laskan’s gaze.

“You did it for the people, didn’t you? And nothing wrong has come of it—if anything, it’s been a success. Then I should reward you, not punish you.”

Of course, that wasn’t the outcome Patrick wanted.

If this matter reached Queen Elina or Duke Alito, Raion could end up suffering because of it.

“I do not desire a reward, Your Majesty. Instead, I humbly ask that the investigation into the recipes be concluded and that you suppress the truth that I was the one who made them.”

“You mean to hide such a great achievement yourself?”

Startled, King Laskan asked, and Patrick nodded respectfully before continuing.

“I believe there’s no need for it to be revealed. Besides, I intend to continue serving Prince Raion for the rest of my life.”

“You’re as stubborn as ever. Very well. I’ll order the secretary to close the matter.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I shall continue to serve the Canel Kingdom with utmost loyalty.”

“My thanks, Patrick. But to think we’ve spoken so long and not even shared a cup of tea—how about one now?”

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