Ethelbert’s teleportation magic would ensure that they arrive at the scene of the fire in a flash. However, it wasn’t the kind of magic that could be used for minor inconveniences. The formula behind teleportation magic, or even information about those who could use it was state secrets.

…Ethelbert had easily revealed it to Charlotte, though.

“It’s a bit far, so a carriage will take time. Traveling by horseback would be better.”

As they left the mansion, George, who had begun making the preparations and was leading the horses out, made the suggestion. Although it was something she had expected, Charlotte held back the bitter expression that was about to appear.

The royal guards who were accompanying them as escorts quickly readied their horses.

Watching this, Ethelbert, who was pulling the reins of his own black horse, seemed to notice that Charlotte was acting differently than usual. He tilted his head.

“What’s wrong?”

“…I can’t ride a horse.”

When she told him that, Ethelbert’s eye widened in surprise.

Was he disappointed? How could the crown princess be incapable of riding a horse?

As Charlotte lowered her gaze in shame, Ethelbert stopped in front of her.

“I see. Then ride with me.”

She raised her head at the gentle voice. From the top of the horse, Ethelbert held out his hand. There wasn’t the slightest hint of condescension in his expression.

Previously, Charlotte had intended to ride with one of the Royal Guards. She stared at him, perplexed at his offer, before timidly placing her hand on his.

“Are you disappointed?”

“Huh? Not at all.”

After hoisting Charlotte up and placing her in front, Ethelbert drew his lips closer to her ear from behind.

“If anything, it’s a benefit to this request. I’m content.”

He whispered so close to her, Charlotte’s heart beat rapidly. Feeling an indescribable tickle, Charlotte shrugged her shoulders. Suddenly, Ethelbert laughed softly.

…Was it a joke to uplift Charlotte’s mood, perhaps? He also seemed to simply be teasing her for his own amusement.

This Imperial Brother is simply no good.

“You’re acting inappropriately, Your Highness.”

“I have no excuses.”

After being warned by his attendant, Ethelbert withdrew. However, the fact remained that he was sitting right behind her. She could feel his warmth against her back.

Since Charlotte had almost no experience riding with another, she felt uneasy. Nevertheless, it was different from feeling uncomfortable due to being in an unfamiliar situation.

“My horse is large and strong. Leave it to me.”

Ethelbert seemed to have brought his beloved horse from the empire. When they both rode the carriage from the royal capital to the earldom, Brandon rode that black horse. Also, the black horse seemed to sport a haughty and smug expression, one which stood out to her…

Meanwhile, Brandon was now riding the earl’s horse, entrusted with it by George. He communicated with it by stroking its neck.

“Honestly, it’d be safer to place you behind me so that you could hold on to me, but it’s more shaky that way. You wouldn’t have to worry about falling off, though. I’d secure you with magic.”

“Yes…”

Ethelbert’s gentle voice reached her ears along with his breathing. At that distance, she could feel his breathing, and the awkward tension wouldn’t go away.

Heat spread throughout her entire body.

While George led the way to the scene, a building that onlookers were watching from a distance came into view. It had been engulfed in red flame, and black smoke was rising into the sky.

In addition to the knights of the earl’s family and those who seemed to be from the trading company, the residents were also helping. They filled buckets with water to extinguish the fire, but it was to no avail due to the intensity of the flames. At this rate, it’d never be put out.

“How is the evacuation?”

“We’ve confirmed that all five full-time employees have escaped.”

George confirmed about the evacuation with a knight. Meanwhile, Charlotte dismounted from the horse with Ethelbert’s help. She paid attention to what they were saying.

Since the building was being used as a warehouse, it seemed that there hadn’t been many people stationed there.

“Then we’ll just put out the fire.”

Ethelbert took a few steps forward.

“Princess Charlotte. This is an emergency. Please grant me permission to use magic.”

“You may proceed.”

After getting permission, Ethelbert snapped his fingers.

A gentle breeze blew, one that eventually growing stronger, causing both Ethelbert’s hair and clothes to flap. A faintly glowing magic circle appeared, and something akin to rain clouds began to gather above the company building. Soon, droplets of water fell one after another, as if it were real rain.

Then, through the open door of the building, Ethelbert unleashed newly created water into the building.

The flames disappeared, and cheers of “Whoaaa!” rose from the onlookers.

“It’s magic…”

“Amazing.”

“Is that person… the brother of the emperor of the neighboring country?!”

“Isn’t he a foreign student at the academy in the royal capital?!”

After Ethelbert made an elegant display of extinguishing the fire, the onlookers began to focus on him. The fact that a fire had even happened was forgotten as soon as they discovered his true identity.

“Sir George.”

“Y-yes.”

George tensed up when Ethelbert called his name.

“We’ll investigate the inside of the building. The ceiling could collapse along with other things, so we’ll protect ourselves with magic. I, Princess Charlotte, my servant, and a few knights will enter. I’m sorry, but I’d like everyone from the earl’s family and the company, including Sir George, to wait outside.”

“Understood.”

George had no right to refuse there.

If the fire had been man-made, the people from the company would be the prime suspects. After all, they could come and go freely as they pleased. Moreover, the possibility remained that no one would try to destroy any evidence if they went back inside.

“Princess Charlotte, may I put up a barrier around the building so that it’ll be safe even if the building collapses and falls on us?”

“…You don’t have to ask me for permission to use magic every time during this investigation. Feel free to use it if you deem it necessary. Sir Brandon, too.”

“Really? What a shame. I’d have more opprtunities to speak to you that way.”

Ethelbert was hard to read, he remained nonchalant even at times like this.

Taking a few knights with him, they made their way through the building. Since the footing was shaky, they had to rely on the barrier Ethelbert had conjured. Even there, Ethelbert was still as considerate as ever. He took Charlotte’s hand and guided her.

Among the scorched remains inside the building, they came across the remains of a wooden box. It appeared to be the source of the fire, as something was buried inside.

“This is a magic tool.”

“Yes, it is.”

Ethelbert and Brandon seemed to sense a reaction that Charlotte couldn’t grasp.

When Ethelbert used magic, something emerged from the rubble. It floated in the air and slowly moved in front of Ethelbert.

Despite being covered with soot, they recognized it to be the same magic weapon as before.

“This is the sword, right?”

“Yes.”

At the source of the fire was a magic weapon—contraband.

“Was the fire a coincidence?”

“I cannot say. Illegal magic weapons are generally poorly made. Ignition due to a defect isn’t impossible…”

Was the fire itself an accident or a crime? A detailed investigation was needed to determine that.

“I wonder if they’re trying to get rid of evidence…”

“That’s possible. Perhaps they learned that I was cooperating with the investigation, and feared that the evidence would be discovered right away.”

Ethelbert agreed with Charlotte’s muttering.

“If that’s the case, that’s pretty pathetic.”

Indeed.

After all, the magic weapon itself was still intact. In other words, the evidence hadn’t been destroyed. It was unclear at this stage whether there were any other reasons.

“Now that we’ve found a magic tool, let’s conduct a thorough search of the buildings owned by the Elms Company, along with places that have business ties with it.”

Once they were outside the building, George asked, “How was it?” to which Brandon began to explain.

“We found an illegal magic tool inside. The fire appears to have started in the wooden box it was in.”

“!”

“Is this warehouse usually managed only by the staff?”

“…Well, yes, but I give the orders.”

The building seemed to be under George’s name.

Charlotte gave the knights the necessary instructions and turned to George.

“The Elms family and the members of the company are important witnesses. Please refrain from acting on your own.”

“…I understand.”

George couldn’t hide his agitation, but he tried to act strong. He was willing to cooperate.

“For now, follow our knight—”

“Your Highness the Crown Princess!”

She heard the faint sound of a horse galloping, and then a knight on horseback appeared. It was a knight who was supposed to be watching Malcolm with Quentin at the earl’s mansion. Blood was running down his arm.

“Her Highness the Second Princess!”

An emergency had occurred.

---

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***T/N: Gahahaha, OMG i feel like just by having Ethelbert around, 75% of the crime committed using magic tool in this country would be solved.

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