Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 145: The Illusion of Comfort and Peace

Hekate watches Doephluev as the archoneldwyn 'maid' tidies up Daniel's stateroom. She doesn't ask questions about what she finds, since at least some of the mess is because of her. She simply keeps herself busy with doing seemingly-simple servant work, even though she is overt about her schemes to become Daniel's first and favorite Empress.

Given the recent events, Hekate is unsure how everything is going to play out. If he marries Ryuogriar and the others, will Hekate still be the 'First Empress'? He has been adamant that she'll remain the Empress for as long as she lives, more than how Daniel is 'the Emperor'. For now, she'll play along with his rules about age, but she wishes she could grow older more quickly.

And, ironically enough, Doephluev is also the person who can help her.

It irritates the little fox-eared feldrok girl, since Doephluev has become one of her most combative rivals. It's even strange that both of them have stayed behind, since Doephluev has followed Daniel on multiple occasions.

It's suspicious, and the human mechanic entrusted Hekate with finding anyone suspicious and reporting to him.

Sure, some small part of Hekate takes joy in the fact that the most suspicious person in the Fievegal is Doephluev, since it means there is some possibility of her being banished by Daniel, but Hekate has to be smart about it. If it backfires, he could end up trusting the archoneldwyn seductress even more than he does already.

After folding the blankets and placing them neatly on Daniel's bed, Doephluev finally sighs. "Can I help you, your Greatness?"

Hekate flinches, certain that she had only cracked the door a tiny bit. Even if her quarry was aware that she is being watched, it should be extremely difficult to tell who is on the other side of the door.

Doephluev faces the door with her hands folded professionally in front of her like a true maid. "I know it's you, Hekate. You were growling quietly."

The young feldrok gasps as she recoils from the door. She whines impotently, and the door opens to reveal the archoneldwyn former-assassin. "You've been watching me all morning." She grins deviously, taunting Hekate with her mature wiles. "Have you found my schemes to take over the Fievegal through Daniel?" She snickers mockingly. "My scheme is right here," retorts the archoneldwyn as she pats her belly. She isn't noticeably pregnant yet, but she's starting to look a little more rounded than one would associate with a lithe and nimble assassin.

Hekate stammers, "N-N-No, I... I was just..."

Doephluev stalks closer, pinning Hekate to the wall. The young feldrok could easily overpower the Archoneldwyn right now, since her magic is sealed. Or... it should be. Even still, Hekate has absorbed a lot of mana from both Lugrae and the Devourer. Senn has remarked that she may be the most powerful being in the world, other than a god or goddess from the Divine Realm.

Doephluev uses her free hand to cup Hekate's chin, and for some reason, it all makes the young fox-eared girl's heart race. The archoneldwyn asks, "If you aren't spying on me, then what is it?"

"I... I... I wanted to ask for your help with something."

This surprises Doephluev, and she takes a step back. "My help? Seriously?"

Hekate nods sheepishly. "Y-Yes. There's a spell I want to learn, and... I think you're the only one who will teach it to me."

"Mmm... Going to finally eliminate the rest of your competition? I understand." She nods confidently, certain of Hekate's goal.

"N-No! Not that! I... I want to be able to use illusion spells."

Doephluev cocks her head. "Really?"

The ravenette bobs her head to confirm. She is embarrassed to ask it, but Doephluev is surprisingly discreet, considering her goal to undermine all of Daniel's other companions to raise her own consort rank.