Chapter 1: Chaos in Parliament

"No, this cannot be allowed!"

"The magical tools of the Magic Tower cannot be commercialized and treated as if some sort of cheap commodity on the market! To do so is to disrespect the entire culture, history and precious efforts of the Magic Tower!

"I strongly oppose this motion!"

"I strongly oppose this motion as well!"

"She cannot be allowed to blemish the work of our lifetime and make it into a tool of her treacherous business!"

The bellows of the old men faded after the heavy doors slammed shut, and a woman with her face half-covered by a silver mask opened her grey fan with a flourish as she made her way out of the chaotic chambers, her nonchalance entirely dismissing the panic she left behind.

Behind her, her faithful servant Elizabeth and her guard Peter quietly trailed like a second shadow. There was another tail, however.

"Why, was that what you expected when you went into Parliament today, Lady Merveille?"

"If I told you yes, would you believe it?"

"If its Lady Merveille, who wouldn't?"

The man winked at her as he walked confidently beside her without a care. His silver hair was stylishly set, and his purple eyes flickered with mischief, in stark contrast to the solemn state attire he wore.

"Your Highness…" Libitina paused in her footsteps. "As the Second Prince, shouldn't you hold yourself with more decorum?" She narrowed her large eyes as her fan covered half of her face, but the cold expression did not change. "If I hadn't known better, I would have thought you were flirting with me."

"If I hadn't known better, I would have thought you were an innocent, nice, gentle woman, Lady Merveille," the second prince Sydney smiled bitterly. Libitina twitched her lips, although only her crescent eyes could be seen.

"The research and utilisation of magic and its tools have always been reserved for the upper class," she turned away from Sydney and started to walk. "With the commercialisation of magic tools, the common people will have access to them too, and their money will further aid its development. Isn't this a two-side win? I don't know what those sods are angry about."

"Well, commodification normally leads to exploitation and therefore there is potential to besmirch all the good things about magic tools. Many conservatives see it that culture is destroyed once it is affiliated with money," the prince placed his hands behind his back and chuckled.

"I disagree," Libitina replied. "As long as the value of magical tools is accurately reflected by the dollar, its intrinsic value will not be destroyed. More importantly, the Magic Tower lacks fund; this is a fact that cannot be disputed. The active trading of Magical Tools is a step that cannot be avoided, and we might as well take advantage of it and push it forward. With the Merveilles in charge, at least we have a chance to establish the ethics of the entire trade process and set a precedence of dealership principles for other merchants."

The second prince shrugged. "Everyone knows that although the Merveilles are the leader of this commodification process, you are actually the one in charge as a test from him. You've barely been in high society for two years. Don't you think that's too little for assurance?"

Libitina rolled her eyes subtly and snapped her fan shut. It was true, but she was impatient. Coming to Parliament to witness the passing of the bill was enough of a waste of time.

"Well, stop following me now, I've got somewhere to go."

"Were we not supposed to discuss our next strategy from here on?"

"Meet me at the Merveille's mansion an hour later, I'll send a Melody to prepare some refreshments for you."

"Ah, the Merveille's refreshments are still the best in the capital," Sydney's eyes lit up in excitement. He took a step closer to Libitina, his face just one finger length apart. Looking down at her, he laughed softly, "Cold as ever, Lady Merveille. Don't keep me waiting for too long."

Libitina used her fan to smack his shoulder. Although it was a light hit, the sharp noise still echoed through the empty corridors. The stoic-faced guard Peter stifled his laugh.

"Lina!" Sydney looked at her with exaggerated hurt. "How could you, after all we've been through?"

"Begone! Your audience has been satiated,"Libitina dismissed his act expressionlessly. From the corner of her eyes, she saw two young ladies crying behind a tree in the garden. This stupid prince has taken her as a substitute again.

As she sent the food-loving Second Prince off, Libitina and her servants set off in her carriage to a darker part of the capital. By the time they got off the carriage, no one would have noticed how her carriage had transformed from a prestigious Merville-insignia one to a dirty wooden one, forgettable and common.

Libitina, Elizabeth and Peter had also donned on darker attires suitable for incognito. Libitina exchanged her silver mask for a black mask that covered the top half of her face, throwing the latter into her space ring.

"Well then, let's go. To the Chastire Museum."