Even as she fled from Landhill, Ines had asked her father for a favor.
It was to establish the Mondrae Bank in the Isles.
Not long ago, she learned that a four-story building in the center of the largest market in the Isles had been purchased under the name of the Swenden family. Her father could not turn down the request of his daughter who had disobeyed orders and fled to the capital.
Charlotte nodded immediately, but Casey's face was filled with doubt.
"Ines, what is your relationship with the Mondrae Bank? Can I ask what this is for?"
Casey's question was natural. The bond with Charlotte had been built over a long period, but it had not yet been with Casey.
Most people would react the same way as Casey in the future. So Casey was just one of many people Ines had to persuade.
"It's hard to give you a detailed explanation right now. The Mondrae Bank will be established in the Isles soon. This is all I can say now, but I can tell you this one thing. All of this is for the Empire.”
“For... the Empire?”
The current Empire’s economy was in a state of collapse. Furthermore, due to Ines’s intervention, the timing of everything happening in the Empire was slightly brought forward.
So a big wind would blow through this country soon. Whether it would be a headwind or a tailwind would depend on how they prepared for it.
“I’m sure. And the foundation...”
“The foundation?”
Ines closed her eyes for a moment and thought. Carson could not build a proper foundation unless the world turned upside down. Casey waited for Ines’ answer in silence.
“Excuse me, Ines?”
At that moment, Charlotte called out to Ines softly.
“Huh?”
Ines opened her eyes and soon smiled affectionately.
“Are you saying that my going to the market to buy fruit with banknotes could be for the Empire?”
Ines nodded, still smiling.
“If it’s not used properly, it’s better to make it usable in as many places as possible?”
“That’s right.”
“I’ll do my best to help you. I don’t have much to do right now anyway.”
Ines nodded and looked at Casey. However, her face wasn’t as bright as Charlotte’s.
“Ines.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’m not sure how much of a ripple effect what I’m going to say now will have.”
Casey took a deep breath as if she was out of breath, and then slowly let it out.
“Maybe... You want to become the mistress of the palace where I’m staying?”
It had been quite some time since Casey had become a maid in the palace. Moreover, she had become the Crown Princess’s closest maid at a relatively young age.
She had heard that her younger sister, who was currently studying at the academy, was older than Ines.
Based on that, Casey was probably at least five years older than Ines. So it wasn’t hard for her, who had so much experience, to predict what kind of results the palace would lead to, even if she didn’t know about other places.
“That’s right.”
Ines answered without hesitation. For a moment, a tense silence flowed in the living room. Charlotte, who belatedly understood the words, opened her mouth wide.
“So, Charlotte and Casey.”
Unlike the two women whose pupils were shaking like boiling water, Ines’ eyes showed no fear at all.
“Would you like to come aboard my boat?”
“...”
“Sometimes, huge waves will come crashing down. You may hit an unexpected reef. On some days, the sun will be so hot that your throat will burn.”
Ines felt something like camaraderie for Charlotte and Casey.
No, it could have been even more trustworthy. The word camaraderie was too light for those who had been through hell together.
The three of them had spent a very long time together in Romfield.
In the time they could not remember, Ines had confirmed and reconfirmed Charlotte and Casey’s strength.
The two women endured life in Romfield, where everyone was going crazy or avoiding it with death. While maintaining a thin sense of humanity.
“But when you reach your destination, you will gain what no one has ever tasted.”
If she had not been confident in the two, she would not have brought up the story of Mondrae.
“Yes.”
The answer came first from Casey.
“I heard that if I hadn’t met you, my family would have fallen and I would have gone to Romfield.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened at those words. The words of a woman who had experienced the same thing as her flew straight into Charlotte’s heart.
“But you sent me to the Empress’s Palace, not Romfield. What else can you call that if not fate?”
Charlotte nodded without realizing it. To Charlotte, Ines was like fate. Ines looked back and forth between the two.
“Thank you, Casey. Thank you, Charlotte.”
Casey held out her hand just like she did at Romfield. At that time, Casey’s fingers had been frostbitten, leaving her with only eight.
Even with those hands, she held Ines’ and Charlotte’s hands. She rubbed the back of Ines’ hands with her rough palms, telling them not to lose their fingers.
However, the intact hand she was holding was overflowing with warmth. She still had strength left.
It was Ines’ first step toward the Emperor.
The very next day, Ines was able to meet Casey’s younger brother, Christian Orlando. She had already finished researching her younger brother.
He was studying economics and history at Pentium Academy in the capital.
He had similar features to Casey, but he felt completely different. His hair was the same color as hers, but his eyes were green like Ines’s. The slightly lighter green made him look younger than his age.
“So you’re offering me the position of chief aide to Lord Mondrae?”
“Yes. You're still studying, but I heard you’ll be finishing your studies soon.”
Pentium was undeniably the best educational institution in the empire.
It wasn’t common for the second son of the Landhill family to study abroad at the capital academy. After completing a total of ten years of regular education, only the most outstanding students could enter Pentium.
This was the reason why Casey’s father couldn’t give up his second son’s studies despite the family’s difficult financial situation.
So Casey didn’t resent his father for passing on his brother’s education expenses to her and instead supported him.
Noah Timothy was a graduate of this academy.
“There are still three years left, but it certainly is a good opportunity.”
If you were studying economics, you would have heard of Mondrae. Unless you became an imperial aide like Noah Timothy, it was not easy to make a name for yourself in a feudal society.
“I heard that most people gain practical experience during this period.”
“That is true.”
“Lord Mondrae is in Landhill, so it is difficult for him to act directly in the capital. So you can talk to me about everything. As you know, I am a woman and cannot directly intervene.”
“Is Lord Mondrae related to Viscount Swenden or rather the Count?”
“That could be considered.”
Ines needed a young economist from Landhill, and Christian was just the right person for her.
“Can I meet him in person?”
He asked, with pure academic curiosity. Ines examined him closely. He had been impeccable in the documents. And in person, he had been even more so.
His intelligent eyes, his lips full of kindness, and his pure enthusiasm were just like his older sister’s.
“Not right away, but you will be able to meet him soon. Young Master doesn’t have much to do. It won’t interfere with your studies.”
He nodded. There was no reason for him to refuse. Ines added.
“As you know, Lord Mondrae is a Baron from a commoner background. There are many burdensome aspects for him to participate in central politics.”
“That means...”
“You can think of the title of an aide as a position. Your actual job will be to represent him.”
“You mean to be his representative?”
“That’s right.”
Even after she had finished her sufficient explanation, Christian remained silent for a moment, lost in thought. Ines waited calmly for his answer. He, like Casey, seemed to be a very cautious person.
“Actually...”
He carefully opened his mouth.
“I thought there must be another reason why you asked to see me today.”
“If there is another reason...?”
“Our family sent a marriage proposal to your family. Did you know?”
Ines glanced at Casey. She simply shrugged. She remembered hearing a similar story in the dressing room the day they first met. She had an older brother, but he was already married and had a family. So Christian was the one who had proposed.
“Oh, yes. I knew.”
Even so, it was clearly a very awkward situation. Even if they had never met, she was the one who had rejected his proposal.
“I’m sorry about that...”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to apologize. I also only found out about the proposal after hearing your rejection. I just wanted to tell you that today’s meeting was quite unexpected.”
He glanced around the Imperial Palace reception room for a moment.
“The location is also unexpected.”
When he smiled faintly, it was only then that she realized that even his appearance resembled Casey’s. Ines’s face flushed slightly with awkwardness.
Ines tried to change the mood and extended her hand to Christian. He just stared blankly at the hand for a moment. It wasn’t common for a woman to ask for a handshake.
“It’s true that we’ve become an unexpected relationship. Then, can I ask you to take care of me from now on?”
It was to establish the Mondrae Bank in the Isles.
Not long ago, she learned that a four-story building in the center of the largest market in the Isles had been purchased under the name of the Swenden family. Her father could not turn down the request of his daughter who had disobeyed orders and fled to the capital.
Charlotte nodded immediately, but Casey's face was filled with doubt.
"Ines, what is your relationship with the Mondrae Bank? Can I ask what this is for?"
Casey's question was natural. The bond with Charlotte had been built over a long period, but it had not yet been with Casey.
Most people would react the same way as Casey in the future. So Casey was just one of many people Ines had to persuade.
"It's hard to give you a detailed explanation right now. The Mondrae Bank will be established in the Isles soon. This is all I can say now, but I can tell you this one thing. All of this is for the Empire.”
“For... the Empire?”
The current Empire’s economy was in a state of collapse. Furthermore, due to Ines’s intervention, the timing of everything happening in the Empire was slightly brought forward.
So a big wind would blow through this country soon. Whether it would be a headwind or a tailwind would depend on how they prepared for it.
“I’m sure. And the foundation...”
“The foundation?”
Ines closed her eyes for a moment and thought. Carson could not build a proper foundation unless the world turned upside down. Casey waited for Ines’ answer in silence.
“Excuse me, Ines?”
At that moment, Charlotte called out to Ines softly.
“Huh?”
Ines opened her eyes and soon smiled affectionately.
“Are you saying that my going to the market to buy fruit with banknotes could be for the Empire?”
Ines nodded, still smiling.
“If it’s not used properly, it’s better to make it usable in as many places as possible?”
“That’s right.”
“I’ll do my best to help you. I don’t have much to do right now anyway.”
Ines nodded and looked at Casey. However, her face wasn’t as bright as Charlotte’s.
“Ines.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’m not sure how much of a ripple effect what I’m going to say now will have.”
Casey took a deep breath as if she was out of breath, and then slowly let it out.
“Maybe... You want to become the mistress of the palace where I’m staying?”
It had been quite some time since Casey had become a maid in the palace. Moreover, she had become the Crown Princess’s closest maid at a relatively young age.
She had heard that her younger sister, who was currently studying at the academy, was older than Ines.
Based on that, Casey was probably at least five years older than Ines. So it wasn’t hard for her, who had so much experience, to predict what kind of results the palace would lead to, even if she didn’t know about other places.
“That’s right.”
Ines answered without hesitation. For a moment, a tense silence flowed in the living room. Charlotte, who belatedly understood the words, opened her mouth wide.
“So, Charlotte and Casey.”
Unlike the two women whose pupils were shaking like boiling water, Ines’ eyes showed no fear at all.
“Would you like to come aboard my boat?”
“...”
“Sometimes, huge waves will come crashing down. You may hit an unexpected reef. On some days, the sun will be so hot that your throat will burn.”
Ines felt something like camaraderie for Charlotte and Casey.
No, it could have been even more trustworthy. The word camaraderie was too light for those who had been through hell together.
The three of them had spent a very long time together in Romfield.
In the time they could not remember, Ines had confirmed and reconfirmed Charlotte and Casey’s strength.
The two women endured life in Romfield, where everyone was going crazy or avoiding it with death. While maintaining a thin sense of humanity.
“But when you reach your destination, you will gain what no one has ever tasted.”
If she had not been confident in the two, she would not have brought up the story of Mondrae.
“Yes.”
The answer came first from Casey.
“I heard that if I hadn’t met you, my family would have fallen and I would have gone to Romfield.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened at those words. The words of a woman who had experienced the same thing as her flew straight into Charlotte’s heart.
“But you sent me to the Empress’s Palace, not Romfield. What else can you call that if not fate?”
Charlotte nodded without realizing it. To Charlotte, Ines was like fate. Ines looked back and forth between the two.
“Thank you, Casey. Thank you, Charlotte.”
Casey held out her hand just like she did at Romfield. At that time, Casey’s fingers had been frostbitten, leaving her with only eight.
Even with those hands, she held Ines’ and Charlotte’s hands. She rubbed the back of Ines’ hands with her rough palms, telling them not to lose their fingers.
However, the intact hand she was holding was overflowing with warmth. She still had strength left.
It was Ines’ first step toward the Emperor.
***
The very next day, Ines was able to meet Casey’s younger brother, Christian Orlando. She had already finished researching her younger brother.
He was studying economics and history at Pentium Academy in the capital.
He had similar features to Casey, but he felt completely different. His hair was the same color as hers, but his eyes were green like Ines’s. The slightly lighter green made him look younger than his age.
“So you’re offering me the position of chief aide to Lord Mondrae?”
“Yes. You're still studying, but I heard you’ll be finishing your studies soon.”
Pentium was undeniably the best educational institution in the empire.
It wasn’t common for the second son of the Landhill family to study abroad at the capital academy. After completing a total of ten years of regular education, only the most outstanding students could enter Pentium.
This was the reason why Casey’s father couldn’t give up his second son’s studies despite the family’s difficult financial situation.
So Casey didn’t resent his father for passing on his brother’s education expenses to her and instead supported him.
Noah Timothy was a graduate of this academy.
“There are still three years left, but it certainly is a good opportunity.”
If you were studying economics, you would have heard of Mondrae. Unless you became an imperial aide like Noah Timothy, it was not easy to make a name for yourself in a feudal society.
“I heard that most people gain practical experience during this period.”
“That is true.”
“Lord Mondrae is in Landhill, so it is difficult for him to act directly in the capital. So you can talk to me about everything. As you know, I am a woman and cannot directly intervene.”
“Is Lord Mondrae related to Viscount Swenden or rather the Count?”
“That could be considered.”
Ines needed a young economist from Landhill, and Christian was just the right person for her.
“Can I meet him in person?”
He asked, with pure academic curiosity. Ines examined him closely. He had been impeccable in the documents. And in person, he had been even more so.
His intelligent eyes, his lips full of kindness, and his pure enthusiasm were just like his older sister’s.
“Not right away, but you will be able to meet him soon. Young Master doesn’t have much to do. It won’t interfere with your studies.”
He nodded. There was no reason for him to refuse. Ines added.
“As you know, Lord Mondrae is a Baron from a commoner background. There are many burdensome aspects for him to participate in central politics.”
“That means...”
“You can think of the title of an aide as a position. Your actual job will be to represent him.”
“You mean to be his representative?”
“That’s right.”
Even after she had finished her sufficient explanation, Christian remained silent for a moment, lost in thought. Ines waited calmly for his answer. He, like Casey, seemed to be a very cautious person.
“Actually...”
He carefully opened his mouth.
“I thought there must be another reason why you asked to see me today.”
“If there is another reason...?”
“Our family sent a marriage proposal to your family. Did you know?”
Ines glanced at Casey. She simply shrugged. She remembered hearing a similar story in the dressing room the day they first met. She had an older brother, but he was already married and had a family. So Christian was the one who had proposed.
“Oh, yes. I knew.”
Even so, it was clearly a very awkward situation. Even if they had never met, she was the one who had rejected his proposal.
“I’m sorry about that...”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to apologize. I also only found out about the proposal after hearing your rejection. I just wanted to tell you that today’s meeting was quite unexpected.”
He glanced around the Imperial Palace reception room for a moment.
“The location is also unexpected.”
When he smiled faintly, it was only then that she realized that even his appearance resembled Casey’s. Ines’s face flushed slightly with awkwardness.
Ines tried to change the mood and extended her hand to Christian. He just stared blankly at the hand for a moment. It wasn’t common for a woman to ask for a handshake.
“It’s true that we’ve become an unexpected relationship. Then, can I ask you to take care of me from now on?”
When Ines spoke softly and businesslike, his embarrassed expression disappeared. Then he quickly took Ines’ hand.
“I will. When can I start work?”
“The Mondrae Bank will open in the capital soon. You can come to work at the bank as soon as you finish your classes at the Academy. There’s a lot of work to take care of before the bank opens.”
When Christian nodded and was about to say something else,
“What are you doing?”
The door to the reception room slid open and a man’s face was seen leaning against the doorframe.
“Your Majesty.”
“I will. When can I start work?”
“The Mondrae Bank will open in the capital soon. You can come to work at the bank as soon as you finish your classes at the Academy. There’s a lot of work to take care of before the bank opens.”
When Christian nodded and was about to say something else,
“What are you doing?”
The door to the reception room slid open and a man’s face was seen leaning against the doorframe.
“Your Majesty.”
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