I walked through the dark basement without a torch. The futility of not being able to kill Kaiser and the question of Ari Eriant filled me. With every step, my feet seemed to sink into darkness.
I glanced up at the faint light streaming in from the top of the stairs, then slowly walked out. I saw Prince Aslan, his expression filled with concern. If this was acting, he must be quite a skilled actor.
“Archduchess Duchzan, are you alright?”
"What can a trapped person do to me? I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."
“Nothing happened?”
He must have been quite curious about what was happening inside. I nodded and looked around. The captain of the guard had also left for a moment, as if he'd been bitten by someone while I was inside.
Prince Aslan was both capable and meticulous. He was far more suited to be an Emperor than Prince Cain.
I asked, straightening my somewhat disheveled skirt.
“What will become of Marquis Amber in the future?”
Prince Aslan seemed to think for a moment, then answered with a rather stern expression.
“Well, it depends on the Archduchess’ wishes.”
There couldn't have been a more satisfying answer. It was as if he had given me Kaiser as a gift. I lowered my gaze, the corners of my mouth tilting upward. Life returned to my eyes, once consumed by emptiness. Prince Aslan must have seen it too.
“First of all, please let him go alive. So that he don’t lose his spirit completely.”
Prince Aslan stared intently into my eyes and nodded. His eyes had transformed into those of a politician. His desires and mine converged, signaling that the deal was, to some extent, complete.
“Let’s make it our first gift to send Marquis Amber back alive and safe.”
Prince Aslan flashed a charming smile. While looks often played a significant role in negotiations, I was left with only a simple "He's handsome." Perhaps it was my overwhelming hatred for Kaiser, but perhaps it was the daily encounter with his handsome face after their marriage.
If Julian hadn't had such a peculiar constitution, he would have been renowned as the most handsome man in the empire. All the noble ladies would have been lovesick, desperate to marry him.
Thinking about it, I found myself laughing. It was no wonder Prince Aslan was looking at me strangely. How strange it must have been for a woman who had been so full of rage just moments before to suddenly laugh to herself!
I smiled sheepishly and said goodbye. There was nothing left for me to do here.
***
It must have been the Empress's intention to meet Prince Aslan, but since I had been invited anyway, I had to pay my respects to the Empress before leaving the palace.
But when I arrived at the Empress's Palace, what I met was not the Empress, but the Empress's maids and Marian.
I nodded to Marian and then bowed to the Empress's maid.
“Have Her Majesty the Empress not returned yet?”
The Empress's maid nodded in response to my question.
"Her Majesty has some work to do and will likely take some time to return. She expressed her regret, saying that we will probably have refreshments later."
"If you're busy, it would be rude for me to wait. Please tell me I'll definitely come see you next time you call."
“I will do that.”
The maid and I chatted in a rather warm atmosphere. Before leaving, I glanced at Marian and asked cautiously.
“What about my maid?”
“Oh, don’t worry. Miss Marian was ordered to return with Your Highness the Archduchess.”
I blinked in surprise. The royal family valued their reputation, so I didn't expect any punishment to be meted out to the victim, Marian.
But I expected them to harass me under the pretext of investigating, but they sent me back immediately. It was clear that the other governments would have to spend more time in the palace interrogation room.
The Empress's maid smiled brightly, as if she saw a look of surprise on my face.
“All of this is due to Her Majesty the Empress’s consideration.”
At those words, I lifted the hem of my skirt without hesitation and bowed.
“Please tell Her Majesty the Empress that I will never forget her kindness.”
Seeing how I cared for Marian in the audience room, it was clear the Empress was being considerate. I thanked her again and withdrew. Marian followed, standing a step behind me, her gaze tilted.
I said without looking back.
“You’ve lost weight compared to before.”
“I feel relieved.”
Marian's voice, heard from behind, was truly refreshing, as if she had no regrets whatsoever. It was truly pleasant to hear the voice of someone liberated from a tedious task.
Marian tilted her head slightly toward me, then realized this was the Imperial Palace and straightened her back again. But she couldn't hold back her question.
“Madam, what happened to Kaiser?”
At Marian's question, I looked around. Fortunately, the road was quiet, and no one was in sight except for the maid working in the distance.
“I got released safely.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Marian hastily covered her mouth, worried that her voice might have become too loud. Fortunately, she whispered the next time she spoke.
“Why did you just let me go?”
“Why are you asking me that? Would I have let you go?”
“Why are you so calm? You hate that person so much.”
Marian was as smart as ever. I turned around and smiled. Marian smiled back at me. She looked so happy that her thin face didn't show.
"If you let me go just to torment me more, then I'm all for it. I support you, Madam."
“You too.”
I returned to my dignified appearance as a noble lady, walking with a straight face. I had moved farther from the Empress's Palace, closer to the exit. I encountered a familiar, handsome face in the middle of the wide street.
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
Shuan seemed to realize this was the imperial palace, and he greeted me more sharply than usual. I spoke to him in a cold voice.
"It must have been a summons from His Majesty the Emperor. But you're too late for that."
"I was in a hurry to get back from a hunting trip, so I ended up being late. It was an important appointment."
He must have heard I was in the capital, but he couldn't have gone hunting. His precious younger sister's safety depended on me. As if to prove it, Shuan wasn't even wearing hunting gear.
Shuan's important promise was probably with me, and the hunt was also related to Marian's safety, something I had asked of her at the last party. When I nodded to Marian, she immediately understood and bowed to Shuan.
“Thank you, Young Master Ariant.”
It was a very small voice, but Shuan didn't miss it. He smiled as if accepting the greeting.
“Me too.”
The voice that followed was quite sweet. The anticipation of seeing his sister soon seemed to lift his spirits. As I gazed at his face, the conversation I had with Kaiser in the basement came flooding back to me. Perhaps it would be better to just let it pass for now.
But on the other hand, now might be the best opportunity to properly understand Shuan's intentions.
“Young Master Eriant.”
I called out to Shuan, who was hurrying to leave. Shuan seemed quite anxious, but he didn't ignore my call. It was only natural, since I was his benefactor.
“I kept my promise, now it’s your turn.”
“Of course.”
At my words, Shuan smiled brightly and nodded vigorously. I remembered him from my past life. He was remarkably meticulous in his dealings and never forgot his duties. But there was a difference between then and now: the matter I was about to ask him for.
“I have something to find out.”
“What is it?”
“Please find out about the person you are meeting today.”
Shuan remained smiling for a few more seconds, seemingly uncomprehending. But as realization dawned on him, his face hardened and he looked at me with wary eyes.
I knew this was a request that could lead to my permanent loss as the Owl Information Merchant. But I absolutely needed this information.
“Young Master Eriant, I need that information.”
“Archduchess Duchzan.”
Shuan's voice calling me wasn't as refreshing as before. It was a trembling voice, as if tension was weighing on my throat.
He knew I wasn't the type to act without reason. I was certain Ari Eriant was hiding something, whether intentionally or not.
“I trust him.”
After saying those words, Shuan said goodbye to me and turned away completely. You might want to ignore me. But Shuan wouldn't completely ignore my request.
In the first place, there's no way he wouldn't ask Ari Eriant something, right? He'd definitely ask about what happened, why he couldn't escape... things like that. And he'd get to the truth. He's a wise man, so he'd definitely do that.
On the way out of the palace, Marian spoke in a meaningful voice.
“It’s the law that a brother doesn’t know his younger sister.”
I laughed at his tone, as if he knew everything about the situation. As I approached the carriage waiting for me, I spoke playfully to Marian.
“You sound more confident than I do.”
At my words, Marian didn't seem embarrassed at all and remained confident.
“My brother never imagined that I would become the Marquis of Amber’s mistress.”
“Do you have an older brother?”
“Yes. He’s such a proud person, I can’t even contact him right now.”
The younger sister was left to support their ailing mother alone, and he couldn't even contact her. That older brother knew it. Unlike my pitiful expression, Marian calmly helped me onto the carriage. In any case, there was some truth to Marian's words.
Shuan won't know Ari.
I glanced up at the faint light streaming in from the top of the stairs, then slowly walked out. I saw Prince Aslan, his expression filled with concern. If this was acting, he must be quite a skilled actor.
“Archduchess Duchzan, are you alright?”
"What can a trapped person do to me? I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."
“Nothing happened?”
He must have been quite curious about what was happening inside. I nodded and looked around. The captain of the guard had also left for a moment, as if he'd been bitten by someone while I was inside.
Prince Aslan was both capable and meticulous. He was far more suited to be an Emperor than Prince Cain.
I asked, straightening my somewhat disheveled skirt.
“What will become of Marquis Amber in the future?”
Prince Aslan seemed to think for a moment, then answered with a rather stern expression.
“Well, it depends on the Archduchess’ wishes.”
There couldn't have been a more satisfying answer. It was as if he had given me Kaiser as a gift. I lowered my gaze, the corners of my mouth tilting upward. Life returned to my eyes, once consumed by emptiness. Prince Aslan must have seen it too.
“First of all, please let him go alive. So that he don’t lose his spirit completely.”
Prince Aslan stared intently into my eyes and nodded. His eyes had transformed into those of a politician. His desires and mine converged, signaling that the deal was, to some extent, complete.
“Let’s make it our first gift to send Marquis Amber back alive and safe.”
Prince Aslan flashed a charming smile. While looks often played a significant role in negotiations, I was left with only a simple "He's handsome." Perhaps it was my overwhelming hatred for Kaiser, but perhaps it was the daily encounter with his handsome face after their marriage.
If Julian hadn't had such a peculiar constitution, he would have been renowned as the most handsome man in the empire. All the noble ladies would have been lovesick, desperate to marry him.
Thinking about it, I found myself laughing. It was no wonder Prince Aslan was looking at me strangely. How strange it must have been for a woman who had been so full of rage just moments before to suddenly laugh to herself!
I smiled sheepishly and said goodbye. There was nothing left for me to do here.
***
It must have been the Empress's intention to meet Prince Aslan, but since I had been invited anyway, I had to pay my respects to the Empress before leaving the palace.
But when I arrived at the Empress's Palace, what I met was not the Empress, but the Empress's maids and Marian.
I nodded to Marian and then bowed to the Empress's maid.
“Have Her Majesty the Empress not returned yet?”
The Empress's maid nodded in response to my question.
"Her Majesty has some work to do and will likely take some time to return. She expressed her regret, saying that we will probably have refreshments later."
"If you're busy, it would be rude for me to wait. Please tell me I'll definitely come see you next time you call."
“I will do that.”
The maid and I chatted in a rather warm atmosphere. Before leaving, I glanced at Marian and asked cautiously.
“What about my maid?”
“Oh, don’t worry. Miss Marian was ordered to return with Your Highness the Archduchess.”
I blinked in surprise. The royal family valued their reputation, so I didn't expect any punishment to be meted out to the victim, Marian.
But I expected them to harass me under the pretext of investigating, but they sent me back immediately. It was clear that the other governments would have to spend more time in the palace interrogation room.
The Empress's maid smiled brightly, as if she saw a look of surprise on my face.
“All of this is due to Her Majesty the Empress’s consideration.”
At those words, I lifted the hem of my skirt without hesitation and bowed.
“Please tell Her Majesty the Empress that I will never forget her kindness.”
Seeing how I cared for Marian in the audience room, it was clear the Empress was being considerate. I thanked her again and withdrew. Marian followed, standing a step behind me, her gaze tilted.
I said without looking back.
“You’ve lost weight compared to before.”
“I feel relieved.”
Marian's voice, heard from behind, was truly refreshing, as if she had no regrets whatsoever. It was truly pleasant to hear the voice of someone liberated from a tedious task.
Marian tilted her head slightly toward me, then realized this was the Imperial Palace and straightened her back again. But she couldn't hold back her question.
“Madam, what happened to Kaiser?”
At Marian's question, I looked around. Fortunately, the road was quiet, and no one was in sight except for the maid working in the distance.
“I got released safely.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Marian hastily covered her mouth, worried that her voice might have become too loud. Fortunately, she whispered the next time she spoke.
“Why did you just let me go?”
“Why are you asking me that? Would I have let you go?”
“Why are you so calm? You hate that person so much.”
Marian was as smart as ever. I turned around and smiled. Marian smiled back at me. She looked so happy that her thin face didn't show.
"If you let me go just to torment me more, then I'm all for it. I support you, Madam."
“You too.”
I returned to my dignified appearance as a noble lady, walking with a straight face. I had moved farther from the Empress's Palace, closer to the exit. I encountered a familiar, handsome face in the middle of the wide street.
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
Shuan seemed to realize this was the imperial palace, and he greeted me more sharply than usual. I spoke to him in a cold voice.
"It must have been a summons from His Majesty the Emperor. But you're too late for that."
"I was in a hurry to get back from a hunting trip, so I ended up being late. It was an important appointment."
He must have heard I was in the capital, but he couldn't have gone hunting. His precious younger sister's safety depended on me. As if to prove it, Shuan wasn't even wearing hunting gear.
Shuan's important promise was probably with me, and the hunt was also related to Marian's safety, something I had asked of her at the last party. When I nodded to Marian, she immediately understood and bowed to Shuan.
“Thank you, Young Master Ariant.”
It was a very small voice, but Shuan didn't miss it. He smiled as if accepting the greeting.
“Me too.”
The voice that followed was quite sweet. The anticipation of seeing his sister soon seemed to lift his spirits. As I gazed at his face, the conversation I had with Kaiser in the basement came flooding back to me. Perhaps it would be better to just let it pass for now.
But on the other hand, now might be the best opportunity to properly understand Shuan's intentions.
“Young Master Eriant.”
I called out to Shuan, who was hurrying to leave. Shuan seemed quite anxious, but he didn't ignore my call. It was only natural, since I was his benefactor.
“I kept my promise, now it’s your turn.”
“Of course.”
At my words, Shuan smiled brightly and nodded vigorously. I remembered him from my past life. He was remarkably meticulous in his dealings and never forgot his duties. But there was a difference between then and now: the matter I was about to ask him for.
“I have something to find out.”
“What is it?”
“Please find out about the person you are meeting today.”
Shuan remained smiling for a few more seconds, seemingly uncomprehending. But as realization dawned on him, his face hardened and he looked at me with wary eyes.
I knew this was a request that could lead to my permanent loss as the Owl Information Merchant. But I absolutely needed this information.
“Young Master Eriant, I need that information.”
“Archduchess Duchzan.”
Shuan's voice calling me wasn't as refreshing as before. It was a trembling voice, as if tension was weighing on my throat.
He knew I wasn't the type to act without reason. I was certain Ari Eriant was hiding something, whether intentionally or not.
“I trust him.”
After saying those words, Shuan said goodbye to me and turned away completely. You might want to ignore me. But Shuan wouldn't completely ignore my request.
In the first place, there's no way he wouldn't ask Ari Eriant something, right? He'd definitely ask about what happened, why he couldn't escape... things like that. And he'd get to the truth. He's a wise man, so he'd definitely do that.
On the way out of the palace, Marian spoke in a meaningful voice.
“It’s the law that a brother doesn’t know his younger sister.”
I laughed at his tone, as if he knew everything about the situation. As I approached the carriage waiting for me, I spoke playfully to Marian.
“You sound more confident than I do.”
At my words, Marian didn't seem embarrassed at all and remained confident.
“My brother never imagined that I would become the Marquis of Amber’s mistress.”
“Do you have an older brother?”
“Yes. He’s such a proud person, I can’t even contact him right now.”
The younger sister was left to support their ailing mother alone, and he couldn't even contact her. That older brother knew it. Unlike my pitiful expression, Marian calmly helped me onto the carriage. In any case, there was some truth to Marian's words.
Shuan won't know Ari.
Comments
Post a Comment