I thought they became friends because it was such a funny story, but what does this mean?
"Money?"
Marian chuckled at my bewildered reaction. It seemed as if she'd expected something like this. I calmly took a sip of tea and spoke in a shaky voice.
“Did I give you too little money?”
"No. You gave me a life of financial security, so I'd never have to worry about money again. But Miss Sina did tell me how to become the richest person in the world. It was a mind-boggling story."
Marian told me about one of Young Lady Heyra's business items.
It was a magical tool that would be helpful for agriculture. If it were developed, it was said that there would be fewer food shortages in the land because the magical tool would automatically regulate moisture even when there was a drought or a flood.
“Is that possible?”
“I think it will work since it was even verified by a wizard.”
Marian spoke confidently, as if it were her own business. From her attitude, I could tell that Young Lady Heyra and Marian had a very close relationship.
“Can you tell me this?”
When I asked cautiously, Marian covered her mouth again and laughed.
"Of course. In fact, there's one last step left for that magical tool: inserting a very small, rare magic stone."
"So you want to buy it from the Duchzan family? So you can tell me."
Marian nodded coolly.
"Yes."
I rested my chin on my hand and lost myself in thought. If it were such a beneficial item, I could easily give away a rare magic stone. It would also give me a justification for seeking the Emperor's permission. But one important thing remained.
“Will farmers be able to afford it?”
"I won't sell it to the farmers. Miss Sina intends to sell that magical tool to the state."
“To the country?”
"Miss Sina's goal is to sell it to the government and gradually install it in every region. If farming households prosper, the economy will recover, and then commoners will be able to engage in cultural activities, making business more enjoyable."
"Ah."
I was genuinely impressed. I was amazed at how broad-minded that young girl's vision seemed, in some ways, almost absurd.
“Isn’t it amazing?”
“I don’t know if it’s possible, but... honestly, it’s amazing.”
“So, consider selling the rare magic stone to Baron Heira.”
That was the point. I smiled, but avoided answering. I was also very inclined, but ultimately, this was something I had to decide with Julian. I stared at Marian and asked.
“Your face looks really nice. I guess you like helping Young Lady Heira.”
Marian said, covering her cheek shyly.
"Yes. Honestly, I love it. I think it's wonderful that something I started for money can now bring abundance to the world."
It was a grander, yet more wonderful, reason than I'd expected. I could feel the same sense of pride I felt when I sent Marian out of the capital.
"So how did you get here today? It must be dangerous because of the demons..."
"I told you. Baron Heyra wants to start a deal with the Grand Duke of Duchzan. To do that, Baron Heyra needs to reach out first. Baron Heyra heard that Count Winsley isn't receiving enough supplies. And besides, you happen to be here."
I never thought such news would be circulating. But even if such rumors had been circulating, they had occurred in a military camp far from the capital.
In particular, the story that something happened in a war-torn military camp spread outside was that the people carrying supplies had moved the horse or that someone had planted a person there.
Baron Heira's influence seemed to be greater than I'd expected. I covered my mouth, then lowered my hand, this time taking Marian's.
“Marian, did you bring me supplies?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what you’re thinking of.”
“But I heard that all supply routes were blocked because of the demons.”
"Miss Sina doesn't spare any expense on such matters. Moreover, skilled mercenaries will do anything for a high salary."
After finishing our tea, we went back downstairs. The carriage Marian had brought was packed to the brim with belongings.
Thick blankets, high-quality meat, new weapons and armor... At this point, it could be said that the hospitality was even more lavish than that received by the imperial army.
As Marian unloaded each item from the carriage, the soldiers watching from the side cheered.
I didn't stop them from having fun either. I wondered how frustrated they must have been to yell like that.
“Long live Her Highness the Grand Duchess!”
Someone shouted excitedly. Another soldier next to him was about to say the same thing, so I waved him off.
"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything. Don't do that."
"Your Highness, what are you talking about! I know you've been running around for us all along!"
“That’s right! I threatened Hela, and she told me everything, so don’t say anything else!”
“Long live Her Highness the Grand Duchess!”
I looked back at Hela in surprise. Then, in her characteristically calm voice, she apologized.
“I’m sorry. It’s a bit... if Your Highness doesn’t say anything...”
“Don’t scold Hela, Your Highness! We really threatened her!”
“No. I thought everyone should know what Your Highness did.”
“No, Your Highness! We tied up Hela and threatened her!”
One side was calm, the other was very excited and just kept saying what they wanted to say. I was so embarrassed and out of it that I finally gave in.
"Stop it, stop it! I won't scold Hela, so everyone, be quiet! Hurry up and take these things inside and put them away! And don't forget to thank Marian!"
"Yes!"
“Thank you, Miss Marian!”
Marian covered her mouth with both hands and chuckled. Unlike me, she seemed unfazed by the soldiers' sweaty attention.
We spent a long time laughing and chatting, organizing and sharing our belongings. I could feel the soldiers' morale rising, and it brought me a deep sense of relief for the first time in a long time.
Marian decided to stay here for a few more days. I arranged for her room to be close to mine, and I visited her often to chat. Since I couldn't have such a comfortable conversation with Hela, Marian was a truly welcome companion.
“How is His Highness?”
"Yeah, judging from his letter, he's doing well. Except for the fact that he misses me."
When I spoke shyly, Marian exclaimed, “Oh my.”
"You two always pretended to be a political couple, but I knew it. You two seemed so close."
“Was that so?”
In the past, I would have denied it outright, but I didn't want to do that anymore. Julian and I were now a couple, truly sharing our hearts and minds. He was a good husband who respected and trusted me.
“Marian doesn’t date?”
At my words, Marian smiled, her cheeks twitching, and whispered something in my ear.
"Now that I have money, handsome men are chasing me. I'm debating whether or not to accept them."
"Really?"
We pressed our foreheads together and smiled like little girls. Marian's face, beaming happily and carefree, was incredibly beautiful. That's why I have no regrets about changing the future.
After a while of laughing and chatting, a knock was heard, and a soldier quietly entered the door, offering permission.
“Young Master of Eriant wishes to see Your Highness.”
It was a pleasant time, but the moment I heard his name, I suddenly felt uneasy. I frowned, but quickly replied, "I understand." The soldier left the room again to relay the message.
As I let out a long sigh, Marian asked incredulously.
“Weren’t you on good terms with the Young Master of Ariant?”
“It was good in its own way. But not anymore. It’s the worst.”
“The worst? What could possibly happen?”
Marian knew something about my dealings with Shuan. In a way, she was one of the few people who could speak ill of Shuan.
“That man got my sister back and said he couldn’t give me the price I wanted.”
"Oh my god!"
Marian followed me, frowning deeply.
“I didn’t see him like that, but he really is a terrible person. Don’t meet him!”
Marian still seemed to care for me. Seeing her genuinely angry face actually brought me peace.
I shook my head.
"How could I pretend not to notice when a nobleman himself came to visit? And that's because we're both participating in this punitive expedition."
“Then I’ll go with you. I’ll take care of it.”
"You don't have to do that anymore."
Marian laughed heartily at my words.
"I told you I'd always be yours. While I'm indebted to Lady Sina and serve her, you are always my priority. Serving you is my dream."
Oh, my. I sighed as I held Marian's hand and helped her up.
“Then I have to go out. Would you like to help me? I think I need to get my hair done, too.”
“Of course. Just trust me.”
Although I had kept my hair tied up high throughout my time in the West, I now felt it would be better to greet Shuan as a noblewoman.
I sat in front of the mirror, getting ready under the watchful eye of someone I hadn't seen in a while. Of course, I didn't do anything extravagant. I simply combed my hair and put on a more aristocratic hunting outfit. There were no dresses suitable for me to wear here.
After getting ready, I stepped out through the door Marian opened for me. Marian served me with a fluid demeanor, as if she'd known this day would come. I met her eyes and smiled.
“Marian, I’ll be in the reception room, so could you bring Young Master Eriant?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I headed to the reception room in the north building. It wasn't particularly tidy, as it was usually used as a conference room. However, it was also the only room in the building suitable for receiving guests.
Not long after, Shuan entered the reception room.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
I glanced at him, then looked straight ahead. Shuan, unfazed by my unfriendly attitude, remained standing at the door, unwilling to sit down. Marian approached me cautiously and asked.
“Shall I prepare tea?”
“No. You don’t have to. I’ll be leaving soon.”
My attitude toward the intruder was firm. But Shuan looked at me without blinking.
"Money?"
Marian chuckled at my bewildered reaction. It seemed as if she'd expected something like this. I calmly took a sip of tea and spoke in a shaky voice.
“Did I give you too little money?”
"No. You gave me a life of financial security, so I'd never have to worry about money again. But Miss Sina did tell me how to become the richest person in the world. It was a mind-boggling story."
Marian told me about one of Young Lady Heyra's business items.
It was a magical tool that would be helpful for agriculture. If it were developed, it was said that there would be fewer food shortages in the land because the magical tool would automatically regulate moisture even when there was a drought or a flood.
“Is that possible?”
“I think it will work since it was even verified by a wizard.”
Marian spoke confidently, as if it were her own business. From her attitude, I could tell that Young Lady Heyra and Marian had a very close relationship.
“Can you tell me this?”
When I asked cautiously, Marian covered her mouth again and laughed.
"Of course. In fact, there's one last step left for that magical tool: inserting a very small, rare magic stone."
"So you want to buy it from the Duchzan family? So you can tell me."
Marian nodded coolly.
"Yes."
I rested my chin on my hand and lost myself in thought. If it were such a beneficial item, I could easily give away a rare magic stone. It would also give me a justification for seeking the Emperor's permission. But one important thing remained.
“Will farmers be able to afford it?”
"I won't sell it to the farmers. Miss Sina intends to sell that magical tool to the state."
“To the country?”
"Miss Sina's goal is to sell it to the government and gradually install it in every region. If farming households prosper, the economy will recover, and then commoners will be able to engage in cultural activities, making business more enjoyable."
"Ah."
I was genuinely impressed. I was amazed at how broad-minded that young girl's vision seemed, in some ways, almost absurd.
“Isn’t it amazing?”
“I don’t know if it’s possible, but... honestly, it’s amazing.”
“So, consider selling the rare magic stone to Baron Heira.”
That was the point. I smiled, but avoided answering. I was also very inclined, but ultimately, this was something I had to decide with Julian. I stared at Marian and asked.
“Your face looks really nice. I guess you like helping Young Lady Heira.”
Marian said, covering her cheek shyly.
"Yes. Honestly, I love it. I think it's wonderful that something I started for money can now bring abundance to the world."
It was a grander, yet more wonderful, reason than I'd expected. I could feel the same sense of pride I felt when I sent Marian out of the capital.
"So how did you get here today? It must be dangerous because of the demons..."
"I told you. Baron Heyra wants to start a deal with the Grand Duke of Duchzan. To do that, Baron Heyra needs to reach out first. Baron Heyra heard that Count Winsley isn't receiving enough supplies. And besides, you happen to be here."
I never thought such news would be circulating. But even if such rumors had been circulating, they had occurred in a military camp far from the capital.
In particular, the story that something happened in a war-torn military camp spread outside was that the people carrying supplies had moved the horse or that someone had planted a person there.
Baron Heira's influence seemed to be greater than I'd expected. I covered my mouth, then lowered my hand, this time taking Marian's.
“Marian, did you bring me supplies?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what you’re thinking of.”
“But I heard that all supply routes were blocked because of the demons.”
"Miss Sina doesn't spare any expense on such matters. Moreover, skilled mercenaries will do anything for a high salary."
After finishing our tea, we went back downstairs. The carriage Marian had brought was packed to the brim with belongings.
Thick blankets, high-quality meat, new weapons and armor... At this point, it could be said that the hospitality was even more lavish than that received by the imperial army.
As Marian unloaded each item from the carriage, the soldiers watching from the side cheered.
I didn't stop them from having fun either. I wondered how frustrated they must have been to yell like that.
“Long live Her Highness the Grand Duchess!”
Someone shouted excitedly. Another soldier next to him was about to say the same thing, so I waved him off.
"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything. Don't do that."
"Your Highness, what are you talking about! I know you've been running around for us all along!"
“That’s right! I threatened Hela, and she told me everything, so don’t say anything else!”
“Long live Her Highness the Grand Duchess!”
I looked back at Hela in surprise. Then, in her characteristically calm voice, she apologized.
“I’m sorry. It’s a bit... if Your Highness doesn’t say anything...”
“Don’t scold Hela, Your Highness! We really threatened her!”
“No. I thought everyone should know what Your Highness did.”
“No, Your Highness! We tied up Hela and threatened her!”
One side was calm, the other was very excited and just kept saying what they wanted to say. I was so embarrassed and out of it that I finally gave in.
"Stop it, stop it! I won't scold Hela, so everyone, be quiet! Hurry up and take these things inside and put them away! And don't forget to thank Marian!"
"Yes!"
“Thank you, Miss Marian!”
Marian covered her mouth with both hands and chuckled. Unlike me, she seemed unfazed by the soldiers' sweaty attention.
We spent a long time laughing and chatting, organizing and sharing our belongings. I could feel the soldiers' morale rising, and it brought me a deep sense of relief for the first time in a long time.
***
Marian decided to stay here for a few more days. I arranged for her room to be close to mine, and I visited her often to chat. Since I couldn't have such a comfortable conversation with Hela, Marian was a truly welcome companion.
“How is His Highness?”
"Yeah, judging from his letter, he's doing well. Except for the fact that he misses me."
When I spoke shyly, Marian exclaimed, “Oh my.”
"You two always pretended to be a political couple, but I knew it. You two seemed so close."
“Was that so?”
In the past, I would have denied it outright, but I didn't want to do that anymore. Julian and I were now a couple, truly sharing our hearts and minds. He was a good husband who respected and trusted me.
“Marian doesn’t date?”
At my words, Marian smiled, her cheeks twitching, and whispered something in my ear.
"Now that I have money, handsome men are chasing me. I'm debating whether or not to accept them."
"Really?"
We pressed our foreheads together and smiled like little girls. Marian's face, beaming happily and carefree, was incredibly beautiful. That's why I have no regrets about changing the future.
After a while of laughing and chatting, a knock was heard, and a soldier quietly entered the door, offering permission.
“Young Master of Eriant wishes to see Your Highness.”
It was a pleasant time, but the moment I heard his name, I suddenly felt uneasy. I frowned, but quickly replied, "I understand." The soldier left the room again to relay the message.
As I let out a long sigh, Marian asked incredulously.
“Weren’t you on good terms with the Young Master of Ariant?”
“It was good in its own way. But not anymore. It’s the worst.”
“The worst? What could possibly happen?”
Marian knew something about my dealings with Shuan. In a way, she was one of the few people who could speak ill of Shuan.
“That man got my sister back and said he couldn’t give me the price I wanted.”
"Oh my god!"
Marian followed me, frowning deeply.
“I didn’t see him like that, but he really is a terrible person. Don’t meet him!”
Marian still seemed to care for me. Seeing her genuinely angry face actually brought me peace.
I shook my head.
"How could I pretend not to notice when a nobleman himself came to visit? And that's because we're both participating in this punitive expedition."
“Then I’ll go with you. I’ll take care of it.”
"You don't have to do that anymore."
Marian laughed heartily at my words.
"I told you I'd always be yours. While I'm indebted to Lady Sina and serve her, you are always my priority. Serving you is my dream."
Oh, my. I sighed as I held Marian's hand and helped her up.
“Then I have to go out. Would you like to help me? I think I need to get my hair done, too.”
“Of course. Just trust me.”
Although I had kept my hair tied up high throughout my time in the West, I now felt it would be better to greet Shuan as a noblewoman.
I sat in front of the mirror, getting ready under the watchful eye of someone I hadn't seen in a while. Of course, I didn't do anything extravagant. I simply combed my hair and put on a more aristocratic hunting outfit. There were no dresses suitable for me to wear here.
After getting ready, I stepped out through the door Marian opened for me. Marian served me with a fluid demeanor, as if she'd known this day would come. I met her eyes and smiled.
“Marian, I’ll be in the reception room, so could you bring Young Master Eriant?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I headed to the reception room in the north building. It wasn't particularly tidy, as it was usually used as a conference room. However, it was also the only room in the building suitable for receiving guests.
Not long after, Shuan entered the reception room.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
I glanced at him, then looked straight ahead. Shuan, unfazed by my unfriendly attitude, remained standing at the door, unwilling to sit down. Marian approached me cautiously and asked.
“Shall I prepare tea?”
“No. You don’t have to. I’ll be leaving soon.”
My attitude toward the intruder was firm. But Shuan looked at me without blinking.
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