TFVWMMF 59

CHAPTER 59………………

“You said there’s something you want to do in the North? What is it?”

“I’m going to cultivate vete.”

Kyle couldn’t understand.
To think she wanted a northern fief—shunned by everyone—just to grow vete.

“I’m going to spread Ice Kuna across the entire continent. For that, I need to directly cultivate its most important ingredient, vete.”

Kyle’s face was bewildered.

“Well, true. The ingredients are crucial. But couldn’t you just keep importing them from Lord Olbreno’s land like now?”
“No. I want to grow it myself. If you won’t give me a fief… then this deal never happened.”

The one at a disadvantage was Kyle.

What he needed most right now was Everett’s intelligence network.

If not for learning about the Emperor’s poisoning, maybe he could have walked away—but now, after finally hearing what he had longed to know, there was no turning back.

He considered asking if she wanted something else instead, but her expression was unyielding.
If he hesitated too long, she might withdraw.

“…Alright, Everett. I’ll grant you the finest northern fief where vete grows best.”
“A royal’s word is as good as law.”

When Everett echoed the very words he himself had once spoken, one corner of Kyle’s lips quirked upward.

“Of course. If you want, I could even draw up a contract.”
“That won’t be necessary. I trust you, Lord Kyle.”

At her reply—that she trusted him—Kyle felt his chest swell strangely, almost to bursting.

“Oh, and there’s one more condition.”

Kyle simply nodded for her to continue.

“I want you to be the only one who knows that I’m Naz.”

At this, Kyle frowned slightly in hesitation.

“I was planning to introduce you to just a few close companions.”
“I’d prefer you kept it a secret.”
“They’re all trustworthy people. You already know them—”
“Sir Kiyor, Lord Olbreno, and Lady Sharlotte, right?”
“That’s right. Do we really need to hide it even from them?”

Everett gave him a faint smile.

“Until now, the only ones who knew that I was Naz were Daisy and Manager Marsha.”
“So with me, that makes three.”
“Exactly. And I never had any intention of revealing my identity in the first place.”
“Why not? There’s nothing wrong with being a fortune-teller. Or is it because you’re a noble lady?”
“No, that has nothing to do with it.”

Everett held up two fingers.

“There are two reasons.”

Information was like honey, sweet and irresistible to bees.

Countless people had come to Naz the fortune-teller, seeking her knowledge.
Some tried to coax her with promises, others resorted to threats.

Every time, Everett had concealed her identity even more carefully.
If anyone learned she was just a powerless baron’s daughter, it could lead to grave danger.

“Everett, if that’s all, you don’t need to worry anymore. I’ll protect you.”

Everett slowly shook her head.

“The second reason is more important. If Naz’s identity became known, who would come to me for counsel? Who would entrust me with their secrets?”
“…I see your point. But those few are practically family.”
“I know. I’m not saying I distrust them. But secrets… you never know when, where, or how they might slip out.”

In the end, Kyle sighed and nodded.

“Alright. I won’t introduce you as Naz. You’re right—I forgot for a moment why information flows to Naz in the first place.”

Kyle scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

“I must’ve gotten… carried away.”
“Thank you for understanding.”

Only then did Everett let a warm smile spread across her face. Kyle, watching her closely, asked again:

“Then how about this—you could still be introduced as the teacher who’s going to teach rune letters?”

He hadn’t given up.

No matter what excuse he needed, he wanted Everett by his side.

“But since you’ve already learned them, shouldn’t you be the one teaching, Lord Kyle?”
“Everett, I’m a duke. Do you think they’d want me as their teacher? Besides, I don’t have patience. If they don’t grasp it quickly, I might lose my temper.”

Seeing her look scandalized, Kyle quickly added:

“How about this—you could be introduced as their rune teacher, and as an excuse we’ll all share a meal together.”
“Is that really necessary? They already know who I am.”
“Exactly. Since you’re not strangers, why not just relax and have dinner together?”

Kyle gave her a shamelessly charming smile.

“Everett, you and I haven’t even shared a meal together yet.”
“We have.”
“When? I don’t recall.”
“When you visited Kuna. I had soup because my throat hurt, and you had Ice Kuna.”
“Ah… you’re calling that a meal?”
“Of course.”
“No, a proper meal means this—meeting each other’s eyes, talking about the day while eating together.”
“Pfft!”

Everett burst into laughter at Kyle’s overly earnest expression.

Her round eyes curved softly, and a small dimple appeared on her left cheek.

“…You have a dimple.”

Kyle murmured in a low voice, unable to take his eyes off it, as though he had discovered some rare treasure.

The next morning, a message from Kyle arrived.

Everett, I’ll come pick you up at five this afternoon.

It was a short note, but Everett couldn’t tear her eyes away.

“Young Lady, what’s making you smile like that?”

Daisy set down bread and a bowl of soup, then glanced at the letter in Everett’s hands.

“What even is that? Looks like a child’s scribbles, just lines drawn all over.”

To someone unfamiliar, that was natural.
Kyle had written the letter using the rune script Everett had taught him.

Incredible. To think he could already compose full sentences like this?

Even stripped of meaning, the script was still strange and unfamiliar.
Yet he had managed not just words but a complete letter—it was nothing short of impressive.

“Daisy, no need to prepare dinner tonight.”
“Do you have a tarot appointment?”
“No. I just made a dinner arrangement.”

Daisy’s eyes widened as she hurried to sit beside her.
Everett had never gone out to dinner with anyone outside her clients’ sessions.

“Who are you dining with?”

Daisy narrowed her eyes, her voice lilting with curiosity.

“Young Lady… could it be…?”

I don’t even need to ask who she’s thinking of.

Everett let out a soft sigh.

“Yes, it’s the person you’re imagining.”

Daisy clutched her cheeks and leapt up from her seat.

“I knew it! I knew it! From the very beginning, I thought the way His Grace looked at you was unusual!”
“Daisy, it’s true I was invited, but it’s not just with him. Others will be there too.”

Daisy, who had been bouncing in excitement, froze mid-step.

“What? You mean it’s not just the two of you?”
“Right. Sir Kiyor will be there, Lord Olbreno as well, and likely Lady Sharlotte too.”
“What is this? Why dinner with everyone? Can’t it just be the two of you?”
“Really now… why would I be dining alone with His Grace?”

Looking crestfallen, Daisy plopped back into her chair.

“Come on, eat your breakfast. Is a group dinner such a world-ending disappointment that you make a face like that?”
“Well, it’s just….”

Daisy had always only glimpsed Kyle from afar in the plaza.

Cold, statuesque, detached—the very image of the “Frozen Sun” his nickname suggested.

But the Kyle she had seen up close was different. He was kind even to a mere baron’s maid like her. And most of all, the way he looked at Everett was warm and gentle.

I thought His Grace truly saw her differently… Was I mistaken? Do royals look at all noble ladies like that?

Sulking, Daisy pouted.

“Daisy, hurry and eat.”

Suddenly, Daisy jumped up again.

“Young Lady, now is not the time for me to eat. We need to pick out what you’ll wear for tonight’s dinner!”
“No, Daisy. It’s not that kind of occasion. Just something comfortable….”

But before Everett could finish, Daisy was already rushing upstairs.

Everett looked at the untouched bowl of soup Daisy had left behind and shook her head.

“I’d better stop her before she burns herself out over nothing.”

“Ah, I finally slept so well.”

Angelus lay staring at the ceiling, chuckling to herself.

She had heard the Emperor had approved the ball.

“As expected, wine drunk in joy never leaves you with a hangover, no matter how much you drink.”

She rang a small bell, and a maid who had been waiting outside hurried in.

“You’re awake, My Lady.”
“I won’t be going to the dining hall today. Bring breakfast here.”
“Yes, My Lady.”

Having persuaded the Emperor to hold the ball, it wouldn’t be long before she and Kyle became masters of the temple.

No longer did she need to bother with filthy taverns just to cozy up to Yankeller.

Everything was unfolding just as Angelus had planned.