Chapter 61
“Here’s the letter.”
Regis’s hearty laugh echoed through the Empress’s ruby room. The Empress’s lips curved smoothly as she heard the news from Regis that Princess Mahel had departed from the Valua Kingdom.
“I see. So that’s how it is.”
At that moment, a maid, who had been attaching diamonds to the Empress’s nails, finished her task and withdrew. The diamonds dangling from the tips of her fingers sparkled, lifting the Empress’s mood.
Regis, noticing the Empress looking unusually cheerful, voiced his curiosity.
“What do you plan to do when the princess arrives?”
“I have no particular plans. The princess, who’s infatuated with Prince Kazar, will act as she pleases. A ‘collection room,’ huh? Quite an interesting hobby. She must have inherited it from the queen.”
“Will you… kidnap her again?”
“No. I’ll just watch carefully.”
The Empress, straightening her fingers to admire her nails, noticed the lingering question on Regis’s face and added an explanation.
“If Princess Mahel succeeds, we can gather evidence to pressure the Valua Kingdom. Even if she fails, as long as we secure the evidence, we can still pressure them. So all we need to do is watch closely.”
What happens to Kazar didn’t matter. As long as the Valua Kingdom could be brought down.
“Mother, didn’t you grow up in the Valua Kingdom?”
Regis’s careless question made the Empress’s gaze sharp.
“Who says so?”
“Shavia.”
“So your brother told you, huh? Yes, I was born and raised in Valua. But it’s not a memory I’d like to revisit.”
Her childhood had been happy—beautiful, clever, and capable of finding joy in small things. She loved everything about Valua.
But those sparkling memories of youth were instantly transformed into hell. There was no way to find happiness again in the empire she had been drawn to due to betrayal by someone she loved. And that event had happened.
The faces that resurfaced whenever the Valua Kingdom was mentioned haunted her. Those ghostly memories would only vanish when she saw the kingdom’s downfall.
“Father, mother, brother, Linda… it won’t be long. Wait just a little longer. I’ll cut that wretch’s head off and offer it at your graves.”
Regis, slightly intimidated by the Empress’s fierce gaze, spoke with a tone mixed with bravado.
“It seems someone wronged you, Mother. If I become emperor, I will punish them all severely.”
“Yes. I’ll trust only the prince.”
When the Empress sent him a tender look, Regis puffed up his chest. A maid, who had cautiously entered, stopped in the corner, and the Empress gestured.
“It’s fine, speak.”
“The prince’s servants are going around the marketplace buying things.”
“Buying things?”
After Eluana visited the imperial palace, Kazar’s servants had left. Curious about what was happening, the Empress had sent a few children along as well.
“What exactly are they buying?”
“Luxury items. They said they were for sending to the Spes Duke’s residence.”
“Seems like he’s trying to gift them to the Spes young lady.”
Regis’s face contorted in displeasure, but the Empress laughed out loud. It seemed Kazar intended to survive by parasitizing the Spes family’s influence.
“He’s chasing a futile dream. The Spes Duke doesn’t accept gifts.”
“But didn’t he save that girl?”
“That doesn’t make him someone who would make exceptions. He won’t treat royalty differently. Being refused and made a joke of will make him realize his folly.”
The Empress’s smile deepened.
“Shall we even try proposing a marriage? What do you think, Regis?”
“I will follow your will, Mother.”
A satisfying answer. But as it stood, the Spes Duke would not accept any proposal.
“Yes. We must think of a way to lower her value.”
Kieran declared confidently:
“Trust me. I’ll make him the empire’s greatest mage. Ah, I’m the best, right? Then he’ll be the second-best!”
There would be no one to argue that she wasn’t the empire’s greatest mage. For such a mage to personally teach magic to Louis was indeed a favor.
Thankfully… thankfully, but…
Eluana slammed her head on the table. The loud sound made Ling, who was choosing hair ornaments, jump in surprise and turn around.
“Milady?!”
“I’m fine. My head is just cluttered with thoughts.”
Her flailing hands while resting her forehead on the table didn’t look fine at all. Ling lifted Eluana’s golden hair and secured it with a hairpin adorned with a small emerald.
“It’s because of Louis, isn’t it?”
Eluana groaned and nodded.
Having no alternative made the decision easier. Sending Louis to Kieran was undeniably the best option.
“It’s already decided, yet it still troubles me.”
Seeing Louis excitedly asking Kieran about magic made her even more uneasy. She felt both disappointment and betrayal.
“How could I have raised him like this…”
Tears blurred her vision. Ling, holding Eluana’s shoulder to steady her, comforted her.
“Sir Alex will go along, so it’ll be fine. And it’s Kieran, after all.”
“That’s exactly why I’m worried about Kieran.”
Ling’s eyes rolled slightly.
“Hmm. But he’s very strong. He’ll protect Louis well.”
“That’s some comfort.”
It was also fortunate that Kieran appeared on friendly terms with the Spes Duke. Eluana had met Kieran to find Stella, and that connection had extended to research support, making them almost like friends rather than mere associates.
“His zeal to receive the book for taking care of Louis was almost like he’d sell his soul.”
So it should be fine.
“All done.”
Once Ling finished arranging her hair, Eluana got up. Ling adjusted her skirt and brought out her large emerald-adorned shoes for going out.
“The shoes are quite flashy.”
“It’s fine; the hem hides them!”
Even though they were hidden, Eluana wondered why they were so flashy. Shrugging it off, she changed into the shoes and left the lavender room with Ling.
Kieran said he would return to his lodgings tonight, so Eluana had to quickly finish Louis’s travel preparations. Rosette had already sent his indoor clothes, but new fancy outfits were needed for going out. A major shopping trip was in order.
Before going out, Eluana headed to the garden. The sky was clear between the tall and short trees. The massive garden, with unnamed flowers and lush greenery, seemed endless. Turning to the sound of an unknown bird, a white dog wagging its tail approached her.
The dog immediately lay on its back in front of her. Rustling from the garden revealed more dogs approaching and circling around.
“How have you been?”
Eluana crouched, petting the dog’s belly while checking on the others.
The dogs she had brought had settled into the garden. Initially anxious, they now wagged their tails when meeting the staff.
“They used to leave food, but now they eat everything they’re given.”
Ling’s explanation tugged at her heart.
“They must have been saving it… not believing they’d get meals regularly.”
“I won’t let you go hungry.”
The dog licked her hand, rubbed its head against her, then got up and sat on a bench under a large tree’s shade.
‘Time to go.’
The dog followed and lay at her feet. As she smelled the breeze, the clock tower began to chime. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong…
Since Eluana’s return from Aden, the Spes territory had regained its clock tower chimes.
‘Manageable.’
Her shoulders stiffened slightly, but she felt no strong emotion. In Aden, the overlapping chimes and unease had provoked a strong reaction. Now her heart beat slightly, but it was tolerable.
‘I’ll get used to hearing it every day.’
After the chimes ended, Eluana took a deep breath and stood. She petted the dog that looked up at her and started walking.
“Alright! Let’s go, Ling.”
They chose the carriage used with Dave for a quiet departure. Inside the duchy, only Alex, Ling, and the little pearl accompanied her in casual clothes. Secretly, four knights of the Spes First Order would follow, unbeknownst to Eluana.
At the carriage, Alex approached.
“The magic shop is reserved. You can visit it last. Where shall we start?”
“Somewhere discreet, yet not cheap—where should we go?”
“There’s a suitable place. Shall we head there?”
“Yes, please.”
With the clatter of hooves, the carriage moved. Alex, riding alongside, explained to Eluana, who peeked out the window.
“This area is a shopping street mainly used by wealthy locals and adventurers. Designs are simple, but materials are high-quality. It’s suitable if you’re hiding Louis’s identity.”
Eluana looked up at Alex’s composed face. He was knowledgeable and perceptive, just as she had noticed when asking about the royal family.
“We’ll get off here.”
The carriage slowed as she spoke.
Eluana stepped down, surveying the surroundings. The first shop that caught her eye displayed clothing for adults and children, along with hats and bags.
A large male voice greeted them, “Welcome!” and inside, the store was more spacious than expected. Ling’s eyes widened in amazement.
“Fascinating?”
“The store is really big.”
Even in Aden, and Ling’s village, no store matched this size. Ling’s curiosity was natural. Walking toward the children’s section, her head darted around, finally fixing on something.
“What are you looking at?”
“I was planning to buy one when I get my salary.”
Her payday was near. Though she wouldn’t receive a full month’s salary, it was still a substantial sum for her.
Ling wanted to gift something to Eluana. Perhaps just a hair tie, despite Eluana’s treasure chest full of valuables.
‘I hope she likes it.’
Ling shyly smiled while examining the lace hair tie, and Eluana gestured:
“Look around here. I’ll order Louis’s things.”
“Oh, no…”
Eluana smiled at Ling, who hastily looked away.
“Look around.”
“It’s my duty to assist you, Milady.”
“Step back for a bit, then.”
“Then I’ll just watch a little. Call me if needed.”
“Alright.”
Eluana waved her hands and headed toward the children’s section. With Ling stepping back, Alex moved closer.
‘I should buy what Ling picked. She’ll like it.’
Eluana picked up a cloak at the front display. The staff, noticing her high-quality attire, smiled politely.
“What are you looking for?”
“Three sets of travel clothes for a six-year-old boy, a cloak, shoes, and maybe a small bag for essentials?”
“Yes! Of course. We have everything except a few items. Wait a moment, and I’ll show you everything.”
The diligent staff began showing the clothes in order. Various garments were displayed on the counters. Eluana was checking fabrics when a loud voice shouted:
“Don’t touch that!”
Turning around, she saw the man who had greeted them at the entrance, angrily scolding Ling.
