Chapter 139
Through Freya’s words, Rosia became convinced that none of this was coincidence.
Eila was behind everything.
Looking back, from the day Eila first entered the mansion until now, Rosia had never once seen her flustered or cornered.
No matter what Rosia said, no matter what tricks she tried, Eila always slipped away with ease.
As if such troubles were nothing to her.
But that ends now.
By helping Princess Piony and strengthening her position, Eila had openly defied the Empress this time.
Voices praising the princess filled the streets.
It was because she had made what used to be nobles-only luxury cosmetics available cheaply to the common people.
On top of that, Princess Piony was actively attending charitable events funded by the profits, making her presence felt in society.
Naturally, people began to compare her to Prince Darian.
If the Empress realized Eila had orchestrated all of this, would she let her be?
Never.
Rosia’s lips curved in a cold smile.
The Empress was likely seething just as much as she was.
In that case, there was no need for Rosia to act first. All she had to do was stoke the Empress’s unease further.
Sitting at her desk, she pulled out a quill and began to write quickly.
She filled the letter with details—the Flor Cosmetics artisan’s mysterious disappearance, Eila’s suspicious movements, and her ties with Princess Piony.
But something was still missing. Rosia tapped the quill against her lips, thinking.
The problem is that Eila still has too much value.
That was why the Empress had first ordered Rosia to strip Eila of her position, then later warned her not to touch her.
The Dragon’s power.
As long as Eila had that power, the Empress couldn’t recklessly dispose of her.
And the Black Dragon had already grown safely, completing its molt.
…No, if the Empress never changes her mind, then in the end, I’ll have to deal with her myself.
Rosia drew a deep breath and closed her eyes slowly.
Just then, there was a firm knock at the door.
“Rosia, are you inside?”
It was her brother’s familiar voice. Rosia hurriedly folded the letter and shoved it into a drawer.
“Come in.”
At her reply, the door opened at once. Kedrick and Gerat stepped into the room.
Seeing them, Rosia put on a smooth smile.
Unexpectedly, her brothers had reached out to her not long ago. Thanks to that, Rosia had managed to mend her relationship with her family.
They must have pitied me, constantly criticized by Father and mocked at the academy.
On the surface, after all, she was still their “real” sister.
Soon Gerat approached, carrying a silver tray with a bright smile.
“What were you doing, Rosia? We came to see if you’d like to have some tea with us.”
At his words, Rosia gave an awkward smile and nodded.
“Yes, thank you, brother. Actually… I was writing a letter to send to Count Arman’s family. I’ve been worried about Freya’s condition.”
At that, Gerat’s face grew serious.
“Ah, I heard about that too. They say Count Arman is putting his mansion up for sale. Since she was your close friend, of course you’d be concerned.”
“Yes… I haven’t seen her much lately, and I keep worrying.”
Kedrick, too, looked troubled.
“How could their business collapse so quickly? Sharon Atelier used to be the Empire’s most famous cosmetics brand.”
“I heard they lost almost all their customers to a new brand called Yuriette. Apparently it’s much cheaper than Sharon Atelier.”
Rosia guided her brothers to the table with a downcast face.
Once they set the tray down and sat, she asked in a careful tone,
“But rumor has it the person managing and investing in that business is Princess Piony. Is that true?”
Gerat exchanged an uneasy glance with Kedrick, then reluctantly nodded.
“Yes, it seems so. Yesterday I went to the palace with Father, and His Majesty was quite excited about it.”
“I see… But still, isn’t it too much to run things so aggressively, to the point of destroying existing businesses?”
“Well… you’re not wrong. I understand your feelings, but…”
Gerat trailed off, giving her a meaningful look.
“Try not to speak of it outside. His Majesty seems very pleased with this matter, and the people’s mood is also favorable.”
At his stern warning, Rosia’s expression soured.
Hmph. So now they want me to cut ties with a ruined house.
It was nice to reconcile with her brothers, but she didn’t like that they no longer tiptoed around her as before.
It doesn’t seem like the magic has worn off… maybe the aftereffects of what happened still linger.
Just then, Kedrick handed her a teacup with a gentle smile.
“Here, Rosia. Drink before it gets cold.”
“Mm.”
“But don’t rush. You might burn your tongue.”
At his considerate words, Rosia’s cheeks flushed faintly.
At least things seemed better than before.
There had been a time when she’d feared all the magic she’d cast on them had completely broken.
Yet lately, Kedrick was often even kinder to her than Gerat was.
“Thank you, brother.”
That was why Rosia never suspected—
—that Kedrick’s sharp eyes were quietly scanning her room, as if searching for something.
Final exams began at Riod Academy.
The classroom was so silent that even breathing sounded loud, and students scribbled furiously at their papers.
Among them, Eila finished her last answer before anyone else.
When she set down her pen with trembling fingers, a sense of freedom washed over her.
Phew, finally done…
Soon, the test ended.
After handing in her paper, she stepped outside to find Piony and Felix waiting for her.
“Eila, over here!”
“How was it? Did it go well?”
Unlike Eila, who looked refreshed after finishing, both of them looked completely drained.
“Yes, I did fine as usual. But… are you two alright? You look exhausted.”
At her question, Felix shook his head.
“I used my brain too much, I feel drained of all energy.”
Piony groaned in agreement.
“Same here. I don’t even care about the practical exam, I just want to sleep… I didn’t know it’d be this hard.”
Still, the three of them naturally made their way toward the greenhouse. Their exams weren’t all over yet.
Eila teased them with a grin.
“For all that complaining, you’re still heading straight to the greenhouse?”
Piony pouted.
“We still have the practicals! Who made this ridiculous exam schedule anyway? It’s too much.”
“Tell me about it. At least the horrible written part is over.”
Felix sighed, then paused and looked at Eila.
“But don’t worry too much, Eila. We’ll both graduate early just fine.”
Not to be outdone, Piony declared boldly,
“I’m not failing either!”
At their determined voices, Eila couldn’t help but laugh.
They might complain about being tired, but she could see they were giving their all for these exams.
