Chapter 131………………………………………
After hearing about the eccentric inventor, Terence readily accepted my proposal.
“Sounds good. Fortunately, I can free up two or three days starting the day after tomorrow.”
“Perfect!”
“It was worth pushing through all that work so I could take the whole time off.”
“So that’s why you were so busy.”
“Isn’t the same true for you, Idel?”
He gently took my hand.
“Since we’re at it, shall we make this our first date?”
“A—A date?”
“Yes, a date.”
Come to think of it, according to Terence’s own words, we were now in a relationship of tempting and being tempted.
In that case, going out together could certainly be interpreted as a date.
Oh no.
I had been so focused on persuading the eccentric inventor that I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
Besides, Terence and I had worked together several times before, so I had casually suggested we go together this time as well.
The eccentric inventor would also be someone useful for Terence to know.
But a date…
Suddenly tension spread through my body, and my shoulders felt heavy.
Just then—
“…I seem to have put too much pressure on you.”
Terence’s voice sounded slightly dejected, and his eyebrows lowered faintly.
“I’m sorry. You don’t need to pay attention to what I said just now.”
The moment I saw his hand withdrawing from mine, my body reacted before my mind did.
I grabbed Terence’s hand tightly and blurted out loudly:
“Let’s do it! A date!”
Terence’s eyes widened, and then he smiled like a flower in full bloom.
“I’ll look forward to it.”
A moment later, I wondered, Was that really okay?
But seeing how happy he looked, I figured it didn’t matter.
Feeling a pleasant nervousness, I invited Terence to have dinner together.
The next day, since I would be away for a while, I left the imperial palace to make preparations.
The carriage carrying me stopped in front of a neat building located in the bustling district of the capital.
Luciviu Mining Company
A brand-new sign greeted me.
With a strangely swelling sense of pride, I stepped inside the building, and someone recognized me.
“You’re here. What brings you today?”
It was a familiar face—Caden Moremo.
He had once been the head butler of the Cassius family, testified on my behalf during the divorce trial, and was now the president of the Luciviu Mining Company.
The Luciviu Mining Company was something I had established recently to handle the development and management of the mine, as well as the sale of mana stones.
Since the Luciviu Mine had become the center of attention lately, it would have been impossible for me to handle everything alone as an individual.
That was why, ever since returning from the mining village to the capital, I had been planning to establish a mining company.
After all, in any endeavor, the most important element is reliable people.
Since I couldn’t entrust the company’s management to just anyone, I thought long and hard before suddenly remembering Mr. Caden.
“A mining company… I’ve spent my entire life working only for the Cassius duchy. I’m not suited for such a role.”
“That’s exactly why I trust you. You’ve taken care of a great house like Cassius for so long. I’m sure you’ll manage a company well too.”
At first he hesitated, but when I asked again, he seemed deep in thought.
The decisive factor that made him change his mind came from his son, Joshua.
Just one sentence—“Father looks cool when he works.”
After hearing that, Mr. Caden accepted my proposal and became the president of the Luciviu Mining Company.
The company had only just been established recently, so we still needed to hire more employees and there were many things to take care of.
“Ah, things are hectic right now. The owner herself has come, yet all I can offer is a cup of tea I brewed myself. Please forgive me.”
Just as Joshua had said, he looked energetic and impressive while working.
“No, it’s very delicious. Thank you.”
When I waved both hands in response, he looked at me with a warm gaze.
“Lady Idel, would you perhaps visit my son someday?”
“Huh? You mean…?”
“This is the first time my son has ever said he wants to meet someone besides me.”
“Wow! Congratulations!”
Because of past trauma, Joshua had shut himself off from people and avoided contact with others.
Perhaps the treatment he had received in the capital was finally showing results.
“Joshua enjoys hearing stories about you, Lady Idel. He always asks me if there’s anything new about you.”
“My stories?”
“Well, you’re the one who boldly stood up against the Cassius family that instilled fear in him.”
“It wasn’t really that amazing…”
“Moreover, it was thanks to you that the Duke regretted his actions and changed his mind about apologizing to Joshua.”
I had nothing to say to the continued praise, so I just smiled awkwardly.
“To that child, you’re practically a hero.”
It was far more praise than I deserved.
After discussing a few matters about the company’s management with Mr. Caden, I left.
But instead of returning directly to the imperial palace, I headed to the Leok Embassy Residence.
There was another piece of good news.
“Congratulations, Diana!”
“Thank you, Idel!”
Diana ran to me and hugged me tightly.
Seeing me again must have stirred her emotions, because her eyes quickly filled with tears.
“It’s finally over!”
After a long process lasting several months, Diana had finally succeeded in getting a divorce.
She had already won the trial against her ex-husband, and just last night the temple had given its approval.
We embraced each other like comrades who had fought the same battle and shared in the joy.
Since my own divorce had ended by agreement rather than a full trial, her victory in court felt even more gratifying.
I hoped that many people in this land who carried the hope of divorce in their hearts would now find courage.
In fact, according to Sharon, ever since news of my divorce started appearing in newspapers, the number of people seeking consultations from her had increased significantly.
Hopefully Sharon’s law office would soon be flooded with clients.
“Lady Idel, please allow us to thank you once again.”
“The kindness you showed in finding our daughter—repaying it even with our entire lives wouldn’t be enough.”
In the embassy’s reception room, the ambassador and his wife bowed deeply.
“Please don’t do that! I only did what anyone should!”
When I became embarrassed, the ambassador chuckled softly.
“And on behalf of my homeland, thank you as well for selling top-grade mana stones to the Kingdom of Leok.”
“I should be the one thanking you.”
“Oh, and thanks to you, we also gained the opportunity to deal with that man.”
The ambassador spoke with a chilling smile.
Of course, “that man” referred to Diana’s ex-husband.
Now that the trial had ended, the ambassador and his wife had no reason to leave alive the scum who had even raised his fist against their precious daughter.
I had no idea what kind of fate awaited him, but I felt absolutely no sympathy.
He had brought it upon himself.
After receiving warm hospitality at the embassy, I returned to the annex palace.
The sun set and rose again.
The day had finally come to leave to meet the eccentric inventor.
“You won’t be able to keep this up for long, so please come back quickly…”
Laura said while helping me prepare for departure.
She had to make it look as though I was still staying in the annex palace.
That’s right—I was leaving in secret.
The eccentric inventor had contributed greatly to Liena’s accumulation of enormous wealth so far, and her new business would be impossible without him.
So if Liena found out—even by chance—that I was going to meet him, she would definitely try to interfere.
Whenever I was busy, I often stayed locked in my room for days, so it wouldn’t be strange if I wasn’t seen for the next two or three days.
Still, just in case, I handed Laura a pink wig.
I decided not to recall the expression she made when she received it.
“Thanks. I’m counting on you, Laura!”
After saying that, I left the annex palace with Vineta.
Thanks to Vineta quietly adjusting the security arrangements of the Imperial Knights beforehand, we were able to slip out through the back gate.
We caught a hired carriage and headed to the central train station of the capital.
Terence was waiting for us there.
According to him, he had also sneaked out of the imperial palace using a similar trick.
If necessary, Jack would impersonate Terence.
Thinking about Laura and Jack’s situation made it hard to laugh, yet I still let out a small chuckle.
I’m sorry to both of you. I’ll make sure you live well with the money from selling mana stones.
While I was thinking that, Terence—who had already finished buying the tickets—held out his hand.
“Shall we go?”
It was the beginning of a new journey.
Meanwhile
Mikhail’s Palace
“Don’t work too hard.”
Liena entered Mikhail’s office carrying a tray with a teacup.
Mikhail, who had been examining documents at his desk, looked up at his lover.
“What kind of tea is this?”
“It’s a medicinal tea I’ve been developing lately!”
“Medicinal tea?”
“It’s for something special. All for you.”
“Thank you. I’ll drink it well.”
Liena imagined the moved expression Mikhail would soon show and smiled with satisfaction.
Then she glanced at the documents he was holding.
“What are you working on?”
“Oh, I was reviewing the business plan you mentioned earlier.”
“It’s impressive, right?”
“If it succeeds, it will change the Asteroth Empire—no, the whole world. But…”
Mikhail’s expression darkened.
“This wizard named Kais… wouldn’t it be better to bring him to the imperial palace? Since he’s central to the project, we should protect him properly.”
“I understand what you mean. But don’t worry.”
“Why not?”
“Kais is an exceptional wizard. No one can easily harm him.”
“But if he’s that talented, others will surely try to recruit him.”
“It’s fine. There’s no way he’ll go over to someone else.”
Liena said confidently.
“After all, even after putting in effort for over ten years… I still haven’t fully won Kais’s heart.”
