Alexis entered his office and looked at Norman, who had followed behind him. Elia had already been sent ahead to the dining room.
“What is it, Norman?”
“A letter has arrived from the imperial family.”
“A letter?”
“Yes, here it is.”
Norman handed the envelope to Alexis.
The envelope bore the imperial seal.
“So it really is from the imperial family.”
Alexis tore it open and checked the contents.
After reading it, a smirk formed on his face.
“They say they’re going to send food supplies.”
“They ignored us when we asked before, and now they want to send it?”
“That’s what they say.”
“Are you going to accept it?”
“Of course. Wouldn’t it be strange to refuse when they’re offering?”
“But…”
Norman’s concern was well understood.
“They’re definitely going to pull some kind of trick.”
It wasn’t the first time.
Food rarely arrived on time. Sometimes it was looted by bandits, and other times it arrived spoiled.
“Let them scheme all they want. We don’t need to worry anymore. Tell them we’ll accept the support.”
“Yes, Duke.”
In the past, Alexis would have raged with indignation, but not anymore. Thanks to Elia, their warehouses were full, and they could now produce food on their own.
In addition, opening trade with the Black Pearl merchant guild had created new financial avenues. All of this was thanks to Elia’s accomplishments.
“Miss, what is all this?”
Before heading to the office, Alexis had handed Meryl a bundle of gifts.
He told her to take them to Elia’s room.
Apparently, it had made Meryl curious.
“I visited the Blessed Land, and the people of the territory gave me these as gifts.”
“I see. They must really like you.”
“I’m grateful they do.”
“Of course! How could anyone not love someone as lovely as you?”
“Is that so?”
“Of course!”
Feeling a little shy, Elia changed the subject.
“I’m hungry. I’ll wash up and then head to the dining room.”
After a warm bath with Meryl’s assistance, Elia changed into a comfortable indoor dress and headed to the dining room.
She was truly starving.
She had seen off Lapis and Lazli in the morning, and after lunch, she’d toured the Blessed Land with Alexis.
Time had flown by while inspecting the land.
The day had passed in a flash.
When she arrived at the dining room, Alexis wasn’t there yet.
Norman personally set the table as she climbed into the child-sized chair.
“Where’s the Duke?”
“He’ll be here shortly.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Alexis opened the door and walked in. He looked freshly washed, wearing more casual clothes.
“Did you wait long, Elie?”
“I just got here too.”
“That’s good. I’m glad you didn’t wait long. Norman, bring out the food.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Soon, the table was filled with food.
All dishes had been carefully chosen to support brain development and physical growth.
Grilled salmon, a vegetable and egg frittata, and a chicken-quinoa dish were served for dinner.
“The chef said this recipe was specially selected for your health, Elie. Eat up.”
“The chef’s really looking after me.”
“Of course. He was really worried when he heard you collapsed again.”
“There was no need to tell him…”
“I had to. If you’re sick and the chef makes a mistake with your food, that’s not acceptable.”
“Then I should thank him properly.”
“From now on, prioritize your health, Elie.”
His words came from worry that she might collapse again from overexertion.
“I will.”
“Elie, I hope you understand—you’re still a child.”
“I know. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“Good. Then let’s eat. You must be starving.”
With a gentle smile, Alexis helped serve food onto Elia’s plate. He cut up the frittata for her, adding that he hoped it would help her grow strong and healthy.
Elia felt grateful for his care, but also uneasy—it felt like she was growing too attached to everyone in the ducal household. They were all so kind-hearted.
During the meal, Alexis brought up the letter from the imperial family.
“Elie, a letter arrived from the imperial family offering food support.”
Elia’s head snapped up at the words.
“Support from the imperial family?”
“Yes, a letter arrived.”
“May I see it myself?”
“Of course—but after you finish eating.”
Alexis encouraged her to finish her meal first.
After eating everything, including dessert, Elia finally headed to the duke’s office.
“Here it is.”
Alexis handed her the letter himself.
The imperial seal was clearly stamped on it.
“After all that silence, now they want to help…”
Around last fall, Alexis had formally requested food assistance from the imperial family.
Not once or twice—he had asked five or six times. But no clear answer ever came.
Elia believed this was their version of “taming.”
Raoul and Duchess Christina had once told the emperor that only through hardship would one learn gratitude toward the imperial family.
They had said, “If someone is endlessly kind, people start thinking it’s their right.”
The Duke of Preussen was the emperor’s only sibling, and the duchess was one of the emperor’s closest friends. Thus, the emperor often discussed state affairs with the ducal couple.
To Elia, this was no different from a deliberate taming process.
An attempt to mold others to fit their own agenda.
‘But they failed to tame us.’
The Cartellani Dukedom hadn’t danced to their tune.
So the ducal family was mocked for being inflexible and proud.
‘Even I couldn’t be manipulated.’
The Cartellani House had a firm will that didn’t waver, even in the face of hardship.
“The letter says Count Gaiza will be the one overseeing the delivery.”
Alexis nodded.
From what Elia knew, Count Gaiza was essentially Duchess Christina’s right-hand man.
‘Sending him means they’re planning something.’
There was no way the food would arrive intact or on time. Duchess Christina had always found ways to sabotage food deliveries.
With the duke ill and bedridden, she was the one effectively running the duchy.
She even had official authority to use the duke’s seal.
Most importantly, Count Gaiza was cunning.
Elia searched her memories.
‘If Christina is moving Count Gaiza, it means she has something else planned.’
Wherever Count Gaiza went, trouble followed.
‘What’s she scheming this time?’
Elia looked seriously at Alexis.
“Your Grace.”
“Yes?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Why start speaking and stop?”
“The truth is… Count Gaiza is—”
“Duchess Christina’s shadow.”
Elia’s eyes widened.
“How did you know?”
“Just because we’re tucked away in the north doesn’t mean we’re idiots.”
A chill ran down her spine.
“Gaiza is sly. This won’t be a simple ploy.”
“Highly unlikely.”
“That’s why I think it would be best if you stayed hidden for a while, Elie.”
“You want me to hide?”
“Yes. He might figure out who you really are. It’s best if you stay out of sight.”
Elia agreed with him.
‘If the duchess finds out I’m here, it’ll be a disaster.’
Christina had once tried to use Elia—the World Tree’s guardian—for her own gain. She would stop at nothing to possess her.
In the process, Elia’s loved ones had been hurt or killed. Christina was like a venomous snake—cold and ruthless.
Even as Elia sought revenge, sacrifices had been made. In the end, she had succeeded—but she’d lost much along the way.
Through her three past lives, Elia had come to realize: no sacrifice is truly unavoidable.
“I’ll stay with Uncle Felix for now.”
“That would be best. I’ll let him know.”
Elia decided to follow Alexis’s judgment.
This would also give her a chance to help Felix with his medicine-making.
He’d been grumbling about the workload lately, so she thought she should lend a hand.
After all, making medicine wasn’t easy.
He’d even been whining that he couldn’t go on dates with Jasper because of all the work.
This might be a perfect opportunity.
