Chapter 20
“It’s only natural to get paid. There’s nothing shameful about that. Earning money and using it well—that’s what truly gives it meaning.”
Coming from Kasia, those words felt even more convincing than if anyone else had said them.
“Vice-leader, let’s take care of the remaining tasks now. The money you sent is being put to good use. And instead of a receipt, I had a ring made to express our gratitude for trusting us with that money. This ring will serve as your token.”
He then handed me the ring.
It was a simple rose gold ring with a sapphire inlay—nothing extravagant at first glance. Then he explained.
“It might look ordinary, but only my father and I have this ring in the House of Japhron. It’s used in place of a seal. The one I’m giving you doesn’t carry that exact authority, but it bears my full commitment as the heir of the House of Japhron. It symbolizes my order to provide you with every possible support I can give.”
“Ka… Kasia.”
It was far more generous than I had expected.
“If I return all the money I borrowed, do I have to give this ring back too?”
He shook his head with a smile.
“No, Your Highness. Even after that, you’ll still be able to access the authority of my house—financial support included.”
His words were almost too unbelievable.
Erkan listened to our conversation with great interest.
“And about the gold that came from the territory—it’s incredible. But when I showed it to a few people, their reactions were a little awkward. They said it’s ‘unnecessarily’ high quality. Apparently, it’s too good. While there are very few who can recognize its quality, those who can say it’s genuinely excellent. But that’s also the problem.”
Listening to Kasia, I found myself staring blankly at him.
It was because of the implication: if only a few people could recognize its quality, selling it at a fair price would be difficult.
Having something valuable but not being able to get its worth because so few could recognize it—that was frustrating.
Then Erkan asked if he could see the gold himself.
“It could make a big difference for us. I think it’ll be a huge help.”
A surprising solution might have just presented itself.
If the gold from the territory could help Erkan, I was even willing to give it to him for free.
But before I could say anything, Beatrice shook her head at me.
She probably knew exactly what I was thinking.
“…”
Erkan, unaware that I had been stopped from saying something, was busy talking to Kasia.
“If it’s for Sir Erkan, I think we can give it on credit.”
Beatrice offered a compromise—postponing payment—and Erkan gratefully accepted it, calling it a generous offer.
I looked at Beatrice, thinking once again how amazing she was.
I wasn’t originally the type to be generous, but being here—where huge sums of money changed hands so easily—I was starting to get careless and lavish.
And that was when Beatrice stepped in to make sure anyone who could pay did so properly.
“Vice-leader, now that you’re back, the Japhron merchant group will grow immensely. I’m really looking forward to it. Especially with Sir Erkan.”
If the people I introduced to one another could help each other, that made me genuinely happy.
Erkan said he’d discuss the details with Kasia later, and Kasia smiled.
“Now it’s time for you to talk with the vice-leader yourself. I’ve been handling things in your stead, but from now on, you’ll need to manage the territory directly. Oh, wait. Weren’t you deposed? Did they take your land too? What happened, Vice-leader?”
Hearing him bring up my deposition so casually, I shook my head in disbelief, but he just looked at me without understanding why.
“They left the territory alone. I think they felt taking that too would’ve been going too far.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I thought you’d lose that too.”
Kasia looked around nervously, probably realizing he’d said something a bit reckless.
“You can trust the people here, but still, you should be careful with your words from now on. Just being associated with me will draw attention.”
When I said that, Kasia nodded and promised to be more careful.
“Thank you all. I’m really happy to be able to talk so comfortably like this. I never thought such a day would come.”
As I spoke, they nodded and smiled.
In the midst of our relaxed conversation, I thought it was time to properly explain who Beatrice was to the others.
Though she had probably introduced herself, it was likely just as my maid, without explaining much else.
“Sir Kasia, Sir Erkan, I know you both already know about Beatrice, but I’d like to introduce her more formally here.”
Beatrice looked at me, startled.
She seemed tense, not knowing what I was going to say.
“Beatrice is more loyal than anyone I’ve ever met. And she’s wise. Without her, I probably wouldn’t even be here today. I might’ve crumbled under all the judgment and prejudice I faced.”
Kasia and Erkan looked at her with admiration, and Beatrice shyly lowered her head.
“I don’t deserve such praise, Your Highness. I was just doing my duty. It’s nothing to be praised for.”
I shook my head.
“I don’t think so. Every time I hit a dead end, you found a way forward. That alone means so much.”
As the conversation moved on, I said to them:
“You might already know, but Beatrice is a princess of the Kingdom of Felmon.”
“I do,” Kasia said, and Erkan nodded as well.
Beatrice flinched at my words and looked at me.
“The Kingdom of Felmon shouldn’t have been destroyed the way it was. Its civilization was far more advanced, and its societal structure was well developed. I believe Sedfol had much to learn from Felmon. But sadly, the kingdom was trampled by barbarians and eventually collapsed.”
Kasia didn’t hold back.
“I also think the invasion of Felmon was a grave mistake by our kingdom. My father, Duke Meidern, recklessly led that invasion. I believe it’s something we must make right.”
“Your Highness…”
Beatrice looked at me, clearly surprised by my thoughts.
“You both have great influence—in your houses, your merchant groups, and the magic tower. How you treat Beatrice will influence how others treat her too.”
“Understood, Vice-leader. You’re right. I’ll be especially careful from now on,” Kasia said.
“No, really, you don’t have to do that for me. I mean it,” Beatrice said shyly, but they both treated her with great respect.
“Then, Vice-leader, when do you think you’ll officially resume activities?” Kasia asked.
Erkan suggested that it might be better not to reveal that my face had returned to normal just yet, and Kasia agreed.
“For now, let’s stay quiet for a few days and decide afterward.”
Once the conversation wound down, they said they’d return later and left.
It had been a hectic day.
After they left and only the two of us remained, Beatrice looked like she had something to say.
“Do you have something to tell me, Beatrice?”
I asked first, and she lowered her head.
“Your Highness…”
“Yes, Beatrice.”
“Thank you for thinking so highly of me. You didn’t have to…”
“It’s not untrue. I want to make things right. I truly like you, Beatrice, but because of what my father did, I feel guilty looking at you. And yet, you’ve treated me kindly like nothing ever happened. That makes me feel even guiltier.”
“You don’t have to feel that way, Your Highness. Really. It’s not your fault.”
“I’m saying this for my own peace of mind. It’s selfish, so don’t feel moved by it.”
At that, Beatrice smiled softly.
“I hope I can stay by your side for a long time.”
“Don’t say that, Beatrice. You have your own people to protect. You couldn’t do that before, but now you can. So focus on that.”
“Your Highness…”
Her eyes wavered.
She knew I was telling her to reclaim her lost kingdom.
“Let’s gather the scattered people. Let’s find a way. I’ll help. I’ve been wondering what I could do with all this money, but nothing else really excites me. But rebuilding a kingdom—your kingdom—that sounds like something truly meaningful. I’ll help.”
“…Your Highness.”
Beatrice looked overwhelmed.
It was something she had never even considered before.
As she listened, tears welled up in her eyes.
