Chapter 91 of the novel:
“I’ll try to squeeze out as much as I can.”
Evelyn said seriously, a realization dawning upon her belatedly.
‘I still can’t say I love the North completely.’
Compared to Elliott, who thought of the North as naturally as breathing, she felt woefully inadequate.
He had already done so much for her, and she felt ashamed that she had nothing to offer in return.
People would say she was driving out the evil god as a Hero, but that was a responsibility she bore regardless of any reward.
She felt like her debt to him was only growing.
Pretending to be his wife to remove the stigma of a curse, the countless gifts—everything.
“I’ll speak to Raven again.”
“I’ll do it.”
As soon as Evelyn mentioned Raven’s name, Elliott interrupted instinctively.
“But it’s so late.”
“It’s not proper for a lady to meet another man alone this late.”
Evelyn was about to say, “He’s just a friend,” but paused at Elliott’s gentle smile.
For some reason, she felt like she had to listen to him.
“Then… would you help me, Elliott?”
“Of course. That’s why I’m here, isn’t it?”
It was only nine o’clock, but at Elliott’s suggestion that she should rest early for tomorrow, Evelyn stood up.
Naturally, Elliott held out his arm for her.
“Once the subjugation ends, we’ll hire mercenaries. I want you to lead that task.”
As a Grand Duke who loved the North, Elliott handed her work as easily as breathing.
“I have to do that too?”
“Yes. I was quite moved seeing you work tirelessly late into the night.”
Is this the price for not loving the North enough? Evelyn smiled faintly as she was escorted just a few steps while being burdened with yet another task.
She hadn’t had a moment’s rest since coming to the North. Still, it was strangely fulfilling—more so than when she trained alone in the Count’s manor.
“All right. I’ll build the best mercenary subjugation force.”
“I’m always impressed by your passion.”
At the bedroom door, Elliott kissed Evelyn’s cheek. His physical affection was becoming more and more forward.
And then he looked at her, as if expecting something.
Evelyn noticed the subtle glances of the servants and took a short breath.
Then she rose on her toes and kissed Elliott on the cheek.
“Please don’t come back too late.”
Ugh.
Her face burned at the cheesy line.
She still wasn’t used to expressing affection. No matter how many lines of romantic dialogue she memorized from the books Tinia prepared, it never felt enough.
With a satisfied smile, Elliott left the room. Evelyn felt a bit sorry for Raven, who would be dealing with Elliott this late, but she admitted Elliott was the more skilled negotiator.
They had allowed the mages from the Tower to use the ruins for free during a trial period.
So taking a fee now was only fair.
Evelyn rushed into the bathroom to wash away her embarrassment.
✦✦✦
“Do you even have a conscience?”
Raven scowled at the Grand Duke who came to see him so late at night.
“I was told it was the mages who asked to join the subjugation.”
“But didn’t you agree to give us the spoils last time?”
When Elliott brought up what he said at the wedding, Raven gave a short laugh.
“The situation has changed, hasn’t it?”
At Elliott’s mention of the ruins, which hadn’t existed back then, Raven was left speechless. Even he had entered the ruins and achieved 7th Circle magic.
“And I’m already doing you a great favor by still negotiating.”
The Grand Duke had been accommodating many of the Tower’s requests. Raven had no choice but to yield this time too.
They were allowed to use the ruins for free until the end of the month, so it was time for the Tower to step back.
“Fine. Let’s set the fee at 15%.”
That much would help cover the Tower’s lodging and training expenses.
Raven quoted a fee higher than what Elliott initially offered.
Though it stung his pride to enter the deal at a loss, the Tower couldn’t be too greedy either.
“You’re more straightforward than your Tower Lord. I like it.”
“I’m not the kind to betray favors received.”
Satisfied, the Grand Duke stood up.
“You looked worn out earlier—are you feeling better?”
“I’m fine.”
It had been ridiculous to collapse into the ruins while resting, but thanks to it, his mana had recovered quickly.
Raven scratched his head in irritation.
“How long until you reach the 8th Circle?”
“You think that’s easy?”
“Isn’t that what the ruins are for?”
Elliott was clearly testing his strength, and Raven shook his head. He had only just reached the 7th Circle. The 8th Circle was still a distant goal.
“It would be great if you got stronger quickly.”
“For Evelyn’s sake?”
Nod.
The more people who could protect her, the better.
It was irritating, but Raven thought it was fortunate that a genius mage like him was close to Evelyn.
Even if something happened to him, there would be someone to protect her.
That mage would surely protect Evelyn.
“She’ll protect Evelyn, but not the North.”
“That doesn’t matter to me. The North always survives on its own.”
At Elliott’s confident smile, Raven’s face twisted in irritation.
✦✦✦
“Didn’t Sir Barrett already participate in the last subjugation?”
At the princess’s question, Leonel opened his mouth.
“It’s for joint training.”
Evelyn, standing beside him, answered instead. The princess seemed overly concerned about her brother.
Is that really not love?
She couldn’t believe her brother when he said it wasn’t.
“With the whole order going, my brother can’t be the only one left behind.”
At Evelyn’s words, Princess Isabel’s brow twitched.
“If most of the knights leave, who will ensure my safety?”
“The Tower Lord has agreed to look after that.”
In reality, the monsters were pushed from below during the subjugation, so none reached the Grand Duke’s castle.
Plus, there were still personal guards to protect the princess. There was nothing to worry about.
“When I return, I’ll guard Your Highness personally.”
Leonel didn’t know why he said it, only that he should say something like that.
“Fine.”
The princess turned her head sharply and stared at the Grand Duke.
“Let them depart.”
The order was given.
Evelyn, after checking the princess’s cool expression, followed behind Elliott.
✦✦✦
“Tsk.”
Left alone in the Grand Duke’s castle, the princess clicked her tongue. Though she had stayed in the North for a long time, she found no decisive evidence.
There had been frequent monster attacks—large and small—but none seemed enough to warrant the Grand Duke’s extreme caution.
The number of knights seemed small…
But that was because many were constantly being dispatched to the snowy mountains.
Another factor was the presence of the Magic Tower.
Why did the Tower Lord come to the North?
He had refused all her requests for an audience.
“Request a tea time with the Tower Lord.”
“Again?”
The maid asked cautiously, having been rejected multiple times.
“Yes.”
The maid quietly left the room.
Her pride was hurt, but she had no choice. Her father had ordered her to uncover what the Grand Duke was hiding.
Even Leonel seemed to know something but kept his mouth shut.
Do I need to coax him more?
She thought she had been treating him well, but apparently, he had quite the pride.
“Princess! The Tower Lord has accepted the tea invitation!”
While she was busy wondering how to get Leonel to talk, the maid returned excitedly.
“Let’s go.”
The princess led her attendants through the Grand Duke’s castle like it was her own home.
“Who are they?”
Her steps halted on the way to the Tower Lord’s room. Her eyes landed on the maids carrying gift boxes below the stairs.
“They’re the Grand Duchess’s personal maids.”
At her question, the maid summoned Tinia and Seril.
“You called for us?”
The two women, each holding a box the size of their torso, bowed politely.
“What are those?”
“A gift from the Grand Duke to the Grand Duchess. There wasn’t enough room upstairs, so we’re moving them down.”
It was a premium cloak made from monster hide that the Grand Duke had hunted himself.
At Seril’s polite answer, the princess’s lips twisted.
She thought she had let go of it—but seeing those gifts, she couldn’t help thinking that they should’ve been hers had she married the Grand Duke.
And the Grand Duchess’s maids—dressed almost as finely as royal attendants—only twisted the knife.
Irritated for no reason, she turned and continued walking.
The maid following her gave a small nod to the others before trailing after the princess.
