IVHMH 66

Chapter 66

He hadn’t clearly asked for my consent, so it was a kiss forced upon me. That’s what my mind kept telling me, but the sensation against my lips was unbearably soft.

At first, his tongue traced along the line of my lips as if tasting, moist and ticklish. It felt like a knock, as though asking permission to enter inside.

“Haa… as I thought. Sweet. Your lips…”

With a muffled murmur, his lips pressed fully against mine.

The hands I had meant to use to push him away were instead clutching tightly at his collar. Indescribable sensations coursed through my body. His kiss, both gentle and powerful, awakened everything inside me.

It was only after Tirchen’s lips parted from mine that I finally exhaled the breath I had been holding back. My shoulders heaved as rough gasps escaped me.

Burying my face against his broad, solid chest, I heard his voice rumble from above.

“I don’t like your friendship. I’ll have to warn him. So that he’ll know for certain—you’re mine.”

My mind was hazy, making it hard to grasp his meaning.

I knew he disliked Theus, but to say he’d warn someone who’d done nothing wrong? What nonsense was that?

“Theus is my longtime friend. He’s not a bad person—why do you keep speaking of him like he’s an enemy?”

“I have no intention of sparing anyone who covets what’s mine.”

Even though I had already explained at Lake Flor that my relationship with Theus was purely friendship, his opinion hadn’t changed. If I didn’t want him to keep misunderstanding, I needed to settle this matter clearly.

“I don’t think getting married means I have to cut off all my friends.”

“I told you already. I don’t like your friendship.”

“And if I said I didn’t like Kais—would you cut off your relationship with him?”

“Would you get angry if I spent time with Kais?”

“…Huh?”

I felt like the conversation had suddenly veered into strange territory. Was it that I couldn’t keep up with his train of thought—or was it simply my lack of understanding?

“I asked if you ever wanted to tear me away from Kais, or beat him up.”

“Do you want to beat up Theus?”

“As long as he doesn’t covet what’s mine, I’ve no reason to harm him.”

Tirchen spoke as though he were granting great mercy.

I had no idea how to take his words.

Could it be… he’s jealous?

Even at the villa, when problems arose, though his words were brusque, his actions were always kind and considerate. When I injured my foot fleeing from Varus, he personally washed it for me; before my foster parents, he firmly took my side.

Maybe… maybe he actually liked me? The thought crept in. I was curious, but asking him outright felt too embarrassing.

“You once said that even after marriage, it’s acceptable to keep a mistress.”

I tossed the words out, trying to test him, but the sharp gleam in his eyes made me bite my tongue.

“Are you thinking of taking a lover before we’re even wed?”

“No… I mean… that’s not what I—”

“A concubine is only after producing an heir. Before that, absolutely not!”

That wasn’t what I had meant.

I hadn’t been saying I would take a lover, but rather, if he allowed mistresses, then why get angry about Theus? Was it because he liked me? Was that why he was jealous? That was what I wanted to ask.

But under his intimidating presence, I couldn’t get the words out—I just nodded faintly.

“I still don’t like it, but I’ll tolerate your friendship. Kais is indispensable to me, so let’s agree not to bring this up again.”

In the end, Tirchen equated my friendship with Theus to his own with Kais, and settled the matter that way. It was a strange sort of logic, but I had nothing to gain by arguing further, so I let it go.

By the time I realized it, we had already arrived at the carriages.

“Thank you for walking me here.”

Just as I moved to step up, he didn’t let go of my hand. When I tried to pull away, he gave a regretful squeeze before finally releasing me.

“Before long, Her Majesty the Empress will be hosting a ball. You should attend.”

“Are we going together?”

Attending a party with him would mean publicly announcing our relationship.

“Do you dislike the idea?”

“Is this because of the rumors?”

“You’ve heard them too?”

“I don’t know the details, but I heard people say you’ve found a woman you fancy.”

His lips twisted in a strange smile.

“…I’ll attend the ball.”

Not long ago, when I had gone to Jeckin Trading Company in person, I had realized one thing for certain: I could accomplish nothing on my own.

Until now, I had lived shut inside the house, with almost no contact with outsiders. That remained the same even after marrying Gustavo. I had no network, no knowledge of trade. If I recklessly threw myself in, I’d only increase the chance of failure.

No matter how small the Jeckin Trading Company might be, they weren’t someone I could deal with on my own.

It grated on me to have to rely on others from the very beginning, but this wasn’t something I could handle alone.

“Now isn’t the time to cling to pride. If it helps me achieve my goal, I’ll extend my hand to anyone. There’s nothing I won’t do to utterly ruin you.”

I steeled myself once again before meeting Theus. This was preliminary research—laying the groundwork for my plan to bring Gustavo down.

I had been burning with determination on the way to Count Drak’s estate, my fists clenched tight. But as soon as I saw Theus’s face, my resolve melted away. My gentle friend greeted me with a bright, cheerful smile as always.

“Welcome, Elicia. Did you enjoy your time with Her Majesty?”

“Yes. But today, I’ve come because I need your help.”

“Let’s talk inside.”

Theus led me to his newly prepared private parlor. It wasn’t as large as the main reception hall, but it was perfectly sized for hosting a guest or two.

“Seeing that you’ve got a personal parlor now, I suppose it means you’ve truly secured your place in the trading company?”

“I still have far to go, but… yes, I’ve been recognized to some extent.”

“To be acknowledged so quickly—that’s amazing, Theus.”

At my praise, Theus blushed, looking shy.

Even without his words, I knew better than anyone how hard he had worked.

“So, what do you need from me?”

“Could you look into another trading company? I want to know their clients, and what goods they handle.”

“I can’t get every detail, but I should be able to gather some information. Has business suddenly caught your interest?”

“A little. The Jeckin Trading Company—they’ve a small shop in the backstreets of Dreze district.”

“Jeckin? Why them, of all places?”

The moment he heard the name, Theus frowned. His reaction told me Jeckin either had a poor reputation or didn’t get along with his own company.

“Do you know much about them?”

“Just that they’re shady. I’ve heard rumors of illegal dealings. If you’re thinking of investing, I’ll find you somewhere more suitable.”

“What I want is information on Jeckin.”

“Their head, Kermos, isn’t trustworthy. If you make the wrong investment there, you’ll only lose money.”

He spoke gravely, worried for me, but his words only made me smile.

Because the more weaknesses a person had, the easier they were to manipulate. If Kermos wasn’t trustworthy, then all the better for me.

“I won’t be investing. I just want to know their main clients, and which goods they deal in most heavily.”

“Why would you need that, if not to invest?”

Theus looked relieved, but still baffled.

“You’ll help me, right?”

I pretended not to notice his reluctant expression and pressed on. After a brief back-and-forth, Theus finally yielded.

“Fine. But if you ever do consider investing, promise me you’ll talk to me first.”

“All right. I promise. Don’t worry.”

Even though his shoulders slumped, still full of concern, I just smiled brightly.

It was only a small first step, and I had no solid preparations yet—but it was smooth progress. Just having gained one reliable ally today made me deeply satisfied.

While preparing to bring down Gustavo, I also intended to tighten the leash around Leticia’s neck. Slowly, until she hit rock bottom.

On my way home, another delightful thought came to me.

“It could be fun to reclaim all the jewels she borrowed and never returned.”

There were many I had gifted to Leticia, but even more that she had begged to “borrow for a while” and never gave back. Back then, since I had few opportunities to wear jewels, I hadn’t cared much.

But in this life, I planned to take back every single one.

As Tirchen had said, the imperial palace sent out invitations to the ball. It was a large-scale event, open to all nobles, not a select gathering.

Coincidentally, Duke and Duchess Mares were scheduled to leave on a trip around the same time, so I would be attending alone. It was curious that even Aida, who never concerned herself with external matters, would accompany her foster father—but aside from being told they would be away for a few days, no other details were given.

“They watch my every step, yet hide their own affairs so thoroughly.”

“Shall I have Brielle look into it? Coachmen often share their masters’ destinations with each other.”

Mervel’s idea wasn’t bad, but if I moved too hastily, it would only put them on guard. I had already stirred things up recently with the budget increase issue—now wasn’t the time.

“Leave it for now. A coachman would only know the destination anyway, and that’s something we can find out later if we really need to.”

It was frustrating not to trace the duke and duchess’s suspicious activities, but it wasn’t a total loss. They hadn’t been able to dig up anything about me lately, either.

“Today, you’re going to get your dress fitted, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Did you spread the word properly?”

“Of course. By now, the rumor will have spread.”

As Mervel deftly braided my hair to one side, she caught my gaze in the mirror and gave a mischievous grin.

After receiving the ball invitation, I had deliberately let Mervel leak word to the household of when I’d be going for a fitting. It was bait—an elaborate trap for prey.