Chapter 7
His Secret
“Why don’t you just show it all already?”
“What do you mean?”
As soon as I returned to the Valoran residence, Spen, who had left earlier to handle something with the knights, came back. Naturally, the first place he went to was Hayden’s room.
Even thinking about what Hayden had done to Serna earlier that day still made Spen’s blood boil. He claimed it wasn’t imprinting, yet his actions weren’t any different from a man hopelessly in love.
He blatantly acted as if saying, “I’m imprinted on you. Marry me.” Denying it while simultaneously yearning for love made Spen’s heart ache all the more.
“Please, stop nagging me. You said it wasn’t imprinting. So what was it, the way you acted at the Troyd residence today?”
“It was strictly professional. Any problem with that?”
“That wasn’t professional—it was highly personal! And you may not know because you don’t care about the social scene, but the Troyd heiress is romantically involved with Count Pyro. Whether the interest you’re showing her is curiosity or love, you need to step back.”
“Who?”
The moment Spen mentioned ‘Kellen,’ Hayden’s brows furrowed noticeably. He knew all too well that Spen’s words weren’t wrong.
The wolf blood running through the Valoran family would imprint on only one person for their entire life, and nothing had ever broken that bond. It was an unchangeable fate.
Imprinting didn’t happen simply because one saw a member of the opposite sex on a full moon. That day merely caused love to surge through one’s heart.
It was only when Hayden, transformed into a wolf, lost his reason and longed for love—his heart fully open—that Serna appeared with her bright smile at just the right moment.
Hayden knew the Valoran family’s destiny. He also knew how miserable and cruel imprinting could be, which is why he had secluded himself in the Valoran residence for so long.
So, after all those years of self-imposed seclusion, it was Serna entering the otherwise deserted Valoran residence that caused the emotions he had suppressed to start blooming.
“Everyone in the social scene knows that the heiress is head over heels for Count Pyro. She’s probably starting her business because of him…”
Spen stopped mid-sentence as he saw the terrifying expression on his master’s face. If he continued, who knew how Hayden might rampage through the vast forest in a frenzy.
“They say they love each other.”
“That… it’s not exactly mutual. I think it’s mostly one-sided on the heiress’s part. From what I’ve heard, the Troyd family went bankrupt and most of their assets ended up in Count Pyro’s hands.”
“So, the reason she’s trying to make money is to give it to him?”
“That, I don’t know. Count Pyro often speaks ill of the heiress in social circles… not long ago, he even bragged about demanding a trading ship. He said soon everything from the Troyd family would belong to him.”
Hayden, lightly and slowly tapping the table with his long fingers, paused. Even creatures with wolf blood became gentle lambs in front of love, and humans too seemed to lose their reason and let go of many things when faced with the same emotion.
“This is ridiculous.”
“Exactly. So please, don’t show it in front of the heiress. You keep denying it, but that’s just denial…”
“Spen.”
“Yes? Why that look? You’re making me nervous.”
“Investigate everything about that Kellen guy.”
“…….”
“Miss one detail, and I’ll dock your pay.”
Spen thought to himself, He really is a terrible man.
By modern standards, Orbi was about the age of an elementary school student when they first met.
The child, who had barely escaped with a body full of injuries, seemed pitiful even to young Serna.
“Don’t touch me!”
“I’m trying to help you.”
“I don’t need it.”
Even when Serna reached out, the child stubbornly tried to stand on their own. Serna had to grab their arm and sling it over her shoulder.
“You’re hurt. Why do you say you’re fine?”
“I have to be.”
“Accepting help isn’t shameful.”
The Serna who had been foolishly in love with Kellen was a sharp, confident child back then. Thanks to that, I now reap the benefits.
“Serna, what are you thinking?”
“Oh? Just remembering the day we first met. You were so small back then, but you’ve grown a lot.”
“You’ve grown too, you know.”
Orbi, slicing chicken with a knife, swapped my plate with his own. With his charming manner and handsome face, he had all the traits that would make women swoon. As an adult, he probably caused quite a few women to sigh in longing.
“Enough about old times. Let’s talk business. I’ve drawn a design—can you make it exactly like this?”
“You don’t know, but I’m a skilled magician. Show me the design.”
I handed Orbi the designs I had drawn overnight. They were minor adjustments to designs I made as Kim Yun-mi, adapted to fit the aesthetic here.
Orbi smiled as he looked over them.
“Pretty. Makes the maker happy. When did you get this good at drawing?”
“Huh? Uh, just a hobby I improved at over time. How long does it take to finish one piece?”
Orbi had a strangely sharp eye for details.
I handed him the cheap silver I bought at the market. He lightly brushed his fingers over the designs, causing a bright light to flow along them and envelop the silver. In the blink of an eye, a necklace identical to the design was complete.
“Orbi! You really are skilled! If I bring the gems, can you fix them into this? This part is for holding the gem, just make sure it doesn’t fall out.”
A simple design with a thin chain and a drop-shaped pendant, but seeing it made so quickly made me thrilled. Once I received gold and gems from the Valoran Duke, everything would be ready.
The chain would be changed to gold, and the pendant would hold a gem more beautiful than the sky—maybe aquamarine, or a stronger turquoise for a bold feel. Already, it felt like I held the Empire’s wealth in my hands.
Orbi giggled as he watched me admire the magical necklace.
“You like it that much?”
“Of course! I’ll scrape together all the trangs in the Empire. You’re practically a slave worker now, but wait and see. You’ll taste the sweetness of money.”
“That’s a little scary…”
Money is scary. The more you have, the sweeter it feels. The less you have, the closer you are to death.
But I don’t need to worry. I’m not Serna, foolishly in love—I’m living her life as Kim Yun-mi.
My eyes shining, Orbi glanced at Anna, who seemed used to my behavior now.
“You’ll get used to it. This is better than having a girl madly in love with you, anyway,” Orbi’s eyes seemed to ask, and Anna answered silently.
“I need to get the gems first, according to the design. Making them takes less than a second, so we can open the shop immediately!”
“Can I ask personal questions now?”
“No. I’m busy.”
“You’ve become cold.”
“I’ll answer only three questions. Ask.”
“Do you have a lover?”
“Hmm… I do, but I won’t anymore.”
He tilted his head, puzzled by my answer. Kellen was indeed Serna’s official boyfriend, but soon I would be done with him.
“Then I’ll take it as you don’t have one. Did you not want to see me?”
“?”
I tilted my head in confusion. If I were truly Serna, Orbi’s memories would have been buried in the past. Even receiving Serna’s memories, I probably wouldn’t care much about him if it weren’t for business.
The reason I couldn’t answer him honestly was…
“You’re late answering.”
“I did want to see you. I wondered how much Orbi had grown.”
“I know you’re lying, but I’ll play along.”
Orbi replied with a cheeky smile. Had I known he was such a handsome magician, I probably would’ve wanted to see him sooner.
As we finished the meal, Orbi stood first.
“I’ll head to Quilln today. Some errands.”
“Not too long, right? You’ve signed the contract, after all.”
I stuffed the last pieces of chicken in my mouth as Orbi laughed at my appearance.
“Don’t worry, Serna.”
Like that time he silently leaned on my window, Orbi vanished in an instant.
Since living my new life in the Ether Empire, magic had been the most fascinating thing. Seeing the Valoran Duke turn into a wolf was thrilling too—a phenomenon I’d only read about in fantasy novels, now real before my eyes.
After drinking water, Anna’s eyes lit up again. She always seemed to have something weird to say.
“I like Orbi more…”
“Here comes another strange comment.”
“Strange? I’m deciding your match!”
“Who said anything about a match? I’ll live alone.”
“Miss!!”
Anna smacked my back with a loud thump. Am I really a noble? Is it okay for her to treat me like a daughter nagged by her mother to get married?
“You’re the only heir of your family! Saying that would make Count Pyro so sad!”
“Love is pointless.”
“If it’s Orbi or the Duke, they’d teach you what true love is.”
“They even love me?”
“Of course! You’re so oblivious! Look at the honey dripping from Orbi’s eyes!”
“Anna, be honest.”
“About what?”
“What honey dripping means.”
No! You don’t know. I do! Ignoring Anna, I left the dining room. Listening more would just waste time with nonsense.
Why would two men with nothing to envy care about a girl like me? There are prettier, richer, higher-status women everywhere in the Ether Empire.
Dream big, Anna.
[Letter to the Valoran Duke]
Hello, Duke Valoran.
How have you been? Here’s the list of gems I’d like to request for delivery:
Aquamarine 50ct
Turquoise 50ct
Tourmaline 50ct
Blue Topaz 30ct
Diamond 100ct
Emerald 50ct
Rose Quartz 50ct
Gold 100ct
I look forward to your reply. Thank you.
Serna Schube Troyd
After opening the shop, I sent a letter to the Valoran Duke listing all the gems needed for the first design. But how—why—so soon? By evening, carriages bearing the Valoran crest lined up in front of the gate.
The same red-haired Spen I saw last time stepped down from a carriage and smiled at me. I awkwardly returned the greeting. But what was all this? I hadn’t asked for this many gems. Four large wagons were fully loaded with crates.
“Sir Spen, what is all this?”
“These are the gems you requested, my lady. The Duke ordered me to deliver them quickly.”
“Quick indeed… I don’t think a full day has passed. But the quantity is too much. I didn’t request enough to fill even one of these crates.”
“Well… um…”
Spen couldn’t answer, nervously glancing at me. Watching the porters endlessly carry the crates, I wondered how I would ever repay them. If the shop doesn’t do well, would I have to sell these gems myself?
“In the Valoran territory mines…”
“‘Mines’?”
“Well…”
“‘Well…’?”
“They said there are more high-quality gems than in… someone’s mines.”
“…More?”
“They insisted I show you…”
Do I really need to? To me?
