I became the villains wife

by Usui Takumii

not mine, including possible links, go check woopread. Total: 152 cps.

8. 41 to 50

Chapter 41 ~

Translator: Lioness

Editor: Lioness

Considering that the room had no dust on the bed, the maids must have been cleaning it daily since it was a room that the owner hadn't used for a long time.

Eun-woo sat next to him, then placed the booklet on her lap, and carefully unfolded the first page.

The unfolding of papers came with a rustling sound. What greeted her eyes was his neat handwriting, in a small size.

Tashian explained to her step by step about the content of the booklet.

"The first page is the table of contents of the book. The next chapter was about basic notation I wrote down, such as how to collect money and record them."

Eun-woo gasped looking at the detailed diagrams and examples that were written neatly and in an easy-to-understand manner. Tashian pointed with his finger one by one, explaining to her how to use the diagram properly.

"It's preferable to keep a log of the agricultural products that were being sent to your territory. They will put those products into the residence while you keep them in the warehouse. Examples of those are, after you paid for livestock, there will come a few sheep and bulls. A few shilling if cash like this will be returned by firewood from the forest under the jurisdiction of the monastery, a load of firewood for the lord's cabin, a bottle of wine when grazing pigs in the forest of in the farmhouse, and pastures with sheep in the fields every three years…"

His detailed explanation left Eun-woo surprised. How could he have told her so much in detail?

"Other than that, it will be your job to manage tenant farmers and to select managers who will set quotas for them. He would be the one supervising and informing you whether blacksmiths have weapons such as knives and spears in time, carpenters have boards, vine supports, wooden wheels, etc., and whether serfs have woven fabrics according to their quotas. It's impossible for you to look around the vast territory one by one."

Eun-woo felt that she could not keep her mouth shut when she looked at the tax collection records at the permanent residence. Just the names of the residents in the territory written in the first chapter seemed to be more than the number of people she had known all her life.

She asked with a stunned look.

"Yo, you mean… all these people work in the duke's estate?"

"Mostly, but not all. The marquis will not be much different. On the contrary, if you include the property brought by the former marquis, who was the one managing the Mansion, the actual number of workers under the control of the duke's residence might be even greater. The territory of the Marquis family itself is more extensive than that of the Duke family."

Eun-woo felt the illusion that her shoulders were shrugging by his words. It felt as if she had inherited the enormous inheritance of a distant relative, the eighth cousin of his in-laws who had never seen her before.

She coughed in front of him to hide the corners of her mouth rising naturally.

"We, well, Tashian, who is this Ragenold, whose name is repeatedly listed here?"

Replied Tashian immediately.

"He is in charge of the eastern part of the duke's estate."

He then added bitterly.

"He has a dirty temper, but one thing is certain, so I kept him by my side until now. But that is only until this year."

Tashian frowned as he remembered what Ragenold had done last year and it made him angry. He advised her to be careful too.

"You better be careful. The caretakers will climb to the top of being the head of the family and give you orders, even if you give them a little favor. When I went to the temple one day, I saw the people of the Temple paying bribes to please interest. It's kind of corrupt, but I had to close my eyes because I couldn't find the right person to do this job other than Ragenold."

He chewed his lips and murmured.

"That darned bastard… He encouraged the residents of the temple to pay bribes with small amounts of cash or small items that weren't even listed on the ledger without being noticed by me. This time I had no choice but to let it go, but I'll kick him out barefoot when the other manager Johannes training is ready."

His brutal words surprised Eun-woo.

It happened because it was unfamiliar for her to see a man who looked like the final boss of the black screen grinding his teeth saying he was going to get rid of corruption.

Looking at Eun-woo, Tashian continued to speak enthusiastically.

"It's better for such managers to root out weeds as soon as possible. If you leave it as it is even if you are good at your work, the entire territory will be stained with dirty habits. Only innocent serfs and their young children are being affected."

He rubbed his temples and opened his mouth as if in trouble.

"The list of things to be devoted to the owner is piling up day by day, but there is not enough time to fill it up. Today, the rabbits might pull down those young grains and ruin the grain farming, and the next day, the fence near the forest breaks down in a storm. The barn has a hole in the roof on a fictional day. There are many farming tools that need to be plowed, pickaxed, and repaired, but in the meantime, you are thinking about how to pay the bribe to the manager? I guarantee you that if this situation continues, the children of the territory will not be able to eat a bowl of barley porridge a day."

Eun-Woo didn't know what to say, so she was stunned, with her mouth open.

"Tashian… you speak as if you had lived as a serf."

Tashian's hand, which had been rubbing his temples at last, stopped.

His bewildered, enlarged eyes were fixed on her. But he could not look her in the eye for a long time and immediately lowered his head. He bowed his head and said coldly.

"I, I just… I just hope that the children don't starve."

He answered coldly, slowly interlocking his fingers, and looking somewhere with a brooding look on his face. He added, staring casually at the floor.

"… At least I could help those young lads to eat porridge without having to work."

Eun-woo stared at him saying the word. Staring blankly into the air, he was calm and determined as if he was looking down at the vast land beyond his territory, not this room.

Eun-woo looked sadly at his side profile, which seemed to stand up and somehow showed weakness that he wanted to embrace.

"Of course, I can't just give you the duty of head as it is. If you are a man of my land, you must be able to do your role in your place."

Out of his mind, he insisted firmly. Eun-woo listened to him and blinked like a person who woke up from a dream.

"Tha, that's true."

Eun-woo clenched her hands as if some invisible force had sprung out of her. She shouted louder than she had intended.

"Tashian, let's cheer up together…!"

Tashian, cheered by Eun-woo, blinked his eyes as she did earlier, and soon sympathized with his cough.

"Oh… Well, yeah, cheer up."

Eun-woo did not notice that his cheeks were slightly red as he replied excitedly. She turned over to the next page and began to ask him a lot of questions.

"Tashian, how do you pronounce this region? Hilgert? Hilgegart?"

Tashian, who was staring at her, explained it in a low voice.

"Hildegard is an area where high-quality wool is produced intensively. Not only wool but also the textile industry that weaves textiles is very developed. It would be of great help to visit at least once."

Eun-woo eagerly listened to his explanation and he continued on with Eun-woo's nodding face. There was a faint smile hanging from his mouth as he watched her.

"You'll make a fine head of the family."

Eun-woo looked into his booklet and immediately raised her head to the words he brought up. She smiled shyly in confusion.

"Me? I'm not even a good student, when I can't even read the words properly…"

Tashian's eyes glistened firmly when he heard her. He encouraged her and affirmed.

"If you read the history of Hellasium, you'll see. Have you ever heard of the Count of Shueta?"

Eun-woo shook her head. And at that moment, he opened his mouth.

"Shueta is one of Hellasium's most prestigious families. It is said that women have served as family heads for generations. When Hellasium was engaged in a fierce battle with Mozantier, the Shueta family also led the men into the war by the husband of Countess Schieta, the head of the family. There were only women left in the castle, including the head. Then her castle was besieged by enemy air strikes. The count endured the constant attack of the enemy, and with the strength of only women and young children, she survived for three years and six months."

Eun-woo opened her mouth wide to the anecdote of Countess Shueta he told her.

"Three and a half years? That's amazing.…."

"Of course, if we had opened the gates and fought an approach, we would have been defeated. But fortunately, the territory ruled by Countess Shueta had abundant water and resources inside the gates, and the system, which the family had been self-sufficient for a long time, was of great help in sustaining it."

His eyes glowed clearly but warmly at Eun-woo.

"The most important factor, of course, was Countess Shueta, who led the family bravely and unitedly."

Eun-woo blushed at his serious face looking at her. Because she knew what he was thinking. She waved her hand to deny his idea.

"I'm not as determined and brave as you are. Perhaps within a few days I would give up and cry for surrender."

But Tashian did not back down and immediately refuted her.

"What are you talking about? It's not right for you to give up."

He then said, as covered her small hands, which were placed on the book, gently.

"See, you're trying so hard to make up for what your brother has done."

His eyes overlooking her were as tender as ever. Eun-woo could feel her warm heart trying to cheer her up by touching her hands. Her chest began to flutter like the wings of a little bird.

"… Then, Tashian is very good, too. Where did you hear about Count Shueta?"

Eun-woo changed her words because she wanted to praise him for his knowledge of history. But his answer was short and concise.

"You'll understand as time goes by. These are the knowledge that the aristocrats learn by themselves as they acquire the various cultures they learn."

His voice sounded somewhat cynical. Eun-woo gasped at his words.

The anxiety that had been raging for a long time wrapped her. Eun-woo was not from here. The simple common sense that anyone born and raised here naturally knew, are all unfamiliar to her.

She asked him in a bright voice that she tried to conceal her anxiety.

"But I was worried about being unbefitting to this position. I'm afraid I'll have a tutor."

Even if she couldn't completely melt into this world, she thought that she might be able to imitate Eleanor. But his reaction was unexpected.

Tashian, who heard her, suddenly shouted loudly.

"What? No!"

"Pardon…?"

His violent response was the first time for Eun-woo to experience it. She looked at his expression with surprise.

He coughed quickly and opened his mouth.

"No, hmmm. It's not impossible, but…… What do you want to learn? History? Foreign language? Is it, instruments?"

"It's just, this and that… Things going on in the world…."

Eun-woo answered his persistent question equivocally. Then Tashian spoke quickly.

"Politics? If it's politics, I can take time to teach you. I don't want to say this myself, but I'm probably better than most scholars."

Eun-woo opened her eyes wide at his serious look as she looked straight at him. He snapped at her with a stern look that he had never seen before.

"But you can't have a tutor. I'd rather have you learn it from me, I can't recommend you a tutor."

Chapter 42 ~

She opened her eyes wide in confusion. What's wrong with him? Is having a tutor a burden for him?

However, Tashian was frustrated to see the innocent woman in front of him with her eyes wide open.

What is a tutor? These are the young people who just graduated from college, aka scholars. Their work is to implant basic common sense to people, but comes with cheap income.

Under the name scholars, whose job is to teach various things, such writing, playing musical instruments, dancing and painting, they are able to make connections to the nobles easily. This has been serving as the string for the scholars to enter politics.

Having acquaintances in the circle of nobles, made it easy for the scholars to establish high positions in teaching society and academic class.

However, there is a big disadvantage for the nobles. The teachers were to teach the young noble maidens in an enclosed room alone. Usually, they held classes for hours, thus making it easy for them to do something obscene to the maidens they were teaching.

In fact, the most famous gossip in the Capital of Cremons was the secret love story of a young noble maiden and her teacher. Notwithstanding an unimaginable number of cases it had brought damaging reputations of the aristocrats, the obsession the maidens have for the teachers rarely subsides.

There was only one reasonable excuse for Tashian, who was well aware of such circumstances, could have.

"Anyway, having a teacher… Don't do it."

It was a warning from Tashian to her. She was a bit stupefied at his fierce expression, but at the same time, she was curious. However, since he was wearing a frightening expression, she just accepted his words.

"All right, I'll think a little more about having a tutor."

"Don't even think about it. Never. You must not."

Eun-woo burst into laughter when she saw him being stubborn like a five-year-old child. Soon she was smiling up and her shoulders shook as she laughed.

Tashian asked her in pure bewilderment.

"What's there to laugh…?"

"Pfft! Ahaha! You're really stubborn like a child!"

"Stubborn? I'm just thinking of you…."

But Eun-Woo cut off his words and laughed louder.

Tashian, who was watching her from the side, wrapped her cheeks in his big hands like a hot-tempered person. Then he pinched them lightly on both sides, as if stretching a dough.

"You're really….!"

"Hahah, Ta, Tashian! Let go of my cheeks……!"

It was then that the booklet he gave to Eun-woo, which was on her lap, fell on the ground. With his amazing reflexes, he successfully managed to catch the cover of the book. But his sudden actions had a great impact on Eun-woo, whom he was pinching her cheeks, and her body swayed to the opposite direction.

"Ah…!"

Going forward, he wrapped her body in his iron-like arms. Her body was laid on the bed with a soft thud. She blinked, feeling the touch of the bed from the back of her head. Tashian's face was so close to her. He was fairly surprised as she was, and his eyes widened in shock at their distance which was less than inches away.

Eun-woo shrank her body in his arms, feeling the muscles of Tashian from her back, tightening and firm. His body above her was huge, with his clothes. Seeing him from underneath, she felt like his body would completely cover hers.

Eun-woo fell down like a puppy bitten by a mother dog and couldn't move.

Suddenly, something itchy and hot damped on her cheek. He was breathing unsteadily. From his hot breath, her hair seemed to be rising one by one. The overlapping sounds of their heart together were clearly ringing to both of their ears.

Whenever he breathed in and exhaled, her shoulders would move up and down noticeably. She had an impulse to sweep his strong shoulder above her with her hand.

She suddenly came to her senses. Eun-woo immediately stood up like a person with wax drippings on her feet.

"Oh… I'm sorry! It was my mistake!"

"No, it's all right."

She sprang to her feet and stood with her back facing him like a lost person. Catching her breath, it seemed like it was going to rip my dress open.

He, too, pulled himself out as soon as she got up. She could hear him coughing.

"A, all of them were thrown away."

She bent down in a hurry to pick up the scattered papers. At the same time he also bent down kneeling down and began piling up the papers that had slipped out of the booklet.

As quickly as they were embarrassed, the floor had become clean. But that was the problem. As both of them were competing with each other with their quick hands, their hands laid on one of the papers on the ground.

"Ah…!"

His large hand covered Eun-woo's small hand, which touched the last paper first. His hand, which contrasted with her fine and slender hands, remained even after laying on her hands. It was a stark contrast. Both hands, which hesitated as if the world were to stop, fell hurriedly as if they had been burned on a heated iron plate.

She felt numbness in her skin. It seemed to heat up in an instant.

He was perplexed and tried to reach out to the piece of paper, but it was the same. There, too, her hand came first and waited. On such a few left pieces of papers, two pairs of hands were making a fuss, going back and forth. They were stuck in that same situation.

In the meantime, Eun-woo's ears turned red.

Eventually, the last piece of paper was held by Eun-Woo. Even that wasn't possible because Tashian, who held the paper at the same time, apologized in the air and let it go quickly.

"H- here it is! Then, Tashian, I'm going to get going…!"

"Wa, wait!"

Eun-woo handed the last paper to him and left the room, running.

Tashian, who had another pile of papers on top of the tower of papers he was holding, stood there, unable to catch her as she was running away.

He sighed deeply and swept his hair. Then, after roughly organizing the remaining book, he slowly left the unused room.

"The path of learning is wide and endless. Speaking Germant, being able to understand Jwiland, grammar, rhetoric words, astronomy, and math education are one of the indispensable education. And also… "

Johannes' endless lectures continued. Eun-woo tried to keep her head straight, which was constantly falling down while listening to the lecture. Of course, Selena, who was sitting next to her, remained upright, as if a bamboo was sitting in a chair.

Eun-woo was curious how she could take the class for such a long time while maintaining a straight posture for several hours without a break.

'If only Selena showed signs of exhaustion, I might be able to ask for a rest…'

Of course, it wasn't worth it. Eun-woo soothed her regret and sighed and pulled herself together to concentrate on the class again.

"… Today we'll have a quick look at the main languages spoken on the continent, including Hellasium. Often referred to as a liberal language, and one of basic knowledge one must acquire, especially for the head of a family."

Eun-woo had also heard a lot about foreign languages here. The national language is Hellasium, but she heard that the official language of the empire, Inbrtan, is the most widely used.

"The principle is that all official documents and literature in the empire should be written in Hellasium, but in fact, very few people use this language as their native language. Most of the people here, including myself and the Lady, speak Brittany. Have you ever heard of other languages?"

"My grandparents are from Flanders, so they use that language."

Selena replied right away and Johannes said.

"In fact, only a few speak Hellasium. Most of them speak Brittany, Basque, Flander, and Patosis, and in the southwest part were linguistically torn apart in numerous dialects."

Eun-woo asked softly, unable to hide her mixed feelings about the languages.

"All those languages… Do I have to learn them?"

"That's not it."

At Johannes' remark, Eun-woo breathed a sigh of relief.

"But it is common practice to infer a person's rank by intonation or from their dialect. Therefore, it was determined that proper education was necessary until the two of you could read and write Hellasium completely."

She slammed the desk by putting the thick textbooks on the table, making a loud sound. The loud noise made Eun-woo retreat, and Selena looked at the comparable height the books have and Johannes. It was taller than Johannes' sitting height, which startled her.

"Language study begins with infinite repetition. From this day on, you two will write all the papers in Hellasium."

Johannes ordered in a solemn voice.

It was time to leave Johannes' office after the first Hellasium lesson. Eun-woo sighed and trudged away as she went out. Selena, who saw her doing weird actions, asked her carefully.

"…Lady Miller, was there anything you didn't like about today's lesson?"

"No, Selena…."

It would be in vain if she would tell the top student about her suffering, while Selena was enthusiastic in learning, not looking away from the class, that Eun-woo couldn't keep up.

Eun-woo was about to say something, but when she saw Selena's bright face, she sighed again.

"I miss my older brother more than anything today."

The word 'Older Brother' was used to refer to Diego Miller.

She murmured, and Selena nodded with admiration at their brother and sister's friendship. But her emotion didn't last long.

It was because Eun-woo gritted her teeth and murmured.

"Just come back. I'll never let you go."

Selena stepped back hearing her. Eun-woo cut her words and put down her shaky fist and coughed. The reason why she started to study hard while taking these classes is because of Marquis Diego Miller's great contribution.

She had to do it, thinking of her brother, who had left the city with some excuse and had not returned for weeks.

"Learning Hellasium is a little difficult, but once we learn it, it'd a very useful. Let's work together."

Selena smiled gently and encouraged Eun-woo, who was struggling with language classes.

They walked slowly along the garden sponsored by the Duke. It was on the side road of the back door facing Johannes' office. It was also a place where Selena was often seen with Ikshid.

Eun-woo looked at Selena's hair like a red tarpaulin tied with a plain cloth.

It was always attractive and beautiful. She was like a fairy in the garden. She was always like this whenever she saw her, but she then wondered what is Selena in Ikshid's eyes?

"Selena."

Eun-woo slowly took one step at a time and began to rhyme her unhurried words.

"The Crown Prince…… We've seen each other quite often these days."

Selena answered calmly. Her voice, unmoved by emotion, sounded as if she was talking about someone else, and not the Crown Prince of the country.

"That's right. There are many opportunities where we can see the Crown Prince these days. It's the chance to get acquainted with him."

I wonder if it was just friendship. These days, Ikshid has been obsessed with the duke Castle saying almost all sorts of excuses to visit it. It was safe to say that he was not able to accommodate and eat comfortably because of his high status, and that he was carrying out almost all of his schedules here.

Eun-Woo, who knew the reason for his actions very well, had no choice but to watch Selena, the cause of Ikshid's weird action, with curious eyes.

"His Highness is a very pleasant man. When I saw him from a distance, I thought he was a man of majestic dignity and a very befitting Prince.…."

Eun-woo could see that Selena's face telling the story of Ikshid was a little different from usual. It was only after much thought that she realized that the emotion Selena had was excited.

Selena continued with an unusual look of excitement.

"There's something funny about him."

Eun-Woo was shocked.

She couldn't believe Selena was being swayed.

She had no choice but to admire the greatness of love that allowed Selena to express the prince's personality as only one year old. She couldn't help but admire the greatness of love that made it possible for the character to express her feelings to the prince with just one stroke.

This is love. That's true love, too.

Chapter 43.1 ~

Translator: Lioness

Editor: Lioness

Eun-woo had a crease on her forehead thinking that the development of Ikshid and Selena's relationship was faster than she expected.

Walking along with Selena, she glanced at her side profile.

She didn't know whether it was because she talked about the Crown Prince, or was it simply because Selena liked to walk, but Selena was certainly more excited than usual. A red color painted her white cheeks and with the breeze, Selena's red hair fluttered and tickled her blushing ears and forehead.

Eun-woo looked at Selena's face for a moment and was mesmerized. Seeing her friend in love was lovely.

"There is, Selena."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Eun-woo shut her mouth for a while and bit her tongue. She hesitated.

"What if… I'm saying it as what if…"

Selena's eyes glistened whilst waiting for her words. Eun-woo plucked her left courage to say the words she kept swallowing and spit it out.

"The person you really love made the wrong choice… What would you do if many people were harmed by it?"

It was the future of Ikshid. After bringing that up, she glimpsed at Selena.

What she said was taboo. Despite that, she was actually avoiding mentioning the future.

But when she thought that the end was coming near, she got nervous. Ikshid's wrongful evils in the future and Tashian's evil deeds under the pretext of Ikshid's doing. Of course, it was difficult to imagine for a woman, for Eleanor, who knew the two of them.

In the near future, will they really turn this peaceful place full of despair and sighs?

She couldn't believe it herself. Although the two men she knew now were the people who always quarrel over small things, they are still best friends who stand together beside each other, promoting Hellasium together and the future of the country lies in them.

It was ridiculous that such best friends like them would become each other's worst opponents, and each other's reason for death.

She sometimes had the illusion that these were all dreams, that she was the real Eleanor Miller, and all along, living as Lim Eun-woo was just her dream.

Well, everything is still peaceful, isn't it? The future she knew may be just a daydream, and in fact, it might be different.

She consoled herself by saying, 'The future will change.' Every day was peaceful to the extent that she didn't want her closed eyes to open, nor did she want to wake up, immersed in the happiness which felt like her body was floating in the air. Since, it was her first time experiencing this stability in this world.

Furthermore, isn't there still time left? There is still time until the death of the current Emperor takes place and the coronation of Ikshid, and after that, things will go… evil.

That's what encouraged Eun-woo's optimism.

But somehow she could not relax at all. It was probably because she knew the ugly future herself.

She isn't sure yet, but the situation is going to be a planned thing that will occur one after another that she can't control. She was chasing the end of this, taking pictures of the important events she still remembered, as if she was drawing orbits around them.

"Are you asking this question with someone in mind?"

Eun-woo, who was deep in thought with her eyes fixed on her feet, was frightened. Her shoulders flinched and she waved her hands frantically.

"No! Never! That will never happen! It's just… a what if!"

Selena waved her hand and smiled politely at Eun-woo, who denied it. She gently rubbed Eun-woo's shoulder as if saying to calm down. Only then could Eun-woo accurately see Selena's expression.

Selena had the usual calm look on her face. It was like, even if throwing stones into the sea causes few waves of water, and nothing happens, her mind would still remain upright and calm.

"I'm not sure. I'd be in a lot of trouble if that happened to me."

Selena replied. But her eyes had already left Eun-woo's face and looked at the distant garden.

Eun-woo followed Selena's gaze and turned away. What came into her vision was the garden, but Eun-woo, who had spent more time living in Duke's mansion than Selena, knew exactly where Selena was looking at. Selena was looking at the Duke's office where the Crown Prince stayed the most.

"We must rectify the situation."

Her voice came as steady.

Eun-woo looked at Selena with her slightly startled eyes. Selena threw away the serious expression on her face that surprised Eun-woo for a moment, and smiled playfully.

"If it was the person you really love… when you regain your senses, won't you be able to come up with solutions and make up for the mistakes he made, together with him?"

Eun-woo stopped on her tracks, forgetting Selena's polite response. It felt as if someone had cut the Mobius strip, which was constantly spinning and revolving around the same spot, with scissors. The cord with that was broken, but a new path emerged.

That was a very Selena-like answer. Eun-woo realized who she was in front of her.

Why did she even waste her time on useless worries? There was already an odd possibility right in front of her.

Selena was the hero of the Dark times of Hellasium. She corrected her fiance's evil misdeeds, adjusted his mistakes, and rekindled Ikshid's chaotic Empire. And besides, why doesn't she drive this fussy life into a peaceful one? In a moment, she felt the foggy and rocky future, turned into bright.

Of course, that did not mean that the thorny path she had to go through would disappear.

Eun-Woo's mind calmed down again.

"Lady Miller, you're a little strange today. Are you sick or something?"

Selena asked her, feeling that Eun-woo was acting unusually. Eun-woo looked at her with her mixed feelings stirring inside. There was an innocent expression on Selena's face, unaware of any hardship or pain she might go through in the future.

Eun-woo coughed and turned her gaze away to make excuses.

"No, I was thinking about getting married."

"Getting married?"

Eun-woo pretended to be innocent by walking a few steps ahead of her.

"Yes, that is such a thing as any woman at our age would do."

"Ah."

Selena quickly responded. Eun-woo didn't miss the timing and asked quickly.

"Selena. The marriage you had said which we talked about the other day… How did the story go?"

Eun-woo stopped briefly when she saw Selena's expression quickly darkened upon her question.

Even if Eun-woo knew that Selena was somehow connected with Ikshid, it would not change the situation that Selena is currently struggling with an unfortunate proposal marriage.

The dowry was actually the problem. The Wellwood family, where Selena was born as the eldest daughter, couldn't be rich. To be precise, due to the life the former Baron had, or Selena's paternal grandfather, the current Baron is facing a financial crisis to be able to afford giving dowry.

Chapter 43.2 ~

Translator: Lioness

Editor: Lioness

It was because the family had no income from their business at all. They have steady income, including their owned agricultural land and textiles. But the problem was their immaculate debt. The hole for all the suffering Selena was facing. Hadn't for their debt, the Baron couple along with Selena, who were frugal and knew exactly their place, would be able to maintain their livelihoods.

However, the amount of money they had to pay back snowballed so much that no matter how much they tightened their budgets and saved money, they couldn't pay it.

It was the result of the Imperial people's way of thinking that money is power, and the cruel reality that no attention was given to aristocratic families which had fallen to the point that they have to sell the family or one of the family.

Of course, they also had another option. In particular, it was usually chosen when there was a marriageable woman in the house.

Marriage business.

The poor Baron's family, which was falling down every day, was also a stern aristocrat in the past. Selena's proposed partner was actually a wealthy merchant from a commoner who had the luck in his side and succeeded in his business in his late days. In fact, the marriage business was prevalent due to those people who seek higher status in this way.

The problem was that the marriage proposal was to have Selena as his third wife.

A young noblewoman was about to get married. If the first love of the Crown Prince appeared like that to him, the story would become obvious. His relationship with Selena , which had just begun, will fall and was only a flower garden in his mind.

But after the early days of their love, when flowers and butterflies flew, Selena's family affairs would come to light when he came to his senses. So, what will Ikshid choose? Indeed, even with everyone's opposition, it might be even possible to make their marriage a success.

Eun-woo had to do something. Of course, it was hard to predict what would happen if she made actions- whether it would be big or what. The options were narrow to begin with. But when was it this wide?

Eun-woo kept pace with Selena, who started walking slowly again. It took her time to say this question to Selena. It also took more courage than she thought to bring it out.

"Selena, have you had any difficulties lately?"

Eun-woo quickly intercepted Selena's answer before she shook her head.

"Because for me, I have some worries lately."

"Worry about what?"

Selena responded immediately.

"As you know, the renovation of Miller's mansion has been delayed. My brother is busy inside and outside, so he doesn't have time to worry about the housework. The Duke is fairly hectic too, and it happens all the time, so I'm used to it, but…."

"You must be lonely."

"Well, Selena, you always visit me, so I don't have time to be lonely. However… "

Eun-woo swallowed her breath as she watched Selena calmly waiting for something to come out of her mouth. She put bait into the calm pond.

"I certainly wish someone would stay with me at the duke's house to help me with my studies."

Eun-woo added quickly. It was clear what she was trying to say, but her lips opened slowly again.

"As you know, I'm not very knowledgeable… Of course, you, Selena, take the class with me, but it's always only for class…. It's very important to have a companion for studying, right? So what I want to say is…."

"Do you want me to stay with you and help you study?"

It was Selena, indeed. Eun-woo smiled awkwardly at Selena's precise way of speaking.

"Well, so to speak."

"For instance, you want me to be your companion in studies."

Selena spoke seriously. Eun-woo answered hastily before the atmosphere got more awkward.

"It's a long way from the Baron house to here… I always thought it must have been hard for you to come all the way here for me. Please think about it at least once. I'll try to make sure you don't feel uncomfortable while you stay here."

Eun-woo examined Selena's expression closely. Selena's neat face didn't change much. Eun-woo then wondered what she was thinking.

It was very common for a powerful aristocratic family to select and keep their child to have a companion among the lower noble families. Of course, in this case, Eleanor's parents were not present, so she personally invited a companion while studying.

However, having companionship was not just a noble maiden or bachelor staying in a prestigious family and taking care of their studies. Rather, the concept of doing companionship was stronger. Usually, families who were offered to have companions have a good reputation, but they often suffer from insignificant power or financial difficulties.

Of course, cases to have appointed companions because they were simply close to a more powerful family than them weren't the only thing. Mostly, their parents truly wish that the children will make decent and true friends in the circle of nobles.

In doing so, it had the advantage of not only making friends that they wanted for their children, but also being able to perform charity activities that eases the mouth of a needy family at the same time.

But that wasn't the only purpose of Eun-woo. The ultimate reason for having Selena as her companion was because of the dowry Selena needs.

When a woman before her marriage was taken as a companion, it was often the case that the family who asked for her, supported her dowry in the future. This is because the biggest problem of the poor family was the cost of their daughter's wedding. In this case, it provided a reason which allowed her to be deeply involved in the marriage issue of a woman who was offered a companion by the authority of a higher family than them.

It was a little shallow, but it was not easy to find a better way to postpone Selena's marriage. If Selena becomes her study companion of the Marquis family, there is a justification that she does not have to enter the third wife of an old merchant immediately. This is because there was a high possibility of getting a much better position with the support and dowry to be sponsored in the future.

This would have been an excuse to postpone the hasty marriage between Selena and the Crown Prince.

Selena was not unaware of this. Even if she did not expect a marriage with the crown prince, she would have guessed that this proposal would sufficiently prevent an unhappy marriage that took place immediately.

Then, Selena spoke. It was a careful answer as much as Eun-woo's polite request.

"Well, I'm honored."

Selena added hesitantly.

"But I wonder what the Duke thinks…"

Eun-Woo blinked. She thought for a moment why the duke was mentioned.

When Selena saw Eun-woo's vague expression, she was a little silent and then spoke again.

"Well, Eleanor. This job… I suppose the Duke has given you permission."

Eun-woo smiled and stiffened on her spot.

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Chapter 44 ~

Translator: Lioness

Editor: Lioness

"Miss, do you need anything?"

One of the Duke's maid girls, who had been watching her anxiously, asked her.

The Marquis Miss, who had been staring at the Duke's office for a very long time now, had been a sigh of great concern.

Eun-woo hastily relieved the maid's worries.

"No, it's all right. Please do your work now."

The maid was confused, and Eun-woo found the wooden bucket and the mop the maid was holding, and had to clean the hallway.

Eun-woo took a few steps back in amazement. She apologized with an awkward smile plastered on her face.

"Wait a minute. Just a few minutes will do."

The maid also bowed with a sad smile.

Eun-woo again glanced at the maid standing behind her with the bucket and mop in hand with her head down, and Eun-woo glared at the office with a resolute look.

She dejectedly sighed and Eun-woo could feel the gaze of the maid behind her. Eun-woo then roughly coughed.

She recalled what she did yesterday. She recklessly asked Selena to be her companion in studies, who asked if the Duke had given her permission first.

She didn't know what she was thinking that time. She couldn't believe that she kept increasing the number of guests inside the Mansion when she was in the Duke's residence. The Duke's permission should be the first thing she should've asked for. Considering that she was concentrating on preventing Selena and Ikshid's marriage, she didn't remember what she had to do first.

But more than that, the thoughts she had in secret were more shocking.

'I thought Tashian would allow it…….'

In common sense, it was simply ridiculous.

She has been staying at her Brother's friend's house for months now without any promise when she will go out. And not only her, but also the maid who loyally stayed with her knew exactly what the Duke was going through. Sometimes, it's a house where her brother stays in like it was an inn, thus a wonder.

That wasn't the only thing.

Even Johannes, who was in charge of the duke's entertainment, was dedicating a considerable amount of time to her for the sake of class. For that reason, her friend Selena also visited three or four days a week to take classes.

All of which he gave her permission without any cost.

Eun-woo started to recall when Tashian had ever refused her request. But to no avail, no matter how hard she thought about it, she couldn't remember anything. Probably, her, having a tutorial would be in that case.

She felt ashamed of herself. In a way, he was spoiling her naturally.

'It wouldn't work like this all the time…'

Eun-woo sighed heavily. As she sighed, the maid who was waiting behind could hear her sighing pitifully as well. She felt awkward. It was not a good thing for her to keep pacing around the door of Tashian's office. She hurriedly raised her hand and knocked twice on the door of his office.

"Come on in."

Said his clear voice through the door.

Since she was out all day, she didn't get to see him at all. It hadn't been a long time yet his voice made her heart flutter strangely.

Eun-woo hesitantly opened her mouth and didn't adjust her voice to inform him who visited him.

"It's me, Duke."

Afterwards, she heard something hard fall down. Listening outside, she heard a sudden drag of his chair, and things that were bumping into each other. Then after a few seconds of her thinking curiously what was the noise, the door of the office finally burst open.

He was standing by the door.

She was a bit shocked to see his appointment standing right in front of her. As usual, it was always a long distance from their eyes, thus she had to look up, standing near his chest, looking at his eyes.

"What's the matter?"

Eun-Woo blinked at his presence. It was only after a few flashes that she suddenly remembered that there was a maid waiting behind her.

He remained the same. He was courteous in front of her subordinates and those who he was not acquainted with.

Perhaps he hadn't shaved in the morning, but the area around his chin was a bit dark. His rough-looking face seemed like he just woken up. Nevertheless, looking at her, he felt surprisingly good.

He came home late at night yesterday to be honest. When she thought that it might be because of his works' urgency, she noticed that he was still standing by the door.

"You look very tired. Should I just come back later in the afternoon?"

She asked anxiously, and he answered immediately.

"No, I was just closing my eyes for a minute. Please come in."

As if she was about to come in, he slightly stepped aside from the door and made a path for her. Eun-woo went in and what caught her eyes was his office that seemed messy unlike the usual.

The papers which had been placed on the desk were scattered on the floor. It seemed to be the cause of the sound she had heard earlier.

She then heard the door behind her being slammed. She turned around to face him and due to the sound too.

"I'm sorry, isn't it messy here? Sit down for a minute."

When they were alone, he returned to his usual way of speaking to her. Eun-woo then thought in her mind to ask him why he seems to be changing his accent someday.

He bent down in a hurry and organized the documents that had fallen in one swift move. Eun-woo stood by the door, unable to sit down while he cleaned the floor. Tashian, who found her standing figure, finally led her to the sofa in the office.

"What are you doing there? I told you to sit down. Come here."

Eun-woo sat quietly on the seat he led and watched him sit opposite of her. He was not wearing a suit today, but a white shirt and comfortable pants.

"Should I ask the maids for a cup of tea?"

"No, I'm fine."

"What about a meal?"

"I did it a while ago. How about you?"

"I had a simple meal."

Silence fell between them. It was an awkward silence that came after their polite greeting.

Eun-woo hesitated because she didn't know what to say first. Then he asked anxiously.

"What's the matter? You usually wouldn't come looking for me."

She said to herself, 'Did Eun-woo never do that?' And mentioning it, it was the first time for her, since her class with Johannes, that she had asked something to him personally. More importantly, it had been difficult to see each other's faces due to their schedules.

Eun-woo saw Tashian's face after a long time. Except that he looked a little tired, he was just fine as usual. Eun-woo spoke carefully, looking at his bangs, which seemed to be more scarred than usual.

"You look a little tired. Did I probably wake you up from your nap?"

"No, I actually just woke up."

His voice was still a little hoarse. But he was brazen. She appeared like she wanted to pretend that she hadn't woken him up.

Eun-woo picked up the document that had fallen on the ground and glanced at it sideways after putting it on his desk. Despite the clear evidence lying in front of her, she decided not to say anything and praised his efforts.

"I heard you arrived late last night. You must have been in a hurry to return to the estate."

"I wasn't in such a hurry. But the streets were so far away that I had to hurry a little."

Tashian replied.

In fact, the work in the estate was nothing but monotonous work. What really tired him was an all-nighter meeting under the guise of a meal with the senate that lasted until dawn.

As soon as the work finished late in the afternoon, an urgent message from the Crown Prince arrived. It was said that there was an urgent meeting to discuss the death rate related to forklifts in the Normant area. And it was held in the mansion of Count Alperio, a representative pro-inherited faction of the Senate.

After staying up all night, the discussion continued until just before the morning sun rose. Words which felt like spears and words came and went. He thought that it would be good to feel the wind on his face after the meeting, but would be better if he could only close his eyes while on the saddle.

There was no end to the work at the duke's house, who had barely finished his work. When he finally took care of the urgent matter, the early morning air was already heated by the rising morning sunlight.

He glanced briefly at the sofa in his office under the sunlight shining through the curtains. Then the first thing he saw was her face.

"Have you been waiting for me?"

He made great efforts to dispel the expectations from his voice.

"I haven't waited long,"

Eun-woo answered quickly. He asked, leaning towards her a little closer.

"What's the matter? Is there anything wrong with Johannes's lesson?"

"No, Johannes… she's the most passionate teacher I've ever met in my life."

Tashian nodded with satisfaction. Then he raised one eyebrow and asked a fierce question.

"Then probably, what did your brother ask you to do this time?"

Eun-woo opened her eyes wide as she saw Tashian's expression, which looked quite displeased.

"That's not… It."

"I see. That's all right."

Seeing Tashian's expression calm down instantly, Eun-woo became very curious about his brother's reputation in Tashian's head.

She paused to look at the man in front of her.

What could she say to the person who was fully prepared, waiting like a person, who was willing to hear whatever she says?

Eun-woo hesitated and said,

"As expected, this can't be helped."

"What? What's going on?"

Eun-woo stood up from her seat. He sprang from his seat to his feet after her.

"I'm sorry to have taken your time out of your busy schedule. I don't think this is right."

Tashian snatched Eun-woo's hand quickly and stopped her from leaving the office in a hurry. He said with a disgruntled smile.

"What are you talking about? What do you mean taking my time? What on earth are you asking for? You want me to put up a statue of that bastard Diego in front of the main gate?"

"No way."

Eun-woo blushed. Tashian gently shook her hands, and asked her.

"What is it? Tell me. It makes me even more curious."

Eun-woo's hand was trapped in his large hand and was led helplessly. Tashian's deep eyes looked down at her with tenderness which seemed that he would listen to whatever she had to say.

In front of his smiling face, Eun-woo felt that his heart, which she had hardened at the door of the office, was terribly broken. In front of his smiling face, she couldn't even get angry at his mischievous words.

"No, it's fine. I'll go."

Eun-woo brushed off his hand and turned around to leave the office. But he was a second faster. Tashian quickly turned to the door and grabbed her hand again. He was forced to keep her from leaving the office.

"I won't let you go until you tell me."

"You can't do that!"

"You're already here. It's my office."

"You're already not a child! Don't force yourself."

Somehow, as the days went by, she felt that he was only getting more playful to her. Eun-woo tried to pinch Tashian's arm with a flushed face, but when she saw his smiling face, she went speechless.

"Well, let's do this."

At one point, he spoke seriously, except that it came with a laugh. She felt that he had warned her beforehand, as if preparing herself for danger.

"I'll do you a favor, and you'll do me a favor."

He said to her, who was looking at him with doubts.

"Why? It's justifiable. As a favor to ask of you, let's get along well."

Eun-woo closed her mouth and stared at his eyes. He gave a light smile to her, as if enticing her.

She pondered over it. It didn't seem to be a bad idea. In the first place, she wondered if he had anything to ask her for favor.

Eun-woo replied with a haughty look on her face, as if he was a kind-hearted person.

"Very well."

Chapter 45 ~

Translator: Lioness

Editor: Lioness

Pulling her hand with a bright expression on his face, he put her on the sofa.

She wordlessly followed him all the way to the sofa while wondering what he wanted to ask. She didn't have much of a guess.

Tashian folded his arms, which made the atmosphere heavy almost like they were negotiating.

"Now. You're the one who brought it up, so you say your suggestion first."

Eun-woo took a deep breath. Hesitantly looking at her, she opened his mouth.

"Well, I'd like to ask you to be straightforward."

She paused, and his eyes were fixed on her as if urging her to continue. Eun-woo moved her lips slowly as he say it without avoiding his gaze.

"… I'd like to invite Lady Wellwood to the duke's house."

She then noticed the perplexing look on his eyes.

"What does that mean? Lady Wellwood, she visited you three or four times a week."

"What I am saying is… it wasn't just a simple invitation, rather a form invitation."

There was a light of understanding in his eyes.

"Do you want Lady Wellwood to be your maid?"

Eun-woo waved in surprise at his explicit words.

"No, I won't! What do you mean by a maid?"

But he frowned and couldn't comprehend her words and reaction. He began explaining.

"Why? Millers' are powerful enough to keep someone a lowly nobleman as a maid, and actually, it would be an honor for her. No one would say anything. Rather, they will ask you to keep their daughter."

What he said was true.

She proposed to Selena as her companion only, she was relaxed on expressing that she wanted her to be with her when studying, but in the end, she became a maid.

The upper class newborns in Hellasium were raised mainly in the arms of a nanny as soon as they were born. And unless they were wealthy enough, the rest of the children, except for the first child to take over the family, were treated like scoundrels as they grew up.

Commonly, men and women inherit the lineage of other families, marry the Lord, and become one of the members of the family. The worst that could happen is to be sent to the military, or a covenant due to their single status. If not, it was a case of meeting someone whom he/she fell for a long way like Selena and had a hard time.

Mostly, parents would naturally dream of having their children to have a good relationship with their family too. In order to do so, there will be necessary actions, such as making acquaintances as their connections unless a prestigious family guarantees a prosperous future for their daughter.

Noble children were often sent to high-status families in the name of learning manners if given the opportunity. Some nobles leave their mothers' arms at a very young age. And there had been many cases where they came in as friends.

Either way, the social world highly admires young people for staying in powerful families and interacting with the children. It was the same context that aristocrats thought of companions while studying as a sponsorship. The perception that they were talented people recognized by good families doubled the chances that marriage and politics will come to them sooner and easily.

In this way, the maids from noble families and from commoners were simply different. While the maids born as commoners do chores, what they were going would be simple and entertaining. It would be reading books for the person they were serving, taking walks, playing puzzles, or simply being someone who's there.

"I just need a companion to study with."

"Maids or companions, after all, they are the same thing."

Tashian calmly spewed.

Eun-woo frowned at the heterogeneity of the word maid said by him. But he was still right.

She bit her lips slightly to hide her feelings inside being complicated.

Selena was the daughter of an unknown baron, but such status meant nothing to Eun-woo. Selena was the first friend she had ever made in this world. It was uncomfortable for her to define their relationship differently aside from being friends.

But she couldn't help it. Selena needed an excuse to live by her side.

Eun-woo glanced up at Tashian. There was a little tension between them. She closely observed his expression to withdraw, as if implying, 'I shouldn't have asked you to do so.' But his answer was unexpectedly quick and concise.

"Let it be so.

She even thought that she misheard him. Looking at him with her widened eyes, she asked him back to affirm.

"Really?"

He was delighted to see her reaction and replied to her.

"Then was that fake?"

"But…"

"I was afraid you'd be bored here, but I'm glad you brought a friend first."

He swept his hand through his hair as if her request was nothing. His eyes, which looked sleepy, became clear before she knew it.

She couldn't think of anything to say to him, thus remained motionless. She never thought that asking for permission would be this easy.

She hesitated and finally uttered a word.

"Uhm… Thank you, Tashian."

"Is that all?"

She opened her eyes to his sudden question.

"What?"

"Is that all?"

He asked with a mischievous smile. She glared at him with an upset look on her face.

What else is she trying to say when he's making fun of her?

Tashian burst into laughter just by looking at her reaction and raised his hands, contemplating his expression. Eventually, he confessed the reason behind his mischievous smile.

"You're not going to ask me what my request is?"

Only then did Eun-Woo quickly fix her posture and sat down. Her cheeks turned red before she knew it. Looking at her, Tashian, leaning against her back, murmured as if he was truly disappointed.

"I guess you weren't very curious."

Eun-woo hastily disagreed.

"No, I was curious. Tell me. What do you want me to do?"

In fact, she forgot about his request for a while since she was focused on putting Selena in the Duke's house, but the fact that he asked her too, stimulated her curiosity.

Eun-woo leaned toward Tashian, who pretended to be heartbroken and tapped his arm. She mimicked the one he had done to her before and tried to twist his expression in a subtle way.

"What is it? I'll help you as much as I can, come on."

Her words instantly changed Tashian's gaze. Eun-woo, on his face as if became alive from the dead, wondered if she had made a mistake.

He asked again as if he hadn't received a definite answer.

"Really? As far as you can?"

"Of, of course."

He folded his arms with a meaningful smile.

"So what I am saying is…"

Eun-woo faced his smile, feeling the illusion that a cold sweat was flowing down on her back. She didn't know what that was, but it was seemingly just a mistake.

She wiggled her fingers in frustration and he jumped to his feet. Eun-woo watched his behavior with surprise like a rabbit that first came up the tunnel.

He stopped at his desk without going anywhere. Then he started to search on the desk skillfully, messing up the documents, and she couldn't know where or what was it, but somehow, he took out something.

"Why don't you come with me here?"

He trudged back to where they were sitting, and said. He opened something at the top. It was an invitation.

"What is this…??"

Eun-woo murmured as she touched the luxurious paper he had taken out with his finger.

It seemed to be an invitation for high-ranking aristocrats. The wax that had been already torn on the gold-rimmed red paper was flabby.

She looked at him and pulled out the white paper in the envelope carefully. She spread the parchment paper with a crackling sound. At the very top was the Duke's full name in antique writing.

Eun-woo made a sound and said the name of the sender who invited the Duke.

"…The Royal Opera?"

Eun-woo looked up from the invitation and stared at Tashian with her suspicious eyes. He smiled as innocently as he could and raised his arms, making him look proud. Then he opened his mouth.

"It's an opera performance. Let's go together."

Eun-woo looked at him with a puzzled look on her face. She raised her eyebrows.

"Why?"

"Is that really it?"

"I'm sorry if you thought there would be more. But this is all."

Tashian took back the invitation she had in her hand and said it as if it was nothing.

"If you don't want to go, don't force yourself to go."

Eun-woo hurriedly held his hand as he collected the invitation.

She has never been into an opera. She never even remembers watching street performances for a long time, let alone opera. However, the proposal to go to the opera was quite tempting. She was interested in the performance itself, putting aside the reason why he asked her to go with him under the pretext of Selena's life in Duke's mansion.

She said quickly, squeezing the invitation out of his finger.

"I, I will go! I never said I wouldn't go."

His expression changed for a moment, but Eun-woo didn't notice. He smiled softly and opened his mouth.

"Well, then, let's conclude our contract."

"Very well."

He held out one hand playfully. Eun-woo blinked because she didn't know what it meant, and gently put her hand on his hand. Tashian laughed softly, gently wrapped his hand on hers, and shook it slightly. They seemed to shake hands.

"Duke, look at that ripe bunch of grapes. Isn't it like the freshness of missing the lips of the woman you love?"

The owner of the voice, as he walked through the Imperial garden rang throughout the lush vine.

The Crown Prince, who was as handsome as the sunlight shining on the coveted grain, was looking at the vineyard of the Imperial Palace with his servant, the Duke of Verk.

They had just finished a six-hour meeting, and it had been a long time since they had breathed in the fresh air, but neither of them was having a very bright day yet. For the one whom they were anxiously waiting for has not yet arrived.

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Chapter 46 ~

Translator: Lioness

Translator: Lioness

"What I'm going to tell you this time is based on the story of Ancient Hellasium. Duke, listen to me very carefully. Hmmm. Back then, I heard that the vineyard in the Imperial City was beautiful. That time, there was a beautiful princess walking there. That princess often enjoyed walking along the vines. Of course, with her lover beside her."

Tashian sighed deeply as he guessed what the story was all about. He replied in a deep voice.

"Can't we please talk about this later?"

"I can't."

Ikshid continued his words, and cut the Duke's voice sharply, like a knife.

"One day, the princess was walking on the path along with her lover, who was very in love with her at that time. The path they were walking on was covered with beautiful vines. The sun had already set that time, and they could hear the sound of night coming from a distance, as the cold air burned the heart of this lover. Therefore… For example, other than eating the ripe bunches of grapes hanging from that vine, another desire was on fire… !"

Tashian frowned and groaned, but Ikshid only continued to talk more enthusiastically, linking his hands. He became excited as if he became the princess of the story.

"The princess, of course, wanted her lover to throw her down on that little grassy bed that smelled of earth right away however… !"

His enthusiasm was dampened.

"Hooh…. But her lover didn't. If he had done so, the princess's lover would have his name written on the Hellasium royal genealogy… Rather, he took the Princess home with the most sincere manner. He treated her with dignity all night, as if he would never force her."

Ikshid sighed at the end of his words, as if his mood deteriorated as he clicked his tongue.

"And then, as I've mentioned before, it's the matter of time… The Princess then has a new lover."

"…. Your Highness."

"You stay still and listen to me, ok? The princess surely enjoyed the walk with her new lover. It was still the same path they walked on, and the same atmosphere she had from her first lover was formed between her and her new lover. I mean, the desire I said earlier. The blood of youth cuts like a sun, and the ripe and bursting juice of the grapes drips down between the princess' lips…"

"Stop. That's enough, Your Highness."

Tashian tried to dissuade the prince by holding his forehead, but it was no use. Ikshid was already absorbed in his storytelling and went to the climax, paying attention to all of the facial muscles and body language he would use.

"Although the Princess has already experienced it, she expected her new lover to take her home first for the second time..! But! Her prediction was wrong! Her lover suddenly took her to the corner of the path! He roughly laid her down on the ground, and there… he suddenly…!"

Ikshid was speechless the next second. It wasn't because he was excited about the end of his story, but because the Duke shoved grapes into his mouth. How dare he put grapes into the mouth of a Crown Prince? He was a traitor in simpler words.

If the Duke hadn't been with the Prince since he was a boy, he would have been beaten.

Ikshid madly murmured, chewing the fruit the filled his mouth.

"T… his… disgraceful… act… to the Crown Prince…

"… I'll take whatever punishment you like, as I don't want to hear any more."

Tashian drew a deep frown between his brows and touched his forehead. At some point, the master will not test the patience of his servant.

Tashian wanted to directly plead with Ikshid to put a weight on the prince's mouth if there is a god of abundance that Ikshid said.

Before he knew it, Ikshid had already chewed all the grapes that Tashian gave him. He clapped his hand and grumbled.

"You have a problem because people are clogged up. If you know that you are a man who is offended by these obscene rumors after years of fighting on the battlefield, she will be very pleased."

Ikshid could hear the friction between the unsheathing of the Duke's sword.

"…Whoever has disregarded the warnings of God up to now is the worst."

"Wait, Duke. Let go of my hand. Let go of the sheath. I made a mistake. Okay. I made a mistake."

After a brief quarrel, Ikshid opened his mouth, looking at the Duke with his displeased eyes.

"You don't like it because for you it's nonsense, but it's a story that has lessons related to life."

"What lesson do you mean?"

"For example, what would you do if you were in the same situation? Will you do it like the princess's first lover? Or a second lover?"

Ikshid's eyes glittered stealthily and playfully, looking at Tashian.

"If I were a princess, I would have left the man who didn't lift a finger in that situation."

"I'm not sure."

Then a high, refreshing voice interrupted Ikshid.

"I guess it depends on how the princess felt at the time and how she liked it."

Someone gently walked out of the opportunity corner of the road that the two men were walking all along.

She was a woman in a beautiful blue dress with waterfall-like red hair.

"Greeting, Your Highness. You were talking about something interesting."

Selena folded her eyes and smiled. A smaller woman than Selena with a green dress appeared behind Selena. She was a girl with bright blond hair.

The prince unfortunately missed how the Duke froze on his spot, who found Lady Miller dressed up nicely. This was because he himself was busy coughing out of embarrassment.

Eun-woo looked pitifully at Ikshid, coughing to the point where the people watching him felt pity for him.

"Selena! When did you come?"

The Crown Prince asked while clearing his throat. Selena, who had waited for him to stop coughing, smiled.

"We've been here since you said you're going to tell an interesting story. The voice of Your Highness was so loud that we could also enjoy it as we walked together."

No matter how mischievous the story was, the earlobe of Ikshid, who had never changed his expression, turned as red as red wine.

The prince, who was apparently perplexed for no reason, explained the situation with an unexpected serious look.

"I don't want you to misunderstand. Duke and I have been friends for many years, so sometimes we exchange these stories like a joke."

"I see."

Selena calmly replied while grinning.

Perhaps he wasn't satisfied with his words as nudged the Duke's arm, as if asking for sympathy, but there was no answer from Tashian. The Duke could not take his eyes off the woman in front of him. It was as if his heart had been stolen by a siren and he was a sailor, and Eun-woo's eyes met Tashian's.

The Duke kept his eyes on her all the time. His heart, which was calm, started to pound helplessly and crazy as she looked at him.

The man's black hair was neatly brushed back by the wind, and his white forehead was exposed beneath it. Contrary to his tight ascetic lips, his eyes under his thick eyebrows were as hot as the scorching sun.

Eun-woo felt a strange cave burning within his eyes, she felt the strange desire glowing as if her lower abdomen was wriggling at the clear gaze.

Her memory of encountering him in the past as he was busy in his sword training reminded her how solid his body was under the military uniform.

Her cheeks were burning. She quickly turned her eyes away from him, swallowing her dry saliva.

This was all because of the Crown Prince story. When she heard of the vineyard woman that the prince had told Tashian playfully, her imaginations ran wild and free.

Eun-woo looked at him bewilderedly. Eun-woo gasped embarrassingly and lowered her gaze.

"Didn't you wait for a long time?"

Selena's neat voice put an end to the cold silence between all of them. Ikshid quickly escorted Selena, leaving only Tashian and Eun-Woo naturally behind.

Eun-woo, who was standing alone with the duke behind the two people, who began to walk with confidence, was quite embarrassed. The Duke naturally heated up again. At a loss, he managed to give her one arm. She looked at him for no reason, and pretended to put her arm on him.

"Oh… thank you."

"You're welcome."

His quiet reply only sounded as calm as usual. His burning eyes that had warmed her cheeks had disappeared. His determined attitude melted the hot tension away earlier.

Eun-Woo gently laid her hand on his arm. She could feel the firmness of his arm clearly on the fabric. Eun-woo moved slowly as he led. The tension, which seemed to have disappeared, fluttered over the surface again.

They walked slowly behind Ikshid and Selena. The sound of the two people talking in a row in front of them created a strange harmony that seemed to be heard or not covered by the sound of birds and grass bugs.

He was encouraged by it, and Eun-Woo spoke to say something. But he was a second faster.

"There were definitely only two invitations."

He muttered in a somewhat gloomy tone. He seemed unhappy, as if two more troublesome people had stuck together in front of him.

Eun-woo burst into a small smile because him, acting sulky was cute. She whispered in a whisper that the People in front of them could not hear.

"You can't help it. His Highness has seen the invitation…. Selena says it's her first opera performance. Everything will be more fun if we go together."

Just the day before the performance, the prince, who visited the duke's office as usual, found an invitation to go to the opera. The real problem was Selena, who accidentally walked past the slightly opened office door that day. As Selena showed interest in the conversation that began with the theme of opera, the very next moment, a seat was set up for the crown prince and his guests at the Grand Theater.

When Tashian said nothing, Eun-woo looked up to see his face. He was focused on walking with his blank face as he had done nothing but look forward.

Then he mumbled, as if he could be heard over the sound of pounding footsteps.

"… I only wanted to go with you."

Upon hearing that, Eun-woo's eyelashes trembled regardless of her will. She lowered her head hastily, and only wanted to arrive inside quickly.

It was strange. How could a person like him, like last time and this time, could say such a thing without blinking an eye?

The wind which tickled her ears seemed to enter her heart, and it started to thump.

Before the two wagons carrying them reached their destination, there was a loud noise in the heart of the capital. Inside the carriage, Eun-woo peeped over the curtain on the window and eagerly watched the streets of the capital late in the evening.

Tashian, who was sitting across from her, was looking at Eun-woo with his chin on his hand.

She was constantly exclaiming, and watched at how many people were walking on the street, the merchants buying and selling all sorts of goods, the soldiers riding horses in their uniforms, and the carriages going somewhere busily. Running on a perfectly maintained road, there were endless shops and restaurants lined with various items filled with numerous streets where wagons passed by.

She muttered in a voice that could not hide her surprise.

"The streets are so bright even though it's dark."

When he said nothing, Eun-woo took her eyes off of the window and looked at him.

Tashian had a slightly delicate look on his face. She didn't understand what it meant, so she looked back contemplating whether she had made a great mistake.

47 ~

"…. The Hellasium symbol is the red sun. Not just because it represents prosperity and glory."

He removed the curtain from his side with his one arm, and it showed a whole new view out of the window. There were bright lights which greeted him which were shining over people and the street. Like the usual days, people were busily doing their own businesses, immersed in it.

"Rather, it was because Hellasium is right under the red sun and is an empire of the sun without distinction whether night or day. It literally means that it is an empire that does not whiter even if it's day or night. Moreover, the capital city of Cremons means 'light' from the ancient translation in the ancient Hellaisum."

Eun-woo then pulled out her head, looking at the radiant lights in the street.

Come to think of it, she has many questions. Even in the castle where she lived, it was common to depend on the light of one or two candles after the evening hours passed.At this late hour, there was no way that the torch with this temperature could have been lit like that outdoors.

She watched as they passed through them with the window carefully. There were hundreds of strange lights that were lit on the perch of the wall, or in the pillars which stood tall and firm; they looked like fireflies and electric lights. It clearly illuminates the busy streets of the capital.

"What's that?"

She pointed to them and asked questions, with a sense of shame. Tashian asked her.

"… Remember about the royal treasures?"

She was too focused to even differentiate the changes in his voice which was a bit expectant. She then thought of it. She recalled that she briefly learned it through Johannes' teaching.

She shook her head as he expected, and he started explaining to her, calming himself so that she wouldn't hear the disappointment he felt.

"Now, it has disappeared with almost no trace of it, but it is said that thousands of years ago, there was a huge power that could only be called divine on this earth. And it was the War of the Great Sages recorded in ancient history that has brought the end of that power within the continent."

"I know that much. I heard that the current Hellasium, Genova, and Austuralch cities were named after the three wise men who represented each power."

Eun-woo showed off her knowledge, relieved that she could at least remember the explanation Johannes gave to her. But Tashian corrected her words.

"To be exact, that is misleading information. Actually, each nation had already been established before the War of the Great Sages.The reason why it was recorded as War of the Great Sages' is that they exchanged their lives for the power they can't behold any longer due to overcrowding, therefore, they divided them into three precious things and sealed them."

"Three precious things…?"

Tashian nodded at her.

"When the war ended between them, the Great Sages had vanished, but the three precious things remained on the continent and became the objects which protected each of the nations. Fedellamon 's candlestick from Hellasium, Lucius' quill from Genova, and Ginevio's incense burner from Austuralch. In fact, the whereabouts of the said things were unknown except for the candlestick of Hellasium."

Eun-woo thought carefully and opened her mouth cautiously.

"Then these lights here….."

"Thanks to the power of the object."

Tashian added forcefully.

"The reason why the capital, Cremons, can shine at night without the help of candles or perches is because of the precious objects the imperial family keeps. That's why Hellasium is compared to the land of the sun in various history books. "

"Then where is the candlestick of Fedellamon?"

Eun-woo asked the question, surprised by the new revelation she just learned.

"The Black Cathedral."

When she asked her question, he answered it immediately with a look of discomfort on his face.

She wriggled her brows in shock. Because, after hearing him, there was a face that popped into her mind.

"The treasure of the Imperial family is entirely the authority of the heir. The name of the candlestick of Fedellamon is also ridiculous."

Tashian recited cynically. The Black Cathedral was the most sacred sanctuary in the empire, inhabited by heirs and members of the Senate.

The face she remembered belonged to Chief Reinhardt's, which looked sharp because of his unique features. Eun-woo remembered how anxious she was when she saw him.

"I only have the knowledge of it, but I haven't seen it. The same goes to the Crown Prince. Only the heir has the authority to manage such precious objects by hand and fix them each day. That's the law."

Tashian added. It was not until the day the crown prince wore the crown of the emperor at the coronation that he could confirm the object.

Eun-woo looked at his face in deep thought. No matter what he was thinking, his expression seemed so serious that she no longer opened her mouth and just looked out the window.

Meanwhile, the carriage entered the entrance of the Grand Theater, located in the center of the downtown area of Cremons.

To the front entrance between the huge two pillars, there was a crowd of people who arrived after hearing the news of the performance. The people occupied all the available spaces that they had no place to go out. But their wagon somehow didn't stop there.

Eun-woo looked at Tashian in wonder, but he said nothing.

That was the moment when she realized that people had started staring at their carriages. To be precise, they were looking at the carriage owned by Ikshid, which has the golden sun marked on their carriage. Their eyes were full of wonder and envy. Some people had fortunately shown respect to them by taking off their hats and bowing.

She got shocked and closed the curtains again. Their attention was towards the imperial carriage, which was riding in front of them, but Tashian's carriage is enough to draw such unwanted attention, since it's from a duke which has the spruce pattern drawn on their carriage.

Then she recalled what was the position of Tashian and Ikshid, whom she's close with.

Their carriage ran for a long time before it stopped.

Just before getting out of the carriage, Tashian looked at her with an uncomfortable expression and said a word.

"… I wanted to come out quietly, but I'm sorry."

Eun-woo asked in her mind. What was he sorry about? She blinked her eyes, and didn't know what he meant that time. At the same time, the duke's servant opened the door for the both of them and she held Tashian's hand as she got down. Right after, her eyes widened in surprise.

There stands a huge building like a temple with milky stone statues carved on each pillar. Two wagons arrived successfully in front of the building.

And along the entrance, the chief manager of the Grand Theater and his subordinates were lined up waiting for the arrival of the crown prince.

During this light uproar, Eun-woo felt faint dizziness and held Tashian's arm tighter.

"This way, please."

The crown prince and Lady Wellwood, who got off first, were already entering the grand theater under the guidance of the chief administrator. In front of Eun-woo, who was frozen with excessive hospitality, a man who appeared to be the caretaker's subordinate came and led them into the building.

"…… This is the entrance for the royal family. It's connected directly to the royal seat on the top floor because it's a passage only for the royal family and the acquaintances they have along with them."

Moving to the stairs, Tashian gave her a small tip.

Listening to his explanation, Eun-woo rolled up the hem of her raspy dress and hurried up the stairs, not stepping on Tashian's feet.

Soon when the seemingly endless stairs disappeared, an entrance with a huge red carpet hanging from the ceiling caught her eyes. There was a bright light that could not be compared to the dark stairs.

She frowned at the bright lights as they passed between the rugs which were pulled up by Tashian's servants on both sides of the entrance. Out of the blue, the light, which scarred her vision, disappeared.

Eun-woo blinked her eyelids as she looked at the big palm that covered her eyes.

"Is it too bright?"

He covered her eyes with his big hand. She then shook her head. The theater was filled with murmurs, footsteps, and laughter. Whatever those are, one thing is for sure; the theater was packed with audiences. Her heart thumped on its own.

"I'll take my hand off."

Tashian warned softly. He lifted his hand before she could no, and a bright light pierced her eyes. Eun-woo instinctively raised her hand to create a shade over her eyes. Then she couldn't move and opened her mouth.

It was a dazzling sight. The seats were lined with red insignia and gold pillars from the bottom to the top. There was no seat that was left empty at all.

All of this was a glance from where they stood. She could distinguish who were the noble ladies and the commoners that were noisy in the bottom floor.

People were constantly moving their mouths, moving their seats in a lively voice or chatting with the party. And miscellaneous merchants passing by were shouting and selling snacks such as drinks and fruits.

The senior nobles upstairs looked down at the scene with bored faces and smoked or sipped wine served by servants.

The noise they made, the lively laughter, and the excited voice of anticipation for the performance seemed to be transmitted to the top floor where they stood.

"…. What do you think about this?"

Eun-woo couldn't speak and turned to Tashian, who was looking at her carefully and intently. It was only after a long time she realized that he was asking for her review about the theater.

She blushed and spoke in an excited tone.

"I… like it so much! A place like this…… No, it-it's been a while…….. Well, when does the show start?"

His expression, which was a bit dark, brightened up when he heard her positive comment.

"Soon. It doesn't matter if you arrive after the show starts, but I thought you'd want to see the play from the very beginning. "

Unbeknownst to commoners who do not have much entertainment, most aristocrats do not visit the grand theater solely for the purpose of watching the performance. Their real goal was to focus more on socializing with the people they were watching, rather than on the content of the singer's song or play. The performance required no punctuality, no silence, no listening. The higher the status, the more social disrespect was to listen to music or to remain seated until the end of the play.

"It's a wonderful place. I'm really looking forward to the performance."

Selena's voice was heard from Eun-woo's side. Selena, who had arrived first with Ikshid, was standing by her side before she knew it. Perhaps because she had seen this tremendous sight, her voice also had excitement that would have been hard to find without this scene.

"I'm finally going to listen to the famous soprano Calista."

Eun-woo asked Selena back to her unfamiliar name.

"Calista? What do you mean….?"

Then a familiar voice broke into their conversation behind their backs. It was Crown Prince Ikshid.

Even in the dark, the golden eyes of the imperial family were more splendid than any bright light in the dark light.

"The best prima donna on the continent, called the singing ruby."

Eun-woo gaze with interest at the Crown Prince's meaningful smile while he pronounces the word 'prima donna'.

"According to her reputation, it is said that she has a celestial voice that is terribly beautiful. In order to hear her song, I cross the strait not only from the Carte continent, but also from Antasion, the capital of Miremba, in the distance. There really is no siren that blinds sailors' eyes and ears…"

"Is this her first time performing Calista?"

Selena asked with a gentle smile.

Eun-woo had to put in a lot of effort not to make a noise of laughter when she saw Ikshid's gentle expression, crumbled at that moment.

48 ~

"Yes, I'm so happy to be with you at this meaningful moment. Now, now, let's sit over there, come on, hurry up."

Eun-woo took Selena and looked sideways at the crown prince who was walking to another side of the place.

"Is this your first time seeing a Calista performance too?"

She asked Tashian with her lowest voice as possible. Although she sensed that he was looking at the stage, his gaze could feel towering above her.

"No."

Eun-woo was a bit disappointed to hear his short answer. However, she could not hide the radiance in her eyes when he started explaining to her.

"It's my first time seeing an opera."

His voice was indifferent to her as usual.

Nevertheless, Eun-woo became as happy as if he had shared his great secret with her.

It was surprising. She was a little stunned at her reaction. It was because he was crazy to think that he would have been able to enjoy this expensive cultural life as much as he could. It was because no matter what she thinks about, it's crazy that she's enjoying this cultural life however she wants.

She looked at the audience with a relaxed mind, a bit feeling down that she had to pretend that she had seen this performance multiple times already.

Tashian's eyes, which captured her figure, were filled with oddness.

"Why are they standing without chairs?"

At that time, her eyes landed somewhere. There were a lot of people who were standing in a small aisle-like, among the people in the bottom seat.

From their appearance, it was clear that they were commoners or at least merchants who has low status. They had children with them. They were the people that were waiting for the performance in the lowest place where they couldn't even see the stage properly.

"………That's the standing part. They allow you to enter the concert hall for a minimum admission fee. Those standing seats are worth three months' wages for workers."

He was hesitant whether he should open his mouth or not but in the end, he still answered her curious question, in which she never noticed why he was thinking twice before saying it.

"It's not supposed to be that much, but…… It's crowded today, perhaps thanks to the fame of the famous prima donna."

There were numerous people gathered here today in order to watch the spectacular performance.

Watching as the people stood up, she realized how comfortable their seats were and it's the place where you could see the stage well. They were in the perfect height to listen to the singers and see their faces well.

"I must thank the Crown Prince. Thanks to you, I was able to see the performance in such a good seat. "

Tashian snorted back at her words.

The seats dedicated to the royal family are large but not substantial. Rather, Verk's box seat or your family's seat would be better for watching a performance."

"Tashian!"

Eun-woo looked around to see who would listen to him. Then, she suddenly remembered the word that it was a seat exclusively for the Marquis family and asked him.

"What do you mean, seats for my family?"

"… The law of the country is that about a dozen of the venues in the capital go to the royalties, dukes, and hereditary nobles. A reserved seat for political nobles, high-ranking soldiers, bureaucrats, and officers were given too. "

The Grand Theater of Cremons, the capital, was operated with a strong membership system. Most of the box seats were distributed free of charge to military officers, royal servants, and ministers' secretaries with the patronage of nobles. Who sat where was decided by strict rules.

The imperial family would personally send a list of people to the management of the opera on who would be allowed to enter the theater. Mostly, the management will designate seats for them. And of course, Duke Verk and Lord Miller Hu were no exception. They were given seats seat just below the throne room.

"Oh, that's right…. It was."

Eun-woo hurriedly pretended to know and looked away diligently. Tashian looked at her with a faint smile.

Then, from right next to them, a different level of noise began to be heard. It seemed to be the noise coming from the box seat right next to the seat in the royal family's box seat.

"Another foreigner must have arrived in the VIP seat."

Tashian frowned as he heard the roar.

"It is a VIP seat for guests visiting from abroad to see the performances in person. Usually given to guests of the Imperial family, there are no distinguished guests currently visiting Hellasium, so they must be foreign diamond mining owners or silk traders who have crossed the continent. "

Eun-woo carefully listened to the noise. The indistinct noises filled her ears and even unfamiliar instruments accompanied it in a language she couldn't comprehend.

She muttered in great embarrassment.

"The concert is just around the corner…… It's okay to make a fuss, isn't it?

"Do they bother you? Should I warn them myself?"

Tashian immediately asked, his sharp eyes glinting at her words. Eun-woo waved her hand nervously.

"No, I am fine. How dare I… especially with the crown prince…"

"You don't have to be self-conscious about the crown prince. The VIP seats are practically a place for anyone in the kingdom if they pay. The person who paid the money becomes the tenant of the box seat, so once the purchase is completed, the theater wouldn't therefore care what he does in it. In short, no one cares if you talk loudly and sing drunk."

Tashian added with a disapproving look.

"So, if it seems like they're going over the limit, I don't think it's disrespectful even if you give them any sanctions."

Eun-Woo thought a little bit. Still, it was not polite to be sensitive already even though the performance had not started yet.

At that time, the noise from the noisy box seat next to them became incomparably louder than before, and in time someone shouted loudly in an unexpected foreign language.

Eun-woo looked at Tashian's face in surprise at the sound that was close to shouting. He was frowning, too, with his irritated face.

However, both had the same idea that the foreigner's voice was somehow familiar.

"This voice……."

She shook Tashian's hem of clothes with doubts. He narrowed the distance between his brows slightly frowned. Ikshid and Selena, who were naturally exchanging friendly talks with each other, turned to them when they seemingly recognized the owner of the voice.

Soon after, I heard the heavy curtain used as an entrance being lifted, and it seemed that someone had escaped with a fuss. And the steps were getting closer. It was unusual from the sound of walking proudly to the box seats for the royal family where they were located. It was unusual, since it's the steps that were explicitly proud to approach their seats.

Eun-woo bit her lips at the upcoming chaos she knew would happen.

"Oh, goodness! Who is this? Elli, my lovely younger sister!"

She turned to her brother, who was a bit drunk and had spread his arms in front of Eun-woo, with a hardened smile on his face.

Fortunately, Tashian, who was faster than Diego, stopped him in his plans.

"Damn it… where the hell does he come from every time?!"

"Ack…! Ack! Put me down, Tashian! How lang has it been since we last met? And why are you hugging me like this? Oh?"

"I am not hugging you, in fact I am strangling you! Just please go out and die!"

Eun-woo watched the emotion of the friendly reunion they shared with a smile.

"No, why are you coming out of there? "

Ikshid also rejoiced at the reunion of the two, who seemed to be fighting more than normal.

"Tsk tsk… Diego, why can't you differentiate on where to sit and not to sit?"

"You're so mean, Your Highness!"

Diego was thrilled with the great hospitality the rest had given while trapped in Tashian's arms.

"I was doing diplomacy with a target person from Austuralch, but the two of you came here to enjoy the joy of the opera?"

"This was after the half-day State Council meeting! Do you want the Crown prince to get sick from working hard for you."

Tashian attacked Diego fiercely, but Ikshid's eyes had already changed after hearing Diego's words.

His eyes instantly changed into an interesting eye and meaningfully looked at the tightly closed red curtain.

"Are you saying that the spices and myrrh over there are the very objects that came from Guinishu?"

Diego didn't miss the chance to take Tashian's arm off from his neck and went to Ikshid to appeal his curiosity.

"That's right. You saw it right away, Your Highness. Half of the Guinishu spices and myrrh distributed in Cremons are delivered by that person's merchant group"

"Do you want me to bring them to you here?"

Selena asked the crown prince with a genuine smile, after seeing his expression. The crown prince's eyes shook deeply when he faced her.

Eun-woo could understand him. Spices and myrrh were typical consumer products in the Santort continental culture, favored by commoners as well as the aristocrats. It was clear that the visit of the target who supplied the class was a highly coveted position as the Crown Prince of a country.

However, Ikshid shook his head. He gently looked at Selena's face and settled the situation smoothly.

"Today, I am here to watch the performance with you all, so let's do that first. If we're meant to be, we'll surely meet again soon."

As Eun-woo watched Selena smiling genuinely to Ikshid, she couldn't help but to wonder that these people, who were originally unfriendly, were actually getting along well and are harmonious.

On the other hand, Diego, who had become useless after having a drink with his difficult target, sat down on any seat with a gloomy expression on his face and let out a long sigh.

"……I heard there's someone who works and someone who plays. I never thought I'd look like that…."

Eun-woo watched Tashian's forehead rise as he heard it, but he kept his mouth shut. He warned in a voice that seemed to be trying to contain his anger within.

"You go back to your seat."

"Wherever my sister is, I shall be there. There's nothing stronger than blood."

Diego's brazen answer gradually rolled up Tashian's fist.

Eun-woo felt that her head throbbed seeing these two. Diego was sitting on the seat Tashian owns.

The two men quarreled like children and began to compete for positions as if they were biting each other on both sides of Eun-woo.

Eun-woo suddenly became an innocent victim between them, trapped like a pickle stuck between sandwiches.

Eventually, the two men's childish war of nerves ended when Diego put his hand on Eun-woo's back and Tashian put his arm on her other armrest.

Ikshid clicked his tongue, watching the two interestingly.

"Come on. Elli's nerves will go thin because of the fight between you two. I wonder if you two lose each of your strengths in things that are not so special…"

At the same time, he did not forget to send a sharp warning to the visitors in the other box seats who looked at Selena.

The box seat occupied by the five of them was located at the very top of the center of the stage, so that one could turn his gaze at them at any time if he wanted to and get a squint of the royal family and their distinguished guests. The open front of the box seats not only helped to watch the performance, but also allowed other people to see the precious people in the box seats.

Therefore, it was natural for the audience to pay attention to the box seats of the imperial family, where the two beautiful women were sitting beautifully with their gentle dresses.

The three men were busy blocking the crowd with their arms folded with an expression of displeasure.

"I guess the show will start soon."

Soon after, when bands appeared on the stage, Eun-woo shouted quietly in a reminiscent tone. But Tashian shook his head and decided.

"Not yet. We'll have quite a long time to reorganize after the band first appears."

Diego grumbled.

"You've never come to a concert like this before, so what kind of wind is blowing onto you?"

"It has nothing to do with you."

Tashian growled savagely at him.

49 ~

Eun-woo felt that cold sweats were running to her back. Wanting to avert the topic, she looked at the two men alternately and asked a question.

"Thinking about it, we still don't know what kind of opera we're going to watch?"

As she mumbled with an awkward smile, Diego quickly began to smack Tashian.

"Tashian, you're such a brat that you don't have any dirt on your little nails! It doesn't make sense that you invited him to the opera and didn't tell my sister what the opera is about!"

"N-no…! It could happen! I didn't even ask him!"

Eun-woo hurriedly defended Tashian, but he seemed to have no intention of defending himself. Tashian said in a cool voice.

"It's not something I would listen to from you, who went here without any consent and stole my seat."

"No, what?!"

"Brother…! Tashian!"

Even though Eun-woo tried her best to stop these two men from fighting again, they seemed unwilling to listen to her.

She buried her back deep in her seat with a feeling of half desperation. The two men's arms were still encroaching on her from both sides, so it wasn't a very comfortable position for her.

"Hooh, Eleanor. You have a lot of trouble there."

It was Selena who had already foretold what would happen. Eun-woo's kind smile piqued her interest to just bury her head to Selena's shoulder for a moment.

"L-le… let me explain on behalf of them."

Ikshid, who had been leaning hard on Selena's seat as he listened to them, stepped out and spoke.

"Elli, you're already familiar with the story of three treasures. Well, it's a story that decorated one side of the history of Hellasium, so it'd be strange for you not to know. Hmm."

"You are talking about three precious treasures."

Selena, standing next to her, sympathized with Ikshid's words.

The three treasures. It was the story she heard from Tashian when they were in the carriage. And one of the mysterious treasures brightens the night of Cremons as if it was day.

Eun-woo had vaguely learned the story behind them today, thus smiling slightly, neither confirming nor denying it.

Ikshid let out a deep sigh with his hazy eyes holding something beyond reality.

"Right… the three treasures. Lucius' quill, Ginevio's incense burner… and the candlestick of Fedellamon.

The voice of the prince who spit out the last syllable was as clear.

"The content of this opera is about one of the treasures; the quill of Lucius."

"But among the three precious treasures, isn't it only the candlestick of the Fedellamon imperial family whose whereabouts are known?"

Eun-woo asked that question as she was perplexed.

This was because she was taught that the other two treasures disappeared without any trace except for the Fedellamon candlestick. There was no history of where it could be. Ikshid nodded his head.

"That's right."

"Then this story must be a legend."

Selena intervened.

"If I say one word, you know ten words, and you are so knowledgeable."

"You're exaggerating, Your Highness. I have not yet reached the depths of your knowledge."

Eun-woo was so occupied at nudging Diego's arm away with nauseous feeling and pushing Tashian's arm, who was uncomfortable at what she was doing, that she didn't even notice the male lead and female lead's flirting.

"Just like what the candlestick lights up Fedellamon, the quill must have some mysterious power too, right?"

"That would not be proven as the candlestick, but it certainly has."

Ikshid belatedly nodded at Selena's question.

"The notoriety of Lucius' quill is in fact the most famous of the three. It's not just that this opera is famous on the continent."

"Notorious …?"

If it's notorious, does that mean that the quill has some curse on it?

When Eun-woo asked her hesitant question, Diego had already answered her before Ikshid could, who was about to open his mouth, and made him stop from saying anything.

"In Genova, even a five-year-old knows something. Doesn't it seem that even a crying child stops when he hears the story of Lucius' quills?"

The quill isn't some sort of tiger, but it's enough to make a child stop from crying, since the story behind it is frightening.

Eun-woo tilted her head. At that moment, Tashian's low-pitched voice was heard.

"Literally. Because the power of the quill is a curse."

Eun-woo's eyes widened. As much as Fedellamon's candlestick is responsible for Cremons' night, Lucius' quill was also expected to have something beneficial to people.

Eun-woo was very surprised by the new knowledge she had acquired. She also even felt a little betrayed. She muttered,

"It's surprising…"

"It has been said that Lucius was cursed with a terrible one, as there was an etymology that Lucius is the devil's name."

"Just what kind of miserable curse is that…?"

When Eun-woo asked a question carefully, Ikshid frowned and tried to answer. But Tashian was one step faster.

"The power to permanently seal things or people."

(TN: To some who didn't understand, the 'seal' word can be replaced with 'confine'.)

Eun-woo blinked her eyes, stunned.

Being sealed. It was an unfamiliar word for her. Tashian watched her expression calmly with his indescribable expression, before adding.

"… You probably think that the curse isn't sort of a big deal, but in fact it's a pretty strong curse. It makes a person inexistant in this world, making it like he hadn't lived inside this world and prays to have the person's achievements annihilated from history."

After saying that, Tashian was silent again. As much as the content of the terrifying words, everyone present's expressions hardened slightly.

However, Eun-woo noticed something different from usual in his expressionless expression. As she pondered what exactly it was, Diego then grumbled towards Tashian.

"No, dude! What did you do that the atmosphere I barely managed to make alive became gloomy again?!"

"Even after Marquis Miller came, the atmosphere doesn't seem to have changed at all."

"That's right. Right, if you want."

Selena made a point in a gentle but resolute voice.Ikshid, who was affectionately putting his arms on the back of Selena's seat, was busy putting a chant in his words.

"I didn't know that my long 20-year friendship with His Highness would crumble this instant…!"

"There was really nothing between me and you but hate in the first place."

At Diego's exasperation, Ikshid snorted his nose in response.

At that time, one of the prince's attendants came calling from over the huge red-carpet entrance of the box seat where they were staying.

"This is a request from the Prima Donna, Crown Prince. Would you allow her?"

Eun-woo looked around in surprise at the attendant's words.

Prima Donna is the real protagonist of today's opera, the famous soprano and is known as Calista.

She sprang up from her seat, contemplating whether to stand or clap instead.

But when she came to her senses, it was after everyone else had gone back to their respective conversations. It seemed as if Calista's visit was insignificant, and the crown prince didn't even care.

Eun-woo was a little surprised by the naivety she has. She glanced at everyone and asked Tashian next to her.

"It seems like this happens often…?"

"When the imperial family visits the grand theater, it is customary for a performer or vocalist representing the troupe to visit and show courtesy. Of course, it is up to the royalties whether to allow the visit or not."

Their height difference was a bit big, thus Tashian answered with his head lowered slightly. He was sitting so close that his short breath touched her air below her ear.

Tashian rolled his eyes with a sneering smile.

"Most nobles welcome this special treatment with open arms."

She could hear Ikshid asking Selena softly, who was sitting next to her.

"What do you think, where would you like to meet?"

"She is a very interesting singer from Cremons who has achieved continental fame."

Ikshid couldn't stand still when Selena showed her interest. He ordered with a light smile.

"Allow her."

Suddenly, the red carpet cracked with a rattling sound from side to side.

Eun-woo lifted her head up within the line of preserving dignity as much as possible. She also wondered what kind of person Calista is.

"My name is Calista. It is an honor to see the Crown Prince of Hellasium."

Prima Donna's speaking voice filled the seat. A tall, slender young woman appeared among the attendants guarding her sides.

Calista had her auburn hair braided to one side of her and draped over her silver blue silk dress. Eun-woo's eyes carefully scanned Calista's outward appearance.

Dark eyebrows and stubborn eyes came first. Her light freckles were covered with heavy makeup, and the large eyes on the neatly outstretched nose were gray. She was surprisingly beautiful. She couldn't deny it, but she was a face that would be attractive enough in front of a stage audience.

Her fingers, with thick gold rings on her ring and index fingers, were gently covering the exposed ribs of her chest. With her impeccable and polite manner, she bowed before the Crown Prince and his guests.

"Hey, long time no see! How do you feel about returning to Cremons?"

It was Diego, neither the Crown Prince nor anyone else, who greeted the kneeling Calista warmly.

Eun-woo's eyes widened when she saw her brother approached Calista, he grabbed her hand and lifted her up. Holding Diego's hand, Calista smiled brightly and satisfied.

"No, what is this? Aren't you Marquis Miller?"

There was affection in Calista's expression as she turned her eyes at Diego.

Eun-woo paid close attention to the two people who seemed to be close with an interesting gaze.

Calista lifted one of her sharp hands with her jewel-encrusted ring, and gently covered her mouth, suddenly sulking.

50 ~

"I am disappointed that you came here only when the Crown Prince has come here and stayed in another continent…"

"Haha. It's the performance you have seen multiple times already since I became a member of the troupe."

"Oh, you're saying something you don't know. How is the performance of Prima Donna the same when she was in the choir only?"

"Really? Therefore, today is the day when you will watch the continent's best soprano, who is incredibly famous."

"Hoho, the best on the continent? You are exaggerating!"

At Diego's nudge, Calista laughed wildly.

Calista, who was occupied at talking with Diego, after a long time not seeing him, suddenly became conscious of the Crown Prince, and hastily bowed her head towards him with a respectful smile.

"Oh gracious, Your Highness. Please forgive me."

"No, I did not know that the two of you are friends. Its' hundred times better to be friendly around guests than having an awkward one."

Ikshid gestured to Calista to lift her head, putting her hands on her chest. She smiled at Diego before opening her mouth.

"When I was just a member of the troupe, I received support from Marquis Miller here."

"It's sponsorship. Very good. No matter how great an artist, it all starts with the patronage of a nobleman."

"Oho! It was a very small favor that could not even be called a patronage."

"Again, again! He is very humble!"

Calista pretended that she had tapped Diego's arm lightly.

"Weren't you the one who introduced me to one of the managements of the theater companies, whom I had no connections with?"

A vocal of a commoner is the only way to gain her wealth and power. Of course, she had to be backed up by someone strong and at the perfect timing, effort, and talent, but it was by no means easy for all of those probabilities to interlock.

Calista was a woman who had overcome all the countless odds.

There was a certain person who caught Calista's eyes. Her eyes traveled to the sister of Marquis Miller.

'As rumored… she is indeed the younger sister of the marquis.'

It was because of her eyes, which had seen countless people here, standing or sitting. Among them, she is the most attractive person.

Calista still couldn't forget her first day when she saw Marquis Miller. She looks like Miller's younger sister after all.

As she expected, Lady Miller was very much like her brother. To borrow a cliché, she was like an angel who had just come down from heaven. Her dense rain of eyes and mouth trapped in the small, white face perfectly interlocked and harmonized.

Even her tiny freckles that had settled down on the back of her nose seemed to have been sprinkled with golden dust.

However, she was quite small compared to Marquis Miller, who was quite tall. Rather, because of that, she looked like a wax figure in a glass bottle that someone had cut. She was lovely and perfect.

"Hello, Lady Miller, I've heard a lot about you from Lady's older brother."

Eun-woo bowed her head to her while Calista bowed with her knees, who greeted her supporter's sister. After giving her greeting, Calista's eyes turned to the duke behind Eun-woo.

Eun-woo could see how Calista's eyes opened slightly after seeing Tashian. It was an expression of surprise and wonder at the same time, but it was only a fleeting time that only a few people noticed it.

"Then, I shall prepare for my upcoming performance…"

She immediately bowed to the duke, and Lady Wellwoods, who was sitting next to the crown prince. After her brief farewell, she respectfully asked to leave before her performance. Ikshid's consent fell then she proudly left with a smile.

After she disappeared, Ikshid lifted his glass in a timely manner.

"It looks like the show is about to start. Come on, let's all have a drink first."

At that signal, the servants began to deliver the luxurious supper prepared in advance to the table.

Eun-woo's eyes widened at all the delicious food on the plate they brought in.

Boiled aged salmon serving, lime, kale, and pork topped with ground grain, honey and sauce. Soft baked potatoes topped with white bread and yellow butter, over it was poured melted cheese. There was a whole beef cooked with red wine near it, mixed with olives, fresh lettuce, and onions.

"Try this."

As soon as the food was put on the table, Tashian cut the tender veal and placed it on Eun-woo's plate. Embarrassed at his kindness, she grabbed the food he handed to her and unwittingly picked up the fork and knife.

When she turned to look around, everyone was already enjoying the food and were chatting.

The performance is nearing, is it really alright for them to do this?

She swallowed her saliva roughly, looking at the delicious foods in front of her. Tashian, seeing her, urged her.

"What are you doing? Eat. It tastes good."

But didn't Ikshid say that the show will start soon?

Tashia smiled, assuring her that it's fine, who was confused. He handed her a glass of wine and she pretended that she took a sip.

Eun-woo looked into his eyes and sipped his glass with an unsure attitude. The sweet and strong alcohol filled the tip of her nose with a fragrant scent.

"Even from below, vendors are traveling around to sell snacks, don't they?"

When she looked down, vendors were indeed walking around, carrying yakitori, candied fruits, and some other food, placed on the boards.

Eun-woo put an apple coated in caramel syrup in her mouth and muttered while muttering.

"… It seems like everyone doesn't even care about the performance."

"They will ring the bell for such an important event, what are you worrying about?"

Diego said as he put the grilled fish in his mouth.

Indeed, as he said, there was a person waiting with a large bell in a corner of the stage. Eun-woo returned to the freshly reserved foods, with a fresh shock from the new culture in this world.

The real problem here was Diego. He ate as if he had been starved for a few days and was watching how Tashian was feeding his younger sister.

"My sister also has hands. She doesn't need someone to take care of her like that."

"… Try this too. It's tasty."

Eun-woo lightly ignored her brother, and smiled shyly at Tashian, who put smoked veal wrapped in sweet radish on the plate.

"Thank you, Tashian. However, my brother is right. I have hands too; you can stop feeding me."

"Ever since earlier, you had been eating two or three mouthfuls. You're having no appetite, right?"

On the contrary, Eun-woo could not say anything other than a slight smile in front of him who asked worriedly.

Diego, who looked at them like that, muttered as if he was serious.

"Now, why do you have to worry about how my sister eats? Just because you're a big eater doesn't mean everyone in the world eats like you."

"Would you like me to bring you some fruit?"

"Tashan…"

Tashian didn't pretend to hear Diego's words. He was completely disregarding his presence and even Diego muttered to himself, "It's no use saying anything…", and forked the meat.

Eun-woo slowly began to savor the food he put on the plate. The tender flesh of the calf's hind legs seemed to melt in her mouth with the sweet and sour sauce.

Tashian, who was only carrying food on Eun-woo's plate without saying a word, took up his share and started eating.

It was then that Diego, who had glanced at Tashan like that, moved to his side.

"Diego, if you're about to say nice things, get lost."

Tashian threatened in a low voice that only Diego could hear. Diego opened his mouth, ignoring the voice that looked like it was going to be frosty in midsummer. There was still food lingering in his mouth.

"Well… about Calista."

His voice was rather serious than what he expected. Noticing the roughness of his voice, Tashian took a glimpse of the woman beside him.

She was distracted from before as she watched the audience slowly turn off the lights from downstairs, informing that the performance will soon start. After confirming that she wasn't paying attention to their conversation, he responded insensitively with a motionless gaze.

"… The singer we saw earlier."

The rumors surrounding Calista were plentiful, which he knew well. Rumors were going to grow with fame. Moreover, if the rumors circulating around her involved one of the nobles' successors, it would be chaotic.

"Is Reinhardt behind her?"

Diego, who looked at the chicken before him, ripped off another leg and spoke.

He had a completely different expression from the good-natured man who showed off his friendship with Calista before. Diego's blue eyes flashed a deep purple in the red wine bottle.

"It was him who was watching over me, whether it was about sponsorship or not. Your older brother."

"Stop calling my brother."

Tashian gave a warning. Diego snorted.

"What if it's not your older brother? Are you saying that he can be your younger brother?"

"Sounds useless."

Still not looking at Diego, Tashian muttered coldly. Diego opened his mouth with a serious expression on his face.

"She said that she had to do her gigs across the continent and then she suddenly came back to Cremons therefore, her connections with him are deep."

Calista is all along a famous singer. The fact that her solo performance in front of the royalties and nobles from around the continent before she came here, was also a testament on to her popularity across everywhere.

However, to stand as a prima donna in the Grand Theater of Cremons had a different meaning.

The Grand Theater of Cremons, which is called the center of art, was a place that focused on discovering new talent, usually featuring young singers who had just made their debut. There, female solo singers would change day by day.

The competition was fierce, and there were many artists who could not survive there for long and would then disappear without a hint or rumor. In order for a mid-level singer like Calista to stand as a prima donna here, her authority and status had to be elevated enough to be considered a legend in the vocal world.

When a vocalist who debuted at Cremons returns to the grand theater as the protagonist of the play, people describe it as 'the rise of a new queen'. It also meant that the singer had become a game-changing star in her opera market.

"Although Calista was a promising woman by nature… I think she's still too young to be referred to as, 'She's the new queen'."

Diego gulped the wine and said.

"The previous queens did not return to Cremons and began their training sessions by performing on all continents. However, Calista had only performed in Genova. Her training has even started."

It was suspicious enough. Diego murmured, rolling the glass of wine in his hand and his finger was wrapped on the glass.

"I think it's your brother's influence."

Tashian still didn't look at Diego and opened his mouth. His eyes turned to Eleanor, who had reached the railing to Selena and looked down.

"It has nothing to do with me when he meets any woman."

"What do you mean, it doesn't matter? Are you talking like that because you don't know the current situation right now? We have to make sure that we keep our keen eyes on the chief's every move, as we don't know when and how the attack will come."

"The boundaries are sufficient."

"Everyone has boundaries!"

Diego's voice rose slightly.

"I'll have to warn my sister about that woman earlier. She's a woman of high status. And the chief knows well that my sister lives in your castle. As close to the Crown Prince as we are, don't forget that we are always being watched."

"… "

Unlike his usual cheerful face, under the dim theater lights, Diego's face was so serious that it seemed cold at first glance. Through the distorted pattern of water glasses, his deep blue eyes shone bluer than ice.

Diego looked at Tashian's profile, not answering. His shady eyes were closed as if contemplating something.

Then he quietly opened his mouth.

"… Don't tell this to me today."

Diego opened his mouth as if embarrassed.

"What do you mean…"

"Don't tell me today. Don't do it today."

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