Tap, tap.
[What is it?]
Adrienne turned to look at Yuria, who was lightly tapping her arm.
“What were you thinking so hard about?”
[Nothing, really.]
“If it’s nothing, then why are your cheeks so red?”
[Mine?]
“Yes, Your Highness. Your cheeks are red. What were you thinking about to make them turn that color all of a sudden?”
Yuria twirled her eyes playfully. Adrienne pouted at her teasing expression.
[I wasn’t thinking about anything, Yuria.]
“And I’m just supposed to believe that? I saw you two in the corridor earlier with my own eyes.”
[Well… that was just…]
“You’ve definitely changed. Haven’t you?”
Yuria leaned in suddenly, catching Adrienne off guard. Flustered, Adrienne blinked and leaned back.
[I have no idea what you’re talking about.]
“Even the other maids were saying it—how the two of you seem so much closer now.”
[…]
“The head maid said that’s what marriage is. Share a bed, and feelings are bound to follow.”
[Yuria.]
“Yes?”
[That’s not something you should be discussing with them—or with me.]
“Oh… I’m sorry, Your Highness. I didn’t mean any harm.”
[I know. But still, it’s not good for private matters to be passed around the castle.]
Especially because the stories going around didn’t only involve her.
Even if it was the only entertainment they had, Adrienne didn’t like that Lukas’s private affairs were being spread from mouth to mouth.
And even more so, that such talk was reaching her ears at all.
“I’ll be more careful, Your Highness.”
[Are you upset?]
“No. I was just careless.”
[Yuria…]
“I only said it because… you two looked good together. Like a real couple.”
A real couple.
Adrienne blanked for a moment at those words.
To be seen by others not as the product of a political marriage, but as a genuine husband and wife… It felt strange. Surreal, even.
[I understand what you meant, Yuria. But even the smallest thing—if it affects His Grace—I don’t want to risk it.]
“I’ll be more careful, Your Highness.”
Yuria nodded, understanding.
[But still, isn’t Ena running late today?]
“Oh right! That’s actually what I came to tell you, and I completely forgot. I’ve been so scatterbrained lately.”
[Hm? What about Ena?]
“Her mother—the one who couldn’t escape with them—she’s come to Rantschka.”
[Tell me everything.]
“You remember how Ena and her father fled that infamous count’s estate in Franz?”
Adrienne nodded. She remembered.
Back then, Ena had told her that only she and her father had made it out. Her mother had been captured by the knights chasing them, forcing the two to flee on their own.
They were nearly eaten by beasts, if not for Jackson finding them just in time.
[Yes. I remember.]
Adrienne recalled Ena’s teary eyes when she had shared the story.
“Well, her mother escaped again. And she made it all the way here.”
[How is that possible?]
“She got help from a priest who’d just entered the estate.”
[A priest?]
“Yes. Ena said he used transformation magic.”
[What? Transformation magic?]
A priest, using transformation magic? That made no sense. Adrienne’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I don’t know the details… but Lord Tessa said he’s not just any priest. Transformation magic is a high-level skill, and even among great mages, few can perform it.”
[Then… did Ena’s mother come here with that mage?]
Adrienne asked, curiosity lighting her expression.
“No. He only escorted her to the entrance of the salt mine, then disappeared. Said he was headed for the White Tower.”
[Ah… I see.]
Adrienne nodded with a trace of disappointment.
[Still, it’s such a relief. This must be a rare happy day for Ena.]
“Yes, it must be.”
[Yuria.]
“Yes?”
[Do you miss Denis too?]
“…Yes.”
[I miss my nanny as well.]
And surely, Denis missed both of them too.
[Someday, when things are safer here, I’ll ask the Grand Duke for permission—and we’ll go visit Tehevia together.]
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Someday… I hope so.
Adrienne pulled the teary-eyed Yuria into a warm, tight embrace.
____________𔒝 ࿆ ꫂ ၴႅၴ __________
Meanwhile, in the study…
“What’s the report?”
Tessa entered alongside Jeord, and Lukas immediately turned to him.
“He bears the mark of the White Tower,” he said.
“Can we trust him?”
Lukas furrowed his brow. Tessa added, “Besides, Ena and her father Jerome are already part of our ranks.”
“Jeord, what do you think?”
“We’ll have to watch him for now, but I don’t anticipate any issues.”
“Is that so?”
There didn’t seem to be any real reason for suspicion. So why did he feel a lingering sense of unease?
“I’ll keep a close eye on things,” Jeord said, sensing Lukas’s mood.
Lukas eased his expression and gave a slow nod.
“At any rate, it seems Rantschka has gained another ally.”
“An extra pair of hands is always welcome,” Jeord said.
“True. There’s nothing more valuable than manpower.”
Just then, Jackson entered the study with Darren and Keaton following close behind.
“How’s the salt mining going?” Lukas asked.
“It’s picking up pace, Your Grace,” Darren reported.
“Good. Keep security tight—we can’t afford any disruptions.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Seated now, Darren spoke confidently.
“Even if the barbarians do try anything, we’re prepared. Tessa’s been placing barriers around the mines regularly.”
“Tessa is practically a one-man army,” Keaton added with a hearty laugh.
Tessa was still only a mid-tier mage, but having him around made a significant difference.
“Saving her from the Forest of Shadows was one of our best decisions.”
“Absolutely. He was a frightened novice back then,” Darren chuckled.
“Hey! That was ages ago!” Tessa blurted, his cheeks flushing red at Darren’s teasing.
“When you used to tremble at the sight of a couple monsters,” Jackson added, laughing.
“Oh, come on! Enough already!”
His flustered outburst made everyone laugh, including Jeord and Keaton. Tessa pouted, lips jutting out in embarrassment.
“Alright, that’s enough teasing,” Lucas said. “Let’s talk mercenaries.”
Their laughter cut off instantly.
Ahem.
Tessa cleared her throat, returning to the topic.
“Franz will hesitate to send mercenaries. Many of them are closely tied to the crown prince.”
“Right. Even if they’re desperate for salt, they’ll keep making excuses,” Keaton said with a smirk.
“What about reaching out to Tehevia?” Darren suggested.
“We only just stopped crossing swords with them a few years ago. You’re saying we should ask for their help?”
“Darren has a point, Your Grace. Things have changed—and this would be a trade deal. Salt in exchange.”
“The commander’s right,” Keaton added. “Her Highness is from Tehevia. It’s not a bad idea. They’re also a major trading hub, which could help distribute the salt.”
“Other than Franz, they’re the closest option,” Jeord said. “It’s fast and logical. Most lords are still too afraid of Agmund’s influence, but Tehevia is Her Highness’s homeland. That gives us leverage.”
Everyone nodded in agreement—everyone except Lukas.
“Make the call, Your Grace. The harsh season is approaching. There’ll be several large battles soon.”
“Tehevia, huh…”
Perhaps that really was the only option.
Most of the other lords were under the thumb of Agmund and the Empress’s house, the Theonan family. And everyone knew how much Agmund hated his half-brother—just like the others hated Lukas’s older half-brother.
“Tessa, at first light, you’ll take my letter and head to Castle Tereze.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“We’ll need to proceed quietly. Who knows what Agmund might try to interfere with.”
Agmund likely already knew about the salt mine—and could probably guess that Lukas was planning to hire mercenaries.
That was why Tessa was the best choice. His frequent training trips to the White Tower would draw no suspicion.
