Chapter 7
“Did I hear wrong…?”
The maid only opened the door slightly, glanced inside, then tilted her head and left.
[Ahhh! This is so embarrassing!]
Lili started jumping around, flustered by the situation.
The problem was—Lili could only be seen by me, not the Young Duke.
Because she was acting so embarrassed, I also started to feel awkward.
In the uncomfortable silence, I tapped the Young Duke’s hand lightly first.
“What exactly are you doing?”
“I thought you might scream… I’m sorry.”
If he apologizes first like that, I can’t even complain.
“Let’s go to my room first.”
“Are you serious?”
“We can’t let the servants see us together.”
“…I see.”
The expressions of the Young Duke and Lili were strange, but leaving the study felt more urgent.
So I brought the Young Duke to my room.
It was too dangerous to talk in the study, and this conversation would be long.
“Young Duke, anything said in this room will not leave it. You can relax.”
I lit a candle and confirmed the formation I had already set up was working.
Under the light, the Young Duke’s face became visible.
His cheeks were slightly red.
“Why is your face so red? If it’s hot, you can take off—”
“Lady Rize… do you perhaps not understand what it means to bring a man into your room?”
Does it have a special meaning?
I looked at Lili.
She covered her mouth and giggled.
“What does it mean?”
“It means… you are trying to seduce me. With your body.”
“Hmm. How boring.”
I shrugged casually.
The Young Duke looked stunned.
But I truly didn’t care.
To a cultivator, gender doesn’t matter.
I understand yin and yang.
But at some point, even that became meaningless.
Only the desire to become stronger remains.
[Big sister, you’re really bold!]
‘Bold? How?’
[Among noble ladies, you’re probably the only one who can treat the Young Duke like this!]
‘Only me?’
[Look at his handsome face! Most noble ladies can’t even make eye contact!]
‘Lili, that’s because I have what he wants. If you want control over someone, find their weakness.’
[Ugh! That’s not it!]
Lili puffed her cheeks and turned away.
Did I say something wrong?
Understanding children is difficult.
I sighed quietly and looked back at the Young Duke.
No need to waste time.
I needed to finish quickly and calm Lili.
“Young Duke, I’ll ask directly. Why were you searching for something in my mansion?”
Even though I was the one in a hurry, I pushed strongly.
In a deal, you must not give the other side room to breathe.
Fortunately, he answered soon.
“The Valentier family serves the Imperial family. This task is both my trial to inherit the title and a mission.”
“The Imperial family? Why would they ask you to find that item?”
“…You’ve heard of the Eastern Continent nation, Han, haven’t you?”
I naturally glanced at Lili.
‘Lili, do you know what Han is?’
[Hmph! I don’t know!]
Cute.
I softened my tone.
‘Really, teacher Lili? You’re the only one I can ask.’
Her expression brightened immediately.
[Umm… sorry! Actually, it’s my mom’s homeland!]
‘Your mother’s?’
[Yes! Dad met her during a war. He said it was love at first sight…]
A war…
So the two empires are not on good terms.
“The item… was requested by the Han Empire. It must be presented during the envoy visit, which includes the Crown Prince.”
So the “door” I saw might be in Han.
And that means—
I must go there.
A cultivator’s instinct is never wrong.
“I must go to the Han Empire.”
“But why was such an important item hidden in my mansion?”
“The Count personally promised the Emperor to safeguard it.”
The Young Duke sighed.
“If only the Count hadn’t disappeared…”
My eyes narrowed.
So that’s why I never saw him.
“My father… disappeared?”
“…You didn’t know? He went missing in the mountains of your territory.”
The Young Duke looked confused.
I quickly checked Lili.
But she looked completely fine.
Why?
‘Lili, your father is missing. Are you okay?’
[Yes! I’m fine!]
‘…Why?’
[He said it’s hide-and-seek! He’s just hiding really well!]
…
So that’s how she copes.
“Lady Rize, are you alright?”
I looked at the Young Duke.
“One last question.”
“…Ask.”
“Is there a way for me to join the envoy?”
He widened his eyes in shock.
“Lady! Han is an enemy nation! If things fail, it could mean war! You could be taken hostage—”
I stepped forward and covered his mouth.
“Mm—!”
“Young Duke.”
“Mm…!”
“I will not be taken hostage.”
Did he really think I would let that happen?
“Now… how can I go with the envoy?”
“Mm…!”
“Oh right, I forgot to let go.”
I removed my hand.
He hesitated, then sighed.
“…There is no place except in the knights’ order. But what would qualify you to join them?”
I smiled slightly.
“What else?”
“I’ll make them acknowledge my strength.”
“Lady, how—”
“Arrange a meeting with the Crown Prince. Then I’ll give you the item.”
Simple.
The decision isn’t his anyway.
The Young Duke rubbed his face.
“…Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“…I’ve never met a woman like you.”
I ignored that.
“Forget that. Can you arrange it?”
“…The Crown Prince will attend my charity party. I’ll arrange it then.”
Charity party.
Perfect.
There was one more thing.
“Young Duke.”
“W-what now? You’re starting to scare me!”
I quickly spoke before he changed his mind.
“Do you have money?”
“…Money?”
Both the Young Duke and Lili looked shocked.
[Big sister! Why are you asking him for money?! Won’t it just fall from the sky like the artifact?!]
Of course not.
If money fell from the sky, no one would seek immortality.
Without money, cultivation is impossible.
“Money is power.”
‘Lili, listen carefully. We need money right now, right?’
[Yes.]
‘The Young Duke has money.’
[Probably…]
‘He wants the artifact. I want money. So we trade.’
[Ohhh!]
Now, time to convince him.
“Money. Emergency funds. You understand, right?”
Seeing I was serious, he replied carefully.
“…How much do you need?”
“I should ask you. How much is the artifact worth to you?”
“Lady… wasn’t arranging the meeting enough?”
“Then subtract that and give me a price.”
He looked troubled.
Calculating value isn’t easy, is it?
And now—
What kind of condition will he offer?
