Chapter 21
Eiryn leaned back into the soft chair and fell into thought.
She still couldn’t grasp Illiard’s true intentions.
But for some reason, when she looked at him again, it felt as though she could read his thoughts.
Just like when she first set foot in Porty Seguk after her return as part of the diplomatic delegation.
She had seen the subdued golden eyes darken into a warm shade.
When their fingers brushed while handing over a spoon, was that shaken breath merely from embarrassment?
Eiryn closed her eyes deeply.
How could she even begin to describe this emotion that clung to her like a parasite…?
“Let’s move forward.”
Eiryn snapped open her eyes and spoke decisively.
“What? Really?”
Telan’s face instantly lit up at her unwavering command.
“Yes.”
Eiryn straightened her posture and nodded.
It was also intriguing to see how Mersen Empire’s economy might intertwine with the Porty Empire’s royal family.
“The biggest problem is obtaining the Mersen Imperial Court’s permit for factory construction.”
To expand business into the Bershon Empire, she had to draft a request letter for foreign factory construction approval.
According to Mersen imperial law, a foreign national could only establish a factory on imperial soil with direct royal approval.
“We’ll need a proxy.”
If it’s revealed that I—someone from another empire’s royal family—own the property, the permit could be revoked. No, it definitely will.
“I’ll have to contact the Mersen royal court and discuss it. Telan, bring me some paper. A few sheets.”
Eiryn replied distractedly to Telan but then corrected herself as a new thought occurred.
“Wait, are you planning to send it to the Mersen Empire?”
Telan handed her the paper, eyes gleaming.
“Yes. I plan to contact the Mersen royal family and negotiate with them on this matter.”
Telan’s tilted gaze revealed a swirl of emotions.
“Are you really making a decision this quickly? There’s still plenty of time. You can take it slow.”
Telan’s voice was filled with concern.
Eiryn always handled matters quickly, leaving no time to rest.
Watching her closely, Telan feared she might collapse someday.
There seemed to be no need to rush things this much.
“It’s best to act when motivation strikes.”
At her firm tone, Telan stopped arguing and left the office to focus on his own work.
Eiryn returned to her documents, rereading the one Telan had brought.
Negotiating with the Mersen royal court would likely be easy.
The factory would bring them clear benefits.
Even if they refused, she could simply establish the factory in the Porty Empire.
There was nothing to lose—yet for some reason, Eiryn felt sure of success.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that Illiard’s “policy for small nations” was deliberately aimed at her.
The dusk sky was blotched with red as shadows fell across the empire.
In that twilight scene, Memitin and the maid Partty walked side by side.
“Is this where the teleportation will take place?”
“Yes.”
Eiryn and Partty were surveying the spot for teleportation to the Mersen Empire.
There was no real reason.
She had come for a walk, hoping to cool her overheated thoughts.
“Someone’s there.”
Partty pointed toward the area where the teleportation spell would form.
Is it the mage executing the teleport?
Raising her head calmly, Eiryn drew in a sharp breath.
“Lady Roxia of the Illed Baron family.”
The woman had approached more quickly than expected, now blocking her path.
She looked vaguely familiar.
“Forgive me for startling you.”
Partty frowned at the woman’s rude behavior.
“I had to meet you, even if this was the only way.”
How dare she?
Partty lifted her chin and glared with pride.
She had long taken pride in being the princess’s maid.
“Why are you here, Lady Illed? Her Highness is already exhausted from her walk. Please arrange a formal meeting next time.”
She rebuked Roxia sharply.
Roxia remained silent.
When she didn’t respond, Partty snapped again.
“Are you hard of hearing or something—”
Just then, a ripple passed through Roxia’s eyes as she stared at Partty.
Following Roxia’s gaze, Eiryn looked at Partty.
“Ah…”
Partty’s pupils dilated and contracted slowly.
Her body trembled slightly.
It was such a brief moment that Eiryn almost thought she imagined it.
“I’m sorry, Lady Roxia. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I apologize for raising my voice.”
The mechanical tone of Partty’s voice made Eiryn freeze.
Was it really just my imagination?
Her whole body stiffened, as if paralyzed, at the sudden shift in Partty’s attitude.
“I have something important to discuss with you.”
Roxia’s gaze met Eiryn’s directly.
Her voice had grown firmer, and Eiryn cleared her throat.
“Alright, Lady Roxia. What is it you were so desperate to ask?”
Let’s see what kind of intriguing question she has.
She looked down at the shorter Roxia with regal eyes, though a strange tension coiled within.
Roxia Illed had manipulated Partty’s mind.
It was undoubtedly a forbidden form of dark magic.
How reckless.
Though she tried to maintain a calm expression, her cold glare kept slipping out.
“Let’s walk along the path.”
If Roxia tried to use dangerous magic, an open space would be better.
That way, the scattered guards could respond quickly.
She didn’t know what kind of effect the dark magic might have.
“Partty, please walk a little behind us. I need to speak with Lady Roxia.”
Eiryn decided to remove Partty from the conversation in case Roxia attempted to use her again.
Her heart pounded like a warning of imminent danger.
Clenching her fists unseen, she forced a calm smile.
“Alright, what is it?”
After confirming that Partty had moved away, Eiryn asked cautiously.
“Do you believe in the ancient existence of demons?”
What a ridiculous way to start a serious conversation.
Eiryn furrowed her brow, trying not to frown.
But Roxia’s tone was too serious to dismiss.
“Is that all you’re curious about? I’m not a woman with time to waste. More importantly…”
She wanted to ask what Roxia had done to Partty.
But she bit her tongue, afraid of provoking her.
“Just tell me what you want.”
Eiryn’s gaze turned cold, piercing.
She hoped Roxia would explain what had happened without her having to say it.
If the Magic Tower sensed it, they’ll send backup.
Teleportation zones were under the Magic Tower’s management.
“They won’t sense my magic. I possess an ancient artifact that blocks detection.”
Roxia replied as if reading Eiryn’s mind.
“You have something like that?”
Eiryn frowned at the mention of such a rare item.
“Families descended from demons usually inherit such strange magical tools.”
At her arrogant tone, Eiryn pursed her lips thoughtfully.
Is she openly admitting demon blood runs in her veins?
Eiryn’s lips parted slightly in surprise.
Roxia smiled gracefully, unbothered.
“So all I have to do is answer your question, right?”
Realizing there was no point waiting for magical reinforcements, Eiryn responded calmly.
“Yes, Lady Roxia.”
Roxia had gotten what she wanted.
“You want to know if I believe demons exist? There are magical beasts in the north said to be remnants of the demon realm, so I suppose they are living proof.”
Demons were once considered mythical beings, but modern scholars had begun proving their existence.
Eiryn’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“I believe it too. Because I am one of that living proof.”
Now she’s outright boasting that she has demon blood.
Eiryn wanted to ask more, but worried it would provoke Roxia.
It was already obvious that she couldn’t stop this woman.
She had seen her hypnotize Partty with her own eyes.
If Roxia wished, she could turn every guard against her.
Maybe even Eiryn herself.
A chill ran down her spine at the thought.
The only comfort was that Roxia showed no clear signs of hostility.
“Are you the one carrying Prophet Matthias’s final prophecy?”
“When the evil soul enters the noble body, the order of the world will be overturned,” that prophecy?
Eiryn recited the familiar words in a low voice.
It was Prophet Matthias’s last and most famous prophecy.
“I can’t help but feel that prophecy is about you.”
“Be careful of the Crown Prince of the Mersen Empire.”
