Chapter 52
Alexis’s Office.
Sitting at the desk, Ellia hummed cheerfully as she flipped through the ledger of Florence, the nutritional supplement brand.
“Money’s coming in, rolling right in.”
Day by day, sales were increasing.
Money was piling up in the accounts, and even the ducal warehouses were filling with wealth.
“What’s making you so happy all the time?”
Noah, who was helping Alexis with his work, asked.
“I’m just happy thinking about painting the walls with gold.”
“You’re doing what?”
“Painting the walls with gold. At the end of the day, nothing symbolizes wealth better than gold, right?”
“Did you hear that, Your Grace?”
“I heard it well. If Ellie’s happy, that’s enough for me.”
“Hopelessly besotted…”
“Sorry, what?”
“Ah, nothing.”
“Your Highness, focus.”
“Yes.”
Putting the ledger aside, Ellia pulled out a notebook from the drawer. She had more ideas to add.
“I think it would be nice to put a golden eagle statue in the garden.”
The eagle was the symbol of House Cartellani.
The knights of the Iron Eagle Order also bore the eagle crest on their armor.
“Let’s take this chance to have new armor made for the knights as well.”
“It’s the money you earned, Ellie. Do as you like.”
“Hehe.”
Watching Ellia grin in satisfaction, Noah asked,
“Is making money really that great?”
“The more money, the better.”
“Even if it means pulling manpower from the Mage Tower?”
“Well, it’s good when people help each other, isn’t it?”
Since Felix and Jasper had their limits in potion-making, they partnered with the White Tower.
The White Tower would provide manpower, and in return they would fund its research—that is, cover its expenses.
“You’re probably the only person in the world who makes the Tower Master work for them.”
“Which makes me pretty amazing, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Guardian.”
“How’s your health these days?”
“Better. The pain’s not as bad.”
Since receiving Ellia’s treatment, Noah had gradually been freed from his suffering. The three years spent with her weren’t exactly good—but they weren’t bad either.
Most of all, he had felt how sincerely Ellia cared for the ducal house.
The Blessed Land truly was a wonder.
The Blessed Land was the place Ellia had imbued with blessing. Whatever was planted there grew well and ripened quickly. Harvests came early and yields were abundant.
The granaries were overflowing with crops from the Blessed Land—vegetables, staple foods, fruit, and wheat.
A wide variety of produce was being cultivated.
Those crops were used to feed the common folk of the domain.
Even if they didn’t sell them, the duchy could sustain itself with the money Ellia earned.
Her talent in management was remarkable.
It was fair to say she was extraordinary.
I need to work hard too.
He wanted to grow into an adult who could pull his own weight—like Alexis at his side.
Inside the Prussian Grand Ducal Mansion.
Grand Duchess Christina was in a foul mood.
“This is what’s in fashion?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
She inspected three small bottles that her new aide, Roen, had brought. Each held a capsule no bigger than a fingernail, in purple, pink, and yellow.
“They say these nutritional supplements are all the rage in high society.”
“The effects?”
“So good that more and more people are clamoring to buy them.”
“And the shop’s name is Florence?”
“Yes.”
“It is tempting… Who’s the one who made this?”
“Well…”
“Go on, it’s fine.”
“A doctor named Felix, apparently.”
“Felix?”
“Yes.”
“Investigate him and report back to me.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Christina’s eyes gleamed like a snake’s as she stared at the bottles. If there was something she wanted, she would never rest until she had it.
Ellia went to meet Austin.
Since signing the agreement with the White Tower, a teleportation gate had been installed in the ducal courtyard, allowing her to visit anytime.
“What is it this time?”
At the very top of the tower, Austin eyed Ellia with suspicion.
“Do you think I’m going to eat you? Why are you backing away?”
“Because you look like you might, brat.”
“Oh, don’t be like that.”
“What’s that in your hand?”
Ellia grinned mischievously.
“Stop smiling like that. It feels ominous.”
“Am I not allowed to smile now?”
She spread out the papers she was holding on his desk.
“Tada! A new business idea.”
“What?”
“I’ll handle making the prototypes myself, but I’ll need Uncle Felix and you, Tower Master, for mass production.”
The mention of a new business piqued Austin’s interest. A mage’s curiosity made them especially weak to new ideas.
“Let’s see…”
His eyes widened.
“Cosmetics?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Why are there so many types?”
“Unlike the cosmetics currently on the market, I divided them by skin type.”
“You mean to tailor the ingredients to each person’s skin?”
“Exactly.”
“And what do you need me for?”
With a bright smile, Ellia handed him a document listing herbs.
Austin frowned, thinking he’d misread. He looked again.
Ellia chuckled.
“Please find the ingredients listed here. Most can be distributed through merchants, but a few require your help.”
“Houttuynia, centella, calendula?”
“Yes, please.”
“These can only be found in the South. You expect me to go all the way there at my age?”
Ellia clasped her hands, eyes sparkling as she nodded. With a sigh, Austin called for Jirke.
“You summoned me, Tower Master?”
“You go.”
“Pardon?”
Austin shoved the papers at him.
“The brat’s starting a new business. This time you help her.”
Looking over the list, Jirke smiled warmly at Ellia.
“So I just need to find these materials?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll help in the Tower Master’s place, my lady.”
“You’re so much kinder than certain other people. I like that.”
When Ellia clung to Jirke’s arm playfully, Austin groaned and covered his eyes.
“What are you two doing in front of me? If you’re done, brat, get out already.”
“I was going to leave anyway.”
“I’ll escort you to the gate.”
“Thank you.”
At the gate, Ellia thanked Jirke again before returning to the ducal estate.
Ellia went to Noah’s room.
He was already sitting on the bed, as if waiting for her.
“Were you waiting?”
“A little.”
“Then lie down.”
Nodding, Noah obediently lay on the bed.
“Will I be completely healed after today?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?”
“Me? Of course. Wait, are you worrying about me?”
“No. I’m just making sure you won’t faint like last time.”
“What a sweet way to put it. Close your eyes already.”
He always spoke gruffly, yet he listened well.
Noah closed his eyes.
Ellia placed her hand on his chest and called to Branch.
Branch.
[I know, I know.]
Golden light flowed from her hand, seeping into Noah’s chest. Only one layer of the curse remained.
As the power of the World Tree sank in, it was as if the curse was tearing apart.
Riiip, riiip.
Then came the scream.
Kyaaaaah!
It was a wail of deep resentment.
Peering into it, Ellia felt sadness.
It was the grudge of a woman who had died unjustly—betrayed by her lover, robbed of even her child.
Her hatred ran so deep that she had clung on, gnawing away at Noah’s body.
The spirit longed to take over Noah’s flesh and seek vengeance.
Let go and move on. Even if you borrow another’s body for revenge, it won’t be true revenge. I’ll avenge you in your stead. So please, release Noah.
The golden light wrapped the weeping spirit gently. Her bitterness and sorrow melted into the radiance and faded away.
Ellia etched the woman’s sorrow into her heart as she purified her.
Ssshhhhh—
As the curse unraveled into shimmering dust, Noah’s body glowed with golden light.
Ellia blinked in awe at the sight.
Branch spoke.
[That is the blessing of the Sun God.]
The prince was born with the Sun God’s blessing?
[That light is proof.]
The founding emperor of the Adelheit Empire had been the great Sun King, blessed by the Sun God and able to wield its power.
