IOWYC Chapter 61

Chapter 61

After “Shadow’s Day” passed, Kallion returned to normal as if nothing had happened.

It was just like before—the way he had seemed in pain yet unable to control himself, as if possessed only on that day.

I couldn’t be sure, but I suspected it might be connected to the dark aura he carried.

At least he went back to his usual self after Shadow’s Day, so that was some relief.

When the memory of that night suddenly came back to me, I quickly shook my head to push it away.

Just then, Kate came into the room holding an envelope.

“A letter came for you, madam.”

She looked up at me with a bright, expectant smile, like a puppy waiting for praise. I smiled faintly.

“Thank you.”

Taking the envelope from her, I noticed the seal of the Bas Trading Company and tilted my head.

It wasn’t yet time for the regular supply list for the estate.

And since I’d recently visited them in person, it wasn’t likely about the Bendel pine, either.

Puzzled, I took a paper knife from the desk and carefully opened the envelope, then began to read slowly.

To the Lady of Valdormer,

I’m sorry to contact you so soon after our last meeting, but there is something urgent I must tell you.

As you warned, the imperial family has already approached the Bas Company.

The imperial family — already?

I’d expected it, but not so soon.

While tracing the buyers of Bendel pine bark, they seem to have followed the trail to our company — but there’s a problem.

Normally, as I had advised, Bas could just negotiate a good price with them.

The empire would want to buy up all the bark that had already been distributed before our monopoly began.

With Bas’s skill, the price could easily be raised to five times the current market value.

But now there was trouble…

The imperial envoy wants to meet the buyer who purchased the Bendel bark from us.

My expression hardened.

We’ve refused several times, saying we cannot reveal our client’s information… but as you know, a small-to-mid company like ours cannot stand against the imperial family for long.

The letter was polite, but I understood the situation.

No matter how powerful the great noble houses were, the Pavelruf imperial line was their acknowledged bloodline and ruler.

When the empire moved, even the great houses had to bow their heads.

A trading company that had only just begun to grow could hardly defy them—doing so could even lead to being wiped out for “defying imperial orders.”

Perhaps they were simply curious about whoever had recognized the bark’s value so early.

I quickly made up my mind and began writing a reply.

No matter what, I could not reveal my true identity.

If the Lady of Valdormer was found to be secretly trading with a merchant company, it would look suspicious.

All they really wanted was to meet the “buyer.”

So, I could meet them in disguise.

When I finished the letter, I sealed it and handed it to Kate.

“Please get this to the Bas Company as quickly as possible.”

Looking surprised at my serious tone, she nodded firmly.

“Yes, madam!”

***

The appointment at the Bas Company was set sooner than I expected.

I told Kallion, as usual, that I was going to review the estate’s budget items, then left the mansion by carriage.

In the city, I switched to a hired carriage and driver instead of using Valdormer’s.

As expected, an imperial carriage was already waiting outside the merchant company.

I checked my reflection in the window — my face completely hidden by a black veil. The outfit was dark and plain, but that didn’t matter.

When the driver opened the door, I accepted his hand and stepped down.

A company employee was already waiting.

“They’re expecting you. Please come in.”

Following him through the familiar hallways, I entered the reception room.

Inside sat the imperial representative and Bas, looking tense.

“Oh, you’re here, madam!” Bas’s face lit up like he’d seen a savior.

I acknowledged him with a calm nod, then gave a brief bow to the imperial man.

He studied my veiled face before inviting me to sit.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I don’t know which family you belong to, but your foresight is impressive.”

He seemed to be testing me. I answered evenly, “I was simply lucky.”

“We could have gone through the company, but meeting the buyer in person puts us at ease.”

His gaze kept flicking toward my face.

“That’s why we’d like to offer you twice the current market price for the Bendel pine.”

For the imperial family, that was generous.

But knowing the price would skyrocket, I shook my head.

“If you went to the trouble of finding me, then you already know the bark’s true value.”

“…”

“The price will rise to at least ten times that, so I can’t agree to sell it for so little.”

“Are you saying you want to bargain with the empire?” His tone cooled.

Meeting his eyes calmly, I slowly shook my head.

The empire only knew the trees grew in the northern Silvestel region. But the bark we’d been buying came from the very edge of Valdormer territory.

The empire couldn’t simply dig into a great house’s lands without securing monopoly rights.

Their interest in the bark wasn’t about money — they had plenty of that. They wanted exclusive control over the medicine that could be made from it.

I had no intention of producing such medicine myself. I only knew the bark was an ingredient, not the recipe or formula.

“Instead, I’ll promise that all the bark I purchase will be sold only to the empire.”

“You mean an exclusive contract?”

“Yes. I won’t trade with any other noble house or anyone else. And I’ll keep the bark’s effects secret.”

The man was silent for a while, then gave Bas a small nod — a signal to bring the contract.

Bas looked greatly relieved and hurried off.

Meanwhile, the man’s gaze swept over me again.

“You’re no ordinary person. If you know about the bark’s effects, are you from Marcelino?”

“…”

“Northern Silvestel?”

“My identity isn’t what matters here.”

At my curt reply, he chuckled.

“I’m Hassel, the imperial treasurer.”

The treasurer himself?

Before I could react, he smiled faintly and extended his hand.

“I look forward to seeing your face someday.”

That would never happen.

***

To shake any imperial tail, my carriage took a route through the busiest streets.

I planned to switch back to the Valdormer carriage there.

As I walked toward it, I froze — I saw a familiar figure and carriage.

Silver hair, tall build.

Sensing my gaze, the man slowly turned.

Lloyd smiled at me as if nothing were wrong.

But I couldn’t smile back.

Because I knew his secret now — and he had seen mine.

I gave a curt bow and tried to walk past him.

“That’s cold. It’s been a while,” he said.

I stopped.

“I’ve been holding back, waiting to see you…”

When I turned, his smile was tinged with bitterness.

I hardened my expression.

“I told you, I’m not going back to you.”

“I know. That’s why you returned to Valdormer.”

A flicker of self-mockery crossed his face.

Feeling an odd guilt, I looked away—until his voice cut through, low and cold.

“But Yuliana…”

Something in his flat tone felt chilling.

“If you’re not leaving Valdormer… Then why are you hiding your identity to run a business?”