Chapter 23
“Mersenne Empire?”
Arthus blinked, surprised.
—
A few weeks ago, when Eirin requested an audience with the Mersenne imperial family, they had responded positively.
As a result, she was severely scolded by Emperor Calbus.
Still, even he couldn’t deny the request—an appointment with the imperial family of Mersenne was not something to be taken lightly or canceled so easily.
Thus, the schedule for visiting the Mersenne Empire had been confirmed without any issues, and Eirin wanted to take Arthus with her.
“Well… understood.”
Since Eirin’s request wasn’t particularly burdensome, Arthus accepted it willingly.
“You’ll have to come with me to Mersenne’s capital as well.”
At that, Arthus’s expression darkened slightly.
“The capital? Are you planning to bring only me as your escort?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Sensing the danger in her words, Arthus’s expression didn’t relax.
“Do you… perhaps… like me?”
“…What?”
Eirin’s face contorted at once, and Arthus coughed loudly.
“Ah, never mind then. Still, traveling abroad with only one escort is dangerous.”
“Is that because you can’t guarantee my safety on your own?”
Eirin asked provocatively, causing Arthus’s face to crack in frustration.
“I only meant that I hope there won’t be any chance of danger to Your Highness.”
Even as he answered, Arthus tilted his head.
Why was she insisting on bringing only him? Did she have something planned?
That suspicion grew stronger when Eirin calmly explained,
“I need only one escort. It must be you.”
“Only one? Is there a reason?”
“It’s a matter that requires absolute secrecy.”
If she brought multiple escorts, her father would surely find out.
When Eirin showed no sign of backing down, Arthus sighed and asked carefully,
“May I ask what this trip is really about?”
Eirin looked him in the eye before finally answering.
“I’m going to an auction house.”
“An auction house?”
“Not a regular one. The black market.”
At her unexpected words, Arthus stared at her in disbelief.
“You’re the most skilled swordsman in the empire. That’s why I’m telling you.”
Eirin had managed to purchase entry to Mersenne’s underground black market by paying a large sum of money.
To move unnoticed, she needed someone who could single-handedly act as both escort and protector—Arthus was the perfect choice.
He had even earned the emperor Calbus’s trust with his capabilities.
“How exactly do you plan to enter the black market?”
Arthus couldn’t hide his astonishment.
“I need a merchant group with access to global intelligence. Word is, the black market is the most globally connected.”
Eirin was honest about her goal.
“‘The underworld’…?”
Arthus fell silent, frowning deeply.
He couldn’t hide his discomfort at the idea that a princess—who had always lived in the safety of the palace—was involved with such things.
His eyebrows twitched repeatedly, clearly displeased.
“What if I refuse and report this to His Majesty?”
“Do you want me to threaten you?”
Eirin looked at him sideways, unimpressed.
Her cool blue eyes met his directly.
For a moment, Arthus felt as though she were looking down at him.
“Even if you report it to my father, I won’t change my mind.”
Unfortunately, Eirin had little to offer someone like Arthus, who already possessed much.
To him, this could seem like a childish whim of someone younger.
If so, Eirin planned to use that to her advantage.
Even if it made her seem reckless—it didn’t matter.
“If I make a report, His Majesty will forbid you from going.”
“And what? I already have an official appointment with the Mersenne imperial family. My father’s reach doesn’t extend into their empire.”
Eirin smiled confidently.
The Mersenne Empire was a place even her father’s authority could not easily touch.
Arthus groaned and held his forehead.
“Fine. If you don’t want me, I’ll just find someone else.”
His expression twitched slightly, then he sighed deeply.
“…No. I’ll go. Please take me as your escort.”
Surprisingly, Arthus gave in rather quickly to her persistence.
To him, it was more reassuring to be the one accompanying her than letting someone else take the role.
“I’m relieved to have you with me.”
But Arthus didn’t look entirely pleased.
Then again, the request had been nearly forceful.
Still, his expression didn’t seem too heavy—likely because he didn’t truly believe in all the black market and underworld talk.
That would change once they arrived.
Eirin smiled faintly and extended her hand.
“Then I’m counting on you, Sir Mendelte.”
“I’ll serve with all my heart.”
After sending Arthus away, Eirin returned to her office and sank into her chair.
Unfinished paperwork still cluttered her desk.
“…I’m terrible at doing wicked things.”
While persuading Arthus, the idea of using his sister Bersie to pressure him had briefly crossed her mind.
But she immediately dismissed it.
The thought of using someone she considered a friend as leverage made her uncomfortable.
Sitting alone in the empty office, she stared at her hands.
Yet for the future—for changing the fate of the Forti Empire—perhaps she would need to dirty her hands.
Perhaps she would need the resolve to commit acts she once considered unthinkable.
She clenched her weak fists tightly.
Only for a moment, though. Soon, they loosened again.
—
The side effects of teleportation hadn’t faded.
Her stomach churned, her head buzzed, and she felt nauseous.
Relying on potions to suppress the symptoms, she finally arrived on Mersenne Empire soil.
Thankfully, the distance wasn’t far, so the side effects weren’t as severe.
“The Mersenne imperial palace looks so unique,” said Parti, the handmaid, in awe.
The palace had a completely different feel from Forti’s.
Eirin’s group was led to a guest palace prepared by the Mersenne imperial family.
The next day, Eirin was scheduled to meet Illiard.
His schedule was packed, so she had no choice but to accept the meeting on the date he had chosen.
Eirin had her servants carry the prepared documents and made her way to the audience chamber where Illiard resided.
“Are you okay, Sir Arthus?”
As they walked, she noticed Arthus’s face still looked unwell.
Even a day after the teleport, he hadn’t fully recovered.
“You took the medicine, right?”
“Yes… I did.”
“Then don’t come inside. Rest out here.”
“…Apologies.”
Arthus bowed his head in embarrassment and stayed behind.
—
Inside the audience chamber, Illiard stood waiting in formal attire.
Though it wasn’t their first meeting since her regression, Eirin couldn’t help feeling nervous.
She forced down the rising tension and offered a polite smile.
“Greetings to the Crown Prince of the Mersenne Empire.”
Illiard returned a faint smile in response.
“It is a pleasure to receive such a noble guest from Forti. You must’ve had a hard journey. Please, have a seat.”
He gestured to a chair as he spoke.
But even in that moment, Eirin couldn’t shake the feeling that his eyes were analyzing her whole being.
She reminded herself that the pressure came from her own nerves—she was about to bring up a sensitive topic.
“Stay calm. Speak clearly.”
Strangely, she felt even more nervous than when they had met in Forti.
Perhaps it was because she was now on his territory—with few allies to rely on.
Whether he had regressed or not, Illiard remained as unreadable as ever.
What kind of expression was he wearing now?
Was her own body tensing?
Were her eyes meeting his properly?
All kinds of thoughts raced through her head.
The things Roxia Iled had said also rang in her ears.
Eirin pushed the confusion away and focused on steadying her pounding heart.
She reminded herself why she had come to meet him.
—
“I heard you used teleportation. Are the side effects manageable?”
Illiard’s voice was calm and full of concern—but somehow, that only unsettled Eirin more.
“Yes, I must be sturdier than I look,” she replied, shaking off her thoughts.
“Traveling is exhausting, and yet you made time for me despite your schedule. Thank you. I understand you’re quite busy lately.”
“There have been complicated external matters that required organizing. I understand completely.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“…Ah. I’m sorry to hear about the unfortunate incident involving Viscount Pellinga.”
Illiard brought up Agno Pellinga’s murder.
“It was unfortunate, but what can be done? We were caught up in disputes with a small nation and couldn’t properly look after her. That weighs heavily on my heart.”
His tone was cold and mechanical.
Eirin responded in an equally detached voice.
“You must’ve gone through a lot. You look thinner than before. I hope my visit hasn’t troubled you.”
It wasn’t just empty words.
Even to the naked eye, Illiard had dark circles under his eyes and looked unusually pale—like someone who hadn’t slept for days.
