Chapter 86
Lucas hesitated for a moment, his lips parting as if unsure how to begin.
“The heavy snowfall that blanketed the castle this morning… the truth is, it was actually caused by a mistake during magical research by wizards in my knight order….”
He trailed off, bowing his head deeply with an expression full of apology.
“Magical research?”
Lucy widened her eyes in puzzlement.
“…I’ll explain more clearly once we go up.”
Lucas spoke as he opened the iron door.
Lucy followed him up the stairs.
“I failed to take the lady’s comfort into account. Please, take my hand. It’s only one more floor.”
As they climbed the spiraling staircase, Lucas offered her his hand.
Though Lucy didn’t find the climb especially difficult, she accepted his hand and ascended slowly at his side. Lucas seemed to watch her carefully, yet said nothing.
After a short while, a massive iron door appeared before them.
When Lucas opened it, a sharp gust of wind brushed her cheek.
“Trust me. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
Lucas stepped out first and gave her a reassuring smile when he saw Lucy hesitate nervously.
Oddly, her anxiety melted away in that instant.
Clutching Lucas’s hand tightly, she stepped outside.
“Just a little further this way.”
Following his lead, Lucy walked toward the outer edge of the tower.
Then, upon seeing the view spread before her eyes, she gasped in wonder.
“Heavens… it’s beautiful!”
A cloudless blue sky stretched overhead, beneath it verdant mountains and broad plains. A river wound gracefully between them.
Below, the city lay in full view, and beyond, she could even glimpse exotic scenery past the distant border.
Lucy forgot her fear, stepping closer, enraptured by the sight.
Wait a moment. A clear sky? A flowing river? Come to think of it…
Despite the supposed heavy snowfall, the city below bore no trace of snow whatsoever.
“Lord Lucas, what on earth…?”
When she turned, bewildered, he gave a slightly awkward smile.
“The mistake I mentioned earlier, from the wizards’ research—that was it. I don’t know exactly what they did, but somehow they managed to cause a snowstorm over the castle.”
“Ah…”
“Still, it’s fortunate, isn’t it? At least the town suffered no damage.”
Lucy wondered if yesterday’s torrential rain might also be connected, but she decided not to ask.
“Yes, that’s a relief. Besides, this way I can enjoy such a breathtaking view. Though… I’m sure snow-covered scenery would’ve been magnificent too.”
She gazed again at the panorama, her eyes shining.
Lucas stared at her in silence for a long moment.
“Lucy. If you ever need me, use me as you will. I’ll be your steadfast shield.”
Startled, Lucy turned to look at him.
His eyes were more serious than she had ever seen.
“I know what it is you intend to do. You may use me for that revenge however you see fit.”
“Lord Lucas…”
A kindness without condition. He had always extended generosity to her under the pretext of being her benefactor.
How many times had he already helped her? Each time had been crucial, even desperate.
And she was well aware that, at some point, a special feeling had begun to grow in his heart for her.
But… it’s not time yet.
Lucy liked him too.
If this world were a novel, Lucas would surely be the rightful male protagonist.
Yes… if I succeed in my revenge… perhaps then…
Perhaps then she could make him the story’s true hero.
And perhaps she too could stand proudly at his side—not as the villainess Lucy, but reborn as the new heroine.
“I’ll treasure your words. But… this is something I must do with my own hands!”
“Of course, I understand. Still—”
“I know how much I already owe you, Lord Lucas. I’m grateful. But this time, I want to accomplish it myself.”
“Lucy…”
“It’s late today, so it can’t be helped. But tomorrow morning, that snow had better be gone. Make sure you tell those wizards firmly!”
Lucy interrupted him with mock severity.
Lucas, who had finally tried to express his feelings, felt her wall go up again and stepped back once more.
But he had not given up.
Good grief… the road ahead is long indeed.
Lucy, however, had no idea that this was only the true beginning.
Duke Marcel Paul Miller, Chancellor of the Fujis Empire.
The Miller dukedom was an ancient house, having served as chancellors for generations since the founding of the empire.
The duke was renowned for his upright character, belonging neither to the Emperor’s faction nor the nobles’, instead maintaining a strict middle path. For this, he was respected not only by other nobles but by the common people as well.
Lucy believed that when Edwin was eventually discussed as a crown prince candidate, Duke Miller would surely be a great asset.
At last, the day came when Duke Miller agreed to meet with Navid, head of the merchant guild.
A large carriage halted before the duke’s estate.
Though not pleased about boarding a stranger’s carriage, the duke entered it with his knights accompanying him.
The interior was spacious and comfortable, but unlike ordinary carriages, there were no windows.
Still, the soft interior lighting kept it from feeling oppressive.
The carriage traveled for quite some time.
After running smoothly over paved roads, it halted briefly, then passed through what felt unmistakably like a magic gate.
Soon, the ride grew bumpier, suggesting they had taken to a rougher road.
Just as boredom began to creep in, the carriage finally slowed and stopped.
When the duke alighted, Guildmaster Navid welcomed him.
“Welcome. I’ve been waiting. I hope the journey wasn’t uncomfortable?”
“It’s been a while. A bit tedious, perhaps, but smoother than expected. And this place is…?”
The duke’s words trailed off as he looked around.
Workers bustled across wide farmlands.
It seemed the harvest had just ended—some were threshing grain, while others hurried to fill sacks and carry them away.
“Yes, that’s right. The Ops harvest has just finished.”
The duke’s eyes widened in astonishment at the words.
In the Fujis Empire, wheat was typically harvested in late spring, after which stores were stockpiled.
But now—it was the middle of winter.
A crop nearly identical to wheat, yet already harvested at this season?
Was this not truly, as she claimed, a god-given grain?
“If what you say is true, it’s remarkable indeed!”
Still, Duke Miller remained half doubtful.
He knew Ops was already circulating in markets, even made into various food products. Yet he had suspected it all might be a cleverly staged fraud.
“You still don’t fully believe me. Hm… how shall I convince you?”
From behind her mask, Valencia let out a soft hum.
“Before anything else, isn’t it necessary to prove that this crop, unknown until now, is safe for human consumption?”
“Thorough as ever, Your Grace. You’re quite right. But rest assured—that has already been confirmed through multiple trials. We’ve obtained government approval as well.”
Lucy inwardly sighed at the duke’s strictness.
In the novel, Joanna solved the empire’s food crisis without a hitch. But maybe because I’m not the heroine, nothing seems easy for me…
Still, she couldn’t give up.
She fixed her gaze on Duke Miller once more, eyes full of confidence, and pressed on to persuade him.
