Chapter 70

As Etias’s face suddenly turned cold, Lancelot stiffened.

Did something really bad happen between them?

Still, he didn’t regret mentioning Katrin’s name.
After all, she was someone who wouldn’t be easy to forget.

“Why are you asking for Katrin Elemore?”

Lancelot, worried that revealing his plan to help her escape might get her arrested, casually lied with a shrug.

“Because I like her.”

“She’s my ideal type—personality, looks, everything. I want her to live in Montella no matter what.”

The cold wind ruffled Etias’s black hair. His sharp blue eyes glinted with a murderous aura.

“So unless you have an urgent reason for needing her…”

Alminite was valuable to Lancelot. Offering a full year’s supply was extremely generous.

“I hope you’ll accept my offer.”

“I refuse.”

Etias’s rejection came without hesitation.

Lancelot’s gaze hardened.

Even his followers behind him looked confused—Katrin wasn’t the main villain of the emperor’s faction, and her father had just died. There was no strong reason to reject this kind of offer.

One man tried to intervene:

“Your Majesty…”

But Etias shot him a chilling glance and then turned back to Lancelot.

“Even if you offered me all of Montella, I’d still say no.”

That startled Lancelot.

What did Katrin Elemore do to him?

What could she have done to deserve this intensity?

“Are you sure you won’t regret this?”

Still, Lancelot pressed on.

Etias leaned forward and locked eyes with him.

“To avoid regret… You’d better forget her. Completely.”

Lancelot looked down at his feet.

A dark shadow was creeping toward his shoes, like it would wrap around him at any moment.

Damn it. This pressure…

It felt like being crushed. His head throbbed, his nose tingled like it would bleed, and a bitter, metallic taste filled his mouth.

“Let’s consider the offer… withdrawn.”

As soon as he said it, the air around him lightened.

Is he even human?

How could someone with this power have endured all the humiliation the emperor put him through?

This man… has no cracks in his will.

Lancelot stood up, tasting bitterness on his tongue. His steps were heavy.

Still, he had no intention of forgetting her, no matter what Etias said.

He would wait for her at the border inn, just like she had told him.

It would take a miracle for her to reach him now… but she had shown courage and cleverness before. Maybe she’d do it again.

Meanwhile, Etias stood silently, watching Lancelot’s carriage leave.

His tense brows didn’t relax for a long time.

When he finally sighed and rubbed his forehead, it wasn’t from using his power too much—his body was stronger now.

“…Damn it.”

He muttered irritably, thinking of Katrin, who sparkled like a jewel in his memory.

“Katrin.”

“Because I like her…”

The words Lancelot had said earlier echoed again, like claws raking across Etias’s chest. The possessiveness he’d kept buried was now breaking free.

A breeze passed by, calming him slightly, as if telling him to be patient.

He stood up, his eyes burning with clarity.

An aide approached and asked,

“Your Majesty. Are you all right?”

Etias nodded and handed him the signed contract from Lancelot.

“Yes.”

In the distance, the blue flags fluttered wildly in the wind.

P.S.

“If you want to return safely, it’s best not to let the person you’re backing find out.”

Katrin remembered that line from the warning note and covered her face with both hands.

He definitely found out.

Etias’s mood last time had said it all.

“What do you think, Piyo?”

“Piyooo~”

The fluffy creature tilted its head, and Katrin sighed again.

Still, the mission was mostly a success—even if she failed the don’t get caught part, she helped Etias gain a strong army and good health.

“Miss, the camping supplies you ordered just arrived.”

Agnes knocked and came in holding a box.

“And I made sure not to tell Butler Heros.”

“Good job, Agnes.”

“If you ever need anything else, just let me know.”

Katrin smiled as Agnes left, then put the box into Piyo’s inventory.

The more escape prep, the better—just in case.

About five minutes later, Heros came in with a message from the imperial palace.

Katrin read the letter from the emperor—it said the remaining money had been prepared, and she should bring the contract to the palace.

Meanwhile…

“Are we really just going to let this happen?!”

In the nobles’ meeting room, Marquis Winsome was fuming.

He had purchased the rights to a fabric business from Katrin. At first, “Lyle Silk” had sold well—but now strange rumors were spreading.

People claimed the fabric made them sneeze nonstop.

It wasn’t dangerous, but high-society ladies, who prized elegance, began avoiding it.

Other nobles who had bought business rights from Katrin were also struggling.

They had been overconfident and invested large amounts, but nothing was going smoothly.

Worse yet, they had signed “free transfer” contracts to dodge taxes, so they couldn’t even get a refund.

On paper, there was no proof they had paid anything. Katrin could just play dumb.

They’d all fallen into a perfectly laid trap.