Chapter 9

Rohana’s birthday dawned.

“How beautiful you are,” Jody exclaimed, unable to contain her admiration as she looked at Rohana in her new dress.

From the early morning, the Hanover ballroom was bustling with activity. Being an autumn birthday, Jody was thrilled to decorate it lavishly with flowers.

“It’s beautiful.”

Rohana said, observing herself in the mirror. The tight-fitting, bright red silk dress hugged her body perfectly, with a full, flowing skirt. It was beautiful but suffocating.

“I’ll be in the study for a moment,” Rohana said.

“What? Now?”

Jody’s eyes widened in confusion. Dressed to the nines, going to the study seemed odd. Rohana smiled warmly and hurried off.

The dress’s hem softly brushed against the marble floors.

Whether she broke off the engagement, went through with the marriage, or ran away in the night, there was only one sure way to reduce uncertainty: money.

Since overcoming the crisis with Kaiden’s help, Rohana had thought that moving funds from the upper echelons to create wealth was risky.

So, she had to do what she could on a day like today, when her father was out of the capital.

‘I can’t miss this golden opportunity.’

Rohana arrived at Hanover’s study after walking through the wide, ornate corridors. It resembled a CEO’s office of a major corporation rather than a study.

A disgustingly wealthy man. Originally the richest in the world, but he had grown even more thanks to Rohana’s contributions.

Rohana’s game plan of introducing a type of stock called “certificates” worked, and the Duke of Hanover became wealthy beyond the original.

She intended to take the ‘certificates’ in her name from the study today.

They might serve as a good weapon to threaten Gregory later on.

The study, only accessible to Hanover, loomed ahead. As Rohana was about to open the heavy door inlaid with rubies, she heard voices inside.

‘What’s this?’

No one should be there at this time. Listening closely, she recognized familiar voices.

“Yes, Father.”

Brandt? And Father?

Though it was dangerous, Rohana pressed her ear to the door.

But she couldn’t catch much. Brandt’s boots clattered on the marble, indicating the conversation was ending.

As Rohana quickly turned and hid in a corridor, Brandt emerged.

“Make no mistakes,”

Gregory’s voice rang out, though he should have already left the capital. After Gregory moved away, Brandt headed down the corridor where Rohana was hiding. They would soon cross paths.

“Oh, my goodness. Sister,” Brandt said, surprised.

“Oh, Brandt!”

Rohana managed to feign casualness just in time and smiled.

“What about your duty? Why are you home?”

Seeing her brother in his red guard uniform at this time was strange.

“I just had something to take care of…”

Brandt trailed off.

‘What has Father done to you this time?’ The question lingered on her lips.

“Why do you look so worried? But wow, my sister is so beautiful today.”

Brandt joked as he looked at Rohana, who was silent, her lips tightly closed.

“Oh, no. I just took the day off from work to goof off, but is it this serious? Is this a secret?”

Is he lying?

Brandt had never hidden anything from Rohana regarding their father. Or so she thought. No matter what happened, he always shared everything with her…

“I have to go now. See you later, sis.”

As Rohana opened her mouth to ask more, Brandt hurried away, as if to avoid more questions.

“Brandt, wait…”

“Sis.”

Brandt, already at the small entrance at the end of the corridor, mounted his horse.

“I just want you to be happy.”

What… what’s he saying all of a sudden?

“So just trust me.”

As she tried to respond, Brandt, already on his horse, quickly rode off.

Watching her brother disappear, Rohana was consumed by her troubling thoughts.

She steeled herself again, determined to find a way. Repeating to herself that she could find a solution, even if she didn’t yet know what it was.

As Rohana approached the party, her steps felt heavy.

***

The party was as grand as befitting the daughter of the empire’s most powerful family. As the Crown Prince’s fiancée, it was even more opulent. The finest food and wine were served without pause, and the elegant dresses of the guests rustled and their shoes clicked merrily on the marble floor.

Vivian approached Rohana with a bright smile. She seemed a bit self-conscious about bringing her debutante forward, her voice filled with sweet coquetry.

“Lady Rohana, happy birthday.”

“Vivian, thank you for coming.”

Vivian, with her charming smile, glanced around subtly.

“Prince Bardi hasn’t arrived yet, has he?”

She didn’t bother hiding the predatory look in her eyes.

“No, not yet.”

Even after hearing the answer, her eyes kept searching. She was probably looking for Aurelia.

“I heard he went hunting with her yesterday.”

“I see.”

Rohana’s mind told her that she had nothing to do with them anymore, but her heart still stung.

Seeing that Rohana didn’t react much, Vivian lowered her voice.

“Oh, by the way, is it true about the Zitni Trading Company?”

Rohana, who had been gazing elsewhere, turned her attention back to Vivian.

“What story are you referring to?”

Pleased to see Rohana’s interest, Vivian quickly continued.

“That they’re going bankrupt! Rumors are all over that they’re on the verge of collapse.”

“Bankrupt?”

The Zitni Trading Company was one of the major maritime trading companies centered around the Hanover Duchy. It was not easily shaken and not the type to generate such rumors. Most importantly, Rohana herself, a Hanover lady, had never heard of such a thing.

“What’s causing the Zitni Trading Company to go bankrupt?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t know such complicated reasons.”

Vivian widened her eyes, as if to say it was beyond her understanding, implying that Rohana wouldn’t understand even if she explained.

“All I know is they’re about to file for bankruptcy. I heard it from my father, so it must be true.”

Rohana closed her mouth, suddenly remembering Kaiden’s composed expression when she had encountered him.

“There’s a right time and way for everything.”

No way. Even if it was related to the Kark tribe, the Kaiden she knew from the original story never acted unless it concerned Aurelia.

“I also heard that’s why Duke Gregory isn’t attending today, isn’t that right?”

Rohana quickly pulled herself out of her thoughts and answered Vivian.

“I wasn’t aware. I’ll look into it.”

Vivian winked and stepped back as other nobles approached to greet Rohana.

After a while, having greeted all the guests, Rohana finally managed to step away from the center.

Her long hair, held in place by a diamond hairpin, flowed down to her slender waist. Neither Bardi nor Aurelia nor Kaiden had shown up yet.

So, they really are not coming, unlike in the original story.

Rohana took a sip of wine.

‘But what about Brandt?’

He had been so eager about her last birthday before her marriage. The memory of their morning encounter flashed before her eyes again.

‘What’s going on?’

Feeling slightly tipsy from the champagne, Rohana stepped out onto the terrace to cool off.

The white marble terrace was empty due to the increasingly cold weather. The chilly autumn wind cooled her flushed cheeks.

‘Ah, this feels nice.’

If only life could always be this simple. Enjoying the breeze, sipping champagne.

Rohana smiled at the idle thought and raised her glass.

Then, she felt a familiar but unsettling presence behind her. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

It was truly strange.