Chapter 11 – Long Ago, Where My Gaze Reached (Part 3)

The North united under Grand Duke Tartenon Speraum. All the northern nobles who had previously conspired with the capital were purged, leaving only the loyal ones.

The downfall of Viverna and the nobles who supported her was pitiful. They were stripped of their titles and exiled from the North. What happened to them at the hands of their enraged former subjects was unknown, and Tartenon didn’t concern himself with it.

Shortly after, Bruelin brought news of Viverna’s death. Recalling the look in the Marquis of Istorium’s eyes, Tartenon closed his eyes to end the matter. For someone who had lived arrogantly as a Speraum her whole life, Viverna’s end was rather anticlimactic.

The North was gradually stabilizing. Moreover, the colored gemstones from the Bego Mine, marketed by the Musen Trade, were selling like hotcakes. It was all thanks to Reubellina’s idea.

A significant event was happening at the Musen Trade’s capital branch.

“Is this the Stella stone?”

“Yes, it is, my lady.”

The stone in the ornate display case appeared to be an ordinary red or blue stone. The only unusual feature was the cross or star-shaped marks etched into it.

“Does it really bring good luck?”

“We can’t say for sure. But there is a legend associated with it.”

“What is it?”

“The stars etched here were formed over many days. They’re not easily found, even in the mine. It takes a long time for these patterns to appear. So, we can assure you it’s special.”

“Then…”

“If you have a desire to protect something precious, it becomes even more special.”

The woman, swayed by the smooth-talking clerk, opened her wallet. Dozens of people like her came by each day.

However, the Stella stone from Musen Trade was famous for being sold only ten a day. Limited sales. What word could shake a person’s heart more than that?

“Do you have any Stella stones left?”

A woman who arrived a bit late asked. But the clerk’s response was firm.

“We’re sold out for today.”

“Sold out?”

“Yes.”

The woman who had opened her wallet earlier looked triumphantly at the newcomer. With a satisfied expression, she announced she would pay for the stone, as if to say, “You couldn’t get one, but I did.”

“Wise choice, ma’am.”

The clerk continued to flatter the woman until the end. After completing the sale, the clerk went to the branch manager’s office.

“We’ve closed for the day, Branch Manager.”

“Our Trade Master’s ideas are truly remarkable.”

The clerk agreed with the branch manager’s admiration.

Though the clerk didn’t know the Musen Trade’s master personally, they suspected a close connection to the North. This was because, at some point, northern products began to be distributed through the Musen Trade and sold at high prices.

Selling quality northern goods at low prices wasn’t bad, but the level of promotion was extraordinary. The clerk listened to the branch manager’s praises for the Trade Master.

After a while, the branch manager signaled the clerk to leave. The clerk handed over their duties to another and exited the shop.

“How did it go?”

“It seems the Musen Trade’s master is connected to the north.”

“Really?”

Phailus, waiting in the alley, tilted his head.

“Did the North have that much money?”

“That’s the odd part.”

“What’s odd?”

Since he needed to deliver accurate information to Crown Prince Monterno Freynante, Phailus pressed the clerk for details.

“The Musen Trade originally had its base only in the capital. But suddenly, a branch opened in the North.”

“Yes, I heard the Grand Duchess was involved in that.”

“Exactly. But now, instead of bringing goods from the capital, they’re bringing northern goods and selling them as their main products. This means…”

“The balance of power has shifted.”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Phailus tossed a pouch to the clerk, who smiled brightly at its weight. Phailus, also smiling, reminded the clerk.

“Contact me if anything else comes up.”

“Understood.”

Phailus headed straight to the palace and reported to Monterno.

“The Musen Trade’s backer is from the North?”

“It doesn’t seem to be exactly from the north.”

After Reubellina went to the North, a Musen Trade branch opened there, and dormant northern funds began to move. It wasn’t just a coincidence.

Phailus kept silent to avoid interrupting Monterno’s thoughts. Connecting the dots, Monterno’s eyes gleamed.

“Is Reubellina Asillious behind all of this?”

“It appears so.”

“What has Inferno been doing!”

“Your Highness, please calm down.”

More gold could have moved through the capital than in the North. And that gold could have entered the palace. The palace was always short on money due to the need to manage many nobles and flaunt its power.

When Reubellina was engaged to Inferno, they could rely on the Asillious family’s support, but now even that was impossible. There was a limit to how much money they could extract from other noble families.

So, they had been gradually increasing taxes on the trade guilds, but even that was becoming difficult. The Duke of Asillious held significant power. If they tried to raise taxes on the guilds run by the Asillious family, not only the Duke but also other nobles with smaller guilds would protest, so they had been delaying it.

“If this is true…”

If the Asillious family was running the Musen Trade illegally, they could seize control of it. They could then use that leverage to extract more money from other nobles.

“I need to see His Majesty.”

“I’ll prepare everything.”

Monterno, who had found a way to suppress the North’s power without going there, smiled as he stood. He didn’t forget to commend Phailus for bringing the information.

***

Reubellina faced Fleur from the Asillious Duchy, who had come to see her. Fleur was a close friend of the Duke and the chief knight who protected the Duchy. Although she had sent Teryn to investigate Viverna, someone more important than Teryn had come instead.

This made Fleur someone Reubellina couldn’t treat lightly. Therefore, she treated Fleur as she would an uncle, speaking formally as a sign of respect.

“I apologize for visiting so late. We kept missing each other.”

“I didn’t expect you to come, uncle.”

“That’s how worried the Duke is.”

“Is my father well?”

“There’s something I need to tell you regarding the Duchy.”

As Reubellina, the Grand Duchess, spoke formally, Bruelin and Paddington watched them with surprised eyes. However, Reubellina didn’t seem to have any intention of lowering her speech.

“You said you have something to say?”

“Yes.”

Fleur looked around. Realizing there were many eyes watching, Reubellina waved her hand to send people away. Paddington hesitated and tried not to leave but was dragged out by Bruelin.

Once all the servants were outside, Reubellina did not wait and asked.

“What is it?”

“The Duke has a secret letter for you.”

Fleur took out a letter he had kept close to his chest and handed it to Reubellina. She broke the seal of the Asillious Duchy and read the contents inside.

[To the esteemed Northern Grand Duchess,

I am concerned about how you are doing. Today, as always, I spend my day worrying about you.

(omitted)

P.S.: A new outfit has arrived at the Scheh’s Boutique. I bought a design for you. Please visit the capital when you have time.]

‘This is a signal to come to the capital immediately, isn’t it?’

Remembering the promise to convey news through dress-related content if there was a problem with the trade, Reubellina jumped up. She didn’t forget to burn the letter with the burning incense beside her, watching it turn to ashes.

“Let’s go right now!”

“What? But, Your Grace…”

“It seems urgent, so we must go immediately! I’ll just inform Tartenon and leave.”

Reubellina left the office immediately. Fleur called out to her from behind.

“Then I will wait in the lobby!”

Reubellina waved her hand roughly at Fleur and looked for Bruelin as soon as she exited the office.

“Where is Tartenon?”

“His Grace has gone to inspect the northern borders.”

“Oh, right.”

He had said it would take about two weeks to inspect the northern borders, but she had already forgotten.

Remembering Tartenon’s request to take care of the North in his absence, Reubellina hesitated.

‘Haa. The letter indicates it’s really urgent. If they’ve paid the price, it means something big has happened to the trade…’

Reubellina frowned.

‘Could it be that they found out the Musen Trade Guild belongs to me?’

Reubellina, who was pacing back and forth, suddenly stopped.

“Did they really find out?”

That didn’t matter now. The problem was when the trade was established.

‘No, the documents were done properly, so even the imperial family can’t do anything.’

Reubellina moved anxiously again. Seeing her restless movements, Bruelin asked.

“Is something wrong?”

“Bruelin, I think I need to go to the capital urgently.”

“The capital?”

“Oh, my father is sick!”

“What?”

The Duke of Asillious was perfectly fine, but this was the only way to quickly get to the capital, so Reubellina spoke without hesitation.

“So I’m going.”

“Oh, understood.”