Chapter 6 – Changes in Emotion (Part 3)

The Northern Speraum consisted of several territories centered around the Speraum castle. 

If Reubellina were to become the lady of Speraum, there were a few ceremonies she had to go through, similar to those Tartenon had gone through before becoming the lord of the North.

“The Phineus couple has been imprisoned?”

“I heard the Count’s daughter nearly fainted.”

“I knew it when she was acting up.”

In a room so white it was almost pathological, a woman sat holding a letter in one hand and blowing on the nails of her other hand.

“I heard the princess is coming.”

“I heard the princess is furious because the duke’s daughter cleverly deceived her.”

“But it wouldn’t be easy for the imperial family to move directly, would it?”

“It’s fine as long as there’s someone to accompany her.”

The woman’s eyes sharpened. The reporting knight flinched under her piercing gaze.

“Who is accompanying her?”

“It’s the Second Prince.”

“What?”

“I heard the Second Prince himself volunteered to go to the Northern Speraum.”

“That incompetent Prince?”

“Perhaps because he was engaged to the duke’s daughter, he plans to use that.”

“Why couldn’t she just stay as that fool’s fiancée instead of turning her eyes to the North?”

The woman clicked her tongue. Her attire was too sophisticated for a Northern person, adorned with brilliant jewels. She lightly wiggled her finger towards her subordinate, as if it was natural for her to command people with just her fingertips.

The knight, who had been reporting from a distance, knelt down and approached her. It was as if he was not allowed to stand up.

Watching this, the woman smiled, pulling at the corners of her mouth, and reached out to ruffle the knight’s hair like one would with a well-behaved dog.

With a faint smile reminiscent of Tartenon’s face, she caressed the knight’s face with her white fingers.

“They should know their place, don’t they?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“A nephew who doesn’t know his place and a duke’s daughter who seized the grand duchess’ position. What is this world coming to?”

Viverna Speraum, the elegantly dressed woman, glanced upward as if reminiscing about the past.

Her world had been perfect. A grand duchy where she was respected and cherished, and her will could unfold entirely. Her brother had given her everything she desired.

When he was alive.

But after he died and Tartenon took the grand duke’s seat, she was not only driven out of Speraum castle but also deprived of necessary funds. Frustrated by her nephew’s cruel attitude, Viverna visited the castle numerous times, but the doors remained closed.

“At least it’s fortunate. The Count Phineus family was expelled.”

She could never forget the humiliation when the firmly shut doors opened for the Count’s daughter.

So, she laid a trap for them. Those who only used their heads for decoration moved without fully understanding her trap, and the work proceeded smoothly.

But the arrival of the new prospective Grand Duchess disrupted the plan.

‘Reubellina Asillious.’

She knew that the Duchy of Asillious was famous in the capital. Living in the North didn’t mean she was ignorant. For Viverna, who was trying to advance into the capital as a member of the grand duchy, hearing the capital’s rumors was her only pleasure.

The Duchy of Asillious, having broken off an engagement with a member of the imperial family amidst noisy rumors, had taken Tartenon’s hand.

“I wonder what that little lady can do here.”

“She won’t be able to do anything.”

“But you shouldn’t underestimate the Duchy of Asillious.”

“I will bear that in mind.”

Satisfied with the response, Viverna folded the imperial family’s letter she had been holding. It was a handwritten note from the Emperor, asking her to take care of the visiting princess soon. She placed the letter on the table and licked her lips.

“But thanks to that foolish Count, I’ve gained a lot of benefits.”

“Shall we look into another place?”

“What was the name of the newly arrived merchant group?”

“I heard it’s Musen Trading from the capital.”

“Hmm.”

To avoid disturbing Viverna, who was lost in thought, the knight quietly bowed his head. Her eyes gleamed at his obedient posture. Neon, her attendant and knight, was doing an excellent job at Speraum’s castle, making it easy to gather information.

“Neon.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“It’s time to start moving the goods from the storehouse.”

“Understood.”

“The Northerners should be ready to enjoy sugar and cinnamon now.”

Whispering with a faint smile, her eyes gleamed, prompting Neon to ask.

“Are you thinking of holding a banquet?”

“Of course.”

It had been a long time since he had seen Viverna so pleased, and Neon couldn’t help but feel delighted as well. Seeing his poor goddess smile like the first time he saw her, after long suffering, was a happy occasion for him too.

Viverna, smiling brightly, stroked Neon’s smiling eyes.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because it makes me happy to see you smile, Lady Viverna.”

“Is that so?”

Viverna smiled even more brightly. With the arrival of the prospective Grand Duchess in the Northern Speraum, the firmly closed doors would open, and she too would be able to enter the Speraum castle again. But it wouldn’t be any fun if she simply went along with it.

“I should hold a banquet on the same day.”

“On the same day as the prospective Grand Duchess?”

“Yes. That’s why your role is important.”

“I will bear that in mind.”

***

The next day, Reubellina was able to meet the people from the Musen Trading she had been waiting for. Though Tartenon had discovered she owned Musen Trading, it didn’t matter. Knowing and turning a blind eye to the fact made Tartenon an accomplice now.

Seeing Armur and the others enter the parlor room, Reubellina’s eyes are filled with welcome.

“Greetings to Lady Asillious of the Duchy.”

“Thank you for bringing the merchant group all the way here at my request.”

“Even without the Grand Duchess’s request, the merchant group’s expansion into the North was already planned.”

Reubellina smiled softly at Armur’s timely words. Realizing his flattery was well-received, Armur smiled slightly.

“Let me know if there’s anything I can help with.”

“Please trust in the capabilities of the merchant group.”

“That’s a satisfactory answer.”

Reubellina couldn’t hide her smile at Armur’s confident response. It was always a pleasure to have a capable agent for the merchant group she had chosen.

‘And all the money Armur earns goes to me.’

It wasn’t bad at all. She could develop the North while also lining her own pockets. As long as she didn’t exploit the situation as much as Count Phineus had, it should be fine.

As a conscientious merchant, Reubellina had no intention of drastically underpricing Northern goods or selling Capital goods at exorbitant prices. She simply wanted to sell goods at reasonable prices in the North and enjoy the rightful privileges of a merchant.

‘And while I’m at it, it would be good if my influence in the North grew.’

She had no plans to remain idle during the contract period with Tartenon. Even after leaving, the Northern trade network should be hers. As a merchant, Reubellina had no intention of missing out on this promising market. Of course, she also intended to end her relationship with Tartenon smoothly.

“Well, that’s something for three years later.”

“Pardon?”

Armur asked at Reubellina’s muttering, but she shook her head.

“I’d like to visit the outposts in the North.”

“As you wish.”

Armur swallowed hard, understanding Reubellina’s intention to inspect the store environments.

“What’s that?”

She asked as her eyes fell on the boxes placed on one side by the staff at Musen’s Trading.

‘I hope they didn’t buy useless things under the pretext of gifts.’

Reubellina had insisted when they came here that they buy things that would be of real use, and she was ready to lose her temper right then and there if something meaningless showed up.

“These are gifts prepared for the prosperity of Speraum.”

“Is that so?”

Reubellina gestured, and the staff approached with the boxes. A rather substantial-looking box was placed in front of her with a thud. As the box opened, its contents were revealed.

“This is…”

“These are new clothes developed by the trading.”

Armur continued with the explanation.

“These are clothes to wear inside the armor. Made with silk imported from a distant eastern country.”

Sandy received the clothes from Armur and handed them over to Reubellina. She was familiar with them too. They were clothes being developed by Musen, made of a material lightweight, and good at absorbing sweat, suitable for wearing under the knights’ armor.

Heather’s eyes, who had been watching, sparkled. Hemil had been summoned early in the morning to spar with Tartenon. Although Heather had been appointed as Reubellina’s guard, Hemil had rebelled, saying he wanted to be one too.

“It’s light.”

“It will be good for the knights to wear.”

“I’d like to try it on!”

As soon as Armur spoke, Heather stepped forward. Sandy blinked at Heather’s back as she went to pick up the shirt from the box. Reubellina raised her hand to stop Sandy’s speech.

Although Heather’s attitude as a knight was somewhat improper, this was not Asillious’s manor. As a mere servant, Sandy couldn’t step forward to correct Heather’s behavior.

‘This place is different from the Ducal estate.’

Reubellina’s authority had not yet been established in this Speraum Castle, and she needed to be more careful. Recognizing Reubellina’s gesture, Sandy bit her lip hard.