Chapter 9 – A Shaken Heart (Part 2)

After Tartenon’s wedding, the North was in a constant state of celebration. It wasn’t just that. The gold coins Reubellina distributed revitalized the northern economy.

The Musen Trade Company’s shops were bustling today as well. The northerners who received gold coins went only to the Musen Trade Company’s shops to buy goods.

The northerners ate well and worked harder than ever. As a result, efficiency increased, leading to more being hunted and more resources gathered. With greater yields, there was naturally more to sell.

The pockets of the territory’s residents were full. Although it might have been a temporary effect, Reubellina’s goodwill in distributing the gold coins brought good results.

However, with such an amount of gold coins distributed in the poor North, it was inevitable that some would be tempted to commit crimes. To prevent this, Tartenon stationed knights throughout the territory, imprisoning those who tried to steal others’ gold.

“Is everything okay over there?”

“Ah, nothing unusual here!”

Today, the knights patrolled the territory.

“If every day were like this, the North would be a decent place to live.”

“Indeed.”

“It’s thanks to Her Grace coming to the North.”

“Exactly. Unlike that lady from the capital who came before, she’s quite bold.”

A knight who had traveled with Reubellina to the North spoke up. He repeated his words as if it were a matter of pride.

“Back then, even though everyone was tired, she insisted on the carriage, as to not bother as more.”

“She even skipped meals, saying it was fine, right?”

“Yes!”

The young knight boasted proudly.

“A person who cares so much for others couldn’t possibly be a witch who bewitched His Grace Tartenon.”

“Absolutely.”

“But remember what they said when we talked about it? They said we were also bewitched by the woman from the capital.”

“Now that I think about it, it’s strange. Isn’t our loyalty as knights well-known?”

The two, who had been chatting, fell silent simultaneously. Adding more words would be akin to doubting their fellow knights. If rumors of distrust spread, it could cause internal strife within the knights.

“Ahem!”

“Ahem!”

The two continued walking down the alley. The noisy alley sounds remained the same, but the knights were different. A breeze blew through the now quiet space between them.

At that moment, Armur, the northern branch manager of the Musen Trade Company, widened his eyes at the sales report.

“Is this really the sales for just one week?”

“Yes, it is.”

He tried to maintain his composure, but it wasn’t easy. Armur suppressed the smile threatening to break out. His face twisted oddly, but it didn’t matter. It was a huge success.

Originally, Armur was one of those handling precious jewels at the Musen Trade Company. The internal power struggle within the company had sent him to the North. Now, many people had been ousted due to Reubellina’s interventions, but it wasn’t like that back then.

When it was decided that Armur would go to the North, many within the company opposed Reubellina’s management. He had argued with them and ended up in the North. Another trade company had tried to recruit him, but he didn’t go. He had chosen to gamble the rest of his life on this last chance.

‘I didn’t expect this gamble to succeed so well.’

He hadn’t anticipated the northern people to be so capable.

‘I thought they’d spend the gold elsewhere.’

He hadn’t expected them to use the money to feed their families and go hunting. Unlike the residents of other territories, the northerners were truly diligent.

“It might be worth investing in them.”

If these residents could achieve such results with a small amount of money, he wondered what greater investments might yield.

“What about the matter with the temple?”

“We donated in Her Grace’s name.”

“The amount was as specified?”

“Of course.”

Armur had donated part of the money Reubellina had hidden to the temple. It was a significant amount, but he had no choice. As a subordinate, he had to follow orders.

Satisfied with the report that the donation had been safely delivered, Armur closed the document.

“Now we wait to see what she will do next.”

***

The temple of the Freynante Empire was located in the southern region, far from the capital. They had chosen the prosperous South rather than the bustling capital or the monster-infested North.

In the Freynante Empire, the powers of the emperor and the temple were balanced. They expanded their influence without encroaching on each other’s domains. However, opinions were divided on whether the temple had stepped into politics with the Grand Duke’s marriage.

The temple, however, did not express any political stance. They simply stated that they were intervening in an unjust matter and declared their support for Tartenon and Reubellina’s marriage.

“How was the northern wedding?”

“Not bad.”

The High Priest responded to the Chief Priest’s question. The golden hue in his eyes reflected the luxurious wedding.

The temple was a place filled with white, inspiring faith. However, the gold dust scattered around was not just for piety.

“The Crown Prince is still investigating the temple.”

“It doesn’t bother us.”

“Should we acknowledge our connection with the North? We could say the Grand Duke of the North sent someone to request marriage approval.”

“Hmm.”

It was a dilemma. The High Priest had allied with the North but was under pressure from Crown Prince Monterno. This was why they had altered the visitor register.

‘Who would write their real name in such a situation?’

It felt like being entangled in something significant. However, the High Priest instinctively knew that handling this matter well would greatly benefit the temple.

“High Priest!”

“I told you not to make a fuss in the temple.”

“A donation has arrived!”

“Is that something to shout about?”

The priest whispered in the High Priest’s ear.

“It’s enough to buy a territory.”

“What?”

The High Priest’s eyes widened, and an uncontrollable smile spread across his face. Reubellina’s plan to win the temple to the North’s side seemed to be progressing smoothly.

***

Returning from the North, Inferno headed to the imperial palace to report.

‘I really don’t want to go.’

He wanted to avoid the report, but he couldn’t. Having been sent to the North by the emperor’s order, he had to report the results. At least once, he had to face the emperor. But Inferno didn’t want a private talk with the emperor. He had fled the North without achieving significant results, so what could he possibly say?

The simple order was to attend Tartenon’s wedding and persuade the northern nobles to cooperate with the imperial family. However, no noble was willing to pledge their loyalty to the imperial family through Inferno.

That wasn’t all. Bellaruse, practically his fiancée, had gained the nickname “beautiful bird.” Although it sounded like a compliment, Inferno knew it wasn’t an honorable title. And the rumor had already reached the imperial palace.

“Sigh.”

“This way, Your Grace.”

To prevent Inferno from escaping, the emperor had sent his chief attendant. The chief attendant, glaring as if monitoring him, gestured for Inferno to follow. Although he could have been angry at being treated this way by a mere attendant, Inferno kept his mouth shut. Causing a scene in the imperial palace would not go unnoticed by the emperor.

If nothing else, the emperor would not tolerate any action that tarnished the image or dignity of the royal family.

“Your Majesty, Prince Inferno has arrived.”

“Send him in immediately!”

The emperor’s voice, filled with anger, echoed loudly. Inferno, who was about to follow the chamberlain through the opened door, flinched. His eyes, filled with fear, glanced at the chamberlain, who turned his head away, pretending not to notice.

‘There’s no one on my side in this palace.’

Indeed, he had let go of the only person who used to support him in this palace.