It had been about three days since the Empress died.

During that time, we paid the enormous taxes the Emperor demanded and received permission to return to the North.

However, the Emperor’s letter hinted that he might interfere with our northern management, which was unsettling.

You were lucky this time. I’ll continue to keep an eye on the two of you.

What?

Does he plan to keep weighing us down and eventually seize the North?

I wanted to run over and smack him on the back of the head.

But he was an overwhelming, transcendent being with magical powers.

It was disgusting and humiliating, but I had no choice but to send a flattering reply to the Emperor.

I’m deeply concerned that the passing of Her Majesty the Empress may have disturbed Your Majesty. We, too, are deeply saddened by the loss.

We, the Brent Viscount couple, vow to make the North prosper as Your Majesty’s pride and to ease Your concerns.

Ugh, I wanted to spit on the letter headed for the royal palace.

I decided to consider my near-death experience at the hands of the Empress as bad luck that was already behind me.

But now that I knew the Emperor’s true nature, I had a feeling far more terrible things were yet to come.

While preparing to return to the North, I stayed tense, striving for perfection.

‘I’ll make the North a great city, no less than the capital.’

After nearly dying, my ambition had only grown stronger.

The resolve to build a great city that no one, not even the Emperor, could touch was burning inside me.

The North already inspired awe on its own, but we needed to strengthen it to protect what was ours.

“Louise!”

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice call out in excitement.

“Marianne.”

I rose from the sofa in the reception room of Marianne’s mansion and approached her.

Her eyes were filled with warmth, tears, and gratitude.

I felt the same way.

“I’ve been waiting for you. Are you okay?”

Marianne took hold of my hands. I grasped hers and replied.

“Of course. You’ve been receiving proper treatment, right? I heard you were quite shocked.”

“I’m much better now. Strangely enough, my body doesn’t hurt much. I was just utterly shocked by Her Majesty the Empress’s passing.”

“I see. I’m so sorry for the trouble you went through because of me…”

I couldn’t help but feel guilty.

The Empress had used Marianne as bait to get rid of me.

Thanks to Alec, it seemed Marianne wasn’t feeling any physical pain, but it was still too harsh an ordeal for a noblewoman to endure.

Seeing my regretful expression, Marianne shook her head.

“It’s fine. I’m really okay. But I’m more worried about you, Louise.”

“Huh?”

Marianne lowered her voice slightly.

“According to the Empress, His Majesty the Emperor wants you, doesn’t he?”

“Ah…”

So she had heard everything.

I thought she hadn’t noticed, considering she wasn’t in her right mind and could barely stand at the time.

I shrugged it off with a casual laugh.

“Even if the Emperor desires me, my husband won’t just sit back. And I have no intention of leaving my husband either.”

“That’s good to hear. In that case, going to the distant North might be a blessing in disguise. I really hope His Majesty doesn’t want you after all. I always wish you and Alec well.”

“Marianne…”

“Still, be careful. You know His Majesty always gets what he wants.”

“Thank you.”

I suddenly felt a lump in my throat.

When had Marianne become so considerate of me and Alec?

We hadn’t been close before, so her words were quite unexpected.

Sensing my emotions, Marianne smiled gently.

“Many people these days admire you and Alec, you know. I heard you even managed to settle the taxes. Who else could have handled that so well against His Majesty?”

“…Marianne.”

“It’s a shame that Marcel and Julia are gone, but I felt so relieved when you put them in their place.”

“…”

I was taken aback by her words.

I had only ever been mocked by the ladies of society, so hearing such warm, kind words was surprising.

I felt encouraged.

“Thank you so much, Marianne. I’m just doing my best to survive. It seems that, for my husband and me, living a normal, quiet life like others isn’t easy.”

“Louise…”

“By the way, I’d like to give you a gift as a token of my gratitude and apology. Would that be okay?”

“Huh?”

Marianne widened her eyes in surprise.

I signaled to the servants standing behind me.

They approached with a large box.

When they opened the lid, a white fur shawl was revealed inside.

Marianne’s eyes widened at the sight of the radiant item.

“It’s a shawl made from the polar bear fur I mentioned before. It’s the first product bearing the name of our Brent textile factory. I’d like you to have it, Marianne.”

“Louise!”

Marianne gasped in admiration and quickly covered her mouth with both hands. Her eyes were fixed on the white bear fur as if she were mesmerized.

“Really, can I accept this?”

“Of course. After all the trouble you went through because of me, I only regret not giving you something even more valuable. You don’t have to join us for the northern trip either.”

“Oh my goodness, Louise. Thank you so much…”

I smiled at Marianne, who was still in a daze.

She looked so surprised that she didn’t know how to respond, but soon her expression grew determined, and she spoke with resolve.

“I’ll take responsibility for this shawl and keep it with utmost care. I won’t even dare to wear it.”

“…”

“And besides, I’ve already finished preparing to go to the North. Aren’t we leaving tomorrow?”

“Uh, yes, but…”

“I’m coming with you. I can’t miss the chance to stay at Wiltsbrook Castle. I’ll also make sure to introduce its grandeur to others.”

Marianne lifted her chin slightly and smiled.

Seeing her smile, I too felt a soft smile forming on my lips. Somehow, it felt as though the North had already become the hottest travel destination among the capital’s aristocrats.

“I’m really looking forward to the trip now that you’ll be joining us, Marianne.”

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories