This state? Amelia was flustered by the Master’s growling tone. She couldn’t understand why he was so angry. Because she came without notice?

“Sorry… Is it because I came suddenly?”

If that was the case, it was her fault. She had rushed over without thinking ahead.

“Who saw you on your way here?”

“Huh…? What…….”

She couldn’t understand what he was talking about. Who saw her? Of course, the coachman and Howard. And a few employees must have seen her. Could it be that the grand duchess visiting the trading company often was burdensome?

“Who else saw you panting?”

Amelia flinched at his fierce gaze, as if he was about to devour her. This was the first time she saw the Master with such a terrifying face. He was always smiling faintly. She never thought she would feel fear from him.

“The coachman… and Howard…….”

“Good. It would have been dangerous if more people had seen.”

It’s clear that Master and Raphael are entirely different people, but why did she feel Raphael from him? The pressure and dignity squeezing her throat made her whole body tremble.

“I must have startled you.”

Unable to say anything, she just bowed her head and trembled. The Master seemed to have regained his composure, returning to his usual tone. If it were before, she might have brushed it off as strange, but now was different.

“I didn’t mean to.”

“…You call that an excuse?”

After scaring her to death, is that supposed to be an excuse? Amelia’s eyebrows shot up at his claim of having no such intention.

“I was just worried that others might have seen Your Highness…”

“It’s not for the Master to worry about.”

“Right. Yes. It’s my mistake.”

She wondered if she should accept his forgiveness. It was true she had been rude.

“It’s because I got too excited about something concerning Your Highness whom I admire.”

“What…?”

“I’m sorry for overreacting.”

She couldn’t say anything more against his perfect and neat apology. Unless she wasn’t going to see the Master anymore… And her sudden visit wasn’t entirely without fault either.

“I hope you haven’t forgotten that we are merely in a business relationship.”

“Yes, I understand.”

He was the person conducting the largest business in the empire. Although not as much as Raphael, he was indeed at the top of the food chain. That’s why he gave off a similar vibe to Raphael.

“If there are those who are blessed, are there also those who are cursed?”

“You seem very smart, Your Highness.”

“Just answer the question.”

Amelia looked straight at him, not letting him smoothly change the topic this time. Before, the Master had mentioned he was a cursed being. She didn’t understand what that meant at the time, but now she knew everything.

“If I tell you one thing, you understand ten.”

“…….”

“Yes. If there are beings who are blessed, there are also those who are cursed.”

She tried to gauge the Master’s expression, but it was hard to tell due to his lack of reaction.

“As you saw, I am indeed cursed.”

“Then…….”

Could it be that the Master is not human but a demon? That would explain everything. His abnormal magical talent and the ability to lead a huge trading company.

“Unfortunately, I am not a demon.”

Not a demon? Then she couldn’t understand why he looked like that that day. It was hard to believe he was just an ordinary human.

“Then… your appearance that day…”

“But you know what? Shouldn’t you suspect the Siegfried grand ducal family first?”

What does he mean by suspecting the ducal family? Unperturbed by her furrowed brow, he casually took his seat.

“The Siegfried grand ducal family is known for controlling demonic beasts, right?”

His anger had subsided, and he returned to his usual relaxed self. Controlling demonic beasts was indeed associated with the Siegfried grand ducal family. Probably anyone else would suspect the grand ducal family first. In fact, many people have doubts about the inhuman power of the grand ducal family.

“I’ve heard that demonic beasts and demons are different.”

“You’re unaware of something, Your Highness. Demonic beasts and demons are different, but demons are ultimately a higher race.”

A higher race?

“That’s why demons have the power to control demonic beasts. Not that only demons can control demonic beasts, though.”

Her heart started to consider a possibility that had been hiding in a corner of her mind.

“In conclusion, I am not the demon Your Highness thinks I am.”

“If you’re indeed cursed.”

How could he not be a demon if he’s cursed?

“Do you know how many cycles it has been since our country was founded?”

“700 cycles.”

Why is he suddenly asking about the founding cycles? What does that have to do with his curse?

“It’s been 700 years. Could anyone remain a pure demon for such a long time?”

Amelia was startled by the mention of 700 years. It meant that the curse had continued for such a long time. Do curses usually last this long?

“It’s just that demon blood flows in me, but I am not a demon.”

“Can a curse… last for 700 years?”

“It seems the goddess’s power is strong.”

She was shocked by his calm tone, as if he was talking about someone else’s story. For the Master, the curse had become a part of his life, something he had grown accustomed to. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how much he had suffered to reach this state.

“So, has your curiosity been satisfied now?”

She still had questions, but she couldn’t bear to ask someone who was suffering.

“I’m sorry for coming so suddenly.”

“Not at all. I was about to contact Your Highness anyway.”

Wasn’t it that we weren’t supposed to contact each other until the founding festival was over? Of course, she also visited without saying anything.

“His Majesty has made a move.”

***

During the founding festival, she thought the Emperor would be laying low, but he has made a move. There must be a reason that prompted the Emperor to act. She thought he would wait and see until the end, so why did he move?

“It seems he wants to accelerate the development of the old downtown.”

“Really? Isn’t that good for us?”

After all, she didn’t have much time left. If things could be resolved quickly, it would be better for her. But strangely, the Master’s face didn’t look happy. It was as if he didn’t want to accept this situation.

“The conditions he put forward are not very good.”

As expected, things couldn’t go smoothly at once. The emperor she met in person was by no means an easy person.

“Try to accommodate him as much as possible.”

“You want to resolve it quickly.”

She felt it when she encountered the Emperor. For some reason, she felt like we shouldn’t keep in touch with him. The way he looked at her as if he wanted to kill her was unforgettable. The original Amelia could be safe because she died in the grand duchy before the Emperor’s hand could reach her.

“I feel like I’ll be sick if we keep milking him.”

Naturally, eating spoiled food continuously could only lead to stomach pain.

“There’s no loss, right? It’s better to negotiate moderately and wrap it up.”

“Do you not care whatever conditions he proposes?”

“After all, the Master will cut off any favorable conditions for the Emperor, right?”

The Master hated the Emperor more than she ever imagined. She didn’t know why before, but now she seemed to understand a bit. If the Master was a cursed being, then the Emperor was a blessed being. It would be strange not to hate him.

“Then we’ll proceed quickly.”

“I think this might be my last investment-related requests.”

Now that she has enough money to avoid both Raphael and the imperial family, it was time to put the plan into action quickly. Originally, she planned to stay in the Khalid Empire as long as Raphael didn’t interfere.

“Will you… not come again?”

“Huh? No, I will make other requests. It’s just that the investment profits brought by the Master will disappear.”

To safely escape from the grand duchy where she was alone, she needed the Master’s information. Despite her response, she wondered about the Master’s subtle expression. Did he really want to earn more money?

“The Emperor has one more request.”

She couldn’t tell why the Master’s face hardened at such an unreasonable request.

“He requested an investigation into Your Highness.”

The worst-case scenario was that even if she could safely divorce Raphael, she could lose her life by the Emperor.