“What is this?”

“Euresica.”

Ruben’s eyebrow shot up sharply in surprise. It was a name he knew well.

Euresica. A plant that blossomed into delicate and beautiful purple flowers, it was infamous in the underworld as a deadly poison. Without flowers, it was indistinguishable from ordinary weeds, but once it bloomed, it became more lethal than any known toxin.

The process of cultivating it, however, was notoriously difficult. It required meticulous control over sunlight, temperature, water, humidity, soil quality, and airflow—all maintained perfectly for at least ten years before a single bud might appear. Moreover, its roots absorbed all nearby nutrients, killing off surrounding plants and making mass production impossible. Ordinary people, even common assassins, would never see it. Ruben had only heard descriptions of the purple petals and had never seen them.

As if expecting Ruben’s reaction, Ikael shrugged and added the message.

“They said it might be useful, so we should keep it.”

The reason Euresica was so notorious in the underworld was simple: its effects were guaranteed. Only a handful of the most infamous assassin guilds across the continent were rumored to handle it, and even then, it was accessible to only a select few high-ranking individuals. When dealing with a target where failure was not an option, there was no better choice than Euresica. After all, such targets were often impossible to approach directly—like a king of a nation, for example.

Ruben stared at the letter containing the Euresica. This wasn’t something one could acquire easily. Honor and authority meant nothing in the shadows. Without the right connections, developing it would require astronomical sums of money—and even then, it was uncertain whether it could be obtained. No matter how much money one had, it was useless if the item didn’t exist on the market. After considering the possibilities, there was only one conclusion: the sender was most likely affiliated with an assassin guild and a high-ranking member.

“Devon, Ilrak, Elve. Of the three, Devon seems the most likely.”

“Considering the information they’ve provided us so far, it’s impossible for anyone but a top-tier guild.”

Ikael quietly agreed with Ruben’s assessment of the sender’s identity.

The assassin guilds—Devon, Ilrak, and Elve—were known for handling assassinations, subterfuge, and illicit dealings. However, their actual value lies in information gathering. All the continent’s knowledge converged within those guilds and spread out from there.

Devon, in particular, was an enigma despite its notorious reputation. No one knew where its headquarters were located, who its guild leader was, or how many members it had. Wild rumors claimed they could erase an entire kingdom from the map or that the Empire tolerated them to avoid a full-scale war. Because they never revealed themselves, their information-gathering abilities were unmatched. They were everywhere and nowhere.

Until now, they had assumed their informant was a spy operating inside the royal palace, but the story changed if it was an assassin guild. Ikael let out a loud, exaggerated sigh.

“Just how terrifying must our king be to make such dangerous people angry so recklessly?”

“Having an assassin guild behind the revolutionary army doesn’t paint a pretty picture.”

“Which is probably why they reported this anonymously. Still, if someone powerful enough to get Euresica wanted to intervene, why didn’t they contact us directly?”

“Attempt to make discreet contact.”

“If they’re a big shot, it’ll be difficult—but I’ll try.”

Ikael shrugged his shoulders as he agreed. Given his attitude, contact would happen one way or another. Satisfied with the outcome, Ruben was about to rise from his seat when Ikael stopped him again.

“Keep the Euresica with you, Ruben.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You’re the closest to someone who might use it, right?”

As soon as Ikael finished speaking, Ruben recalled the pale complexion he had encountered over the past few days while visiting under the pretense of checking on her condition. Although she had recovered as if nothing had happened, she was inherently frail. Her slender neck looked as though it could be encircled with one hand, and her delicate wrists seemed as though they might snap at the slightest touch. Though she was said to possess a malicious disposition unfitting to her fragile appearance, no matter how ruthless she might be, she was still human.

In other words, he believed he could quickly subdue her. Thus, Euresica was unnecessary. Yes, unnecessary.

“Leave it.”

“But you never know, do you?”

Ruben shook his head once more. It was a firm refusal. Ikael stared at Ruben for a moment, then, without further insistence, tucked Euresica back into his coat. At the same time, Ruben found himself feeling relieved. He quickly attributed this reaction to his aversion toward anything related to the Assassin’s Guild. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t figure out why his heart was pounding so wildly.

✥✥✥

As the Harvest Festival approached, the capital’s streets were more lively than ever. Brilliant decorations adorned every corner, and shops displayed celebratory phrases and special promotions for the occasion. Although many people didn’t know the exact meaning behind the festival, the cheerful laughter of children, excited by the festive atmosphere, echoed throughout the streets. Merchants preparing for the busy season wore broad smiles despite the doubled workload.

Aity Serev, the head designer and owner of the kingdom’s top atelier, Aity’s Boutique, was no exception.

“Is there any discomfort, Your Highness?”

“It fits well.”

Helia smiled in satisfaction as she admired herself in the mirror, dressed in a cream-colored gown with voluminous pleats. Inwardly, Aity rejoiced. The esteemed client before her was never displeased. Even though Helia had the power to summon the busiest designer in the kingdom with a mere snap of her fingers, Aity was always delighted to respond to her call.

Like any merchant, Aity’s fondness for Helia was primarily because she was the most generous spender of all her customers. When Helia placed an order, the sums involved were beyond what other noblewomen could imagine. The quantity was staggering, but the quality had to be even higher—only the finest items earned Helia’s approval. For this reason, Aity prepared exclusive designs specifically for Helia.

This exclusivity captivated the eyes of other noblewomen. The one-of-a-kind dresses Helia wore became objects of envy, and before long, everything she donned or carried dictated the trends of high society. Helia had become a walking advertisement for Aity’s Boutique, and every dress she wore would see a flood of orders the very next day.

For Aity, this alone was enough to offer Helia all her newest designs for free, but she could always restrain such impulses. After all, there was no reason to refuse someone willing to pay. She was an excellent businesswoman.

The dress Helia wore now was Aity’s pride and joy for the season. Made of the finest fabric that fell smoothly and elegantly, it accentuated Helia’s silhouette while flaring dramatically from the waist. Delicate, beautiful lace—hand-embroidered by Aity herself—adorned the sleeves and upper bodice. Tiny crystals were meticulously sewn from the chest to the hem in a line, adding dazzling brilliance. The design was specifically tailored to highlight Helia’s red hair. Seeing her vision brought to life, Aity couldn’t suppress a pleased smile.

“Do you like the design?”

“It’s excellent.”

Helia was not a particularly demanding client. She occasionally made requests but, for the most part, was satisfied with Aity’s designs. She never nitpicked or forced her personal tastes into the work. Spending money so liberally yet being so gracious—what a blessing. Moreover, Helia never wore the same outfit twice or reused the same accessories. Though many criticized her as a vain princess, to Aity, there was no more valuable customer.

As the owner of the capital’s most prominent boutique, Aity was always abreast of the latest news. Many of the rumors swirling among noblewomen likely originated in her very shop. She knew the reputation of the royal family’s only princess. Public opinion of the monarchy continued to decline, and Aity’s Boutique, too, paid hefty taxes to the crown, so she occasionally found herself agreeing with the gossip.

Some even whispered that the royal family was on the verge of collapse, but Aity paid it no mind. So what if the monarchy fell? Losing a reasonable client would be unfortunate, but that was all. There would always be new customers. For now, she would simply cater to the one providing her with the most significant profit. Aity Serev, indeed, was a masterful businesswoman.

“Is there anything lacking?”

“Of course there is.”

Aity’s eyes widened. Quickly scanning the outfit for flaws she might have missed, she nervously searched for anything out of place. Helia, observing her fussing, spoke in a disinterested tone.

“My neck feels bare.”

Aity’s sharp gaze immediately focused on Helia’s neckline. There would be consequences if her assistant had forgotten to include the necklace. However, around Helia’s neck hung the garnet necklace Aity had prepared, specially designed to complement her hair color.

Aity hesitated briefly. If Helia still felt her neck was bare, the necklace hadn’t met her expectations. In that case, a larger gemstone, a more extravagant design—something even grander was needed. While a subtle garnet suited the dress better than a flashy ruby, there was no reason to refuse a customer willing to spend more.

Quickly regaining her composure, Aity spoke.

“Aten Trading Company arrived from the western continent just a few days ago. Have you heard the news?”

“Yes.”

“They brought some rare gemstones with them. Among them is a vast blood ruby. I’ve only heard about it and haven’t seen it yet, but it would perfectly enhance Your Highness’s beauty.

“That is delightful news.”

“Isn’t it? It hasn’t been set yet, so I used your garnet necklace as a design prototype. The chain will be adorned with diamonds. If the general design pleases you, we can craft it immediately.”

Aity effortlessly demoted her finished product to a prototype and even added diamond embellishments not included in the original design.

Of course, Helia likely knew the garnet necklace was already complete. Even so, Aity’s honeyed words ensured her satisfaction. She was perfectly attuned to her customer’s desires, and Helia smiled in approval.

“Prepare it as you said.”

“Of course. I’ll deliver it as soon as it’s finished.”

“And the crystals on the dress…”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“All diamonds, correct?”

Of course not. But since it would soon be, Aity nodded in agreement. The number of jewels that went into the dress was so immense that they had used light, sparkling crystals. There was no reason to object when the client insisted otherwise. A fleeting thought crossed Aity’s mind that Helia’s extravagance had reached excessive levels this time. However, such thoughts quickly evaporated when she calculated the approximate cost of the dress. Thinking about the staggering price was almost refreshing.

Now, the jewelers at Aity’s workshop would have to work sleepless nights until the Harvest Festival, but that’s none of Aity’s concern. Having completed her task, she withdrew with a satisfied look.