Serena frowned at the excessively bright sun. The secretary who followed her from the station quickly opened a parasol to shield her from the sunlight pouring down on her head.

A pristine white blouse with all buttons neatly fastened up to her neck and skirt hems swaying around her ankles. Dressed entirely in subdued, achromatic colors, Serena’s attire seemed somewhat stifling for the muggy early summer.

“It’s certainly hot here in the south.”

As Serena surveyed her surroundings, her sky-blue hair, tied high in a single ponytail, rippled like waves. In stark contrast to her otherwise plain appearance, seemingly drained of color by the vibrant blue-green vegetation around her, her hair was the only element that exuded vitality.

After boarding the carriage that arrived shortly thereafter and heading toward the scheduled mansion, Serena gazed out the window impassively.

How many years had it been since she’d visited Azure? She hadn’t been here since graduating from the academy, so about four years must have passed.

Azure was the largest city in the southern region. It boasted a vast, beautiful sea, making it the empire’s premier resort destination while simultaneously housing its largest trading port. 

Above all, it was home to the Imperial Academy, which most noble families’ children attended as a matter of course.

“This place is always so chaotic.”

Perhaps because there were more people coming and going than staying, Azure changed faster and was more vibrant than any other city in the empire. Just looking at the expressions of people passing by on the streets revealed an almost scorching vitality.

Serena felt tired merely observing that boisterous energy she couldn’t even contemplate keeping up with. She closed the window and leaned back against the plush chair. Instantly, her surroundings sank into tranquility.

She closed her eyes and calmly reviewed her duties in her mind. This task was specially entrusted to her by her father, and she wanted to complete it perfectly.

The Bluebell family traditionally based their family business on developing and selling magical tools through researching new magical formulas, drawing from their extensive knowledge of magic.

Long ago, people who could sense magical power and implement magic themselves were apparently common, but now such talents have dwindled to a countable few. 

Most couldn’t even sense magical power, and those who could sense it but also knew how to manipulate it to use magic numbered fewer than ten in the entire empire.

Instead, the empire focused on researching formulas that could manipulate magical power and combining them with magical vessels, allowing people to use magic without wielding it themselves—a field known as magical engineering.

Currently, the Bluebell Marquis family firmly held the reins of the empire’s magical engineering sector. For unknown reasons, the Bluebell Marquis family tended to produce many individuals who could sense magical power. 

Whether one could use magic or not, the ability to sense magical power created significant differences in researching magical formulas. Those who could read the flow of magical power started from a different point than those who couldn’t sense anything and began with a blank slate.

Moreover, their extensive knowledge of magical research, accumulated throughout their long history and befitting their reputation for establishing the early foundations of magical engineering, had made them the absolute leaders in this field.

“The border region has many changes, so it’s necessary to forge new pathways.”

Serena tapped the armrest of the carriage with her fingers and muttered to herself.

She had personally traveled to the southern region to find new suppliers for the scarce magical vessels. These vessels were always in short supply compared to demand, not only in the empire but in any kingdom.

‘When I arrive at the Duke’s mansion, I’ll deliver the letter father entrusted to me, then adjust the contract details, and then…’

Her train of thought was naturally interrupted by the face of a certain man that came to mind.

‘Cecil still has a long way to go before he gets his act together.’

Cecil Bluebell. Despite being four years older, Serena didn’t even want to address that scoundrel as “brother.”

The fact that Serena was here now to negotiate an exclusive trade contract with the Duke was originally a task that Cecil, as the eldest son, should have handled as the representative of their father, Marquis Bluebell. 

Of course, he had long fallen out of the Marquis’s favor, so he was probably still somewhere living it up like a good-for-nothing.

‘And they call that a brother, sigh…’

But family was still family, and even while cursing Cecil, Serena deeply wished he would come to his senses as soon as possible and become helpful to the family. 

It was always difficult to watch her mother sigh with worry over Cecil, and she constantly felt concerned about her father struggling alone to lead the family’s affairs.

Although Cecil’s terrible reputation irritated her in many ways, the fact that he was included among her most precious family members remained unchanged. Unable to sever blood ties, she prayed that he would mature quickly even while cursing him.

Of course, Serena didn’t find the current situation unbearable, despite how pathetic Cecil was. She was actually somewhat pleased that her father trusted her more than him.

Whenever her father gradually involved her in business and indirectly revealed his frustration with Cecil, Serena could indirectly feel that her strict, principled father still loved her. Thanks to this, she had recently begun officially working at the research institute.

In an empire where most noble ladies typically married within three years of graduating from the academy, Serena’s path was quite unconventional. People might have spoken ill of her, but few dared to spread such dangerous gossip about Serena, a lady from the powerful Marquis family.

Moreover, the fact that she had never relinquished the top position during her academy days somewhat excused her unique eccentricities.

“My lady, we have arrived.”

The carriage that had been running for quite some time came to a stop. After checking her appearance, Serena stepped out of the carriage with the coachman’s escort. 

Her elegant movements were flawless. The maids lined up in front of the mansion approached quickly, carrying her luggage and guiding her inside.

“Welcome to the mansion. I am Trowell, in charge of managing this estate.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Serena Bluebell. Where is the Duke?”

Serena’s face subtly hardened as the butler guided her to her room, contrary to her expectation of meeting the Duke, the other party to the transaction. 

Having arrived at the mansion, it was proper etiquette to exchange greetings with the Duke as the owner, but not only was there no sign of him, she wasn’t even guided to the reception room—this could be interpreted in several ways.

“The Duke had an urgent matter and is currently away from the mansion.”

“An urgent matter…”

Hiding her bewilderment, Serena covered her mouth with the fan she was holding.

He abandoned an appointment scheduled a month in advance and left the mansion?

It was not only contrary to proper etiquette but also incredibly rude behavior, yet Serena calmly organized her emotions. The other side already had a considerable advantage in this deal. 

Moreover, judging by the butler’s expression, which showed no embarrassment whatsoever, it seemed the Duke had already briefed him on various matters before leaving. This meant the current situation was all part of the Duke’s plan.

“When will he return?”

“He said it would take approximately three to four days, but it might vary depending on the situation there.”

“Did the Duke ask me to wait?”

“Ah, no. He said you could reschedule for a more convenient date if you prefer.”

Although it would take time to travel back and forth, given the uncertain schedule of at least three to four days or possibly longer, rescheduling the appointment and returning home would better preserve Serena’s dignity, but…

After being lost in thought for a moment, Serena smiled brightly and folded her fan.

“Then I’ll wait until the Duke returns. That would be acceptable, wouldn’t it?”

“Of course. I will ensure you are accommodated with the utmost care.”

Serena chose to remain here willingly, despite the Duke leaving the option to reschedule without offering a single word of apology for his sudden absence.

She judged that postponing the appointment and returning would be more disadvantageous for the deal if the Duke maintained this attitude. Additionally, she was too stubborn to comply with his blatant rudeness that seemed to want her to avoid the appointment and leave.

After the butler who had provided detailed information about the mansion and the maids who had been organizing her luggage all left, the room finally became peaceful.

“I should write a letter to Father.”

Seated at the desk, Serena concisely described the current situation on the letter paper in elegant handwriting. She added a postscript asking him to send a portable communication device since she might stay longer than expected, then sealed the envelope.

“I’ll deliver this directly to Father.”

“My lady, are you sure it’s alright to stay like this?”

“With all the rumors about the eccentric Duke, I should at least see his face properly before leaving, don’t you think?”