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Chapter 26
When the people who had assumed they would head straight upstairs instead began filing into the inn one by one, Walter’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in shock.
“Just stopping by to warm up for a bit.”
No sooner had they taken their seats than, as if the staff had been waiting for this very moment, steaming hot mulled wine was brought flying onto the table, filling the cups to the brim.
It must have been boiling just moments ago—the warmth seeped through the handle, radiating heat. As the warmth spread through her frozen fingertips, Diana let out an involuntary sigh of delight.
When she leaned in slightly, the sharp scent of spices mingled with the deep, rich aroma of stewed fruit, gently enveloping her face.
Her heart fluttering with anticipation, Diana was just about to lift her cup—
“Ah, my lady, you can’t.”
“What?”
With a gentle yet firm motion, Elka took the cup right out of Diana’s hand. Diana stared at her in bewilderment, having lost her drink before she even realized it.
“His Highness has given strict orders that Your Highness is not to drink even a single drop of alcohol.”
Erno? Why?
She was about to ask when a horrifying memory surfaced, and Diana’s face instantly flushed bright red.
“Oh dear, perhaps it’s because you just came in from the cold—your face is terribly red. Elckson! One cup of warmed milk here. Goat’s milk is fine—add extra honey and a bit more cinnamon. Quickly!”
She couldn’t bring herself to protest.
Taking advantage of the moment, Elka suggested that they eat first before properly touring the market.
Though she was curious about Veronica’s merchant guild, Diana had been suffering from the cold since morning and was secretly exhausted, so she readily agreed.
While Elka confidently placed the food order, Diana took a slow walk around the inn.
There had been an inn on the Rapin barony estate as well, but she had never really been inside one before. As she watched people sitting together chatting quietly, something caught her eye.
“What’s that boiling in that pot over there? A stew?”
Elka turned at Diana’s question and replied with a rather dubious expression.
“That’s… the Eternal Stew.”
“The Eternal Stew?”
It sounded like something straight out of a fairy tale—a kindly fairy cooking endlessly for starving children.
But the reality Elka described was closer to a wicked witch’s cursed potion.
“When the water boils down, they add more water. If there are no solid ingredients left, they throw in whatever vegetables they can get their hands on. If a regular brings homemade sausages, those go in too. They keep adding things as they go, so it never truly runs out. That’s why they call it the Eternal Stew.”
Even mushy lumps of fat and fish heads, if boiled long enough and seasoned with salt and pepper, could technically be eaten. But as someone who worked in kitchens, Elka refused to acknowledge such a thing as food.
“That pot was on the fire before I was even born, and it probably won’t come off even after I die.”
Hearing her speak with such certainty, Diana promptly decided to give the stew a wide berth.
“Your food is ready!”
Just as drowsiness threatened to wash over her relaxed body in the warmth, the dishes arrived all at once, filling the table as if prearranged. Everyone must have been hungry—no one waited for another before reaching out.
The roasted chicken sent up plumes of steam, oil glistening as it ran down the crisp skin, looking irresistibly delicious.
Soft, fluffy potatoes split open, butter melting into every crevice and adding a rich savoriness.
Sprinkled with salt harvested from the Northern Sea, they were perfect even on their own.
Spreading the hot, steaming potato over stale, cooled bread in place of butter, topping it with dried herring, and taking a bite filled her mouth with pure happiness.
Once the meal ended, Elckson chose the moment perfectly to begin explaining Veronica’s merchant guild.
“The Baldamir Merchant Guild, run by Lady Veronica, is the most successful—no, one of the largest guilds in all of Island. From importing luxury goods for Fenrir Castle and Jarl Erno, to exporting dried herring, they literally handle the entire economy of this land.”
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she manages not only Island’s finances but also those of the Fenrir Grand Duchy itself. She’s truly incredible. Right?
Elckson’s eyes shone with admiration as he sought agreement.
But Diana couldn’t easily nod along.
If even the outrageously expensive carrots and a single dried herring were under her control… was it really an exaggeration?
When Diana asked if there were any other merchant guilds, Elckson smacked his lips and shrugged. With no real alternatives, Diana reluctantly headed for the Baldamir Merchant Guild. To achieve today’s goal, she had no other choice.
Elckson hadn’t been exaggerating—the massive building looked as though the capital’s financial district had been transplanted whole. Not a single icicle hung from it, proof of impeccable maintenance.
While winter raged outside, where snowfall at any moment wouldn’t be surprising, the interior—finished with the finest materials—felt like spring itself. Even Diana, who tolerated heat well, had no choice but to remove her outerwear the moment she stepped inside, along with Elka and Sasha.
Seeing servants dressed in crisply starched uniforms, Diana felt a twinge of embarrassment over her own country-girl appearance.
Maybe she should have dressed more formally.
But she quickly shook her head. No matter what she wore, the fact remained that she was the Grand Duchess—and that she was wearing three ducat gold coins around her neck.
The receptionist, who had eyed her suspiciously the entire time, changed completely the instant Diana produced the ducat coins and immediately escorted her to the guild master’s office.
Coincidentally, Veronica already had a guest. She gave Diana a brief nod before resuming her conversation.
Veronica’s office was practically an exhibition meant to flaunt the guild’s wealth. Everywhere Diana looked was filled with overwhelming luxury, making her regret—once again—not having at least worn that cursed bearskin.
She felt like a shard of glass that had wandered into a jeweler’s display—passable at a glance, but glaringly cheap when placed beside real gems.
Unlike Diana’s outwardly colorful appearance, Veronica wore plain black mourning clothes, yet she shone like a black diamond.
It wasn’t just the color or fabric. As she read documents and spoke with her staff, Veronica never hesitated for a single moment. On the contrary, it was the others who faltered under her sharp questions.
The owner of the office.
The staff member standing beside her, engaged in discussions too complex to follow.
And the poorly dressed visitor.
This place didn’t suit Diana. No—she didn’t belong here.
Unable even to muster a complaint, Diana simply stared at the untouched teacup before her.
Trying to earn Erno’s recognition with nothing more than a greenhouse—how laughably pitiful she felt now.
While continuing discussions with her staff, Veronica repeatedly glanced sideways at the woman who supposedly had brought the ducat gold coins, clearly unable to reconcile expectation with reality.
At least her patience deserved acknowledgment. Or perhaps she simply knew her place. Veronica had been prepared to ruin her reputation if she caused a scene over being made to wait, and she clicked her tongue internally in disappointment.
She really did bring ducat gold coins.
Only after signing off on the payment and ordering her secretary to bring the gold box did Veronica finally turn to Diana with an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry. Things were a bit hectic. The gold will arrive shortly. And since it’s you, I won’t charge a commission.”
She already knew the situation roughly. The woman before her had barged in without knowing where she was or who Veronica was—an unwelcome visitor. Yet instead of criticizing her rudeness, Veronica smiled as though this worked in her favor.
“Shopping? How nice. It must be boring without your older brother at the castle, right?”
While someone else risked their life on the battlefield, here you were, enjoying a leisurely shopping trip.
Should I crush her spirit completely?
Or maybe toy with her a little.
Either way, there was no doubt this woman wouldn’t dare resist.
“That’s not the only apology you owe me.”
For the first time, Veronica genuinely doubted her own ears.
Diana’s gaze was as cold as the tepid tea before her—utterly devoid of confusion or hesitation.
