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Chapter 7
“Lady Ellen. Do you have a young gentleman in mind, or perhaps some dream of remarriage?”
“…I do not. I intend to live for myself and for my family.”
Ellen answered firmly, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
Marriage?
She had no desire to use marriage as a means of divorce, only to be bound by another chain.
But Caden, as if expecting her reply, continued without so much as a flicker of surprise, his voice steady like a prepared speaker.
“The position of empress is difficult, as it requires an heir, but becoming a consort is no problem. After all, nothing binds more securely than marriage. Perhaps that was why Gillian did the same.”
“……”
“Think carefully. Unlike the daughter of a duke who has fallen to the rank of a count’s lady, you would not suffer such disgrace. If you wish to live outside the palace, that too can be arranged. More importantly, the protection offered to the daughter of a loyal vassal pales in comparison to that given to a member of the imperial family.”
His persuasion dragged on.
Ellen remembered the thoughts that once drove a sixteen-year-old girl—who traded her honor for survival—to try to persuade her.
“If you think coldly, Lady Ellen, you’ll realize this is not a proposal that would harm either of us, but rather a great advantage to both.”
Caden spoke without hesitation, as though he was certain she would accept.
Indeed, it was a proposal that fit both their needs perfectly.
The only issue was Ellen’s own psychological resistance to the idea.
“…Yes. Marriage is just another form of contract.”
She curved her lips into the habitual smile she always wore.
“Very well. Since a deal has been struck, I will do my utmost to ensure your satisfaction, Your Highness.”
It was a smile built upon years of patience, layered countless times over the vanished years.
Caden’s expression froze slightly when he saw it.
But only for an instant—soon enough he returned her smile.
“Very well, my lady. I too shall do my best.”
When Ellen first met the crown prince at the hotel, the thought that crossed her mind was: I can use this man.
He was kind, gentle, and genuinely cared for his people.
And for that very reason, in the end, he was betrayed by the cousin he trusted as a friend and loyal subject.
But what if she placed herself between them?
If she could plant suspicion between Gillian and the crown prince, drive them apart, and take that place for herself…
At this point, Gillian had not revealed a single detail of his treason to her.
He needed a client, but he wasn’t certain she wouldn’t abandon him even if she knew everything.
And considering he ultimately framed her and had her executed, even after she might have supported him…
In any case, Gillian would likely never suspect where the leaks were coming from, no matter what she did.
The crown prince didn’t need to do much for her.
All she needed was for him to follow her lead.
So it began with suspicion.
Suspicion would drive him to search for the cause, and soon, he would find himself relying on her.
Once someone turns to you a few times out of necessity, reliance soon follows—whether or not affection comes with it.
Affection and trust are not the same.
…Of course, I didn’t expect him to return so changed.
Now he was bold, aggressive—a different man entirely.
Still, as a prince who survived imperial power struggles, he must have had some hidden cards to play.
She had underestimated him.
Well, even if it’s different from what I expected, it’s not bad. In many ways, it might actually be easier.
In any case, she was now safely aboard the same ship as him. That was enough.
“Since the contract has been made, it’s time I paid the advance.”
Ellen began sorting through possibilities in her mind—small, suspicious facilities that would pique his interest but wouldn’t immediately reach Gillian’s ears if something went wrong.
Perhaps noticing she was choosing, Caden casually pushed for more.
“If possible, I’d like that advance paid in as much information as you can give. What do you think?”
“Oh, Your Highness. I do need to keep some capital for myself.”
Ellen countered his sly words with a faint smile.
“But Your Highness, please speak to me more comfortably. Having seen that side of you once, it’s difficult to adjust otherwise.”
“Ah, but becoming too comfortable would be troublesome in its own way. To fool the foxes, I must always keep the mask as if it were my true face.”
He tapped his cheek playfully.
To think a face like that could look so irritating.
Ellen resisted the urge to retort that, if he was going to wear a mask, perhaps he should dress up his words a little better too.
“First… In this capital, Istarzan, which is under the emperor’s direct rule, you should look into a place called ‘The Twilight Banquet.’ Start there, and you’ll uncover more.”
“The Twilight Banquet?”
Caden immediately repeated the name, his tone rising slightly.
“Yes. Think of it as similar to the place I escorted you to last time. As for how you investigate afterward—it would be better if I had no influence.”
When their eyes met, he nodded in understanding.
“And… yes, it would be wise to buy famine-resistant crops in advance. Also, check the state of water storage. If possible, secure manpower capable of dealing with pests and blight.”
“Crops and water? You expect a drought, Lady Ellen?”
His brow furrowed slightly, as if he disliked what he was hearing.
“Yes. It’s still March, so perhaps you haven’t felt it yet, but this year is hotter and drier than usual. Wasn’t the winter relatively mild? Or did you not notice spring seemed to come early?”
At her question, Caden paused, then nodded.
“Indeed… last winter was not harsh. And yes, I felt spring arrived sooner than expected.”
“Look into past records. Years like this often end in poor harvests. There’s a high risk of water shortages and uncontrollable infestations. I consider the probability very high.”
Caden tapped his temple with his fingers, then turned to Sir Coenheim, who stood behind him.
The two exchanged whispers, then returned to their places.
“I’d like to applaud your insight… so let’s assume you’re correct. But where would we find the budget? It’s nearly impossible to launch such a massive project across the empire on such short notice.”
Caden seemed troubled as he spoke.
But Ellen, unmoved, replied as if it were obvious.
“That’s nothing you need worry about.”
“No, but we’re talking about an empire-wide relief program, not just a single domain—”
“Your Highness.”
Ellen sighed deeply, cutting him off.
He stopped speaking and looked at her. His expression said he was frustrated but didn’t know what to say.
“That’s what a client is for.”
“What do you mean? How could a client possibly fund—”
“Yes. On an empire-wide scale, with a client.”
It was only then that Caden fully processed her words. His mouth slowly opened, and then he abruptly rose from his seat.
“You… would help us?”
“Finally, you heard me properly.”
Ellen clapped softly, almost like praising a child.
Then, mimicking what he had done earlier, she tapped her cheek.
“And if you’re going to wrap something, make it pretty.”
Caden’s face flushed red in an instant.
Whether from embarrassment or fluster, Ellen couldn’t say. But feeling she had landed a blow, she turned her head aside, satisfied.
“So, Father. Please trust your daughter and invest this once. I’ll do my best to replenish the funds, perhaps as soon as this social season.”
Daniel, who had been staring half-dazed at the two of them, finally came to his senses and answered.
“Hm? Ah, yes. Very well. We’ll discuss the details later.”
He still seemed bewildered, running his hand over his cheek again and again.
“Your Highness. You need not doubt Ellen’s words. She speaks directly before you—I would never dare to let her say something foolish here.”
Perhaps equally flustered, Caden cleared his throat once or twice before replying.
“Thank you, Count Client. It seems I was right to visit your daughter today.”
“I live each day grateful that such a daughter was born to me.”
Daniel seized the chance to brag, and Caden gave a small laugh.
“Your Highness is not a dull man. No matter what, we would have joined hands sooner or later.”
But at Ellen’s words, Caden only looked at her with a complicated expression, then let the matter drop.
“…May our transaction be a success.”
“I will do all I can to make sure it is.”
Ellen meant it sincerely.
She truly wished for success.
