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Chapter 61
A drowsy afternoon.
Marianne, the Empress Consort, was drinking tea when she nearly dropped her teacup at the shocking news her lady-in-waiting brought.
“What did you just say?”
“Her Grace the Grand Duchess has declared that she will not be attending this imperial ball.”
“I understand. You may withdraw.”
After dismissing the maid, Marianne Consort fiddled with her teacup, frowning in thought.
“So she’s going to act like this?”
It wasn’t the first time the Grand Duchess had pulled such a move, and Marianne’s brow furrowed.
“Is this another warning aimed at me…?”
If it was only a warning, she could smooth it over.
But if it wasn’t—then she would have to prepare.
“I need to know what the Grand Duchess is plotting. Send word to Black Pearl.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
That was exactly why she had allied with them.
In political battles, nothing mattered more than information.
Elia, in her bedroom, was listening to Lapis’s report through the communication orb.
—It seems the Grand Duchess and the Empress Consort are about to clash.
“She announced she won’t attend the ball, right?”
—Yes, my lady.
In fact, it had been Elia who had suggested, three years ago, that they extend a hand to the Consort. Through her, they gained access to imperial palace intelligence, and in return, they provided the Consort with the assistance she wanted.
A give-and-take relationship.
—The Consort wants to be prepared for the Grand Duchess’s tricks.
“As expected. She’s been burned before, so of course she’ll want to guard against it.”
It meant she had no intention of being on the receiving end again.
It was only natural—the Consort had always kept Christina, the Grand Duchess, in check.
She had never been fond of the power Christina held.
“Have the ball’s dress code announced as ‘blue.’”
Around this same time in the past, the Consort had once chosen the wrong dress code and suffered great humiliation at the hands of the Grand Duchess.
Christina had declared she wouldn’t attend, only to arrive triumphantly with the ladies—while the dress code turned out to be red.
The Consort, also dressed in red, had no choice but to invite comparison.
But Christina’s gown was a masterpiece crafted by the best designer, whereas the Consort looked utterly shabby.
‘That incident made her a laughingstock among the nobles.’
This time, Elia intended to restore the Consort’s dignity.
—Will that be enough?
“There’s a designer in the capital named Ersina. Commission her to make the Consort’s gown. Tell the Consort it will be a gift from us—the finest gown she could wear.”
—Ersina? I’ve never heard of her. Are you sure?
“It’s fine. I guarantee her talent.”
Designer Ersina—within five years, she would rise to rival Valentina, the most famous designer in the capital.
Her innovative gowns would become the trendsetter of high society.
‘Valentina’s designs will fade.’
Ersina would soon emerge as the next-generation star of fashion.
—I’ll proceed as you instructed.
“Good. Thank you.”
After cutting the connection, Elia stretched with satisfaction. She felt she had spent her day fruitfully.
She had just fanned the flames of the coming conflict between the Grand Duchess and the Consort. While they fought, she would quietly carry out her own work behind the scenes.
“Business expansion. Grow the Florence branch, extend the Beautiful Line, and rake in the capital’s money that way.”
But there was another task at hand—
Finding a dragon’s lair.
Stella had told her there was a dragon’s lair somewhere in those mountains. The exact location was unknown, but its existence was certain.
Such a treasure trove couldn’t just be left alone.
‘I have to find it. No matter what.’
Tomorrow was going to be a truly busy day.
The next morning.
After breakfast, Elia met privately with Alexis in his office.
“Elly, what’s so important that you wanted to talk alone?”
“Your Grace, the time has come.”
“The time?”
Elia pointed toward the mountains visible beyond the window.
“We’re going to find the dragon’s lair out there.”
“…What?”
“Stella told me—it’s hidden somewhere in those mountains.”
“But we don’t know exactly where.”
“Don’t worry, I have a way.”
Because Elia had Gaji.
And Gaji could communicate with plants and animals.
With Gaji’s help, finding the dragon’s lair wouldn’t take long.
“You really have a way?”
“Yes. You can’t see them, but there’s always a spirit of the World Tree by my side, protecting me.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. Right now, she’s sitting on my shoulder, resting.”
Alexis’s eyes instinctively flicked to Elia’s shoulder.
[Elly, why are you revealing me like this?]
‘What does it matter? It’s no secret anymore. He should know by now.’
[Unbelievable…]
Gaji hopped down from Elia’s shoulder onto the desk, snatched a pen from her hand, and began to write a letter.
Alexis’s eyes widened as the pen floated and scrawled words on its own.
“She says she’s pleased to meet you, Your Grace.”
“…It seems so.”
On the paper was written, simply: [Nice to meet you, Your Grace.]
“She can even write?”
“Of course. She’s the World Tree’s fairy.”
“Now that you mention it, I think I read about that once—how a fairy always stays beside the guardian of the World Tree. So it’s true.”
“Your Grace, you’ll come with me, won’t you?”
Elia looked straight at him.
“To find the dragon’s lair.”
Alexis hesitated, unsure how to answer.
In the end, Elia persuaded him. They would set out to find the dragon’s lair.
“Are you really this happy about it?”
“Yes. Very happy.”
“Still, I’m worried.”
Alexis couldn’t help but be concerned. Mountains weren’t just home to wild animals but to monsters too.
It would be a perilous journey, and protecting Elia throughout would be a huge risk.
“Don’t worry, Your Grace. I’ve learned self-defense. I can protect myself.”
“…Alright, fine.”
They set the departure for three days later, giving themselves time to prepare.
In the meantime, Alexis needed to finish pending tasks and delegate duties to Norman for while he was away.
A small, elite group was formed: Dmitri and a few skilled knights. Noah, however, was excluded.
Elia informed Lapis of their plan. Lapis strongly opposed it—such a dangerous place wasn’t suitable for a child. But once Elia set her mind, no one could change it.
She also made sure her ongoing businesses would not falter in her absence.
She linked Felix, in charge of health products and cosmetics production, directly with Lapis. Until now, all orders and supply chains had gone through her, but now she connected them with a communication orb so they could coordinate independently.
The orb was made through Zirc, who would also join the expedition. Having a mage along would provide reassurance.
When asked, Zirc gladly agreed. Naturally, Austin approved as well.
Austin, though gruff, even crafted a pendant for Elia imbued with protective magic, saying the journey was dangerous.
He might act prickly, but he had a surprisingly caring side.
With all preparations made, two days passed in a flash.
On the eve of departure, as Elia was resting in her room, Noah came to see her.
“Feeling good about leaving me behind, huh?”
His words were sulky, but his eyes revealed he wanted to go.
“Do you want to come too, Your Highness?”
“…No.”
“You always say no. Why not just be honest? You want to go.”
Noah clenched and unclenched his fists.
“I do want to go, but I’ll hold back.”
“Why?”
“Because I still haven’t proven myself.”
His drooping shoulders showed how frustrated he was—he knew he’d only be a burden.
But Elia had no intention of consoling him.
A lion’s cub had to be raised strong.
“It’s good to know your limits early on.”
“…What?”
“As you said yourself, Your Highness still hasn’t proven himself. So you just have to keep working until you can.”
“You’re mocking me, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m encouraging you.”
“Doesn’t sound like encouragement to me.”
“That depends on the listener, doesn’t it?”
“So it wasn’t encouragement after all.”
“It really was.”
Noah fell silent.
Then, after a long pause, he spoke.
