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chapter 22
“I’ve been waiting for you to arrive.”
Uriella had taken a moment from her schedule to go to the agreed-upon meeting place to see Soren.
“Sorry. Something came up suddenly, and I’ve been a bit distracted.”
“No, it’s fine. You’re practically a benefactor to all of us, so waiting a little is nothing.”
Unlike the last time, when Soren had been full of suspicion, his demeanor was now somewhat warmer.
“First of all, thank you for helping us.”
Soren bowed slightly, expressing his gratitude to Uriella.
“No, as I said before, contact me if you ever need help.”
“Still… many have offered help before, but none have actually done anything. You’re the first to really help us.”
Soren said this with a bitter smile.
“So, you’re the first benefactor in my life.”
“That’s a bit grandiose. How about ‘friend’ instead of ‘benefactor’?”
“Friend? I’ve never had anyone suggest being friends with a wizard in my life, so I don’t know how to respond. It would be easier if you just told me what you want.”
“Oh, there is something I want. That’s actually why I came.”
At Uriella’s words, Soren gave her a look as if to say, Go on, tell me.
“I’m planning to start a business. I want to hire you and your team as employees. I’ve also brought the contract, so please review it. If you agree with the terms, I’ll explain more about the business.”
Uriella handed the pre-prepared contract to Soren.
“Should I read it now?”
Soren looked bewildered at the contract he had never received before.
“Of course.”
He began reading it calmly. The contract contained terms far too generous for someone like him, and he alternated between staring at the contract and at Uriella with a slightly stunned expression.
“If there are any terms you don’t like, please feel free to say so.”
“Terms I don’t like?”
“Yes.”
Soren stared at Uriella blankly.
“Why are you acting this way? If there are terms you want, I can adjust them. I need the help of wizards, after all.”
“Are you, by any chance, from the Empire?”
“No. I was born and raised there.”
“Then how is this possible?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Uriella couldn’t understand why Soren was reacting that way.
“Is it that you cannot work with someone from the Empire? Or is it that you feel you cannot work with me?”
“No, it’s the opposite.”
“Excuse me?”
Soren couldn’t believe the situation. He handled the contract as if it were a treasure.
Watching him, Uriella recalled what Soren had once said to her:
“You know, I always imagine that someday the world will change. Magic won’t feel so alien, and I’ll become just an ordinary person. You never know, I even became friends with Lady Baraota.”
“Thank you. This is really the first time I’ve experienced something like this.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
“Kindness. I’ve never received such kindness in my life… not even in a contract like this.”
“It’s just a standard contract.”
Soren shook his head at her words.
“No. I’ve only ever had to sign unfair contracts. Wizards are like objects that are used and discarded when no longer needed, and I am one of those wizards.”
Knowing how much Soren had suffered, Uriella silently nodded.
“And on top of hiring us, you’re providing lodging and food, and even protecting us?”
The part of the contract that moved Soren the most was the clause about protecting them:
[Uriella Baraota shall ensure the safety of Soren and other wizards.]
“I don’t know what this is about, but I’ll do it no matter what.”
Even though the business details hadn’t been explained yet, Soren immediately agreed, which worried Uriella.
‘I hope he’s not being too trusting…’
“It’s not too late to decide after hearing more. For now, I want the wizards to gather information. Basically, it’s infiltration. But it shouldn’t be too dangerous. What I want are the secret lives of the nobles.”
Soren listened intently.
“Is this to blackmail the nobles?”
“No. I’ll publish a gossip magazine. Only the truth, at first. Once people start trusting us, I’ll mix in lies. In other words, we plan to scam them.”
“That’s fine. That’s basically what I used to do anyway. Plus, you’re helping us and we can’t get such favorable contract terms anywhere else.”
Soren said this and immediately signed the contract.
“Looking forward to working with you.”
“Crown Prince, I wish to have a brief conversation with this mother of yours.”
“We are not acquainted.”
The Crown Prince knew why the Empress had come without prior notice.
“What?”
“You came to ask about Lady Baraota and His Majesty. That’s why I said no.”
The Crown Prince didn’t even glance at the Empress.
“How long do you intend to continue this?”
“About what?”
“I’m saying, do things in moderation. By suffocating him like this, you tire His Majesty.”
“What?”
Unable to contain her rising anger, the Empress threw a nearby statue to the floor, shattering it into pieces.
“Ha. If even I am disgusted, imagine His Majesty. I only called Lady Baraota to confirm something. You already know, don’t you? That His Majesty returned without finishing his meal.”
The Empress gritted her teeth at the Crown Prince’s words.
“Instead of wasting time here, why not gather the noblewomen and pretend to be happy? That would be more enjoyable than scolding your son.”
The Crown Prince stood and looked down at the Empress, clearly unimpressed.
“I must go now. To continue being the perfect Crown Prince, as you wish, Mother.”
“Crown Prince.”
In the past, he would have stopped immediately at the Empress’s call, but not this time.
“Kian! Can’t you stop right away?”
Despite her shouts, he continued to walk away. Only after his shadow had disappeared did the Empress speak.
“…So Erika was right. He has been acting strangely lately.”
She recalled her previous conversation with Erika Medina.
“Your Majesty, it seems the Crown Prince has taken a liking to another woman.”
“Did you come here just to tell me that?”
“I wouldn’t waste your precious time on such a trivial matter. Because of that woman, the Crown Prince has been acting oddly. Haven’t you noticed?”
The Empress nervously bit her well-manicured nails.
“Your Majesty, you’re damaging your hands. If you need to calm down, please use me.”
A man in royal knight attire approached the Empress and grasped her hands urgently.
“Now, what do we do? Have you confirmed what you were supposed to?”
“I have confirmed that Lady Baraota was imprisoned before her marriage.”
A smile appeared on the Empress’s lips.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. I would never give you uncertain information, Your Majesty.”
She nodded.
“Good. Then naturally, there should be witnesses, right?”
“All arranged.”
“Then soon we must have tea at the palace.”
The Crown Prince frowned when the Duke of Baraota arrived at his office.
“Duke, I assume you didn’t check my letter?”
“I did.”
“Then why have you come here? Is there a problem?”
“Problem? I’ve come to verify something. It concerns my family.”
The Duke deliberately emphasized family.
“Family, huh. Well, since it’s about your wife’s sister, I suppose it could be called a family matter.”
The Crown Prince’s tone was laced with subtle sarcasm.
“Yes, so I request full authority over the investigation.”
“Sorry, I cannot allow that.”
A tense atmosphere filled the room.
“Don’t worry. All those responsible for this incident will receive their due punishment.”
Seeing the Crown Prince would not yield, the Duke reluctantly stepped back.
“Understood. But it seems Lady Baraota was very shocked. Is she alright?”
“…Uriella is fine.”
The Crown Prince felt relieved that she was unharmed, though the Duke looked on coldly.
“Thank you for your concern.”
The Duke stood, ready to return to his mansion.
“Ah, but do you know something?”
“What do you mean?”
“I may have asked abruptly. About Erika Medina.”
“How would I know about the Crown Prince’s fiancée?”
“Really? I thought maybe they shared the same feelings or something.”
The Duke didn’t understand what the Crown Prince meant and didn’t want to ask either.
“…If there’s nothing more, I’ll take my leave.”
“Not curious, I see.”
“She’s not my concern anymore. Why should I be curious?”
The Duke’s voice was firm.
“That may be true, but since it concerns you, I think it’s necessary to know. Why not meet on the way?”
“I don’t want unnecessary misunderstandings.”
“Is that so? Then I cannot force you. We shall meet next time.”
The Crown Prince smirked, and the Duke felt uneasy.
