🔊 TTS Settings
**\<Episode 20>**
Cassian’s return date had been decided, and urgent matters were settled, so Edel hosted a tea party with a relaxed heart.
The three young ladies, including May, came in looking as if they had just swallowed a lemon.
“Have you all been well? It’s been a while.”
At Edel’s signal, the hesitant ladies awkwardly sat down. Kia poured cool tea for them.
After taking a sip, their stiff faces softened a little—it seemed the taste suited them.
“I decided to inspect Ruhob land. I called you today to discuss the schedule. First, Lady of Marquis Beth.”
“Geneva Beth.”
“And Lady of Count Chekov.”
“Yana Chekov.”
“All right. I assume you ladies already discussed the date among yourselves.”
“Yes, we did.”
May pointed at the calendar.
“All of us are available in the first week of May.”
“Good. I’m free around that time as well.”
The decision was made easily. Since the real purpose of the tea party was simply to build closer ties with them, Edel didn’t mind much.
But that didn’t mean it was easy. Even after exchanging names, the three ladies were still very wary of Edel.
Just as Edel was about to speak in a friendly tone to ease the atmosphere—
“Your Highness, Princess!”
From afar, a servant rushed over, pale-faced, forgetting that one must always walk slowly inside the palace.
Edel was about to scold him when he shoved a newspaper at her before she could speak.
“What is it?”
While May asked calmly, Edel’s expression hardened as soon as she saw the huge headline.
“What’s wrong?”
Since Edel didn’t answer, May asked the servant directly.
“The Ez River dam has collapsed!”
“The Ez River? That place is…”
“Not only does Duke Kartner use it for the spice trade, but our Chekov family also relies on it often. Right now, of course, transportation is blocked, but…”
“A dam collapse? The river is large. The damage will be serious.”
“No, why are you all so calm about this! This is a huge disaster!”
As Yana and May calmly explained, Geneva jumped up in alarm.
“At this rate, everything might be ruined!”
Normally, May wouldn’t agree with Geneva’s pessimism, but this time she had to nod.
“Yes. Not only the Worbelians, but even we will face difficulties.”
“Don’t worry. There’s no need to be concerned about the Worbelians, Lady Kartner.”
“That’s true. However…”
“But still, it’s troublesome for Worbels too! Why do disasters keep happening there? Come to think of it, the Ez River originally belonged to the old Wobel Kingdom.”
As Geneva shook her head in frustration, Yana looked at her in disbelief, and May asked suspiciously:
“But unless we’re directly involved in the trade, was this urgent enough to be reported so hastily to Princess Edel? The palace should always keep its dignity.”
At her words, the other two ladies also gave reproachful looks. The servant frantically waved his arms.
“Don’t you know? Do you know who manages the Ez River?”
“Who…?”
“…Ah, I remember!”
All eyes turned to Geneva as she spoke, her voice trembling.
“Isn’t it Duke Dwelsen who manages it?”
“That’s correct!”
Only then did the three ladies understand why the servant acted so strangely. They were all left speechless.
‘Oh no.’
Edel was just as shocked. In her memory, the dam was supposed to collapse much later, yet for some reason, it had happened earlier this time.
But she couldn’t afford to be shaken. No matter the complications of her regression, her mission was still to take revenge on Cassian and Rowen.
“There’s no need to be so worked up.”
After finishing the article, Edel folded the newspaper neatly and spoke calmly.
“There will be damage, yes, but it can be repaired. It may trouble Duke Dwelsen, but it’s not impossible.”
“Are you truly not worried at all?”
“There’s no need to worry.”
While Edel responded with composure, the three young ladies showed visible concern. They feared Edel’s reputation might suffer since Cassian, her lover, was in charge of the river—and if Edel’s reputation fell, theirs would too.
“But surely, Duke Dwelsen’s return date will be moved up.”
Just as Edel predicted, Cassian appeared at the palace immediately after hearing the news.
People were surprised to see him after so long, but there was no time to dwell on it.
After informing the Emperor of his absence, Cassian quickly set out on his journey.
Seeing Edel there to send him off, he couldn’t hide his guilt.
“I’m sorry. I suppose we’ll have to watch the play another time.”
“That isn’t important right now. Go and finish things well.”
“Of course.”
Cassian knelt on one knee, kissed Edel’s hand, and mounted his horse.
“If you wish, I could take you with me.”
Edel’s sudden words made him flinch, but he quickly shook his head.
“I cannot trouble you like that, Your Highness. Please stay safe and healthy in the palace.”
With those words, Cassian left.
Watching his departing figure, Edel felt bittersweet. Someone who had been within arm’s reach was suddenly gone, leaving her with a hollow emptiness.
‘…’
It was an unnecessary feeling, one she could only allow herself after her revenge was complete.
Edel turned sharply and began preparing to leave.
Cassian overlooked one thing—Edel had never said she wouldn’t go.
Ruhob land was close to the Ez River. Edel had every reason to move—whether to inspect the land or to observe the dam’s restoration.
A day after Cassian departed, Edel also set out with the three young ladies. Stubborn as they were, they insisted on seeing everything with their own eyes despite their busy schedules.
Their determination was admirable.
Thankfully, Edel could ride a horse, though not well. But her stamina was too poor for continuous travel. They had to stop dozens of times on the way to Ruhob.
Each time, the three ladies gave her sharp looks. They were stronger than Edel, and her delays made them lose confidence in her.
Edel finally showed signs of apology. She was the most frustrated one, wanting to move quickly.
Sensing her sincerity, the others didn’t scold her too harshly.
After much travel, they finally reached Ruhob.
As expected, it was nothing but barren wasteland, with so few people that it looked like a desert.
“What on earth is supposed to be discovered here?”
“Just follow me.”
Although it was still too early for the gold vein to be found, Edel hurried ahead, hoping to at least show some proof—anything to earn their trust.
Their guide muttered complaints constantly, insisting this land was hopeless. Almost everyone had already left, and who would invest in such a place?
The more he said, the colder the three ladies’ eyes became.
But Edel wasn’t someone to give up so easily.
She stubbornly searched the area where gold was first discovered in her past life.
“Oh?”
Everyone turned their heads at the sound of her voice.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t gold. Instead, a familiar face was approaching.
“Your Highness, what brings you here?”
It was none other than Marquis Basant.
“Come to think of it…”
“Greetings, Marquis,” May quickly bowed, and Geneva and Yana followed.
The Marquis looked at them with confusion. Edel only shrugged and spoke.
“This land belongs to you, doesn’t it, Marquis Basant? But didn’t you say you were about to sell it?”
“Yes. There’s no need to shoulder the risk of keeping wasteland.”
At his words, the guide bobbed his big chin smugly, as if to say, “See, I told you so.” Edel felt like grabbing and shaking that ridiculous chin.
Apparently, even the guide was planning to move away soon. With his attitude, Edel didn’t bother advising him to stay.
“Are you here to take one last look before selling it?”
“That’s right. I need to finalize the contract.”
Then, he gave Edel a questioning look, clearly asking why *she* was here.
“You know very well why. There’s no way the land’s owner hasn’t heard.”
“You mean… investment, correct?”
Edel nodded. Suddenly, Marquis Basant touched his lips, pausing.
For a split second, Edel caught a mocking smile flicker across his face—something the others missed.
Feigning calm, Edel and the Marquis addressed each other.
“May I offer you some advice?”
“What is it?”
“Never invest in Ruhob. That is my only advice to you, and the only thanks I can give for issuing a statement on my behalf.”
At his words, the three ladies instantly remembered the matter of the tax audit and lifted their heads.
The Marquis smirked slyly.
“I should have thanked you sooner, but I’m late. Still, thank you, Princess Edel. Thanks to you, I was appointed to oversee the tax audit along with Duke Kartner.”
“That’s enough gratitude.”
His tone was polite, but Edel could tell—he was trying to drive a wedge between her and Rowen’s faction by making it seem they were allies.
As expected, May’s side grew restless. Though she said nothing, suspicion was clear on her face.
But Marquis Basant, being Rowen’s loyal follower, knew the truth. Edel had never supported Rowen—she had only made that statement as part of a deal.
There was no reason to hide this from May. Better to show clearly that she wasn’t Rowen’s ally.
“Marquis, let me give you some advice in return.”
“What is it?”
“The matter of the tax audit and the statement I made—it was all for His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire’s people. Not for selfish gain like the Marchioness of your household.”
“Ah, even mentioning my wife—that’s crossing the line, even for you, Your Highness.”
“You crossed the line first. Or have you forgotten that you tried to deceive me by involving Princess Rowen?”
“…”
At Edel’s sharp retort, wrinkles formed on the Marquis’s nose. He still hadn’t adjusted to the changed Edel.
Watching his shifting expressions, Edel tried to guess what scheme Rowen was plotting. Surely, there was something—no one would claim such a dangerous position in the tax audit without a plan.
Still, Edel’s firm stance softened the hostility of the three young ladies.
“As expected.”
Finally regaining composure, Marquis Basant sneered openly. He clearly underestimated her.
“To think someone like you could ever be Emperor…”
He muttered under his breath. Though not clear, it sounded like—
“…someone like this… Emperor…”
“What was that? If you have something to say, speak properly.”
“Nothing.”
With that, Marquis Basant coldly bid farewell and vanished like the wind.
The guide, tense from the landowner’s presence, finally let out a sigh and sat heavily on the ground.
The three young ladies whispered among themselves, then cautiously spoke:
“Let’s at least finish the inspection.”
“Let’s move on.”
“What?”
The guide frowned deeply, clearly unwilling to move again, but he couldn’t protest against the highborn ladies.
They searched for quite some time longer, but the results were disappointing—even Edel felt exhausted.
“Sigh…”
Edel sat down with a deep sigh. She knew this investment was inevitable, but some solid evidence would make things easier.
“…?”
Then, feeling something odd on her hand, she raised it. Something strange had stuck to it.
As she looked closely, Edel’s lips curved into a cold smile.
What was that phrase again…? Something devout believers always said.
A blessing from the God who rules the world, bestowed upon His most precious child.
—
