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“Yes, how about seeking advice from him? Since he’s also a Dragon, he probably knows a lot.”
Ayla’s face brightened at those words.
“Really? Can you do that?”
“Of course. Even if the Dragon has a bit of a quirky personality… he’ll at least listen to a favor.”
Felix recalled the memory of offering sacrifices to Debens, and spoke with a dubious tone.
But with just those words, Ayla was overjoyed.
“I’m so grateful! Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could find any useful information even if I searched through all the documents here.”
Seeing her sparkling eyes, Felix smiled as if relieved.
“I’m glad I can be of help.”
“I was at a loss as to how to take care of Piyo, so this is really a relief.”
“If you’re that worried, how about taking Piyo to the Duke Argenta's territory? Seeing him in person would allow for a much more accurate diagnosis.”
“I, is that so?”
“Yes, just let me know when you’re available, and I’ll contact the Noble house in advance.”
The two exchanged words and quickly made an appointment. Soon, Felix muttered with a satisfied face.
“This worked out perfectly. As it happens, my father told me to invite Ayla to the mansion sometime.”
“The Duke did? Me?”
“Yes, my father and I owe Ayla so much.”
At those words, Ayla closed her mouth as if flustered.
She was so excited at the thought of meeting the Black Dragon that she had forgotten an important fact.
Going to Duke Argenta's territory meant she would be seeing the Duke Argenta again.
And the Duke Argenta would surely still firmly believe that she and Felix were dating.
‘What should I do? Does that mean I have to pretend to be Felix’s lover the whole time in the territory? I wouldn’t mind anywhere else, but that’s a bit… like fraud.’
Her face flushed at the mere thought.
Listening to Felix’s stories, she could tell how much everyone in the Argenta territory cared for him.
Being introduced as Felix’s lover in front of such people was embarrassing, and the fact that she had to act like a lover was even more burdensome.
Honestly, her heart had been racing every time she met his face since that kiss… Could she really hide such feelings and act properly?
Ayla covered her cheeks and tried hard to calm her heart.
‘No, I’m going to solve Piyo’s problem. I’m definitely not going for personal reasons.’
While Ayla was repeating the same words in her mind, Felix was helping her pack her things next to her and said softly.
“Is everything resolved now? Go and rest now. We have to leave for the Argenta territory tomorrow.”
“Y-yes. Okay.”
Looking at Felix’s attitude, it seemed like he was really suggesting it out of a desire to help without any other intentions.
Ayla obediently followed him, trying to calm her pounding heart.
The moment she opened the window, a more humid breeze than usual blew in.
‘Is it already summer?’
After taking in the fresh air for a moment, Peony soon turned her gaze to the carrier pigeon sitting quietly on the windowsill.
“……”
Before reaching out to the bird, she carefully looked around to see if anyone was there. Then, she slowly detached the bundle of paper attached to its leg.
A moment later, Peony clenched her fist tightly without a sound after confirming the contents.
Inside the bundle of paper was a short message stating that the contract had finally been signed, along with the land deed for the Falun region.
‘Finally…! I was nervous because the Count was unnecessarily dragging his feet, but I’m glad I finally got it.’
Now, all the conditions necessary for the business were in place.
She had secured a cosmetics maker and their recipe, as well as the soil to cultivate the ingredients.
Peony carefully placed the note and land deed in a secret vault, then fell into deep thought.
‘I need to contact the maker, Yuria, and have her start cultivating Momon herbs right away.’
Because Ayla was busy with various matters, Peony was handling almost all of this business.
She was also the one who provided the capital to buy the land.
Starting a business was by no means easy, but Peony was feeling excitement for the first time in the work she had been given.
Moreover, this business had the potential to grow significantly in the future.
‘What about the logo? It needs to be more concise and sophisticated than Fleur or Sharon products. The store should also focus on a clean and healthy atmosphere….’
In order to create a cosmetics store that anyone, commoner or noble, could use without feeling burdened, the approach had to be different.
It was then, as Peony was humming and coming up with new plans, that a familiar knock suddenly echoed in the room.
“Your Highness.”
At the voice, Peony stopped all movement and hurriedly looked around. Fortunately, she had neatly tidied up any suspicious items.
Relieved, Peony opened her mouth.
“Come in.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the door opened and Lona entered.
The face of Peony, who had been excited until just now, changed to a cold one as if nothing had happened.
“What’s going on?”
“You have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
Peony frowned slightly.
Unlike the other royals staying in the Imperial Palace, it was rare for anyone to deliberately visit her, who was attending the academy.
“Who is it?”
“That’s…”
Lona was about to open her mouth with an unwilling expression.
Intrigued by her reaction, Peony waved her hand and interrupted.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll go and check myself, so guide me.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Lona wore a dissatisfied expression for a moment, but soon bowed her head obediently.
A short while later, Peony, who had arrived at the drawing-room, was having a hard time managing her expression.
‘To think that the visitor Lona mentioned would be Darian.’
Feeling displeasure for a moment, Peony suddenly had a question.
‘But Lona is Darian’s subordinate. Why did she make such a strange expression earlier when her master was coming?’
It was suspicious, but it was difficult to grasp the meaning right away.
Peony reluctantly sat down on the chair.
Then, she saw that Darian’s face, which had been fine during the Subjugation Contest, was noticeably haggard.
‘…Did something bad happen?’
Hiding her displeasure, Peony quietly opened her mouth.
“What’s going on all of a sudden?”
Darian hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Well, I came to see your face.”
“…Has it been long enough since we met at the Subjugation Contest that you already miss me?”
As if Peony’s question had hit the nail on the head, Darian only fiddled with the teacup in front of him.
‘He’s acting a bit strange today.’
The Darian that Peony knew was a much more confident, relaxed, and mature man. At least on the surface.
The way he was showing such anxious and uneasy behavior now was completely unlike him.
As if wanting to change the atmosphere, Darian changed the subject.
“By the way, how are your friends doing? They went through terrible things at the Subjugation Contest back then. I was worried about whether they were okay.”
It was a plausible reason. It was also a Darian-like excuse.
But Peony tried hard not to be easily fooled.
It was true that he had shown unexpected kindness to the Black Dragon and her friends, but that too must have been a thoroughly calculated action.
Pure goodwill towards others did not exist for Darian.
Because he was a man who would even try to kill his own sister, herself, in order to become Emperor.
After thinking for a moment, Peony answered calmly.
“They’re doing well. They weren’t hurt, and everyone’s fine.”
At Peony’s words, Darian wore a relieved expression.
“That’s a relief. I heard that they returned to the academy safely, but I was worried that they might have some aftereffects.”
Peony quietly stared at him, then asked directly.
“…So, what’s the real point?”
Meeting her sharp gaze, Darian let out a deep sigh and hesitated before opening his mouth.
“Actually, back then, I promised in front of your friends that I would reveal the truth of this incident. But the person in charge changed in the middle… so it seems like it will be difficult to keep that promise.”
At those words, Peony narrowed her eyes and asked back.
“Did something happen in the Imperial Palace?”
“That’s… As soon as His Majesty received the report on the incident, he ordered the Magic Tower to investigate. Since Monsters were involved, it seems he did so under the judgment that they were the experts.”
The explanation that followed from Darian was extremely logical and reasonable.
There was nothing to refute.
But strangely, Darian’s face as he explained the situation showed a hint of discomfort.
Peony was lost in thought for a moment before opening her mouth again.
“Is that what you came all the way here to explain to me? Is there something bothering you, brother?”
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