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Chapter 31
Ayaran dragged me until we arrived in front of the sofa. She didn’t change a bit. Her table was packed with books and papers as always.
‘Aya. It’s me.’
I recited the name of the person that I missed so much inwardly.
‘I’m sure you cried a lot after my death.’
She looked tough on the outside, but it pained me knowing how vulnerable she was inside.
‘I’m glad you seem healthy.’
I watched her moving busily. Perhaps sensing my steady gaze, Ayaran muttered.
“Wait a minute. My heart is not ready yet.”
I had no idea what she was talking about, but she was still as eccentric as before. Looking at her moving busily from the back, I mumbled quietly.
“I wanted to see you.”
Ayaran’s movement stopped at once.
“….Seems like it’s not working yet.”
I could hear her voice trembling, so I asked her.
“Are you having some problem?”
Scarlet hair fluttered from side to side. I couldn’t help but worry, so I checked to see if she was alright. She held a bunch of crumpled paper in her hands.
I was told that she was helping Duke Cyben with his work. Ayaran was perfect for the job since she was very competent.
“Seems like I’ve disturbed your work.”
“I…I have to hold back. It’s not the time yet.”
What’s really going on? I was worried because she looked troubled.
“What’s your name?”
‘You must’ve seen my name in the letter, so why are you asking? Plus you’re talking informally already.’
I replied to such bold behavior with a smile.
“I’m Navian Lu Yeronimo.”
Navian. Navian.
Ayaran, who recited my name, muttered firmly.
“Let’s change clothes first.”
“Yes. Then I will be waiting.”
I didn’t mind waiting for her, but she looked at me with a weirded-out expression.
“Not me.”
Huh? Then who? Don’t tell me, it’s me?
“Give it to me and leave. No one can enter without my permission.”
Ayaran dismissed the maid who brought the dress and urged me.
“Go ahead and try it on.”
“…Here?”
“Of course. It’s just the two of us here. What’s the problem?”
I had no trouble taking my clothes off, but the situation was a bit strange.
“Take it off, hurry.”
Ayaran was so excited for some reason. Looking at her sparkling eyes, I heaved a sigh and started to unbutton my dress.
“Do you perhaps find my outfit weird?”
But Ayaran quickly shook her head with a wide grin on her face.
“It’s my hobby to give clothes as gifts.”
She didn’t change a bit. I smiled quietly and started moving my hands. In fact, I sort of understand why she was doing this.
Just as she said, one of Ayaran’s hobbies was to dress me up. She used to laugh whenever I stepped on my dress.
But I couldn’t understand what she was so excited about. She had been acting so urgently even though it was our first encounter.
‘I can’t believe these two friends told me to take off my clothes.’
I must’ve been possessed by a ghost who died while undressing.
“Why are you so slow? Do you need help?”
Alright, alright.
Turning my back on Ayaran, I put my shirt down on the sofa and picked up a dress.
‘Where’s the front? What should I do with this dress?’
The atmosphere was so quiet while I was busy looking for the zipper.
“Lady Ayaran?”
There was no answer. I was about to turn around, but then I felt a touch around my wingbone.
“Navian, do you know that?”
Her voice was shaking.
“It’s spring now. It’s the season when trees and flowers that endured the harsh winter bloom into a new life.”
The hand that touched my wingbone also trembled slightly.
“I thought if we had a chance to meet, how nice it’d be if it was after the festival took place. People from all over the world will flock here, and the festival is just around the corner, so it was truly a time full of excitement.”
‘Spring is the beginning of the season, after all.’ Ayaran whispered softly.
“I thought it’d be nice if she returned during the season when everything started, so it really took me by surprise. Actually, I thought it’ll be much later. It’s only been a year, after all.”
I quietly listened, and asked.
“Who were you waiting for?”
“The first person I approached.”
Ayaran’s voice was wet.
“I was someone who always looked down on others due to my high position, but that person was able to make me move. That person was able to make me run so hard even though I had never run in my entire life.”
Who the hell dares to make her run? What kind of jerk is he?
I turned around with a serious expression and asked her.
“So did you meet him?”
“Of course. I recognized that person at once. Unlike Signus, I’m normal and I have a trick up my sleeve too.”
I honestly couldn’t care less whether Signus was abnormal or not.
I was just curious about the bastard who dared to make my friend run and wait.
When I was about to ask who the hell he was, Ayaran spoke first with a firm tone.
“Signus, that crazy bastard has been leaving his work to me, but I’ll let him slide this time. Thanks to him, I found that person without any difficulty.”
Ayaran stammered out something I couldn’t grasp and lifted the corners of her mouth.
“But, this is a different matter. I won’t tell him no matter what. It’s not my fault if that tactless guy doesn’t realize it.”
A smile of victory spread across Ayaran’s face.
“This time, I found you first.”
Count Mori approached Signus who was seated on a chair and greeted him.
“Mori greeted His Highness the Crown Prince. I heard you were looking for me.”
However, there was no response from Signus, so Mori opened his mouth again.
“Are you asking about how Lord Damian’s doing?”
“I heard you’ve been sponsoring the Alchemy Guild?”
Despite Signus’ random question, Mori was able to answer calmly.
“That’s right.”
“What does that guild do?”
Mori answered, still with his smile on his face.
“Alchemists heal people, but they are also persecuted. It’s probably because of the magic they use. It was an unproven power, after all.”
“Are you treating Damian with that?”
“That’s right.”
Signus’ long fingers tapped his chin.
“He was barely breathing. Verus said it wouldn’t be strange if he died soon. There’s no way to save him with human power only.”
His golden eyes turned cold. Soon, an order was heard.
“Tell them to continue taking care of Damian.”
Mori raised his eyebrows.
“The guild you sponsored will receive funds instead of potions and magic books. It means they have to work as much as I invested.”
Mori, who hid his joy with an awkward smile, replied.
“As I said earlier, we have to be careful because it’s an unproven power. How about getting a diagnosis from Verus again?”
“He can’t.”
“May I ask why?”
“All of you are better than an old fart.”
A vulgar way of speaking coming from the crown prince’s mouth. However, as always, Mori skillfully hid his emotion.
“There are also disciples of Verus.”
“I can’t believe any of them.”
“How about the temple-”
“Not the temple. They’re nagging a lot.”
Who dares nag at Signus?
“But…”
“Your ears must be clogged up.”
Signus tossed the documents containing the finances of the imperial palace to Mori.
“When did I ask for your advice?”
Mori picked up the documents scattered under his feet. He smiled quietly after confirming that the report was different from the amount of money withdrawn.
‘Those fools. How did they handle their work?’
While brainwashing Damian with the power of a demon, he shook the empire’s barrier to distract the crown prince’s eyes.
In the meantime, there was no time to get involved in the imperial palace’s affairs, so Mori left everything to the alchemists. He didn’t expect for things to turn this way.
At that moment, Signus got up from his seat.
“It doesn’t matter if all the goods imported from other countries go to the alchemists.”
His long legs stepped on the stairs.
“It means I will let it slide even if rare materials were used.”
Signus, who faced Mori, tilted his head.
“So make sure to put life into Damian.”
A moment of silence lingered, and Mori said.
“…I’ll deliver the message. When is the deadline?”
“Until the welcoming ceremony is over.”
The first prince of the empire returned. Soon, a grand welcoming ceremony will be held accordingly.
‘That’s why you looked into the budget.’
No wonder, there was no way that tyrant actually worked.
Mori, who was inwardly feeling relieved, said.
“I’ll make sure to deliver it.”
“Tell them this, too.”
You really do talk a lot.
Mori, who hid his annoyance with a smile, raised his eyes.
“You’d better quit doing things like disturbing the empire’s barrier.”
“…..”
“I have no intention of going easy on you anymore.”
At that moment, Mori burst into laughter. Signus only smiled cynically looking at him.