Chapter 51
Iobet believed that Keivrand’s wife, Iris, would never stab him in the back. Apart from that, however, he couldn’t deal with the Bourgeoisie Woburn situation lightly.
His position was firm until three years ago. It was only after the death of the Empress that it became shaky.
He was born a little later than Lacozen, the son of the Emperor and the first concubine. Although Iobet’s individual talents were superior, he was able to sit on the throne without much difficulty because he was the son of the Emperor and Empress.
However, when the Empress died, the first concubine began maneuvering her way in for her son. As Lacozen and the first concubine took actions more aggressively, Iobet’s vassals’ movements began to change.
Iobet witnessed several times how his vassals began standing by Lacozen’s side.
No matter how brilliant he is, or that he has the regal bearing to be Emperor, to sit on the throne, he needs many supporters.
So he needed money, and he was going to invest in Bourgeoisie Woburn, who had recently made a name for himself, to solidify his position.
He couldn’t just take Iris’ words without question and break his connection with Bourgeoisie Woburn.
“Do you have any other advice for me?”
“It’s going to be hard for you to deal with Bourgeoisie Woburn right now. But there won’t be a problem for now. Look more into Woburn, and see if what I’m saying is true or not.”
Iris said calmly.
Iobet realized that Iris was staring straight into his eyes when she spoke.
In her violet pupils, there was something that made it difficult to look away.
“If you can confirm that what I’m saying is true, I hope you can trust me more than you do now. If you ask me for advice then, I’ll give you good advice.”
Iobet was filled with admiration for Iris’ spunk more than anything else.
In front of him, the Crown Prince, he has never seen anyone so confident. No, there’s Keivrand, so should he say it’s the second person?
However, the Iris now showed a different boldness compared to Keivrand.
There was no assumption in her words. It was as if she’s referring to a prophecy that’ll happen after witnessing it herself.
It was precise and clear.
“But we don’t have much time, Your Highness. Please come to a decision and tell me within a month. Then you’ll have more money than you’ve ever thought possible investing in Bourgeoisie Woburn.”
“You know what I need. And you know why I need it.”
“Yes.”
“Okay, Iris. I’ll take a proper look into Bourgeoisie Woburn. But if you’re wrong, no matter how much you’re my friend’s wife, you’ll be punished for deceiving me.”
“Of course.”
Iris didn’t look scared at all. Iobet felt like he was playing a game in front of a very strong opponent.
“Do you have any other advice? Even small.”
“Small advice…”
Iris, who had tilted her head slightly to the side, soon spoke with an elegant smile.
“Britney isn’t a good woman. A better woman will appear who will be of more help to Your Highness.”
* * *
Iris left after saying, ‘I’ll leave you two alone since there’s probably things you two want to talk about.’
After Iris left, silence fell in the room for a while. Iobet folded his arms and tapped his forearm with his index finger while silently staring at his old friend.
‘What are the odds that Keivrand and his wife have turned to the second prince’s side, and have cut a deal with Woburn and Lacozen?’
He didn’t know. It wasn’t uncommon for the right-hand man to betray his master due to various reasons.
“Kei. You haven’t betrayed me, have you?”
“Your highness, don’t tell me you think I’m on the side of the second prince. Him and I aren’t compatible by nature.”
“I know that, but…I don’t know about your wife. She’s incredibly confident. But it’s weird. You know I don’t trust anyone that easily. That’s what I learned growing up.”
“Mhm.”
“Your wife, can she use magic?”
“Is there still the kind of magic left to gain other people’s trust?”
Iobet shook his head.
“You’ve found a great woman, Kei. If Woburn is ready to stab me in the back like Iris says…I’ll envy you for the rest of my life.”
Keivrand smiled smugly. It was annoying, so Iobet picked up a cushion next to him and threw it at him.
Turning his head slightly to avoid it, Keivrand spoke.
“It’s natural you’re suspicious. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn’t believe Iris’ story without doubts. So investigate. What Woburn is doing behind your back.”
“I’m thinking about it right now. By the way, what did she mean when she said Britney isn’t a good woman? Isn’t it good for Iris, the sister, if Britney becomes my wife?”
“That part, um. Iobet.”
Keivrand looked into Iobet’s eyes.
“Iris isn’t the flower of Duke Whittle. She has never been and will never be the flower of Duke Whittle.”
Keivrand spoke strongly with a lower voice than usual. Iobet understood what he was trying to say with just that.
‘They’re trying to cut ties with Duke Whittle.’
Iobet wondered why Iris wanted to cut ties with her family, but he decided not to ask because it was a personal matter. It was enough to know that the Green family was trying to cut ties with the Whittle family.
If he had to choose between the two, of course it was the Green family. Not because Keivrand is his friend, but because anyone would make that choice.
“Okay, Kei. Please give my thanks to Countess Green for the advice.”
* * *
Returning to the room, Iris looked down at the black stone in her hand.
The black stone was an ordinary stone that could be picked up anywhere.
The notable thing was the little black ore that shines darker between the black stone, as if it was absorbing light.
It was Metherium.
Metherium is an ore that can hold mana for a very long time and is used as a material for mana stones. It’s possible to make mana stones without Metherium, but it would easily break or damage if ordinary ores were used.
On the other hand, mana stone processed with Metherium can be used for a very long time.
The problem is that Metherium is hard to come by and the price was enormous because there aren’t many in reserves.
Even with 10 gold coins, it was hard to even get Metherium the size of a fingernail.
Iris twirled the black stone on a table.
‘The Crown Prince has a month.’
Iris needed a bourgeoisie too. She knew a good one, but she didn’t have enough money to open a deal with that bourgeoisie right now. Under these circumstances, the Crown Prince will be useful in opening a deal with that bourgeoisie.
She could have mentioned that bourgeoisie’s name today, but she had decided to postpone it until their next meeting. She wanted to tell Iobet the name when he needed it the most, so as to appear as if she’s giving up her cards.
It was to make it appear like even though she needed it, she was willing to let him know.
It was better to give advice in this position.
‘Now that the Crown Prince knows what to investigate, the issue of Woburn will be revealed in no time. And since he doesn’t want to help the second prince, he’ll come find me on his own.’
In a month, the Crown Prince will be needed.
Iris was convinced that the Crown Prince will come soon, even if she hadn’t set a date.
She sat slanted by the window, leaning her back against the window frame as she looked up at the sky.
In the dark blue sky, it was a bright night with a full moon hanging above. The night sky embroidered with stars was especially beautiful.
‘In my previous life, I had rarely looked up at the sky this leisurely.’
If Christina knew, she’d have told her to go to bed early for a healthier skin tomorrow, however, she couldn’t sleep.
‘I’m a little excited.’
After she learned that she had regressed, she painted a big picture in her head.
She thought it would be difficult to turn the painting that only existed in her head into reality.
It was easier than she had thought.
An invisible power seemed to be helping her.
Click-
With the door opening, Keivrand came into the room.
“Iobet told me to give you his thanks for the advice.”
Keivrand said as he walked toward Iris. Standing next to her, he looked up at the sky.
“It’s already a full moon. No wonder…”
Keivrand muttered to himself.
“Irie, would you like to come out with me? Oh, do you need to go to bed early for tomorrow?”
“It’s okay.”
She wondered where Keivrand was going. Holding his hand, she came down from the window frame.
“It was great to see you not intimidated in front of Iobet. He’s envious of me.”
“Because you have a wife like me?”
“Yes. I was very flattered. I didn’t expect I would feel flattered because of my wife’s ability and not mine.”
The two left the main building holding hands tightly.
Iris liked this feeling of their fingers clasped tightly together.
No matter where or when she fell, she felt like he was going to support her.
“By the way, where are we going?”
“Where there are no people.”
“Such a place?”
She asked, looking up at Keivrand. He also turned his head and made eye contact with her.
Was it just her imagination? His grayish-blue eyes were shining more densely than usual.
“A secret act I can’t show anyone.”
A strange low pitched voice swept across Iris’ ears.
Her face turned red.
“Secret act…”
“Let’s go, Irie.”
Keivrand hurried his steps.
The word ‘secret act’ conjured up various skin-colored pictures and filled Iris’ head. The act, which men and women do in places where there is no one, frightened her.
But strangely, she wasn’t afraid now. Rather, sweet expectations rose and flowed through her blood vessels as it warmed up her whole body. Her heart was beating faster than usual. Feeling her mouth becoming dry, she gulped and swallowed a dry saliva.
Instead of the front door of the mansion, Keivrand went out through a small door and headed for the dense forest. It was a place a little far from the lake, where trees and various plants were thick enough to be dark during the day.
Shuwah-
The sound of the leaves grazing the wind stimulated her hearing.
The deeper they went, the higher the bushes appeared, until it reached the height of her chest. The more they walked through the bushes, the faster Iris’ heart beat.
What the hell is he doing?
How far are they going?
Is he trying to do it here?
Suddenly, Keivrand stopped walking and pulled Iris’ wrist. He grabbed her waist, which was dragged sideways, and made her lower her posture.
“Don’t make a sound, Irie.”
Of course she’ll try not to make a sound.
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But can she really not make a sound?
Keivrand’s breath against her cheek was already making her groan reflexively.
The mere sight of his silhouette was making her breathless.
== Translator’s Note ==
1. Please report any typos, grammatical/spelling errors, sentences you find weird, and other etc…in the comment section .