Chapter 43

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 43

Chapter Title: Elise and Lucas (2)

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When Elise emerged from her bath, Lucas had already left the Jade Palace. The maid helping her get dressed spoke up.

"His Highness the Crown Prince asked me to tell you he'd like you to join him for lunch at the Crown Prince's Palace."

"Got it."

Elise passed the time sketching by the roaring fireplace.

Gania was colder than Kanta, enough that she shivered unless she stayed close to the hearth. The people of Gania were used to it, but for Elise, who had lived in Kanta, the Gania winter felt downright terrifying.

When lunchtime arrived, Elise checked her appearance one last time and headed to the Crown Prince's Palace. As she opened the dining room door and pretended to cough delicately, Lucas hurried over and pulled her into an embrace.

"Gania's winter must be too harsh for you. I'll have to make sure they prepare only warm dishes."

"No, Your Highness. I can eat anything."

"I have no intention of letting you settle for just anything."

Lucas summoned a servant and ordered only hot dishes, then seated Elise at the table. Steaming plates with mouthwatering aromas were brought out one by one.

As they ate, Lucas said,

"Elin, I got Father's permission today."

Elise paused with her fork midway to her mouth and turned to him. Lucas smiled at her, beautiful as a painting.

"I told you, didn't I? I'd get his approval no matter what. Father acknowledges your contributions, so he agreed to that much as a reward."

"You mean...?"

"Yes, you're the lord of Kingteren now."

The moment he finished speaking, Elise jumped up, rushed over, and settled onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in the nape of his neck.

He chuckled heartily.

"That happy, huh?"

"Of course. How could I not be thrilled that my lord has listened to my humble wish and made it come true?"

"'My lord'? You do have a way with words."

After kissing her, he murmured wistfully,

"But have you really made up your mind? I'd prefer if you stayed here in the palace and became my wife."

"Of course I'd love to stay close to you and attend you every day, Your Highness. But if I became Crown Princess like this, there would be voices of discontent."

"Who would dare oppose my will? I decide who my wife will be."

"I'm from Kanta."

"That's no issue at all. Do you think I can't protect even you?"

"Of course you could protect me with ease, Your Highness. But I want to be more than just a woman who leans on you—I want to be one who strengthens you. If I develop Kingteren and contribute even a little to Gania, then someday I can stand proudly at your side."

He laughed, deeply satisfied by her clever words. Admiration and affection lit up his handsome face, and Elise watched with relief.

"You're so clever. That's why I like you."

"More, Your Highness. Love me even more."

Her pleading voice tickled Lucas. They were in the dining room, but he didn't care—he laid her back on the table.

Elise whispered endearments to him in a coquettish voice, but her eyes gleamed cold and blue.

'I won't live and die as a woman trapped in the Jade Palace, waiting for Lucas's visits. I'll climb higher and shine brilliantly.'

Like Roxiana. Like Kanta's princess, loved by all just for existing.

'Kingteren will be the stepping stone. I'll make money there and build my own people.'

To become Gania's highest and noblest woman, Elise was prepared to do anything.

'And if I rely only on that man's help, someday I could become the most radiant and noble woman on this continent.'

Elise didn't hesitate to leave the Jade Palace.

The instant she received the document confirming her as lord of Kingteren, she packed her things and boarded a carriage. Though reluctant, Lucas provided her with a few clever aides and knights to assist.

The baggage wagons loaded with the countless dresses and jewels he'd gifted her, along with her own carriage, set off toward Kingteren City.

Elise was dozing off in the carriage when she suddenly sensed someone else inside. Her eyes snapped open. She spotted a man seated across from her, his hood pulled low, and broke into a bright smile.

"Retin."

The man called Retin grinned slyly.

His real name was Retrochica, a black mage Lucas had secretly hired to keep at his side. Few knew that he had used his powers to manipulate the magical beasts, paving the way for Kanta's downfall.

"You've finally gotten what you wanted, Lady."

"Yes, thanks to your advice."

Retrochica had advised Elise, "To win the Crown Prince's heart, you can't rely on looks alone." He'd also shared, "Kingteren isn't large, but as a transportation hub, it has great potential for growth."

It was thanks to Retrochica that Elise had decided on Kingteren as her base.

"I can't tell you how reassuring it is to have you on my side."

Elise spoke in a sultry voice as she stroked his cheek. The rough, pockmarked skin made her stomach churn, but she kept her radiant smile firmly in place.

He narrowed his eyes in bliss and let out a groan. Feeling like bugs were crawling up her arm, Elise whispered,

"What should I do now, Retin?"

"Just grow Kingteren as I advised. Soon, I'll bring you a grand gift. That child has plenty of talent—far more than me... Heh heh heh. Heh heh."

His eerie laughter sent chills down her spine, and she bit her lower lip hard. His toad-like face peeked briefly from under the hood.

He quickly pulled it back down to cover himself and continued.

"That child will serve as your loyal dog in my stead, since I can't stay by your side. I'll train it to lick your feet or roll over on command."

"It would be nice if you could stay with me."

Elise said words she didn't mean.

She knew Retrochica was bound to Lucas by a forbidden soul contract, so he couldn't leave him for her side.

Of course, having him around would be incredibly reassuring, but enduring that ugly face and fawning every day seemed unbearable.

Retrochica licked his thick upper lip regretfully.

"Someday, Lady."

Retrochica reached out and lifted her wrist. As his lips touched the back of her hand, Elise barely suppressed the urge to jerk away in disgust.

"Someday, definitely."

+++

The grand Star Festival lasted a full month before ending, and the year turned to January.

Torkan was now fully in the grip of winter.

The people of Torkan bundled up tightly, complaining of the cold, but Roxiana—who had lived in even harsher climes—couldn't understand the fuss. Torkan's midwinter felt like early winter in Kanta.

Everyone she passed nagged her: "Princess, you need to dress warmer," "You'll catch a cold," "Dressing like that in this weather could be dangerous." As a result, Roxiana spent her days layered in a thick dress and several outer garments, feeling a bit overheated.

In the meantime, Floyd had been too busy dealing with refugees from the burned forest to see much, and Roxiana had been equally occupied, hardly noticing his absence.

'First things first: recover my health and build my stamina.'

She vividly remembered the ordeal after her kidnapping on the way back from the Grand Temple—the days of exhaustion. No matter what happened or what situation she faced, she needed the endurance not to falter.

'If I get stronger, using the spirits' power should become easier too.'

No records existed on how spirit mages handled or utilized spirits. Most who knew had died long ago, and Roxiana's mother—who had barely preserved the lineage—only knew how to converse with them, not harness their power.

Last time, Roxiana had forcibly drawn Undine into her body and used her strength. She recalled Undine's words as she was pulled in.

-This is insane. How are you doing this...? Roti, you'll really die. Accepting us like this will freeze you solid!

So there must be another way, but it seemed the spirits had no intention of teaching it to her fragile body.

'How does the Grand Duke endure it?'

Roxiana was convinced the "mad existence" Floyd mentioned was a fire spirit.

She had nearly frozen to death after briefly using Undine, yet Floyd housed a fire spirit in his body every day without showing a hint of fatigue.

'Is it his stamina? But that doesn't seem to be the only reason...'

Roxiana had asked the spirits several times.

-Sorry, Roti. We can't talk about Floyd.

-You're different from Floyd.

-You're too weak. Putting us in that frail body would shave years off your life.

-We want you to live long and happy.

The spirits only said what they wanted, never giving her the answers she sought. Even Undine, when summoned, would prattle on about other things before vanishing.

This only made Roxiana more anxious.

Lucas and Elise undoubtedly had a black mage on their side. There was no other explanation for how they had manipulated the magical beasts to devour Kanta.