Chapter 62

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 62

Chapter Title: Medicine and the Banquet

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At the same time, within the Hopf Merchant House in the capital's shopping district.

With the help of an alchemist, Celia—who was no longer in her youthful form but disguised as a hunched elderly noblewoman—was reviewing the Hopf Merchant House's ledgers.

"Deputy Leader."

The man who approached her glanced around cautiously before lowering his voice.

"We're running low on stock for the Luminous medicine."

It was Curtis, her acquaintance who had once brought her bounty money to the Duvered greenhouse.

"I told the magic engineer to hurry and cultivate the flowers and bring them over. Refine them immediately upon arrival."

"Yes, ma'am. Oh, and the leader instructed us to keep a close eye on the doctors."

He handed Celia a letter from the leader, Leblain.

The letter stated: Ensure the doctors prioritize healing over profit, and from now on, sell slightly less medicine to distributors than usual.

Curtis, who read the letter alongside her, spoke up.

"Why suddenly reduce sales volume? Popularity is growing by the day. Increasing distribution could bring in a fortune."

"Who knows. All I know is that the leader never issues careless orders."

Curtis let out a short hum before nodding.

He didn't know or even suspect the true identity of the Hopf Merchant House's leader, but he knew she was an extraordinary person.

Just as she seemed to foresee disasters like famines and floods in advance, following her words allowed the merchant house to avoid dangers and amass immense wealth.

Truly remarkable instincts.

Even before the merchant house launched, she had acquired the Spinelle landfill—an act that spoke of her tremendous capital.

She had to be nobility, yet she understood the sentiments of the workers. She never treated them poorly.

Generous rewards and firm punishments made managing workers—usually a headache for other merchant houses—far easier.

With wages and benefits higher than competitors, loyalty grew daily, and applicants overflowed.

The merchant house even had a Leader Admirer Club.

"By the way, did you find the person the leader asked about?"

"I have a few suspects, but the information isn't solid enough to confirm."

"Find them by any means necessary. We can't disappoint the leader."

Celia, president of the Leader Admirer Club, glared fiercely.

The day of the banquet.

After getting fully dressed, I descended the stairs.

The moment I saw Dad and my brothers waiting at the bottom, I let out an awed "Wow!"

The three of them, dressed to the nines, were dazzling beyond belief.

I'd seen them in formal attire several times before and been impressed each time, but now I realized those were just standard outfits—not their full effort.

The Duvered symbol: silvery white hair like a brilliant, icy winter, and deep, translucent blue eyes.

High, straight noses, neatly set eyes, and slightly sharp gazes.

Not just their looks—they were all tall with sleek, panther-like builds, so any clothes suited them perfectly.

But custom-made, luxurious, and uniquely splendid formal wear? It was enough to overwhelm anyone who saw them.

"You all look so cool!"

Dad chuckled softly, lightly stroking my cheek.

"And you're absolutely adorable."

This wasn't just empty flattery.

In my previous three lives, hardship had ruined my face, so no one ever called me pretty.

A skinny frame with bones jutting out ugly, facial blemishes from malnutrition, and a bushy, uneven haircut from skimping on beauty expenses.

No matter how kindly you looked, I wasn't pretty.

But in this life, thanks to the devoted care from the Duvered servants and retainers, I was completely different.

My body had filled out nicely without any protruding bones, my skin was smooth and flawless, and even my former complex—my curly hair—was lush and perfect without a single split end.

On top of that, I wore a dress Melbaine had poured her heart into, along with cute lace ribbons and shoes.

In the mirror, I looked like a fairly cute little lady raised delicately in a wealthy household.

This is the miracle of capital.

I giggled at the thought.

"Shall we go?"

Henri asked, and I nodded.

We rode in the carriage to the banquet hall. The venue for the empire's grand Sowing Festival—one of its three major events—was the imperial palace's open hall.

At the hall's entrance, the herald's voice rang out announcing our arrival.

All eyes turned to us at once.

I'd attended the Sowing Festival as the duke's daughter in my past life too, but it was always nerve-wracking.

The sharp gazes of those at the pyramid's apex scanned me head to toe, as if appraising.

And then there's...

I clenched my sweaty hands tightly.

Duke Amities and Duke Ballua weren't attending this year's banquet.

Duke Amities rarely appeared at such events, much like Duke Duvered, and Duke Ballua had rushed back to his territory due to flooding.

I knew that, but the fear of running into them still parched my throat. My trauma was flaring, putting me in unprecedented tension.

Calm down. Today's goal is the Empress Dowager.

Just meet her and leave.

Dad and my brothers were already surrounded by people.

Dad wore his usual impassive expression, Henri smiled as he conversed, and Ishak looked thoroughly irritated.

I need to mingle too...

Usually, one's mother would introduce her to peers, but without a mother, I hesitated awkwardly.

Then, the herald's booming voice echoed.

"Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Dowager!"

The crowd parted to the walls like the Red Sea.

Henri gently tugged my arm to keep me from getting swept away.

"Glory to the empire's mother!"

"Glory."

Someone led the salute, and everyone bowed to her.

"Thank you for coming to my party."

The smiling Empress Dowager left people exchanging awkward glances.

Oh no, not again today...

Strictly speaking, she was hosting the Sowing Festival, but this was an imperial event.

Not her party.

With her kindly, gentle face, it was easy to miss at first, but the Empress Dowager had a penchant for showing off. And she was quite ambitious, subtly boasting her authority like this.

The Emperor would be rubbing his forehead—or clutching his neck.

"Oh my, the Child of Destiny."

Her gaze turned to me, drawing everyone's attention.

"Come here, child. Come."

She beckoned, and I instinctively looked around. Henri gave a small nod.

I carefully walked through the parted crowd to her.

"Glory to the empire's mother."

I curtsied and looked up at the Empress Dowager.

I'd win this old woman's heart completely during this capital trip.

The Empress Dowager took my hand with a kindly expression.

"You've grown so much. Goodness, truly so much."

In my past life, I'd seen her often, but in this one, Duvered's firm refusal and close protection had kept even a single hair of mine from her sight.

"To think the empire's savior grew this much without my watch—how could I ever face the gods after death?"

Awkwardness rippled through the onlookers' eyes once more.

It wasn't proper for imperial family members to discuss gods publicly.

The empire wasn't a theocracy ruled by the Pope. Even as the state religion, Neriad faith wasn't mandatory.

But if royals endorsed the temple, it forced faith on the people.

Moreover, her words could be seen as a slight against Duke Duvered.

Hmm, the Emperor would grab his neck, not just his forehead.

I skillfully hid my thoughts and smiled.

"I wanted to see you, Your Majesty. I barely remember from long ago. I was so excited to meet you, and you're waay cooler than I imagined—my heart's pounding!"

I spoke in an exaggerated childish tone to avoid seeming like flattery.

As intended, the Empress Dowager beamed with delight.

"How can she speak so well? I worried she'd turn out misunderstood under Duke Duvered, but that was hasty of me."

"Y-Your Majesty."

Her lady-in-waiting called in dismay, but the Empress Dowager ignored her.

"Now, now. Sit beside me. Tell me how you've been."

A low child's chair was placed next to the seat prepared for the Empress Dowager.

I sat and chatted amiably with her.

"And then, Young Master Constance got caught cheating."

"Really, kids these days are something else."

She lightly touched her cheek and shook her head.

But despite her words, she was hooked. Proof: her flushed cheeks and quickened breath.

People of her stature had no one to share lowly gossip with.

In the boring palace, hearing fresh tales from me must have been thrilling.

That's why I asked Laura for the juiciest scandals.

Mina had told me in my first life.

Her world had morning dramas—pure soap opera scandals. And no adult hated them. They cursed them upfront but secretly watched.

Of course, I prepared temple-friendly topics for the Empress Dowager too.

"During service, a lady's stomach hurt so bad. She desperately needed the restroom but couldn't leave. So during the hymn, she let out a fart—pfft! And the priest told the musicians, 'The trumpeter was especially bold today.'"

"Ohoho—!"

A classic temple joke.

I couldn't see the humor, but templegoers found it hilarious.

"Services are always so long—it's tough. Us old folks suffer sometimes."

Hm, empathy humor.

"Chatting with you is so enjoyable, little one. It's been ages since I laughed like this."

The crowd, who had been glancing our way, looked shocked at her joy.

The Empress Dowager lived exactly as she pleased, but she rarely showed open fondness like this.

"Come play at the palace next time."

Perfect, the line I wanted.

I put on a deliberately sullen face.

"But if priests come, Dad will be upset."

Everyone knew the rift between Duvered and the temple—and the Empress Dowager especially.

Understanding, she nodded.

"I won't call priests when you visit."

"Really? Wow! I've always wanted to see the palace where Your Majesty lives."

More precisely, the private space to check her skin condition.

I needed to see how much her skin ailment had improved to manipulate her away from the temple.

Hiding my true intent, I smiled brightly.

Then, she checked her watch and stood with an "Oh my."

"Wait a moment. It's time for my medicine."

She extended her hand to her lady-in-waiting, who pulled a small vial from her bosom.

In my first and second lives, the Empress Dowager was healthy at this time—save for her skin condition.

Yet she was taking medicine?

"Your Majesty, are you ill? It makes me so sad you're taking medicine."

I drooped my brows dramatically, and she chuckled.

"No need to worry. It's the elixir of youth. A rather embarrassing name."

What?

I never sold that much at once.

"I know. I heard retainers talking. It's from the Hopf Merchant House, right?"

Playing ignorant, I watched her bite the bait.

"Not Hopf. It's a new medicine from the temple."

"I wanna see! Can you show me?"

"How could I refuse the empire's future hero?"

Evidently taken with me, she handed over the vial without hesitation.

I sniffed it, checked the color—and froze.

Not a new temple medicine. This is my medicine.

Just repackaged.

The temple had stolen my formula.