TRETTHD 101

#101. A Burdensome Existence

Vellia hurriedly got out of bed and examined the map spread across her desk.

It was a map centered on the Empire, but it also included the Shupel region and even a rough outline of neighboring countries.

“Near Shupel… yes, there it is.”

Her finger slid along the road drawn on the map.

Following the road near the site of the landslide would lead directly into the Kingdom of Ronica. But if one instead took the narrow path leading the other way…

“The Holy Kingdom.”

Among the choices they could have made in that perilous moment, the Holy Kingdom was the most likely refuge.

As soon as the Emperor and Raul discovered Khalid’s sword, they seemed convinced he must have perished in the collapse.

Yet, no matter how large the landslide, timing the collapse so precisely would not have been easy. It was entirely possible he had narrowly escaped.

Still, since Khalid’s sword was discovered within the landslide, there was no denying he had been there when it struck. Which meant…

“…The bracelet.”

That was likely what saved them.

It was the same bracelet that had once preserved lives even amid a collapsed building. And now that it contained a highly purified magic stone, it might well have shielded all of them, even in a landslide.

Vellia let out a deep breath.

The greatest problem was that she could no longer speak with Derrick, her most reliable ally in this situation.

Her movements were severely limited. The Marquisate of Capri had no resources to spare, and involving the Ducal House of Tessa would draw far too many eyes.

She needed someone unexpected—someone Raul and the Emperor would never think of.

Even if she managed to deploy the Runess for reconnaissance, what came after would be the real problem.

Tok, tok.

Her fingers tapped the desk in steady rhythm.

“…The Grand Duke of Errington.”

Khalid had once mentioned that he had secured the North’s cooperation.

The Grand Duke of Errington was said to rarely leave his territory. Perhaps he could act quietly, beyond the Emperor’s and Raul’s reach.

Khalid may already have been in contact with him.

The Holy Kingdom never interfered in the internal affairs of other nations.

As a symbolic place on the continent, they could not openly meddle in the quarrels of imperial princes. At most, they might aid Khalid and his knights, but nothing beyond that.

“Geographically, the Holy Kingdom is also much closer to the North.”

A faint light of hope returned to Vellia’s face.

Just then, her maid’s quiet voice came from beyond the door.

“Your Highness, a merchant has arrived, claiming he brings jewels that you yourself ordered. Is there perhaps an item you have not spoken of to us?”

“…Jewels? What could that mean?”

“He said you would understand once you saw the letter first…”

Perplexed, Vellia told the maid to come in.

The maid entered cautiously, carrying a blue letter and wearing a troubled expression.

“Forgive me for disturbing you when your health is not well, Your Highness.”

“It’s fine. The letter?”

“Here.”

Taking the letter, Vellia studied it carefully. It was blue, sealed in gold with the imprint of a fox holding a branch in its mouth.

Her hand trembled ever so slightly.

“The merchant who delivered this… is he still here?”

“Yes. He’s waiting.”

“Bring him in.”

The moment she saw the emblem, Vellia unconsciously covered her mouth, stifling a sharp breath.

It was a design she recognized—not from this life, but from the one before.

“Why is this here…?”

It was the mark of the mysterious benefactor who had supported her until the very end of her previous life.

He had been the one who first informed her of Herald’s death, when she was imprisoned in the imperial palace.

Drawing the letter open, her expression stiff, Vellia gave a hollow laugh.

There was nothing written inside.

For a fleeting moment, she wondered if the one who sent it, like Raul, had regained his memories.

But if he had truly remembered everything, he would not have contacted her so openly. That person, back then, had been far more cautious.

Vellia examined the letter again.

“Am I meant to understand only by the seal? There’s hardly enough to go on…”

Gathering her thoughts, she quickly made her way to the reception room.

When she opened the door, a lean man stood waiting, bowing politely.

“Greetings, Your Highness, Consort of the Second Prince. I am Bill Ginette, head of the Arie Trading Company.”

She had never seen him before. Not even his name was familiar.

With a faintly awkward smile, Vellia greeted him.

“I hear you’ve brought jewels I supposedly ordered.”

“Yes, from long ago. In case you had forgotten, I was told to give you the letter first.”

He pushed a box across the table toward her.

Opening it carefully, Vellia’s breath caught.

“This is…”

“A blue sapphire,” he said.

An enormous gem gleamed within. Its value was unmistakable.

But Vellia had never been fond of luxuries, and she certainly would not have ordered something like this herself.

“You must be mistaken. I never ordered such a jewel.”

Closing the box, she handed it back.

“That cannot be.”

Bill’s mild smile lingered as his gaze remained fixed on her. Then, as though offering a hint, he added,

“Our company’s emblem is the fox. Not just any fox, but the silver fox that dwells only in the coldest, snowbound places. The branch it holds is said, symbolically, to be one of the World Tree’s.”

At this, Vellia’s eyes widened.

“…Are you a man of the Grand Duke of Errington?”

Bill nodded. Then, with a light chuckle, he said,

“Before I came here, His Grace and I made a little wager. He insisted that Your Highness would recognize him from the emblem alone.”

Vellia glanced again at the letter’s seal. Unlike a common fox, its fur was depicted thick and plush.

Still, it was no easy task to link that image to the Grand Duke of Errington. No wonder, in her past life, she had never discovered who her benefactor truly was.

She stared at the fox holding the branch. Could it really have been the Grand Duke all along? But why?

Carrying her unanswered questions, she asked,

“When did you begin using this emblem?”

“Since the founding of the Arie Company. His Grace himself designed it.”

“…I see.”

Whatever had transpired in her past life, there was only one reason the Grand Duke would seek her out now. If her deduction was right…

“Did His Grace send any message for me?”

Bill’s grin widened.

“With the blue sapphire, the price has been paid. Fulfill the contract.”

“Contract?” Vellia tilted her head.

“I know nothing more. I simply do as instructed. And…”

His eyes shifted to the sapphire box.

“The other item Your Highness ordered will soon arrive of its own accord.”

Vellia’s eyes flew wide.

“Do you mean…”

Was he hinting that Khalid was at the Grand Duke’s side?

She longed to ask if he was safe.

But the fear of what she might hear pressed down on her like lead.

“I cannot say more,” Bill replied with a smile, rising to his feet.

He remarked, with a sly tone, how he had been thoroughly searched before entering the Second Prince’s palace—every inch of the box and jewel inspected.

“The First Prince’s men are watching this residence closely. I am only a humble merchant delivering goods. I need coin for my troubles to make it look convincing.”

Concern darkened Vellia’s face.

“I hope His Grace won’t suffer repercussions from this.”

“Fear not. Within the company, I alone know of our ties to His Grace. We wander constantly, without a fixed base, so no one will easily link me to him.”

“That is a relief.”

Taking the sapphire box, Vellia rose.

“Wait here. I’ll have my maid deliver your payment.”

“Thank you.”

As she watched his faint smile, Vellia hesitated. Then, forcing the words out, she asked,

“…And the other item I ordered—is it safe?”

Bill nodded silently, smiling.

Her throat constricted. It took a swallow before she could whisper,

“…I understand. Then please, return safely.”

“It was an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

Leaving his bow behind, Vellia clutched the box to her chest and returned to her room.

Two months had passed since Khalid’s disappearance.

The search, halted briefly, had resumed but dragged on fruitlessly.

Rumors that the Second Prince was dead spread quietly among the people.

Whenever Vellia appeared at charity events, the crowd grew hushed. Though they tried not to speak, their whispers reached her ears with piercing clarity.

Vellia held herself with composure.

Yet even that composure made it seem she refused to believe in her husband’s death, and many wept privately after seeing her.

In the council, arguments arose over her fate.

—Princess Vellia, now widowed, should be sent back to Ronica.
—No. She has ties here now. Even if the Second Prince’s death is declared, she must remain in the Empire.
—She is part of the Imperial Family. Sending her away would endanger the alliance with Ronica.

Words swirled endlessly around her.

To the common folk, she was an object of pity. To the nobles, she was an unwanted burden.

It was in this climate that a royal celebration was announced.

The annual festival gave thanks for the harvest, but in practice it was nothing more than a grand party. And this year, despite the scandal surrounding the Second Prince’s rumored death, the festivities went ahead.

All eyes turned to Vellia.

“My, I didn’t think she’d dare show her face at the party…”

“But haven’t you heard the rumor? They say she tried to seduce the First Prince, the very one who once proposed to her, as soon as the Second Prince went missing…”

“Oh my, truly?”

Baseless whispers spread like wildfire.

Vellia walked slowly through the crowd, mounting the dais.

She didn’t need to strain to hear what the ladies were murmuring behind their half-hidden fans.

She only raised her chin higher. She would not bow her head.

“Oh my, welcome, Your Highness, Consort of the Second Prince.”

Ellyn, already seated on the dais as the First Prince’s fiancée, greeted her with an overly warm smile—then added a mocking barb.

“Or perhaps I should call you Princess Vellia once again?”