ELND Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Please Grant Me My Wish

A few hours after entering the capital’s futures exchange…

I was leaving the trading hall after completing my transactions.

“Your Highness Bianca, you successfully acquired the item you wanted, but you don’t seem happy. Why is that?”

Adrian, who had been quietly observing my face, asked cautiously.

I looked up at him with drooping eyes, on the verge of tears.

“Adrian… I think this investment is a total loss…”

“What? What do you mean by that?”

By now, all the competitors had left, and the lobby was empty.

Standing in the middle, I lowered my head and let out heavy sighs.

‘Why hasn’t Anton Baker shown up?’

Of course, it was normal for the story to twist a little after possession.

Usually, that meant the male lead might fall for the woman he possessed, or the heroine might suddenly turn into a villain…

But changing the entire economic flow like this?

Ugh! I grabbed my hair in frustration and shivered in disbelief.

Adrian seemed to ignore my tantrum, rolling his eyes elsewhere.

“Ahem… Your Highness Bianca, you should proceed to the office to finalize the transaction.”

“Ah, do I have to go?”

“…You don’t have to. But either way, a notice demanding the remaining payment will arrive addressed to Your Highness.”

So no matter what, the investment couldn’t be canceled.

I sank into despair.

‘I’m ruined. Completely ruined! I don’t even have a scrap of extra funds left! I won’t even be able to run the welfare foundation properly, and the half-demon community will be angry with me again…’

As Adrian led me reluctantly toward the office, tears streaming down my face…

“Uh…”

A sudden figure appeared, and I instinctively raised my eyes.

“What’s this?”

As I mentioned before, Rebecca may be beautiful, but her expression isn’t very friendly.

And with her head lowered and eyes peeking out, she looked several times more intimidating.

“Huh… eek!”

A strange young man—or rather, a boy—suddenly had a panic attack.

“I-I apologize, Your Highness Bianca! I’m so sorry!”

The youth bowed repeatedly, apologizing like a madman.

Short brown hair, paper-white skin, emerald-green eyes, and an almost sickly, timid impression.

He nervously adjusted his broken-rimmed glasses, fixed with cloth tape, trembling at the shoulders.

I stared at the thick book clutched to his chest, titled “Investing in Demon World Gifts: How to Succeed!”

‘He looks about Mina’s age… maybe a college student at the Capital University? But why is he approaching me?’

Just as I was scanning him warily…

“P-Pardon me for saying this…”

The boy squeezed his eyes shut, then gathered his courage and shouted loudly:

“I’ve been waiting for Your Highness Bianca to appear here!”

“Me?”

He nodded vigorously, his face glowing like someone meeting a beloved celebrity.

“Yes! I knew that the esteemed investing genius, Your Highness the Duchess of Twins, could never fail to recognize the true value of this item!”

Apparently, after a newspaper article praising my investment skills, a few people had come to admire me—and this boy was one of them.

‘But what a mess. Now the so-called investing genius is looking like a total fool, haha…’

I gave him a completely expressionless smile.

“If it’s not too rude, could you sign this for me, Your Highness Bianca?”

He opened the first page of the book and handed me a pen.

‘What is this, a fan meeting scenario?’

I blinked in surprise.

“Please, I beg you, Your Highness!”

He let out a long breath as if trying to restrain his overflowing emotions and continued:

“Having Your Highness Bianca sign this would be an honor my family may never see again!”

His green eyes sparkled eagerly.

Caught up in his devoted enthusiasm, I took the pen almost unconsciously.

“Alright, I’ll do it. Just calm down first…”

Swish—swish—.

I scribbled a large signature across the page, and his eyes shone even brighter.

“Could you also write my name? It would be even better if you wrote ‘Beloved’ in front, hehe…”

Oh, what a lot of requests. My mood was already sour…

I glanced at him, then adjusted my grip on the pen.

“Fine. What’s your name?”

“I-I am…”

The boy exhaled nervously before speaking again.

“My name is Anton.”

I raised my head in disbelief.

“…What?”

He looked slightly intimidated, mumbling as if my asking was due to not hearing him.

He averted his gaze, smiled sheepishly, and answered:

“Anton Baker. That’s my name, Your Highness Bianca.”

Inside a café on Deltain Street.

I sipped my tea, sneaking glances at Anton.

“So you’re… Anton?”

He gave an awkward smile and nodded.

“Yes, Your Highness Bianca. Are you checking my name over and over because you suspect something about me?”

“….”

“I’m just an ordinary undergrad at the Capital Royal University…”

Anton hesitated, glancing at me.

“No, it’s not that I suspect anything.”

I cleared my throat and took another sip of tea.

‘So the future investing genius Anton Baker is actually such a timid-looking young man…’

Imagining the sharp-minded investor I expected, I was increasingly surprised.

But if he truly is the Anton Baker, I should try to establish some rapport in advance.

I forced a friendly smile and continued the conversation.

“Anton, how did you become interested in futures investment?”

“Oh, that’s…”

I asked casually, but Anton’s eyes glinted with determination over his glasses.

“This… is why!”

Suddenly, his timid voice became resolute.

He threw the investment book he had been clutching onto the table and began rummaging through his bag.

Soon dozens of illustrated cards, scrolls, and thick books spilled onto the table.

“Wh-what is all this?”

Anton fanned several illustration cards in front of me, proudly displaying them.

“Oh? These are…?”

“Yes! Your Highness Bianca recognizes them immediately!”

Anton’s eyes sparkled again.

“These are our adorable Princess Bianca, and this is the Duke… ah, this is the former Duke and Your Highness’s cards, and oh! And this is…”

His excited voice echoed through the café as he continuously showcased his collection.

The timid boy had disappeared, replaced by an ecstatic young man.

His collection included portraits of the Duke’s family and views of Twins Castle.

All the hidden books in his bag were about half-demons.

“Anton, why do you collect these?”

He blushed and adjusted his glasses.

“Well… I’ve always admired half-demons.”

“Half-demons?”

“Yes. I was teased a lot as a child for my timid and sickly appearance. To me, half-demons…”

He inhaled deeply, excitement written all over his face.

“Strength, magic, and innate talent! Undoubtedly, half-demons are the only beings superior to humans!”

Even after praising them, he muttered, blushing: “So amazing… so amazing…”

“So Anton is a huge fan of the Demon World… or rather, he really likes it?”

He nodded vigorously.

“Yes! Naturally, I became interested in trading demon world goods as well… Hehe, you have no idea how envious I am of Your Highness, being the only human surrounded by half-demons…”

Anton peeked at me nervously as he spoke.

“Your Highness Bianca… I have a request…”

On the way to the townhouse, I couldn’t suppress my exhilaration.

Anton Baker—the future investing genius—had stumbled into my life as a devoted half-demon fan and Twins Castle fanatic.

‘Your Highness Bianca, it’s my lifelong wish! Could you take me in?’

‘Even for a short while at Twins Castle, I’d do anything! Even a humble errand boy!’

Of course, yes! Absolutely!

Later, people would pay millions just for ten minutes of conversation with him.

‘But thanks to this connection, I can get great info for free, just for knowing him?’

What a blessing!

And Anton showing up meant the item I invested in would surely become a jackpot.

I couldn’t hide my giddy smile.

“Were you really that happy to meet that young man just now?”

Adrian’s question made me awkwardly smooth my skirt.

“You didn’t expect him to be so pleased that he exchanged addresses for letters.”

“Huh? Ah… he’s cute. The young fellow wanted to meet me and followed along.”

I smiled contentedly.

Adrian watched me silently, then spoke quietly:

“I feel… jealous.”

“Huh?”

“You have the Duke, and now even a young man you’ve just met…”

A faint bitter smile appeared on his lips.

“…It’s a bit upsetting that my feelings, only for Your Highness, seem to matter so little.”

I suddenly stopped walking.

Adrian also stopped, holding the parasol closer and looking straight at me.

Jealousy…

His uncharacteristic words surprised me.

“I wasn’t trying to be inconsiderate, but Anton just now…”

Embarrassed, I rolled my eyes, when…

“Are you apologizing to me?”

Adrian’s eyes softened.

When I stayed silent, he asked again:

“A little, at least?”

After a moment, I nodded, and he stepped closer.

“Then, will you grant my wish, just like you did for that young man?”

“…You’re so weak.”

“Exactly. Despite appearances, I’m quite weak. Impatient, too.”

He smiled softly, then slowly lowered the parasol to cover both our faces.

“So, please grant me my wish.”

For a brief moment, his lips gently touched my cheek.