ELND Chapter 76

Chapter 76.

Can Treatment Really Change This Much?

“…So, it has come to this, after all.”

Though I tried not to feel this way, my eyes gradually filled with a tinge of pity as I looked at Count Dmitri.

Count Dmitri slowly nodded.

“It doesn’t seem to have happened just yet, but soon this fact will be known throughout the entire social scene. Everyone who hears it will surely laugh at me.”

A self-deprecating smile spread bitterly across Count Dmitri’s lips.

“That I, oblivious to my wife’s infidelity right in front of me, ended up squandering the family fortune that had been handed down for generations… a truly pathetic man, that’s what they’ll say.”

“Count Dmitri…”

At my voice, tinged with sympathy, he hurriedly shook his head.

“My apologies, I’ve been very rude. Coming to a celebration and talking endlessly about something like this without consideration…”

“It’s alright, Count Dmitri. I don’t think it’s rude at all. On the contrary, I’m thankful you told me.”

“Is that so…”

After a brief pause of thoughtful silence, as if snapping out of his own reverie, he hurriedly continued.

“Ah, it still feels strange to me that I am the first to share this news with none other than Your Highness, Bee.”

Count Dmitri nodded slowly, as if agreeing with himself.

“I’ve heard that Your Highness has changed greatly from before, and that, as a result, the relationship between the Duke and Duchess has improved. Seeing how comfortably you’ve shared everything… it seems the rumors were not unfounded.”

This was the exact opposite of the situation in Count Dmitri’s household, which was on the verge of divorce.

Though it could have been bitter, he smiled genuinely, as if truly happy.

“I’m relieved. At least now, I can see the true harmony between the two of you, the rightful masters of the North.”

With a gentle smile, he then looked up at the tall building of the foundation.

“Perhaps this foundation itself is a testament to your reconciliation.”

I just looked at him at that.

Was he always this kind of person?

Somehow, he seemed more at ease than when he was with Camilla.

“I only stopped by briefly. I have to attend a negotiation meeting with farmers who suffered losses due to the colored sugar cane.”

He checked his wristwatch and bowed politely.

“Then, I hope we can meet again under better circumstances.”

With that, Count Dmitri walked out of the foundation’s garden.

‘…It seems Emperor Letitz has finally followed my advice.’

From our recent conversation, I learned that the affairs and financial dealings of the late Henry had been revealed, and that Camilla and Robelia, among a few others, had become prime suspects.

It also meant that the two women were currently staying in the capital.

Though it was what I had hoped for, my heart didn’t feel entirely at ease.

I felt an unavoidable twinge of guilt as I watched Count Dmitri’s slumped figure disappear.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

Mina asked with concern.

“Yes, I just feel a bit sorry for Count Dmitri.”

At my words, Mina glanced at Count Dmitri’s back, then quickly lost interest and turned her attention back to the foundation building.

“Your Highness, why worry about that on such a wonderful day? Let’s properly explore the foundation building, shall we?”

Mina led me toward the foundation building, her face and voice full of excitement.

“Honestly, you seem to like it even more than I do.”

“Hehe, of course! Today isn’t just happy for me, but for all the half-blood demons!”

Mina rubbed her nose shyly, suddenly embarrassed.

“Moreover, the fact that Your Highness, whom I serve… is recognized as someone who truly cares for the half-blood demons… makes me secretly proud.”

Seeing her eyes glisten, I jokingly teased her.

“See? If you hadn’t become mine, that would have been a huge loss, right? Even though you hated the idea of being my personal maid that day?”

Mina wiped her eyes and smiled shyly.

“Yes, I really hated it.”

“….”

“Actually, that night I went back to the dormitory and spent the entire night making a poison that could never be detected in the human world.”

“….”

“I thought my life was ruined, hehe. I even considered using that poison if things went really badly…”

Despite the grim words, her face was awash with nostalgia and amusement.

‘Mina, so that’s how it was. She actually thought of killing me if things went wrong. Haha…’

I had thought I was used to seeing the true nature of humans thrown into the midst of half-blood demons, but perhaps I was still far from it.

Following Mina’s cheerful steps, I forced a lifeless smile as I looked at the foundation building.

“Your Highness, the first floor is the civil service desk, the second floor is the foundation office, so what is the third floor for?”

“Oh, that’s for another project we plan to run.”

“What kind of project?”

I looked back at the garden entrance, leaving the blinking Mina behind.

‘We should be arriving any moment now…’

Just as I kept looking around the entrance, the iron gates of the garden creaked open, and an old carriage entered.

A man’s upper body suddenly popped out of the carriage window.

“Your Highness! I’ve arrived! Anton is here!”

All eyes were on Anton, who waved his arms wildly in excitement.

Hearing him repeatedly call out “Your Highness,” I blushed and pressed my forehead with my hand.

But when he finally got down from the carriage, his face was even more flushed.

“Your Highness!”

He ran toward us, waving both hands.

‘I know I’m Your Highness, Anton… please stop calling me that…’

With my eyes tightly shut, I shook my head as Anton struggled to carry an enormous bundle in both hands.

He panted heavily, resting on his knees for a moment.

When he raised his head, brown hair flying, he declared:

“This Anton Baker has rushed here at once at the call of Your Highness!”

His eyes sparkled as he spoke, full of fervor.

I composed myself and smiled as I greeted him.

“You’ve traveled far, Anton. But did you really bring all that luggage at once?”

“Yes! From Twins Castle, no less! I couldn’t waste time going back and forth when I had this perfect chance to stay at the secret Dark Mansion!”

After returning to the North from the capital, I had sent Anton a letter, inviting him to work as an employee at the soon-to-be-established “Gift Investment Agency.”

The bait I set was a week-long stay at the Dark Mansion and a dinner on the first day with the Duke’s family.

As expected, Anton took the bait eagerly.

Not only that, after the promised week, he even expressed his desire to continue working as a full-time employee of the agency.

To think that Anton Baker, future investment genius, would become an employee of my investment agency…

‘What if Anton hadn’t been a half-blood demon enthusiast?’

I could almost hear the sound of money rolling in!

Just as I bit my lip to suppress a laugh, Anton suddenly grabbed my hand.

His dazzlingly bright eyes met mine, almost overwhelming me.

“This isn’t a dream, right, Your Highness? I get to be your assistant, stay at Twins Castle for a week, and work with the half-blood demons!”

He looked on the verge of tears from excitement.

Finally, Mina, who had been glaring at him with disapproval, stepped forward.

Smack!

“Who do you think you’re grabbing hands with?! Let go this instant!”

Mina’s hand swiftly swiped over Anton’s.

Though she only lightly struck, her strength—several times that of a human—was not mild.

As Anton lifted his head in surprise, their eyes met mid-air.

Gradually, a blush crept across his face.

‘Does it hurt that much?’

I thought absentmindedly and watched Mina.

“Mina, Anton will work on the third floor of this building, at the Gift Trading Investment Agency.”

“Agency employee?”

“Yes. And since he’ll stay at the Dark Mansion for a week, take him there first. Help move his luggage as well.”

Mina gave Anton a wary look, clearly unimpressed.

Pouting, she slowly nodded.

“Fine, Your Highness.”

She lifted all of Anton’s bundles with one hand—the very ones he had struggled with moments ago.

Anton’s eyes lit up as if witnessing a dream come true.

“What are you waiting for? Follow quickly!”

Mina scolded the stunned Anton.

“Looking all weak… If you’re a nuisance to Your Highness, I swear… I’m going to change my pants immediately,” she muttered, not forgetting to grumble.

Anton’s face flushed a deeper pink.

After staring at Mina’s retreating figure for a moment, he adjusted his glasses and hurried after her.

“C-Come on, Mina…!”

After the foundation establishment celebration ended, I first stopped by the Dark Mansion to change into a dinner dress, then headed to the Light Mansion.

By the time we arrived at the main gate, night had already fallen.

Yet, the brilliant lights pouring from the Light Mansion soon lit up the surroundings.

It looked as though a grand banquet was taking place.

‘It’s just dinner… Why does it feel like a grand banquet? Anton wouldn’t be treated like this… Is there a special guest?’

I tilted my head in confusion and glanced at Mina.

“Luckily, we’re not late. Anton is already at the Light Mansion, right?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Upon entering the main gate with Mina, the mansion’s butler greeted us.

“Your Highness, you’ve finally arrived!”

Though he always acted politely, today he seemed unusually delighted.

‘Wait, have I ever seen him greet anyone with such a big smile?’

Mina seemed equally confused, exchanging a questioning glance with me.

While we looked at each other, the butler loudly called to the other servants.

“Your Highness has arrived! Prepare immediately!”

Prepare what?

Before I could wonder, the servants dashed out from all corners of the lobby.

“You’ve finally arrived…!”

As they laid eyes on me, their gaze sparkled brighter than ever.

Clap, clap! The butler elegantly clapped his hands.

At the same time, a long red carpet was rolled out before me.

‘Suddenly… can treatment really change this much?’