Chapter 122
Zelda and Tablo (1)
Patricia’s words made Fione’s expression darken.
When they had first brought Patricia to the palace, Harmon had vowed to love her.
But now, he hardly came to see her, always using work as an excuse.
Fione, feeling sympathy as if Patricia might soon share her own lonely fate, gently took the princess’s hand and said,
“Your Highness, I’m sure Prince Harmon must have his reasons. Don’t rush to conclusions—give it a little time.”
At Fione’s comforting tone, Patricia forced a faint smile and nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for comforting me.”
After Patricia bowed and left the room, Fione let out a deep sigh.
***
Back in the palace, Patricia sat in silence for a long while.
A royal tea gathering…
If she didn’t want to be trampled by the noble ladies of the Empire, she couldn’t afford to appear weak there.
“Lara.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Find out everything you can about the ladies attending the tea gathering—their preferences, favorite teas, and the current gossip of the Empire. And… their weaknesses, too.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Lara bowed and left the room.
***
Meanwhile, Harmon’s expression was hardening as he listened to the report from Ruan and Tablo.
“Is all of this true?”
“As far as I’ve confirmed, yes, Your Highness,” Ruan replied.
“I’d heard that people were coming into the capital and muddying the waters—but to think they were actually collecting rent… How much have they gathered so far?”
At Harmon’s question, Tablo glanced briefly at Ruan before replying.
“According to a merchant who couldn’t handle the rent and had to close his shop, it was twenty percent of profits.”
“Twenty percent?” Harmon muttered, his brow furrowing. “Even the Empire’s tax rate is only ten…”
He shut his eyes tightly and slammed his fist down on the desk.
“And it’s not just anyone—it’s my uncle. The very man who stayed by Lord kymon’s side until the end. He’s the one doing this?”
Ruan spoke up quietly. “Your Highness, I have one bad piece of news and one good piece of news. Which shall I begin with?”
Harmon sank back into his chair. “Start with the good news.”
“Lord Dominic won’t be able to collect that rent starting this month.”
“Why is that?”
Ruan gave a faint smile. “Because my wife just opened a sandwich shop right in the heart of the capital.”
“What?” Harmon blinked. “Your wife did what?”
Ruan simply shrugged. “I said, my wife opened a sandwich shop. Today, in fact.”
Harmon burst into laughter. “Ha! Truly, your wife is something else. But I suppose even my uncle wouldn’t dare tax her. And once word spreads, he won’t be able to collect from anyone else, either. That is good news. So then—what’s the bad news?”
“It appears that Lord Dominic is engaged in illegal trade.”
“Illegal trade?”
Ruan placed a small piece of violet-colored mineral on the desk.
“What’s this?”
“It’s ore from Lord Kymon’s old mine—one of his hidden assets that the Empire never seized.”
Harmon’s eyes widened. “Hidden? Then don’t tell me—”
“Yes. The mine now belongs to Lord Dominic.”
The mineral was known to be used in crafting magical tools and fetched an extraordinarily high price.
“So he’s trading this illegally?”
“Correct. Since it can’t be sold within the Empire, he’s been dealing with merchants from other nations.”
Harmon exhaled heavily.
If things continued like this, how would he be any different from that corrupt man, Diamond?
He’d always known Dominic was ambitious—perhaps even more so than Kymon’s—but to betray him like this…
“Ruan, Tablo. Gather evidence of every illegal act committed by House Rephide. As Father said, we cannot allow another man like Lord kymon to rise again. Understood?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Ruan and Tablo bowed and exited the study.
***
That evening, Marican dragged her exhausted body back to the ducal mansion after hosting the grand opening event of her shop.
“My lady, you must be tired. I’ve already drawn a warm bath for you,” said Charles softly.
“As expected of you, Charles. I like you best,” Marican murmured with a weary smile.
Charles smiled in return and led her to the bath.
The moment her body sank into the hot water, the fatigue that clung to every muscle seemed to melt away.
“Ah… I feel alive again.”
“Were there many customers today?”
“More than I expected. We sold two hundred sandwiches today alone! I might’ve overdone it for the first day—my arms ache. Elena’s cookies sold like crazy, too.”
“Of course. Who wouldn’t love your sandwiches, my lady?”
“Thank you, Charles. But I’m so tired… Still, at least the weekend’s only two days away. That makes me happy enough.”
Before she could finish her thought, Marican fell asleep in the bath, too exhausted to move.
“My lady? My lady, please wake up.”
Her heavy eyes fluttered open at the sound of Ruan’s voice.
“Ruan… When did you get here?”
“I just arrived. They told me you fell asleep in the bath, so I carried you to bed.”
“Oh… sorry. I must’ve dozed off—I was so tired.”
“Let’s dry your hair first before you go back to sleep.”
Ruan gently helped her sit up and began towel-drying her hair.
“How about we go to our seaside villa this weekend?”
“The villa? The one by the sea?”
“Yes.”
“I’d love that. After all this with the sandwich shop, I really need a break.”
“Then it’s settled. We’ll leave this weekend. By the way, didn’t you say Zelda was visiting tomorrow?”
“Yes. She said she’d teach Cat more about tea.”
“All done. Now, shall we sleep, my lady?”
Marican nodded softly.
***
The next day.
“Boss, these sandwiches are amazing!”
Marican smiled at Cat’s enthusiastic praise.
“You sure adapt fast, don’t you? You’re already calling me ‘boss’ so naturally.”
“Of course! You were the boss last time too—though I called you by name then. But really, the sandwiches are even better than before! Are we only selling them in the mornings?”
Marican nodded as she arranged the freshly made sandwiches.
“Yes. I’ll make them in the mornings, and you’ll handle the sales. I’ll pay you properly for it, of course.”
“I’ll do my best, boss. Don’t worry!”
“You’re so full of energy, Cat. Here, try this tea.”
Cat took a careful sip of the tea Zelda had prepared and widened her eyes.
“Wow! Zelda’s tea—just like last time—it’s amazing. Usually tea leaves a bitter aftertaste, but yours doesn’t at all! It’s just smooth and fragrant.”
“I know, right? I’m convinced Zelda brews the best tea in the entire Empire.”
Zelda chuckled. “Mer, no matter what you say, I’m not moving to the capital.”
“Tch, I know. I was just teasing.”
“Enough grumbling—come here, Cat. I’ll teach you how to brew tea properly.”
Cat eagerly sat down in front of her.
Zelda began explaining how to select good leaves, the right water temperature, and the ideal brewing time.
“Ohh, so that’s how it’s done. Let me try.”
Quick to learn, Cat mimicked the process carefully.
“Wow… it’s not as easy as it looks. You make it seem so effortless, Zelda. You look really cool doing that.”
“Cat! Are you teasing me right now?”
Marican laughed softly at their banter.
“See? Once you drink Zelda’s tea, no other tea will ever taste right again. You’ll have to practice often, Cat.”
“Yes, boss!”
“Well, I’ve shown you how to brew tea, so I should be going now.”
“What? You’re leaving already?” Marican asked, looking disappointed.
Zelda smiled wryly. “I’m in a bit of a rush this time. I just need to buy some tea leaves and the items Elder requested, then I’ll head back. But I promise to visit again next week.”
“You promise?”
“Of course. It’s a promise with my beloved little sister—I’d never break that.”
Marican smiled warmly. “Take care, Zelda.”
After Zelda left, Cat began boiling water again, practicing her tea-brewing skills.
***
“I’ve bought everything the Elder asked for… Now I just need to pick up a new teapot for myself,” Zelda murmured as she walked toward the pottery shop, arms full of parcels.
“Watch out!”
Before she could react, someone yanked her backward. Zelda fell hard onto the cobblestones, and a black carriage sped past just inches from where she had stood.
What… what just happened?
Stunned, she blinked and slowly stood, shouting at the now-distant carriage,
“Honestly! Who drives a carriage that fast through a crowded street?!”
Before she could rant further, a man beside her—who had also fallen—chuckled and said,
“The carriage is long gone. Must you shout like that? How uncouth.”
“Uncouth?” Zelda snapped, turning sharply—only to see Tablo standing there, holding the parcels she’d dropped.
“Marquis? What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing?” Tablo looked around pointedly. “This is the capital where I live. These are public streets. Am I not allowed to walk here? The real question is—what are you doing here?”
“Oh, I just had some errands in the capital,” she said, reaching for her packages.
But Tablo raised them above her head, grinning. “Shouldn’t you at least thank the man who just saved your life?”
Zelda frowned but gave a curt bow. “My deepest gratitude, Marquis, for saving me.”
Tablo frowned. “That was supposed to be a thank-you, but why does it sound like an insult?”
“I wouldn’t know. I simply offered my sincere thanks. Now, please return my parcels—I have places to be.”
“Where are you headed? I’ll carry them for you.”
A marquis offering to carry a commoner’s bags? Zelda blinked, flustered.
“Marquis, that’s not necessary. I can carry them myself. Please, just give them back and be on your way.”
But Tablo hesitated.
Strange.
She was right—he could easily hand them over and walk away.
So why didn’t he want to?
Why does she always seem so eager to part ways with me?
Does she dislike me that much?
Why?
Most women adored him. He was one of the most sought-after men in the Empire’s social circles. Usually, women tried to prolong any moment spent with him—sharing tea, conversation, anything.
But this woman… She was different.
The more distance Zelda tried to put between them, the more Tablo found himself wanting to close it.
