TVGS 102

Chapter 102

Astonishingly, the imperial veterinarian had said it seemed the Duke had been struck by a special power akin to Shadow Veil—a force only Etias should have been able to wield.

Yet Etias had insisted he had never used such a power on the Duke.
If another external threat existed, it would have to be identified.

“Yes, I understand. In that case, I entrust His Grace to your care.”

“I will make certain to restore him. But… apart from His Grace’s matter, I wished to discuss the funds I invested in Montella.”

“Ah, yes—Lady Never-Cry-Eti, please speak.”

At the secretary’s casual use of my alias, I felt my face grow faintly warm.

“Ahem… I mean the capital I invested in Montella under that name. I had once planned to seek asylum there, but as I am now likely to remain in the empire, I wish to liquidate it.”

Ten million den had tripled, nearly quadrupled—worth about three hundred billion won. The investment had been a resounding success.

“That is most unfortunate news for us,” the secretary sighed, his brows drooping.

“His Grace had greatly looked forward to a Montella life shared with you. In fact, I have never seen him so eager.”

“…So he’s the sort to cherish an investor?”

The secretary’s meaningful glance slid toward the dogged Duke.

“To cherish… would be an understatement.”

Pant, pant—

“He was willing to throw himself into it, quite literally.”

I reached out and stroked the Duke’s neck. The soft, fluffy fur was pleasant under my fingers.

“In any case, the withdrawal of funds is, of course, entirely your choice. Your mine’s ownership will be highly sought after, so liquidity is no concern. But there is one problem…”

His tone turned regretful.

“By ducal law, the transfer of any Montellan major asset, such as a mine, requires His Grace’s personal signature. Not a proxy’s—his own. And in his present condition, that is impossible.”

I glanced at the canine Duke, who met my gaze with guileless eyes. A small sigh escaped me.

“I see… so restoring His Grace to human form must come first.”

“Yes, my lady. I leave it in your hands.”

And just like that, I had another reason to bring the Duke back.

Another day, gone in a whirlwind.

Gazing out into the darkening sky, my thoughts wandered to Etias.

He must have had a busy day too.

After the revolution, he had to dismantle the Rebel Emperor’s flimsy systems and lay the foundations of a new empire—there weren’t enough hours in the day.
Yet he had still sent me those precious jewels.

A faint smile curved my lips as I suddenly recalled a place I wished to visit. I changed clothes.

Piyo’s inventory was well stocked with my casual attire.

Now, I no longer needed to sneak out of the mansion.

“My lady, shall I escort you?”

“No. I’ll go alone.”

Heros was occupied at Elma Pharmaceuticals, working on the Duke’s medicine. I declined Agnes’s offer to join me and climbed lightly into the carriage alone.

With my enemies gone and those who had threatened me imprisoned, I had nothing to fear.

The place I arrived at, in the deepening dusk, was the orphanage.
Behind the main building, I could see the dormitory for the children.

Had I gone to Montella, Elma Pharmaceuticals would have managed this place. But now, I am here.

I decided I should review the founding documents and adjust the future operational plans.

After a quick look around the grounds, I was heading toward the main building when—

“My lady, please wait a moment.”

A male voice called out. Turning slightly, I saw a young man with red hair and freckles, shifting nervously.

One glance, and I knew.

A pick-up attempt.

Dressed in plain casual clothes, he clearly didn’t recognize me.

“You… you’re so beautiful, I—um—your name is…?”

If I told him, he’d probably faint.

A mischievous impulse tugged at me—until…

“Etias von Clyde.”

The low voice brushed my ear from behind.

The freckled youth flinched, eyes widening as a figure emerged from the shadows: resplendent in the emperor’s uniform and medals, a long sword at his hip.

He stopped beside me and spoke coldly.

“My name is Etias von Clyde.”

“E-… E-Your Majesty?!”

The young man recoiled in shock, bowing low.

The evening breeze stirred, and Etias turned his gaze to meet mine.
Slowly, he reached out and drew my shoulder toward him.

His voice, low enough for me alone, tickled my ear.

“This is why I can’t take my eyes off you.”

I blinked up at him, startled.

My mouth went dry for no reason at all.
His eyes, gleaming in the dark, lingered on me for a long moment before shifting back to the man still bent over.

“You have heard my name. Now be on your way.”

The man looked up in puzzlement.

“I said—don’t come near her again.”

Etias’s slight frown was enough to make him scurry off with hasty bows.

We sat side by side on the stone border of the orphanage’s statue, bathed in soft moonlight.

“What brings Your Majesty to the Sistina Orphanage?”

“To see you.”

The simple answer made my heart pound.

“…Why me?”

“…Because I wanted to.”

Was he trying to give me a heart attack tonight?

Feeling the heat rise in my cheeks, I grasped for another topic.

“Ah—yes. I received your gifts today. The jewels… they are exquisite.”

“Do you like them?”

“Yes. The moment I saw them, they stole my heart.”

They were breathtakingly beautiful, art pieces in their own right.

“I wondered if it was right to accept something like that. Even as your patron, what you’ve already given me is more than enough.”

In other words—no need to empty his coffers any further.

“It’s not nearly enough, Katrin.”

“What isn’t enough?”

I looked at him, feeling my pulse race. Etias was the sort to repay in kind what he had received—but what he’d already given far exceeded anything I’d done for him.

“Most of all… this.”

I pointed to the ring he’d once given me.
Today, the appraiser had said its worth surpassed all the other jewels combined.

“This is precious. The late Empress’s keepsake, a national treasure passed down through the Clyde imperial line.”

His clear gaze met mine without denial. He knew the ring’s value and had still given it to me.

“You shouldn’t give me something like this. I mean—”

“It was the first time.”

I froze at his words.

Beneath the deepened night, his eyes burned bright.

“The first time I’ve ever wanted someone so much.”

Etias, who had lived solely for the return of his throne.

“The first time I’ve ever lain awake, thinking of someone.”

“….”

“The first time someone has become as precious to me as the throne itself—perhaps even more.”

A breeze stirred, teasing my hair.

“All of it… was a first.”

In the gentle moonlight, his cheeks seemed faintly flushed.

“That is why I gave you the most precious thing I possess, Katrin.”