Chapter 129
Chapter 129: I’m Glad You Look Happy
“Elena, would you visit my shop sometime?”
“You mean… the Hugoston shopping district, not the Feralto Trading Company?”
Duke Hugoston’s shop wasn’t open daily and only admitted invited guests on specific dates.
The items sold there consisted solely of rare goods difficult to find in the general market.
Elena blinked in surprise at being invited to a place where even acquaintances couldn’t freely enter.
“Yes, I’ll give you anything you want as a gift.”
Though she tried to decline, saying his thoughts were enough, she had no choice but to accept given the Duke’s insistence.
“Alright, I’ll do that.”
The Duke showed a kindly smile at Elena’s response before quietly leaving the Feralto Trading Company with his grandson.
* * *
After successfully concluding the Feralto Trading Company’s executive meeting, Elena visited the government office to file patents for the medicines she had developed.
She had developed various medications, from calming remedies to pain relievers.
Filing patents was crucial to making these necessary medicines widely available to the imperial citizens.
After all, there were often cases of people misusing others’ goodwill.
Recently, Elena had heard news of the arrest of criminals who had made huge profits by selling expensive copies of her medicine formulas.
Heavy penalties were to be imposed on those who tried to exploit people’s lives.
‘If only everyone could receive treatment equally.’
She planned to carefully organize a proposal related to this and formally submit it to the imperial palace department.
While filling out patent applications under the administrator’s guidance, Elena turned her head, sensing someone’s gaze.
“…!”
Her pupils dilated then contracted as she confirmed the source of that gaze.
It was none other than Jeremy.
Walking over steadily, Jeremy glanced at the documents in front of her and greeted her.
“It’s been a while, Elena. Here to file patents, I see.”
“Yes, looks like you’ve already submitted yours.”
She had heard that the Magic Tower regularly visited the office to file patents, as creating magical tools was commonplace there.
Jeremy grabbed one shoulder as if aching and turned his head from side to side.
“Seems like work has been particularly heavy lately.”
After submitting her patent applications to the administrator, Elena moved with Jeremy to a quieter location.
“Have you been well?”
It didn’t feel right to just pass by an academy classmate she hadn’t seen in so long, so Elena awkwardly asked after his wellbeing.
Jeremy seemed to understand what she was thinking and smiled slightly. Then he answered glibly:
“Well, I just managed to secure a position by thoroughly begging the Tower Master.”
“…I’m glad you’re doing well.”
Seeing him seemingly brighter than before, Elena felt oddly relieved.
Jeremy grumbled quietly about having to run errands for his superior on top of the many tasks required to become Tower Master.
“Everyone’s watching me so closely, saying how inappropriate it is that someone like me became the next Tower Master candidate.”
After listening quietly to his words, Elena shook her head firmly and spoke:
“You earned that position purely through your ability.”
Elena well knew that Jeremy’s magical power had far exceeded everyone else’s during their academy days.
If he hadn’t been excluded from the awards list due to poor attendance, the top graduate position would have rightfully been Jeremy’s.
At her objective assessment, Jeremy showed a surprised look before pulling up the corners of his mouth.
“You haven’t changed. Still giving praise so casually.”
After a moment of silence, Jeremy bowed his head solemnly with a somewhat awkward expression.
“I’m sorry for causing you trouble unintentionally, Elena.”
“…”
Elena’s golden eyes wavered at the unexpected apology from his lips.
“Though it wasn’t intentional, it’s clear that I aided my father’s plans.”
‘I didn’t know Jeremy had been thinking about this.’
Elena looked at Jeremy quietly before hesitantly nodding.
“I accept your apology. So please don’t feel sorry towards me anymore.”
At her words, Jeremy’s purple eyes showed emotion before settling into a faint smile.
“Alright, I won’t.”
The man checked his pocket watch and stood up. It was time for each to return to their positions.
“Well then, I’ll be going first.”
“Yes, I was about to leave too.”
As Elena also stood up, Jeremy watched her for a moment before saying in a bright voice:
“I’m glad you look happy, Elena.”
She nodded slightly at his words and wore a gentle smile.
Hoping that Jeremy too would forget the past and find happiness.
* * *
“Hmm, I wonder when they’ll arrive?”
Anasha paced anxiously in front of the courtyard, craning her neck to look at the castle gate in the distance.
The Imperial Princess’s palace was expecting special guests today.
Elena watched her young lady with affectionate eyes and chuckled before answering.
“You must be very eager to see Lord Kailros.”
At those words, Anasha’s face turned bright red as she shook her head vigorously.
“T-that’s not it!”
Finding the child’s reaction too cute, Elena considered teasing her more but decided to stop there.
Just then, news came through the magical communication device that a carriage had entered the palace gates.
While she was tidying the child’s hair that fluttered in the breeze, the carriage suddenly stopped before them.
Benya, who had returned to the north after the Emperor’s coronation, was visiting the palace again at the child’s invitation now that warm spring had arrived.
Nicollman, who had agreed to bring Lord Kailros, stepped down from the carriage first, followed by Benya.
Anasha waved to her friend with a bright smile.
Though the boy also looked happy to see her, he lowered the hand he had started to raise.
“Sacred glory to the Valdeon Empire. We behold Her Imperial Highness, Guardian of Valdeon and Master of the Majestic Crown.”
Seeing her friend’s formal greeting, so different from usual, Anasha’s bright smile faded and she grumbled slightly.
“Why are you suddenly like this, Benya?”
“Well… Your Highness is now the Empire’s noble princess.”
It seemed Benya was hesitant about treating Anasha as he used to now that she was officially the Imperial Princess.
Puffing up her cheeks, Anasha grabbed Benya’s hand and said:
“I never wanted that from you! You’re my precious friend.”
“Anasha…”
Elena watched the touching friendship between the two children with a gentle smile.
She then led Anasha and Benya to the garden terrace of the Imperial Princess’s palace.
With spring’s arrival, the garden was filled with bright and fragrant flowers in harmony.
Vernon, who had been roaming here and there with fluttering butterflies, soon spotted them and wagged his tail.
[Lord Kailros, it’s been a while.]
“It’s good to see you again, Sacred Beast.”
As Benya formally bowed with slightly bent knees, the sacred beast raised his front paw as if to stop the gesture.
[No need for formalities. Just call me Vernon.]
“I will, Vernon.”
Finally satisfied, Vernon stretched thoroughly before leaping onto a terrace chair.
[Why is everyone standing around instead of sitting?]
At the sacred beast’s words, Elena called over a maid standing at a distance, who soon came to pour tea into the empty cups.
“By the way, Benya, how is the north?”
Anasha asked her friend with a curious expression.
Though she received news of the north through newspapers, she rarely heard about the duchy itself, except when Nicollman, who regularly visited to check on northern affairs, delivered news.
Benya set his teacup on the table, nodded slightly, and answered.
“Yes, everyone’s doing well.”
Benya said he often visited the duchy on behalf of his friend who worried about the servants’ wellbeing.
“Are Gemma and Gale doing well too?”
“Of course, they’re both very healthy.”
Finally seeming relieved, Anasha let out a small breath as Vernon beside her pressed gently on the back of her hand.
Then, as if remembering something, he raised his head suddenly with twinkling eyes.
