Chapter 39
(39) Overwhelming Affection (10)
“Ten crates of white mana stones!”
“Received: ten crates of white mana stones.”
Mana stones—rocks that could store magical energy and be inscribed with spells.
Though they were useful for things like streetlights and carriages that ran without horses, they were rare and traded at prices higher than diamonds.
They rarely occurred naturally. Black mana stones sometimes appeared inside monsters when they were killed or near rifts, and they were so expensive that some risked their lives to collect them.
Naturally occurring mana stones were white, unaffected by monsters, and thus considered sacred. Their value was several times greater.
There was a mine in the Snow territory that produced mana stones, and thanks to it, Snow had maintained great power while defending the North.
Now, those in the imperial palace were suddenly reminded of Snow’s forgotten strength. Ten crates filled to the brim with white mana stones, each worth several times more than diamonds.
“I didn’t bring much, since we were in a rush.”
Aster said in a voice that wasn’t exactly quiet as he watched the unloading.
“Mm, it does seem like it.”
Eleanor replied calmly, causing people around them to hold their breath. If that wasn’t “much,” then what would “a lot” look like?
Selling all those crates could probably buy a small country.
“Are you sure those really contain mana stones?”
At that moment, Consort Aurelia, who had been quietly watching, murmured.
As people turned to look at her, she gave an awkward smile.
“Oh no, of course I don’t mean to suggest you’d deceive us over something like this. I was just curious. Snow’s mana stones, after all…”
Before Eleanor could say anything, Aster shouted,
“Open one of the crates!”
A worker set a crate down, brought tools, and pried it open with a crack.
Inside, it was packed nearly to overflowing with white, radiant mana stones. Though none were especially large, there were hundreds of them, their collective glow dazzling.
“Wow!”
“I’ve never seen white mana stones before.”
“They’re shinier than I thought.”
“They don’t just shine white—it’s like they’re glowing in multiple colors.”
Admiration rose from all directions.
Aurelia scowled for a moment, then quickly composed herself and said,
“They say Snow’s mana stones are unusually beautiful and it seems they’re right. But does Lady Snow really need to have so many mana stones by herself? To others, it might look like you’re secretly preparing for war.”
Eleanor gave a serene smile.
“Oh my, how strange. It seems war is always on Your Highness’s mind. I only thought of giving these stones away as gifts to people.”
Aurelia glared at Eleanor, but the crowd was too busy buzzing over the mention of gifts to notice her expression.
Eleanor turned to the workers.
“Open one more crate and give one to each person here as a gift. The rest, take to my chambers.”
“Wow!”
Gasps and words of thanks rang out, along with praise for Eleanor. In that moment, whether friend or foe of Heraith, it didn’t matter—everyone rejoiced at the unexpected treasure they’d just received.
As Eleanor turned away, Aurelia muttered quietly,
“You can’t buy people’s hearts with money.”
“I’ve already won His Majesty’s heart, why would I want anyone else’s? These are simply gifts, nothing more.”
Aurelia’s face twisted. At the mention of winning the emperor’s heart, she couldn’t even attempt to hide her expression.
She had already heard how differently Heraith now treated Eleanor and had no way to argue.
“I’m not trying to win Your Highness’s favor, so feel free to accept a stone. Even one this small has many uses.”
Her condescending tone stung, but with everyone praising Eleanor, Aurelia couldn’t lash out.
She clenched the shawl draped over her shoulders, glared at Eleanor, then turned sharply and stormed off.
***
Eleanor had given white mana stones as gifts.
When Heraith heard the news, he burst into laughter.
“The future empress is certainly bold.”
“Yes, she really is. Just look at this color.”
Oscar said, presenting a mana stone before him.
“I brought one for Your Majesty as well.”
Heraith studied the brilliantly glowing stone, then turned to Adrian, who stood quietly nearby.
“Did you receive one as well?”
Adrian had just returned after supervising the delivery of Snow’s shipment to Eleanor.
“Yes. Aster Snow gave me an extra one, so I have two. Would you like to have it?”
Heraith chuckled.
“No, this one is enough.”
As he rolled the white mana stone in his palm, he thought how its glow resembled Eleanor’s hair.
“This will make it impossible for people in the palace to ignore Eleanor Snow. She’ll gain many followers.”
“It may not be good to attract people chasing wealth.”
“True, but Eleanor Snow will make good use of even those people. She might’ve scattered these stones specifically to make people think just like you are now.”
Oscar’s eyes widened at the unexpected praise. He glanced at Adrian, then back at Heraith.
“Um, Your Majesty… there’s a rumor going around.”
“What kind of rumor?”
“Well… that Your Majesty has completely fallen for Eleanor Snow. It’s a little embarrassing to say this, but… they say you sat side by side in the dining hall, sweetly exchanging bites of food…”
“Oh, that.”
Heraith fell silent for a moment and then sighed.
“Yes, it happened. The food Eleanor Snow fed me tasted especially delicious.”
“Really…?”
“Would I lie about something like that?”
“No… definitely not…”
Oscar glanced at Adrian. Adrian, ever loyal, asked plainly,
“Do you love her?”
“Love…”
Heraith sighed deeply, thinking of the conversation he’d had with Eleanor.
It was the sigh of a man unsure whether to go along with her outrageous plan—but to Oscar and Adrian, it seemed like the sigh of someone experiencing love for the first time.
“Yes, love… sure, let’s call it that.”
His Majesty… in love?!
Oscar and Adrian exchanged a stunned glance, swallowing hard.
Oscar cleared his throat.
“Then I suppose we’ll ignore the other rumors?”
“Rumors? What other rumors?”
“There’s one saying that when Your Majesty visited a dress shop with Lady Snow and saw her in a dress, you couldn’t stop gasping at how beautiful she looked. Some say you were so moved by her beauty, you even shed tears…”
He’d only said she was beautiful when asked. He hadn’t expected it to turn into a tearjerking love story.
Heraith forced a smile.
“Yes. I was so struck by her beauty, I cried.”
Adrian added,
“There are those who now regret not sending in prettier women to catch Your Majesty’s eye, thinking they should’ve known looks mattered to you.”
“No one could ever compare to Eleanor Snow. I’m too busy admiring her to be bothered by any flies buzzing around.”
“Shall we spread that rumor too?”
Oscar asked with quick wit.
Heraith nodded. Soon, nobles with pretty daughters would try to dress them up and send them into the palace.
Even though three empresses had died, some would still risk their lives for a moment of glory. Having once provided an empress was enough to elevate a family’s honor.
But it would be troublesome—and not something Eleanor would welcome either. So Heraith decided to take control of the rumors now.
“Also, I’m completely enamored with Eleanor Snow and desperate to win her heart. Which means I should be on good terms with her brother. Adrian, while Aster Snow stays at the palace, show him around our knights.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“Are you sure that’s wise? He seems like someone who knows how to use his head.”
“That head will be used for my sake.”
With those words, Heraith realized something.
“Snow is loyal. There’s nothing I can’t show him.”
He had come to trust Eleanor Snow, without even realizing it.
