The combination from Euges+Sunfish = Eunfish
, everyone seems desperate to look good in front of Theresa. Feels like hitting a jackpot with Empress coins, huh
ㅋㅋ
. ]
“It’s probably because I’m friendly with the magical animals. I guess they think they might get some benefits.”
Although I said that, none of this would have been possible without Euges’s implicit permission. If Euges truly disliked me, just speaking to me would have been grounds for death.
I glanced at the emperor’s carriage and widened my eyes because Euges was looking this way, chin propped on his hand, through the open carriage window.
How long has he been watching me?
I couldn’t just turn away, so I nodded my head in acknowledgment. However, Euges did not respond.
Was he not looking at me?
It seemed like he was, but I thought maybe I was mistaken. If not, then that’s a relief.
As we continued moving, the magic farm gradually came into view. I asked the bird perched on my shoulder. “Now that we’ve arrived at our destination, what will you do?”
“
Chirp, chirp
.”
“You’ll stay around here?
Hmm
. Not a bad idea. There are many magical plants here that will be beneficial for you. Thanks for your hard work. Thank you, guys.”
“
Woof! Woof
.”
“
Chirp, chirp!
”
When we reached our destination, all the magical animals scattered in different directions except for one wolf that stayed by my side. As I got off the horse, Bein approached me.
“Where are the magical animals going?”
“They said they’ll stay around the farm. There are other magical animals that have made their homes in this area, so they might seek their help too.”
Then Bein smiled for a moment. It was rare to see the chief of the chamberlain, who usually maintained the same expression due to minimal emotional fluctuations, smile. It was when I was surprised.
“Princess, you are like a gift from the gods.”
“What?”
Ignoring my confused response, Bein delivered his message. “His Majesty plans to go directly to the villa since the long journey has been exhausting.”
The emperor’s villa was said to be 15 minutes away from here.
“In the meantime, Princess, you can complete the necessary preparations and serve His Majesty tomorrow.”
It was a relief since being with Euges would only hinder my work anyway.
“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow, Chief Chamberlain.”
Bein, with a gentle smile on his face, bowed respectfully and returned to the emperor.
Everyone who came with the emperor headed to the villa, and I met with the general manager of the magic farm along with the wolf. “It’s an immense honor to meet you, Princess. My name is Ched, the general manager of the farm.” Ched bowed awkwardly, as if wearing clothes that didn’t fit him, and glanced at the wolf while adopting an even more polite demeanor.
“Shall we start by checking the laboratory you’ll be using, Princess?”
I nodded. “Let’s meet the researchers working here first, and then I’d like to check the entire farm.”
“Please follow me.”
Ched and I entered the magic farm’s laboratory. Most of the plants cultivated here had medicinal purposes. It was an area in desperate need of expert help, so researchers led by Professor Felix had come to assist. Unlike the sociable Professor Felix, the researchers, with their expressionless faces, guided me to the cultivation room.
I pointed to a plant I had never seen in the magic plant guidebook. “I’ve never seen this magical plant before. What are its effects?”
“Even those with broken bones, if they consume a liquid painkiller made from this plant, will be pain-free for 24 hours.”
“Isn’t that one of the most potent effects among existing magic plants?”
“Yes, it’s a plant we’ve recently succeeded in cultivating.”
The lab had only been operational for a fortnight. Even if magic plants could grow at astonishing speeds under the right conditions, this was an unbelievably fast achievement.
After checking the journal and having many conversations with the researchers, I left the lab feeling satisfied and bestowed gold pouches as a reward. I also toured the dormitories for pregnant women and checked the site conditions. Although I couldn’t inspect everything in detail as the night deepened, I could tell it was well-managed.
“You’ve done much better than I thought, Ched.”
Ched quickly waved his hands. “All I did was follow the instructions Princess gave. So, this is all Princess’s doing, not mine.”
That couldn’t be.
Ched was a character our team created, and I chose him because he was the perfect fit for this job from the start.
I smiled and pulled out a box from my inventory. “This is a token of appreciation for your hard work. It’s just a simple gift, unrelated to your salary, so don’t feel burdened.”
Ched, looking embarrassed, accepted the gift without refusal. “Thank you, Princess. Now, let me guide you to the personal laboratory you’ll be using.”
My laboratory-cum-residence was a wooden house reminiscent of those found on American farms. It might seem unimpressive for a lady to use, but to me, it was perfectly comfortable and appealing.
It looks like a house from a Tycoon game, which makes me like it even more.
I had specifically requested it to be built with that in mind.
“I’ll organize any luggage Princess has brought inside tomorrow.”
I appreciated Ched’s offer, but since I wasn’t planning to take everything out of my inventory to live, I told him it was okay.
“It won’t take long for me to organize, so you can go now.”
“Understood. Then, please take a rest.”
I continued to pet the wolf that had been following me. “Don’t you want to return to your pack?”
“
Woof!
”
“You want to stay near me?”
“
Woof!
”
“Do as you please, but don’t overdo it.”
The wolf closed its eyelids quietly, enjoying the petting, then started to patrol the surroundings with dense magical power swirling around it like a guardian.
Creek.
Entering the house, the light from the lanterns outside came in, but the interior was unusually dark. I could turn on the lights or illuminate the interior with magic, but I just leaned against the closed front door, engulfed in silence.
“…”
I needed a place to hide from the world, lacking peace, but ironically, being alone now felt unbearably lonely and empty. It seems I had grown accustomed to having people around. How cunning.
“Damn it,” I muttered a curse under my breath and, frustrated, ran my fingers through my hair. Then, with a deep sigh, I approached and flung open the window.
The magic farm opposite was filled with light, like a world visited by Christmas, so beautiful that it momentarily cleared the summer’s muggy air, bringing a refreshing feeling.
“This is when a cold beer would be perfect,” I mumbled gloomily.
That’s when I heard it.
“I should have brought some on my way here.”
Startled by the voice outside, I stretched my body out.
“Lord Ilya!”
Ilya was standing right beside the window, leaning against the wall.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Future Ilya’s in-law’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Ilya
ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
!!!!]
He just turned his head to look at me. “Have you been well?”
I couldn’t say that I had been well, pulling my lips in. Otherwise, I might burst into tears and say that his brother had disappeared, might even be dead.
“Doesn’t seem like you’ve been doing too well.” Ilya detached himself from the wall and came closer. The base of the lab wasn’t very high, but because it was elevated like five steps, he appeared lower than my gaze.
I hid my body below the window sill and crouched, muttering, “…No, I’ve been fine.”
“That’s disappointing in its own way. It means you’ve been having a good time with another man.”
“Actually, I haven’t been doing well…”
A chuckle came from the window side. Since I was already shedding tears, I couldn’t look up.
At that moment, Ilya lightly stepped over the window sill and came inside. “If you want to cry, go ahead. There’s no need to hold back in front of me.”
His words acted as a catalyst. I threw myself into Ilya’s arms and cried for a long time.
“I don’t know what’s bothering you but don’t forget that you’re not alone. I’ll always be by your side.”
“But, I’m not even, your partner…”
As I sobbed, Ilya gently patted my back. “That’s a matter of you becoming mine. I am already yours. And… your weakness actually makes me happy. I wish you’d rely on me for everything.”
“But that might be difficult,” Ilya murmured, smiling blandly. He was seducing me, taking advantage of my weakened state. The gentle touch wiping my tears, his warm body temperature, and his seemingly indifferent but deeply affectionate voice were persuading me. To give in. To lean on him. But Ilya also candidly shared another part of his heart.
“But I still wish for your genuine happiness.”
Like making a solemn vow, Ilya kissed my forehead.
“If this is love, it’s troublesome enough to be annoying.”
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