Chapter 140

I dismissed all the staff and summoned Kaiel and Dante to the dining room.

After hearing my explanation, Kaiel seemed unfazed, as if he had expected it.

“Preparing a meal like this was no mistake. It’s a move to gain a psychological advantage in these negotiations.”

“I think so, too. That’s why they didn’t assign any servants to us. They’re trying to tame us.”

“They are a people of immense pride. No matter how desperate they are, they won’t approach this from a position of weakness.”

“In any case, could this be their way of saying we have to conform to Akron’s ways if we want to establish a branch here?”

“That would be my guess.”

Establishing a Guardian branch in Akron wasn’t an act of charity. It meant that I, too, stood to gain a great deal.

So, from their perspective, there was no reason to be subservient.

Johan tapped the table with a serious look on his face.

“Lady Astell, what do you plan to do now?”

“I was willing to make some concessions for the sake of amicable negotiations. But if this is how they’re going to play it, that changes things.”

They had spoken as if they would give me the world to persuade me, and I’d come all the way to Akron, only to be met with this kind of territorial hazing.

If they had just been frank and asked for help, I wouldn’t have felt so resentful.

‘Do they think I’m a fish already in the net?’

I continued calmly.

“There will be no compromise. If they cannot accept that, the negotiations are over. In that case, we’ll be heading back sooner than planned.”

Alex, who had been listening quietly, scratched his cheek.

“Aren’t we overthinking this just because of one meal? It seems to me like something they did without much thought… Miyorn was very polite to us, after all.”

That made me all the more curious. Why was this so different from the attitude Miyorn had shown?

“That’s what we’re going to find out. Whether it was a simple mistake. Or if there’s another story behind it.”

A short while later, Suren appeared in the dining room.

“Did you enjoy your meal? We prepared it with the utmost care, so I hope it was to your liking.”

Since we hadn’t cleared the dishes, the food remained untouched.

If an honored guest had left most of their food, the natural response would be to check if there was a problem.

Yet Suren acted perfectly nonchalant, as if she hadn’t seen a thing.

‘Just as I thought. This was intentional.’

She had fully expected that we wouldn’t enjoy the meal.

“As you can see, we ate very well. It seems you went to great trouble. Thank you.”

Suren’s pupils wavered slightly. Did she expect me to complain like an amateur?

“…I-Is that so? I’m glad to hear it.”

“I hear that in Akron, you use the name of your school as a surname… Does that mean you are of the Zhaq school?”

“You are well-informed. That is correct. I am the 278th disciple of the Zhaq school.”

“May I know the name of the head of the Zhaq school?”

“It is Syloc Zhaq Akron.”

“What is your relationship with Elder Maga Fwen Akron?”

As if it were an unexpected question, Suren blinked.

“Well… the Fwen school emphasizes practicality, while we value tradition. As such, our relationship is not a close one.”

“Is the decision to host a Guardian branch in Akron a consensus of the entire Council of Elders?”

“…I wouldn’t know the details of that.”

“Surely you must have heard your master’s opinion?”

“My master is someone who places great importance on tradition. He is not one to welcome outside influences.”

That explained a lot.

‘It seems the Council of Elders is split in two.’

The Fwen school, which believes in actively accepting outside help, and the Zhaq school, which insists that Akron’s problems must be solved by Akron.

“What is the schedule from here?”

“Tomorrow, we plan to show you the sights of Akron. The weather has been lovely lately, so it should be quite a view.”

“And after that?”

“Since you’ve come to Akron, you must tour the Magic Tower. You can look forward to it. It will be entirely different from the one in Taikan.”

Were they planning to drag this out until the branch became a non-issue?

They probably wanted me to dispatch my guild members like mercenaries once the gate opened.

“We didn’t come here for sightseeing.”

“…Don’t you think you could use a little rest? You must recover from the fatigue of your journey.”

“I’m already recovered.”

Suren smiled gently. It was the kind of smile one gives a pouting child who wants to play.

“What will you do if you get sick from rushing? It’s better to take your time and enjoy yourself.”

“Suren, do I look like I have time to spare?”

“Ah, no… That’s not what I meant…”

I rose from my seat.

“Tell your master this. If he continues to stall like this, the negotiations are off. And let me be clear, if this deal falls through, the price will be much higher next time.”

“…!”

Suren’s eyes widened.

“If he doesn’t like that, tell the Council of Elders to come and see me. Every single one of them. If I’ve come all the way to Akron, the council should at least show some sincerity.”

“Guild Master! The Elders are the leaders who guide Akron! To summon them like this! It is incredibly rude!”

“I am the leader who guides the Hunters. What makes the Elders and I any different?”

Suren bit her lip, smudging her perfectly applied lipstick.

I gestured with my chin toward the untouched food on the table.

“If you expected courtesy from me, you shouldn’t have committed such a discourtesy in the first place. Isn’t that right?”

I started to leave the dining room, then paused.

“I’ll give you three days.”

***

From the next day on, everything changed.

The meals were prepared in the Taikan style, and servants were assigned according to our numbers.

Not only that, but the attitude of Suren and the staff toward us became exceedingly cautious.

It seemed they had finally realized I was not someone to be trifled with.

I finished a satisfying breakfast and took a bath.

The Elders would have already heard the news from Suren.

‘I wonder when they’ll show up.’

Although I had three days, I had no intention of spending them idly.

Even if these negotiations failed, I still needed to establish a branch. So, I had to use this opportunity to scout for a location.

I washed my uniform with a scroll Duke Ruthius had packed for me and put it back on.

A maid, who had been standing stiffly like a doll in the corner, quietly approached.

“Guild Master, I can help you with your makeup.”

“That’s alright. Do you have a robe?”

“Ah… I’m afraid we didn’t prepare one… I-I’ll have one brought immediately!”

The maid trembled as if she had committed a grave sin.

‘Just what did they say to her…?’

Should I try to coax it out of her?

Just then, Dante entered the bedroom.

He didn’t knock, nor did he make a sound. He walked in as naturally as if it were his own room.

“My bedroom is too cold.”

Spouting such nonsense, he brazenly burrowed into my bed.

“Mmm, it’s warm.”

I was speechless for a moment, then looked back at the maid.

“Never mind the robe, you may leave.”

The maid, who had been staring at Dante with her mouth agape, jerked her head down in a bow.

“Ye-Yes? Ah, yes! Understood!”

After the maid left, I stood before the bed with my arms crossed.

“Your Highness, this is my bed, you know?”

“Mhm, it smells nice.”

How utterly shameless. With his jet-black hair disheveled, rolling around in the sheets, he was the very picture of a cat.

I reached out to pull Dante off, but my hand froze for a second.

‘Is this man truly the immortal monster who brings ruin to Taikan?’

Was that why the emperor abused him? Was that why he had to wear the heirloom restraint and endure bizarre rituals?

Yes, I could almost understand the emperor’s feelings. To think your own child is a monster that will destroy the nation, a child you cannot even kill—it must have been terrifying, hateful.

Anyone who knew Dante’s identity would likely have reacted no differently than the emperor.

‘Still, it’s not like Dante committed a crime, is it?’

Dante had made no choices that led to this.

He didn’t wish to be born a monster, nor did he choose a fate of destroying the empire.

He was simply born.

He had every right to feel wronged, yet Dante never rejected his fate. He endured excruciating pain alone, confined in a prison from which he could escape at any time.

‘How foolish. If he’d only leveraged that face of his, even by half, he could have lived a much easier life…’

I wanted to be on his side, if no one else was, so I didn’t ask. Whether Dante was a monster or not, what did it matter? We were on the same side.

I glared at him.

“If you were smaller, you might at least be cute… What are you doing in someone else’s bed? Get up, now!”

“Just a little longer…”

“Who are you trying to act cute for? Give me back my sheets!”

I grabbed the sheets Dante was wrapped in and pulled, but they didn’t budge.

“Ugh, is it glued to you or something? Let go of this…!”

In that moment, Dante snatched my wrist. Then, with a faint smile, he pulled me toward him.

My body was dragged helplessly forward.

“Ugh!”

I crashed face-first into his chest. It was so firm that the bridge of my nose throbbed.

“…Nosebleed…”

“What? Is your nose bleeding?”

As I clutched my nose, Dante hastily let go of my wrist to examine my face.

I didn’t miss the opportunity. I seized both of his wrists and pinned them above his head.

“Have you ever had your wrist broken for playing around? Would you like to experience it?”

“If you’re the one nursing me, then go ahead.”

“Hah, that’s enough. If you’re that bored, don’t bother a busy person. Go play with someone else.”

“You’re the only one who plays with me.”

“…”

Alex was closer to disliking Dante, and Johan and Dante had an awkward relationship. Kaiel and Dante had no interest in each other whatsoever.

Even in the imperial palace, Dante was isolated. All because he was a monster.

‘He’s been alone everywhere.’

It felt like I was looking at my past self, the outcast, and it left a bad taste in my mouth. Just then, Dante caressed my cheek.

“My darling needs to eat more.”

“…What are you talking about all of a sudden? That’s so random.”

Dante casually shifted his hips. Naturally, my body, sitting atop his stomach, rocked up and down.

“You’re too light.”

My face flushed. Wasn’t that a little too suggestive?

“…”

“Are you hot? Your face is so red… Ah.”

Dante froze for a second, as if he’d just realized what he’d done.

I thought he might at least blush… but this was Dante.

Far from being embarrassed, he smiled a smile stickier than honey and whispered like a spell.

“You’re conscious of me.”

Thump.

My heart is racing because of this face, surely.

You should use that face for something else, you man.

“…So annoying.”

I covered Dante’s alluring face with my palm.

Somehow infuriated, I pressed down and rubbed his face vigorously, and Dante chuckled.

I swung my arm to shake off Dante, who was kissing my palm, and got off the bed.

“…Johan?”

Johan was standing in the half-open doorway of the bedroom. My heart sank like a child caught doing something wrong.

“S-Sir Johan, what are you doing there? Please, come in.”

He stared at us silently for a moment before turning and walking away. His expressionless face couldn’t hide the hurt I knew he felt.

“Sir Johan!”

I started to follow him instinctively, but Dante grabbed my arm.

“Don’t go.”

“…Your Highness.”

“Stay with me.”

“…”

“Please.”

The moment I met Dante’s dark eyes, a strange scene flashed before me.

“Noona, don’t go.”

“Shinwoo…”

“Stay with me.”

“…”

“Please.”