Chapter 45

During the ride back in the carriage, I didn’t say a single word.

Zenia, sensing my mood, asked cautiously.

“Princess, did something happen at the information guild?”

“Why?”

“You don’t seem to be in a good mood.”

“Because I just realized I’ve fallen into an old fox’s trap.”

“Who’s the old fox?”

“Duke Ruthius.”

“Gasp!”

The once chattering Zenia fell silent, and the carriage grew quiet.

I stared out the window until the carriage arrived at the Ruthius estate. The moment it stopped, I went straight to the Duke’s office.

When I opened the door without knocking, Duke Ruthius raised an eyebrow.

“It seems I’ve asked too much of you. Is behaving with dignity so difficult?”

“I had a rather interesting experience outside. I was so eager to tell you about it that I didn’t have time to knock. Would you care to hear it, Your Grace?”

“Do I look like I have time to trifle with you right now?”

“No, but you’ll listen anyway.”

I sat in a chair without waiting for permission.

Only then did Duke Ruthius put down his documents and rub his tired eyes.

“What is it? Speak quickly.”

“I went to sign a lease for a house today. But every single agent refused right before the contract was signed. It was as if they’d been ordered to.”

It was a fleeting change, but I saw it. Duke Ruthius’s expression faltered for a moment before returning to normal.

“…Is that so? How strange.”

“At first, I thought it was because of me. I’m a Hunter, and a mad one at that. It would be a disaster if I suddenly went berserk and destroyed their property, wouldn’t it?”

“A reasonable assumption.”

“But then someone gave me a little tip. The noble who owns the most properties in the capital is Duke Ruthius.”

“…”

“And the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like you ordered the agents to refuse me if I came to sign a lease. What do you think?”

Duke Ruthius replied nonchalantly.

“Is it not natural for me to choose who lives in my own properties?”

“Did you ever intend to let me move out in the first place?”

“Did I not tell you to do so? You are free to move out, as long as you can find a house.”

“Who would rent a house to me? Will any agent even show me a property, worried about getting on your bad side?”

“I am not the only noble who owns property in the capital. Deal with them directly.”

“An unmarried lady moving out on her own is tantamount to being disowned for causing trouble! What noble would rent a house to such a lady? They wouldn’t want to be caught up in whatever scandal might follow!”

“There must be at least one noble who doesn’t care for scandal. Giving up without even trying is what the weak do.”

‘Wow… his logic is out of this world.’

Duke Ruthius was truly shameless.

He blocked every path and then dared me to walk it if I could.

I had never encountered a situation so absurd.

As we were locked in a staring contest, he suddenly pulled a document from his desk and held it out to me.

“What’s this?”

“Reconsider it. It seems moving out will be difficult for the time being.”

It was the first contract he had proposed to me.

The one stating that Duke Ruthius would be responsible for all the guild’s funding.

‘Why does he still have this?’

I was about to refuse outright, but I hesitated.

The Duke’s reason for offering the first contract again was suspicious.

‘Could it be he planned this from the very beginning?’

“Are you planning to use the guild to seize control of the Hunters’ power?”

“I have no need for more power.”

That was true. The Ruthius family was the only founding contributor to the empire that the first emperor had granted special privileges.

“The head of House Ruthius is a dear friend to Us. We shall heed our friend’s counsel and shall not punish our friend for their faults.”

It meant that short of treason, the head of House Ruthius would not be punished for anything.

This privilege was also why Duke Ruthius had been safe even after arbitrarily returning from the war upon hearing of his wife’s death.

No wonder rumors spread that the only thing the Duke lacked compared to the Emperor was his title.

“Then are you trying to make money through the guild?”

“I have more than enough money as it is. Besides, the guild you’re establishing isn’t even that profitable.”

“Then why on earth are you doing this? Didn’t I make it clear? You must consult with me on all matters concerning me. Acting so unilaterally is problematic.”

“…”

“Your Grace, I don’t necessarily need a house to move out. If I set my mind to it, I can live in the tiniest of rooms.”

In my past life, the orphanage director was a madman. He would take in any orphan, ignoring capacity limits, just to get government subsidies.

‘I guarantee, after living there for a year, any closet would feel like paradise.’

How could I not survive anywhere, after sleeping crammed together with dozens of other children?

“You have an appointment to meet the Master of the Magic Tower tomorrow, do you not?”

‘Why is he suddenly bringing up Kaiel?’

I was about to frown but remembered Duke Ruthius’s words and controlled my expression.

“That’s right. Why?”

“You will understand when you meet him. If your mind remains unchanged even after that, I will never mention this contract again. Not only that, but I will personally see to it that you move out.”

‘What is he plotting?’

I was suspicious of Duke Ruthius’s intentions, but that suspicion didn’t last long.

The fact that he had promised with his own words to help me move out was more important.

For that, waiting one more day was nothing.

“…Are you sure?”

“I will write you a memorandum if you wish.”

“Fine. I’ll endure it just this once more. Please write the memorandum now.”

Duke Ruthius wrote the memorandum on a piece of high-quality paper.

I carefully checked the memorandum, then took it along with the first contract and left the office.

It was the first time I had ever looked forward to the next day so much.

***

The next day, Kaiel arrived at noon.

I led him to the dining room.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Yes.”

Kaiel sat in the chair that had been prepared for him.

He showed none of the usual courtesies, like pulling out my chair or waiting for me to sit first.

‘Just like his practical personality.’

I wasn’t bothered, but Zenia narrowed her eyes.

Of course, Kaiel didn’t so much as twitch an eyebrow.

I gestured to Zenia with my eyes and took my seat.

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet, but… if I recall correctly, you said you’d be serving tea.”

“They say if you want to get close to someone, you should bathe or eat with them. Since you and I can’t very well bathe together, Master of the Magic Tower, I chose a meal.”

Kaiel chuckled softly and unfolded his napkin. He didn’t seem displeased.

“Do you wish to get close to me, Princess?”

“It seems you do not, Master of the Magic Tower?”

“Please, call me Kaiel.”

“Do you not wish to get close to me, Kaiel?”

“When personal feelings get entangled in a professional relationship, it often leads to problems.”

“I agree. But you and I will be dealing with each other a lot in the future, Kaiel. Wouldn’t it be wise to establish a decent rapport in preparation for that?”

Kaiel declined the wine and drank a little water.

I followed his lead and chose water over wine.

“I’m not so sure. I’m not the type to mince my words based on familiarity.”

“That’s what I like about you, Kaiel. I don’t alter my words or actions based on familiarity either. We could be quite good partners.”

“Do you think so?”

It was a strange response, one that hinted the deal might fall through.

Come to think of it, Kaiel was overly composed. He showed no sign of desperation.

‘Wasn’t I the one in the power position?’

Kaiel had to join hands with me. From now on, I would have a monopoly on all the cores obtained by guild-affiliated Hunters.

Crucially, I had the barrier formula.

In other words, if the Magic Tower wanted to create barriers with cores, partnering with me was their only option.

‘So why is he so relaxed? Does he have an ace up his sleeve?’

Just as I was thinking that…

a conversation I’d had with Duke Ruthius a while ago flashed through my mind like lightning.

“Let me ask you one thing. How did you know about the guild?”

“Your question is wrong.”

“What?”

“You shouldn’t be asking me how I know, but rather who else knows.”

And just yesterday.

“You will understand when you meet him. If your mind remains unchanged even after that, I will never mention this contract again. Not only that, but I will personally see to it that you move out.”

My eyes widened.

“There’s another one.”

“What did you say?”

“There’s someone else besides me trying to create a Hunter’s Guild. That person has contacted you, Kaiel. Am I wrong?”

Someone with the same plan as me was moving in secret.

The corner of Kaiel’s mouth curved slightly.

“You’re quick on the uptake. That’s correct.”