If the railway through Fistera became useless, the tracks laid from the heart of Lusonia might be in vain. No, maybe they’d have to start anew from the border of Landhill.

“So!”

The moment she met Carson’s eyes, Ines realized the significance of what she was about to disclose. Yet she had no choice but to speak. Ines quickly averted her gaze from him.

“So, I read this in some book… of course, I can’t remember the title.”

He looked at Ines as if encouraging her to continue.

“That mountain’s ground is too weak to tunnel through. It may look like a rocky mountain on the surface, but it’s not the case once you start digging. It keeps collapsing.”

“Why is the ground weak?”

“The mountain is in a region highly affected by sea winds, so there’s a lot of fine sand mixed in.”

“You read that in a book?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“How did the author know that?”

“Ah, maybe there were signs of ground caving in the area? I can’t remember that part well.”

She, who had forgotten a lot since earlier, kept avoiding eye contact with him.

“That’s something Drofinua, who spent years committed to railroad construction, didn’t know.”

“Maybe that’s why they didn’t go with such a design?”

Carson remained silent. Ines felt he was highly suspicious of her, and his suspicion and caution were justified.

It was too absurd to ask him to believe her unconditionally. The ground’s weakness was something one could only know by digging.

“You probably find it hard to fully believe me.”

“No, I believe you.”

Ines quickly lifted her downcast head. Their gazes clashed in the air. It was then that Carson felt the strange sensation he’d felt when he first saw this woman might not merely be a suffocating feeling.

Suddenly, he felt parched at the sight of the woman sitting on the floor, looking up at him. He inadvertently touched his bare neck.

“Really?”

With a cleared throat, he nodded and approached Ines with large steps.

As Carson came closer, Ines had to tilt her head back to look at him. His sharply chiseled jaw caught her eye as he came closer.

“If you say so, then it must be.”

Feeling encouraged by his one word of belief, a bright smile naturally appeared on her face.

“So, will this be of help?”

“It will indeed.”

At the words of help, Ines sprang to her feet.

“If we can’t tunnel through that mountain, the railroad concession might as well be mine.”

He glanced at her while squinting his eyes.

“Though the Empress can’t even imagine it, I’ve thought about the railroad for a very long time.”

“Then that’s great news.”

“Of course. So I should be very pleased right now, but…”

“…?”

“Why does it feel like it doesn’t matter anymore?”

His voice lowered, almost scratching the air.

Hearing his tone, Ines was reminded that she was in a confined space alone with this man. Carson’s gaze scorchingly scanned Ines’ face.

Was the suddenly heavy atmosphere only her imagination?

To shake off the weird feeling, Ines took a step back. Carson seemed to smile slightly, but it wasn’t certain.

“Sir, may I ask…”

Instead of replying, Carson tilted his head.

“Are you offended?”

“By what?”

“By the fact that I have a portrait of you without permission.”

At her words, his eyebrows momentarily furrowed.

“Should I be offended? Never really thought about it.”

Ines bowed her head, relieved, and exhaled a discreet sigh.

“But come to think of it, I am offended.”

“What?”
Lifting her face in a flash, he seemed to squint his eyes, holding back a smile.

“So it is. Who’s looking at my face anytime they want. What are they planning to do with it?”

Though I hadn’t intended anything bad by looking at his portrait, he was entirely right. Ines nodded her head.

“Yes, you’re right. I was thoughtless.”

“So, you’re giving it back?”

“Pardon?”

“Are you giving back my portrait?”

“I guess…I have to.”

Ines bit her lower lip hard. She didn’t want to give it back, especially now that he had to leave.

“No, don’t do that.”

Ines stared at him, unable to understand his intention.

“I’ll allow only you.”

“Excuse me?”

“From now on, I plan to be very angry with anyone who has my portrait without permission.”

“So you mean, I can keep it?”

“Is it fashionable to carry my portrait around?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you mind that other women carry around my portrait?”

A question she’d never considered before. Isn’t it inevitable that one can’t monopolize the face of a god?

However, after hearing his words… she somehow didn’t like it.

“Take it away from Susan, too.”

Although Susan would be very aggrieved if she heard, Ines could give no reply.

He stepped right in front of her and locked eyes with her a bit more. Then he reached out and tilted his body sharply to the left. Ines closed her eyes involuntarily.

Carson reached out his long arm and pulled a nearby hanging cord.

Ines marveled at his tall and lengthy body.

His arm could reach the cord from where he was standing. She looked at him with round eyes, and saw him tightly close his eyes.

She thought she heard a soft chuckle.

Susan appeared not long after.

“Did you call?”

“Can you call Noah, my aide?”

“Yes.”