“Regina, please go to the Orleans household and also send these letters.”

Regina pocketed Jasmine’s letter and took the basket of letters with both hands.

“I’ll be back soon.”

After Regina left, Elise finally had a moment to relax.

“I trust you. More than myself.”

A sudden recollection of a voice made her ears warm.

Responding to her plea for trust, he had already affirmed his belief in her.

Chase had never shown such trust in her entire life.

But Karan had persistently said he couldn’t take Elise with him.

He overreacted as if Elise getting hurt, suffering, or even Ragnarok awakening were bigger problems.

‘Though he didn’t say it.’

To Elise, it felt that way.

‘He’d faint if he knew I participated in the Gate subjugation.’

Elise chuckled to herself. In the past, she had joined the Bedroca’s second Gate subjugation battle for Chase’s achievement.

With her minimal mana and ability to draw magic circles, Elise had little to do, but Chase wanted her there.

“Elise, I hate hearing that you’re favored because you’re my fiancée.”

Chase said he was afraid of Elise being criticized, but what he truly feared was her not gaining fame.

He wanted her to enhance her value as his trophy.

Naturally, Elise faced several near-death experiences in that subjugation.

Chase left her in the rear, fearing it might seem she was getting special treatment.

With almost no combatants in the rear, monsters left by the knights or unforeseen situations made it dangerous.

So, Elise’s situation was even more dire.

But she survived and did what she could.

Thorough research on the Gate.

She classified and analyzed different types of monsters.

Later, she created various items using monster by-products, but Chase opposed commercializing them, fearing it would tarnish his image.

‘There were some really good things.’

Like a hair growth serum made from the extract of furry monsters, or pudding based on slime, which she regretted not being able to commercialize.

Only one product was commercialized, bringing considerable profit to Chase.

‘This time, it’ll be difficult. The second Gate won’t be my responsibility anymore.’
Regret welled up inside Elise, but she shook it off.

If she were to follow Karan to the Gate, she intended to collect samples and venture into business.

‘You need money to establish yourself in Titris.’

Money had long been equated with power.

And in the barren lands of Titris, this was likely even more pronounced.

‘Karan’s inability to establish a foothold in Titris is also because of money.’

His exceptional combat skills were a significant advantage but also a drawback.

King Tylor would send him out whenever trouble arose.

Naturally, Karan was oblivious to the workings and economics of the kingdom.

‘No influential relatives, and he hasn’t married either. It’s not that he lacked popularity.’

From the cafe incident alone, it was possible to gauge Karan’s popularity in Titris.

Though not a classic Bedrocan beauty, he had a charm that captivated people.

Perhaps his raw appeal was what stirred women’s hearts.

Thinking about Karan that day, Elise found herself inexplicably thirsty and rang the bell.

But instead of a maid, Iris entered.

“You, I hear you made quite a spectacle of yourself on the street?”

Taken aback by the sudden confrontation, Elise sighed.

“Why are you so interested in me? Mind your own business, sister. You must be busy with your engagement preparations.”

Elise hadn’t meant to provoke Iris.

She was just stating the fact, but Iris, unhappy with her marriage to Chase, took it as a challenge.

Iris’s face reddened as she stormed across the room.

“It’s all because of you.”

The same old story.

“How long will you blame me? If you’re unhappy with the situation, change it. Don’t you have that capability?”

“How can I change a marriage that’s already decided?”

Why couldn’t she change it?

Just a verbal agreement.

‘In my previous life, you took my place in a royal marriage.’

Elise swallowed the words she couldn’t say.

“There are many ways not to do something if you don’t want to. If you’re willing to ruin yourself. But you don’t want that. You want other people’s praise, honor, and power.”

“Isn’t that natural? I deserve all that. Unlike you.”

“Right. So, your marriage to Lord Chase isn’t my fault; it’s your choice. Don’t pick a fight with me about it again.”

“And what will you do if I do?”

As Elise retorted firmly, an angry Iris pushed her shoulder.

Elise, who had been sitting, stood up abruptly.

Her imposing aura was too much for Iris to handle.

Elise, appearing as a 20-year-old, carried within her a 29-year-old self, who had almost reached the queen’s throne after leading Chase to the throne and planning the final strategy of the Ragnarok subjugation.

How could Iris, a 22-year-old flower sheltered in a greenhouse, contend with that?

“You thought I’d be scared if you glared at me?”

Iris snapped back, trying not to show fear.

Elise grabbed Iris’s shoulder.

As she squeezed, wrinkles formed on Iris’s delicate forehead.

“Curious about what I can do? Then keep acting this way. You said I was vulgar? I’ll show you what real vulgarity is. Now that I think of it, I’m curious too. Just how far can I go with you, sister?”