The image of the mine surfaced in Olivia’s mind. She remembered something strange about the mine’s appearance when she last visited after the scholars had left, saying there was nothing more to investigate.

“Princess. Decide quickly. I think it’s quite a good condition.”

The princess spoke slyly as she observed Olivia, who was still. There seemed to be urgency, yet Olivia’s expressionless face revealed no information.

If she refused this.

The princess struggled to think of useless properties, but there were none.

“Surely, there will be a useful day for you.”

She remembered her father, the emperor, saying that when she received this abandoned mine, even though she was unhappy about it. Who would have thought it could be used this way?

If Olivia only nodded her head, this abandoned mine would have served its purpose.

The princess glanced at the torn pieces of paper on the table.

Had she not struggled so much to find Lerkal’s necklace, she wouldn’t have been caught like this.

“……I will do so.”

The princess’s head shot up. The faintly passing voice was clearly consent.

She thought it was stupid, but not this stupid!

“I’ll change the title right away.”

Before Olivia could even speak, the princess twisted her lips and smiled.

“You made a wise decision, Princess. Although I’m not in a position to congratulate your marriage, our affection doesn’t end here, does it?”

Now, even though she’s absurdly concerned about the duke’s position, Olivia fundamentally loved her husband. If her husband whispered sweet words, she might beg for forgiveness.

Then she would thoroughly trample today’s shame.

The princess smiled with a hidden gleam in her eye, resuming her elegant face.

Meanwhile, regrets and concerns swirled like a whirlwind in Olivia’s heart.

What have I just said?

She felt a surge of desire to retract her words, but the princess didn’t give her a chance to speak. She called a servant, and the maids waiting outside came in.

“Call Count Yubler. Bring the notary financial manager as well.”

Count Yubler was the princess’s financial manager. Today, the princess seemed determined to get things done thoroughly.

Olivia nodded slowly as she looked at the torn pieces of the ledger.

Indeed, it had been on her mind.

“Well, I’ve been here twice, but there’s nothing here, you know?”

From the time one of the geologists complained and simultaneously covered his mouth with an embarrassed face. Or perhaps from the time there were no proper records for the mine.

Or perhaps…

Olivia recalled the entrance of the mine where the cold wind blew momentarily. From the time when, for the first time, it seemed like a fresh breeze had blown as they were leaving the mine.

“Your Highness the Princess. Count Yubler has arrived.”

The voice of Lady Countess Luhas broke Olivia’s reverie. The princess greeted the count with an irrepressible bright smile.

.

.

.

Suddenly called, Count Yubler cocked his head.

“Your Highness the Princess. Are you really bestowing this crystal mine to the Lady of the Court?”

“Yes, Count.”

“But do you see the royal seal here?”

Count Yubler pointed to the documents of the crystal mine. Unlike other properties, the absence of a record, only the royal seal, felt awkward somewhere.

It would be good to investigate further and proceed, but the princess’s eyes widened.

“Count. Are you ignoring my command now?”

“That’s not it.”

The count sweated behind his back. He clearly wanted to check one more time, but the princess in front did not seem to wait while verifying.

“Proceed quickly. It’s a gift I’m bestowing to my beloved Lady of the Court.”

“……Yes, Your Highness.”

In the end, the count’s only option was to follow the princess’s command.

The count drafted the documents. Then he extended a pen to Olivia. Olivia slowly wrote her name. The princess snatched the documents as soon as she received them and quickly signed.

The finance manager standing behind completed the notarization by stamping the magical seal engraved with the princess’s emblem.

Only then did the princess relax her shoulders as if relieved. It was generous enough to praise the count and finance manager who were leaving.

But when the two stepped out, the princess looked at Olivia again with a fierce face.

“Now, everything has been done as the Lady of the Court wishes. Are you satisfied now?”

Olivia could not answer easily. She fumbled the end of the document proving that the mine was hers.

She couldn’t discern whether this strange feeling was regret or astonishment because she now owned a mine.

“I hope you bring the original ledger, since I showed you this much mercy.”

Burn it with a firecracker as soon as you bring the original ledger. The princess ground her teeth. It seemed she would feel better if she burned the culprit that tormented her heart so quickly without a trace.

But Olivia stood up instead of answering. The princess raised her eyebrows.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I am a person who knows loyalty.”

“Well, if the Lady of the Court had loyalty, you wouldn’t have done this to me.”

The princess sneered, but Olivia, who had achieved her goal, only smiled softly.

“I plan to dispose of the ledger so that Your Highness has no worries.”

The princess looked at Olivia with doubtful eyes. But the intention to dispose of the ledger was true. Although the princess continued to call me the Lady of the Court, I had already left the duke’s family.

It would take a few days until my name is officially removed, but before that, the ledger and property had to be sorted.

If it’s all sorted out, burn it all.

Of course, I had no intention of telling the princess.

Olivia bowed to the princess, holding the document with one hand and the hem of her dress with the other.

“Thank you, Your Highness the Princess.”

As expected, the princess did not accept Olivia’s greeting. The bowed state continued.

Finally, the princess got up from her seat. Only when the sound of the princess, who seemed disgusted as if she didn’t want to see her, leaving the reception room was heard did Olivia raise her body.

After facing the princess, for the first time after feeling humiliation or misery, a different emotion came.

The corners of her mouth rose involuntarily.

It was a strange and splendid feeling that was hard to name.

Olivia got back into the carriage and headed to Tiaje Palace.

A document suddenly appeared. If assets were to be obtained with the deposit, she wanted to boast to the Duke right away. But the actual value of the acquired assets was nothing.

But the deal was already done.

What should she do with this crystal mine and the surrounding area?

Olivia thought hard, but no answer came.

The carriage that had been running gradually slowed down. It was the Tiaje Palace. Only when the carriage stopped and the door opened did Olivia realize that the day had become quite dark.

Only then did Olivia suddenly worry about the duke. What he would have done alone in the palace. Was it because of her impatience, or was it because the tension had relaxed after the confrontation with the princess?

As soon as she stepped outside, her legs wobbled. The hand that was reaching for the carriage door grabbed something solid instead. At the same time, a cool and refreshing fragrance caught her. Olivia’s eyes widened.

“Have you returned?”

“Your Grace.”

Olivia straightened her posture. The duke looked at Olivia’s released arm and smiled slowly, as if regretful.

“Your face looks good.”

Olivia grinned and showed the duke the hand he had kissed. With half embarrassment, and half teasingly, Olivia responded.

“Thanks to you.”

Doing what she wanted to do was such an overwhelming thing.

Having what she wanted to have.

And.

“I’m glad I could help. I feel even better.”

The duke smiled brightly. At that moment, Olivia felt her heart rate quicken. Thump, thump. It felt as if the healthy heartbeat was ringing louder in her ears.