The last month of the year.

The temperature dropped significantly, and the weather became chilly, with a cold breeze even during the day.

The garden visible from Lishi’s room had a desolate atmosphere with fallen leaves, but it had its own charm.

‘Now it’s about time for Jamie to return.’

The group, including Jamie, who went to subdue the Lamba, had not returned yet, as they had met the Emperor of the Gavizar Empire and visited the Pontifical Office of the Sacred Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the first sales revenue from Meritium had come in.

They sold a total of 10 kilograms for 920 million bricks, and after giving 10% to the Gemette headquarters as labor costs, they had around 800 million bricks left.

It was the first time Lishi had earned so much money with her own efforts.

Although she had made various plans to earn a lot of money in this life, actually having a substantial amount of money in hand made her heart race.

‘It’s still far. I can’t be satisfied with this.’

If she saved it, the money could last for several years, but Lishi had no intention of living frugally.

The Witelo family spent almost 1 billion bricks a year on various expenses, including clothes, accessories, parties, and garden maintenance. Wealthier noble houses spent more than 1 billion bricks.

The money that came in this time was first deposited into a reliable bank.

With the money earned by selling all 50 kilograms of Meritium, they planned to start their first business.

While contemplating the plan, looking down at the garden, Lishi saw Kei walking hurriedly through the garden.

‘Where is he going?’

Following him with her eyes, she noticed an adult figure on the opposite side.

Someone surrounded by a crowd was walking towards Kei along the garden path.

With maids and attendants dressed in splendid clothes, and knights armed with heavy equipment. Among them, there was a particularly noticeable figure.

A beautiful woman in a sky-blue dress, with long jet-black hair spread out and contrasting with her fair skin, looked exceptionally pure.

‘Maeri Ketben?’

In the past life, she had never seen her up close due to the lack of connections, but the pretty face of the woman renowned on the continent was deeply imprinted in her memory.

‘Why is she here? Could it be…’

There was a rumor that came to mind.

The Princess of the Minas Arik Kingdom, Maeri Ketben, was deeply in love with Kevrant Green.

In the past life, it was a rumor that disappeared after wandering around, so it wasn’t memorable. Besides, it wasn’t a situation worth paying attention to other people’s love affairs.

However, now that she had become Kei’s wife, that rumor was no longer something she could ignore.

Without realizing, Lishi clenched her fists, and she approached Kei, staring at the stopped Maeri.
It seemed like Maeri and I made eye contact for a brief moment, but seeing her stretch out her arms and hug Kei’s neck, it appears to have been a misunderstanding. Since there’s no reason for them to embrace like lovers in front of his wife who is staring intently.

‘If he’s doing this even though he knows I’m watching…’

Lishi’s pupils chilled.

‘I can’t stay still either.’

+++

“Maeri Ketben has come, Commander. She demanded the door be opened in a high-handed manner, so I opened it… What should we do? Eugene is currently dealing with her.”

Kei, who was in his study, frowned at Nathan’s report.

“Maeri came?”

“Yes, she’s here.”

“Damn it.”

Kei spat out a curse and looked out of the study window. Maeri’s entourage coming in through the main gate was visible in the distance. They made a flamboyant entrance as always, leading a colorful crowd.

“What should we do? Anyway, she’s a princess of a country, so I prepared for etiquette, but if you give the order, I’ll go and kill them all. Once they’re all dead, she won’t be able to say she died at my hands anywhere else.”

Kei knew Nathan could indeed do that. However, he couldn’t treat Maeri in such a manner.

“Stop. I’ll go and meet her.”

“Are you sure? Commander, you’re soft when it comes to that princess.”

Nathan’s words were true.

When Kei was still young, Maeri had saved his life. If Maeri hadn’t stepped forward at that time, Kei wouldn’t be able to live as he does now.

What was fortunate was that Maeri, having claimed to be a lifesaver, didn’t use it as leverage to manipulate Kei. Until he met Lishi, who didn’t have plans to get married until he met her, Kei often let things slide even when he knew what Maeri wanted.

Since Maeri was a princess of a country, when the time came, she would marry a good husband chosen by the king. At that point, Maeri would sort out her feelings on her own.

“I have to figure out something.”

To be honest, he had completely forgotten about Maeri’s existence until now. Immersed in his love for Lishi, he didn’t have the luxury to think about other women.

Contemplating how to send Maeri back, Kei walked across the garden.