Kaius opened his eyes as dawn was breaking. This had been his lifelong habit.

Having just emerged from the bathroom, Kaius changed his clothes and neatly combed his tousled hair. Being abroad did not reduce his workload. Even now, documents were placed on the table alongside a steaming cup of coffee. Lemon had set them there while he was bathing.

As Kaius sat cross-legged and began drinking his coffee, Lemon rushed in urgently.

“Your Excellency, an urgent telegram has arrived.”

Kaius’s brow furrowed as he read the document handed to him by Lemon. It was from Kaldenbach.

Setting down his coffee cup, Kaius took out a cigar and put it in his mouth. A month ago, the largest hotel project in history being built in Bronchu, the imperial capital, from Kaldenbach had come to a complete halt. The reason given was that even for private property, imperial approval was required as it was in the capital. It was the doing of the Lantierno ducal family, backed by Emperor Hart.

Strangely enough, Emperor Hart had declared he would grant the business rights to the winner of a cooking competition. As a result, a large notice went up in Bronchu’s Fountain Square.

One steak and one dessert each. Must be able to sell in the hotel afterwards.

Elbartan’s Kaldenbach vs. Lantierno’s Berryhouse.

Date: 5 PM on October 22, 1755 Imperial Calendar, Grand Empress Dowager’s Birthday Banquet

Location: The competition will be held in the Grand Banquet Hall of the Imperial Palace.

– Emperor Hartun von Klardeus.

The condition was that 15 judges would be selected by lottery on the day of the competition. Emperor Hart had declared that the company receiving a majority of votes would be allowed to build a hotel in the capital.

Though he knew this was also the empress’s obvious ploy to obtain the hotel business rights, it was impossible to refuse. The emperor had priority regarding matters in the imperial capital.

But Kaius decided to use this as an opportunity.

An opportunity to revive the hotel business that had been struggling since abandoning the nobles-only label.

The Elia company that would make that opportunity a reality.

As a result, Kaldenbach had secretly contacted the Elia company, but received a response to wait until a month later, according to the report. A spice company he happened to learn about. When he obtained and examined a bottle of spices they sold, he found unfamiliar ingredients mixed in.

The astonishment when he ate a steak grilled with those spices sprinkled on.

Though it had been established less than half a year ago, Kaius recognized the company’s value at a glance. That’s why he wanted to acquire the company if possible. He had hoped for these things to happen before the competition, but now the timeframe was too tight.

With less than a month left until the competition. White smoke from his cigar flowed between his lips, colliding with the telegram he was holding before dispersing into the air.

“Elia Camellon.”

The owner of the Elia company written on the telegram, but an unknown figure.

It seems I’ll have to move personally.

Kaius wrote a reply saying he would make direct contact and handed it to Lemon before picking up another document. As he finished reviewing all the documents, Lemon entered again.

“Your Excellency, it’s almost time for your lunch appointment with King Leon.”

Kaius nodded briefly and put on his jacket. Standing in front of the mirror, he meticulously checked his attire and neatly combed back his disheveled hair before leaving the room.

“Let’s eat.”

At King Leon’s words, Kaius began cutting his steak. As a piece of meat entered his mouth and he chewed a few times, Kaius’s eyes could no longer maintain their calm. An exclamation of admiration escaped his lips.

“Could this be Elia spices?”

A quiet exclamation slipped from King Leon’s lips as he gazed at Kaius with interest. He had heard the production was so small that sales had not yet begun in the empire. As expected of the renowned Elbartan.

“I didn’t think you’d recognize it.”

“I had the chance to taste it once before.”

“Isn’t it truly excellent?”

Watching King Leon, Kaius saw the gentle smile on the king’s lips. It was not simply praising the spices.

Even with outstanding abilities, to smile like that while thinking of a mere company? Seeing the king’s expression that even seemed proud at a glance, he could reach a conclusion close to certainty.

The owner of the Elia company is someone very close to the king.

“Please, eat. It’s delicious even when cold, but it’s best when warm.”

Letting out a quiet laugh, Kaius cut another piece of steak and put it in his mouth. Indeed, it’s perfect. Kaius was certain.

If this steak is submitted to ‘Le Cordon Bleu’, it will definitely win.

Then. I must obtain it. But there was no need to rush.

“Your Majesty, I have one question. May I ask?”

King Leon, who had paused his meal, took a sip of jasmine tea before looking at the man before him as if examining him. King Leon was also aware of the cooking competition. The duke’s desire was surely to connect with the Elia company.

“By chance, I saw Princess Ariel’s appearance from a year ago.”

Oh my…….

An exclamation escaped at the unexpected question. To ask about Ariel’s past appearance.

“Is that so. Since a year ago, her hair and eye color changed for no particular reason. Is that important?”

Of course, it’s not important at all. It was merely a question thrown to satisfy some curiosity and ease the king’s wariness about the Elia company.

“I see.”

“Is that all you wanted to ask?”

“Yes. By the way, this steak is really delicious.”

The duke before him showed no signs of hurry and remained leisurely.

A sturdy build and appearance that could charm even men, with cool eyes. His posture as he ate with his neck straight was elegant without a single unnecessary movement. King Leon smiled faintly. Though it was a relationship formed under Emperor Hart’s threats, the duke before him was quite to his liking.

After dinner, Kaius sat down with several members of the delegation to coordinate their schedule. Sitting until late, they smoked cigars, drank wine, and exchanged vulgar jokes. Mainly about Letiana women.

But just as he was about to open his mouth, no longer wanting to listen to this boring and low-class talk, Lemon entered with an urgent expression.

“Your Excellency, there’s an urgent message from the Tris territory.”

As Lemon hesitated to speak while looking at the others, Count Hammond stood up first.

“Duke, we’ll take our leave now.”

After they left, Kaius leaned back deep into the sofa and asked Lemon.

“What message?”

“An excuse, sir.”

Kaius raised his eyes for a moment, then burst into laughter. Lemon approached and handed Kaius a sword.

“From now on, don’t let the sword leave your body. They say stronger ones are appearing. If you face monsters without a sword like before, it could be disastrous.”

Nodding slowly, Kaius inserted the sword into the sword belt. It was uncomfortable, but there was no other choice. He had reached the point where he couldn’t let the sword leave his body anymore.

Kaius, dressed lightly, left his lodgings and set out alone for a walk to clear his complicated mind.

Kaius’s steps, which began in the outer palace, only stopped in front of the annex of the north palace. Unlike when he left, his appearance was disheveled, and his left arm was injured and bandaged with a handkerchief to stop the bleeding.

During his walk, a barrier opened, and he fought. The monsters had become so strong that he would have been seriously injured if he hadn’t had his sword. Though they were clearly the same creatures he had encountered during the war, they were several times stronger inside the barrier.

His eyes gradually narrowed as he looked at the annex. What had he come here to confirm?

Although his first meeting with Ariel had been suspicious, she couldn’t have known about his situation. Both the monster attacks and his injuries were known only to his closest confidants. Yet what was this delusion that she might come here and heal him?

After shaking off the blood flowing from his wound once, Kaius tightened the knot he had tied again and strode into the annex.

Lying in bed, Ariel found herself thinking of Kaius without realizing it.

“What if he’s injured again tonight……”

If he was badly hurt like the day he arrived, recovery would be slow, and if he was attacked by monsters again in the meantime, he might be injured even more severely. The demon plant guide she had seen in the past clearly stated that as the zapharos poisoning progressed, monster attacks would occur more frequently.

No.

Ariel jumped up from the bed and began pacing around the room. Her silver hair that reached below her waist sparkled in the moonlight.

If he was injured. He might be waiting for her in the north palace annex. While there was nothing she could do when he was far away, it made her very uneasy to pretend not to know now that he was close by.

“Let’s go check.”

As Ariel, wearing a light cloak and magical artifact, left her bedroom, Kaius was carefully looking around inside the annex. A small desk and bed, bathroom, and a kitchenette where simple refreshments could be prepared. Fortunately or unfortunately, she was nowhere to be seen.

He chuckled at his own appearance, coming here based on baseless speculation. Just as Kaius was about to turn back, he changed his mind and approached the large desk attached to the window. Piles of paper and pens, papers with unintelligible scribbles that seemed to have been abandoned midway.

As he recalled Ariel while looking at the small, pretty handwriting, he heard light, soft footsteps.

Ariel arrived in front of the annex, relying only on moonlight. Just as she raised her hand to open the door, a thought she had overlooked came to mind.

What if he’s injured when I open this door?

While it could be coincidence once, if it happened repeatedly, it would immediately become a suspicious situation. Ariel quickly took her hand off the door and stepped back.

Should I go back?

But he was injured because of me…

She hesitantly approached the door again, but upon further consideration, facing him now would only raise unnecessary suspicion.

It would be better to ask casually during the day and heal him if he’s injured.

As Ariel convinced herself and was about to turn away after staring at the door for a moment, the door quietly opened. Through the open door, Kaius’s gaze as he looked at her was deep and calm.

As her startled heart gradually calmed, his appearance came into view. His usually neat hair had fallen to cover his forehead, and his clothes were disheveled. As Ariel’s gaze moved lower, her eyes widened. Drops of blood were falling to the floor along his hand.

The door opened a little more, and Kaius stepped back.