“Well… Unintentional violations could happen, right? So how about setting the penalty at 100,000 ru?”

Seeing Kaius slowly shaking his head, Ariel sighed softly and carefully examined the clause.

“What specifically does it mean by ‘damaging the honor of the ducal family’?”

“Just avoid being talked about due to issues with men or money.”

Ludvian’s matter was something he knew well about, and he planned to ask Anna to deliver the oil if possible, so there shouldn’t be any major problems. Nodding at the thought that it was acceptable content, Ariel pondered the next clause.

Thinking it wouldn’t be much different from the responsibilities and duties she had to uphold as a princess, she nodded readily. Confidentiality was a given, of course.

No matter how much she looked, there didn’t seem to be any big issues. Yet for some reason, she kept feeling uneasy.

“If there are no objections, let’s write two copies and sign them.”

Thinking that she just needed to avoid breaking the contract, Ariel dismissed her unnecessary worries. After they each took a copy of the contract with both their signatures, Ariel stood up from her seat.

“Shall we set the contract to take effect right after arriving at the duke’s residence? How about that?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“I look forward to working with you for the next year.”

At his willing response, Ariel offered him a handshake. However, seeing her confidently extended hand, Kaius’s eyes gradually narrowed.

He had clearly agreed to this marriage. Yet her businesslike attitude was, well.

“I too look forward to our marriage.”

Emphasizing the word ‘marriage’, Kaius firmly grasped her small hand.

“Um… Your Grace?”

As Ariel looked up at him with puzzled eyes, he returned the questioning look. As Ariel lowered her head, Kaius’s gaze also moved downward.

“Please let go of my hand. It hurts.”

Only then realizing he still hadn’t released her hand, Kaius slowly loosened his grip. Quickly pulling her hand away, there were clear red marks on it.

“What’s bothering you?”

Ariel tilted her head and asked while shaking out her hand.

“Nothing. I apologize. Does it hurt much?”

“No, it’s fine. Shall we head out now?”

When he nodded, Ariel moved towards the door first. Overtaking her with his long strides, Kaius extended his arm. To escort her.

“You don’t need to escort me.”

Ariel immediately declined after seeing his emotionless gaze. It was her own consideration, thinking he would find it bothersome. The North Palace was close to the annex anyway.

“I’m tired. If you don’t plan to stay here, let’s leave.”

Staring into Ariel’s eyes, Kaius then shifted his gaze to the door. His arm still extended. Ariel gently took his arm.

“Thank you.”

With a click, the door opened and the humid night breeze blew in, ruffling both their hair. Actually, it wasn’t out of consideration for him. It was obvious their marriage would be loveless, so she wanted to maintain an appropriate distance if possible.

Glancing at Kaius’s expressionless face from the corner of her eye, Ariel turned away.

This was better. It was just a polite gesture without any real meaning.

At that moment, Kaius turned his head towards Ariel, his gaze deep and quiet.

It was a day of scorching sunlight.

To begin preparations for departing to the Empire, Ariel headed to the greenhouse. Since the demonic flowers were dangerous, she had to handle them personally. After picking all the flowers of Lilas and Japaros, she stored them separately, and prepared to take all the Lilas plants along with their soil. As for Japaros, being a large tree, she had to be content with just collecting its flowers.

Meanwhile, Anna packed Ariel’s luggage. Dragon eggs, oil bottles, spices. And her clothes.

Following Kaius’s instruction to minimize luggage, they decided to pack only the essentials. Since the Tris territory had four seasons, there was no need to bring many of Letiana’s thin dresses. Even if brought, they could only be worn next summer.

When Ariel, who had finished organizing the greenhouse by afternoon, spotted Edward was upon entering the North Palace.

“Edward, what’s the matter?”

“There are two urgent matters. Let’s talk in the bedroom.”

The two headed to Ariel’s bedroom with slightly quickened steps. Upon entering, Anna was nowhere to be seen, presumably having finished packing.

“There’s been direct contact from the Imperial Palace of the Klardeus Empire.”

Sitting across the table, Edward handed over a telegram with a smile. His golden hair sparkled in the sunlight.

“Did this contact come today?”

“Yes. They say they’ll offer a good price if we cut off all deals with others and trade exclusively with them. An exclusive contract with the Imperial Palace could be quite beneficial. Ariel, what do you think?”

If only money was considered, accepting this offer would be good, but Ariel had no such intention. Moreover, Emperor Hart had threatened her father, and his relationship with Kaius wasn’t particularly good either.

With such a person, there was no need to.

Besides, even without trading with the palace, there were plenty of other markets.

“Please reply that it’s difficult right now due to the limited production quantity and all being under long-term contracts. As a merchant’s credibility is their life, they should understand. Instead, say that when production increases, we could contract some of that volume, and send about five small bottles as a gift this time.”

Most of the important matters of the Elia company were being handled by people Edward employed. He made simple decisions himself, and sought Ariel’s opinion on important matters like this.

“When do you plan to start increasing production?”

“For now, please start with building accommodations there first.”

Rising from her seat, Ariel took out a paper with a design drawing from a drawer in the cabinet and handed it over. It was a layout connecting residential spaces like a hotel.

“Building in this form should be efficient for a small territory. I plan to start increasing production after securing accommodations first.”

Edward exclaimed with admiration, smiling gently. If Ariel had been born a prince, Letiana would have welcomed its most outstanding king in several hundred years. Her eye for trends, excellent drive, and care for the people. Not a single thing was lacking.

“Ariel, you really should become queen. Then Letiana could truly become a rising power.”

“You flatter me, Magician.”

Edward’s words suggested that running a country was a very different matter from running a company. As they were laughing and chatting in such a pleasant atmosphere, Anna entered.

“Oh? When did you arrive? I’ve loaded all the luggage from here onto the carriage. Have you finished organizing the greenhouse?”

“Yes, the greenhouse is done too.”

While conversing, Anna prepared three cups of cool coffee and joined them at the table.

“Wow… For the Imperial Palace to contact us, Ariel’s spices must be really amazing! Well, once you taste them, you can’t eat steak like before anymore.”

Anna exclaimed dramatically after checking the content of the telegram on the table, and Ariel smiled quietly.

“What about the other matter?”

At Ariel’s question, Edward hesitated a little.

“Duke Kaius von Elbartan contacted me directly. His Majesty also gave me a hint to handle it well since you’ll soon be married to him.”

“Father did?”

Nodding, Edward continued.

“The Duke wants to meet Elia Camellon in person. Says he has an important proposal. If it were anyone else, I would have ignored it, but since he’s to be your husband.”

While listening to Edward’s story, Ariel took a sip of the cool coffee. The coolness of the pewter cup eased the heat in her hand.

“He wants to meet today without fail. Says he’s leaving Letiana tomorrow.”

Contemplating whether to meet him, Ariel took another sip of the cool coffee.

“At 5 PM in the restaurant of the Leripol Hotel. He said he’d wait there. Asked me to relay that. If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to.”

At the entrance of the Leripol Hotel, a blonde woman resembling Edward appeared. It was Ariel, her face hidden behind a veil, her eyes golden, their original color.

The hastily prepared artifact could only enchant one ability. And its duration was just 2 hours.

As a stopgap measure, she wore a bracelet that made her hair color the same as Edward’s and a necklace that slightly lowered her voice tone. Since the maximum number of artifacts that could be worn simultaneously was two, she couldn’t change her eye color.

She had no intention of revealing to anyone for the time being that the owner of the Elia company was the princess of Letiana.

Letiana’s debt was immeasurable, and if the creditors learned that the Elia company belonged to the princess, they would surely try to seize it using that debt as leverage before the company could grow.

Of course, she knew Kaius was a man who could keep secrets, but she didn’t know his intentions, and even if she did, there was no reason to reveal the truth to him.

After all, they would become strangers in a year.

“Shall we go?”

Nodding, Ariel took Edward’s offered arm and entered the hotel. When Edward told the approaching manager “Imperial guest,” he guided them to a separate room.

Standing at the door, the manager didn’t open it immediately, but looked at Edward. It was befitting of the manager of Letiana’s largest hotel. When Edward nodded his permission, he opened the door.

“The guests you’ve been waiting for have arrived.”

At the manager’s voice, Kaius, who had been leisurely looking out the window, slowly turned his head towards the entrance.

Kaius’s gaze briefly brushed over Edward’s face before stopping on Ariel’s veiled face as she entered.