Esme sighed while hugging Adeline. Fortunately, Thomas was able to grasp the situation and stop before completely ruining the merchant guild. It’s already chaotic with the shortage of goods.

Learning that Duke Vincent was eyeing even Wesley’s bowl made her feel more urgent.

‘This won’t do. I need to hurry.’

Esme knew the limits of her abilities. She had to find a suitable candidate before the guild collapsed further.

“Is it not dinner time yet? I ordered them to prepare your favorite food specially. My heart aches to see you getting so thin.”

“Thank you, mother.”

Esme gently pushed Adeline’s back towards the dining room.

Adeline was still innocent and delicate. It was none other than herself who had raised Adeline to be just a pretty and kind young lady. Esme licked her lips.

She had been waiting for the day to grasp everything of Wesley, but that cursed blood relative interfered. Thinking of Thomas made her feel like her usually flowing blood was rushing backwards. Esme gritted her teeth.

Esme’s eyes, fixed on Adeline’s back as she headed to the dining room, sparkled.

She hadn’t intended to marry off Adeline unless necessary. Wasn’t that why she killed Simon too?

‘It can’t be helped.’

Esme’s eyes narrowed. She would marry off Adeline and gain a loving and obedient son-in-law. Perhaps this could be an opportunity to put a new leash on Adeline. Esme chuckled softly.

*

Meanwhile, at the Northern Academy.

Jayden was quite sincere about the academy. In the distant past, a time he barely remembered now, Jayden was nothing but an insignificant commoner. He had nothing and could do nothing.

Everyone dismissed Jayden and Esme, and those were days when that seemed entirely natural.

But now it’s different.

Jayden was attending the Northern Royal Academy, famous for its expensive tuition. That alone was enough to make him feel proud.

The Royal Academy was attended by all of the upper class in the North. Among past graduates were Edward Vincent and Amara Andres, including Elio Andres. And in Jayden’s current year, the Andres’ niece was also attending.

Apparently, she was a daughter brought in by the Andres to replace Mabel Andres who died recently. He heard she had an appearance very similar to the youngest daughter of Andres, providing comfort to the duchess.

However, unlike Mabel who had stayed only in the Andres estate due to her weak health, she had been attending the academy since this semester.

Her name was Belloka Andres. Interest was high within the academy towards the brown-haired girl who suddenly started using the Andres name.

And all of Jayden’s attention was also focused on Belloka.

Jayden placed a velvet box with the name of a high-end boutique engraved on it on Belloka’s desk. Jayden smiled awkwardly. To get this, he had to sweet-talk Esme to receive money. It was such a large amount that even Esme, who was infinitely generous to her son, frowned.

Jayden whispered in a soft voice.

“Belloka. Isn’t the weather too nice today?”

“So what?”

Belloka replied after slightly opening the box to check its contents. Jayden smiled triumphantly. He hadn’t been able to get a single response no matter what he brought before. As expected, the boutique here works.

Jayden swallowed hard.

“Want to go for a walk? If I could walk with you, I think my whole week would be happy.”

Belloka glanced at Jayden.

The Duke and Duchess of Andres had implored Belloka repeatedly. If she just quietly graduated from the academy, they would grant her anything she wanted. Belloka, no, Mabel inwardly pouted. It was that dead maid who did wrong first.

She dared to act rudely towards Mabel, who would become the future empress. She merely made her pay the price for it, but Mabel had to suffer all sorts of inconveniences. Moreover, she had to change her name and even attend the academy.

Even her mother, who usually refrained from going outside to maintain white skin necessary to become an empress, pushed Mabel’s back to send her to the academy. It was to give the image that Belloka was acquiring the qualities to become an empress. It was tiring to pretend to be 18 when she was already 21.

Still, Jayden wasn’t a bad partner to mingle with here. His looks were fairly decent. Everything else was bad.

‘But I guess this much is worth hanging out for a day?’

She had been short on pocket money as she was still in a period of self-restraint. Belloka nodded slightly.

“Alright, let’s go for a walk.”

Belloka stood up primly. And Belloka was in an especially good mood today.

Soon, the Snow Flower Ball, the largest festival in the North, was scheduled to be held. The Duke and Duchess of Andres said they would formally introduce Belloka there.

The Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and even the Duke of Vincent would be attending that event specially.

They said all the most prominent men in the Empire now would be attending. She had promised to prepare a dress for the Snow Flower Ball with her mother after returning home from school today. Until now, Belloka had never been to a dressmaker’s shop on the grounds that she would become empress.

They say there should be no scandals to sit in such a high position. Though all those plans had fallen apart at the point when she killed the maid.

Anyway, Belloka stood beside Jayden in a refreshing mood. Jayden’s cheeks turned red.

“Did you say Weiss?”

“Ah, no. I’m Jayden of the Wesley family.”

“Ah.”

Belloka nodded slowly as she began to walk.

“Wo-would you like to come visit our mansion next time? I’ll let you see the jewels my mother owns. Actually, we have several heirlooms of Wesley too, so it’ll be worth seeing!”

Belloka narrowed her eyes. Come to think of it, where did he get that boutique item…

‘Ah, Monica Boutique!’

It was the largest among the businesses owned by the Viscount Wesley family. They certainly climbed up well, starting from the black market.

And she had heard that the most precious items among Monica Boutique’s goods were flowing to Esme. They say there are many things never seen before among the jewelry revealed only in the secret room that not just anyone can enter?

She had thought of receiving a proposal with jewelry bought from such a shop before marriage. Besides, she was bored these days as she was in self-restraint.

‘It might be fun to take a look once.’

Belloka answered primly.

“Alright. But I’ll decide the date.”

Jayden smiled brightly. Belloka Andres! If she had been the real youngest daughter of Andres, would he have even been able to properly speak to her? It’s because she’s just an adopted daughter of Andres that he can try to rub shoulders with her.

Esme will surely be pleased to know that Jayden has built a connection with Belloka.

This is why he attends the Royal Academy.

Jayden followed behind Belloka.

*

It was a time when Esme and Jayden were sound asleep.

I’m really going to set fire. I swallowed hard.

My heart was racing as the time approached. All day long, I packed Adeline’s valuables with Josephine.

Things that really shouldn’t be damaged. They will be headed to my shop, where a new sign is being put up through people Edward brought.

Whisk.

A signal came from beyond the wall. I also sent a signal by clapping my hands lightly and turned to look at Josephine. I said to Josephine, who was looking at me with an indifferent expression.

“If something happens, run straight to Lady Esme.”

It was to show Josephine’s loyalty to Esme while simultaneously ensuring that Esme and Jayden could escape without getting hurt. I didn’t want the two of them to get hurt in this incident either. If people get hurt in the fire, it will be difficult to cover up, and I’m not a criminal anyway.

Josephine, understanding my intention, nodded.

“Yes, Viscount.”

Josephine disappeared into the darkness. The outline of the Wesley mansion facing the night was faintly visible. It was the mansion where Adeline had lived. And it was also the mansion where Adeline almost died.

Time was getting deeper and deeper.

Somehow, it felt nostalgic.

With a rustling sound, the person I had been waiting for revealed himself. Edward threw what he was holding in his hand into the air and caught it. Edward’s face was revealed against the backdrop of moonlight. Edward was looking at me with cold eyes.

“Are you ready?”

I nodded.

“I’ll guide you.”

Edward threw what he was holding in his hand to me. It was an object made of silver.

“It’s a magical tool being tested at the Central Magic Tower these days. It will allow you to start a fire.”

A magical tool? Such a precious thing… As Edward said, when I pressed the protruding button, a fire lit up with a whoosh.

“…This will be enough.”

Edward nodded briefly.