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The Viridescent Crown


Recording Hall • 녹음의 관

An ordinary graduate student reincarnated in the novel “Eternal


Love”, written by her at the age of 15. However, instead of arriving
when the original story began, she reincarnated seven years in the
past. She became Ran Romea de Lazia, the daughter of the male
lead stepmother. A character that she didn’t even know the name
before reincarnating. The Stepmother tormented the male lead,
Yustaf, so much that he began to mistrust other women. Ran tries to
change the events that are going to happen, yet their parents and
little brother still die. With Yustaf away in the Academy and his uncle
in control of the family house, Ran has to work as a housekeeper for
two years and begins working on the “Male Lead Happiness Plan”
where she will join him the with a female protagonist and let him
have his chance at happiness.
Author(s): 시야
Artist(s): 에나
Year: 2018
Country: Korea
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Tags: Adapted to Manhwa, Aristocracy, European Ambience, Female
Protagonist, Magic, Nobles, Reincarnation, Siblings Not Related by
Blood, Villainess Noble Girls
Source: Amelia Translations, Villainessqueenxo

ASIANOVEL VERSION: 3.11


PDF VERSION: 1.4
UUID: 6cdff530-0418-11ec-98fa-fd63e777bdce
USER: Shoushou0013
DATE CREATED: 2021-08-23
LANGUAGE: English

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Chapter 3
Source: Amelia Translations

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invitation

After a week of funeral procedures, it was the day when Yustaf


returned to the Imperial Academy.

Ran knew that the moment he left the mansion, her every move
would be watched by Sir Ross.

Ran sighed as she watched him say something earnestly to Yustaf


several times.

It was not until Ross finally got away from Yustaf that Ran could
approach him.

“Have a safe trip.”

“Yes, I wish you well.”

Ran looked at the ring dangling around his neck and grinned at
Yustaf again.

“I want you to graduate at the top of your class.”

It was a nasty remark, but he answered without a blink of anger.

“If that’s what you want.”

“Is it something you can achieve just because you want it?”
Ran asked again, Yustaf grinned and went into the carriage.

Ran stepped back, and the Footman politely closed the carriage.
The driver slightly raised his hat to greet her and whistled.

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The horse started to run briskly and the carriage moved away in an
instant. It was not until the carriage was gone that Ran sighed and
turned away.

“Sir Ross.”

“Yes.”

Hazel-colored eyes looked straight at Ran as if they had something


to say.

“While Yustaf is away, I’ll be in your care”

“Okay.”

Ross, who already had a talk with Yustaf about the current
situation, bowed his head without a reply.

“All right.”

Ran sighed again. “Then let’s get to work.”

‘I’m dying.’

Ran was ready to work and she asked the butler to bring all the
accounting documents.

This situation is bad. It’s worse than I thought.

‘You’ve got a mortgage on your estate to a private lender,


haven’t you?’

The Duchy of Lachia is wide and has a lot of useless land.

But there’s no way useless land could have been mortgaged.

‘The only granary has been mortgaged. We’ll starve


without this. I’m starving.’

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Of course, the repayment period is still about half a year away, but
the interest was paid monthly.

In addition, the finances are in a negative state.

A negative state.

A negative means that there is no large amount of money available


at the moment, and even a visionary like Ran knows that it will cost a
lot of money to develop a mine.

“Should we sell a part of the mining rights?””

We need to find the mine first.

Baron Lindbergh refuses to leave the mansion. As soon as Yustaf


left, he wanted to see Ran right away.

“I put off a lot of work.”

‘tuk-tuk’

Ran hit her head with a pen.

The Duchy is big, and of course, there are many working people.
There are four main agents working for a duke.

A deacon, maid of honor, and servant-general are all, in charge of


all the affairs of the mansion.

An administrator in charge of territorial affairs.

An accountant in charge of accounting.

A knight incharge of arms, such as soldiers and knights.

Among them,accounts are trash. They were people who pocketed


public funds into their own pockets.

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‘Why did I make the accountant a scum in the original
novel? Oh, come on.’

It’s the most important part.

Well, it was so easy for a Duchy to collapse.

Fortunately, the rest of the people were deeply loyal to the Duke.

“In particular, the Knights Leader.”

Ran saw Ross. The Knight was his eldest brother.

“Sir Ross.”

“Yes.”

“Would you call the Administrator and the Knights


Leader?”

At Ran’s command, Ross ordered the two men to be called and


asked.

“What are you going to do?”

“The accounting is terrible.”

“The Duchess was extravagant.”

“She was.”

Ran nodded softly at the sarcastic remark. After all, it’s true that
her mother did something wrong.

“The problem is that selling such jewelry is a bargain. It’s


expensive.”

After a pause, Ran continued.

“How much do you know about the financial situation?”

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“I know it’s tight.”

‘It’s not to the point of bankruptcy,’ Ran knocked on a bundle of


papers.

“I think our accountant certainly cheated us. Well, he


wasn’t the one who looked in the books.”

I’m sure you thought that he was honorable. If the accountant said
he could borrow money, or that he could finance it, you would have
thought so.

You didn’t think it was such a big deal to use a private loan.

‘Scary, you have no sense of crisis.’

Ross’s expression hardened slightly at her words.

“Did the accountant commit fraud?”

“Yeah.”

With a nod, Ran swallowed a bitter smile.

Maybe they thought it is okay to do it since he’s an aristocrat and I


won’t say anything about it.

This is the North, and they are honorable men.

We can’t accept the fact that you deceived your boss right in front
of them because you were tempted by money.

There are also some rare honorable people, but without good
connections to act as their protective shield, they will disappear.

Ran smiled.

Yustaf is a great shield.

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Ross frowned at her smile and there was a knock on the door.

Knock, knock

“Come in.”

Ran said clearly, while slightly pushing the chair back.The


administrator opened the door. She looks like a woman in her forties.

The knight was in his early thirties and dressed in armor.

“I see the Lord.”

Elizabeth, the administrator, greeted first, and Blaine, the head of


the Knights, followed.

Ran felt relieved. They seemed to follow her directions to not


address her using the official greetings.

“Both of you, sit down.”

Elizabeth and Blaine glanced at each other.

They met at the door, but neither of them knew why she called
them.

‘Of course, it’s not that they don’t have a clue.’

Elizabeth looked at the young lady before her eyes.

Elizabeth was also there when Ran put on the blue flame.

‘I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m sure the blue flame
is in her hands.’

‘She didn’t even get burned.’

Ran said so many times that she is just a temporary housekeeper.


But, what if she’s just being humble before grabbing the opportunity

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to take the position?

As soon as she ascends to the position of a Lord, she looks at the


accounting books and calls the administrator and the head of the
knights.

‘It’s not something a normal 19-year-old girl would do.’

Elizabeth thought so and gently lowered her eyes as she met Ran.

“I’m sure me calling you all of a sudden makes you wonder


what’s going on. To be blunt,”

Ran touched the pile of papers with her fingertips.

“The Duke’s debt is enormous.”

“How bad is it?”

Elizabeth asked back.

Ran said with a wry smile. “To put it simply,we have to sell
out all the territory and title. Do you have any idea how bad
it is?”

All three people in the study held their breath at Ran’s words. But
soon Elizabeth protested.

“Young Lady I think you are mistaken. I saw the accounting data,
too. Of course, it’s tight, but the benefits are –“

“It was fraudulent accounting.”

“Fraudulent accounting?”

Blaine asked back. “To put it simply, it’s fake”. Ran said,
gathering her fingertips and raising them like a tower.

“For example…” Ran thought for a moment and gave the

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simplest case.

“I did not buy it, but I wrote it down on the financial


statements as if I bought it.”

Ran opened a sheet of paper and gave it to Blaine.

“Last year, 3,000 Verats were paid to equip the Knights.”

Blaine pulled the document in a hurry at the word.

It really said the payment is 3,000 Verats.

He protested without realizing it.

“That’s ridiculous!”

He, himself, had never received a penny. On the contrary, he had


brought up changing the tattered equipment countless times, but no
money had come in.

“I thought so. Besides, if you look over here, you’ve spent


a lot of money buying horses, but we don’t have that many
horses, do we?”

Elizabeth’s face turned pale.

“I’m sure there will be something similar on the


administration side.”

“I know. Elizabeth wrote down her request for funds.


Thanks to you, it was easy to compare. But…”

Ran smiled coolly.

Fraudulent accounting is always accompanied by embezzlement,


breach of trust, and forgery.

It is not in the inventory, but it says that I purchased it. The

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financial statements are a mess.

If it was back then, I wouldn’t know what to do.

Of course, that idea follows. “But my lord, do you believe me?

At Elizabeth’s words, Ran pointed her finger at her own eyes.

“I believe what I have seen with my own eyes.”

Elizabeth shut her mouth. It is strange to believe that Ran


observed and made a decision on her own, while I didn’t notice it.

In addition, I don’t have to hate myself for believing in her.

“So, I’m going to fire the accountant.”

She gently waved her palms from right to left in front of her neck.

“But that doesn’t mean the debt is gone. The good news is
we can pay it back in six months and it hasn’t been decided
whether it’s a split or a lump sum payment.”

Blaine frowned.

“So what are you going to do?”

At his question, Ran took a moment and said,

“First of all, we need to get rid of the accountants,


investigate them and confiscate their assets. But, there’s
something we need to do before that.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I’d like to investigate the North Mountains.”

“Ice Walls?”

In this situation?

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He looked shocked.

But Ran just smiled and said while writing, “Yeah. So…”

Ran traced the location of the mine. It was discovered while


wandering through the mountains after Yeoju fell in there. So, it
wouldn’t be that far from the gate.

“I want you to concentrate on finding the cave near the


door.”

“By the door?”

His face stiffened.

“Yes, I wish I could come with you.”

Ran said so and shrugged her shoulders.

The door.

It is the origin of this story and the beginning of the Lachia family.

There are three things that Ivrea, the great wise man, made by
sealing the darkness.

First, is the mountain range called the Ice Wall.

Then, the gate at the heart of the mountain range.

Lastly, the Sky House, which was built for the Lachia family, the
gatekeepers.

So the door was a symbol of fear and awe in the north.

Of course, the Knights of Blue Flame, the Knights of the Duke of


Lachia, were close to the gate, but he would not be willing to
investigate the area.

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‘But!’

“Do a thorough investigation. The cave contains a secret


artifact to save the Lachia family.”

“Is that so?”

Blaine nodded his head without much trouble.

“Okay. I will make a team.”

“I’ll leave it to you, but I’ll only ask you to be discrete and
keep whatever you find in the cave a secret.”

At Ran’s words, Blaine looked at her and bowed his head.

“I’ll be very discrete.”

“Yes.”

When Ran said so, she motioned Blaine to go out. He got up,
bowed politely, and left the study.

And Ran looked at Elizabeth and said,

“In fact, there’s no proof to gather evidence. Just looking


at it makes me feel like I’m in a hole. You’ve been doing it for
years, and I’m sure it’s been annoying lately.”

“But you still want to document it.”

At Elizabeth’s words, Ran nodded. Elizabeth looked at the papers


on her desk and spoke forcefully.

“I want everything sent to my room.”

“Please.”

Ran said so and told Elizabeth to go out.

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Then she rang the bell to move the documents to Elizabeth’s
office, and collapsed

‘I’m tired.’

I looked at Ross, but he had a face that would remain unchanged.

“A cup of tea.”

When Ran lifted her finger and spoke softly, Ross called the maid
of honor.

Ran pressed her forehead with both hands and waited for the tea
to be brewed.

‘I’m tired.’

But on second thought, she went over the numbers that filled her
head one by one.

The woman quietly poured the tea out. Ross asked as soon as the
girl left.

“Did you do it on purpose?”

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Chapter 4
Source: Amelia Translations

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“What?”

Ran looked up and asked.

Ross stared at her and answered.

“The captain.”

“Where?”

“To the door.”

“Did you hear that just now?”

After saying so, Ran lifted the cup and blew it. It’s not a sight of an
elegant aristocrat Lady, but it’s better than putting your tongue in
hot tea.

Ross asked again, as he sipped the hot tea little by little.

“Didn’t you send the captain to the door to get rid of him?”

Near the door is the place where the most dangerous creatures
come out.

“Why would I?”

Only then did Ran relax her nerves from the tea and concentrate
on Ross.

“To destroy the power of the Yustaf. That’s what will

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happen.”

Ran smiled unknowingly at him speaking in a gloomy tone. Ross


frowned at her laughter.

“What is it?”

“Isn’t it weird to ask so straightforwardly? It’s like you’re


asking ‘Are you trying to kill your brother!’.”

“Yes.”

Ran laughed cheerfully and placed her chin on her hand. Her eyes
were strangely clear.

“That’s not true. I trust him.”

“Hey.”

“I also trust you. Yus trusts you, so I trust you. Can’t you
do the same?”

Ross’ face became suspicious. He continued.

“And how can you do that?”

“Do what? What do you mean?”

“You haven’t been educated as a Duke. Of course, I think


you’ve been taking lessons from a tutor lately.”

Even so, a 19-year-old girl suddenly holds a position as the head of


a household, and she’s so good at this job?

“I think you had it ready. It seems like you were waiting for
this to happen.”

“It’s not like that.”

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Ran said and looked at the red tea.

‘In fact, I wanted to avoid this kind of situation the most. I


hoped to prevent the death of my family.’

But the family died, and Ran came up with a theory.

‘I think, no matter how much I change the story, the main


part won’t change. The future is still the same’

“I’m just doing the best that I can. I think my head is going
to explode.” Ran said.

“Don’t tell Yustaf about this and make him worry about
me.”

“If he’s worried about you.”

When Ross said that, Ran laughed.

“I think you are right.”

“You’re not angry?”

At Ross’s question, Ran touched the teacup with her fingertip.

The teacup is wide, so the tea water cools down quickly.

Ran asked, holding up a moderately cold tea cup.

“Why should I be angry?”

“Because of him.”

In rare cases, Ross could not continue to talk behind her back. Ran
sipped her tea and said,

“I want to be a real family with Yustaf. It may be too much


for us to get along as brother and sister, but I want us to be.”

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Ran looked at Ross.

“But I don’t want to force it. I’m just doing my best. You
know, he was bullied by my mother.”

She spoke awkwardly.

“I’m not denying that I used to bother him in the past. But
now, I want to do things differently.”

Click, click.

Ran placed the empty glass down and poured a second one.

The sweet smell of the tea swirled up and filled the room.

“So I’m not angry. It’s all up to Yustaf.”

Ross looked like a man who saw something really strange.

Ran slipped the papers out of the pile of papers and put them on
the desk.

She knew the financial situation was the worst. So what about all
the work that’s been pushed back ’till now??

In fact, Elizabeth, the administrator, held her own despite all the
work pushed on her.

‘I can’t believe she didn’t show it. She’s a great


administrator.’

Moreover, most of the businesses that have been raised need


funds.The bell tower has been requesting repairs for several years
now…

‘Isn’t it better to repair the bridge than this? No, the road
covered by a landslide three years ago has not been restored
yet, has it?’

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First of all, the goal is to go through the pile of documents.

‘Let’s cheer up.’

Ran took a deep breath and began to flip through the papers
quickly. Speed reading was one of the strong points she had.

With this mountain of documents, it would be good to finish this


quickly.

In addition.

‘The format is a mess.’

There was no basic form of documentation. At this point, it’s


nowhere near a document, it’s just a copy of the book.

It was even close to a letter.

‘I’ll have to fix this first.”

I need to specify a basic format.

That alone will greatly reduce the time it took to read the
documents.

flap ~ flap~ flap~

With that rapid flipping of the papers, Ross wondered if she was
really reading the whole article carefully.

By the time he was getting tired of her speed, there was suddenly
a loud knocking on the door.

Ross looked up in surprise.

Ross put his hand on his sword and the door burst open.

“Ran!”

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It was her uncle, Baron Lindbergh, who came in screaming.

“Uncle.”

Ran got up from her seat.

“What brings you here?”

“I couldn’t see you at all. I was worried about what


happened to you.”

Baron Lindbergh murmured. Ross stood before the baron to block


him.

“You cannot see the Lord without permission.”

“I’m her uncle! Besides, I’m more worried about a tough


guy like you being here!”

“Uncle, he is a loyal retainer.”

When Ran covered him, Ross was inwardly surprised. Lindberg


snorted.

“He has no loyalty towards you.”

Ran said to Ross,

“Please let me sit”

Ross stepped aside without a word, and Lindbergh sat down, even
though he was not asked to come in and sit down.

It was a rude act and it was not subtle enough to be ignored.

But Ran sat down and asked, without a word.

“What’s the matter?”

“I’m going to give you another escort.”

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“Another escort?”

“Yes! Not that unfaithful fellow, but an escort that I


recommend.”

Lindbergh said something that seemed obvious.

“No, Sir Ross is good enough. I don’t need to increase my


escorts.”

Lindberg frowned and spoke in a low voice.

“Ran.”

“Yes.”

“Your mother owes me a debt. Did you know that?”

Baron Lindbergh spoke suspiciously and took the papers out of his
arms.

“There was a time when she wanted to buy a necklace. So I


lent her money on a short notice. It was extremely difficult
for me too.”

He gave the papers to Ran.

Ran opened the document with a blank face.

It was a debt acknowledgment letter .

It said that her mother borrowed 10,000 verats from him and the
interest is 10% per month.

It means that a thousand verats is added every month. It was a


huge rate.

With 3,000 verats, it is possible to replace all of the knights’


equipment with new ones.

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“I’m glad she only borrowed 10,000 verats”

Well, Baron Lindbergh paid cash.

It would be difficult to come up with more than 10,000 verats.

The money from a Baron is about 15,000 Verat a year.

First of all, the money unit verat is rarely used unless it’s a noble.

‘A 10,000-verat necklace.’

Ran recalled her mother’s colorful jewelry.

I remember Marie Antoinette’s diamond necklace that she never


wore on her neck. It is a necklace engulfed in a huge scandal.

“According to this loan, the payment date is at the end of


this year.”

“Yes, but didn’t my mother just die?”

The baron made a grim face.

“It’s a lot of money for me, too. That’s why I’m letting you
know, just in case you don’t know.”

He coughed lightly and clicked his tongue.

“But you’re my niece. So, I’m thinking about writing off this


debt.”

“Write off?”

Ran looked at him with wonder. Baron Lindberg fiddled his well-
mended mustache and said,

“I want to be a real family with you.”

“We’re already related by blood.”

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She didn’t want to say family, so Ran chose a different word.

But the baron, who didn’t notice the indifference, smiled and said,

“I mean, I want you to marry my son.”

Oh my god.

Ran swallowed a laugh coming out of her mouth.

“If it’s your son, you mean my cousin Robbie?”

I knew about him because I’ve seen him several times.

That guy is a scumbag who likes to flash his manhood and indulge
in alcohol and women.

In other words, by Ran’s standards, he was a man close to trash.

‘He’s probably gambling right now’

“Yes, you know, the age difference is only four or five. It’s
the perfect time.”

‘What the hell’

But Ran didn’t express such a reaction.

It is not yet time to make a blatant enemy. Only after the Duchy’s
finances and affairs become stronger.

Although she was acknowledged by the Blue Flame, there will still
be some people who are dissatisfied with the fact that she has
become a temporary owner.

Baron Lindbergh has spent a lot of money here and there, so there
have to be spies inside.

‘Well, it’s not just Baron.’

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The only thing I’m lucky about is that I’m the original author.

‘I know for sure who is loyal to the family and can be


trusted’

‘Thank God.’

Ran smiled embarrassedly and said,

“I really appreciate what you say, uncle. But, marriage…


It’s so sudden. Besides, um…”

Ran scratched her cheek.

“It’s kind of weird to get married like that because of


debt.”

It may sound girly but for Baron Lindbergh, it’s annoying.

“But it`s 10,000 verats. Do you know how much money this
is? Besides, the duchy has other debts. It’s not a problem you
can handle alone.”

Lindbergh leaned his upper body down.

“You’ll need the advice of a wiser person.”

“The guidance of a person such as yourself, uncle”

Finally satisfied, Baron Lindbergh nodded.

Ran looked at the pile of papers.

‘I still have a lot of work to do.’

She smiled and looked up.

“That’s what I wanted to hear .“

“Are you awake?”

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Ran responded vaguely, “Yes.”

Ross realized that she wasn’t listening to him at all, so he


approached her closely and put his hands on the papers.

Only then did Ran look at him.

“Lord Ross?”

“It’s already dawn.”

“Just a little bit more.”

“How about you look at these tomorrow morning?”

“Should I?”

Ran rubbed her tensed eyes.

Although the candle was lit up,her eyes were still tired.

Ross looked at Ran.

‘When Baron Lindbergh came and talked, I really wanted to


cut him. When they had a private meeting, I thought they
were planning something.’

‘But.’

She told Ross all the stories she shared with Baron Lindbergh.

‘Of course I don’t believe it all.’

There are plenty of times when people build trust only to be


betrayed in the end.

‘That’s what I thought until you told me about the secret


hole.’

“When I have a private meeting with my uncle, come over

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here and listen.”

She showed him to the other room connected to the inner room
and pointed to the chimney.

“You can hear us well when I open that.”

“What if you write or exchange notes?”

When Ross said that, Ran blinked and stretched her shoulders.

“Well, I won’t do it”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Well, is the effect somewhat opposite? That’s because I


want to build trust.”

“Trust.”

“Yes, it’s worth it.”

Ran shrugged her shoulders and continued.

“Well, when Yustaf graduates it’ll be easier, then.”

This is the last semester.

After winter, he will graduate and come back to the mansion in


spring.

“By then, will we have built some trust?”

At Ran’s words, Ross had no answer.

The Lord’s thoughts belong to the Lord. One shouldn’t try to


understand it.

Ran got up from her seat with a sheet of paper.

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“Then let’s take your advice and go to bed.”

Ross lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Ran returned to her room and changed her clothes with the help of
a maid.

Originally, she would have had to move to the Duke’s room, but
she kept saying that she would continue to use her room. She’s only
a temporary Lord anyway.

As soon as she lay on the familiar bed, she fell asleep.

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Chapter 5
Source: Amelia Translations

This chapter was translated for


https://nuttyisprocrasinating.wordpress.com only. And only for those
people who don’t mind reading unprofessional translation that was
being translated FREELY at the translator’s, editor’s and
proofreaders’ own free times.

Early posting as I’ll be on the plane later on en-route to SF. Happy


early Memorial Day!!

Long Liu Li

Please click the link below!

Ch 105.2Download

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Chapter 6
Source: Amelia Translations

This chapter was translated for


https://nuttyisprocrasinating.wordpress.com only. And only for those
people who don’t mind reading unprofessional translation that was
being translated FREELY at the translator’s, editor’s and
proofreaders’ own free times.

Early posting as I’ll be on the plane later on en-route to SF. Happy


early Memorial Day!!

Long Liu Li

Please click the link below!

Ch 105.2Download

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Chapter 10 Part 1
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 10.1

Brrrr~~

Ran shivered.

“Are you cold?”

When Yustaf asked, Ran shook her head.

“It’s midsummer.” Ross said while he looked at the fireplace and


checked the fire.

“I got goosebumps all of a sudden. I wonder what it was.


And Lord Ross, even though it’s midsummer, Lachia is still
Lachia.”

“And that ‘s a relief.”

Ross said and patted his armor lightly.

Ran agreed and nodded. This weather would be perfect for soldiers
who would wear uniforms and armor, up to their necks.

‘I’m just saying.’

With a petticoat full of lace, this weather is good, too. Of course,


when she’ll debut into society during the social season, she’ll be able
to dress up in a fluffy way.

‘I think we can make a hot and a cold air fan with magical
items like this. That’s right! Winter electric pad!’

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“I need craftsmen..”

When Ran muttered out of the blue, Yustaf asked while dipping the
pen in the ink.

“You mean the Wizards?”

“I can’t get a wizard, but a craftsman is possible, right? I


want to provide goods produced by the Duchy to be
inexpensive within the estate. At least I want no one to
freeze to death in winter.”

“But if you supply the Magic Stone inexpensively within the


Duchy, wouldn’t there be people out there who buy and resell
it?”

“Is that so?” Ran said and frowned at Yustaf’s words.

Ran, then, continued, “How about if they use it outside the


duchy, it will lose their powers?”

“Is it possible?”

“I have to ask the craftsman.”

At Ran’s words, Yustaf nodded and said, “Then we’ really need
to recruit someone.”

“If you think about it, it’s really amazing.”

Ran thought of a car. All the power sources that are the main
culprits of environmental pollution can be replaced by mana stone.

In other words, eco-friendly.

The possibilities are endless without destroying the environment at


all.

‘But the reserves may run out.’

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‘But, that’s not my problem right now, is it? Ho~ho~’

With that thought in mind, Ran smiled and signed the document.
Now, they have started mining.

However, the vassals have not been informed of it yet. Although


some people in the mansions were aware of it, it has been kept
under wraps so far.

-It will be difficult if the creditors will pressure them to make this a
percentage distribution.

This was the obvious reason that Ran had given.

“But I’m glad I can trust you when it comes to force.”

It was fortunate that Sir Blaine, the head of the Knights, was a loyal
person.It would have been difficult if the person in charge of
theKnights had a different mindset.

‘I’m glad that I set him up as a loyal subject.’

After all, the plan was to kill all the male lead’s loyal subjects and
make him suffer.

‘Well, it’s not now, though.’

Ran thought so and chuckled while looking at Ross. Ross turned his
head to her laughter.

“The first shipment from Golden Rose will be finished by


next week.”

“Yes, the amount is already enough for what will be sold


outside the Duchy.”

“All right.”

There were frequent calls from the owner of the Golden Rose. It

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was convenient to talk in real time through the magic communication
machine that Leveri gave.

“The wizards want to come to the Duchy of Lachia.”

Yustaf said as he handed the papers to Ran, who was laughing.

“No, you can’t. I didn’t mean to tell you not to come.”

“That’s right.”

For the wizards, it was a crazy and exciting thing.

When the Golden Rose owner, Levory, showed the wizards the Ice
Crystals, the wizards naturally informed the Wizard Association of
this fact.

The Wizard Association pressured Levory to obtain Ice Crystals.


She showed wizards the crystals, and their mouth opened as they
saw the amount of mana stones.

The Wizards Association’s roundtable members rushed to the


Golden Rose. When Levory informed them that there are also some
arm-sized mana stones and showed them a sample, each wizard told
her that they will take and look at it.

Eventually, Levory decided to cut the mana stone into 12 pieces


using a saw for the twelve members of the round table; and the
wizards went crazy again.

The Wizards were angry since they still didn’t know the exact value
of the mana stone, and Levory may have sparked this anger.
Eventually, the chairman of the Round Table took the mana stone
sample with a heart-warming and pleased smile; then Levory said
she would ask the Duke of Lachia to see if she could get the rest of
the mana stone.

When Levory reported the news, Ran happily sent the other 11

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pieces. Wizards were not driven by power or money. If they want to
win their favor, the sample mana stone will be a perfect bribe,
especially now that they’re working into magic-related affairs.

“Even if it is shipped, the distribution must be in December


anyway.”

Yustaf nodded and sighed at Ran’s words.

“It’s annoying that you can’t enter the social season unless
you’re an adult.”

“That’s right. It would be helpful if you were with me.”

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Chapter 10 Part 2
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 10.2

A Salon Season.

It is the season when the majority of the nobility gather in the


capital. The peak of that season, which starts in December and runs
through August, is in May, June, and July.

At this time, there were no days when a ball was not held.

Townhouses in the capital are crowded, and cedar roads (boutique


streets in the capital) are filled with wagons. Of course, the same
goes for Summer Tree Park and Yerenia Park.

In order to participate in the ball during the Social Session, one


must be a 19-year old adult and should’ve had a coming-of-age
ceremony.

‘And there’s no better advertisement than this noble’s


gathering.’

Neither her nor Levory only intend to produce and show the mana
stone.

She also intended to display the magic crafts that people had
never seen before, which could be made with this magic stone. And,
of course, the exhibition is going to be a social season in which the
nobles gather.

Above all, there is no more suitable exposure than the grand-scale


ball held at the Golden Swan Palace, The Imperial Palace.

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‘Anyway, it’s a business for the aristocrats.’

It would be a great pleasure if the Imperial family were the first


buyers.

‘Right. It would be better to give a present to the Empress


too.’

Ran thought so and bit her lips lightly.

‘Wait, come to think of it, there’s someone who’s like the


final boss in the palace, right?’

Is it not the final boss, but rather, is it the second-class middle


boss.

‘Hey, let’s think about this then.’

Ran shook her head. It’s a problem that won’t be solved right now
if you think about it anyway.

Anyway, she still can’t get used to this system.

It is fortunate that the Duchy of Lachia is isolated. If it was tightly


bound with the Empire, it would have been worse than now.

The Duchy of Lachia was so isolated that when Ran became a


temporary housekeeper and had to take over the title, she sent a
letter to the Empire saying “Please forgive me for not receiving
the title in person.”

And a reply from the Empire came stating that they will
acknowledge her temporarily.

‘Of course it could be sarcastic.’

Temporary recognition was enough.

“I only need two years from now.”

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But before that, once it’s social season and they go down to the
capital, ‘We need to find the second male lead…!’

If the male lead lived an aristocratic life, the second male lead
lived a lower life.

‘Lumiere’.

That’s his name.

She needs to find a slave with that name, though it will be difficult
as his name is too common. In the first place, the setting of this story
itself was a mess.

“Who?”

When Yustaf asked her, Ran came to her senses.

“Huh? Yeah. Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”

“Why don’t you go in and rest?”

“No, it’s okay. If I drink a strong cup of tea, I can get back
to work soon. Don’t worry.”

Ran smiled and rang the bell to order a strong tea.

After drinking a strong tea, Ran continued to work. After the


candles were burnt, the work was finished.

‘But it’s much better because there are two people.’

Ran thought and silently thanked Yustaf.

After the evening bath, she returned to her bedroom, where she
saw the maid standing while carrying the strange medicine again.

Ran took the medicine and drank the water with tears in her eyes.

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‘Oh…?’

Suddenly, she’s very sleepy.

Her eyelids were heavy, that it was difficult to open them.

‘But I have to go to bed before I fall asleep…’

Her knees lost their strength and she fell to the floor. Ran came to
her senses for a moment.

No, part of her mind rang the alarm.

This is weird.

That’s strange.

But she couldn’t think of anything more than that.

‘No, I can’t. I have to call someone.’

Barely reaching the bed, Ran tried to wake up, but failed. The floor
came before her eyes and it was the end.

A flash of lightning

The blue flames filled the view. The flame was not hot, and she felt
a pleasant warmth.

– Istalief.

There was an echo of a woman’s whispering voice.

– Istalief.

One more time.

“Istalief.”

When Ran called the name in response, the flame burst into shape.

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The upper body is a woman, the lower body is a lion, and the head is
a burning blue flame.

The pupils weren’t ordinary pupils, they looked like star sapphires.
Normally, it would be gross and disgusting, but strangely, it suited
her well.

“You finally heard my voice, didn’t you?”

Istalief’s voice was husky. Her voice sounded like she was burning
a flame.

“Istalief?”

When Ran asked back; Istalief tilted her head and said, “Yes.”

“Blue Flame?”

In the second question, Istalief’s lips tightened into a thin line.

“Yes, that’s what the Duke of Lachia calls me. Nobody


knows my name. How did you know my name?”

“But why am I here…? Where the hell are we?”

Ran looked around in embarrassment. It is a white space filled with


fog. That’s all she could think of.

‘I mean, I took the medicine and then I collapsed…’

Is it Yustaf?

‘But why would he kill me? I thought he’d wait until his
coming-of-age ceremony.’

Ran thought she would die after Yustaf became the head of the
family; she never thought she would die before that.

‘Or is it uncle?’

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However, there were no reports of the uncle’s movements.

“Now that I think about it…”

Ran clicked her tongue lightly. It was both realistic and unrealistic.
Since she saw his wounded face, she thought to do her best for him.

However, it seems that there was no sense of reality. Or is it not so


realistic right now because she’s dead?

Then Istalief stretched her neck and popped her face in front of
Ran.

Ran backed away in shock.

“Kekekekekekeke.”

Istalief twisted her neck again and laughed strangely; after that,
she shortened her neck back to normal.

“W-what was that?”

Ran asked respectfully even though she’s shaking.

Istalief swept back her shaky blue flame hair and replied,

“Because you were so lost in thought.”

Ran pressed her chest while listening to Istalief.

She was so surprised that she could feel my heart beating fast. A
cold sweat even broke out.

‘But if this is the afterlife, why is Istalief here?’

Ran titled her head and asked Istalief.

“Am I dead?”

“No.”

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Ran blinked at her words.

“So what happened?”

“You’re asleep. This is the spirit world.”

“I Just fell asleep?”

“Yes.”

Ran rubbed her temples in Istalief’s answer. So she was just so


tired and fell asleep?

“That can’t be….”

Regardless of Ran’s concern, Eastarif continued with her words.

“You are linked to the spiritual world when you have a very
deep dream. Now, here, I have the upper hand.”

“Even though I know your name?”

Istalief glared at Ran and replied,

“So, how did you know my name?”

“I won’t tell you.”

Ran answered courageously.

She can’t tell a spirit who came out of nowhere that she was the
one who created this world

“Hahaha”

Then Ran heard a cheerful laugh. And this time, a man appeared
through the mist. The upper body was a human male, and the lower
body was a snake.

‘Oh, my God.’

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Are all these spirits half-human? Did she set that up? She don’t
think so.

The man had his black hair tied neatly. Two rows of black snake
scales, from shoulders to arms, are revealed like tattoos.

He grinned.

“I don’t mean to bother you. But I’m just curious. Who are
you inside the body that was once dead?”

It seems that he’s speaking kindly, but his words were vicious .

Ran was startled and Istalief grumbled.

“Yeah, and how you know my name. And Slasher, don’t


step in.”

Slasher.

Finally, Ran knew who the man was. It was the spirit existing in
another duchy, Usla of the Roses.

A black-colored spear, And that name –

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Chapter 11
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 11

Ran knew the name. But she didn’t know whether it would be good
to reveal it here. She thought, tilting her head.

“If I let you know, will you let me out of here?”

Istalief nodded and added.

“But only if you tell us the truth.”

“Don’t wake me up a hundred years later, just let me go


back to the present, to when I fell unconscious.”

Istalief smiled lightly.

“All right.”

“Actually, this world is from my novel.”

Both Istalief and Slasher looked at Ran without blinking. Ran licked
her lips and said,

“I know this is weird. But how can I explain it? I’m not from here
but from Korea. And -“

“A Phanias.” said Slasher.

At first, it sounded like Hani-ah because it was pronounced as if the


P was almost silent..

“Phanias?”

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When Ran opened her eyes wide and asked again, Istalief
explained.

“It means ‘the one that reads’. I see, that’s why you know
my name.”

“Wait, don’t just talk amongst yourselves, talk to me. It has


something to do with me coming here, right?”

Istalief and Slasher faced each other, then said, “Wait a minute”
while raising their hands. They were looking at each other as if they
were communicating with their eyes..

Ran became nervous but waited calmly. The Spirits must know why
she ended up there..

‘Then, I can go back!’

“Ho, Phanias, this is another rare traveler.”

I heard a deep voice. The person appeared with a bright light that
pushed the fog away.

Six wings, a human-like upper body, and a leopard-like lower body


and head.

Ran was about to faint. But that didn’t mean that the person was
ugly. The Spirits were strange and beautiful. But the pressure felt by
this Spirit ….

“Oh, hi.”

A polite greeting came out by itself.

The leopard smiled softly. It was the first time Ran had seen the
smiling face of a leopard.

As the leopard flapped its wings lightly, the wind blew and the fog
was pushed away. Some of the fog gathered to make chairs and

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tables.

Again on the table, plates were formed and a ball of fog pressed on
them ….

“Sit down.”

Ran looked at the cloud chair and sat down. The cloud chair, which
didn’t disappear even after sitting on it, was so soft and comfortable,
that Ran felt like she was going to fall asleep.

“Have some cloud cookies, too.”

Ran grabbed a bunch of fog and took a bite. It tasted similar to a


meringue, but at the same time, it was cool and refreshing. The
leopard sat across the table with his four legs bent. Still, he was so
big that he looked down at Ran.

Istalief and Slasher stood on one side.

’High Spirits? No, it might be higher spirits.’

Ran thought so and glanced at the leopard.

The Spirit system here consists of a thorough hierarchy. Once they


are given a certain class at birth, their class never changes.

The lowest being the lower, then the intermediate/middle, the


upper, and the Spirit King which is the highest.

It was the world of Spirits that consisted of a pyramid structure.

“How much did you write about this world?”

When asked by the leopard, Ran confessed everything she knew.


And the hardships she suffered here and what she’d done.

The leopard heard Ran’s story, without a single question in the


middle. She was speaking gibberish at first, but gradually relaxed

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thanks to the leopard’s calm attitude, and later spoke in more detail.

“I see.”

The leopard said and blinked his golden eyes a couple of times.

“First of all, this world is not the world you created.”

Ran was in complete denial of the premise. Ran took a deep


breath.

“What? But it’s the same story I wrote!”

“You channeled a world that already existed. People who


can channel other worlds are often called prophets.”

“….”

Ran was speechless.

What is it?

She didn’t make this world? She just channeled it?

Wait, then Yustaf isn’t the male lead?

Despite Ran’s confusion, the leopard continued.

“Every prophet channels different events from different


times, in different ways. When they write down what they’ve
channeled, it becomes a prophecy.”

“Then, this is the original world?”

“Yes.”

“But, I came up with this and I definitely wrote this


setting!”

“You channeled it, you just didn’t know that you channeled

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it. I’m not denying that you wrote a story using your
imagination. There are some people like that. But have you
written any stories since then?”

“No….”

That was the first and the last time. But, doesn’t everyone write
like that at least once when they’re young? He said that the
connection between what I wrote and this world, is because I
channeled it?

‘Huh, is that so?’

At that time, new stories and settings came to mind every day, so
much, that it was overwhelming.. I thought it was because I was a
genius.

“So, then how am I here?”

“I’m not sure about that either. But according to what


you’ve channeled, the owner of that body is dead, right?”

“Yes.”

“And aren’t you dead too?”

The Spirit continued as Ran held her breath.

“And let me guess one thing. Your original name must be


the same as this body.”

Ran was speechless. It was true. Her real name was Ran, too.
Maybe that’s why she was able to adapt to this body more easily.

The Spirit continued, murmuring the explanation.

“Actually, your situation is rare. In fact, even we don’t


know everything about this world. Perhaps the biggest
cause/reason is because you can channel our world. In

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addition, there is a ‘door’ near this body.”

Ran’s mind seemed to go blank..

‘I died?’

Of course, after the car accident, she opened her eyes and found
herself in a book!

When she saw this, she thought, ‘I’m dead, right?’ It’s not that she
didn’t think about it. But she thought that maybe, if she died here,
she’d return to her original body.

So, she had told Yustaf that he could kill her without much thought.

I wasn’t sure, so I was convinced that I had been putting it off


easily, so I couldn’t feel the weight of it.

As Ran sat captivated, the leopard stretched his legs and stood up.

“Istalief, has your curiosity been resolved?”

“It’s been resolved.”

Istalief grinned. She looked back at Ran and said,

“It’s rare to meet a prophet. It was nice meeting you,


stranger who knows my name.”

Before Ran could say anything, she was covered in thick fog all
over.

“Wait a minute!”

‘You’re just going to say whatever you want and solve your
own curiosities?’

Blue flames filled her view. Her body was lightly floating in the air,
then fell to the floor.

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“-!!”

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Chapter 12
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 12

Ran suddenly woke up from her sleep. A cold sweat ran down her
forehead.

’If you’re going to wake me up, it’d be better if you woke me up


more kindly.’

Ran thought so and blinked.

‘Oh?’

It wasn’t her room.

‘Where am I? Wait, this isn’t someone else’s body, is it?’

Ran hurriedly looked at her hands, felt her upper body, and got out
of bed.

Looking at the mirror of the nearby dressing table, she was still
Ran.

‘That’s a relief.’

But why isn’t it Ran’s room?

It was a familiar room when she looked at it carefully.

‘It’s the Duchess’s room, isn’t it?’

It was her mother’s room. Luxurious items, in her mother’s style,


were lying here and there.

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“Oh, shit.”

Ran came back to bed and flopped down. So many things


happened at once that it was difficult to organize properly.

‘Let’s put aside the story with the Spirits for now.”

Amusingly, Ran’s mind was clear, so she was able to start


organizing her thoughts..

‘Seeing as I’m still alive, Yustaf wasn’t the one that


poisoned me.’

So did someone else commit treason?

‘Am I free to leave here? Besides, why am I in the Emerald


room?’

The nickname of the room given to the Duchess was the Emerald
room.

“Lady!”

Suddenly, Ran heard a very happy voice from behind and turned
around to see that it was one of her maids.

“You’re awake. Are you feeling alright?”

“Yes, I’m okay. But what happened?”

“I need to inform Young Master Yustaf first. He’s been


waiting for you for so long.”

“Wait a minute.”

Ran stopped the fussy maid and asked.

“What happened?”

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“I don’t know the details. The Master will explain it to you.”

“Then how long have I been asleep?”

“You’ve been sleeping for about three days.”

Judging from her attitude, it seemed that Yustaf wasn’t the one
who poisoned, nor was it a situation where she was held by the
enemy.

And even if that was the case.

“I’m going to wash up for now.”

Ran felt uncomfortable being covered in cold sweat.

“I’ll wash up, have some soup, and then I’ll talk to Yustaf.”

The maid blinked, then bowed politely.

Ran took a shower and organized her thoughts.

‘So this is all real, it’s all real.’

Ran was thinking that it seemed too real, but she couldn’t have
guessed that it actually was.

‘Oh? Then, I’m not the author who made the characters
suffer in the original story. I don’t have to feel guilty!’

Ran didn’t even do anything. She just told them about the mines!!

Ran doesn’t get paid, she works overtime and doesn’t take any
days off!

She’s protecting Yustaf too!

‘I’m actually a really good person.’

Ran showed off her bright and positive personality without regret.

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It was a personality from her graduate school life, before she fell into
this world.

‘I’m pretty amazing, aren’t I?’

Ran grinned to herself, thinking so. The maid, who was oiling her
hair and drying it with a towel, glanced at her.

“Did something good happen to you?”

“Yes.”

Ran replied with a grin. Then Ran looked at her and asked.

“By the way, what was your name?”

“It’s Soda.”

The maid answered politely.

Soda, yes, it was Soda.

“What about the girl who came to wake me up earlier?”

“She’s Miss Kara.”

“Miss?”

“Because she has a higher rank than me.”

“Ah.”

Ran nodded.

When the awkwardness disappeared, there was room to look


around. There’s a lot of things Ran wants to do.

“The Lord has great hair. I wish my hair color was like

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this.”

“I like the color of Soda’s hair, too.”

“It’s too dark.”

Soda had dark hazelnut-colored hair.

‘Well, the further South you go, the brighter the hair gets,
and it gets darker the further North you go.’

People want to have something they don’t have.

After Ran dried her hair with a towel and finished brushing it, she
became very hungry. She didn’t know it at first, but once she
recognized it, her stomach kept growling.

‘Since it took time to wash, the food will come out right
away!’

Ran thought while making her way out to the living room, only to
find Yustaf waiting there. He was sitting on an armchair and got up
from his seat after seeing Ran.

Ran asked, unconsciously, re-tightening the front of her robe.

“Yus?”

“I heard that you woke up..”

“Yes, I woke up. I heard that I was sleeping for three days.”

Yustaf stared at her and said,

“I was worried.”

“I didn’t think that Yus would be worried.”

When Ran sighed and said that, Yustaf replied, “Thank you very

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much for thinking so, but I’m not stupid enough to not take
your condition seriously.” and said this,

“I was truly worried.”

“Thank you, but I’m okay. So what happened? I’d like to


ask, but I’m so hungry.”

“I already heard about it and brought you a simple treat.”

When Yustaf said so and glanced back, the servant pushed in the
trolley.

Just the sight of the round silver lid began to make Ran’s mouth
water. Perhaps because they are conscious of Ran’s eyes, which are
staring at them, but her servant set the dishes and opened the lid
much faster than ever before.

It was Clam Chowder soup and Cobb Salad.

‘Looks delicious!’

Ran picked up the spoon quickly, and glanced at Yustaf.

“How about Yus?”

“I’m fine.”

When he declined, Ran quickly began to attack the soup. If Ran


was eating alone, she’d drink it straight from the bowl, but there’s a
person in front of her, so she used a spoon.

‘It’s good. It’s really good.’

The clam meat, which is chewed from time to time, was in perfect
harmony with its rich and deep flavour. After emptying half of the
soup, Ran reached out for the Cobb Salad.

“Sister.”

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Yustaf called her and Ran looked at him, “Huh?”

“Should you really be drinking that after drinking that


sleeping medicine?”

“You brought it, didn’t you? Then it’s okay. You need me,
at least until your coming-of-age ceremony is over.”

“That’s true.”

“Right?”

Laughing, Ran poked the salad with a fork.

Perhaps because Ran became more self-conscious after eating so


quickly, but she started lightly mixing the vegetables.

Ran felt like she was killing herself every time she stabbed a
vegetable with the fork. After a sip of cold iced tea, Ran asked.

“May I listen while I eat?”

“Of course.”

Yustaf nodded and began to talk.

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Chapter 13
Source: Villainessqueenxo

However, she has not yet informed the vassals. Although some
people in the mansion knew, they were still keeping it a secret.

—It would be difficult for creditors to put pressure on them to


allocate interest rates to percentages.

That was the external reason Ran suggested.

‘But I’m glad I can trust them when it comes to force.’

It was fortunate that the Knights Commander, Sir Blaine, was a


loyal man. If a person with power changes their heart and mind, then
it’s hard.

‘Still, I’m glad I set him as a loyal knight.’

After all, he was a character set up to exterminate the enemy and


give refuge to the protagonist.

‘Well, not now though.’

Thinking so, Ran smiled at Ross. Ross turned his head at her
laughter.

“The first shipment required for Golden Rose will be


finished next week.”

“Yes, there are so many mana stones, so the ones exposed


on the surface alone will be enough.”

“Good.”

She was contacted from time to time from the manager of Golden

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Rose. It was convenient to talk in real time with the magic
communicator that Leverly gave her.

“All the wizards are in a state of frenzy to come to the


Lazian duchy.”

Yustaf said as handed over a piece of paper to Ran, and Ran


laughed.

“We can’t have that. It would be rude and tell them they
can’t come.”

“Of course.”

The wizards were going crazy.

When Leverly, the owner of Golden Rose, showed them the ice
crystal for the first time, the wizard of the business group informed
the wizard’s association.

The wizard’s association put pressure on Leverly to obtain more ice


crystals—which, in fact, she secretly passed on—and their mouths
opened wide when they saw the amount of power it contained.
Members of the wizard’s association round table rushed to see the
manager of Golden Rose. Then, when Leverly showed them a sample
that was also a mana stone the size of a man’s forearm, everyone
said they would take it and have a look, but a fight broke out.

In the end, when Leverly offered to split it into 12 pieces using a


hacksaw as there are 12 members of the round table—they again
went berserk.

They all seemed to be angry at Leverly for not knowing the value
of it.

Eventually, the chairman of the round table took the sample stone
with a satisfied and happy face, and Leverly took it back, saying she
would ask the Duchess of Lazia to see if she could get more ice

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crystals to share with the rest of them.

When Leverly delivered the news, Ran gladly sent the remaining
11 pieces. Wizards are not beings driven by power or money. If they
could win the favour of these people, it would be the perfect bribe
since they are going to break through the magic-related routes.

“Even if it’s shipped out, the demonstration can’t take


place until December anyway.”

At Ran’s words, Yustaf nodded and sighed.

“It’s inconvenient you cannot enter the social season


unless you’re an adult.”

“That’s true. It would be nice to have you there with me.”

Social season.

It was the season where all the nobles who have nothing special to
do gathered in the capital. It runs from December until August, and
the peak season is in May, June and July.

During this time, there was no day when a ball is not held.

The townhouses in the capital become bustling, and Cedar Road


(the boutique street in the capital) is filled with carriages. Of course,
the same is true of Summer Tree Park and Yerenia Park.

When you reach nineteen, you are eligible to attend the social
season after your coming-of-age ceremony.

‘And there is no better billboard than the social events.’

Neither she nor Leverly intended to leave with just showing the
mana stone.

She intended to create and demonstrate the amazing, never-been-


seen magical items, that can be created by using this mana stone.

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And of course, the demonstrations will be shown during the social
season parties where all the nobles gather.

Among them, there could be no appropriate place to demonstrate


than the grand ball held at the Golden Swan Palace, the imperial
palace.

‘Anyway, it’s a business aimed at nobles.’

It would be nice if the imperial family became the first to buyer.

‘Right. It would be a good idea to give a gift to the empress


as well.’

Ran thought so, and bit her lip gently.

‘Wait, come to think of it, isn’t there someone like a final


boss in the imperial palace?’

Well, not the final boss, but maybe more like a second-level among
the middle bosses?

‘Ugh—we’ll let’s think about it later.’

Ran shook her head. It’s a problem that can’t be solved right now if
she thinks about it anyway.

Anyway, she’s not used to this status system.

It’s fortunate that the duchy of Lazia is isolated, otherwise had she
not been tied up, it would’ve been a bigger problem than it is now.

Although the Duchy of Lazia is isolated, when Ran took over duke’s
title after becoming the temporary head, she sent a letter
saying ‘please forgive me for not getting acknowledged directly as I
am only temporary.’ And he replied, ‘then I acknowledge it
temporarily.’

That reply that returned was enough.

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‘Although, of course, it could be sarcastic.’

But temporary acknowledgment was sufficient.

‘I only need it for the next two years.’

But before that, she will need to head to the capital for the social
season.

‘I need to find the second male lead…….!’

If the male lead is a noble, then the second male lead lives a lower
life.

‘Lumiè’

That was his name.

To find a slave with that name was so broad it would be hard for
her to find him. In the first place, the location itself was confusing.

“Sister?”

Yustaf called her, and Ran immediately came to her senses.

“Yes? Oh. Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”

“Why don’t you go in and rest?”

“No, I’m still okay. A strong cup of tea will get me back to
work in no time. Don’t worry about it.”

Ran smiled brightly and called the attendant to order strong tea.

After drinking the strong tea, Ran continued with her work. After
the candles burned out, the work was finished.

‘Still, it’s a lot better because it’s two people.’

Ran, thinking so, thanked Yustaf and returned to her room.

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When she came out from having her evening bath, a maid stood
there holding a strange medicine. Ran swallowed back her tears as
she took the medicine and drank the water.

‘Huh…..?’

She suddenly felt very sleepy.

Her eyelids were so heavy that it was difficult to keep them open.

‘I still need to get to my bed to sleep…..’

She then fell to the floor, losing strength in her knees. For a
moment she came to her senses.

No, a part of her mind rang alarm bells.

This is strange.

Strange.

She thought it was strange, but she couldn’t do anymore than that.

No, she needs to call for someone—

She finally managed to make that thought, and Ran tried to break
it somehow, but was unsuccessful. The floor was right in front before
her eyes and then it was over.

Blaze.

Blue flames filled her vision. The flames weren’t hot, and there was
a pleasant warmth.

—Istarif.

A whispering females voice was heard in layers.

—Istarif.

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And again.

“Istarif.”

When Ran called her name as if responding to it, the flames flared
out and took shape. Her upper body is female, her lower half is a lion,
and her hair is a blazing blue flame.

Her pupils looked like star sapphires, they were not ordinary pupils.
Normally she would’ve been taken aback and scared, but strangely it
suited her well.

“It seem you finally heard my voice, right?”

Istarif’s voice was husky. It was a fiery voice.

“Istarif?”

When Ran asked, Istarif replied “yes.” and tilted her head.

“The blue flame?”

When asked a second time, Istarif’s lips drew a deep curve.

“Yes. That’s what the Duke of Lazia calls me. No one else
knows my name. How do you know my name?”

“Why am I here…..? Where the hell am I?”

Confused, Ran looked around. It was a white space filled with fog.
Then this was all she could think of.

‘So, I collapsed after I took the pills…….’

Was it Yustaf?

‘But why would he kill me? I thought he’d wait until after
his coming-of-age ceremony.’

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Ran thought that her death would come after Yustaf becomes the
head of the family, she never thought she would die before that.

‘Could it have been uncle?’

However, there were no reports of her uncle’s movements.

‘Well, now I have to think about it.’

Ran clicked her tongue lightly. It was both realistic and unrealistic
when she looks at Yustaf. Seeing the boy’s wounded face, she
thought she’d do her best for him.

But, was it still a little unrealistic? Or is it because she is dead that


it doesn’t feel unrealistic right now?

Then, Istarif stretched out her neck and popped her face in front of
Ran’s nose. Ran was shocked and stepped back.

“Hahaha.”

Istarif twisted her neck once, laughed strangely and then shrunk
her neck back until it returned to a normal size.

“What is it?”

The honourifics came out automatically. Istarif swept back her


waving blue hair and said.

“Because you were lost in your thoughts.”

Listening to Istarif, Ran pressed her chest.

She was so surprised that she could feel her heart beating fast. The
she had a cold sweat.

‘But, if I’m in the afterlife, why is Istarif here?’

Ran tilted her head and asked Istarif.

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“Am I dead?”

“No.”

Ran blinked at her words.

“Then what happened?”

“You are asleep. This is the spiritual world.”

“I’m just asleep?”

“Yes.”

Ran rubbed her temples at Istarif’s response. So did she fall


because she was too tired?

“That can’t be true…….”

Regardless of Ran’s concerns, Istarif continued.

“The spirit world is where you an connect when you are in a


very deep dream. Now, here I have the upper hand.”

“Even though I know your name?”

Ran asked as she started at her, Istarif made a displeased face.

“So, how do you know my name?”

“I’m not telling you.”

Ran replied, gathering courage. This is the world she created, she
had no intention of saying that. Especially if it’s a spirit that she
doesn’t know where she stands with.

“Haha.”

Then she heard a cheerful laugh. And this time, a man appeared
through the mist. The upper body is a human male, and the lower

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body is a snake.

‘Oh my god.’

Are all the spirits here half-human and half-beast? Did she write it
like that? She didn’t think so.

The man had his hair neatly tied back. From his shoulders to his
arms, two rows of black snake scales are exposed like a tattoo.

He grinned.

“I don’t mean to bother you. But I’m just curious. Who is in


that body that once died?”

He seemed to be speaking kindly, but the content was poignant.

Ran was startled. Istarif smirked.

“Yes, and how do you know my name? Chamgyuk, don’t


interfere.”

Chamgyuk.

Only then did Ran know the man’s true identity. Another duke,
Uslar of the Rose, has a spirit here.

The black spear, Chamgyuk.

And the name is—

Ran knew the name. But she didn’t know if it would be good to
reveal it or not. She tilted her head in thought.

“If I tell you, will you let me out of here?”

Istarif nodded and added.

“Just when you tell the truth.”

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“I don’t mean waking me up 100 years from now, but
return me safely to the present where I lost consciousness.”

Istarif laughed lightly.

“All right.”

“The truth is, this is my novel.”

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Chapter 13
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 13

When Ran collapsed, the maid trembled and hurried to the back
door.

As she opened the door which lead towards the servant’s aisle, she
saw Robbie who was waiting for her.

“Y-you’re really going to write off my debts, aren’t you?”

Robbie nodded at the maid’s question.

“Yes, and when I become the Duke of Lachia, I will not


forget your contribution in this.”

The maid didn’t give a reply to his slanderous words .

Her father got a lot of gambling debts, and Baron Lindbergh took
care of buying the loan card.

Under those conditions, he asked for small information at first,


then demanded bigger and bigger things, and eventually came to
drugging Ran with sleeping pills..

The doctor who gave her the medicine said it would work if
consumed immediately.

She thought she couldn’t do it at all, but the Baron said he would
let her go after she finished this job.

In addition, Baron Lindbergh also said that there were other


people, beside her, who could do it.

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Even a simple maid like her could see that Baron Lindbergh’s
people are everywhere. If she doesn’t do it, someone else will take
the medicine and the benefit.

So what’s the problem if she does it herself?

Thinking so, the maid walked quickly, as if she were running away,
through the servants’ aisle and ran into someone.

He was never supposed to be in this aisle.

“Y-young, Master.”

“Shhhhush.

Yustaf whispered and placed his index finger on her lips. His blue
eyes shone blue even in the low-light servants’ aisle.

The maid was so surprised that her voice did not come out.

“If you’ll stay quietly here, you might find a way to live.”

Yustaf whispered in a low voice. The maid, who had never seen
him smile, thought his smile was ominous. Then, Blaine, who’s
behind Yustaf, caught her eye.

“If you want to escape, you can run away. That is… if you
can.”

After talking, his smile disappeared and he walked past her. The
maid, who was trembling in fear, fell on her knees.

She didn’t dare to run away. The moment she saw those eyes, she
felt numb.The maid covered her face with both her hands and burst
into tears.

*****

Robbie groaned while he moved Ran to the bed. The medicine was

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really strong since Ran didn’t wake up even after she was moved like
that.

He felt a little nervous, guilty, but excited as he started to remove


Ran’s pajamas.

‘She won’t even remember it anyway. What’s important is


taking her virginity.’

Robbie thought so, but suddenly, his neck felt something cold.

“Long time no see. Brother.”

Robbie made a strange noise. A sword was placed right next to his
neck. The blade was pressed down on his neck, so it was throbbing
and bleeding.

If he moved his neck in that condition, he was going to have a


huge cut, so Robbie just turned his eyes.

“Wh-who is it?.”

“Who would it be? Bro. – No, bastard.”

Yustaf whispered. Only then did Robbie realize that the opponent
with the sword was him.

“Y-Yustaf, well, there’s a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? Is there any


misunderstanding about drugging my sister with sleeping
pills and taking her clothes off?”

Blaine thought that the reason Robbie was blabbering like that was
because he couldn’t see the Young Master’s face.

It was a while ago that Yustaf told Blaine to increase the


surveillance around Ran.

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In addition, after investigating Yustaf’s appointed maid and
servant, it was discovered that they were related to Baron Lindbergh.

‘How did you know?’

“Facial expression or behavior. I know they are hiding bad


things when I see them.”

Blaine got goosebumps on his back when Yustaf said that.

A master who can see through your heart.

“It’s going to be difficult if I don’t notice that” , Yustaf


added, as he was apparently aware of the situation.

However, the movement of the spies has become so active these


days that Blaine has rolled up his sleeves[1].

He was so full of energy until he found out about what happened to


Ran. Blaine felt angry and disgusted, but Yustaf was calm.

“That’s something my uncle would think.”

Blaine felt strange.

Ran performed really well as the housekeeper and the vassals, who
watched her from the sides, knew this as well. As a result, Ran’s
presence in the Duchy grew considerably.

But when Blaine saw that Yustaf was calm, he had a lot of thoughts
like “Does the Young Master think the Duchess was a bad
person?” Or “Is he really going to let this happen to her?”

‘Although I deeply realized that this is not the case now.’

Blaine straightened his back and lowered his eyes.

Somehow, he felt like he saw a part of the Young Master that he


wasn’t supposed to see.

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*****

‘Should I pull it?’

Yustaf thought as he looked behind Robbie’s head, who was saying


something.

‘Shall I cut him? Ah, but blood’s gonna splatter on Ran, as well as
on the bed and the bedsheets…’

He had no problem using Ran as a bait, but he felt really bad when
it was done in front of him.

It was also unpleasant to use Ran to take his position.

For Yustaf, anything that belongs to Lachia, even the servants,


belongs to him.

Even if his stepmother somehow struggled to take it away from


him, he managed to keep them.

‘But you’re thinking of touching my Lachia, something that


belongs to me?’

“How dare you.”

Yustaf accidentally voiced his thoughts.

Hearing Yustaf’s cold voice, Robbie found himself dripping in cold


sweat.

“Hold on! Let’s take the sword off and talk, okay? It’s not
like I’m not in a position to request something like that,
isn’t?”

“I see.”

Yustaf answered refreshingly and took off the sword. As Robbie


scrambled down from the bed, Yustaf struck him in the shin with a

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sword.

“Ack-!”

Robbie screamed and fell to the ground. A heavy “thud” rang out
as Yustaf stepped on his back with all his might.

“Well, let’s talk about it.”

[1] to get ready to do something difficult

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Chapter 14
Source: Villainessqueenxo

Both Istarif and Chamgyuk looked at Ran without blinking. Ran


licked her lips and said.

“I know, this sounds strange. But how do I explain this? I’m


not from this world, I’m from Korea. And—”

“Phanias.”

Chamgyuk spoke.

At first, it sounded like ‘hania’ because the pronunciation of Pha


was like he was blowing air through his lips.

“Phanias?”

When Ran asked with widened eyes, Istarif explained.

“He’s calling you a ‘reader’. I see. That’s why you know my


name.”

“Wait a minute, don’t convince yourselves and talk to each


other. Does it have something with me being brought here?”

Istarif and Chamgyuk faced each other and raised their hands,
saying, “wait.” They were only facing each other and were talking
with their eyes.

Ran was nervous, but waited patiently. The spirits must know why
she came here.

‘So, maybe I could go back!’

“Hoo, a Phanias, this is a rare traveller.”

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A loud voice was heard. Someone else appeared with a bright light
that pushed away the fog.

Six wings, a human upper body, with the lower body and the head
of a leopard.

Ran was about to faint. But that didn’t mean this spirit is hideous.
Spirits are both strange and beautiful. They are. But the pressure she
felt from this spirit…….

“Oh, hello.”

A polite greeting came out naturally.

The leopard laughed softly. For the first time Ran knew she could
see the leopard smiling.

As the leopard flapped it’s wings lightly, the wind blew and swept
away the fog, and some of the fog gathered together and formed a
table and chairs.

On the table, the fog again formed a plate and and round bundles
of cloud were placed on it.

“Have a seat.”

Ran looked at the cloud chair and sat down. The cloud chair didn’t
alter and was soft and resilient. She felt like she could fall asleep.

“Have a cloud cookie, too.”

Ran hesitated and took a bite of a piece of cloud. It tasted just like
meringue, but was cool and refreshing at the same time.

The leopard sat across the other side of the table with it’s four legs
bent. Still, he was so big that he looked down at Ran.

Istarif and Chamgyuk stood quietly to one side.

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‘Is he an advanced spirit? No, he might even be a superior
spirit.’

The spirit world here follows a strict hierarchical system. They are
given a class at birth, and once that class is determined, it will never
change.

The lowest class, junior class, middle class, advanced class,


superior class, and then, the spirit king.

This is the pyramid structure that the spirit world follows.

“How much do you know about this world? And what about
it did you write?”

In response to the leopard’s question, Ran revealed everything she


knew. And, all about the hardships she been through and what she
has done.

Without interrupting with questions, the leopard listened to all of


Ran’s story. She was gibberish at first, but thanks to the leopard’s
calm demeanour, she managed to relax and remembered other
details.

“I see.”

The leopard said so, blinking his golden eyes.

“First of all, let me tell you that this world is not one that
you created.”

This was a complete contradictory statement from the premise.


Ran swallowed her breath.

“I beg your pardon? But it’s the same story that I wrote!”

“You read about a world that already existed. People who


read about this world are often called prophets.”

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“…….”

Ran was speechless.

What?

She didn’t create this world? She just read about it?

Wait, so does this means Yustaf isn’t the male lead?

Regardless of Ran’s confusion, the leopard continued.

“All readers are different in the way they read, what they
read, and when they read it. Even when you read this world,
as soon as you wrote it down, it became prophetic.”

“So this is a world that already existed?”

“Yes.”

“But I’m sure I came up with the ideas from my imagination


and definitely wrote everything down!”

“Yes. You read it. You just didn’t know what you read. I’m
not denying that you made a story out of your imagination.
There are people who do that. But have you continued to
write stories since this one?”

“…….no…….”

That was the first and last time. But don’t people write like that at
least once when they are young? Did she really link with this world
and read about it?

‘That, did I?’

At that time, new stories and settings came to her mind everyday,
so it was hard to write it all down. She thought it was because use
she was a genius.

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“So, then, how am I here?”

“That part I’m not quite sure about. But according to what
you wrote, the owner of that body is dead, right?”

“Yes.”

“And isn’t the original you dead too?”

Ran swallowed a gasp, and the spirit continued.

“And shall I guess one more thing? Your true name and the
name of your current body are the same.”

Ran became a mute who has eaten honey. It’s true. Her original
name was also Ran. Maybe that’s why she was able to adapt to this
body more easily.

The spirit murmured and continued explaining.

“That’s why I was attracted. It’s not a common


occurrence……. In fact, we don’t know how this world is
structured. Perhaps the biggest cause is that you read our
world. Also, there was a ‘door’ near that body.”

She felt like her face was turning white.

‘I died?’

Of course, after the car accident, she woke up and found herself in
her novel!

As she looked at the situation, she thought, ‘I must have died,


right?’ It’s not that she didn’t think about it. But she thought, if she
woke up back in her world, she might be able to go back there.

That’s why she told Yustaf so easily, that he could kill her.

She wasn’t sure, so it didn’t feel real when she convinced herself

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that she was putting it off.

Ran was sitting there, dazed, when the leopard stood up with it’s
legs stretched.

“Blue flame, so has your curiosity been solved?”

“It’s been solved.”

Istarif grinned. She said looking back Ran.

“It’s rare to meet a reader. It was a pleasure to meet you.


Stranger who knows my name.”

Before Ran could say anything, she was surrounded by a thick fog.

“Wait a minute!”

All they did was say what they wanted to say and get answers to
their questions?

Blue flames filled her view. Her body seemed to float in the air and
then she fell to the floor.

“!!”

Ran woke up suddenly. A cold sweat ran down her forehead.

‘If you’re going to wake me up, you could wake me up a


little more kindly.’

Ran blinked, thinking so.

‘Huh?’

It wasn’t her room.

‘Where am I now? Wait, I’m not in someone else’s body, am


I?’

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Ran looked at her hand in a hurry, groped her upper body, and got
out of bed.

When she looked in a mirror of a nearby dressing table, she was


still Ran.

‘What a relief.’

But why wasn’t she in her room?

When she looked carefully, it was a familiar room.

‘It’s the duchess’ room, isn’t it?’

It was her mother’s room. There was luxurious items of her


mother’s taste everywhere.

‘Ugh, damn it.’

Ran went back to the bed and sat down. So much happened at
once that it was difficult to organise her thoughts properly.

‘For now, let’s put aside the talk with the spirits.’

Her mind was amazingly clear, that she was able to then handle
her thoughts.

‘First of all, it wasn’t Yustaf as I’m still alive.’

So, someone here is a traitor?

‘So, can I leave this room freely? And this is the shade of
tree?’

The other name given to the duchess’ room is the shade of tree.

“Miss!”

She then heard a much welcomed voice from behind and she

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turned around to see it was one of her maids.

“You’re awake. Are you feeling well?”

“Yes, I’m fine. But what happened?”

“First, I need to inform Master Yustaf. How long he has


been waiting.”

“Wait a minute.”

Ran stopped the maid from fussing and asked.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know the details. The young master will explain.”

“So how long have I been asleep?”

“You have been unconscious for 3 days.”

Judging from the maid’s attitude, it did not seem that it was Yustaf
who has poisoned her, nor did it seem like she was being held
captive by the enemy either.

And even if she was in that kind of situation.

“I’m going to wash up first.”

She felt uncomfortable from the cold sweat.

“I’ll have a bath, have some soup, and then I’ll talk to
Yustaf.”

The maid blinked and bowed her head respectfully.

Ran finished bathing and then came out to sort out her thought.

‘So then, this is all real, everything is real.’

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Obviously she thought it felt real, but she also did not think it was
real life.

‘Huh? Then I’m not the author who played with people’s
lives like trash.’

There’s no need for her to feel guilty!

She didn’t even do what she thought, she still let the duke know
about the mine!

Even though it’s unpaid, she worked overtime and weekends!

She even protected Yustaf!

‘I’m actually a really nice person.’

Ran showed her bright and positive personality without regret. She
has protected herself as Ran since graduating school until now, when
she fell into this world.

Isn’t she great, right?

Ran thought so and grinned to herself. The maid, who was applying
perfume oil into her hair and drying it with a towel, glanced at Ran.

“Did something good happen Miss?”

“Yes.”

Ran replied with a smile. Then she looked at the maid and asked.

“By the way, what is your name?”

“It’s Soda.”

The maid answered politely.

Soda, yes it was Soda.

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“And what about the maid who came to wake me up
earlier?”

“That was Miss Kara.”

“Miss?”

“Because she is someone with a higher position than me.”

“Ah.”

Ran nodded.

As the feeling of debt disappeared, she could afford to look around.


There are many more things she wants to do.

“My Lady, you have lovely hair. I wish my hair was this
colour.”

“I like the colour of Soda’s hair, too.”

“It’s too dark.”

Soda has dark hazelnut-coloured hair.

‘Well, the further south you go, the lighter your hair, whilst
in the north it’s darker.’

People want to have what they don’t already have.

When she finishing her drying hair and combed it, she felt very
hungry. She didn’t know it at first, but once she recognised it, her
stomach kept growling.

‘It took some time to wash, so the food should come out
right away!’

She went out to the living room thinking so, and Yustaf was
waiting. Sitting on the one seated sofa, he stood up as Ran walked in.

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Ran asked, subconsciously squeezing the front of her robe.

“Yus?”

“I heard you have woken up.”

Tl note: a mute who has eaten honey: someone who does not say
anything, similar English idiom – cat got your tongue.

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Chapter 14
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 14

*****

Ran opened her eyes wide. The soup trickled down from her spoon
and fell back to the plate.

Without blinking, she stared at Yustaf like she’d just been frozen.

“Robbie tried to rape me? He even conspired with uncle?!”

“Yes.”

“Huh, no. Rather, that person planned this. If you had been
the housekeeper, he would have tried to wed his daughter
with you.”

Their uncle would actually do that.

“I suppose so.”

Yustaf nodded.

“So I unintentionally moved sister’s room.”

“It’s fine, that can’t be helped when that thing happens. I


would have felt uncomfortable if I stayed there the whole
time. So? what happened after?”

“When sister collapsed, I questioned him for three days,


and he told me quite a few names and information.”

“Robbie?”

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“Robbie and the other conspirators were caught. He was
more than happy to cooperate. He was so shameless.”

“He did?”

How could he have cooperated so quickly?

Suddenly, Ran felt a cold sweat dripping on her back.

“Yes.”

When Ran asked Yustaf if he suspected him as well, Yustaf


shrugged his shoulders and said, “If you are”.

“Then did Baron Lindbergh really ask him to do this?”

“Yes, Baron Lindbergh has already been arrested.”

“That’s fast.”

“It’s best to get this done quickly.”

“That’s true. What did he say?”

“He said he was being framed.”

“Oh, my uncle.”

Ran grinned.

“Don’t you think he’s being too cliché?”

“He’s not a man of imagination.”

Ran nodded at Yustaf’s words. After eating the last spoonful of


clam chowder, Ran tilted her head.

“Shall I get rid of him now?”

Baron Lindbergh will continue to be at a disadvantage. Since they

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even arrested him, it is difficult for their relationship to recover in the
future.

‘Yustaf can’t kill him.’

Since he’s still his blood relative.

It’s kind of weird to be stigmatized as a blood (relative) killer. But


she’s not a blood relative.

‘Now is the time to make the payment!Is it?’

‘But they might think that proceeding to the death penalty


is quite severe.’

“We must deprive him of his title. What about confiscating


their property and expelling them out of their territory?”

Well, they attempted to force her lose her virginity and get
married.

“I’m sure that would be fine.”

Yustaf nodded, and Ran lightheartedly said.

“Okay, let’s do that.”

“Alright”.

Ran stared at Yustaf when he answered.

What’s in front of her is not the male lead but Yustaf.

Yustaf also looked straight at her without wavering. Others may


think they are going to fight.

It’s Yustaf.

Not the character she wrote.

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But a real human.

It was quite a fresh feeling for Ran. But when she suddenly thought
about it, Ran asked.

“Yustaf.”

“Yes.”

“You knew that, didn’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

“The uncle is going to move.”

“It was because I thought sister was too quick on doing her
job.”

“Was it fast?”

When Ran slightly frowned, Yustaf nodded.

“It was too fast to the point where his followers were
overwhelmed with pressure. You work so fast that even the
people who believed in you were afraid.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“There were people who believed in me?”

Ran covered her mouth in joy.

“No, more than that, it would have been better if you’d let
me know beforehand if you knew something like this is going
to happen…”

She never heard anything about it even though she’s Duchy’s

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housekeeper.

“He was moving faster than I thought. I guess he was


driven into a corner.”

“Is that so?”

Ran squinted his eyes.

“But you let this happen on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

Yustaf answered smoothly. Ran exhaled and spoke slowly.

“The easiest way to know your enemies is to catch them on


the spot. As soon as it happens, you can get rid them at
once.”

It would not be possible without a risky execution, but the results


would be great..

They can now get rid of those useless people.

Even so.

If Yustaf was a little late–

Thinking about it gave her goosebumps. Ran lightly rubbed her


arm and said.

“Thank you for saving me. If it weren’t for Yustaf, I’d be


caught in their trap. Of course, it would have been better if
you had told me in advance.”

It’s not a pleasant feeling to be cut off from the information and


used as a bait. Of course, there’s also her fault that she didn’t predict
that her uncle was going to move like that.

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“I was afraid that if you find out, the enemy would move in
a very unpredictable manner.”

Yustaf spoke plainly and added.

“And you trust me, so you’ve entrusted me with the


security.”

“That’s right, but.”

Except for administrative work, all things related to Lord Blaine and
the security affairs were left to Yustaf.

Ran pondered for a moment. It seemed that now is the best time to
have a talk.

“Well, Yus, it’s kind of weird to say this in this situation.”

“Tell me.”

“Can I take back what I said before?”

“What do you mean?”

“You remember what I said before, the ‘Don’t kill me’?”

Yustaf’s eyebrows slightly frown when she brought it up, but he


nodded.

“Yes.”

“I’m not going to die.”

Yustaf looked at her without batting an eye. Ran grinned and


smiled through her lips.

“Were you surprised with my words?”

“It’s natural not wanting to die.”

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“I told you I was going to die if you wanted me to, but I’m
taking it back. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I can’t die even if you
wanted me to. And, I’m probably going to fight back.”

She doesn’t have any debt to him anymore. So she thought she
should live a good life.

When Ran’s words were over, Yustaf’s lips drew the line. It was a
bright smile. Ran breathed lightly.

‘Oh, my God.’

Long live the handsome black-haired blue-eyed boy.

She suddenly thought about that.

“That’s good news.”

Yustaf replied.

Ran was absent-minded for a long time, but managed to pull


herself together.

She was looking too much.

“Is that good news?”

Ran asked back to get rid of her embarrassment, and got a


cheerful “Yes.” from Yustaf

“I didn’t like it.”

Very rarely, Yustaf talked about his feelings.

“You didn’t like it?”

“Yes, I really hated it to the point that my teeth were


shaking. So I’m glad to hear that you’re canceling it. It’s even
more pleasant to hear that you’re going to fight back.”

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“How come?”

‘Is he a person who enjoys hardships?’ When Ran looked at him,


Yustaf replied with a smile.

“I don’t think you need to worry.”

“Worried?”

“Yes. In many ways, plus…”

He tilted his head,

“I don’t like people who die easily.”

“Well, definitely…..”

Ran nodded. A strong person would be better.

Maybe that’s true.

“So did you change your plans?”

“Plan?” Ran asked back.

“Your plan was to make me the head. So, has that


changed?”

“No, that plan is will be perfectly kept,”

Ran added.

“Two years later, when you turn 19, the title will be yours.
That plan hasn’t changed.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Ran nodded with a serious look.

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‘Do you think I’m crazy continue to do this? Please take the hard
work with you.’

She was honest about what she said.

“What about you sister?” Yustaf asked.

“Huh?”

“What happens to you when I become the head?”

“Well, I’ve never thought about that.”

Ran pondered about it and reached a conclusion.

“Let’s form an alliance.”

“You mean, when I become the head?”

“Yeah, don’t kill me after you become the head or


something like that?”

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Chapter 15
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 15 – Yustaf’s POV

The tone is light but the content is serious. Yustaf looked at Ran in
thought for a moment.

‘Do you usually receive and eat food so easily even after
experiencing such a thing?’

That behavior will be taken differently by different people.

Some might call it stupid, and some might say it’s bold enough
that it was ridiculous.

“And what about him?”

His silence lengthened, but Ran was looking at him without


moving. No matter how much he looks at her, he can’t see any signs
of her being worried.

Yustaf knew himself well. He had a suspicious and cunning


personality. Whether that was good or bad, he knew that’s how he
was.

Yustaf exhaled lightly and said.

“You’re the only one who can betray me.”

Ran frowned at the words.

“I won’t.”

“Yes.”

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Yustaf nodded. Ran’s eyes narrowed, but Yustaf was surprised by
his words. To be betrayed means to first trust.

Trust.

Yustaf accepted Ran’s behaviour as being similar to a deer’s. If a


deer had come up to a human, that it’d never seen before, curiously,
and licked their hand, no matter what kind of hunter the human is,
they wouldn’t be able to stab the deer.

In the eyes of Yustaf, what Ran was doing was similar to that.
Sticking out her neck and saying, “Trust me.”

‘While causing a lot of suspicions.’

Well, he’s not honest with her either.

Yustaf thought so and nodded.

“Okay, let’s make a deal.”

“It’s a wise choice. Then can I decide on the details? I need


pocket money.”

Yustaf raised his eyebrows lightly as Ran muttered.

“Please feel free to take out and spend as much money as


you want from the Duchy’s private funds.”

“But we have negative balance.” Ran murmured and Yustaf


replied, “That’s true.”

He nodded his head.

“But, when the money comes in, you can take as much as
you want.”

“No, don’t give it to me as the head of Lachia. But give it to


me as Ran, I need pocket money for my personal use.”

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Yustaf’s blue eyes narrowed slightly and then opened again.

“All right.”

“Okay, that’s the establishment of an alliance.”

“It’s established, but what will you do once I become the


head?”

“Well? Come to think of it, you said you’ve never thought


about it.”

‘Well, as the Lady of Lachia Dukedom, does Ran have to get


married? Isn’t she supposed to be connected with the second
male lead? But he’s not really my type.’

Yustaf got up from his seat. As he approached, Ran raised her


head. Yustaf’s fingers lightly brushed under her eyes.

“It’s all gone.”

“What?”

“The signs of fatigue.”

Ran laughed at the words.

“Because I slept for 3 days.”

Oh, that’s why Ran’s head was so clear. It’s true that she’s been
really busy with work lately.

To exaggerate a bit more, she felt like she’d been born again.

“Can I talk to you a little more in the evening? About


dispositions and alliances.”

“Okay.”

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Ran nodded. Yustaf’s hand came down and gently pulled her robe’s
collar to tighten it further.

“Then excuse me.”

Greeting politely, Yustaf left the room. Ran thought, putting


another bite of salad in her mouth.

‘Maybe Yustaf likes me, maybe he dislikes me, or maybe he


plans to use me.’

‘I don’t know.’

‘But I don’t think he hates me. There’s no way he’d feed someone
he hates. ‘

Thinking so, Ran finished the salad.

***

“Returning to work was more troublesome than Ran


thought.”

Ran’s uncle claimed that the attempt to rape Ran was conceived
by Robbie alone, and that it was because Robbie loved her so much.

“If you love someone, do you rape them?”

When Ran muttered, Yustaf replied coldly, “I heard that it’s the
‘passion of youth’.”

Passion of youth.

Ran was speechless at the thought that everything was acceptable


as long as someone used love as an excuse. Ran was annoyed.

In addition, Ran’s uncle defended his son, saying, “He wasn’t


trying to rape her, he just wanted to watch her sleep.”

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A man who adored his beautiful cousin and made a bold plan to get
his hands on her who became a housekeeper.

Baron Lindbergh defended his son so much.

Ran asked Yustaf.

“What do you think, Yus?”

“I don’t think we should let it go.”

“That’s what I think too. If so,”

Ran grinned.

“I’ll just need to be a strong woman.”

Yustaf thought for a moment and said,

“You don’t have to.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Certainly, you and I both know that you have to put an


end to Baron Lindbergh.”

“I was originally going to put him to death, but instead,


let’s issue a deportation order for Robbie. And take away
Baron Lindergh’s rights to succession.”

“His succession rights?”

“Yes.”

“In fact, you were trying to take away their titles and expel
all of them, right? Isn’t that better? What would happen if
you pushed a little harder?”

“It’ll hurt your reputation as the head of the Duchy among

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the people of the Dukedom. Besides, it’s not worth it.”

Ran pondered, “Really?” It would have been nice if he could root


out her uncle’s power using this opportunity, but it might have been
an unreasonable operation to try to stop him.

‘But we’ve managed to capture all of my uncle’s spies in


the mansion.’

This is a good thing.

“But wouldn’t it be better to put Robbie in jail


indefinitely?”

“No.”

Yustaf answered clearly. He lifted his blue eyes and said, looking
up at Ran.

“Exile.”

Isn’t that a worse punishment?

Well, it could be a luxury prison or something like that.

This was Ran’s weakness.

She did not know everything in the world, and was especially weak
in customs and judicial systems.

“Well, let’s do that. Instead, I’ll ban my uncle from entering


the Sky Mansion.”

Yustaf lowered his head slightly.

“That would be great.”

“Then let’s do it.”

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Ran said so, slammed the seal and handed over the document. The
trials in the estate was one of the main tasks of the lord. Of course,
the Duchy of Lachia had a separate court system because it was so
large, but she was also the judge because it was a case between
blood relatives.

Baron Lindbergh may post a petition later, but she intended to


ignore it. This showed that being on the side of Baron Lindbergh
would make someone an enemy of the Duchy.

If you’re not an idiot, you won’t abandon the Duke of Lachia and
choose Baron Lindbergh.

“And, although it is a problem to select the people to fill in


for those that were fired, I tried to cut down on the number
of people working when I cut our finances anyway, so I don’t
have to choose new employees right away.”

It takes people to verify people.

Ran flipped over the papers. Yustaf opened his documents and
said,

“I’m also working on arranging a magic craftsman. I put a


notice in the guild, and it was said that about two volunteers
came out.”

“I hope they can come as soon as possible. It seems that


Levory’s side is also on the way.”

“Do you think the debtors have noticed anything


suspicious?”

“Yeah, not yet? But as long as we use people to mine,


there’ll be rumors. For now, I told the miners that I found a
crystal mine.”

“They’ll soon discover that it’s different from crystals.”

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“Yeah, but there’s not much time left until the yearly
interest is due. It’ll be fine if we hide it for five or six months.
Oh, so I’m thinking of selling some of my mother’s jewelry on
top of the Golden Rose.”

“Jewelry?”

“Yes, so using that money, I want to repay the money I


borrowed from the vassals. I feel so ashamed.”

To pay off the Duchy’s various debts, the easiest way was to


borrow money evenly from the vassals and the three families.

The amount of money borrowed from the vassals alone amounted


to about 50,000 verat. And 300,000 verats were put on mortgage
and borrowed from the nearby Marquis Salmon. 200,000 verats were
borrowed from Count Simil….

As the amount of money was large, the interest was enormous,


and it was almost impossible to pay back the yearly interest.

And to top it all off, the loan was about 150,000 verats.

‘It’ll be difficult for the Duchy of Lachia to escape from


debt.’

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Chapter 15
Source: Villainessqueenxo

WordPress.com

Build a website. Sell your stuff. Write a blog. And so much more.

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Chapter 16
Source: Villainessqueenxo

She doesn’t feel indebted to him anymore. So she thought she


would live life to the fullest.

When Ran finished speaking, Yustaf’s lips curved. It was a clear


smile. Ran took a gentle breath.

‘Oh my gosh.’

Long live the black-haired, blue-eyed handsome boy.

Just, all she could think about was that.

“That’s good news.”

Yustaf replied so. After being dazed for a while, Ran managed to
pull herself together and lowered her gaze.

She was staring too hard.

“Is that good news?”

When she asked to get rid of her embarrassment, a lighthearted


answer “Yes” came back.

“I didn’t like it.”

It was a very rare case, Yustaf talking about his feelings.

“You didn’t like it?”

“Yes, really, I didn’t like it. So I’m glad to hear you’re


cancelling. It’s even more enjoyable to hear you say you’ll
fight back.”

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“Why so?”

‘Are you a person who enjoys hardships?’ She glanced at him and
Yustaf replied with a smile on his face.

“Because I don’t think you need to worry.”

“Worry?”

“Yes. In many ways, besides—“

He tilted his head.

“I don’t like people who die easily.”

“Well, of course…..”

Ran nodded. People who have a strong body are better.

That might be the case.

“So has your plan changed?”

To Yustaf’s question, Ran replied “Plan?” And when asked, he


said.

“I’m talking about the plan to make me the head of the


family.”

“No, that’s still happening, right?”

Emphasising with wrong grammar, Ran added.

“Two years later, when you turn nineteen, you’ll be the


head of the family. The plan hasn’t changed there.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

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Ran nodded with a serious face. ‘Do you think I’m crazy to
continue with this work? Please take the hard work with you.’ This
was honestly from her heart.

Yustaf asked.

“Then what about you sister?”

“Huh?”

“What will you do when I become the head?”

“Well, I’ve never thought about it…….”

She tilted her head and thought yes, Ran then widened her eyes.

“Let’s make an alliance.”

“You mean until I become the head?”

“Yes, that says that you won’t kill me after you become the
head or something like that?”

The tone is light, but the content is serious. Yustaf looked at Ran
thoughtfully for a moment.

‘She’s eating her food without hesitation after going


through such a thing.’

That behaviour will be perceived differently from person to person.

Some might call it stupid, and others may say it’s bold enough to
stick out their tongue. [1]

So what about himself?

His silence grew longer, and Ran was looking at him motionlessly.
No matter how much he looks at it, it doesn’t look like she’s worried.

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Yustaf knew himself well. He has a suspicious and cunning
personality. Whether it was good or bad, he knows he is like that.

Yustaf exhaled slightly and said.

“You are the only one who could betray me.”

Ran frowned at those words.

“I’m not going to do that.”

“Right.”

Yustaf nodded. Ran’s eyes narrowed, but Yustaf was surprised he


even said that himself. To be betrayed means to trust someone.

Trust.

Yustaf took her actions that way. If he saw a baby deer see a
human for the first time, and out of curiosity it came up to him and
licked the salt from his hand, no matter how much of a hunter he
was, he wouldn’t be able to stab it in the neck.

In Yustaf’s view, what Ran was doing was exactly that. Sticking her
neck out and saying “Trust me.”

‘Although there are a lot of suspicious things.’

Well, he’s not being honest with her either.

Yustaf thought so and nodded.

“All right. Let’s make a deal.”

“That is a wise choice. Then can we set the details? I also


need an allowance.”

At Ran’s muttering, Yustaf raised his eyebrows.

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“You can use as much money as you want from the duchy’s
private vault”

“We have a negative balance.”

Ran murmured, and Yustaf said, “That’s true.” He then nodded.

“But, when the money comes in, you can use as much of it
as you want.”

“No, I need a personal allowance, not as the head of Lazia,


but myself as Ran.”

Yustaf’s blue eyes narrowed slightly and then opened again.

“Very well.”

“Good, our alliance has been established.”

“It’s established. So what are you going to do when I


become the head?”

“Hmm? Come to think about it, I’ve never thought about


it…….”

If she continues to be a Lady of Lazia, will it be marriage after all?


Usually, isn’t it a pattern where she would be connected with the
second male lead? But the second male lead here isn’t her type.

Ran tilted her head, and Yustaf rose from his seat. He approached
and Ran raised her head. Yustaf’s fingers lightly brushed under her
eyes.

“It’s all gone.”

“What?”

“The signs of fatigue.”

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Ran laughed at that.

“Because I slept for three whole days.”

Ah, that’s why her head was clear. She has been incredibly busy
from a lot of work lately.

To put it more exaggeratedly, she felt reborn.

“Then can we talk more in the evening? About our


disposition and alliance.”

“All right.”

Ran nodded. Yustaf’s hand came down and gently pulled her robe
collar to tighten it further.

“Then please excuse me.”

Parting politely, Yustaf left the room.

Ran took another bite of the salad and thought.

‘Does Yustaf like me, hate me, or does he want to use me?’

She doesn’t know.

‘I don’t think he hates me though. There’s no way you’d


feed someone you don’t like.’

Thinking so, Ran finished the salad.

***

The incident turned out to be more troublesome than she


expected.

Their uncle claimed that the attempt to rape Ran was something
Robbie had come up with alone, and that he loved her so much.

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“If you love someone, you rape them?”

When Ran muttered out of absurdity, Yustaf said, “He said it was
the passion of youth.” He replied coldly.

The passion of youth.

Ran clicked her tongue at the attitude that he thought anything


would be acceptable because he loved her. To be honest, it sucked.

Moreover, their uncle defended his son saying, he didn’t intend to


rape her, but was merely trying to watch her sleep.

A man who adored his cousin’s beautiful sister and made a bold
plan to get his hands on her, who became the head of the family.

Baron Lindbergh defended his son like that.

“Hm.”

Ran asked Yustaf.

“What do you think, Yus?”

“I don’t think we should let it go like this.”

“That’s what I think too. If so.”

Ran grinned.

“I’ll become a tough girl.”

Yustaf thought for a moment, then said.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“What? Why?”

Surely he and she knew that they need to get rid of Baron
Lindbergh, right?

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“I originally thought to sentence him to death, but let’s not
do that and instead issue a deportation order. And to remove
Baron Lindbergh from the line of succession.”

“As a single victory that it cannot be passed onto his


children?”

“Yes.”

“Actually, weren’t you going to seize his property and kick


everyone out? Wouldn’t that be better? What if I push it a
little harder?”

“Your reputation as the head will be bad among your


subjects. And, it’s not worth it.”

Ran asked “really?” And pondered. It would be nice if he could


root out his uncle’s power on this occasion, but it might’ve been an
unreasonable action to involve himself.

‘But we’ve managed to capture all of uncle’s people in the


mansion.’

That is good enough.

“Wouldn’t it be best to keep Robbie in prison indefinitely?”

“No.”

Yustaf replied clearly. He raised his blue eyes and looked at Ran.

“Exile.”

Is that a worse punishment?

Well, maybe it’s a pleasure living in a luxurious prison.

This is Ran’s weakness.

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She didn’t know everything about this world, and she was
particularly weak on customs and the justice system.

“Then, let’s do that. I’ll ban uncle from entering the sky
mansion.”

Yustaf bowed his head slightly.

“That will be good.”

“Then let’s do that.”

Ran said so, slammed the seal and handed over the document.
Trials within the territory was one of the principal tasks of the lord. Of
course, because the Duchy of Lazia is so large it has it’s own court of
justice, but this is a matter of family and the blood-line, so she
herself was a judge.

Baron Lindbergh may file for a petition later, but she intended to
ignore it. This showed that to stand on the side of Baron Lindbergh is
to be the enemy of the duchy.

Unless they were some kind of idiot, you wouldn’t abandon the
Duchess of Lazia and choose Baron Lindbergh.

“And its a problem to hire people who’s been kicked out.


We’ve tried to reduce the number of people to reduce the
budget anyway, so there is no need to hire new people right
away.”

Because it also takes people to verify people.

Ran flipped through the documents. Yustaf opened his paperwork


and said.

“We are also working on finding magic craftsmen. I sent


someone to communicate with the guild, and they said about
two volunteers came forward.”

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“I can’t wait for them to arrive. It seems progress is going
well on Leverly’s side as well.”

“Do you think the debtors have noticed anything


suspicious?”

“Well, not yet? But as long as I use people to mine, there


will be rumours. I told the miners I found a crystal mine.”

“They’ll quickly notice the difference from crystals.”

“Yes, but there’s not much time left. 5 or 6 months is a


short amount of time to hide it. Oh, and I’m thinking of
selling some of my mother’s jewellery to the manager of
Golden Rose”

“Her jewellery?”

“Yes, that will be money I’ve prepared. And I’m going to


pay back the money that was borrowed from the vassals. I’m
ashamed to see them.”

It seems the former duke borrowed money from various


households, but the easiest thing was to borrow money from the
three vassals evenly.

The money borrowed from them alone was about 50,000 verats.
Moreover, the mortgaged land and 300,000 verats borrowed from
Marquis Salmon and 200,000 verats from Count Simil…….

As the amount of money was large, the interest was enormous,


making it difficult to pay back the interest every year.

Also, the amount of usury borrowed through the business group of


the transaction was about 150,000 verats.

‘I didn’t think the Duke of Lazia would borrow all this


money.’

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Ran sighed.

In the original story, the uncle would be duke, and he would sell
the duchy’s holdings piece by piece as if he was dismantling the land
of Lazia.

All that remained was his title and the sky mansion, a desperately
poor duke.

At that point, it was embarrassing to call him a duke. And finally, a


plaque critically hits, killing uncle, and the majority of the people and
vassals, leaving behind a huge debt.

This is the duchy that Yustaf inherits as duke.

Can you see how much trouble awaits for him now?

‘If it were me, I would have just given up on Lazia. But what
do I know, really.’

But even in all those situations, Yustaf did not give up on Lazia.

‘Until now, I just thought of him as the male lead.’

If that’s not the case, Lazia must be really precious to Yustaf.

‘And then she comes.’

The moment when the female lead, a dimension traveler, flies in,
and is wandering around the poor duchy and he becomes a little
happy!

Then, another ordeal!!

Ran shuddered.

“Yus.”

“Yes.”

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“If it wasn’t for Yus, I would’ve taken the jewellery and run
away from the duchy.”

TL NOTE; [1] mocking/taunting.

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Chapter 16
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 16

Ran sighed.

Originally, her uncle was the head and sold the land of Lachia in
pieces, as if dismantling it.

The only thing left was a title and the Sky Mansion.

At this point, it’s almost impossible to call him a Duke. Eventually,


a plague hit, killing Ran’s uncle, the Duchy’s citizens and the vassals,
leaving only an enormous debt.

Such a Dukedom was succeeded by Yustaf.

Do you see how much awaits him now?

’If it were me, I would have just given up on Lachia. I don’t know.’

However, despite all the circumstances, Yustaf did not give up on


Lachia.

‘I’ve been thinking of him as the male lead so far..’

Or maybe Lachia is really precious to Yustaf.

‘And then Sina comes.’

Then the moment when Sina, a dimensional mover, falls and finds
herself in the poor manor, Yustaf becomes a little happy!

Another hardship!

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Ran shuddered.

“Yus.”

“Yes.”

“If it weren’t for Yus, I would have stolen some money and
ran away from the Duchy.”

Although this world was not created from the book she wrote, the
affection she felt for each and every character remained.

At Ran’s words, Yustaf tried to say something, but Ross intervened.

“That’s a good thing that master is here.”

He said, slamming down the teacup in a loud voice. The tea


overflowed slightly and fell over the edge of the cup.

Ross turned around and politely lowered the cup in front of Yustaf
this time. How annoying.

While staring at him, Ran didn’t say anything. But it’s a good thing
that there’s someone devoted to Yustaf like that.

At that time, Yustaf got up from his seat and exchanged his cup
with Ran’s. Ross’s face turned red.

Yustaf said, in a quiet voice.

“Your fingertips are getting dirty.”

“Huh? I’m fine.”

While saying so, Ran grinned at Ross and quickly raised her cup.

“Thank you, Yus.”

“Don’t mention it.”

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Yustaf said so and sat down at his desk. Ross approached and
wiped the surface of Yustaf’s cup with his handkerchief.

‘Who told you to put the cup down like that?’

‘By the way, Yus is amazing.’

Rather than saying, “Don’t do that,” it was clearly demonstrated


through actions. Ross won’t do that again in the future.

Ran thought so, sipping cold tea and handing over the documents.

“Sister, speaking about the jewelry.”

“Uh, yeah.”

Ran looked up.

“Are you sure it’s okay to sell the jewelry?”

“Yes, but they won’t make that much money since they’re
being resold, so I’ll sell the most profitable ones. Still, there
will be some rumours going around.”

Ran looked at Yustaf with a smile.

“And I’ll leave the rest for the future Duchess.”

Ran’s never seen Sina, but she’s sure that she’ll be a pretty
person.

Ran concluded that she wouldn’t let Yustaf suffer this time. No, if
she can read the future then, ‘Isn’t it around this time?’

‘But to me, it’s the same feeling as the original.’

It doesn’t matter if Ran says this. Ran concluded.

“The future Duchess.”

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As if asked by Yustaf, Ran nodded.

“Yeah. She might fall from the sky, right?”

Ran laughed again, telling the truth like a joke. If Sina comes and
they fall in love later, she’ll have to bring up this story again.

Ran will say, ‘Didn’t I tell you she’d fall from the sky?’

But somehow Yustaf was showing signs of nervousness. Ran was


embarrassed.

’Huh? What is happening? Fear of women. That can’t be true. Even


so, didn’t I stop it?’

One of the traumas caused by Yustaf’s stepmother and tutor was


gynophobia.

’But this time, it wasn’t that bad……’

Ran looked worriedly at Yustaf.

‘Well, it could be a mild symptom. Won’t it get better?’

First, let’s do our best to observe. Ran nodded inward, determined.

It was true that there were many shortcomings. My mother


supported Ran, who had died and survived. It was all the more so
because Ran, who fell into the world, was confused.

Even though she had tragically lost her real daughter, Ran followed
her mother as much as she could.

As a result, she could not actively appeal in favour of Yustaf.

Ran’s greatest achievement was sending Yustaf to the Academy.


So, rather, Yustaf’s vassals were miserable, thinking that Yustaf had
been driven away.

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‘But was that the best I could do?’

At least, she stopped her mother from mixing Yustaf’s meals with
poison, and punishing, smacking, and insulting Yustaf.

‘I’m scared. I’m scared.’

Ran thought so and came up with some jewelry to dispose of.

Oh, yeah. And-

Ran had thought about asking Levory about getting an Elven


healer to cure Count Illuminity’s daughter.

At the same time, Ran contacted Levory through the magic


communication device.

Even if it’s a magic communication device, it doesn’t work if the


other person’s far away, but fortunately, Levory was still in Lachia.

Ran had heard that it was because of the transportation of the Ice
Crystals.

‘Good thing for me.’

Ran said hello thinking so.

“Hello, Ms. Levory.”

“Long time no see, Lord.”

Ran asked because Levory’s voice sounded tired.

“Are you busy these days?”

“It’s a busy time. But if I don’t do it now, when will I work?


So what’s going on?”

It was just like a person whose time was like gold, to get straight to

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the main point.

Ran said she wanted to sell jewelry, and she also brought up the
doctor she had asked for.

“I’ll send someone for the accessories. And also the healer
you mentioned.”

Levory sighed.

“I don’t think they’ll respond. Elven healers don’t even


react to money.”

“I see.”

Ran bit her lips lightly and said,

“Then I’ll send you something. Let’s just say that they can’t
help but respond after seeing it.”

“Oh, my gosh.”

Levery’s voice was full of pleasant curiosity.

“What could it be?”

“I’ll send it with a letter.”

“Then I’ll call you and send you a person tomorrow. You
can send it through them.”

“Yes, call me right away if you need anything else.”

“Whoa, I’m looking forward to December.”

December is the beginning of the social season. Ran also laughed


at Levory’s words.

“I’m looking forward to it, too.”

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Chapter 17
Source: Villainessqueenxo

They said this was not a book she wrote, but the affection for each
and every character she felt when writing the novel did not
disappear.

Yustaf was about to say something to Ran, but Ross interrupted.

“I’m really glad you’re here, my lord.”

Clack, he said as he put down the teacup forcefully. The tea


overflowed slightly and ran over the edge of the teacup.

Ross turned around and this time politely set the teacup in front of
Yustaf.

How cheeky.

Staring at him, Ran didn’t say anything. But it’s a good thing that
there is a knight so loyal to Yustaf.

Then, Yustaf got up from his seat and exchanged his cup for Ran’s.
Ross’ face turned red. Yustaf said in a calm voice.

“Your fingertips will get dirty.”

“Oh? I’m fine”

While saying that, Ran looked at Ross and quickly lifted her cup.

“Thank you, Yus.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

Yustaf said so and sat back down again. Ross came over and wiped

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Yustaf’s cup with his handkerchief.

Who told him to put down the cup so it overflowed.

‘After all, Yus is amazing.’

Rather than saying ‘don’t do that’ with words, he showed it clearly


with one action. Ross will never do that again.

Ran thought so, and handed over a document while sipping the
cold tea.

“Sister, talking about the jewellery.”

“Ah, yes.”

Ran looked up.

“Are you sure it’s okay to sell the jewellery?”

“Yes, it won’t bring in a lot of money re-selling them, so I’ll


only sell the one’s that haven’t lost value. But, I’m sure there
is plenty of rumours.”

Ran smiled and looked at Yustaf.

“And I’ll leave the rest for the future duchess.”

She has never seen Sina, but she’s sure she is a beautiful person.

This time she won’t make them suffer. No, if she’s read the future,
is it not ‘this time’?

‘But to me, it still feels like the original.’

It doesn’t matter if thinks that. Ran came to that conclusion.

“The future duchess.”

As Yustaf asked, Ran nodded.

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“Yeah. She may just fall out of the sky, right?”

Ran laughed again, telling the truth like a joke. When Sina arrives
and they both fall in love, she must bring up this conversation.

She’ll say, ‘Didn’t I tell you she would fall from the sky?’

But for some reason, Yustaf had a look of despondency. Ran was
perplexed.

‘Huh? Did it happen? Misogyny. It can’t be, can it? But


didn’t I do my best to stop that?’

One of the trauma’s caused by his stepmother and the tutor was
the aversion of females.

‘But this time it wasn’t as serious…….’

Ran looked at Yustaf with worried eyes.

‘Maybe it’s a mild symptom. Wouldn’t it get better as he grows


up?”

She’ll observe closely for now.

Ran nodded inwardly, determining to do so.

It’s true that there were many shortcomings. Her mother cherished
Ran, who died and came back to life. It was all the more so because
Ran, who fell into this world, was confused.

Even though she was really sorry for the loss of her own daughter,
Ran followed her mother’s words as much as was possible.

As a result, it was impossible to actively appeal to Yustaf.

Ran’s greatest accomplishment was to send Yustaf to the


academy. So, rather, Yustaf’s vassals were hateful of them.

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It probably looked like he was kicked out of the way.

‘But wasn’t that his best chance?’

At least she prevented her mother from mixing poison in Yustaf’s


meals, beating him, punishing him, and insulting him.

‘Scary. I was scared.’

Ran thought so and then decided on some of the jewellery that


could be sold.

Oh, that’s right. And—

She asked Leverly to find a healer for Count Illuminati’s daughter,


but she’ll ask first about the jewellery.

At the same time, Ran contacted Leverly through a magic


communication device.

Even if it’s a magic communication tool, it does not work if the


distance is too far away, fortunately Leverly was still within Lazia
territory.

She heard it was due the operation of transporting the ice crystals.

‘That’s lucky for me.’

Ran thought so and said hello.

“Hello Miss. Leverly.”

“It’s been long time, my lady.”

Leverly’s voice sounded tired, so Ran asked.

“Are you very busy these days?”

“It’s a busy time. But if I don’t do it now, when will I finish

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it? So what’s the matter?”

It was like a woman whose time was gold to get straight to the
point.

Ran told her she wanted to sell the jewellery, and also brought up
the previous conversation about the healer she requested for.

“I can send someone separately regarding the jewellery.


And the healer you spoke of.”

Leverly sighed.

“I don’t think they will come. Elf healers aren’t moved by


money at all.”

“I see.”

Ran bit her lip lightly and said.

“Then I’ll send them something else. Let’s say it can’t be


helped if they don’t move after seeing it.”

“Oh?”

Leverly’s voice filled with joyous curiosity.

“What is it?”

“I’ll send it with a letter.”

“Then I’ll get in touch and send a message to you in person


tomorrow. You can send it through there.”

“Yes, if you need anything else, please contact me right


away.”

“Whew, I’m looking forward to December.”

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December is the start of the social season. Ran also laughed at
Leverly’s words.

“I’m looking forward to it, too.”

***

Time flew by.

The person sent by Leverly appraised her mother’s necklace sets


and paid them a generous amount of money. And it has already a
month since he went back with a small lead box that Ran gave him.

Ran first paid back the money to Baron Wilde and Baron Lance.

The two barons had already said they didn’t have to repay them,
but they seemed relieved.

‘That’s how much money was borrowed.’

It must have been a burden for the two barons. With an


uncomfortable face, Sir Blaine said, “You sold the jewellery.” Ran
laughed it off. But rumours in the mansion quickly circulated.

Whispers about the duchy’s financial status spread among the


employees, along with talks that the temporary head Ran had sold all
of the jewellery of the previous duchess.

“I didn’t expect rumours like this.”

Yustaf murmured and Yustaf turned his head.

“You knew rumours would spread?”

“No, I thought there would be rumours that the duchess


sold jewellery to make some money. Instead it’s the duchy is
on the verge of bankruptcy, how did this come about?”

Ran lightly clicked her tongue. Apparently the mindset of modern

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people like herself and the people here is a little different.

She has debt, so she sold jewellery to pay off that debt, which is
natural, but it must be a huge shame here.

“What should we do?”

“It’s a good thing.”

At Yustaf’s answer, Ran looked blankly at his face and Yustaf also
faced her.

He had a face saying, ‘you really can’t get it?’

If she doesn’t get this right, her dignity…….

“Ah!”

Ran soon realised and made a brief sound.

“I see. We can pick out people.”

“That’s right.”

“So that’s good, right?”

“Anyway, when the ice crystals are revealed, the rumours


will disappear.”

At Yustaf’s words, Ran nodded.

‘Does it look like an unplanned advantage?’

This can clearly divide the employees into two.

Those who work here just for money, and those who don’t.

Of course, it doesn’t mean that people who work for money are
bad. However, if they are only working for money, they will not be
treated anything more than an employee.

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And the people who aren’t here just for money, they should be
treated accordingly.

‘After all, finding people to trust is the most difficult thing.’

Ran decided to use this unintentional opportunity.

‘But it’s annoying, so let’s leave it to Yus.’

Meanwhile, two magic craftsmen also arrived at the mansion.

One was a woman in her mid-forties, and the other was still a
young boy.

It was a rare pairing of magic craftsmen, so Ran became curious.

“May you overcome the blue flames. I am Lydia, a humble


craftsman.”

“I am Frances.”

From wherever she heard it, the craftsman gave the Lazia
greeting. It was too late to say she didn’t expect such greetings, so
Ran replied to it.

“May the flames protect you. Excuse me if I ask you this,


but is there a relation between you both…….?”

“We are not mother and child.”

Lydia answered with a smile as if it was a question she had been


asked many times. With her brown hair with a mixture of grey tied
back tightly, she looked more like a literary historian than a
craftsman.

“Welcome to Lazia. It must have been an uncomfortable


journey.”

“No, it was fine.”

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“We have a room ready for you, a maid will show you
around. You can unpack your luggage there. Ask for anything
you need.”

“Thank you.”

“And the work we’re going to do from now on must be kept


a secret.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Lydia said with a serious face. Ran glanced at Frances. Could he be


around thirteen?

The little boy also blushed and said, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Ran answered.

“In that case.”

When Ran glanced, the housekeeper who stood courteously next to


her quickly took off the cloth on the tray. (Housekeeper: the highest-
level female employee, who leads all of the female employees.)

“Do you know what this is?”

At Ran’s question, Lydia carefully picked up the mana stone and


swallowed her breath.

“This is, this, could this be?”

Lydia could not believe it at all. Twenty years have passed since
she became a magic craftsman, but she had never seen a mana
stone like this in all those years.

“How, how—“

Ran smiled at Lydia who stuttered, and said.

“I hope you can do some magic work with this.”

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Lydia’s fingertips trembled.

“Are you entrusting me with this rare thing?”

Ran grinned at her words.

“It’s not rare anymore.”

“What?”

“There is a lot more of these mana stones.”

Lydia seemed to stop breathing. There’s a lot more of mana stones


with high level of purity?

She couldn’t even imagine what she could make with it. No, she
had so many ideas that her mind went blank.

“So we’ll charge accordingly, so that the people who can


pay will continue to use our mana stones. So that our mana
stones are distributed everywhere. That’s my goal. I named
them ice crystals instead of mana stones.” [1]

“I see.”

Her voice barely came out. Ran smiled and said.

“The guild sent you here because it’s Lazia, right?”

Lydia blushed at her words.

Wizards must not approach Lazia within a 10km radius.

That’s the wizards rule.

Magic craftsmen are free from those rules. But still, the magic
craftsmen did not want to approach Lazia.

As if they were wizards. That’s why they sent Lydia, a woman, and

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young Frances. Ran put a hand on her chest and said.

“I’m a woman too. So shouldn’t we women help each other


out? Please make some good quality products, Lydia. And
become the exclusive magic craftswoman for the duchy.”

“I will definitely repay you with good work.”

“So, speaking of which.”

Ran’s voice lowered. Lydia also lowered her own voice.

“Please do say”

“There’s something I want you to make first.”

“What is it?”

“An electric — no, I mean a magic tool that makes blankets


warm.”

Lydia’s eyes widened at her words.

TL Note: [1] really struggled translating that part so hopefully it


makes sense!

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Chapter 17
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 17

Time flew by.

The person sent by Levory appraised several sets of mother’s


necklaces and paid for them generously. And it has already been a
month since he returned with a precious little lead box from Ran.

Ran paid back the money to Baron Wilde and Rance.

The two barons insisted she didn’t have to pay it back, but they
seemed relieved.

‘I’ve borrowed that much.’

It must have been burdensome for the two barons as well. Blaine
looked uncomfortable and asked, “You sold your jewelry?” but
Ran just laughed. But in the mansion, rumors go around fast.

A whisper of the Duke’s financial status spread among the


employees, along with the story that the owner, Ran, had disposed of
all the jewels of the former Duchess.

“I didn’t expect such a rumor.”

Ran muttered, and Yustaf tilted his head.

“Didn’t you already know that a rumor was going to


spread?”

“No, I thought there would be a rumor about how the Duke


made money by selling some jewelry. But who would have
thought that there’d be a rumor about the Duchy being on

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the verge of bankruptcy?”

Ran clicked her tongue. Somehow, modern people and the people
here have a slightly different way of thinking.

You are in debt, so you pay off your debt by selling jewels. This is a
natural thing, but I guess that’s terribly shameful here.

“What do we do?”

“But that’s good .”

In response to Yustaf’s answer, Ran looked blankly at his face, and


Yustaf also looked at her.

‘It’s good? With a face like that. If I don’t get this right, my
dignity…’

“Ah!”

Ran soon realized and made a short noise.

“I see. You can kick some of the workers.”

“That’s right.”

“Well, that’s good, then?”

“Once the Ice Crystals are released, the rumors will


disappear anyways.”

Ran nodded at Yustaf’s words.

‘We got some unexpected bonuses?’

With this, the employees can be clearly divided into two.

Those who serve just for money, and those that do not..

Of course, it doesn’t mean that people who serve for money are

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bad. But if they only serve with money in mind, then they won’t be
anything more than an employee.

And if there’s anyone who doesn’t serve for money, you should
treat them accordingly.

‘It’s because it’s hard to find someone you can trust.’

Ran decided to use all the opportunities she did not intend to use.

‘But it’s annoying, so let’s leave it to Yus.’

Meanwhile, two magic craftsmen arrived at the mansion.

One was a woman in about her mid-40s, and one was still a young
boy.

Ran was curious because it was a rare combination of magic


craftsmen.

“May you overcome the Blue Flame. My name is Lydia, a


humble craftsman.”

“This is Francis.”

Ran wondered where they had learnt of the traditional Lachian


greeting, considering that they came from far away.

“”May the Blue Flames protect you. Excuse me for asking you
something like this, but what is the relationship between you
two……?

“We are not mother and son.”

As if it was a question that she had heard a lot, Lydia smiled and
answered. With tightly tied brown hair mixed with gray, she looked
more like a literary historian than a craftsman.

“Welcome to Lachia. You must have had a hard time

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coming here.”

“No.”

“I have a room ready, so the maid will guide you. You can
unpack there. Ask for whatever you need.”

“Thank you.”

“And what we’re going to do from now on should be kept


secret.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Lydia said with a serious face. Ran glanced at Francis. He looked


about 13.

The little boy also blushed and replied, “I’ll also keep it in
mind.”

“Then.”

With a glance from Ran, the maid that had been politely standing
next to her, quickly pulled away the fabric from the tray.

“Do you know what it is?”

At Ran’s words, Lydia picked up the Mana Stone on the tray with a
cautious face and gasped.

“Is this, is this, is this?”

Lydia couldn’t believe it at all. Twenty years have passed since she
became a magic craftsman, but in those years, she has never seen
such a mana stone.

“How, how…”

Ran smiled and said to the stuttering Lydia.

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“I want you to work with it.”

Lydia’s fingertips trembled.

“Will you leave this precious thing to me?”

Ran grinned at her words.

“It’s not precious anymore.”

“What?”

“There’s a lot of those Mana Stones.”

Lydia seemed to be out of breath. There’s a lot of high-purity Mana


Stones like this?

Lydia couldn’t even imagine what she could make with it. No, she
had so many thoughts that her mind went blank.

“I want to make it so that even those who can’t afford


Mana Stones, have access to them and our Mana Stones
spread all over the place. That’s my goal. I also named them
Ice Crystals, not Mana Stones.”

“I see.”

Her voice barely came out. Lan grinned and said.

“The Guild sent you because this is Lachia, right?”

Lydia’s face turned red at Lan’s words.

“Wizards must not approach within 10 km radius of


Lachia.”

That’s the Wizard’s rule.

Magic craftsmen are free from the regulations. However, the magic

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craftsmen did not want to approach Lachia.

As if they were Wizards. That’s why they sent Lydia, a woman, and
young Francis. Lan put her hand on her chest and said,

“I’m a woman, too. So shouldn’t women help each other?


Please make good products, Lydia. And be the Duke’s
exclusive craftsman.”

“I will surely repay you with good results.”

“Speaking of which..”

Lan’s voice lowered. Lydia also lowered her voice by herself.

“Tell me.”

“I want to order something first.”

“What is it?”

“An electric – no, a magic tool to warm the blankets.”

Lydia opened her eyes wide at her words.

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Chapter 18
Source: Villainessqueenxo

Winter is coming.

September is the season when the temperature gradually drops


and the sun is late to rise, but September is the season to wear a
coat in Lazia.

In October, all the leaves fall, and in November, winter begins in


earnest.

And it will stay buried in snow until April.

‘That’s why I really need a heater and electric blanket!’

Even if it’s a beautiful mansion built by the great sage, stone is


stone.

The cold season is extremely cold. The one thing that was difficult
to adapt here was heating. The fireplace only warms the vicinity and
not the entire room.

It’s better when you put a hot water bottle in the bed, but that’s
all.

‘I’m going to spend the winter with an electric blanket!’

And she’s going to make this a hit across the whole empire!

With that ambition, there was a light knocking on the door.

“Come in.”

“You don’t even ask who it is.”

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As Yustaf came in and said so, Ran laughed.

“I knew it was you, Yus”

“You knew it was me?”

“No one else would look for me after dinner.”

At that, Yustaf looked at Ran for a moment and said.

“We have a guest.”

“Guest?”

Ran tilted her head.

“Why is Yus telling me this?”

There are many attendants to inform her that a guest has arrived.

“Because it’s a special guest.”

Ran tilted her head even more at Yustaf’s words.

“A special guest? Who is it? Did his Majesty the Emperor


come?”

“No.”

Speaking with an unique accent, a tall man came in from behind


Yustaf. Yustaf stepped aside with Ran behind his back.

Ran’s eyes widened as the man pulled his hood back. His ears are
pointed.

An elf!

The elf, with his dark blue hair neatly cut, stood proudly.

“I heard you called for me?”

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“Yes, I did.”

“And this was also sent by you.”

Yustaf snatched the item in the middle of them from the elf and
showed it to Ran.

A red mana stone.

The corners of Ran’s mouth drew into a dark arch.

That’s right, he took the bait.

“Yes, that is what I sent you.”

“Where did you get it?”

“Am I obligated to answer?”

The elf’s eyebrows furrowed. Ran straightened her back and said.

“I just want to speak on equal ground.”

“Haresh.”

Ran blinked at the man’s words. Is that elvish? Or—

‘Aha.’

“My name is Ran Romea de Lazia. You can just call me Ran.
Can I just call you Haresh?”

Haresh nodded at her words. Ran touched her chest.

Ran glanced at Yustaf, who stood there with his usual face. Except
he was fiddling with the red mana stone.

‘Oh, I haven’t told Yus yet.’

She thought about an excuse to give him when he asked, but she

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put it off because she couldn’t think of one.

But she didn’t expect an elf to suddenly appear without any


warning.

Ran took a deep breath in her mind.

This will become independent trade of the Duchy of Lazia.

Although the mana stones are mined, the sales of the mana stones
would be entrusted to The Golden Rose.

The Duchy of Lazia does not have a network that extends across
the continent. However, exchanges and interactions with other races
such as elves and dwarves are different.

Ran intended to set up a small business within the Duchy of Lazia


and trade those high-quality goods herself.

In that case, it is decided that the people to sell them to is the


nobles, so the size of the target group is not necessary.

This was going to be the first step.

“Please have a seat, Haresh. Would you like some tea?”

“Water is enough. Human tea is of such poor quality.”

At that, Ran held back her laughter and looked at Yustaf. He must
have been thinking the same thing as her as his face was slightly
relaxed.

Speaking without thinking about the other person’s feelings. In


other words, it means he doesn’t have the mindset of a merchant to
talk business smoothly.

If so, it will be much easier to trade with him too.

Ran smiled softly.

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***

Haresh felt a cold sweat running down his back. The little human
girl in front of him knew their culture much better than he thought.

“However, there is a limit to the amount of herbs we can


make—”

“Of course, I know that. So, if you put a part of the world
tree sap into the ointment, it will give you ten times the
amount of medicine.”

“How do you know that?”

“You only make ten ointments a year, but it’s piled up


because you have no use for them, right? Exchange them for
useful mana stones. After a period of time, they lose their
effectiveness anyway.”

“How do you know—”

“And, of course, we will trade with other elf goods. No one


can match the skills of elves and handling woodwork.”

Haresh was stunned. But she was not wrong with what she was
saying and she was straightforward. If she had asked for too much,
he would’ve stood up from the table and leave without saying a
word.

However, Ran was not using force, nor was she being facetious.
She’s just making a reasonable offer.

‘And yet why do I feel like I’m getting involved in


something?’

Haresh unconsciously raised his upper body and stepped back.


Seeing that, Ran stopped talking. After giving Haresh a moment to
breath, Ran narrowed in.

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“We also plan to trade with the dwarves.”

“With those chunky bastards?”

Ran corrected what he said with a blatant frowned nose.

“I heard they are reliable.”

Haresh was so full of energy that he let out a sigh. She’s going to
make a deal with dwarves?

“Are you planning on sending them mana stones as well?


But their and our mana systems are different. You cannot
send them the same mana stone.”

“Of course, I know that.”

So, there is also blue mana stones.

Haresh’ s eyes narrowed. Ran said with a big smile.

“I already know that there is not a good relationship


between elves and dwarves. But don’t you need to exchange
trade with one another? If you use me as an intermediary,
you can interact comfortably.”

“………”

Haresh folded is arms and stared at Ran as if he was going to eat


her. Ran faced him with a smile of a merchant.

This deal was very important to her.

‘I’m going to make the duchy money and this will become
my personal allowance.’

They will make a lot of money from mana stones. And besides that,
Ran had one more way to make money.

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But it belonged to a lot of the empire. In any case, if someone is
kicked out of the territory or if they leave, the source of money will
be blocked instantaneously.

‘Plus, all the property coming out of the duchy has to be taxed.’

Even with the mana stones alone, it was hard to know what the
emperor would do when the stones were officially sold. Even if the
same tax rate as existing mana stones is applied, a significant
amount would be paid to the empire.

But a triangular trade is different.

Ran’s focus was not selling the mana stones itself to the elves and
dwarves. It is difficult to do business with them. Rather than their
race being self-sufficient, their distrust of humans was the biggest
obstacle to allow trade.

‘Selling mana stones is enough to start with. What is


important is triangular trade between humans, dwarves and
elves. After all, that’s it.’

If this happens, no matter what happens, property belonging to the


Lazia family will be created.

It was literally personal property.

Of course, in this era, territorial money = duke’s money, but even


so, there are clear limits.

‘In any case, it is only inherited by the head of the


household.’

Not a drop of money for anyone other than the eldest son. But
personal property is different. You can use it for your own personal
use.

The former duke was the one who squandered his wealth and

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secured the land as collateral.

So, Ran wanted to set aside personal property for Lazia. In short,
they need money that they can use at will without needing an
accountants approval.

There will certainly be some talk among the nobles. It is the virtue
of the finite class not to work.

‘So, I need to have someone as a representative, then close


my eyes and say hello…….’

Anyway, another income! Money! It is important.

She has turn the negative balance into a positive, then she could
get her allowance right?

He needs the mana stone, right? He needs it, doesn’t he?

Perhaps Ran’s desperate heart was working, Haresh said unfolding


his arms and with a low sigh.

“This is a matter that I can’t decide on my own.”

“Of course. Please go back and talk with your elders.”

“I will.”

Haresh then asked sternly.

“So? Are you paying for the medical treatment with mana
stones? The patient is?”

“Oh, the patient is the daughter of one of my vassals. But


it’s late at night, so can I send the news visit them
tomorrow?”

“We’re going to visit them?”

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“Because she’s the patient. We can’t make her move.”

At Ran’s words, Haresh said, “yes.” He nodded at got up from his


seat. Ran stood up and said “If you want to stay—” and he quickly
replied.

“I hate human houses because they are stuffy. I’ll come


back tomorrow at dawn.”

“Yes, please.”

Please enjoy the forests of Lazia. With that thought in mind, Ran
saw Haresh out, who disappeared before she could finish her
sentence, and closed the window.

Click.

As she turned around, the sound of Yustaf placing the red mana
stone down on the table was particularly loud. He lifted his eyes and
looked at Ran.

“Then shall I listen to your explanation? Sister?”

“Oh, um. So, uh— has Baron Lindbergh been quiet lately?”

Even with the random talk to change the topic, Yustaf replied
without hesitation.

“Didn’t I tell you? I got news that Robbie has died a little
while ago.”

“What?!”

Really startled, Ran shouted without realising. Yustaf shrugged and


said.

“After being banished from the estate, he must have


gambled and got caught up in a fight. It’s said that his
genitals was cut off and his throat was slashed.”

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“Ugh—”

The mere thought of it made Ran squeamish. Her body trembled


by itself. Yustaf, who was able to say that so nonchalantly, looked
calm.

“He made his bed, now he’ll lie in it.”

Yustaf answered and nodded, pulling out the back of a chair, and
Ran slowly walked over and sat meekly on the chair he pulled out.

“To die like that, it’s a disgrace to the family. So I informed


my uncle separately. I think now he finally understands what
shame is.”

For some reason, a cold sweat ran down her back, and Ran shook
her head and looked up at Yustaf.

“Did you meet with your uncle? When?”

“I’m not sure.”

With a meaningful answer, Yustaf turned and sat across from her.

“It’s good that he won’t be noisy again.”

“Is it really? If your son dies, wouldn’t you go on a


rampage?”

“Thank you for that.”

To Yustaf’s reply, Ran said “yes.” She narrowed her eyes and
looked at Yustaf, and he asked calmly, pointing to the mana stone.

“So what is this?”

“It’s a mana stone.”

“Who was that elf just now?”

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“That.”

Ran was thinking about what to say, but first explained about the
red and blue mana stones.

“This is why the wizards are banned from entering Lazia?”

“Yes.”

“You want to trade with other races with this?”

“Yes.”

“Sister.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll put aside the question of how you know all this. But do
you know how I would have used this?”

Ran tilted her head. Yustaf said, rolling the blood red stone with his
fingertips.

“I would use it to attack the wizards.”

Goosebumps ran down her arms. Yustaf looked at her with a faint
smile.

“At a minimum, it would be a dangerous weapon. If you


throw these near a wizard, it’s a weapon that would turn
them into a cripple.”

“Uh, um.”

“But my sister didn’t think like that.”

“Uh…….”

She never thought of it like that. Is it because she came from a

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world where war is not common?

Of course, she knew there was civil wars in Africa and other
countries, but Korea was in a truce, so she did not experience war.

Yustaf said slowly.

“The wizards changed the face of war, this will also be the
case.”

“I don’t want that.”

As Ran lightly bit her lip, Yustaf said, straightening his upper body
back.

“But your knew it was dangerous to wizards. What are you


planning to do?”

“First of all, I was planning to keep this mana stone a


secret for now. And then send someone to the wizard’s
association to inform them of the dangers of this mana stone.
Since it can’t be used by humans anyway, I thought it was a
defective product, so I collected it separately and will use
them to trade with other races.”

At Ran’s explanation, Yustaf nodded.

“Then you can do that.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The wizard’s association will love my sister’s offer.”

“What? Oh, you’re right. It looks like I’m threatening them


unintentionally.”

They have a weapon like this. But she’s not going to use it on
them. She’s going to keep it a secret and trade with the other races.
So he’d better help me keep it a secret, right?

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“Good. Then let’s do this like that. Well. Do you have any
more questions?”

“No. I don’t think you will tell me anything I’m curious


about anyway.”

Yustaf said so and crossed his legs. His blue eyes looked at her.

“Ran Romea de Lazia.”

It was a tone that seemed to not be calling out to her, but reciting.

“Who the hell are you?” TL NOTE; Sorry for delayed update
have been very busy with life! But enjoy the chapter

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Chapter 18
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 18

Winter is coming.

September is the season when the temperature drops and the late
summer heat sometimes rises, but in Lachia, September is the
season when you have to pack a jacket.

In October, all the leaves are gone, and in November, winter


begins in earnest.

And until April, Lachia will be buried in winter.”

‘So I really need a heater and an electric pad!’

Even if it’s a beautiful mansion built by a wizard, stone is stone.

The cold season is extremely cold. It is difficult for the heating


methods to balance out the cold. The fireplace is only warm nearby
and does not heat the entire room.

It’s better to put a warm water bag in the bed, but that’s all.

‘I’m going to spend this winter with my electric pad!’

Ran promised to make this a hit for the whole Empire!

There was a light knock on the door while having such ambition.

“Come on in.”

“You didn’t even ask who it is.”

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Lan grinned as Yustaf came in.

“I had a feeling it was you, Yus.”

“You figured it was me?”

At those words, Yustaf looked at Ran for a moment and said.

“A guest has come.”

“A guest?”

Ran tilted her head.

“Why is Yus telling me that?”

There are a lot of attendants to tell you that a guest has come.

“Because it’s a rather special guest.”

Ran’s head tilted more at Yus’s words.

“Special guest? who? Did his Majesty the Emperor come?”

“No.”

A tall man came in behind Yustaf, saying so with a peculiar accent.


Yustaf stepped aside, so that his back was no longer covering her.

When the man flipped his hood back, Ran eyes widened. His ears
were pointed.

Elf!

An Elf, with neatly cut dark blue hair, stood proudly.

“I heard that you called for me?”

“Yes, I did.”

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“And this was also sent by you.”

The Elf pulled something out, and Yustaf snatched it to show it to


Ran.

He stood with an indifferent face. Except for him fiddling with the
red magic stone,

‘Ah, I haven’t talked about it yet.’

When asked how she knew about it, she tried to think of an
excuse,, but eventually delayed it because she couldn’t think of one.

However, Ran didn’t expect for the elf to appear unexpectedly,


without any news.

Ran took a deep breath in her mind.

This is the Duke of Lachia’s independent red mana stone.

A thick line was drawn around Ran’s mouth.

‘Yes, you took the bait.’

“Yes, that’s from me.”

“Where did it come from?”

“Do I have an obligation to answer?”

The Elf’s forehead creased. Ran straightened her back and said.

“I just want to talk on equal grounds.”

“Haresch.”

Ran blinked at the man’s words.

Is it Elf? Or…

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‘Aha.’

“I’m Ran Romea de Lachia. You can just call me Ran. Can I
just call you Haresch?”

Haresch nodded at her words. Ran felt relieved.

As Ran glanced at Yustaf, he was lost in thought..

Although the Mana Stones were mined, the sales of the Mana
Stones were to be left to the Golden Rose.

The Duchy of Lachia has no hope of reaching the entire continent.


However, exchanges with people of different species, such as Elves
and Dwarves, are different.

Ran intends to trade high-end items by starting a small business


inside the Duchy of Lachia.

If that’s the case, although the target price is set according to the
nobility, the size of the target group doesn’t have to be.

This is the first step.

“Sit down, Haresch. Would you like some tea?”

“Water will do. The quality of human tea is low.”

Ran held back her laughter and looked at Yustaf. Maybe he thought
the same thing as her, because his face was slightly relaxed.

Talking without thinking about the other person’s feelings. In other


words, it means that he doesn’t have the mindset of a merchant that
acts cunningly.

Then, it’s much easier to make a deal here, too.

Ran grinned.

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***

Haresch seemed to have a cold sweat flowing down his back. The
little human girl in front of him knew much more about their culture
than he thought.

“But the amount of herbs we make is limited–“

“Of course I know. So, if you give up a small amount of the


ointment made from the world tree, we will offer you ten
times more than that for other medicines.”

“How did you know that?”

“You only make ten a year, but you had nowhere to use it,
so it’s piled up, right? Exchange it with useful Mana Stones.
Anyways, after a certain period of time, the effect of the
ointments also deteriorates.”

“How did you–“

“And of course, we’ll also get Elven artifacts. No one can


keep up with the Elves in the art of woodworking.”

Haresch was dumbfounded. However, there was no mistake in


what she had said. If she had asked for too much, he would have
gotten up from this table without saying a word.

However, Ran did not use force and did not say anything with
hidden intentions. She is only making a reasonable offer.

“But why do I feel like I’m getting drawn in?’

Haresch unconsciously pulled his upper body back slightly. Seeing


that, Ran stopped talking. Haresch took a moment to breathe out,
but then Ran cut in.

“We’re thinking of doing business with the Dwarves.”

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“With those shorties?”

Ran scrunched up her nose and corrected his blatant words.

“They are said to be reliable.”

Haresch felt it was absurd and exhaled deeply. Making a deal with
Dwarves?

“Are you going to send them Mana Stones, too? But their
magic system is different from ours. They aren’t affected by
the same Mana Stones.”

“Of course I know that.”

That’s why there are blue Mana Stones.

Haresch’s eyes narrowed. Ran said with a big smile.

“I already know that Elves and Dwarves are not in a good


relationship. But don’t you need to interact with each other?
You can interact comfortably with me in the middle.”

“…….”

Haresch glared at Ran with his arms crossed. Ran faced him with
the face of a smiling merchant.

This deal was very important to her.

‘I’m going to make the Duchy’s private fortune out of this.’

Ran will make a lot of money with Mana Stones. And besides that,
Ran had more money to make.

But that belonged to the estate. If you get kicked out of an estate
or leave an estate, the money train is blocked in no time.

‘Besides, you have to pay taxes for all the property that

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comes out of the estate.’

Even Ran could not predict how the Emperor would react if sales
were in full swing. Even if the same tax rate as the existing Mana
Stone mine is applied, a considerable amount of money will be
devoted to the Empire.

But triangular trade is different.

Ran’s intention was not to sell the Mana Stone itself to the Elves or
Dwarves. It is difficult to open commerce with them. Rather than the
two tribes being self-sufficient, their distrust of humans was the
biggest problem that prevented commercial transactions.

‘Selling Mana Stones is just the start. What’s important is


the triangular trade between humans, dwarves and elves – no
it’s a square. Anyway, that’s it.’

If this is the case, even if you leave the estate or whatever


happens, the property belonging to the Lachia family will remain.

It was literally personal property.

Of course, in this era, money from the Duchy = the Duke’s money,
but even so, there was a clear limit.

‘Anyway, it’s only limited to the house owner.’

Money does not fall to anyone other than the eldest son. But
personal property is different. It can be used for personal use as
much as possible.

“The former Duke was the one who wasted his private property
and put the land as collateral.’

So Ran wanted to set up a personal fortune for the Lachia family


separately. In short, we need some pocket money that can be used
at will without the approval of an accountant.

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Word will definitely spread among the nobles. Because not working
is a virtue of the finite class [1].

‘So we should choose someone as a representative to cover


up everything…’

‘Anyway, another pocket! Moneybag! It’s important. Please


tell me you’ll do it.’

“Ran has to return the Duchy’s debt into a surplus


somehow, but will her pocket money come out for that?”

‘You need Mana Stones, right? You need it, don’t you?’

Perhaps, Ran’s desperate heart worked. With his arms folded,


Haresch let out a low sigh, saying.

“It’s a problem that I can’t decide by myself.”

“Of course. Go back and talk to the elders.”

“Sure.”

After answering, Haresch asked sharply.

“So? Are you paying for medical treatment with Mana


Stones? What about the patient?”

“Oh, the patient is the daughter of my vassal. But it’s late


at night now, so can I send you the information and we can
visit tomorrow?”

“We’re going to visit?”

“Because she’s a patient. We can’t move her.”

At Ran’s words, Haresch said, “Yes.” And nodded while rising from
his seat. Ran got up and said, “Where are you going to stay?”
and he replied.

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“I hate human homes because they are too stuffy. I’ll be
back at dawn tomorrow.”

“Yes, please.”

Please enjoy the forests of the Lachian Territory. With that thought,
Ran saw off Haresch, who had disappeared before she could finish
her sentence, and closed the door.

Click.

Turning around, the sound of Yustaf putting down a red mana


stone on the table was unusually loud. He looked up at Ran.

“Then shall I listen to your explanation? Sister.”

[1] Basically, the nobles.

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Chapter 19
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 19

“Uh, um, I mean, uh, uh– why is Baron Lindbergh quiet


these days?”

Despite the random question, Yustaf answered without a blink of


an eye.

“Didn’t I tell you? Not long ago, I heard that Robbie died.”

“What?”

Ran was so surprised that she shouted without realizing it.

Yustaf shrugged and answered.

“He was banished from the estate, was gambling


somewhere, and got into a fight. I heard his genitals and his
throat were cut off.”

“Ahhhh…”

The mere thought of what had happened caused Ran to frown and
tremble. While Yustaf looked fine as he shared the story
nonchalantly.

“He deserves it.”

Yustaf answered; he pulled out the back of a chair and nodded.


Ran walked slowly and sat gently on the chair he had pulled out.

“It’s such a shame that Robbie died like that. So, I


informed my uncle privately. I’m guessing he finally

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understood the humiliation it caused, since he’s quiet now.”

Ran looked at Yustaf as she suddenly felt a cold sweat on her back.

“Did you meet uncle? When?”

“When indeed…”

Yustaf returned to his seat, which was opposite to Ran’s, after


giving a meaningful answer.

“It’s great because he’s not going to be noisy again.”

“Really? Shouldn’t he be causing havoc now since his son


has died”

“And I’ll appreciate that.”

“I see,” Ran said, squinting her eyes and looking at Yustaf.

Yustaf pointed at the Mana Stone with a calm face.

“So, what is this?”

“It’s the Mana Stone.”

“What about that Elf just now?”

“That’s–“

Ran was at a loss for words, but eventually explained the red and
blue mana stones.

“This is why the wizard’s are banned from Lachia?”

“Yes.”

“You’re doing business using this with another race?”

“Yes.”

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“Sister.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll put aside the question of how you know about all this.
But do you know how I would have used these stones?”

Ran tilted her head.

Yustaf rolled the blood-red mana stone with his fingertips and said,

“I’ll use it to attack the wizards.”

Ran got goosebumps on her arm. Yustaf looked at her with a faint
smile.

“At least it will be a threatening weapon. By simply tossing


one stone near the wizards would turn them into mere
human beings.”

“Uh, well.”

“You never thought of that.”

“Uh…”

Ran never thought of that. Is it because she came from a world


where wars are not common?

Of course, she is aware that there are other nations, such as Africa,
where civil wars occur. And even though Korea is currently on a
cease-fire, she never directly experienced war.

Yustaf said slowly.

“The wizards have changed the aspect of the war, and so


will these.”

“I didn’t want that.”

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When Ran bit her lips lightly, Yustaf pressed his body against the
back of the chair and said with a relaxed face.

“But you knew it was dangerous for a wizard. What were


you planning to do?”

“I’m going to keep these mana stones a secret for now.


Then I’ll send a person to the Wizards’ Association to inform
them about the dangers of these mana stones. And since it
can’t be used by human magicians, we can mine them
separately and then trade with other races.”

Yustaf nodded at Ran’s explanation.

“Then you can do that.”

“Really?”

“Yes, the wizards’ association would love your offer.”

“Oh? Oh, yeah. It’ll look like we’re threatening them


unintentionally.”

Although the mana stones are dangerous weapons against


wizards, Ran just planned to keep it a secret and use the stones for
interracial trade. With this, the wizards would probably feign
ignorance and turned a blind eye to their business dealing.

“Okay, so let’s just do that, um, do you have any more


questions?”

“No, I’m afraid you won’t tell me what you’re curious about
anyway.”

Yustaf responded, with his legs crossed and his blue eyes fixed on
Ran.

“Ran Romea de Lachia.”

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Yustaf sounds like he’s merely saying her name rather than calling
her explicitly.

“Who the hell are you?”

For a split second, Ran felt he’d seen right through her; that she
wasn’t really Ran. But she quickly realized that this was not the case.
His question was synonymous to “What the hell are you?”

Ran replied in a trembling voice.

“I’m your sister.”

“That’s not true.”

Yustaf refuted her statement with a sly smirk.

“You know what?”

“What?”

“Sister is bad at lying.”

“Well, I’m not good at it.”

Ran admitted and sighed.

She could look at the documents, get rid of them; proceed with the
work, and move quickly. However she was neither familiar nor used
to lying, plotting a farce, and deceiving people.

Yustaf nodded.

“Anyway I’ll write a letter to the Count. Also, my work starts at


dawn, and the Elves are diligent.

Yustaf said as he lightly tapped the table.

Ran is uncertain if he was being sarcastic or not.

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He looked at Ran again, as if he was about to say something, but
all he did was tap the table and get up from his seat.

“Then I’ll get going.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“And sister.”

“Huh?”

“Can you fight back?”

After asking, Yustaf left the room. Ran, who was left inside, thought
for a moment and realized that what he had asked was a
continuation of their previous conversation.

“If you try to kill me, I’ll fight back.”

That’s what she had said.

“Can you fight back?”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.”

Ran groaned as she plumped down into the couch.

“No, I can’t fight back. I have to get supporters first. But, if


I can win some supporters, my faction and Yustaf’s will
definitely keep each other in check. If that happens, we’ll
have to fight even if I don’t want to.”

That’s why she proposed an alliance!

And Yustaf knew that.

Yustaf’s a bad boy.

‘Maybe it’s better to escape somewhere.’

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Ran pondered.

***

Although the Illuminity County isn’t far from the Lachian territory,
the distance still requires to ride a horse; so Ran asked for a carriage.

“But travelling using carriages is still agonizing.”

Ran was weak for physical activities. She’d be frustrated if she had
to side saddle for three hours while wearing a dress.

Haresch, claiming to be stuffy in the carriage, sat on the


horseman’s seat, and the horseman set off to the County with an
awkward face.

Yustaf was left in the castle, so it was safe for her to leave for a
while.

“Would you mind keeping the door secured while I’m


gone?”

“Please leave now.” Yustaf replied, ignoring her question.

“You should have told me to “Take care”, not “Leave now”.


Ran grumbled.

While the carriage ran through the bumpy road, Ran vowed to
finance the road improvements if she made enough money.

Opening roads is a means for conquering the world. That is why,


rather than engaging in wars, the Romans focused on engineering
and construction.

Lachia is accessible by all major roads, but the local roads need to
be repaired. If they want to do a major civil engineering work, they’ll
have to wait until winter is over and they’ve saved up some money.

‘This can only be done next year or the year after.’

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Ran opened the window and enjoyed the rare trip. The escorts on
both sides of the carriage had pleasant expressions as well.

The carriage, wielding a flag with the Lachia family symbol of doors
and snow flowers, finally arrived at the Count’s estate.

Ran groaned as soon as she got off the carriage with the help of
the escort. Her hips and waist were stiff. Because of this, she planned
to make a magical item that would prevent the carriage from
swaying.

“Welcome, My Lord.”

They were greeted by Count Illuminity. The Countess died five


years ago. He could have remarried and taken another wife, but
Count Illuminity was opposed to the idea. His eldest son, the count’s
heir, stood next to him.

“Greetings, Count.”

Ran responded with a smile. As soon as Haresch stepped out of the


carriage, she introduced him to the Count.

“This is Haresch, the Elven healer I invited.”

Even before he said hello, Haresch spouted.

“Where’s the patient?”

Ran sighed and said.

“Please understand. He is impolite only because he is not


human.”

At Ran’s words, Count Illuminity replied with a calm expression.

“As long as he can cure my daughter, then I don’t mind.


The patient is this way.”

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Chapter 20
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 20

In comparison to the Lachian Estate, the Count Illuminity’s


Residence was a modest three-story building. The Count asked Ran if
they needed to take a break, but she shook her head and they went
immediately upstairs to the count’s daughter’s room on the third
floor.

The scent of medicine filled the room as soon as they opened the
door and entered. Looking at it, it was a beautiful pastel-toned room
where you could tell right away that it was a girl’s room.

“Ventilate the room.” Haresch frowned as he spoke.

“Is the cold wind good for the patient?” the Count’s son
wondered.

Haresch snorted and replied “The air inside is no better. Open


everything.”

When the maids hesitated, the Count ordered them to open the
windows.

“My daughter is in the bedroom.”

As Ran entered the bedroom, she noticed a maid assisting Count


daughter in raising her upper body.

Haresch approached the bed and said, “Hand,” in a manner that


would be considered impolite in a human context.

Count’s daughter stared at Haresh with her eyes wide open as if

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she was scared. No, she was looking at his ears, so to speak.

‘Was she about ten years old?’

Though she had red hair that resembled the Count Illuminity she
was a little girl who looked very different.

Her eyes were sunken and ill; she was completely ill.

“Tsk.”

Haresch clicked his tongue and grabbed the daughter’s hand.

“What are you doing?!” The maid next to daughter, the nanny,
was frightened and shouted; but Count Illuminity raised his hand to
stop her.

The only thing that could be heard in the bedroom while Haresch
was conducting his examination was the surprised daughter’s hard
breathing.

Haresch shook her hand, checked over her eyes, and opened her
mouth; then murmured something in Elvish..

“You’ve been taking your meds?”

“Yes, yes.”

The Count’s daughter blinked and answered quietly. Haresch


thought for a moment, nodded and looked back at Ran.

“It’s ‘Shimrhha.”

“Um, what’s that?”

It’s hard to pronounce.

Haresch paused for a moment before responding to Ran’s


question.

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“She’s been taking medication because she feels frail,
right? The medicine is toxic to the body. I’m not sure how
long she’s been taking it, but it’s all piled up in her body.
Humans have a tendency to overdose on medications that
are unnecessary..”

“Will she get better if she stops taking the medicine?”

“No way. It’s not such a simple matter. First of all, she
should get rid of the poison accumulated on her body and
gradually reduce the medicine. It will take her about half a
year.”

“Then it’s not a disease?”, The Count of Illuminati’s voice


trembled slightly.

Haresch nodded and replied, “Yes.”

“Well, can I get healthy then?”

The Count’s daughter reached out and grabbed Haresh’s sleeves


and asked; and for the first time, a smile was drawn on the elf’s face.

“Yes.”

“Thank you!”

“Don’t mention it.”

Having said that, Haresh looked at Ran and she shrugged.

“We can sort out the payment later.”

“I’ll pay.”

Haresch shook his head at the Count’s words and pointed to Ran.

“I have no need for human currency. This woman and I


have an agreement.”

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‘Yes, it should be paid with a magic stone.’

Ran nodded but he Count frowned slightly.

“Then I’ll write down the prescription, so give me the


paper.”

As soon as the servant brought the paper and pen, Haresh quickly
wrote out the prescription.

“Do elves have bad handwriting?’

Ran was worried, but when she saw it, it was quite neat.

The prescription was meticulously written in a single font.

“Then, I’m going back.”

“What about the payment?.”

“I’ll pick it up later.”

“Okay.”

Ran sighed. The elf is completely out of control.

“I’ll be back in three months.” Haresh said as he quickly left.

The Count looked at Ran and said,

“Would you like to go to the drawing room for a while?”

Ran nodded. As she went out to the drawing room with the Count’s
son’s guidance, she looked back and saw the Count and his daughter
hugging each other.

“We are eternally grateful, my lady. Once my sister makes


a full recovery, I will be sure to repay my lady’s kindness.”

The Count’s son said in a very cheerful voice.

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“That’s not necessary. It’s only natural for me to look after
my subjects.”

Ran replied with a smile.

*****

The drawing room was decorated with silver and luxurious colors.
After a brief conversation with the Count’s son, Count Illuminity
returned. When he saw his father, he bowed politely and left.

“Would you like a drink?”

Ran grinned as he opened the door of the glass shelf above the
fireplace.

“Let’s have the congratulatory drink when Lulu recovers.”

“Very well. I’ll get straight to the point then.”

The count turned and leaned against the fireplace. The dark red
eyes seemed to shine brightly.

“What is your true objective in helping us?”

“A favor.”

Ran replied immediately. A smile was drawn on the Count’s face in


her answer. It wasn’t a friendly smile, but a polite one.

“And what do you plan to do with that favor?”

Ran leaned back, burying herself in the drawing room chair as


much as he could to look relaxed. She placed her elbow on the
armrest, leaned her upper body at an angle, and replied.

“I want to use the Count’s connections.”

Count’s Illuminity’s connection extended deep into the

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“Underworld”. An umbrella term for this world’s various criminal
organizations.

The count narrowed his eyes. He looked at Ran with a puzzled


expression and said.

“The Duchy’s connection would be better than my


connection.”

“Unfortunately, they don’t have connections.”

“Is that so? What kind of connection are you talking


about?”

“If anything has a front side, maybe it has a back side as


well.”

It was a roundabout, but rather explicit statement compared to the


usual conversation between aristocrats.

“The backside you say”, The Count murmured at Ran’s reply..

“Should I admire the abilities of the Duchy? Or should I


admire your abilities?”

“Does it matter either way?”

“And what if I told you that your efforts were in vain?”

Ran closed her eyes slowly and said,

“I can’t help it.”

“You’re pure.”

“A favor is not earned by pressure.”

The Count rubbed his chin slowly and said.

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“I don’t know what kind of connection it is, but if I had it,
what would you use it for?”

“I wanted to find someone.”

“Isn’t that possible with the power of the Duke?”

“It’s much easier if you have connections there.”

“If I had a backside.”

“Hypothetically, of course.”

Please!

Ran crossed her legs, hoping that her desperation or nervousness


would not be revealed. She thought it would be better to do
something.

“How is it? Are you willing to do me a favor or.”

It was getting difficult to speak in this homogeneity .

The Count looked at Ran as if he were searching and replied.

“If you give me an order, I’ll look for him. With all my
possible strength.”

“Then it would be nice to keep this between you and me.”

Ran replied, trying to keep her strength from slipping from her
shoulders.

“Okay.”

In response to the Count’s gentle answer, Ran stood up and said


what she had been holding back for a while

“I hope your daughter gets well.”

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“Thank you.”

Ran took the folded paper out of her pocket. People may ask why
there’s a pocket on her dress, but even before, dresses also had
pockets.

Ran didn’t know there was a pocket until she tried on the dress
here herself. She put on her pocket first, and she wore a dress on top
of it. There were open spots on both sides of the dress, so she could
reach there and take out things in her pocket. And because of the
wrinkles in the waist, the hole is not visible.

“Please.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Ran smiled at his answer. Somehow, that line doesn’t suit the
Count.

The work was done well, so Ran left the Count with a light step.
Lulu will get better, and she’ll get a lead on finding Lumiere.

Ran thought of submale lead for a moment.

Actually, this isn’t the world she created, so what he’s going
through is inevitable.

It’s easy to think that way, but Ran couldn’t. She had read and
somehow written this story, so she was still fond of it.

‘And you don’t have to go on such a hard road.’

She wants to save him because she has enough ability to save him.
That was Ran’s honest feelings.

If Ran stays here until she is 22 years old and Yustaf is 20, she will
definitely meet Lumiere.

And they’ll meet Sina.

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If they’ll ever meet, she will definitely suffer from guilt.

Before that happens, she wanted to save Lumiere from there


because she had the power to do so.

‘It would be nice if I could find him’

In fact, she did not know the details of the story before the start of
the original Eternal Love. Although different from the original male
lead, Ran roughly knows Yustaf’s story. But Lumiere’s story has not
been covered very well.

‘Uh, I should’ve written it in more detail.’

Ran sighed with belated regret. However, she knew that Lumiere
would be transferred to an illegal underground sword fight sometime
next year; and he will experience some terrible things there.

So it was her wish to find him before then.

‘Please help me find him.’

Ran thought and clenched her fist.

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Chapter 21
Source: Amelia Translations

Episode 21

Yustaf slowly flipped through some documents. There was no one


in the study. In the middle of the stillness, only the fireplace burned
with occasional crackling sounds. At that time, a low but distinct
voice was heard from a dark corner.

“Lord.”

Yustaf put down the documents and turned around. He could easily
see a man hiding in the dark.

“Where’s Ran?”

“She’s safely making her way back.”

“Okay, what about the Elf?”

“I’m sorry to say this, but I lost him.”

“I see”, Yustaf replied briefly. Even if you’re a trained human


being, it’s hard to keep up with the Elves in the woods.

Yustaf exhaled slowly.

Perhaps it sounded like a rebuke, but the man said, lowering


himself further.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, he’s an Elf.”

Yustaf shook his hand slightly. Rather than that, Yustaf had been

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thinking about why Ran was so insensitive to safety.

‘If you’re an ordinary noblewoman it’s normal.’

That’s a given.

It’s strange that a young noble lady, who grew up as precious as a


flower in a greenhouse, has a sense of danger.

However, Ran’s behavior didn’t add up.

Sometimes she seems like a person who is used to politics, but


sometimes she is like an infinitely innocent girl.

‘And how did she really find out about the Mana Stones?
What about the Count’s daughter being sick?’

There were many unanswered questions, so Yustaf grabbed the


Blue Flame. The Blue Flame chose her.

That was a tremendous feat. The Blue Flame, who has been with
the Lachian family, has never chosen anyone who is not of Lachian
blood since the beginning until now.

But it let Ran go?

‘You know something.’

While touching the cold surface of the Blue Flame, Yustaf exhaled
briefly and said.

“Find out what the Count is doing after Ran leaves.”

“Yes.”

With that answer, the man disappeared into the shadow as if he


were melting.

Originally, the Green Shadows, Lachia’s intelligence group,

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belonged to the head. They were supposed to be known only to the
head through introducing the leader of the Green Shadow’s – called
the Leader – to her.

But Ran is in an unusual position.

Yustaf knew the Leader. Because his mother told him. Naturally,
Ran was never introduced. Nevertheless, the head was Ran, but the
Leader came to Yustaf without embarrassment, and he did not inform
Ran of this fact.

‘Cause she’s only a temporary head anyway.’

He felt that way, and thought he didn’t have to expose his power.
And he’s still using it very well.

‘If it weren’t for Ran, the Green Shadows would have been
disbanded.’

Maintaining a secret group does not only require loyalty but also a
huge amount of money. The money to hide, the money to hide the
bodies, and other such funds were much more expensive than that of
the general knighthood.

Sometimes Yustaf thought about Ran not saying anything about his
allowance.

‘Is she pretending not to know?’

Or does she really not care? Yustaf laughed as he remembered her


insisting on her allowance.

‘While worrying about the debt.’

She doesn’t say anything about Yustaf spending all his money.

‘Thanks to you, it’s easy.’

It was too easy to seduce Robbie with gambling so that they could

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kill him in the back alley, and threaten Yustaf’s uncle.

Yustaf laughed as he remembered Baron Lindbergh’s face when he


threatened him.

‘Yeah, there’s no need for Ran to know about this.’

He pulled out the papers, thinking so.

It was not until late in the evening that Ran returned. Yustaf said
there was still time before dinner, and Ran opened her eyes wide and
laughed.

“You’ve been waiting for me, haven’t you?”

“That’s right.”

Ran paused and laughed again at Yustaf’s innocent words.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The cook made a late dinner quickly and set it up. As it was late, it
was not dinner, but a simple meal.

While having some tea with toast layered with cinnamon powder,
butter and honey, Ran simply explained what happened with the
Count.

Except for Lumiere’s story, of course.

“Then the Count’s daughter will be treated.”

“Yes.”

“The Count is difficult to deal with, so it’s best to be


gracious towards him. Anyway, the Elf said he’d be back?”

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“Yeah, but when will he be coming?”

“He’ll probably come at dawn again, tomorrow.”

“Hey, really?”

“Do you really think he won’t or are you just hoping that?”

“Well, I’m just hoping that.”

“I see.”

Yustaf nodded, reducing his portion of toast with a fork and knife
and placing it on Ran’s plate. The neatly cut toast was cut in precise
angles.

“Thanks for your hard work, have some more.”

“Oh? It’s okay.”

“I don’t think it’s going to be okay. Judging from the speed


at which you’re eating.”

Having said that, Yustaf folded his napkin and picked up a teacup.

Ran peeked at him and stabbed a fork through the toast. Actually,
she was a little hungry. It’s only natural since she went out and
worked!

Justifying herself, Ran enjoyed the toast to her heart’s content.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the window. Yustaf jumped up


from his seat.

“The Elf doesn’t know how to get in through the front


door?”

He answered his sharp words with, “It’s bothersome.” Yustaf


walked to the window and opened the door with a face showing that

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he didn’t want to open it.

“The security is weak here.”

“I can’t afford to worry about anyone coming in through a


third-floor window that doesn’t even have a balcony. Keep
that in mind.”

Yustaf spoke sharply. Despite such a response, Haresch shook his


shoulder and walked confidently inside.

He reached out his hand to Ran.

“Payment.”

“Wait a minute.”

Ran said so and got up from her seat. The red Ice Crystal was
handled under strict secrecy, so Ran could not ask anyone else to
bring it.

Ran told Haresch to wait, and then she went to her room and
brought a lead box, the size of two fists put together.

Since it was lead, the mana from the Mana Stone did not flow out.

Haresch opened the box, checked the Mana Stone, and nodded.

“Well then.”

“I’ll see you again with good news.”

“Good news for whom?”

“For everyone.”

With a grin, Ran gave Haresch an Elf-styled greeting. It was a way


of greeting by clenching their fists and tapping their forehead and
chest lightly. Haresch greeted her with a strange look and left

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through the window.

‘Elves.’

Ran sighed.

“With this, I hope we can trade properly. How do you


intend to contact the Dwarfs?”

“Through the Wizard Association. They’re interacting with


Dwarfs because of exchanges with minerals. I think I’ll
contact them tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow, let’s see the president of the Wizard


Association. No, since they can’t be near the Ice Wall, maybe
the day after tomorrow.”

“Huh?”

When Ran looked back at him in surprise, Yustaf said.

“Let’s go together this time.”

“Do you think they’ll get back to you so soon?”

“It’s a matter of life or death for a Wizard.”

“Huh?”

“You haven’t told them about the Mana Stones yet.”

“Yes.”

“Did you think the Wizards would be willing to connect us


with the Dwarfs?”

“Uh- Wouldn’t they?”

“I wouldn’t.”

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“Why? Because we produce Ice Crystals, it’s good for the
Wizards to get along with us, right?”

“Yes, but connecting us to the Dwarfs is a separate


matter.”

What a noble race the Wizards are.

Yustaf thought so and snorted inwardly. They took large Ice


Crystals as samples and didn’t thank them even with empty words.

He couldn’t think that such people would be innocent.

“Make sure you write about the blue Ice Crystals in your
letter.”

Ran nodded at Yustaf’s words.

“Okay.”

“You’re a good sister.”

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Chapter 22
Source: Amelia Translations

Yustaf said teasingly, making Ran pout. A slight smile flitted across
his mouth.

Yustaf’s prophecy came true.

As soon as Ran contacted the Wizard’s Association, a messenger


arrived that evening. It was not until the middle of the night that the
Wizard’s envoy, who had exhausted himself completely by using
space-moving magic several times, arrived at the Sky Mansion.

It was said that members of the Wizards Association Council had


already arrived nearby, saying that they must meet Lachia’s head.

There was no reason to refuse, so Ran said that she understood.


She advised the envoy to stay overnight, but he insisted on going
back with an answer.

After he went back, Ran told Yustaf.

“I didn’t expect it to come this fast.”

“Because their lives are at stake.”

“True.”

Ran nodded. She felt her mouth dry.

The day of the showdown came faster than she had thought. It
goes without saying that the agreement with the Wizards was more
important than anything else.

Besides, they’re all old wizards, so they might look down on kids
like them.

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“We’re going together this time.”

Yustaf said again, making Ran’s shoulders grow weak in defeat.

“Yes, I’ll go with you.”

At Ran’s words, Yustaf smiled, unfastened his necklace, took out


the Blue Flame and held it out.

“……?”

With a curious look on her face, Ran put her hand on his hand, and
Yustaf said, putting the Blue Flame on her finger.

“You don’t have to worry.”

Ran looked at him with her eyes wide open in surprise, but his blue
eyes were still calm and without any agitation.

“Because Wizards are of a different race from swordsmen.


It would be better to wear the Blue Flame.”

Even if they’re attacked, the Blue Flame will protect her.

“What about Yus?”

“I’m fine.”

He raised her hand and kissed the blue jewel of the Blue Flame.

“May the blessings of the Blue Flame be with you.”

His blue eyes, which seemed to be one with the Blue Flame,
instantly had Ran at a loss for words. When she thought she had to
answer, Yustaf had already let go of her hand.

‘Wow, wow.’

Ran swallowed her breath and clenched her fists.

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As expected of the male lead.

She pushed aside the thoughts of her racing heart from her mind.

‘He can’t be seen as a kid.’

Is it his destiny to make people’s heart flutter?

Opening her eyes, Ran thought so, and rolled the Blue Flame
slightly with her fingers.

Somehow she felt courageous.

‘Okay.’

You can do it. Ran thought so and relaxed her shoulders.

***

Kara lifted her hand with a tense face. As a senior maid, she was a
faithful maid who survived a frightening decline in the number of
maids.

The downside of a decrease in the number of maids was that the


number of maids serving the Lord was too small. Fortunately, Ran
doesn’t like being decorated{1}, so until now she had had nothing to
worry about.”

Today is different.

Ran couldn’t wear fancy clothes because it’d been less than six
months since her parents’ funeral, but she couldn’t wear casual
clothes when meeting the Wizards.

“How do you feel, my Lord?”

When Kara asked, Ran looked in the mirror. A black funeral dress
and a pearl brooch. She braided her hair as splendidly as she could,
and put a black headband with black pearls on top of it.

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It is too colorful for mourning, but it would be better to have this
than much glamour.

“I like it.”

When Ran smiled, Soda, who was helping next to her, sighed
without realizing it. Perhaps because of the black color, Ran’s skin
seemed to glow more white, and her slightly painted lips looked
bewitching.

She looked completely different from her pale appearance at the


funeral recently.

‘Cause appearance is important.’

Ran doesn’t want to make a fool of herself. Ran thought so and


praised Kara then left the room.

“Yus?”

The waiting Yustaf got up from his seat. Ran looked up and down
at him.

“Your clothes…?”

Yustaf was wearing a knight’s uniform. The sword hanging from the
belt caught my eye.

“Because I’m going as your escort today.”

Yustaf said so and looked at Ran. Ran said, touching her headband
slightly.

“Is it too fancy?”

She’s still in mourning.

When he glanced at her, Yustaf shook his head.

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“No, I think you look beautiful like this.”

“Ek.”

What? Why? What kind of compliment is that?

Yustaf’s eyebrows rose in response to Ran’s reaction. But without


saying much, he gave her a robe and extended his arm to escort her.
Ran gently laid her hand on his arm. The cool metal gauntlet (a piece
of armor that wraps the hands and wrists together) felt pleasant to
touch.

“Sister.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t have any other intentions when I compliment you.”

At his words, Ran blinked and nodded.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Yustaf said so and escorted her to the carriage.

The carriage’s roof was folded back because the weather was
nice.. A landau carriage was Ran’s favourite kind of carriage because
of the roof that opened and folded like a convertible car. She had
learnt that there were many kinds of carriages here.

As the two people climbed in side by side, the carriage soon began
to move.

At first, Ran thought that she shouldn’t have opened the roof of the
carriage, but when they went down the mountain and started
traveling on flat land, she thought it was a good idea to open it.

‘I don’t think it’s that high, but it’s colder up there because

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of the mountain air.’

The carriage’s speed increased as it came down to the flat land. A


forest, 10 kilometers away from the Ice Wall, was the meeting place
prepared by the Wizards.

The reason was that she wanted to contact them secretly.

When they arrived near the forest, a Wizard came to meet them.

“Are you the Lord of Lachia?”

“Yes, sir.”

When Ran answered while still in the carriage, the Wizard bowed
and greeted her.

“May you overcome the Blue Flame.”

“May the flames protect you. Are we meeting around


here?”

“Yes, you can follow me. I put a spell on it so that it’s


invisible to the eyes of ordinary people.”

“Then please guide me.”

The Wizard paused at Ran’s words and carefully continued.

“If possible, we’d prefer if you came alone.”

“That’s not possible.”

Blaine, who followed as an escort, spoke out strongly.

“Are we going to hurt the Lord?”

The wizard made an unpleasant face. Ran slightly clenched her fist
then opened it and said.

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“I won’t go alone. I’ll go with Yus. What do you think?”

“Lord.”

Blaine frowned. Ran smiled.

“It’s okay. Isn’t it?”

When Ran asked Yustaf, he nodded lightly.

“That’s the limit to which I can concede. I hope you


understand just how much I am granting you.”

When Ran told the Wizard, the Wizard bowed his head.

“Okay.”

The two, who got off the carriage, told the knights to wait and
followed the Wizard.

Not long after, a white tent appeared in front of their eyes.

As they approached, the tents flaps spontaneously lifted on both


sides. Upon entering, they saw the Wizards sitting at a roundtable.

‘Okay.’

Ran smiled and took off her robe as if advertising. Her beauty,


combined with her elegant black dress, drew attention for a moment.
Some were visibly shaken by Ran. Ran smiled more deeply and sat
on the chair that Yustaf pulled out without exchanging any words.

“Hello, Wizards.”

Ran crossed her legs and buried herself deeply into the chair.

Let’s start the game.

{1} Dressed up

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Chapter 23
Source: Amelia Translations

Regend, the first wizard of the round table, thought the girl in front
of him was formidable. No.They were the ones who thought it would
be easy from the start.

The majority of the round-table wizards believed that putting


pressure to the Mana Stone would solve the problem quickly.

She is just a young woman who has recently become the


housekeeper.

The wizards didn’t even expect that anyone would dare to even
fight them.

“I’m not asking for anything too much.”

Smooth words poured out through Ran’s red lips.

“Unless the Wizards’ Association wants to be enemies with


me and Lachia.”

“Enemy, what do you mean?”

Regend clarified in a panic.

Typically, the wizards were the ones who usually said it.

But he didn’t expect to receive such a threat.

‘And it bothers me.’

The boy standing behind the housekeeper is also annoying. In


general, an escort should have a faint presence, but he was strong
and assertive.

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When an average person shows his or her presence, it is usually
revealed by exaggerated words or behavior.

It is not easy to just stand still and show your presence. No, it’s
close to impossible at that age. But that escort was doing it.

His stabbing presence seemed to tell the history of Lachia. He was


saying that he was ready to fight with you at any time and that he
could do it right now.

Regend suddenly became afraid.

Maybe that escort has blue ice crystals? What if he throws it at us?

Regend didn’t show much difference in his words or behaviour, but


the change was so clear that all of the wizards present could feel it.

And, despite his attempts to raise his voice, when he looked at the
escort, he couldn’t help but to lower it again.

“Okay.”

Eventually, Regend ceded.

“Mr. Regend!”

Several other wizards raised their voices, but Regend shrugged.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with her request.”

The wizards shut their mouths at his words. Of course, there is


nothing unfair about it.

However, he didn’t like the fact that the wizard had to do this
unilaterally.

“After you connect us to the dwarves, we’ll take care of the


rest. In exchange, we will provide the Wizards’ Association
with mana stone at a cheaper rate.”

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“My Lord. I’m hoping we’ll be able to keep the effects of
colored ice crystals a secret. And I’d like you to provide us
with some crystals for research purposes.”

Somehow, wanting to find a way to destroy it, Regend added those


last words.

“All right.”

Ran responded and stood up.

“I don’t want to leave the mansion empty for too long. Can
I leave now?”

“Of course.”

Regend replied as he raised himself.

He stroked his white beard as he led Ran out of the tent.

“And My Lord.”

“Yes.”

“Is that escort a knight of the Lachian family?”

Ran’s face lit up when she heard those words. It was the first time
Regend saw her smile sincerely today.

“He’s my brother.”

He could tell she was proud by the tone of her voice.

“Ah.”

Lachia’s next housekeeper.

As Regend’s eyes turned to him, Yustaf gave a relaxed and quiet


bow. Regend felt they had a successful meeting today.

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Lachia is likely to stay strong for the time being.

“It was an honor to meet you. Mr. Regend.”

After saying her goodbyes, Ran bowed politely and left the area
under the protection of another wizard.

As Ran and Yustaf appeared, the knights who had been waiting
were remarkably relieved.

“I’m glad you’re back safely.”

Ran nodded at Blaine’s words.

“It was fine because Yus was with me.”

“Did you accomplish what you wanted to do?”

“Yes.”

Ran grinned.

‘Wait. We can now replace all of the knights’ weapons and


armor with a new one.’

With that in thought, Ran got into the carriage.

“Things went easier than I thought today.”

Yustaf turned his head to face Ran..

“I did expect the wizard to threaten me, use spells, or at


the very least raise their voice.”

Ran added with a smile.

Indeed, the wizards were upset at first and tried to raise their
voices, but they were able to keep their composure.

Wizards, as one would expect, are rational beings

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While Ran was admiring the wizards, Yustaf spoke up.

“You thought about that?”

“Yes”

“Even then, you still decided to leave the knights behind?”

“If I don’t sit at the table, the discussion will not begin. I
could have taken the knights, but I didn’t want to start off on
the wrong foot.”

There aren’t just two ways to end a deal. It is unnecessary to be


too greedy.

The relationship with the Wizard’s Association will continue until


Lachia’s ice crystal disappears.

It may appear to be fair, but they have a slight advantage.

And it would be convenient if this partnership lasts a long time.

“And you went there with me.”

Ran said while grinning.

Yustaf frowned for a second before smiling.

“Really.”

“Yus is smiling a lot these days.”

Ran said curiously.

“Because my sister makes me laugh.”

“Do you mean it in a good way?”

Ran asked seriously.

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“Well.”

Yustaf gave a vague response as he took Ran’s cape and handed it


over to her.

“The temperature will drop further as we go up the


mountain.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

When the sun began to set, Ran didn’t hesitate to wrap her cloak
around her like a blanket. The sun slowly passed over the ice wall,
creating a breathtaking scene.

The view was so stunning that Ran narrowed her eyes and
pondered.

‘It’s really going to be winter soon.’

***

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Chapter 24
Source: Amelia Translations

It’s amazing every time she sees it.

Ran stood close to the window and contemplated. Significant


amount of snow was falling.

About a meter of snow had piled up.

‘I’ll have to make a snowplow later to clear the snow.


Something that will heat up and melt the snow.’

There are endless ways to convert Magic Stones into energy, so


there are many ways to utilise them.

Ran thought and moved away from the window.

It had been 7 months, or roughly half a year, since she had taken
over as the temporary housekeeper. She was still having trouble with
a lot of the stuff she had been working on since the beginning, but
the measures to lay the groundwork were coming to an end.

Ran rushed to the bed and tucked herself under the blanket.

The electric pad – the magic pad they created – made the bed
warm.

‘I’m so happy.’

This magical tool created by Frances was excellent. The air in the
blanket was heated up and the feathers were inflated to enjoy a fluffy
and warm feeling.

After giving it some thought, she named it ‘Dasa’. It was derived


from the word “multifaceted.” But they can’t call it a magic pad,

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can they?

Dasa is a must this winter.

She made a few more of these to include with her letters to Yustaf
and the Imperial Family.

Of course, that is not the only way to exhibit it. Isn’t it a smart idea
to use the social world to promote it?

Showing rather than talking is the best form of advertising.

So, after much consideration, Ran sent the first gift to the empress.

She was concerned as well. She was a stranger here in some ways,
and though she applied the knowledge she had, things may have
turned out differently.

‘Because it is difficult for Koreans to meet American


needs.’

Ran sighed and squeezed her hands..

‘Please make it a success.’

Of course, there’s a New Year’s party before that.

It was halfway through December. Levory had already gone up to


the capital to prepare, and Ran needed to finish her work as a
housekeeper.

They need to visit the door and examine it; then come back and
have a New Year’s party with the vassals.

‘The weather should be nice.’

Ran thought so as she breathed deeply and closed her eyes.

***

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Yustaf smirked at Ran, who was wrapped in a fur cape and puffed
clouds of white breath.

“Can you ride a horse?”

“I can ride it.”

Ran said and glanced back at Blaine.

“If you help me.”

“It’s an honor.”

Blaine smiled and helped her mount the horse,

“When you wear that much, even if you fall off the horse, it
won’t hurt..”

Ran nodded in agreement with Yustaf’s words.

Instead of a dress, Ran wore cotton pants, a vest, a coat, a fur


cape, gloves on her hands, and a hat on her head.

“I don’t like being cold.”

Yustaf shut his mouth when he saw Ran clenching her teeth due to
the cold.

As she mounted her horse, Yustaf mounted his as well, and the
knights who were waiting mounted their horse one after another.

Although the path up to the door was difficult, there was no snow,
since it is protected by magic.

Iberia, the Great Sage.

She was portrayed as a beauty with black hair, black eyes, and as
cold as ice; but to others, she was just an ordinary human.

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‘I imagine – no, from what I read, she was beautiful.’

The Duchess of Lachia has a portrait of herself with her long, waist-
length black hair fluttering and a magic wand in her hands.

It’s a painting of her creating a mountain range by raising the


earth. It is one of Lachia’s most treasured masterpieces.

‘If you think about it, it’s amazing.’

Magic makes the mountain range soar.

‘And the door.’

Ran was always tense on the way to the door because she knew
what was behind it.

The group crossed the mountain ranges with Ran as their guide.
She was fortunate in that she was seated on a saddle. With clenched
teeth, she gripped the horse’s lead firmly.

The slope is steep and the road is rough. Of course, the horse was
walking without paying attention to the person on it’s back, and Ran,
a burden sitting on top, was desperately trying to balance.

In the middle of Ran’s crisis, Blaine would often flinch , unsure


whether or not to assist her. There wasn’t even any appropriate
atmosphere to say anything to Ran, who was clutching her teeth.

The other knights were oddly silent. But every now and then, they
can hear a faint “Ah!” sound.

Ran was absolutely drained when they finally arrived at the door
after a thirty-minute journey. It had become extremely hot. Ran could
hardly get off the horse with Blaine’s assistance because she was
drenched in sweat.

Even though her legs wriggled a bit, Ran was able to walk

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normally. Blaine stared at her with concerned eyes, and it occurred
to him that all of the knights were staring at Ran with the same eyes.

Rather than being pitiful or mocking her inability to ride a horse,


Ran had a personality that made them feel compelled to help.

Blaine always imagined that a Lord should be a fearsome


mountain, but he figured that the current Ran wasn’t half bad either.

Yustaf approached at that point and extended his arm, drawing


Ran’s attention. He spoke low.

“Your knees are shaking, sister.”

Ran grabbed his arm and said,

“I’m fine. Brother.”

Yustaf raised his brows slightly and started to walk. Ran took his
arm in hers and walked slowly, expecting some muscle pains the
next day.

Since it was no longer possible to enter on horses, everyone


clothed the horses warmly so they wouldn’t get cold while waiting.
Together, Ran, Yustaf, and a few knights passed through a rounded
silver-like arch, down a white cobblestone path, into a cave with a
round entrance.

The cave was rectangular and straight, with a white door at the
end of the road.

In the middle of the door, six diamond shapes were gathered like
petals. This is also the crest of the Lachian family.

There were no other gap or patterns on the white door, only the
crest engraved on it.

When Ran reached out her hand, Yustaf took off his necklace and

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handed it to her. Ran took a deep breath and put the blue ring on her
finger.

‘Ah.’

It is still. The blue flame did not appear as it had before.. Ran
raised her ringed hand over the crest.

The crest began to glow blue and a radially glowing pattern was
engraved all over the door. Ran frowned. It was not a windy place,
but the wind blew her cape and hair.

And gradually the wind subsided, the glowing pattern faded, and
the blue light from the crest completely disappeared. Ran slowly
removed her hands from the door, removed the ring from her finger,
and returned it to Yustaf.

Yustaf wore the ring as a pendant around his neck.

This simple procedure was performed on an annual basis. And Ran


and the rest of the group quickly exited from the cave. When the
knights saw them come out,they removed the clothes they had put
on top of the horses.

‘I’m in trouble.’

She did everything she could to get to the top, but now she’s
thinking about going down for thirty minutes, and she’s ready to give
up.

“Sister.”

“Huh?”

Yustaf held out his hand as she turned around to look at him.

“You can ride with me.”

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Chapter 25
Source: Amelia Translations

“Huh?”

“Or would you like to ride alone?”

Ran shook her head.

“No, I’ll ride the horse with you.”

“Well, even if you had said no..” Yustaf said softly and
gestured to the knight to put a saddle on his horse.

Yustaf was the first to mount the horse, and Blaine gently helped
Ran to mount behind Yustaf.

“Thank you, Lord Blaine, you’re very strong. And the


weight of my clothes has made me heavy.”

“Of course it has. Winter clothes are very heavy.” Blaine


answered sincerely.

“Right.”

Ran nodded. Yustaf smirked as he grabbed Ran’s hands and


wrapped them around his waist.

“Hold tight.”

“Yeah.”

When Ran was ready, Yustaf started to help nudge the horse
forward. Since the horse didn’t have a stirrup, the only place to lean
was on Yustaf’s waist, so Ran hugged him tightly.

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‘Ah.’

“Yustaf.”

“Yes.”

“Have you grown even taller?”

“I still have a long way to go.”

“That’s true, but aren’t you growing up too quickly?”

“Well, my joints have been hurting lately.”

Is it growing pains?

“Make sure to eat a lot.”

“I have been.”

Perhaps, since people in the north are tall, Yustaf would naturally
grow taller.. All Ran hopes is for Yustaf to grow big and powerful.

Ran rubbed Yustaf’s hair softly with one hand.

“What are you doing?”

Ran grinned at Yustaf’s embarrassment.

“I’m expressing my sisterly love?”

“I don’t need it.”

“That’s too much.”

Ran took away her hand and eased Yustaf’s discomfort. It was a
shame that she couldn’t feel his soft hair because she was wearing
gloves.

Yustaf fixed his messy hair.

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‘I wonder how would Yustaf react if I did it again.’

With that in mind, Ran smirked and rubbed Yustaf’s head once
more. Perhaps this was one of those rare occasions when he
appeared to be embarrassed.

Yustaf clicked his tongue and avoided her touch.

“Tsk!”

When he clicked his tongue, the horse started to accelerate, and


Ran’s body was thrown backwards.

“Oh my god!”

Ran screamed softly and hugged Yustaf tightly.

He laughed unexpectedly, which surprised Ran.

‘Did Yustaf just laugh?’

Ran wanted to see his face to make sure, but she couldn’t in her
current situation.

Trying to forget about her disappointment, Ran leaned her head


against Yustaf’s back, while he was getting his hair straightened
again.

“May I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“Why do you love to rub my hair?”

“Huh? Uh, um. Isn’t that an expression of affection?”

“It is?”

“Yeah, didn’t your mother do it for you?”

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Ran asked without thinking.

“Not my mother.”

Yustaf wondered if his mother did things like rub his head.

“She didn’t.”

“Oh, okay….”

Come to think of it, Ran doesn’t know much about Yustaf’s mother.

“What was Yustaf’s mother like? Of course I know she’s


beautiful.”

Yustaf took a deep breath; his breath felt like a puff of cold smoke.

“She was a proud lady; either it’s for the better or for the
worse. She had a weak body, so the weather in the north
didn’t suit her.”

Actually, Ran is also fed up with the winter.

“That’s the same with my mother.”

“That’s true.”

No woman likes the weather in the north.

“Then, did she die of sickness?” Ran asked, hesitantly.

“Yes.”

Ran thought so too.

“That wasn’t all; my father was also said to be courting


another woman.”

Ran swallowed her breath.

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“And the fact that my dying mother knew about it.”

A woman, nearing the afterlife but with her eyes still burning
intensely, shuts down and spits curses. She also was proud of her
aristocratic self, so the chasm was all the more frightening.

“The Duke is such a bad guy, isn’t he?” Ran said softly as she
looked around.

“Yes, he is.” Yustaf answered briefly.

Yustaf suddenly seemed to recall a memory of someone patting his


head.

“Now that I think about it, I believe my nanny patted my


head when I was a child.”

“Right? As expected.”

Yustaf thought it was amusing to hear Ran speak proudly.

His mother fired his nanny who often patted his head, when he was
five years old; the reason was that he was getting spoiled.

‘I totally forgot.’

It was only after listening to Ran that he remembered it.

The group got to the mansion a little faster than they did on the
way up. Yustaf followed Ran after Blaine helped her get off quickly.

Ran coughed and said, “Everyone did an excellent job. Secure


the horses and change your clothes . The New Year’s Eve
celebration is about to begin.”

All the knights saluted and began to move quickly.

The long-awaited New Year’s party finally begins.

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‘I’ve paid off my debts.’

When she finally paid the principal and interest before the
settlement date, the creditors were perplexed as to where the money
had come from. Some of them even expressed an interest in their
source of funds, but Ran remained silent and smiled.

This year’s New Year’s party was modest, but she plans to throw a
big party next year and give gifts to young children.

Ran decided and smiled.

***

The New Year’s Eve celebration was laid back. Food was stacked
high and specialties such as honey, alcohol and red wine were evenly
distributed.

The room was bright and adorned with silver thorn trees.

The silver thorn tree resembles a holly tree{1}, but the back of the
leaves is silver and the fruit is red. The house was green even in the
winter, so it was commonly used as a New Year’s party decoration.

People, who drank moderately, cheered and took quick steps as a


cheerful dance song was played.

The inside of the venue was warm thanks to the new magic device,
the heater.

Ran quietly sat down on a chair near the pillar.

‘The alcohol is pretty strong.’

Riddle fruit was a bright red fruit with a sweet and sour flavor. As a
result, the liquor was also bright red in color and tasted the same.

Ran soon became obsessed with the sweet drink, and she had
already emptied three large cups.

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‘Is it because I drink it quickly?’

Her face was hot and her head was spinning. Fortunately, they’re
already in the midst of a New Year’s Eve celebration.

At that moment, someone handed her a glass of water, and when


she looked up, it was Yustaf.

“Thank you.”

“You drank it way too quickly.”

“I had no idea it was so strong.”

Yustaf let out a soft sigh.

Ran asked, while taking a sip of cold water.

“Why are you wearing the Academy uniform?”

“I don’t have a suit.”

“Let’s get you one!”

“We simply can’t afford it.”

“I can buy my brother a suit.”

As Ran spoke with determination in her eyes, Yustaf glanced at her


dress and said,

“Your dress is short.”

Ah.

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Chapter 26
Source: Amelia Translations

Ran stretched her exposed ankle and replied,

“My mother is shorter than me.”

It was the right size for her mother, but it was too short for her.

“Why didn’t you get a new one?”

Ran grinned.

“I’ve got tons of dresses.”

My mother gave me three dresses for each New Year’s Eve party.

Of course, that was how my mother celebrated the New Year’s Eve
party: changing outfits from head to toe with matching accessories..

It was her consolation for having a banquet in Lachia instead of


going to the Imperial Palace’s New Year’s party.

‘Well, Lachia is a countryside.’

Her mother, a glamorous and sophisticated beauty, lamented that


her time in Lachia had aged her by ten years.

However, as opposed to the wives of other vassals, her mother was


truly fashionable..

‘That is why our finances are in such a mess.’

Their Duchy is the most impoverished of all the duchies. There is


also a fact that their land is barren of vegetation.

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‘However, once we have the mana stone trade up and
running, all will improve.’

Whoo hoo.

Yustaf held out his hand as Ran grinned slyly.

“….…?”

Ran was puzzled while she handed back the glass of water to
Yustaf.

“..”

Yustaf handed the glass of water to a passing servant before


reaching out to Ran once more..

“Dance, please.”

“Huh?”

Ran was shocked as she looked at Yustaf’s hand and held out her
hand. But before their hands touched, she paused and frowned.

“I’m not good at dancing.”

“I thought so.”

Yustaf took her hand and pulled her up from the chair as he said
so..

“But I’m good at dancing, so it’s okay.”

Yustaf took her to the dance floor, and somehow Ran just stood.

“If you do anything like a quadrille [2], I’ll just stay here”

Ran said something threatening, but Yustaf just looked at the


participants, unbothered. The song’s mood had changed quickly.

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It’s a slow dance song.

“Oh, it’s a double[3].”

Ran learned that this waltz-like dance is extremely popular in the


capital. She took a deep breath and held Yustaf’s hand tightly.

“Relax. Otherwise, you’ll be stepping on me all the time.”

Yustaf pulled her and started dancing as she glared at him.

‘Woah’

Ran started to dance awkwardly after being dragged with a


stronger force.

Yustaf clicked his tongue and looked down at his feet.

“You really can’t dance.”

“I told you, didn’t I?”

“What are you gonna do when you’re in the capital?”

“What if I just don’t dance at all?”

“And have a rumor that the Lachia’s are unable to dance?”,


Yustaf responded.

“Hold your chin up.” Ran took her gaze away from Yustaf’s feet
after he gave a brief order.

His blue eyes are now clearly above hers. He really grew up a lot in
a short period.

‘Ah.’

Following Yustaf’s lead was extremely convenient. She was aware


that her steps were incorrect, but it still seemed that they were

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actually dancing.

‘If only I have enough time to spare for practice’, Ran thought so.

“Why? Are you worried?”

“I don’t want Lachia’s name to be tainted.”

Ran was amazed and said,

“I’ve thought about it before, but I believe Yustaf really


adores Lachia.”

“Do you not like it, sister?”

Ran lightly bit her lips and looked at him in the eye, and said,

“I’m aware that Lachia is a renowned name associated with


tradition and honor. But, if you’re wondering if it matters to
me, the answer is no.”

“Because it’s cold, barren, and remote?”

Ran smiled cheerfully at his words.

“And that too.”

Yustaf gave Ran a serious look..

“So, without Lachia, what will be left of me?”

“Your handsome face?”

When Ran frowned at what he said and answered, Yustaf laughed


without realizing and spoke slowly.

“That’s a grateful thing.”

“Lachia is yours.”

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Yustaf looked at Ran when he heard those words.

Ran continued with a serious face,

“No one will take Lachia away from you.”

“You’re right. No one can take it away from me.”

Yustaf whispered. Everything that belongs to Lachia belongs to


him.

What would be left of Lachia without him??

“Lachia belongs to you. All of this belongs to you, Yustaf,”

When he was a kid, his mother would grab his arm and tell him this
many times..

As if that were her only means of retaliation against her cold-


blooded husband.

Her sharp nails hurt, and her expression was terrifying, but Yustaf
was used to it all.

Don’t laugh out loud.

Don’t cry.

Don’t run.

Don’t show your feelings.

Don’t act like a child.

Always maintain your dignity as the heir of Lachia.

Thinking about what he had heard several times, Yustaf looked at


Ran.

Ran began to break out in a cold sweat. For the third time, she had

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stepped on Yustaf’s foot. No matter how she was led to dance, it’s
impossible not to step on Yustaf’s foot with all the twisting moves.

She really can’t dance.

“Yus, are your feet okay?”

“It’s all right.”

Her expressions are all visible on her forehead.

She expresses all of her feelings, whether she is laughing or just


wanting to escape.

Yustaf’s face was flushed with relief as the dance came to an end.
He was anxious for some reason, so he gave Ran an advice.

“You’d better practice dancing before you go to the


capital.”

“Uh–“

Ran groaned and couldn’t say that it was okay not to. It was thanks
to Yustaf that she managed to dance now.

Blaine, who had been waiting, appeared and asked for a dance as
Yustaf escorted her off the stage.

“Do you really want to dance with me even after seeing my


skills earlier?”

Ran was taken aback and asked Blaine, who just laughed softly.

“It would be an honor to do so..”

“Ummm.”

Ran couldn’t say no and took Blaine’s hand.

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Note :

[1] A tree that’s specifically hung during christmas as it’s


associated with good fortune.

[2] A quadrille is a type of dance for four couples, with each couple
forming a single side of a square. [3] A dance between two people.

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Chapter 27
Source: Amelia Translations

‘Wow.’

Certainly, adult men are different.

Ran began her second dance with a little enthusiasm, but as soon
as they started to dance, Blaine began to laugh and stepped back..

“You really can’t dance.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

He looked around for a moment and spoke softly.

“Has Ross been disrespectful to you?”

“Huh? Well, a little?”

“As expected.”

Ran shook her head when Blaine’s eyes narrowed..

“But don’t tell him that I told you that.”

“No. I have to. You are the housekeeper. No matter what, a


knight should not act based on his feelings.”

Blaine let out a short sigh as he spoke.

“Ross has been serving the young master since he was a


child. He probably thinks he’s his big brother.”

Blaine was significantly older than Ross. He was ashamed that he

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seemed to let Ross do his own thing, despite the fact that he was the
youngest son of a baron.

“I don’t really mind since Yustaf likes him.”

Blaine smiled at Ran’s words; his soft brown eyes looked at her.

“Do you think so?”

“Huh?”

“He likes Ross?”

“Ummm.”

Ran groaned and replied.

“He doesn’t seem to hate him.”

Even when she thought about it, she was still unsure. Blaine
grinned as if he knew it.

Ran spoke as if she were making excuses.

“But maybe my attitude is worse. It’s bad to see your boss


show their likes and dislikes to their subordinates.”

“That’s right.”

Blaine nodded. Ran nodded in relief, then frowned.

“Blaine.”

“Yes.”

“Your boots are strong, right?”

Blaine held back his laughter and spoke seriously again.

“They’re sturdy.”

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“That’s a relief.”

Ran finished dancing and felt relieved. She couldn’t even count
how many times she stepped on him. Blaine’s patience without
raising an eyebrow[1] made her want to clap her hands.

After leaving the dance floor, Ran quickly moved to the food
section to avoid a series of knights asking for a dance.

‘Well, the meat is dropping[2] fast.’

“Ham, cheese, and salmon were sandwiched between the


thin sandwich slices, but the most popular was ham.
Cucumber sandwiches were too expensive to be served.”

‘ time, I’ll fill it up to be a little more fancy.’

Planning for the New Year’s party next year, Ran picked the least
popular salmon sandwiches.

In autumn, salmon, which are caught extensively in valleys and


rivers, are smoked and become the main food in winter. They were
so common that they were not popular.

Ran looked around, filled a large cup with wine, and then opened
the door to the terrace and went out..

She felt good when the hot air and her cheeks heated by alcohol
met the cold air.

Today was mild for winter, with no strong north wind.

“I feel good.”

Is it because of the spirit of alcohol that she’s talking out loud?

Somehow, laughter came spilling out as Ran lightly tuned into the
sound of music coming from inside, spinning around and laughing
again.

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“Oh, good.”

Ran breathed in the cold air and gulped down a strong drink.

“Wow.”

It’s spinning.

Heat rose from her throat and stomach. Eating the salmon
sandwich in one bite, Ran sighed.

A white breath came out like that of a dragon. Ran walked out
towards the railing.

“It’s hot.”

The banquet hall was on the second floor. Under the high railing,
the white field sparkled brilliantly.

Snow, snow, snow.

Snow is everywhere.

Ran smiled lightly. Her mother said she was sick and tired of this
snow.

However, the reflection of the moonlight at night was comparable


to the Queen’s dress[3].

The road was diligently cleaned up by the servants, but the snow
piled up in the garden cannot be helped. And the gardener says that
the roots are protected only when the snow piles up.

‘It’s stuffy.’

Ran put her hand on her head thinking so. Ran began to pull out
her hairpin because she felt uncomfortable with her carefully braided
hair.

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When she pulled out the long comb-shaped pin, her curled hair fell
down.

Ran jumped up and sat on the railing. It was an action that she
would have considered to be dangerous had she not been drunk.

Sitting on the railing, she began to untie her hair.

“Okay!”

When she managed to untie all her hair, her head had never felt so
light.

The winter wind sweeping through her scalp felt good.

“Sister?”

The terrace door opened slightly and a voice poured out, making
Ran smile and wave..

“Yus!”

His blue eyes were round as if surprised. Ran laughed because it


was cute.

TL/N : yes yus is very cute la and he very hawt too

“Here, here! Here!”

She now waved her hands as hard as she could. Yustaf did not run.
Instead, he walked fast.

When a strong breeze blew, she felt her hair and dress flying and
fluttering.

‘Wow, I’m flying.’

Thinking so, she opened her arms and smiled, and Yustaf wrapped
his arms around her waist tightly.

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“Yus?”

Keeling[4] from laughter, Ran swept up her hair. Her sparkling


wheat hair shook gently in the wind.

“I almost flew away.”

“Is that what you’re saying?”

“Huh? Why?”

“Why?”

Yustaf asked back, as if she was being absurd, and said while
tightening the arm around her waist and then loosening it slightly..

“We’ll put it in a contract. You won’t die until I become the


Head.”

“I have no intention of dying..”

‘I’ll live a long life.’

As Ran grinned saying so, Yustaf sighed. The breath that came out
became a white cloud and scattered.

“Please. I told you. I don’t like people who die easily.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I won’t die.”

Ran looked down at him, answering several times. Looking at his


calm blue eyes, somehow her mood was calming.

“Yus,”

“Yes.”

“Smile.”

Yustaf sighed again.

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“I didn’t think you had drank that much.”

Ran frowned at his murmur.

“I’m not drunk.”

“Those who really aren’t drunk don’t say that.”

“Grumpy.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you bad mouth!”

Ran tried to kiss him, but her shaky body made her kiss his
forehead instead of his lips.

QC : Oh my, Oh my.

Ran chuckled again at his startled reaction.

“Yus is mean, stupid, and bad. I’m working really hard.”

“I know.”

After talking, Yustaf looked at Ran.

“Then why are you so mean?”

“I wasn’t that mean.”

“But, but.”

Ran frowned.

“Then how do you want me to treat you?”

“Be nicer to me.”

“Nicer, and?”

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“Be gentle.”

“Aren’t I being nice and gentle enough?”

“No.”

Ran frowned. Yustaf looked at her and asked.

“Do you like Lachia?”

The same question as before.

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Chapter 28
Source: Amelia Translations

Ran tilted her head and said honestly.

“Umm, not much?”

She doesn’t work like this because she likes Lachia.

It is for Yustaf, and in fact, for herself. Still, it overlaps.

Even if she builds up a good foundation, it’s easier to leave here


once she makes money. If she leaves here now, she’ll be broke.

“Who’s cold-hearted?”

Ran grumbled when Yustaf replied like that.

“I’m not cold-hearted. Come on, be nice.”

A laugh mixed with absurdity leaked out of his mouth.

“How can I be nice?”

“Speak kindly.”

“Kindly. That’s very abstract. And?”

“Don’t kill me.”

At those words, Yustaf let go of his hand holding her waist. When
Ran looked at him with a curious look, Yustaf pushed her.

“-?!”

As her upper body went back and shook in the air, then Yustaf
grabbed her hand.

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“Yus?”

Ran was sober with surprise.

She tried to pull up her upper body by pulling her held hand, but as
he took a step closer, she stumbled again and slipped back.

“Are you going to drop me?”

“What do you think?”

As she stared at his blue eyes, Ran laughed. The laugh caught
Yustaf off guard.

“You promised.”

Yustaf stood still for a moment with an expression that couldn’t be


described in words and pulled her arm. Her upper body was pulled
forward and lightly bumped into Yustaf.

“Why do you say that when you know that I won’t? That I’m
gonna kill you?”

“I mean after the alliance, after.”

Yustaf sighed again.

“You’re so heartless.”

He took off his cape with one hand and wrapped it around her head
then held Ran above the railing.

“Yus?!”

Yustaf said as he moved while Ran shouted in surprise.

“It’s cold. Your lips are blue, too.”

“It’s not that cold.”

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“That’s what’s scarier.”

Yustaf said so and opened the terrace door and went inside. Ran’s
skin became itchy when she went into the warm room.

‘I’m sleepy.’

Ran yawned because she suddenly felt sleepy.

Bringing her to the entrance of the hall, Yustaf called the maid.

Kara quickly approached at his beckoning. Only then did Yustaf put
down Ran and said.

“Take a bath and rest.”

He then bowed politely and went back to the banquet hall. Kara
made a fuss when she saw Ran’s face.

“Oh, my Lord. You’re too pale. Oh, my God. Your face is


frozen. I’ll tell them to prepare a bath. Hurry up and go up.”

“Sorry, Kara would’ve loved to enjoy the banquet, too.”

“What are you talking about?”

Kara shook her head. Returning to Ran’s room, she grew the fire in
the fireplace, and turned on the heater.

Sitting in a warm place, Ran felt sleepy. Ran was dozing off when
she was woken up by Kara’s touch and finished her bath. Her head
was almost like a sangmo[5].

Ran laid down on the bed and fell asleep.

***

Yustaf exhaled deeply and lengthened the tip of his sword. Steam
was rising from his body. Sweat ran down his chin.

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He had just finished his sword training at dawn.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Blaine held out a towel and Yustaf accepted while asking.

“What about Ross?”

“Winter training.”

When he said it with a smile, Yustaf simply said, “Oh no.” The
midwinter training is one of the greatest hardships.

“As you said, the Lord’s escorts consist of skilled men.”

He handed over the list and Yustaf looked over the paper, wiping
his sweat off. Even in the Knights’ Order, only the most well-known
knights were selected.

“Go ahead with this. Good job.”

He returned the paper and said. It would be nice if he could follow


along, but not yet.

Once you’ve cut out the biggest rotten part, it’s time to cut out the
remaining small spots.

Yustaf leaned against his sword and looked up at the Ice Wall. An
old mountain range with white ice caps stands proudly behind the
mansion.

– Yustaf must like Lachia.

Yustaf suddenly remembered her words.

‘I like it, Ran.’

Yustaf laughed. It’s funny to ask such ridiculous questions, and to


make yourself laugh.

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Lachia was everything to him.

Without Lachia, he is just an empty shell.

What he had learned, why he had learned, everything was to


become the Head of Lachia..

– You promised.

Even though Ran’s life depends on him, she still believed in their
promise, even if she didn’t believe in Yustaf himself.

“You want me to be nice and friendly?” Yustaf exhaled a long


white breath, closed his eyes, and opened them again.

“Blaine.”

“Yes.”

“Please call for Ran.”

“Yes[6].”

Blaine bowed deeply.

Notes :

[1] Without signs of discomfort

[2] Finishing

[3] As extravagant as the Queen’s dress

[4] Fall over.

[5] Feather from a Korean folk arts hat

[6] Respectful way showing that you respect the other person’s
opinion.

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Chapter 29
Source: Amelia Translations

The sound of pounding and stretching of the feather pillow can be


heard inside the bedroom.

Ran screamed inside, punching the pillow with both hands.

‘Argh! Ran! You’ve gone completely insane. You’re a total


idiot.’

After a while, the feather pillow had become so swollen that it


seemed to have taken a great beating, so Ran set it aside and picked
up another pillow to beat..

‘Crazy, crazy. You’re crazy! What are you trying to do when


you’re drunk? What? Kissing? What kind of sexual
harassment is that?’

Bam! thump!!

The feather pillow gradually swelled up.

When the pillow was completely swollen, Ran rubbed her face on it.

‘Argh! Argh!

After kicking the sheet several times with her foot, Ran sighed and
sank into the bed.

‘And he pushed me off the railing!’

It was as if he was testing her, and she didn’t like it.

Of course, the sexual harassment was horrible. But does she


deserve to die?

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‘No, if I were in his shoes, I’d want to have pushed myself
as well. I should apologize first.’

Yes, she should just apologize..

Ran decided and slowly raised her body from the bed. Today’s
breakfast preparation time seemed short..

As she went down to the dining room, Yustaf stood there, waiting
for her.

“Did you sleep comfortably?”

Ran stared at his face as he greeted her politely. He looked no


different than usual.

Ran nodded as she sat on the chair.

“Yes, what about Yustaf?”

“I slept well, too.”

Really? Really?

Yustaf stayed quiet as Ran narrowed her eyes and stared at him. A
light meal was set before the two.

Suddenly Yustaf opened his mouth.

“Sister, I’ve been thinking about what you said.”

“Sorry!”

Ran raised her voice..

“Sister?”

Ran’s face flushed when she saw Yustaf’s confused expression..

“No, well, I mean. Last night I, so to you….”

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“It’s all right.” Yustaf replied in a muffled voice.

“Well, really?”

Ran asked softly, and Yustaf nodded..

“Of course. After all, I must be ‘kinder’ and ‘gentler’ to


you.”

That’s right, she said that.

Ran resisted the urge to crouch and scream, while Yustaf


pretended as if everything was fine.

“What I mean is that I don’t think you need to learn to


dance.”

“Huh? Yeah?”

“Yes, you don’t have to dance.”

She got confused at Yustaf’s words and tilted her head.

While eating that day’s breakfast, which was oat porridge without
sugar, Ran look at Yustaf and said,

“Well, I have something to talk about before I leave.”

Yustaf looked at her; Ran searched her pockets and panicked. She
forgot about the picture because she was so preoccupied.

“I’ll show you later. Anyway, I’d like you to think about
getting the sap I’m talking about.”

Since she might not be able to return until the spring, Ran
prepared the report ahead of time.

“The sap?”

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“Yes! Sugar can be found in the sap of this tree. When you
boil off the water, you get sugar.”

‘Finally, I won’t die of shock every time I see the price of


sugar.’

Ran clenched her hand and screamed internally.

“You can get sugar from a tree?”

“Yes.”

Ran nodded and motioned for the maid to get the photo from the
desk. After a while, the maid returned with the paper.

“This tree.”

Yustaf stared at her clumsy drawing of leaves as Ran


enthusiastically explained the details.

“The sap of this tree is sweet.”

It was the same principle as maple syrup coming out of maple


trees.

The sap of the northern snow white tree also tasted sweet.If you
boil it down, it becomes syrup; and if you boil more, the syrup
becomes lumpy like sugar.

“Sugar?”

Yustaf put down his spoon and leaned over the chair to look at the
drawing. The empire’s sugar is entirely imported. Sugar cane was
grown in the south, but the production was low.

A small amount of sugar costs a ton of silver.

“In fact, I’m not sure how to do it in detail either. I think it


would be smarter to test the sap on a trial basis.”

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I knew nothing but that the sap itself was sweet and that it became
like sugar when boiled.

“Okay, We should try it.” Yustaf agreed..

“Yes, and now you can eat as much sugar as you want.”

“You know we can just buy sugar since we already have


money from selling ice crystals.”

Ran smiled slightly at Yustaf’s words.

“Speaking of which, Levory says that the current craze for


that one in the capital is no joke.”

“Of course it is.”

Yustaf nodded.

Ran thought long and hard about their first product.

It was a horse accessory. Horses can be decorated with any


accessory, but making accessories for the nobility is very crucial.

‘Pegasus Wings’

That’s what Ran came up with.

When you equip this magical gem on a horse, transparent,


iridescent wings will emerge from its body.

The winged horse has now symbolized aristocratic opulence.

The use of a high-purity crystal also ensures that the horse’s


strength and stamina will slowly increase when it wears it for a
longer period of time.

The Empress adorned every horse that pulled her carriage with
this, and the result was spectacular.

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After seeing the Empress’ four-horse carriage with clear iridescent
wings running along the sides of the boulevard, everyone was eager
to purchase one.

‘Besides, we directly sell the ice crystals to Golden Rose.’

For one year, the Mana Stone will be given exclusively to the
Golden Rose.

Despite receiving 1 million verats in advance, the ice crystal would


give her even more money. So Ran asked if she could sell the same
handicrafts she had made that year, and Levory agreed to sell them
for a low price. If they sell the magical item along with the Magic
Stone at the beginning, their profits will be enormous.

The Golden Rose was flooded by the surge of inquiries.

The appearance of ice crystal, which has a purity that is


incomparable to the current Mana Stone, piqued the interest of all
nobles.

The price of ice crystal was about ten times the cost of production.
Ordinary people couldn’t afford even a single grain at that price. It is
still, however, an outrageous price for the aristocracy.

‘And the Mana Stone is a consumable product.’

When the mana inside runs out, you must replace it with a new
mana stone..

Everyone asked Levory where the Mana Stone came from, and
some even threatened her.

And now, when Ran said she was going to the capital, Levory
leaked the details.

Ice crystal comes from the Duchess of Lachia.

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The Duchess of Lachia is also said to be making a series of magical
artifacts..

‘Oh, my stomach hurts when I think of meeting the


Empress.’

She’ll also meet the Emperor.

“The Emperor would undoubtedly charge a huge tax on


us.”

Ran murmured and Yustaf nodded.

“Of course he will.”

The empire, which was created 300 years ago, was completely
reestablished. Ryan, the ruling emperor, took control of the territory,
dismissed all of the existing barons, and granted lands to his vassals.

In other words, all of the empire’s current nobles earn the title
bestowed upon them by the first emperor 300 years ago.

In principle, the emperor owned all of the empire’s territory, which


he distributed to his subordinates. Thus, for the nobles, taking over
the title and being recognized by the emperor was a very necessary
traditional procedure.

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Chapter 30
Source: Amelia Translations

The legitimacy of one’s own blood comes from the emperor.

As a result, there was no feeling of dissatisfaction in paying taxes


to the emperor.

But Lachia is different.

Lachia was the only old bloodline that had not been changed.

‘The family that protects the door.’

The gatekeepers descend with the legendary great sage Ibria.

Ryan, the first emperor, also climbed the ice wall but was unable to
conquer Lachia. The wizard with him was also unable to approach the
ice wall, and the spirits who had vanished were blocked by the blue
flame.

However, the Duke of Lachia bowed his head to the emperor, who
was eager to conquer the continent; and the emperor appointed him
to the rank of duke, and the war ended with both parties maintaining
their dignity.

That is why Lachia still maintains its independence from the


imperial family.

‘However, if he discovers we have the mine, the story will


change.’

As an emperor, he would want to raise taxes because of the mine.

‘Even thinking about it makes my stomach hurt.’

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Lachia had previously been poor, so he was uninterested. But
circumstances change and it will be different.

“But I don’t want to go to war with the emperor.”

“Obviously not. Furthermore, you really don’t want to fight


him, if you want to continue selling ice crystals.”

“Exactly.”

Ran nodded.

“If you do as I say, it will all work out.”

Ran nodded at Yustaf’s words.Before the emperor became greedy,


the two had discussed raising the fee accordingly.

In any case, the Wizards Association is on his side as well. There


will be no one to prevent the emperor if they allow him to take
control of the situation.

‘And besides, there’s nothing better than the Imperial


Family for advertising.’

It’s not a bad business if you consider the marketing benefits.

Yustaf looked at Ran, who was grinning.

She was obviously concerned about going to the capital by herself,


but they couldn’t leave the Lachia empty.

Ran took a deep breath.

“It’ll work.”

Yustaf nodded at Ran’s words.

“It’s going to work. And please take care of yourself.”

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“You too Yus, maybe there’s a crazy guy walking through
the land.”

Worried about Ran, Yustaf smiled.

“Have I not already told you about this?”

“That you’re not the kind to die easily?”

“Yes.”

After answering lightly, Yustaf lifted a napkin and wiped Ran’s


mouth.

“Just how old are you, anyway?”

“I’m nineteen… no I’m twenty now, right?”

Ran took a napkin from his hand and wiped her mouth calmly.

“I’m sorry that I’m moving right after the New Year’s
party.”

“But there aren’t that many days with such good weather.”

Ran nodded at Yustaf’s words. Ran was leaving for the capital this
morning

With the Duchess’s trip, the mansion was already bustling.

“Yes, and when I get the chance, I’ll get back here right
away.”

“That will be good.”

“I’ll get you something delicious.”

At Ran’s words, Yustaf looked at her quietly and said,

“I look forward to it.”

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What?

Ran blinked at the unexpected response. and seriously asked him.

“Is there anything you want to eat?”

“Not really.”

‘Then what are you looking forward to?’ Ran tilted her head in
confusion.

“The sun is setting. You should hurry.”

“Oh, yes.”

Ran got up from her seat.

Because of the snow, she had to travel by sled and she was
completely covered. In addition, the maids put a soft and hot magic
pad on her seat.

Ran anticipated a hot trip rather than a cold one.

“Well, I’ll be back soon. I wish I could at least shake your


hand as goodbye..” She looked like a baby wrapped in a swaddle.

“No need.” Yustaf replied politely.

“Please come back safely.”

Ran grinned when Yustaf’s surprising words came out of his mouth
and nodded.

“Don’t drink alcohol.” He added as if giving advice.

Ran’s face distorted and she lowered her head.

“I won’t drink alcohol.”

“Good.”

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Yustaf took a step back and looked at Blaine. Blaine made a light
bow and raised his hand.

The sled began moving in response to the signal.

A group of knights with flags followed him.

Yustaf stood there until the group had disappeared.

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